We've had the following message in relation to the plans for the former Ladywell Leisure Centre site from Anne Wilding, the Project Manager:

"We are working with LB Lewisham on the temporary build project going up on the former leisure site on Lewisham High Street. We will be managing 3/4 of the ground floor, which will contain retail, cafe and maker spaces.

"Rent will be approximately 1/2 market rate and we are looking for tenants who will bring something extra to what's on offer in the area, who will not compete with existing local businesses,who will benefit most from affordable rents, and preferably who are local, though this is less important than what they have to gain and offer.

"Would you be able to help us get the word out?"

Of course, Anne - happy to oblige!

Robert Sheppard

Sign the Petition to help save the Ladywell 'Playtower', our crumbling Victorian gem

The Ladywell Baths in its heyday

Frustration has been building in Ladywell for years over Lewisham Council's shoddy custodianship of the Ladywell Baths (a.k.a.'The Playtower'), a fine Victorian building much valued and appreciated in Ladywell and far beyond (not least by the Victorian Society) but, sadly, in sorry decline over the last few decades.

Though the Council spent money a few years ago to weatherproof the building there is no real evidence that it is taking the urgent and concerted action required to safeguard the building in the long term.

The Ladywell Village Improvement Group has this week launched a petition in an attempt to demonstrate the level of public interest in this matter and to press the Council into more demonstrable and meaningful action.

Please sign this petition and give it maximum publicity by circulating this message/weblink to your friends (whether in Lewisham or beyond), posting it on Facebook, tweeting etc.

If we get 8,000 'signatures' by the time the petition closes in February we will be able to secure a debate in full Council.

LVIG