The Council sets out 'Playtower' Timetable

Lewisham Council has outlined the process through which it hopes to find a suitable development partner for the listed Ladywell Baths building on Ladywell Road (also known locally as 'The Playtower').  It says:

The London Borough of Lewisham is committed to bringing Ladywell Playtower back into use through a revival of its unique historical character, maintaining the significance of its local heritage and exploring benefits to the local community. Recently this process has been met with unforeseen delays. However, through renewed political and financial support, a project programme is now underway.  Please see below for programme specifics.

Stage 1: Preparing for Expression of Interests (EOIs) and Opportunity Live

The Council is running a competitive process to identify a development partner to take on the restoration and animation of Ladywell Playtower. Numerous parties have already expressed an interest, such as an independent cinema operator and mixed-used workspace providers. We are currently in the process of creating marketing materials for this opportunity. This will centre on a website, similar to that of Haggerston Baths, which will be used to provide key development information to potential partners. The EOI will go live at the beginning of January 2017.

Stage 2: EOI Submission and Round 1 Bidder Selection

The EOI submission phase will run from the beginning of January until the middle of February. It will allow potential partners to respond to the EOI criteria, outlining their vision for Ladywell Playtower, considering development feasibility and identifying local need. A round 1 shortlisting exercise will be used to feedback to both successful and unsuccessful partners, identifying those best suited to progress to the next bidding round. This round 1 bidder selection process will take place between the middle of February and beginning of March.

Stage 3: Community Consultation and Engagement

It is important to capture local community opinions and feedback on those successful bids from round 1 above. The information gathered will be provided to successful bidders progressing to stage 4, helping them to tailor their applications around local community needs and aspirations. This stage will run for the first few weeks of March.

Stage 4: Method Statement Submission and Round 2 Bidder Selection

The method statement submission phase will run from the beginning of March to the end of April. It will coincide with stage 3 above to allow potential partners enough time to develop detailed submissions. This stage will collect in-depth method statements and detailing from potential partners, scoping: development deliverability and feasibility, timescales, funding options, community and heritage value etc. This process will run from the beginning of March to the middle of April. A round 2 shortlisting exercise will evaluate submissions and provide feedback. It will culminate with the appointment of a preferred provider. This process will run from the end of April to the end of May.

Stage 5: Planning and Construction

This stage encompasses the attainment of planning consent and funding, finalising designs, construction works tendering and the commencement of building. Bringing this disused asset back to its former prowess is predicted to cost around £4/5 million, with project completion estimated to be no sooner than the summer of 2019. At least a 2 year planning and construction phase will be required.

The Council's has, over recent years, signally failed to make committed effort to safeguard the future of this building, despite the significant ongoing costs to the Council Tax payer.  So the Ladywell Village Improvement Group is pleased to see that a clear process is in now place and hopes the this results in good schemes which include at least some element of community access/use.  This might include a mix of some of the following - restaurant, bar, cinema, theatre, community office space, fitness/leisure facilities - though doubtless other options exist!

Robert Sheppard   

Ladywell Baths namechecked in Guardian article

Our very own Ladywell Baths, subject of a recent petition, was namechecked in this article in Sunday's Guardian.

The article says - Also lined up in this poolside beauty contest is Ladywell Baths in Lewisham, south London.  Last year the badly neglected site appeared in the Victorian Society’s top 10 of England and Wales’s most endangered buildings.  Christopher Costelloe, director of the society, said then “What was once a hub of the community deserves better than lying empty, half obscured by trees.”

The public eagerly awaits news from the Council on the 'expression of interest' process which seeks to establish who might be interested in redevelopment of the site and what sorts of projects are being contemplated including, importantly, the element of community use/access involved in each.

Robert Sheppard

Council issues response to Ladywell Baths ('Playtower') petition

The Ladywell Baths - in their former glory

In an undated response on its Petitions webpage the Council has given the following, somewhat minimalist, response to the community petition that secured 914 signatures earlier this year.

We understand the importance of Ladywell Playtower (the former Victorian Baths on Ladywell Road) and the contribution it makes to the local area’s character and welcome the community interest in preserving this heritage asset.

