Plans unveiled to revamp Bermondsey marketplace

Southwark Council has teamed up with Really Local Group to create a new cultural venue in Bermondsey at Blue, SE16, a central marketplace that has lain empty for a year. The 9,487 sq ft venue will be revamped to house a three-screen cinema, coffee shop, café, bar, co-working space and a food and craft hall. It is being refurbished using funds from the mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund. When the venue reopens next year, average ticket prices to watch a film will be around £6.50 and £13 for live events, 40% lower than the UK average. The proposals are subject to approval by the council’s cabinet members, and planning approval. Preston Benson, founder of Really Local Group said: “Working with Southwark Council, we hope to be able to curate a new cultural quarter for the town and secure collaboration opportunities with local independent businesses, artisans and traders.” Leo Pollak, council cabinet member for new homes, great estates and social regeneration, added: “After years of working to improve the mix of shops and stalls at the Blue, and intervening on the sale of Thorowgoods, we are hugely proud to have secured a three-screen cinema, community events and exhibition space and an affordable food market showing the best of local producers. “We were greatly impressed by Really Local Group’s approach, and I’m confident this will become a major new arts centre for the north of the borough, and a game-changer for the Blue. This not only underscores our commitment to healthy thriving high streets across the borough, but the importance of municipal interventions high streets that need a ‘curatorial’ steer while getting the tone balance and affordability right.” To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette