Southwark News - April 30th 2026

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Jamaican-Turkish fusion lands in Peckham

We are talking serious flavour and even better vibes

By Myfanwy Fleming-Jones

AN ORIGINAL Jamaican-Turkish fusion residency has opened up in a Peckham pub, and it already feels like it was always meant to be there.

Jurkish, created by Peckham-born Nazli Ramadan, brings a vibe as full of life and as diverse as the community surrounding it — complete with honey-infused cocktails brewed to complement every plate.

A proud South Londoner, Nazli attended Sydenham School in Lewisham and launched Jurkish at John the Unicorn on Rye Lane after the success of her pop-up JUMBI in nearby Copeland Park.

She’s been putting a creative spin on Jamaican and Turkish cuisine for over a decade, and this new home feels like the moment it all clicks into place.

John The Unicorn on Rye Lane was acquired by Peckham-based brewers Gosnells and reopen last November. The pub is housed in what was once a decorator’s shop and has become a favourite for its laid-back vibes, neon cocktails, craft beers and stone-baked pizzas.

“I am always going to be the biggest

champion of how overlooked the little pockets of South London are,” she says. “The culture that South London has brought to London and the whole world — the art, food and energy. We are bold, brazen and honest people.”

The menu reflects exactly that spirit. Steaming plates of curry goat manti sit alongside hot and cold mezze, Jurkish grill, cornmeal crème brûlée and pistachio brownies.

Nazli has also partnered with Gosnells to create the Jurkish ‘nectars’ — naturally brewed honey beers ranging from £6 to £13 with the raspberry hibiscus and honey and

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ginger varieties pairing particularly well with the manti.

Small plates start at £4, mains around £15, and there’s a £5 jerk wrap lunch deal worth catching this April.

Jurkish is open weekdays 12–9 and weekends 12–10, with festival appearances lined up at On the Rise, Crystal Palace events and Meatopia. A brunch menu could also

be on the way - so keep your eyes on their Instagram stories to stay up to date.

For Nazli, staying local was never really a question.

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“Being from Peckham, there’s such a strong sense of community. From the guy running the car park to the woman selling seamoss under the bridge. Where else would I be?”

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Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper. It is owned and run by Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn.

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HISTORIC DULWICH PUB COULD COME DOWN AND BE COMMUNITY GARDEN... FOR NOW

By Evie Flynn

PLANS HAVE been submitted by Dulwich Estate to knock down the dilapidated but historic Grove Tavern Pub and turn it into a community garden while futher plans are looked at.

The Grove pub in Lordship Lane – which has stood empty since a kitchen fire forced its closure in 2012 – could be cleared after the lease held by Stonegate Group expired in September last year.

Under the proposals submitted to Southwark Council, the 1830s-built pub would be knocked down and the plot transformed into a community garden for up to three years, while longer-term plans for the site are considered.

Dulwich Estate owns the 54,000-squarefoot site, which was once a popular Harvester restaurant before Stonegate took over the lease in 2011.

The boarded-up eyesore has become a bone of contention with frustrated residents. In 2024 we reported that the pub company, at the time in debt more than £3bn, had been continuously paying rent to the Dulwich Estate, despite not having occupied the site – equivalent to 19 tennis courts in size – for well over a decade.

The Dulwich Estate, which has now taken back the lease from Stonegate, has submitted a planning application to Southwark Council detailing a temporary three year plan, before longer term developments are decided.

They said the building is “beyond viable repair” due to extensive fire damage and water ingress, leaving it in a “severely dilapidated” condition.

The Estate has proposed a community garden in partnership with Grove DIY to create “a sustainable, creative and greener space” while plans for a mixed development are considered.

A mixed development would see residential and commercial properties built on the site, but no plans have been proposed by the Dulwich Estate yet.

The Dulwich Estate have said the current temporary skatepark on site will remain as it is and is not part of the planning application proposal.

In 2020, during the height of lockdown, a group of furloughed workers took the

abandoned, unloved space and built a DIY skatepark in the empty grounds. Soon, they were joined by more fans who got to work building more skate equipment and setting up a community garden.

The group were threatened with eviction but their clear love for the site – and the fact they were looking after it more than anyone had for years – won over the council, Stonegate and Dulwich Estate and they were given indefinite permission to stay.

Although many of its original founders

long since

and families

The community garden will allow local groups to grow plants and food. It would feature raised beds, seating, running water and potting sheds.

There will also be space for workshops and the Estate have said the plans will promote “enhanced biodiversity” at the busy junction into Dulwich and East Dulwich.

Until now, while frustration has grown from locals at the state of the rotting

it

the

and

As we have previously reported, the local authority was said to have preferred a pub on site whereas the estate hoped for a residential and commercial development.

Locals appeared split on whether it should be used for housing – or bringing back the historic watering hole.

The Dulwich Estate is a registered charity covering around 5,000 homes and 80 shops, restaurants and pubs in Dulwich

a tree or for a licence to replace a

Alongside comments on the planning proposal portal, the Estate have said they are happy to receive written feedback on the plans from the local community.

You can give your feedback by emailing: grove@thedulwichestate.org.uk.

By Pablo Munoz

A BERMONDSEY park, which for years suffered from a north south divide, will be levelled-up by Southwark Council to the tune of £700,000.

Bramcote Park is divided by Verney Road with the southern side featuring a playground under Southwark Council’s control. A housing association has held control of the northern side of the park for more than 25 years, but in January this year surrendered their lease. Now managed entirely by the

council, Bramcote Park, which is just yards away from Millwall Football Club, will get new hard and soft landscaping, upgraded play equipment, new outdoor seating and furniture, a new orchard and games area.

Councillor Helen Dennis said:

“We’re delighted that work is finally starting on Bramcote Park North.

Residents have been waiting patiently for improvements, and we know how important this green space is to the community.

“Resolving the ownership issues has been key to unlocking this

investment, and once complete, the park will be fully managed by Southwark’s Parks team. We look forward to welcoming residents to celebrate the transformation.”

Southern Housing had held the lease on Bramcote Park North. The group used to be the Samuel Lewis Trust, which was founded in 1901 by philanthropist Samuel Lewis with the aim to address housing insecurities in London by providing affordable housing to vulnerable communities. Contractors Blakedown are carrying out the £700,000 works, which are estimated to last around 14 weeks.

Fire in Camberwell damages four homes over the weekend

By Leah Renz

FIREFIGHTERS RACED to tackle a blaze in Camberwell as four maisonettes were on fire over the weekend.

Six fire engines and over 40 firefighters scrambled to Picton Street on Saturday 25 April to extinguish the flames.

The Fire Brigade received its first of 24 calls at 4:33pm and brought the blaze under control by 5:46pm.

Around 20 people had already left the council-owned property by the time the Brigade arrived, and there are no reports of any injuries.

The ground floor maisonettes “sustained the most damage” whilst second floor homes saw “partial damage”, according to a London Fire Brigade spokesperson.

A 32-metre aerial ladder was deployed at the scene to shower down water from above and emergency crews from across Peckham, Brixton, Lambeth, Dockhead, Old Kent Road and Dowgate fire stations were mobilised.

Picton Street is also home to a Primary School and a nursing home.

A Southwark Council spokesperson said:

“As part of the immediate response to the fire incident over the weekend, the council placed residents from the most severely affected homes into temporary accommodation, provided by Southwark, where they will be able to stay until further notice.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

FREE CAMBERWELL FOOD FESTIVAL THIS MAY

Saturday 16 May from 11am – 7pm

By Evie Flynn

CAMBERWELL GREEN will be hosting the free Eat Around the World food festival for the third year running on Saturday 16 May from 11am – 7pm.

South London food lovers are in for a treat this May, with a food festival celebrating the rich diversity of flavours found across Camberwell and wider South London.

Last year, the festival drew an impressive crowd of over 7,000 local residents and families and this year promises to be even bigger.

Described as a “true foodie destination,” the festival will showcase cuisines from across Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. With more than eighty food stalls to explore, visitors can expect a vibrant mix of tastes, aromas, and culinary traditions.

This year will also shine a spotlight on hyper-local produce, from honey and jam to cakes, mushrooms, and locally brewed mead. Camberwell Green’s farmers’ market will be on hand, offering farm-fresh produce, artisan and deli items, as well as

plants and herbs.

A selection of bars will be available to quench your thirst, serving local craft ales, cider, bubble tea, wine tastings, and classic Pimm’s. Visitors can also pick up a free Camberwell Food Map, guiding them through the SE5 food scene and helping them make the most of the festival.

For those keen to explore further, Camberwell Food Walks will run throughout the day, taking guests to some of the area’s most exciting food destinations. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample dishes and meet the people behind the recipes.

The recently launched Camberwell Life App will be showcasing what’s on offer at the festival and will provide culinary tours around each continent.

Annette Cauneen from Urban Farmers’ Market, who played a key role in developing the festival, said:

“This festival turns Camberwell Green into a global kitchen. Every stall opens a door to another culture, reflecting the extraordinary food landscape of Camberwell itself.”

Thanks to funding from Southwark Council, there will be a free community

lunch on offer made by Spring Community Hub food charity as well as a free bouncy castle and range of games for children.

Kids can enjoy a bouncy castle, zorb balls, a penalty shoot-out competition run by Amuru children’s charity, as well as face painting and arts and crafts stalls.

The local Metropolitan Police team will also be present, offering bike security marking, while a range of local charities and community groups will showcase the best of Camberwell’s vibrant community. There’s no need to book, simply turn up on the day and enjoy a celebration of food, culture, and community in the heart of SE5. Saturday 16 May, 11am-7pm Camberwell Green, SE5 7AA

McDonald’s could flip decision to leave the Walworth Road

By Evie Flynn

MCDONALD’S HAS submitted plans to replace the Poundland site on Walworth Road – but it won’t be open 24 hours.

McDonald’s is seeking to re-establish a presence on the road after their previous branch closed in December last year –due to what a spokesperson described as ‘local redevelopment in the area’.

The fast food retailer has submitted plans to Southwark Council that would see them occupy the current Poundland site at 284 – 286 Walworth Road, if approved. It was once the Temple Bar

but like so many pubs on the Walworth Road it was closed many years ago.

In order to submit plans, the unit doesn’t need to be empty and Poundland is still trading according to listings online.

The previous McDonald’s branch, at 198 – 200 Walworth Road near Manor Place and Walworth Police Station, closed after serving customers for over four decades.

Before its closure, it operated from 5am to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and 24 hours a day from Thursday to Saturday.

Plans for the new site propose trading hours from 6am to midnight seven days

a week. They would also include a rear extension and a dining area with space for around 120 customers.

Planning documents say that the proposal should be considered as for restaurant use, with takeaway services as ‘ancillary.’

This classification means the site could operate as a dine-in restaurant without requiring a separate planning application for a change of use.

Residents near the site have been asked by Southwark Council to submit their feedback on the plans by 12 May.

The council aims to make a decision on the proposals by 14 June 2026.

SOUTHWARK ELECTIONS 2026

THE CANDIDATES STANDING IN THE LOCAL ELECTIONS

By Rich Brann

THE RACE to pick up seats at Southwark Council has led to both the Green Party and Reform standing significantly more candidates borough-wide than in 2022.

Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats will contest every seat in Southwark in May’s local elections, but the Greens have massively increased their number of candidates.

Zack Polanski’s party will be standing 61 candidates out of a possible 63 on the council, only failing to stand the maximum possible in London Bridge and West Bermondsey, and Old Kent Road.

Reform UK, in the meantime, have stood 35 candidates in Southwark, standing the maximum number of candidates in Goose Green, St George’s, Newington, Rotherhithe, and Dulwich Wood only, with polling suggesting a fairly low level of support for Nigel Farage’s insurgent party in the borough.

In 2022, the Greens stood 37 candidates across the borough, winning no seats at the time, but have since picked up six councillors due to defections, including former council leader candidate James McAsh.

Labour currently control 45 of Southwark’s seats after originally being elected with 52, with the Lib Dems holding 11, the Greens holding 6, and there being one independent councillor.

The Conservatives have, as they did four years ago, stood a full 63 candidates across Southwark despite winning no seats in the previous election, with polls indicating generally tepid support.

Below we have interviewed the three parties with current councillors. The Conservatives and Reform did not respond to our inquiries.

LABOUR COULD LOSE GRIP ON SOUTHWARK - AS SURPRISING

POLL SUGGESTS

it

By Issy Clarke

COUNCIL COULD

FALL TO NO OVERALL CONTROL

SOUTHWARK ELECTIONS 2026

Housing is the number one issue for Southwark

Here the three leading parties locally explain where they stand

By Frankie Hills

WITH THE local elections

just a week away, the biggest topic for all political parties is housing and in particular the

lack of affordable homes in the borough.

Every party is promising more affordable homes, but what are the policy details and how will they achieve their pledge given current

challenges which have seen major projects in Southwark, like the Canada Water masterplan, drop from a 35 per cent to just 9 per cent affordable housing target?

Both the Mayor of London and the

Labour government have lowered their affordable target to 20 per cent, so they can in the words of the current housing minister Steve Reed ‘build baby build.’

Southwark News has conducted

THE COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY STRUGGLING TO GET DEVELOPERS TO KEEP TO THEIR 35 PER CENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITMENTS. HOW DOES LABOUR PLAN TO RECTIFY THIS?

“There have been challenges. We’ve been working constructively with developers to try and get us there, or as close as we can. So we recently agreed to a scheme with a developer where we would be building council homes with them free of charge as part of that agreement.

“I think it is challenging, and I also think it is becoming a lot more challenging. We obviously still have that 35 per cent policy in place, but we need to look at that in perspective with the guidance that has come from the government about this short-term

‘STILL

PUSHING FOR 35% AFFORDABLE HOUSING’ -

Interview with Cllr Richard Livingstone, Labour, outgoing chair of the planning committee

reduction to 20 per cent to give a boost to the housing market.

“However, we still have those policies in place, in a number of places, such as the Old Kent Road, where the parameters are much higher. An example would be the Devonshire Place development, where we are delivering social rent homes alongside student accommodation, providing fully compliant levels of social housing. So it can still be done.

“We have also agreed to a number of applications recently that are also above the 20 per cent threshold. So we’re still keeping the pressure on.

“However, we haven’t processed the guidance from government yet regarding the 20 per cent housing target and how to implement that and what that means and where that applies.”

HOW DOES THE COUNCIL PLAN TO WORK WITH THE MAYOR’S OFFICE AND GREATER LONDON ASSEMBLY (GLA) TO ENFORCE ITS 35 PER CENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TARGET WHEN ITS OWN TARGET IS ONLY 20 PER CENT?

“That’s going to be challenging, yes. With how we approach things, developers come to us first and the GLA is there for when people want to appeal a decision made by us, or effectively bypass us by going straight to the GLA, as they did with British Land [for Canada Water masterplan at just 9% affordable housing]. I think in particular, the British Land proposal would’ve had a harder time getting through our council planning application process.

“The GLA is under pressure from

the government in one direction and councils in the other, so there’s clearly a point of tension there, but we do think we can work constructively with the GLA and get the best outcomes.

“With the guidance coming out as soon as we entered the election period, it has been difficult - it hasn’t necessarily been fine-tuned.”

WHILE SOUTHWARK COUNCIL IS THE LARGEST COUNCIL HOUSE BUILDER IN THE COUNTRY, THERE ARE STILL MORE THAN 22,000 HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE WAITING ON THE HOUSING LIST. WHAT IS LABOUR’S PLAN SIGNIFICANTLY TO REDUCE THIS?

“Well, our plan over the next four years is that we will start on another 1,500 social rent homes in Southwark, all of which people on the waiting list

exclusive interviews with prominent local party members from the current Labour administration, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, asking them to explain the housing pledges within their manifestos.

can bid for, with at least 500 being council homes.

“But I want to explain the difference between the 1,500 and 22,000 figure. It’s worth mentioning that by freeing up one home, whether it be to downsize, medical reasons, etc., that frees up another home that allows another family to move in.

“So building one home could potentially mean reducing the waiting list for four families in many occasions.”

OUR QUESTION IS, HOWEVER, THAT THERE REMAINS, BY AND LARGE, SOME 22,000 HOUSEHOLDS WAITING ON THE HOUSING LIST. WHILE BUILDING 1,500 NEW HOMES IS A POSITIVE STEP, HOW WILL YOU CUT THESE NUMBERS BY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS?

“Well we want to continue working in different ways that produce the most amount of council homes as we can. There’s a development for example on Credon Road where we’re getting a developer to build us council homes at their cost so that they can build student housing on two other sites.

“So I think we’re trying to be innovative when working with developers to get them to help us meet our targets, as well as our own building programme, like on Tustin and Ledbury and other sites around the borough.

“We talk about 1,500 new homes in the manifesto, we want to be honest with people and be realistic about our plans. We don’t want to offer false hope to people and say we can solve all this, because I don’t think we can in one fell swoop.

“But what we can do is deliver significant progress in getting that 22,000 figure down.”’

SOUTHWARK ELECTIONS 2026

YOU PLEDGE 50 PER CENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT THE COUNCIL IS ALREADY STRUGGLING TO ENFORCE ITS EXISTING TARGETS. WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY TO MAKE DEVELOPERS DELIVER ON THEIR PROMISES?

“I think we need to have a council that is willing to take the fight to Westminster and to have a local authority that is empowered to deliver 50 per cent affordable housing at a minimum on public land sites and to also be empowered to demand better from developers.”

BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN HAVING IS THE FACT THAT DEVELOPERS SEEMS TO JUST BE BYPASSING THE COUNCIL AND GOING STRAIGHT TO THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE. HOW WOULD YOU ENFORCE THE 50 PER CENT TARGET?

“It’s a David and Goliath fight...we have a situation where major applications go to the planning inspectorate because of incompetence on the council’s part - they’re not assessing schemes quickly enough.

‘WE WON’T ACCEPT A DEVELOPMENT WITH LESS THAN 50% AFFORDABLE ON PUBLIC LAND’

Interview with Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

“Developers have tools in their armoury of the best planning consultants, best lawyers, best viability assessors and they go straight to the planning inspectorate because that is where they’ll get the best outcome.

“We need these skills in house at the council. There isn’t a single officer that can independently assess a viability assessment, it’s outsourced outside the council. That’s not good enough.

“We need to make sure we’re tooled up and the council is empowered to fight on behalf of residents and get the best outcome.”

IN 2024 WE SAW WANDSWORTH COUNCIL INCREASE ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING TARGETS TO 50 PER CENT. CONSEQUENTLY, IT SAW A FALL IN DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ITS JURISDICTION. HOW WILL YOU GUARANTEE THE SAME THING WON’T HAPPEN IN SOUTHWARK?

“Because it’s been done before. I worked

for Newham Council in East London that only ever delivered 50 per cent affordable housing on public land sites. We know theres a model that works and is viable and that if there’s political will and ambition you can deliver results from developers.”

IN YOUR MANIFESTO YOU’VE PROPOSED AN ‘AFFORDABLE HOUSING TSAR’ BE CREATED. WHAT WOULD THE ROLE

ACTUALLY DO DIFFERENTLY FROM WHAT THE COUNCIL DOES ALREADY?

“We need a root and branch review to bring someone into the council who objectively knows how housing works and understands the private sector and housing associations better.

“We want to bring in a new council officer who is able to better argue viability assessments and deliver more affordable housing for residents. This role is about being more radical and modernising how housing is delivered and not running off a model that is decades old.”

THE GREEN MANIFESTO TALKS ABOUT CAMPAIGNING FOR RENT CONTROLS, MEANWHILE LABOUR ALSO WANT TO INTRODUCE RENT-CONTROLLED HOMES FOR KEY-WORKERS. IS THIS A MEASURE THE LIB DEMS SUPPORT?

“I don’t think rent control is the only way you can improve things for tenants. We’ve consistently called for landlord licensing and how to expand it in alternative budgets we’ve put forward year after year and Labour have rejected it.

“Ultimately we need to reassess support for private tenants, but I’m personally not convinced that rent caps are the way to do it.”

‘WE’D RATHER RETROFIT THAN REDEVELOP’ -

Interview with George Grime, director of policy for the Green Party and candidate for Goose Green ward

THE COUNCIL HAS STRUGGLED TO KEEP DEVELOPERS TO COMMITMENTS ON THE 35 PER CENT AFFORDABLE FIGURE. WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY TO MAKE SURE DEVELOPERS LIVE UP TO THEIR PROMISES?

“Well, Labour have been too close to developers. They have been hoping that if they work closely with them, they will help provide the 35 per cent affordable housing figure, but that hasn’t worked. So I think the approach has got to change and we’ve got to be tougher on developers.

“The planning system is stacked against local communities, and I would be misleading you if I said we could turn around and be different and it would suddenly change.

“What I think would be a starting point is looking at the Southwark Plan, which is long term strategy that is up for renewal, and change it so it is much more in favour of affordable housing.

“We also need to review the planning briefs for each local site, including the Aylesham site. There’s no silver bullet, and we need to collaborate with other local authorities and get the mayor onside to persuade the government to change planning rules so developers don’t always get their way.”

YOU ARE CAMPAIGNING ON IMPOSING RENT CONTROLS ON PRIVATE LANDLORDS. GIVEN LOCAL COUNCILS DON’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACHIEVE THIS?

“Councils don’t have the authority to impose rent controls, but we do need to campaign for it, as I think there is an awful lot of support within London for rent controls. The way of doing it would be for the government to empower the mayor to bring in the rule for London.

“We are one of the few capital cities in the world that doesn’t have rent control. They’ve been introduced in New York, for example. In the meantime, we need to focus on the enforcement of licensing rules for private landlords.

“Southwark has recently brought in licensing for most properties, and what we need now is the enforcement of these rules. However, what we haven’t seen is any landlord be prosecuted for breaching these rules. We need to enforce these rules, as this will have a ripple effect and make life better for private tenants.”

IF THE GREEN PARTY WON THE ELECTION, WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU TAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER GAINING POWER TO ALLEVIATE HOUSING PRESSURES?

“One of the first things we’d do is announce

a review of these big regeneration schemes happening, which involve the demolition of council homes. This needs to be done in consultation with residents, so we don’t let anyone down, but the default needs to be that we stop demolishing things and start refurbishing instead.

“Southwark has one of the highest rates of empty properties in London. A lot of that is a byproduct of these overambitious redevelopment schemes.”

SO WOULD THAT INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE OLD KENT ROAD ACTION PLAN? WOULD THIS BE ONE OF THE SCHEMES YOU’D LOOK AT REEVALUATING?

“Well I was looking at the Aylesbury and to review that, as people have now been living there decades as it is going through the process of being decanted, and it still has 10-15 years to go. So the Green Party’s default position is that of refurbishment, subject to consultation with residents.

“It avoids places being empty for a long time, you avoid people living in appalling conditions, and you do things more slowly so that places remain a good place to live. One of the issues that is also caused is the carbon emissions caused by taking down one building to put up another one, which is hugely wasteful.”

SOUTHWARK ELECTIONS 2026

ROTHERHITHE TENANTS’ ASSOCIATION CHAIR AIMING FOR INDEPENDENT COUNCIL SEAT AT LOCAL ELECTIONS

By Rich Brann

THE CHAIR of the Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (TRA) on the Canada Estate is standing again as an independent candidate in Rotherhithe, in the run-up to the local elections on May 7.

Barry Duckett, a former docker and long-time resident of the Canada Estate, is running to be elected as a councillor on a platform of local improvements for Rotherhithe, finding solutions to traffic congestion, and greater transparency from Southwark Council.

The Canada Estate hit the headlines after damning reports over major works scandal that took place between 2020 and 2023, when work costs went well over budget.

The reports laid bare how Southwark Council allowed major works on three estates to go over budget by more than £6million. They concluded that the council’s poor management of contracts

led to the chaotic refurbishment and “unacceptable” outcomes for residents living at Devon Mansions and the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, as well Rotherhithe’s Canada Estate.

The council formally apologised in July 2025. Barry, however, remains dissatisfied with the council’s response, saying: “This is the worst Labour cabinet there’s been, in all my years living in this borough...we have councillors who we never see.

“If I were elected, the very first thing I’d do is bring back ward surgeries, so you can come and see me every month and I could pass all your problems onto relevant officers - what we have now isn’t good enough.”

Barry’s stance on local housing issues is an additional driver for his attempt to gain a seat on Southwark Council.

He said: “The major thing we’re worried about is the housing crisiswe’ve got 11,000 communal repairs to be done, 21,000 people waiting for

accommodation... when you look at the money that’s been wasted, it’s ridiculous.

“And in Rotherhithe we get a lot of reports about crime - we need a police hub built here, and we need to restore the Safer Neighbourhood Teams back to where they were.”

Barry has stood as an independent in other local and general elections in Southwark, most recently in 2024, with no success as of yet and little power to conduct a mass marketing campaign in comparison to the major political parties.

On the other hand, he pointed to his record in the area as his best tool in the lead-up to the election, saying: “I don’t believe in banging on doors begging for votes... my pedigree is that I’ve worked hard and I’ve lived here all my life.

“People come to me and say they can’t get this or that done - I’m known already for what I do, for what I want to do.”

Barry has lived in the area for 54 years, and as head of the TRA frequently attends

local council meetings to highlight the ongoing issues at the Canada Estate, as well as previously setting up a local foodbank in Rotherhithe.

In addition, he has come out in support of other independents winning their seats in Southwark, with little but criticism for the major political parties.

SOUTHWARK ELECTIONS 2026

CRIME - LABOUR, LIB DEMS AND THE GREENS ON LIVE FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

By Frankie Hills

THE THREE leading parties are all making pledges to bring down crime and anti-social behaviour in Southwark.

The council does not have any real control of the Met police - that falls under Sir Sadiq Khan’s role as Mayor of London and of course the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. However, the council does employ extra patrols with community wardens and works closely with the Borough Commander for Southwark and Lambeth.

You can see what each party has to say on crime in their manifestos. Interestingly, calls for more CCTV across the borough has been endorsed by all three parties, but does it extend to live facial recognition technology?

This new technology has seen a massive pushback from several civil rights groups and political parties - we asked the local councillors from the Labour party, the Greens and Lib Dems to explain their stance.

LABOUR: ‘ALL IN FAVOUR AND WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY MEASURES IN PLACE TO PROTECT INNOCENT PEOPLE’ - COUNCILLOR FOR CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY AND NEIGHBOURHOODS NATASHA ENNIN

“The implementation of live facial recognition technology is a decision only the Met can make, but personally, I am in favour of it. Whilst it is controversial, take an incident in Denmark Hill, where someone was stopped who had a conviction for a sexual offence against a child, that was with a six year old girl and was stopped by facial recognition. That’s an incident where the technology can be seen as working.

“I understand there are groups who are pushing back against it and challenged it as a breach of the European Court of Human Rights, but that wasn’t upheld by the court. As a result, deployment will continue.

“We have measures in place within the Southwark Policing Oversight Board that acts as a watchdog and holds the police to account on its use. So we have transparency and accountability measures in place.

“Addressing concerns about the technology racially profiling people, I believe current methods of Stop and Search are actually more biased. The stats prove this, of the 2,100 times this technology has been used, only 15 false arrests have been made.

“I therefore think predictive technologies are becoming an important part of the policing landscape and looking at the data from our stop and search monitoring group, there’s more risk of bias from an individual officer than with this new technology.”

LIB DEMS: ‘I HAVE A LOT OF SCEPTICISM ABOUT HOW THE MET ARE PROPOSING TO USE IT’

- LEADER OF THE SOUTHWARK LIBERAL DEMOCRATS VICTOR CHAMBERLAIN

“I think live facial recognition

technologies are still unproven and we need to see evidence that it is actually working. As a liberal, I’m naturally concerned about the infringement of our privacy.

“We did ask the police if we could observe and see how the technology was used - they turned us down. But there are reports that it did help at the Notting Hill Carnival to get known criminals off our streets, so maybe that proves it could be used in certain strategic situations.

“But there was an instance where we had a far-right march in my ward and it wasn’t used there. That seemed like an appropriate situation to me where it should’ve been deployed, but wasn’t.

“So I have a lot of scepticism about how the Met are proposing to use it and I think they need to convince the council and our community that it would be used in a fair and equal way. This is particularly in light of the way it seems the technology was used to racially profile individuals at its deployment during the Notting Hill Carnival.”

GREENS: ‘I DON’T BELIEVE THAT HAVING A TECHNOLOGY THAT RACIALLY PROFILES GROUPS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IS THE BEST USE OF POLICE TIME AND RESOURCES’ - COUNCILLOR FOR NUNHEAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD, REGINALD POPOOLA

“With CCTV, yes, we would also want to introduce more CCTV, but would be strategic in terms of where it is placed and used. We want to see more operators looking at CCTV itself and working with the police in order to catch people and see them prosecuted.

“The Greens aren’t in favour of live facial recognition technology. This is because, speaking as a black man, in Peckham, we know that facial recognition has admitted to racially profiling groups, particularly black males. We’ve seen people going about their day and be arrested and let go after being falsely accused of crimes they didn’t commit.

“I believe that it is an overreach of the state and believe that there are better preventative measures that can be used to mitigate crime. I don’t believe that having a technology that racially profiles groups in broad daylight is the best use of police time and resources.”

‘We have a good chance of getting the Bakerloo Line Extension, but in the meantime we are providing additional transport’Councillor John Batteson, cabinet member for climate emergency, jobs and business

GREEN PARTY:

‘Under the Green Wave whenever a bus arrives at a traffic light, it’s always going to be green’ - Councillor for Goose Green James McAsh: LIB DEMS:

By Rich Brann

ELEPHANT AND Castle’s Corsica Studios nightclub has held its last hurrah - it had been around for two decades, was one of London’s standout independent clubs and an emblem of Southwark’s nightlife, and for now, will disappear from the map. If it can’t survive, what can?

Its closure on Saturday March 28 was the latest in a long line, coming in the midst of a post-COVID collapse of the UK’s nightclub scene. Business costs are spiralling. A more health-savvy and cost-conscious younger generation is facing high unemployment and the terrifying prospect of a £9 pint, and since the shock of the pandemic, 20 per cent of late night bars and nightclubs in London have gone under.

In real numbers, that’s 1,100 bars, restaurants and clubs that shut in London between 2020 and 2024, at the height of the crisis. In South London alone, the closure of Corsica Studios is added to the long-term closure of Printworks in Surrey Quays and the Dogstar in Brixton.

It comes as the economic crisis of 2022 and subsequent post-COVID cost of living crises have wreaked havoc across the hospitality industry, with nearly ten thousand jobs lost just from November 2025 to December. Closer to home, pub landlords told this paper, shortly before the government’s VAT u-turn that they were in the worst position in two decades and overheads had risen by 40 per cent in the last few years.

The decline of London’s night life has been a persistent thorn in the side of the capital’s politics, with former Night Czar Amy Lamé facing constant criticism for her lack of ability to effect policy and her £132,000-a-year salary in the face of obvious industry decline, resigning in 2024.

In January, meanwhile, the Night Time Industries Association castigated Chancellor Rachel Reeves for leaving many of their businesses out of a new business rates relief scheme, calling for their industries to get further protection from the government. A 23-point plan released the same month by London’s independent Nightlife Taskforce emphasised the pressing need for a dedicated fund for future industry project, improved night transport, and reduced VAT.

And you can’t forget that Southwark’s a much younger borough than most, with a significantly higher proportion of residents in their 20s and 30s compared to the rest of London, all naturally eager to hit the dance floor.

That’s not to mention the massive influx of students to Southwark, with hundreds of student apartments scheduled for the Elephant and Castle regeneration, nearly five hundred more to be built atop Southwark Underground station, and nearly 2000 student beds to be available at the LSE’s redevelopment before 2032.

WHERE WILL THE PARTY-GOERS ALL GO?

One option might be Freight in Brixton, set to be the largest rooftop bar in the city with a capacity of more than 1,000. They’re an encouraging sign for the industry considering the success of their outlets in Leeds and Newcastle, and a potential sign of how nightlife is moving towards more diverse offerings, with specialty bars available, football fan zones, and food festivals all lined up for the venue.

But for now, Southwark gets a different type of nightlife reinvention – the reopening of the Palais.

When doors close, windows open, and as Corsica Studios disappeared the Peckham Palais staged its grand return.

It was a great start, too. In just the first month of opening, the massively popular magazine Mixmag were happy to crown it

CAN THE NEW PECKHAM PALAIS SAVE SOUTHWARK’S NIGHTLIFE?

The long-abandoned nightclub has made its return to spectacular praise

London’s best new nightclub.

The Palais has a long history of fame, struggle and survival. The original building in Rye Lane opened as a department store in 1867 with a grand Venetian-style clocktower.

It was the subject of a long campaign to get it listed by Historic England, after being earmarked as one of the most endangered buildings in Britain in 2021.

After years of being one of South London’s top destinations for techno, the beautiful Victorian venue ended up closed for 12 years until a long period of rescue and revival under new owners Night Group.

Night Group have been able to band together as an independent, communityled collective, owning a suite of other nightclubs like NT’s Loft and Netil 360, and only ever expanding in the last decade.

Such a large portfolio of clubs can help safeguard them and their new flagship venue from the economic shocks that have killed so many independent outlets, which, for now, can only be a good thing for nightlife lovers in Southwark.

Founded by Louis Hyams in 2024 and starting as a small pop-up in Dalston, the group has grown into a serious powerhouse in the capital employing more than 250 people.

Louis Hyams said: “Our success comes down to adaptability and a clear vision - from the outset, we’ve focused on creating multi-use venues that can evolve throughout the week, whether that’s daytime events, club nights, private hires, large group bookings, outdoor terrace

experiences or midweek programming like jazz sessions.

“That flexibility allows us to generate multiple revenue streams and stay resilient in a challenging market... operating as a collective is a key part of our success.”

Despite this, Hyams did clarify that the broader economic climate was still a worry, bringing rising costs and shifting consumer behaviour, though he attributed that the Night Group’s long-term resilience would be down to maintaining genuine cultural relevance and being delivering consistent experiences across their venues. Most tickets for the Palais are a hefty £23, though some specifically affordable (and only occasional) nights offer £8 tickets.

The bar above the dance floor can be entered for free, but you can expect your wallet to be similarly light after a night there too. It’ll turn off a lot of people, but the general quality and intensity that a night at the Palais offers aims to offset the steep entry price.

Along those lines, commitment to a genuinely escapist experience also really helps the Palais hit those heights. The policy is clear – no phones. No recording, no photos, nothing to take clubbers out of the moment or embarrass them when they see themselves dancing on a friend’s Instagram the next morning.

It’s a policy that works really well in Berlin’s still-legendary, still-thriving nightlife scene, a city that over 40 per cent of respondents to a 2026 survey by the London Nightlife Taskforce, mentioned as being a good model for London when asked how to improve the capital’s

nightlife.

On top of that, the new Palais is covering all bases with its offerings. Having multiple floors works wonders for keeping partygoers happy, the first floor hosting a classy bar with a much calmer, quieter atmosphere to get some rest, while the basement hosts the high-capacity dance floor that reportedly needed a year of testing to get the sound right.

A lot of shrewd decision-making went into making the Palais appeal to everyone. One night might be heavier on the throwback house music, while another night might feature more uncommon kuduro music rooted in Angolan history. Smoking areas away from the public view and a quieter underground dance floor all keep neighbours happy – critical at a time when neighbourhood objections have become a serious threat to endangered nightlife in places like Soho.

Residents were wholesale in support of the Palais returning too, with the venue having fallen into a state of total disrepair

for years prior. Multiple letters of support from charities, entrepreneurs and residents to Southwark Council affirmed local belief that the venue would be run responsibly.

One resident clarified: “The management has engaged meaningfully with community groups and demonstrated genuine commitment to being more than just a commercial venture.”

Louis Hyams, similarly, praised the experience of working with Southwark Council in reopening the Palais. He said: “Their support and enthusiasm for the project has been genuinely encouraging and shows what’s possible when local authorities engage constructively with the sector.”

After such stellar early reviews, new revellers and old timers will hope Palais becomes a cornerstone of South London nightlife again and perhaps the start of grand revival for the capital’s club scene – or at least a temporary escape from the troubles of the industry.

Murder investigation launched after Camberwell death

By Evie Flynn

POLICE HAVE launched a murder investigation after a 30-year-old-man died of “significant injuries” at an address in Camberwell on Wednesday (22 April).

The police were notified of the death of a man at an address in Winterslow Road, Camberwell, just after 6:30pm on Wednesday 22 April.

Paramedics and officers attended the scene but the man was sadly pronounced dead after being found with “significant injuries”. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 66-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder by police officers in Kent on Thursday (23 April).

He has been taken into police custody.

Superintendent Alan Duncan, who oversees policing in the area, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.

“We have made one arrest and our investigation continues at pace, as we work to establish the full circumstances.

“We would like to ask anyone with relevant information that could help our investigation to come forward.”

Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to 101, quoting CAD 6742/22Apr26 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE LAUNCHES ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY LINE-UP

By Evie Flynn

THE ICONIC Southbank Centre is turning 75 this year, marking the milestone with a vibrant line-up of anniversary celebrations.

The Southbank Centre’s story began in 1951 with the Festival of Britain and the Royal Festival Hall at its heart. Built to provide hope to the nation after the turbulent Second World War, eight million people visited London during May to September 1951 as the country embraced modern art and architecture.

The Royal Festival Hall is the last surviving structure from the original festival site and was the reason why the Southbank Centre itself was built. Completed on 3 May 1951, the hall was finished just in time for the Festival’s opening, with further additions made during the 1960s as the site developed into a major cultural hub.

75 years later, the centre is channelling the same spirit of celebration in 2026, with

a series of takeovers and exhibitions to mark the diamond anniversary.

The centrepiece of the festivities is You Are Here on 3 and 4 May, marking the exact beginning of the Festival in 1951. The performance takes the audience on a journey through 75 years of British youth culture, including music, dance, theatre and fashion. It lasts two hours and invites visitors to move through the scenes themselves, from the swaying of a 1950s tea dance to the intensity of a nightclub dance floor.

To celebrate 50 years of the iconic skate space beneath Queen Elizabeth Hall, the area will transform into the Skate Space exhibition (7 May – 21 June), featuring photography, audio and video on a paywhat-you-can basis.

On 25 and 26 July, steel pan groups from across the country will be coming together in a nod to the first steel pan performance at the Festival of Britain. In 1951, the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra

performed outside the Royal Festival Hall as the first steelband to travel abroad, introducing the musical form to a new audience.

In the summer, youth culture will be celebrated again with Imagine the Future – led by renowned poet Lemn Sissay –where local and national schools will share their hopes and dreams for the future through poetry and creative writing.

Building on this focus, the Southbank Centre will also present a new youthpowered weekender, Letters To The Future (18–20 September), spotlighting the ‘cultural leaders’ of the next generation, including Amelia Dimoldenberg, Olly Alexander and Myra-Rose Craig.

Goalhanger, the popular podcast company headed by Gary Lineker, will be hosting a series of live shows, Q&As and panels in The Rest is Fest (4 – 6 September). Responsible for fan favourites like The Rest is Football, The Rest is Politics and The Rest is Entertainment,

the faces behind the series will be heading to the halls to bring the entertainment to the stage.

In the autumn, pianist Yuja Wang (11 September – 13 December) will combine a traditional piano recital with mixed reality headsets for a 50-minute immersive performance and throughout the year, Southbank Centre will be highlighting some of the iconic artists it has hosted from around the world.

The Hayward Gallery will present a landmark exhibition of Anish Kapoor (16 June – 18 October) and the Royal Festival Hall will mark the 90th birthday of composer Steve Reich with the Classical Opening Festival (22 – 27 September).

Other highlights include Harry Styles’ Meltdown Festival (11 – 21 June), which features 11 days of music, dancing and community, alongside a new range of public artworks unveiled on the Riverside Terrace created by Sir Quentin Blake.

To keep the history of the centre at the forefront, the team is now inviting anyone with memories of the Festival of Britain to come forward – whether it be from one of the events on the South Bank or from the celebrations across the country.

To submit a memory, head to the Southbank Centre website: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/ festivalofbritain

To see the full line-up of events or to book tickets, visit: www.southbankcentre. co.uk/our-75th-anniversary/ Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX

King’s College Hospital is first to use robotic assisted surgery for kidney stones

By Francesca Papp

KING’S COLLEGE Hospital has become the first in the UK to use robotic assisted surgery to treat patients with kidney stones. The robots are being trialled in the King’s Urology Department and have so far treated 20 patients.

The procedure is performed using a robotic navigation system that allows a urologist to control the camera, laser, and stone-grasping instruments. As a result, kidney stones are completely removed without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.

Kidney stones form when substances such as calcium become highly concentrated in the urine and crystallise.

Over 300 patients with kidney stones are treated at King’s each year. With the new robotic procedure, patients will be able to return home within days of being treated.

Patient Diahann Walkes from New Cross was one of the first to undergo robotic assisted surgery at King’s. She said: “I was not sure what to expect when I discovered a robot was going to help remove my kidney stones, but everything went really smoothly, and I was able to go back home to recover just days after the surgery.”

Consultant Urologist, Mr Sanjith Gnanappiragasam, said: “Until recently, kidney stone surgery involved a hospital stay of between two and four days and a long period of rest and recuperation.

“We know that people can recover better at home in the comfort of a familiar environment, and offering the option of a day case procedure will help reduce waiting lists for treatment. We are extremely proud to be part of the first UK team to trial this service.”

While robotic-assisted surgery has been used in the NHS over the past 20 years, King’s College Hospital is the first to use the technology to treat kidney stones.

The hospital was recently ranked stage six for digitalisation by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), making it one of Europe’s top hospitals.

Photo credit: King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

This week we reported that the Dulwich Estate has submitted plans to bring down the historic Grove Tavern pub. Plans finally to redevelop the 54,000-squarefoot site are a welcome step forward after 14 years of inactivity.

The resurgence of conversation around the site speaks to a wider question facing both Southwark and London alike: what should become of brownfield plots in communities battling both a housing shortage and the decline of local hospitality?

The Dulwich Estate, which has now taken the lease of the building back from Stonegate, seem to be grappling with this very dilemma.

