Lambeth council today (9 October) announced that it has appointed architects to develop a “community led” strategy for “public spaces and community life” in Brixton town centre.
The move comes after years of increasing concern about anti-social behaviour and worse in the town centre, as well as complaints from businesses about the effects of a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) preventing through traffic along Railton and part of Atlantic Road. There have also been repeated suggestions and experiments around pedestrianising the main section of Atlantic Road in Brixton.
The council has appointed muf architecture/art to develop “Brixton Day and Night: a community-led strategy for public spaces and community life”.
The project will involve local organisations, including Team GJC, the oral history and sonic arts group Brixton Recollectors and Max Roach Adventure Playground.
The council said it would invite people to “help shape the future” of the town centre’s streets, squares and green areas.
Its strategy, the council said, will be to identify public space improvements “that build on Brixton’s reputation as one of London’s most dynamic and celebrated town centres by preserving its character, making it more accessible and better meeting the needs of its people”.
Brixton residents and businesses are to be invited to take part in interviews, walkabouts, workshops, and one-to-one conversations, about the town centre.
The council said there would be “a focus on engaging young people, including training opportunities in research and interview techniques”.
It said recent Saturday Atlantic Road car free days, run by the council in partnership with the Brixton Business Improvement District (BID), will continue until the end of year and “provide a chance to test ideas and gather feedback to help shape the wider strategy”.
“Brixton town centre is incredibly popular, and an internationally renowned destination attracting visitors from across London and beyond,” said Cllr Danial Adilypour, Lambeth’s deputy leader (housing, investment and new homes).
“But it’s also home to a vibrant local community and we want to make sure that residents are able to influence its future, especially as new projects develop and as we work to make it ever more appealing as both a place to live, and as a destination.
“This is a key moment for us to talk to residents, get their views and ensure they are influencing how we work to improve the area.
“We want to maintain a vibrant, inclusive and economically strong town centre, while acknowledging there are issues to address.
“We know people really value and care about Brixton, so holding these conversations is really important as we look to the future.
“Change is already happening, and the council has an important opportunity to be proactive and ensure we can all shape that future together.”
The council said the strategy would help to guide future development, including the redevelopment of International House on Canterbury Crescent behind the police station, and the Pop Brixton site with new homes, workspace, street market infrastructure, and public realm investment.
The work would also complement wider efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour, support people into drug treatment and improve access to services, the council said.
One major question facing the town centre is the future of its covered markets – Granville Arcade and Market Row, jointly branded as Brixton Village – which were offered for sale more than a year ago by their current owner, a joint venture between Texas-based and Amsterdam-registered TPG Angelo Gordon and Hondo Enterprises, which bought them for £37m in 2018.
The asking price in September last year was £80m.
There has been no discernable interest in the sale.