The building has fallen into disrepair and requires significant investment, particularly after major setbacks such as the 2005 fire.

We have already taken steps to slow down the deterioration of the buildings.  With the support of English Heritage in 2012 we replaced the roof and made the building water tight.

But much more investment is needed before the building could be made useable again.

In the coming months the Council will invite prospective partners to assist with developing a vision and raising funds for the restoration of this Grade II listed local landmark.

Robert Sheppard

Ladywell Old Baths/'Playtower' - update

The Ladywell Old Baths (or 'Playtower') featured heavily at the Ladywell Ward Assembly meeting on 27 January where a presentation was made by Ashton Bentley, one of the organisations proposing to restore and re-use the building.  The Company, which makes audio visual equipment, proposes to base its R&D and main offices in a fully-restored building.  They would also enable various leisure/cultural uses - including a cafe, rehearsal space and exhibition space as well as 30 hi-tech office 'pods' which would be installed in the main swimming pool hall.

The Company would also rebuild the old destroyed 'second class' pool hall (at the rear of the site adjacent to the Churchyard) and use this for their own offices.  Ashton Bentley are also interested in taking on the Coroner's Court building, although it is unclear whether the Council is willing to dispose of this building at the same time.  There was considerable support for the proposals from those present, though there was consensus too that the public should be able to see all the other proposals coming forward.

The officer responsible for the future of the site, Gavin Plaskitt, also spoke at the meeting.  He indicated that the Council had received a number of exciting proposals for the Old Baths from some very experienced organisations, of which Ashton Bentley's was just one, and the Council would be publishing an 'Expression of Interest' form in the next 4-6 weeks to kick-off the process of selecting a development partner.  He gave a clear assurance at the meeting that the local community would get a chance to see all the various proposals, potentially at a future local assembly meeting.

Tony Rich

Cafe Oscars and Slater & King change hands

The arrival of Oscars (in 2008) and Slater & King (in 2011) were key steps in the regeneration of Ladywell and the owners of both have remained active in the local community, ensuring that Ladywell goes from strength to strength.

Both businessess battled bravely through the chaotic Summer of 2013 when the overunning streetworks nearly shut Ladywell down altogether.

So it is with sadness we report that S&K have sold-up and will leave the area.  We wish them well and will miss them.  The premises will reopen, still as a gift shop but under a new name.

Oscars will be taken over shortly by Saner Gursel, a Brockley resident and baker who has given a public statement on the 'Brockley Central' blog.

Robert Sheppard

Future use of 10-14 Mercy Terrace, Ladywell - Opportunity to comment

Local organisations and amenity groups have been approached by Goldcrest Architects who are  inviting local people to a drop-in session at which people can to view their proposals to redevelop the redundant warehouse building at 10-14 Mercy Terrace.

The invitation comes from Daniel Francis (Email daniel.francis@yourshout.com and Freephone 0800 4586976) who writes "Before a planning application is submitted to the London Borough of Lewisham, we would like as many people . . . . as possible to see the proposals and meet the project team.

Goldcrest Architects proposals includes flexible office space for small and medium businesses on the ground floor with high quality student accommodation above, contributing to a wider mix of accommodation that is compatible with and will support local businesses in the existing shopping parade.

The drop in session will be held on Wednesday 23rd July from 2pm to 8pm at the St. Mary’s Centre, Ladywell Road, SE13 7UW.

If you are unable to attend the drop in session, we would be pleased to meet with you and brief you on the proposals at a time of your convenience."

If you would like more information you can email mercyterrace@yourshout.org or call the freephone number above.

You can find some photos of the current building here.

Robert Sheppard, LVIG Secretary

Restaurant Plans for Ladywell's 'Snack Bar'

A planning application has been submitted to convert the long-empty 'Snack Bar' at 40 Ladywell Road (next to Le Delice) into a restaurant. You can have a look at the plans here.

Flat building starts on Adhesive Specialities site

Some mourn loss of the Adhesive Specialities building, formerly at 59 Ladywell Road (north of the bridge between the railway and River Ravensbourne).  Replacing it we'll soon have another somewhat characterless low-rise apartment block.  Work looked to be well underway today.