Once a hotel and later a popular Harvester pub, the Grove Tavern has stood empty since a fire forced its closure in 2012. For many locals, there is understandable nostalgia attached to the building and some would love to see the 1830s building restored and returned to its former glory.

But, would another pub survive?

While discussions continue with decision-makers about the long-term plans for such a large plot, why not hand it back to the community?

In the meantime, the charity has opted for plans to create a community garden for the next three years, rather than allow the plot to gather dust for even longer – an understandable choice in an uncertain economic climate.

Undoubtedly, pub culture is very different now from what it was back in 2012 when a fire forced the pub’s closure. Rising rents, higher staffing costs, soaring energy bills and changing drinking habits have reshaped the hospitality industry.

Younger generations are often drinking less, while more people socialise at home rather than spending evenings in pubs several nights a week.

The challenge is that nostalgia for the traditional pub scene does not automatically translate into economic viability. Any future hospitality space at the Grove Tavern would need to reflect how people socialise today, not how they did in 2012.

We reported this week on the wider difficulties facing London’s hospitality scene. Since the shock of the pandemic, 20 per cent of late-night bars and nightclubs in London have gone under. Elephant and Castle’s Corsica Studios was once considered one of the crown jewels in Southwark’s nightlife scene. Yet even that couldn’t survive.

Against that backdrop, the Dulwich Estate’s temporary solution seems like the sensible option. Why open another venue when so many across Southwark are already struggling to survive?

If plans are approved, the community in Dulwich will at least be able to reclaim the land as its own, even if only for three years. The caveat of course is that this on the face of it attractive offer could greenlight the building’s destruction, and three years down the line nothing stands in the way of development.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Clues Across

1 Come in. Thank you. Dine informally.

Be received as a guest (11)

9 With this one has nothing (3)

10 Died having no will to survive (9)

11 The rascal sounds as if he’s in church (5)

13 Could a mere lad be such a jewel? (7)

14 I start out to be a craftsman (6)

16 Mark the regular pattern (6)

18 Flower one could somehow say has a circular centre (7)

19 Belief in the bitch who has whelped? (5)

20 Can I be in dual collision and not be heard? (9)

21 Only part of a piece of pastry (3)

22 Substitute newly mixed paler cement (11)

QUICK PUZZLE

Clues Across

1 One who covers furniture (11)

9 Spike of corn (3)

10 Many footed animal (9)

11 Lesser in importance (5)

13 Amidst (7)

14 Deny (6)

16 Shackle (6)

18 Colossal (7)

19 One who sets rate of progress (5)

20 Setbacks (9)

21 Belonging to him (3)

22 Teenagers (11)

Clues Down

2 Trap what is left after deductions (3)

3 Chosen to put it in the roughly sheltered side (5)

4 Named the bird who was in front (6)

5 Examine closely an invertebrate creature soft in the belly (7)

6 Forthcoming fellow completely absorbed in eating (9)

7 Sounds a peremptory order to a lazy exporter, but denotes skill (11)

8 Containers for sewing accessories or drug addicts? (6,5)

12 Change a net around for every other answer (9)

15 Descriptive of a conventional gathering? (7)

17 Having two feet with which to make rhythm (6)

19 Fond hope of a mad reversal concerning the enclosure (5)

21 Hold down; check growing up (3)

Clues Down

2 Face value of shares (3)

3 Come to mind (5)

4 Type of footwear (6)

5 Incident (7)

6 Vigorous (9)

7 Sprout inducing agents (11)

8 Form of printing (11)

12 Vetoed (9)

15 Supporting shoot (7)

17 Small pieces (6)

19 Stick (5)

21 Shed (3)

Through expert teaching and a carefully sequenced curriculum, students develop strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to apply their understanding to real-world contexts.

STEM learning is enriched through practical work, investigation and cross-curricular links, helping students to see the connections between subjects and their future pathways. We actively encourage girls to engage with STEM disciplines, building confidence and raising aspirations for further study and careers in fields where women remain underrepresented.

We are proud to offer enriching experiences beyond the classroom, including visits to leading institutions such as Imperial College London, where students gain insight into higher education and cutting-edge research environments. These opportunities broaden horizons and strengthen ambition.

To find out more about our STEM provision, including our partnerships and wider enrichment opportunities, please visit our newly launched website.

A SCHOOL WHERE GIRLS FLOURISH INTO CONFIDENT, POWERFUL YOUNG WOMEN

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what’s on

HERNE HILL ART FAIR

A BRAND-NEW cultural event is coming to South London as the Herne Hill Art Fair launches for the first time, taking place over two weekends on 8–10 and 15–17 May 2026, writes Michael Holland

Hosted by Station Hall, it will take part in the Dulwich Artists’ Open House. The curator of the art fair is Luana Asiata, who took time out from creating art to talk to her favourite publication.

How did you become an artist?

I started young - drawing felt like a safe escape into another world. My older brother is an amazing artist and inspired me a lot. We both went to art school. I later worked in graphic design across advertising and publishing, which still shapes my work. Just before the pandemic, I moved into art full-time and haven’t looked back.

How would you describe your art?

My work draws on the residues of experience—those felt geographies that remain long after I’ve moved on. I use loose, gestural marks alongside graphic shapes that move across the canvas - like a blueprint of my journey through lived experiences.

‘They are expressive and strike the perfect balance between landscape and abstract: just reminiscent enough of real landscapes to transport you to a new, plausible world, but abstract enough to allow the viewer to

endow the image with their own emotional interpretation.’

Where does your inspiration come from?

‘A lot comes from memories of home in New Zealand and my experience as a Samoan artist now living in London. I’m always thinking about my culture, interactions I have with people, and places I’ve been to. I bring those layers together to create work that feels energetic, emotional, and thoughtful.’

How many of your artworks are in the exhibition?

I’ll be showing 15 paintings, in a range of sizes, from 80x80cm to 30x30cm. There’ll also be smaller original works on paper and fine art prints.

What would you like people to see in them?

I’d love people to find a moment of joy— something that feels personal or familiar to them. I think we’re all linked in some way through art, and I really value that shared experience.

Do they have a message?

They speak of the energy and spirit we share with people, the land and places we inhabit. I’ve been thinking a lot about the Samoan concept of va—the relational

space that binds us. It holds the imprint of ancestors, the echo of conversations, the weight of land and ocean. It exists in how I stand beside others, how I return home, how I acknowledge what came before me. That sense of connection weaves through my work like a thread.

What are your hopes for this Art Fair?

I hope it brings real connection between artists and collectors - that artists do well, and collectors find pieces they truly love. It’s about celebrating both local and international talent and bringing people together.

Anything you’d like to add?

We’ve got the Herne Hill Print Fair coming up in July—email info@hernehillartfair.com to join the waiting list! Full details: www.hernehillartfair.com/ Station Hall, above Herne Hill Station, Herne Hill, SE24 0JW on 8–10 and 15–17 May.

Review: Les Liaisons Dangereuses @The National Theatre

LES LIAISONS Dangereuses has undergone many reincarnations in the centuries since its release; sometimes retaining its French title, often Anglicised to become Dangerous Liaisons, and once given the 90s teen romance treatment as Cruel Intentions.

Whether set in 18th-century Paris or the elite educational institutions of modern New York, the idea is the same: shining a (moody and atmospheric) light on the usually hidden sexual politics and gender dynamics which underlie society, writes Melina Block.

While I’m not entirely convinced that this latest rendition at The National Theatre understands the tone it’s going for, it certainly understands the aesthetic. The costumes are decidedly Bridgertonian: much like the hit Netflix drama, the most glamorous, and sexy, elements of a nonspecific era of the past are retained - corsets, sparking jewels, swishing gowns - forgoing historical accuracy for something far more seductive and fun. This is

especially necessary in this production, with the sweeping dance sequences interspersed between scenes, skirts and shirts billowing as the cast glide and spin around the stage.

Previously mentioned tonal issues aside - most glaringly how the Vicomte de Valmont’s (Aidan Turner) sleazy and at times genuinely criminal sexual exploits quickly give way to earnest protestations of love and suffering, clearly somewhat ironically, but with moments (especially towards the end) where it feels like we are meant to sympathise more than feels possible - the acting is strong. Each of the main characters is convincing as strikingly different personalities, with Lesley Manville standing out as the jaded and scathing Marquise de Merteuil.

Living up to its notorious reputation, Les Liaisons Dangereuses is a slick, sexy, and scandalous night of high drama. National Theatre until June 6th.

Booking and full details: https://www. nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/lesliaisons-dangereuses/

by Sarah

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LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

(BARNHAM STREET, DULWICH WOOD AVENUE, ASYLUM ROAD, CARLTON GROVE, KINGS BENCH STREET, DEKKER ROAD)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1. The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it made, an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2. Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in:

(2a) Barnham Street, between Crucifix Lane and 1 – 32 Lewis House. (2b) Dulwich Wood Avenue, slip road, between the main connecting carriageway of Dulwich Wood Avenue and No’s 57 near Gipsy Hill. (2c) Asylum Road, between Clifton Crescent and Studholme Street. (2d) Carlton Grove, between Queens Road and No.2b Meeting House Lane. (2e) Kings Bench Street, between No’s 33 and 38 (2f) Dekker Road, between Court Lane and Woodwarde Road

3. The alternative routes for affected traffic (2a) Crucifix Lane, Bermondsey Street, Tooley Street. Tooley Street, Tanner Street, Druid Street, Crucifix Lane (2b) Dulwich Wood Avenue. (2c) Studholme Street, Springall Street, Meeting House Lane. (2d) Montpelier Road, Meeting House Lane, Peckham High Street. (2e) Rushworth Street, Pocock Street (2f) Court Lane, Desenfans Road, Woodwarde Road

4. Dulwich Wood Avenue ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced between the main connecting carriageway of Dulwich Wood Avenue and No’s 57 near Gipsy Hill for item No. (2b)

5.Asylum Road, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway, on any existing yellow lines located between Clifton Crescent and No.18 Asylum Road, this restriction also includes the existing double yellow lines at the of turning head of Studholme Street for item (2c)

6. Dekker Road, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced between Court Lane and Woodwarde Road for item (2f)

7. Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

8. The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

9. The closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 9th – 10th May, backup dates 23rd May – 24th May (2b) 11th May (2c) 9th – 20th May (2d) 11th – 15th May (2e) 11th –29th May. (2f) 11th May – 8th June.

10. Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 30th April 2026

Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) TTRO00097/LBSCRN00041regionTMLtd (2b) TTRO00089/CRN00047nationwideplatforms (2c) TTRO000106/S171/ASYLUMROAD26browne (2d) S171/CARLTONGRMAY26 (2e) TTRO000110 SEC50/KINGSBENCHST (2f) TTRO00080/W122435567-00736 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (PECKHAM RYE, HOMESTALL ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF PARKING, WAITING AND LOADING)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to allow site operations for Gala Festival, it has made an order, the effect of which will be to temporarily prohibit parking, stopping, waiting and loading on sections of Peckham Rye and Homestall Road.

2.The effect of the order is to temporarily prohibit parking, stopping, waiting and loading at the following locations: (a) Peckham Rye, between both entrances to Rye Hill Park, both sides of carriageway. (b) Homestall road, between School gates (east side) and the park Gates (west side), on both sides of the road.

3.When barriers, cones and/or yellow lines are in place, no person shall cause a vehicle to park, wait, load or unload, including waiting for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods. Vehicles parked within the prohibited area will be relocated.

4.The restrictions would not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said event, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

5.The temporary traffic order will be in operation from the 11th of May 2026 until the 31st of May 2026 or whilst the permitted site operations are ongoing.

6.This order is valid for up to 18 months from the 11th of May 2026.

7.Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 30th of April 2026

5LX Ref: TTRO00095

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 (GAUTREY ROAD, TOWNLEY ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1. The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it made, an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2. Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in:

(2a) Gautrey Road, between Belfort Road and Lausanne Road (2b) Townley Road, between Carlton Avenue and Dovercourt Road

3. The alternative routes for affected traffic (2a) Evelina Road, Lausanne Road, Belfort Road. (2b) Townley Road, Lordship Lane, East Dulwich Grove.

4. Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

5. The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

6. The closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 6th May (2b) 9th May

7. Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 30th April 2026

Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) TTRO00007/28880231conway (2b) 31286979conway

STAY INFORMED ABOUT LICENSING PLANS FOR YOUR AREA.

The Public Notice Portal is a free to use, online service that will tell you who is applying for what and where. Plus, if you register, we’ll tell you about any plans for your community before it’s too late.

publicnoticeportal.uk

Notice of Application to Vary Premises Licence made under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I: Komalathan Theivendram Have made application to the Southwark Council to Vary the Premises

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on

PUBLIC NOTICE - Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I,Adekunle Adejumo, have made an application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of SE5 Lounge, 319 Camberwell Road, London, SE5 0HQ to: 1. Permit the exhibition of films, performance of live and recorded music, performance of dance, anything similar to live, recorded music or the performance of dance and the sale or supply of alcohol Monday to Thursday from 10:00hrs until 03:00hrs and Friday to Sunday from 10:00hrs until 05:00hrs. 2.Permit the provision of late-night refreshment Monday to Thursday from 23:00hrs until 03:00hrs and Friday to Sunday from 23:00hrs until 05:00hrs. 3. To allow the premises to be open Monday to Thursday from 10:00hrs until 03:30hrs and Friday to Sunday from 10:00hrs until 05:30hrs. A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by:The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH. A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 02075252000 or on the council website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/ It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk). Such representation must be received in writing by 19th May 2026. Representations received after this date will not be considered. It is an offence, liable on conviction to a fine up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited), under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003 to make a false statement in or in connection with this application. Dated 21st April 2026 Dadds Solicitors office@dadds.co.uk 01277 631811

View all public notices at www.southlondon.co.uk/category/ public‐notices/

Notice of Application to Vary Premises Licence made under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003

Please take notice that I / we Christopher Olivares-Chandler / Dash The Henge Store Limited have made application to Southwark Council to Vary the Premises Licence in respect of: Dash the Henge Store, 348 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0RW

The Proposed variation is as follows: Extended licensed hours for sale of alcoholic drinks on the premises.

The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be varied: Days Start timeFinish time

The retail sale of alcohol: Monday-Wednesday/Sunday 11:00 23:00 Thursday-Saturday 11:00 00:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH

A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at https://app.southwark.gov.uk/ It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Date of application: 23/04/26

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or 'My Southwark Service Points' to access the website.

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX.

Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; PIP - application is for Permission in Principle; S106 - ; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building;

2 OLD KENT ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4AZ (Ref: 26/AP/0730)

Extension of existing part one/part two storey dwelling to create an additional storey above the one storey part of the existing building, with a pitched roof above (Within: Yates Estate And Victory CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Troy Davies 0207 525 1513)

165A BOROUGH HIGH STREET SOUTHWARK

LONDON SE1 1HR (Ref: 26/AP/0297)

Change of use from an art school (Use Class F1) to residential (Use Class C3), comprising 7 homes, together with the construction of a fourth-storey extension and roof terrace. The proposals also include alterations to the fenestration of the northern façade, rendering to the eastern façade, replacement of existing windows and the addition of windows to the southern façade, and replacement of the ground floor roof with the addition of three rooflights. (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Adina Jordan 07394 208 293)

1 STORIES MEWS REAR OF 165 GROVE LANE LONDON SE5 8JJ (Ref: 26/AP/1062)

Minor material amendment to remove condition 5 (parking permit) of planning permission ref no. 25/AP/2764 (Variation of condition 2 (approved plans), and condition 4 (approved materials) and removal of condition 5a and b (code for sustainable homes certification) pursuant to planning permission 12/AP/2900 (Demolition of existing disused garages and construction of a 3-bedroom two storey mews house with parking to the rear)). (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity:

STDCA (Contact: James Holmes 020 7525 0803)

34 PARK STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 9EF (Ref: 26/AP/0879)

Remove the redundant kitchen and service area to the mezzanine area and provide a new bar servery including backfitting and counter Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Anna Poulose 020 7525 3174)

LONDON BRIDGE STATION LONDON BRIDGE STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 9GP (Ref: 26/AP/1089)

Provision of new retail unit (Class E), associated cycle store and improvements to existing pedestrian route to include relocation of cycle parking and new lighting. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Hajnalka Berwick-Sayers 020 7525 3701)

235B QUEENS ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 2NG (Ref: 26/AP/0910)

Installation of new casement windows to the front and rear elevation of flat B 235 Queens Road. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Hafsa Bell 020 7525 1121)

37 CRYSTAL PALACE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 9EX (Ref: 26/AP/1104)

Demolition of existing butterfly roof. Proposed works include the erection of a rooftop extension to create a new habitable loft space, featuring a mansard roof extension to the front with two dormers to the front and Juliet balcony to the rear. The proposal also includes a single-storey flat-roofed side infill extension with rooflight; new windows on side elevation. (Within: The Gardens CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact:

Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 13 OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION

Proposed development at 202 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ and 203 to 208 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NH

We give notice thatStaycity Southwark Limited and Barts Charity

Is applying to London Borough of Southwark

For planning permission toPhased development comprising (a) the demolition of existing buildings at 202 and 203-208 Blackfriars Road and (b) the erection of a building to accommodate hotel (Use Class C1) with ancillary uses plus refuse stores, plant, cycle parking and hard and soft landscaping and associated works.

Any owner* of the land or tenant** who wishes to make representations about this application should write to the London Borough of Southwark at:

Planning and Growth - Resources, London Borough of Southwark, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH

By 21 May 2026

* “owner” means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years, or, in the case of development consisting of the winning or working of minerals, a person entitled to an interest in a mineral in the land (other than oil, gas, coal, gold or silver).

** “tenant” means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land.

Signed: Rolfe Judd Planning

On behalf of: Staycity Southwark Limited and Barts Charity

Date: 30 April 2026

Statement of owners’ rights

The grant of planning permission does not affect owners’ rights to retain or dispose of their property, unless there is some provision to the contrary in an agreement or in a lease.

Statement of agricultural tenants’ rights

The grant of planning permission for non-agricultural development may affect agricultural tenants’ security of tenure.

Joseph Vadilonga 020 7525 5341)

44 PECKHAM HILL STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5JY (Ref: 26/AP/0787)

Subdivision of the property into three selfcontained flats, installation of a door and window on the rear elevation at ground floor level, and associated cycle and refuse storage. (Within: Peckham Hill Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: James Holmes 020 7525 0803)

OFFICE A SECOND FLOOR 139 TOOLEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2HZ (Ref: 26/AP/1093)

Variation of of condition 1 (approved plans) pursuant to listed building consent 25/AP/3416 (Removal and replacement of internal nonhistoric partitions with associated modifications to raised floors, ceilings and MEP.) (Within: Tooley Street Tooley Street Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose 020 7525 3174)

YORK MANSIONS BROWNING STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 1LP (Ref: 26/AP/1135)

Alteration to existing roof terrace railings to raise their height by 150mm (Within: Walworth Road Multiple CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki 020 7525 0646)

ALL BAR ONE SHARD PLACE ST THOMAS STREET LONDON SE1 9BS (Ref: 26/AP/1162)

Installation of 4x sets of internally illuminated individual letters. (Within: Borough High Street Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Hajnalka Berwick-Sayers 020 7525 3701)

Dated: 28 Apr 2026 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date (or 14 days for Permission in Principle, 30 days for EIA development).

STEPHEN PLATTS Director of Planning and Growth

LONDON

BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

MINOR TRAFFIC SCHEMES – GROVE LANE AREA

The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (MTS Grove Lane area) Order 2026

The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (MTS Grove Lane area) Order 2026

The London Borough of Southwark (Pedestrian and cycle zones) (Stories Road) (No. 2) Traffic Order 2026

1.Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 30 April 2026 it has made the above Orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2.The effects of the (Pedestrian and cycle zones) Order would be to remake an existing pedestrian and cycle zones Traffic Management Order in STORIES ROAD, between its junction with Grove Lane and a point 50.5 metres (‘m’) north-east of that junction, to accommodate a new segregated two-way cycle route to make the shared area clearer and to encourage cycling routes linking Grove Lane and Stories Mews.

3.The effects of the (Charged-for parking places) Order, within existing Controlled Parking Zone (‘CPZ’) ‘L’ in GROVE LANE, are:-

(a)(i) south-west side o/s Nos. 114 to 118 Grove Lane remove 18m existing permit-holders only parking ('permit'), and o/s No. 120 Grove Lane reduce existing 'permit' by 4.5m (12.5m remain), and (ii) north-east side o/s Nos. 163 and 165 Grove Lane reduce existing 'permit' by 9m (30m remain), and opposite No. 120 Grove Lane reduce existing 'permit' by 1.5m (9.5m remain); and

(b)north-east side opposite its junction with Champion Grove remove 11m existing ‘Pay by Phone’ parking ('pay').

4.The effects of the (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) Order, in GROVE LANE on both sides (near its junction with Champion Grove), are:-

(a)to replace reduced or removed parking with new lengths or extend existing lengths of ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions (double yellow lines ‘DYLs’) at the locations mentioned above in item 3; and

(b)to amend existing lengths of ‘DYLs’ to accommodate new kerb-line build-outs (footway widening) in Grove Lane, at its junction with Champion Grove, and to remove or reduce existing lengths of ‘DYLs’ to accommodate a new raised 'zebra' pedestrian crossing – as described below in item 5.

