Photo 19-11-2014 14 16 40

The new Sainsbury’s Local in Spa Road opened its doors this week.

The store is open seven days a week 7am-11pm.

In front of the new shop the gates of the old Bermondsey Town Hall (destroyed in World War II) have been retained.

The entrance to the convenience store is in the new alleyway – named Arts Lane – at the side of the new building.

A Sainsbury’s Local has opened next the launderette in  Jamaica Road.

The supermarket, at 192-196 Jamaica Road, replaces Castello pizza restaurant which closed earlier this year.

The new store, managed by Niomi Brandon, is open daily 7am-11pm.

The shopfront includes an ATM.

Sainsbury's near Bermondsey Station
Sainsbury’s near Bermondsey Station

rainbow

British Land, the owners of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre and the former Harmsworth Quays print works, have announced that they are to consider the redevelopment of both sites as part of the same masterplan.

An extract from their latest newsletter about the SE16 Printworks (Harmsworth Quays) site:

Following the first stage of consultation British Land have been looking at how some of the key issues can be addressed at this early stage – such as creating an active public realm and having a joined-up approach to the area. There were strong calls to improve connections to, from and through Surrey Quays Shopping Centre as well as for an improved retail and leisure offer, that makes more of the water-setting.

As owner of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, British Land are now looking at how this can be achieved. There
is an existing planning permission to extend the shopping centre, however there could be opportunity for a more ambitious solution to help create a more attractive shopping destination that meets and exceeds current needs and connects better with the area.

As the inclusion of the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre is a significant change, British Land and masterplanners Allies & Morrison need to do further work to understand how it could all come forward. This will naturally affect the project timescales and it is anticipated that a combined planning application for the two sites could now be submitted in Spring next year.

The next stage of design will need to consider community aspirations and key issues, as well as Southwark Council’s and the Greater London Authority’s aspirations to create a ‘town centre’ destination in the area.

 

A regular street market is returning to Albion Street every Saturday from 5 July.

The market, open between 10am and 5pm, will have stalls selling art, bric-a-brac, fresh produce and baked goods.

The new market follows the success of the Midsummer market held last weekend.

Simon Hughes MP said: “Everybody involved with the first Midsummer market for many years in Albion Street deserves congratulation.

“Young and older businesses had stalls along the road, selling food drink and many other things from home and abroad – including Finland, linked to the Finnish church in the street. Maypole dancing lessons were an additional excitement for children.

“It is really good that so many people are committed to bringing back life and commercial activity to Albion Street.

 

“Rotherhithe is on the way up and everybody will benefit if Albion Street really takes off as a successful local shopping centre in SE16.”

Cllr Norma Gibbes asked this question at council assembly this week:

What progress is the council making with plans for the regeneration of Albion Street?

Cllr Fiona Colley, cabinet member for regeneration and corporate strategy, replied:

We have been working in partnership with the local community, in particular the Albion Street Steering Group to significantly progress the regeneration of Albion Street.

To date a number of public realm work packages have been completed at various sites along the street. Also, power points have been installed along the western section of the street that will be used for street markets.

A number of larger scale initiatives are also in train:

  • The procurement of architects to build the replacement of the Albion Street Primary School has commenced. The new building is programmed to be in place by September 2016.
  • We are coming towards the end of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) process in relation to the former public toilets that have been an eyesore and potential health and safety risk for several years.
  • Once the public toilets have been acquired, they will be incorporated into a new pocket park that will be built in front of the Norwegian Church. Officers are in detailed discussions with the church to include their land in the new facility and for the church to make a contribution towards the cost of this new piece of public realm.
  • Work to create a popup shop is nearing completion and the property will soon be let. The shop will be available on a short term basis to community groups, cultural organisations and business start-ups.
  • The former Rotherhithe Library has been included in phase 2 of the Housing Direct Delivery programme and the design proposal will include community or commercial space on the ground floor.
  • Discussions are ongoing with the Albion Street Surgery to assist them to find a new home and move out of their current, not-fit-for-purpose facility. The preferred option at the moment is to relocate the surgery into the ground floor of the redeveloped Rotherhithe Library site.
  • Court action is underway to complete the purchase of three dilapidated and unsightly houses, 71, 73 and 75 Albion Street. Once we have control of the houses the site will be brought back into beneficial use.

Sainsbury’s has submitted an application for advertisement consent (13/AP/4192) to Southwark Council to install a new shopfront and cash machine at 192-196 Jamaica Road.

The premises is currently occupied by the long-established Castello Italian restaurant.

A new Tesco Metro store is due to open at the junction of Jamaica Road and Abbey Street early in the New Year.