NOTES: (1) ‘permit’ refers to parking places for holders of valid parking permits within the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) listed; ‘pay’ refers to parking where ‘Pay by Phone’ paid ticket holders are permitted to park within the permitted hours of the ‘CPZ’ listed. (2) ‘DYLs’ refer to 'at any time' waiting restrictions. (3) All measurements are in metres ‘m’ and are approximate.

(4)Parking charges are listed on www.southwark.gov.uk/parking

5.Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE that:-

(a)under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, approval for the provision of a new raised ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossing in GROVE LANE the centre of which would be located at a point 4.5m north-west of the common boundary of Nos. 114 and 116 Grove Lane. ‘Zig-zag’ markings, on which vehicles would be prohibited from stopping at all times, would be laid on the carriageway for a distance of approximately up to 8.5m northwest of the crossing and up to 12.5m south-east of the crossing; and

(b)under sections 90A to 90I of the Highways Act 1980 and in accordance with the provisions of the Highways (Traffic calming) Regulations 1999, (i) propose to construct a speed table of flat-top construction having a maximum height level with the surrounding kerb and covering the entire width of the carriageway in GROVE LANE (at the site of the new raised ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossing mentioned in item 5a above) extending from a point 1.5m north-west of the common boundary of Nos. 163 and 165 Grove Lane southeastward for distance of 43m, and extending into CHAMPION GROVE for a distance of 7.5m (all measurements include the ramps).

6.Copies of the Orders, which will come into force on 5 May 2026, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH, by appointment only. E-mail traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk or call 077 3132 4742 for booking details.

7.Any person desiring to question the validity of the Order/s, or of any provision contained therein, on the grounds that it is not within the relevant powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or that any of the relevant requirements thereof or of any relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Order/s may, within six weeks of the date on which the Order was made, make application for the purpose to the High Court.

Dated 30 April 2026

Polyvios Polyviou Head of Highways and Sustainable Transport Policy - Highways, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 SECTION 123(2A)

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO GRANT A THIRTY YEAR LEASE OF ALL THAT LAND KNOWN AS WOODLANDS SITUATE AT SYDENHAM HILL AND FERNBANK SYDENHAM HILL IN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK PART OF WHICH IS OPEN SPACE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Southwark intend to exercise powers pursuant to Section 123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to grant a thirty year lease of all that land known as Woodlands Situate At Sydenham Hill and Fernbank Sydenham Hill part of which is open space.

A copy of the plan showing the location and area of the land to which this Notice relates can be inspected at the offices of the Council in the Chief Executive’s Department, 5th Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH (Reference: Paul Harte). Appointments are available between the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday to Friday.

Anyone wishing to make objections to the intended grant of a thirty-year lease of the land should make them in writing no later than 4:00pm on 13 May 2025 at the address above (quoting the reference) or at paul.harte@southwark.gov.uk, stating the grounds of the objection.

Dated this day of 23 April 2026

Doreen Forrester-Brown

Assistant Chief Executive – Assurance and Governance

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

PORTLAND STREET AREA IMPROVEMENTS

The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (Portland Street area improvements) Order 202*

The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places and Waiting restrictions) (Portland Street area improvements) Order 202*

1.Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above Orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2.The effects of the (Charged-for parking places) Order in existing Controlled Parking Zone (‘CPZ’) 'M2', would be to amend by removing or reducing existing ‘shared-use’ (permit holders’ or Pay-by-Phone ticket-holders parking places):-

(a)in PORTLAND STREET on the south-west side (i) o/s Nos. 1 to 54 Woodsford reduce by 8 metres ‘m’ (41m remain), and (ii) opposite its junction with Wooler Street remove 7m; and

(b)in TRAFALGAR STREET (i) on the north-west side opposite Nos. 124 and 126 reduce by 3m (12m remain), and (ii) on the south-east side o/s Nos. 122 and 124 reduce by 5m (157m remain).

3.The effects of the (Free parking places and Waiting restrictions) Order would be:-

(a)in TRAFALGAR STREET north-west side to relocate an existing electric vehicle only re-charging point parking place (5.5m in length) north-eastward by 3m from a point opposite Nos. 122 and 124 to a new location opposite Nos. 124 and 126;

(b)to amend existing 'at any time' waiting restrictions (double yellow lines ‘DYLs’) to accommodate new kerb-line build-outs (footway widening) in PORTLAND STREET south-west side opposite No. 166, TRAFALGAR STREET on both sides at its junction with Portland Street, and WOOLER STREET on the south-east side at its junction with Portland Street; and

(c)to add new ‘DYLs’ (i) a total of 23m to accommodate the reduction or removal of existing ‘shared-use’ parking in PORTLAND STREET and in TRAFALGAR STREET at the locations and by the lengths as mentioned in item 2 above, and (ii) in PORTLAND STREET 13.5m north-east side o/s Nos. 154 – Nos. 158 to 164 to accommodate the reduction of zig-zag markings of an existing raised ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossing.

Notes: (1) ‘shared-use’ refers to parking places in which holders of a valid permit for the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) listed or ‘Pay by Phone’ ticket holders are permitted to park within the permitted hours. (2) ‘DYLs’ (double yellow lines) refer to 'at any time' waiting restrictions. (3) ‘at any time’ means at all hours on every day of the week. (4) All measurements are in metres ‘m’ and are approximate. (5) Parking charges are listed on www.southwark.gov.uk/parking

4.Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE:-

(a)that it has approved under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to amend the controlled area (zig-zag markings) of an existing raised ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossing in PORTLAND STREET, south-east of its junction with Wooler Street, to reduce the zig-zag markings on both sides of the road north-west of the crossing by 13.5 metres; and

(b)under sections 90A to 90I of the Highways Act 1980 and in accordance with the provisions of the Highways (Traffic calming) Regulations 1999, propose to construct speed tables of flat-top construction having a maximum height level with the surrounding kerb and covering the entire width of the carriageway in (the measurements below include the ramps):-

(i)in PORTLAND STREET and WOOLER STREET extending in PORTLAND STREET from a point 1m north-west of south-eastern boundary of No. 161 Portland Street south-eastward for a distance of 15.5m, and extending north-eastward into WOOLER STREET for a distance of 5.5m; and

(ii)in TRAFALGAR STREET extending from the north-eastern kerb-line of Portland Street north-eastward for a distance of 8m.

5.For more information contact the Council's Highways team Highways@southwark.gov.uk

6.Copies of the supporting documents (this Notice, the proposed Orders, and a statement of Southwark Council's reasons for making the Orders) may be found online at https://consultation.appyway.com/southwark; and paper or digital copies of a plan showing the location and effect of the Orders and the supporting documents may be requested by emailing traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk, or inspected by appointment only at: Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH - from the date of this Notice until the end of a period of six weeks from the date on which the Order is made. Email traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk (or call 077 3132 4742) for booking details.

7.Anyone wishing to make any representations either for or to object to the proposals, may use our consultation portal https://consultation.appyway.com/southwark or send a statement in writing to: Traffic Order Consultations, Highways, Southwark Council Environment, Sustainability & Leisure, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO2627-001 Portland St area improvements’ by 22 May 2026. Please note that if you wish to object to the proposals, you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

8.Under requirements of current access to information legislation, any letter, form or e-mail sent to the Council in response to this Notice may be subject to publication or disclosure, or both, including communication to other persons affected.

Dated 30 April 2026

Polyvios Polyviou Head of Highways and Sustainable Transport Policy - Highways, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

(ALBANY ROAD, KEYWORTH STREET, THEOBALD STREET, WESTMORELAND ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1. The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it intends, to make an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2. Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in:

(2a) Albany Road, between Portland Street and Canal Street (2b) Keyworth Street, between Ontario Street and Thomas Doyle Street (2c) Theobald Street, at its junction with Old Kent Road to its blocked end (2d) Westmoreland Road, between Phelp Street and Portland Street

3. The alternative routes for affected traffic (2a) Camberwell Road, Walworth Road, Heygate Street, Rodney Road, Flint Street, Thurlow Street. Wells Way, Southampton Way, New Church Road, Camberwell Road. (2b) Newington Causeway, Borough Road, London Road. (2c) not applicable (2d) as indicated by the signs displayed.

4. Albany Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced between Portland Street and Canal Street for item No. (2a)

5. Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

6. The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

7. The closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 15th – 17th May, with back up dates of the 29th – 31st May. (2b) 16th May (2c) 21st – 29th May (2d) 18th – 23rd May

8. Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 30th April 2026

Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) TTRO00065/CRN000022/24 (2b) TTRO00039/LBSCRN00006 (2c) O00121/UKP12793/UKPN (2d) TTRO000118/SLS000812795430080/thames

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (TEMPORARY PARKING, WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS (HILLBECK CLOSE, SE15)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice, that it intends to make an order, the effect of which would be to introduce temporary parking restrictions and ‘at anytime’ waiting and loading restrictions as detailed below.

2.Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings including yellow lines are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to wait, including waiting for the purpose of parking, loading and unloading at any time in: HILLBECK CLOSE, between Old Kent Road and Manor Grove, both sides of the carriageway where double yellow lines are in place.

3.The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

4.The restriction will come into force from the 15th of May 2026 for 18 months, until the 14th of August 2027

5.Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 30th of April 2026

Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: TTRO00218

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (EMERSON STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1. The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable development works by City Lifting or their associated contractors, it intends to make an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of Emerson Street SE1.

2. Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time on Emerson Street at the junction of Park Street.

3. The alternative route for access only will be shown by the signed diversion.

4. Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

5. The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

6. The road closure will be in place on the 23rd of May 2026 or when the associated permits are in place. This order remains valid for 18 months from the 23rd of May 2026.

7. Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 30th of April 2026

Ian Law

Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth

160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX

Ref: TTRO00105

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (TEMPORARY PARKING, WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS (ACCESS ROAD TO 709 OLD KENT ROAD)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice, that it intends to make an order, the effect of which would be to introduce temporary parking restrictions and ‘at anytime’ waiting and loading restrictions as detailed below.

2.Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings including yellow lines are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to park, wait, including waiting for the purpose of parking, loading and unloading at any time in:

(a) Access Road to 709 Old Kent Road, from the junction of Old Kent Road to 20 metres past the entrance to 709 Old Kent Road, both sides of carriageway.

(b) Access road between Devon Street and the Access road to 709 Old Kent Road, north side of carriageway.

3.The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

4.The restriction will come into force from the 15th of May 2026 for 18 months, until the 14th of August 2027

5.Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 30th of April 2026

Ian Law

Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX

Ref: TTRO00219

FISH SUFFER PUNJ IN THE GUT

By Mark Doig at St Paul’s

FISHER SUFFERED SCEFL Premier

Division play-off heartbreak for a second consecutive season after they were beaten 3-1 by Punjab United at St Paul’s on Tuesday night.

After losing the final against VCD Athletic last season, Ajay Ashanike’s side finished second in the regular season to secure a home semi-final against sixthplaced Punjab, whom they had beaten 5-1 at home in February.

Former Cray Valley (PM) midfielder Chris Edwards was involved in all three of Punjab’s goals and was the star player on the night as the visitors led 2-0 at halftime.

During the season, Fisher played freeflowing entertaining football, and scored a minimum of three goals in every home game since mid-November. They had also won all twelve of their league games in Rotherhithe in that period. Whether their defeat against Punjab was play-off nerves, or tactical nous by the visitors, is hard to say, but they were second-best in this game and will have to guard against a hangover when they reconvene in July.

Although Fisher were only formed in 2009, older supporters will remember the days when Fisher Athletic were in the Vauxhall Conference (now National League), playing at Champion Hill before hitting financial hardship and folding. Those supporters will still harbour dreams of returning to that level but will have to wait at least one more year before progressing to the next tier.

Their goalkeeper, Isaac Ogunseri, had already made an excellent save to deny Wayne Bushell, before the visitors went ahead in the ninth minute with a trademark header by Jack Hopkins from Edwards’ cross.

Rafael Garcia missed a good chance to equalise when he fired over from close range before hitting a low shot from 20 yards that was well held by Punjab goalkeeper Mitch Beeney.

In first-half stoppage-time, Punjab doubled their lead when Zak Bryon slotted into an empty net after Roman Campbell had battled to lay another

By Tom Appleby at Champion Hill

Play-off heartbreak at St

Paul’s for second consecutive year

Edwards cross into his path.

Ashanike responded by bringing on playmaker Tom Jones for the second period. That move paid dividends eight minutes in when Jones played Festos Kamara through and he fired over the advancing Beeney to finish with aplomb. Any hopes of a Fisher onslaught were dashed as Punjab defended resolutely and the visitors might have gone further ahead when Campbell burst through but launched his shot out of the ground and towards the Canary Wharf skyline.

If the visitors were nervous, they didn’t show it, and settled the contest with just over fifteen minutes remaining. For once, the normally reliable Ogunseri was unable to deal with a cross, again delivered by Edwards. As the defenders scrambled across, it fell kindly for William Johnson-Cole and he rolled it into the open goal. That appeared to knock the stuffing out of the Fish and they were unable to create another opportunity before accepting their fate in front of a 449 attendance.

Ashanike and his players will be hurting over the summer, but the Fisher manager has shown that he can galvanise his team after a set-back, and will spend the summer plotting for next season’s push for promotion.

Fisher: Ogunseri, Macaulay (Lawson 56), Djadja, Darwish, Duncan; Sarpong, Mbuenimo; Garcia (Jones 46), Martin, Kozak (Lovell 70); Kamara (Lahan 81).

Substitue not used: Owusu.

Steel ‘hurts in places never expected’ but ‘dream came true’

By Sports Reporter

SURREY’S CAMERON Steel has been forced to retire due to injury.

The 30-year-old all-rounder had been with the club since 2021 and won three County Championship titles during that time.

However, in late 2024, Steel suffered a significant ankle injury and following an initial period of rehabilitation he underwent surgery in February 2025.

The leg-spinner returned to action in May 2025, but ongoing complications limited his availability for much of the remainder of the season. Persistent symptoms led to a second operation in September 2025. Despite a further sixmonth period of rehabilitation, he has been unable to return to a level required for professional cricket.

After consultation with medical specialists, Steel made the decision to retire from the professional game.

“Playing cricket for a living, and particularly for Surrey, has been the best time of my life,” Steel said.

“The last eighteen months have been frustrating, and I’m gutted to be retiring on medical grounds. Cricket had become something I was watching, rather than doing, with too much time in the Oval’s windowless gym and not enough time out in the middle. I’ve always prided myself on working hard and doing everything I can to improve, and I gave my all to get back on the park. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.

“Surrey have always encouraged me to be unapologetically myself, and I’m hugely grateful to the club, the players and the members for their support throughout my time here.

“Thank you to the medical staff for sticking with me through every grumpy calf raise and setback, and to the coaches, whose shoulders and backs survived years of throwdowns. Mostly, thank you to the lads for their friendship and support.

“A special thank you to Gareth Batty for his backing, opportunities and limitless time, and to Alec Stewart for taking a chance on me in 2021 and bringing me to the best club in the world - who knew the gaffer was watching Western Australian grade cricket?

“I won’t miss warm-ups, battling technical deficiencies, or not being able to walk after a day’s play. But I will miss spending every day training, travelling and competing with my best mates, the rush of playing in front of an Oval crowd, and the unrivalled satisfaction of winning a trophy or three.

“It has been a dream come true. Tenyear-old me would be very proud to have done it. But 30-year-old me, who now hurts in places he never expected, might even enjoy being free on the weekends… eventually.”

Stewart added: “It is cruel that injury has ended Cam’s career but I know he has done everything in his power to try and

DULWICH HAMLET’S impressive run to the London Senior Cup final ended in disappointment with a 5-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers under-21s at Champion Hill on Tuesday night.

Mark Dacey’s side started brightly and took the lead through Danny Mills in the tenth minute.

QPR’s Jaiden Putman equalised in the 23rd minute before Nyren Clunis went agonisingly close to restoring the Hamlet’s advantage only for his effort to hit the post.

Jaylan Pearman put QPR in front in the 64th minute and then added his second six minutes later as the visitors took control.

Alex Wilkie headed in the Hoops’ fourth with three minutes left before Pearman completed his hat-trick to add to a scoreline that was cruel on Dulwich.

It had all started so differently with pink smoke billowing from the flares in the stand after Mills had deservedly opened the scoring.

Up until the midway point of the first half, the seventh-tier side were the better team and had far more attacking threat.

In contrast, QPR started off the pace, and needlessly sent the ball out of play on several occasions.

But after Putman fired into the top-right corner from the edge of the box, the goal appeared to simultaneously calm QPR nerves and unsettle the Hamlet players.

Dulwich goalkeeper Tony Bull just managed to reach an overhit backpass but the home side regained their composure and control towards the end of the first half.

Lonit Talla, who was the Hamlet’s best player, played a through-ball to Clunis who was denied by the woodwork.

QPR seemed to go up another gear following the restart and the Isthmian League Premier Division side struggled to cope with their attacking quality.

Cian Dillon won the ball on the right wing before crossing for Pearman to finish from close range.

The development squad were controlling the game after going ahead and the Hamlet barely threatened for the rest of the match.

Pearman curled into the bottom corner to make it 3-1 and all but seal the trophy.

After Wilkie’s header from a corner, Dulwich looked physically tired and mentally drained, not helped by the announcement that there would be nine minutes of added-time.

QPR had a goal disallowed for offside before Pearman made it five.

get himself match fit and back out in the middle.

In the five years he’s been with us, he’s had a really positive impact on the group and will be missed by everyone.

“He has been a pleasure to work with and Cam will always be a part of the Surrey family and can always call The Kia Oval home.”

The Rabble did not stop singing despite their disappointment, with pink flares and loud chants continuing well beyond the final whistle.

Dacey’s side can be proud of their cup run and their firsthalf performance, but they were ultimately out-played by a talented group of young players at QPR.

CHAMPIONSHIP

By Will Scott at the King Power Stadium

MILLWALL WERE held to a 1-1 draw by already-relegated Leicester City, extending Alex Neil’s unwanted record against Gary Rowett.

Neil had failed to beat Rowett in their previous twelve encounters and, despite his side being all over the Foxes at a half-empty and hostile King Power Stadium, could not do it at the thirteenth attempt.

Despite top scorer Josh Coburn going off early, the Lions created more than enough to take the lead, with Femi Azeez, Thierno Ballo, Mihailo Ivanovic and Zak Sturge all going close.

Instead, it was Leicester who struck first with ten minutes to go when Harry Souttar crashed in Luke Thomas’ cross.

Millwall equalised in the 90th minute through Macaulay Langstaff and had eight minutes of added-time to find a winner, but Leicester keeper Jakub Stolarczyk and his back line stood firm.

Full-time brought a chorus of boos from the few home fans who showed up three days after their demotion to League One was confirmed, their second consecutive relegation.

Despite their impending demotion, the Foxes started brightly, with Abdul Fatawu’s mishit volley the first shot from either side.

They had a lengthy spell of possession that was briefly interrupted when Casper De Norre flicked the ball over the top for Coburn to run onto, but last man Hamza Choudhary recovered to slide in and dispossess him before he could get a shot off.

Coburn was taken out in the process and hit the ground awkwardly, injuring his hip. While he initially came back on, he looked uncomfortable and was eventually replaced by Ivanovic five minutes later.

Leicester, meanwhile, continued to probe around Millwall’s box, with their spell of pressure culminating in a blocked Divine Mukasa shot.

WASTEFUL LIONS HELD

Rowett extends run over Neil as relegated Leicester frustrate Millwall

The Lions regained the initiative and started to exert some dominance over proceedings.

Camiel Neghli curled in a cross that found Ivanovic in the back post, and he nodded it back into the box to De Norre, whose volley was blocked, as was Tristan Crama’s followup.

Neghli then burst down the right flank and instead of slipping in Ballo to attack the space left by a scrambling Foxes back-four, opted to go alone from outside the box and Souttar swallowed up his effort.

The Algerian made up for his poor decision a few minutes later, winning the

Rowett eyes away day if Lions go up

By Will Scott

EX-MILLWALL boss Gary Rowett joked he would attend an away game if the Lions reach the Premier League after sealing a play-off spot, and said he has been “impressed” by their progress.

Alex Neil’s side confirmed a top-six finish last Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Stoke City, their first at this level since 2002, then drew with Rowett’s relegated Foxes three days later.

Rowett managed Millwall for four years between 2019 and 2023, coming close to guiding them into the play-offs twice. They missed out on the top six by two points in 2019-20 and by one point in 2022-23 after a second-half collapse against Blackburn Rovers.

He parted ways with the club in October 2023, and after stints at Birmingham City and Oxford United, he was tasked in February with saving the Foxes from just their second relegation to the third tier in the club’s history, but their demotion was confirmed after a 2-2 draw with Hull City last Tuesday.

ball high up the pitch then playing it forward to Azeez. The winger was dispossessed as he drove into the box and the ball ricocheted into Leonard’s path, whose shot was deflected into the sidenetting.

While the Lions were on top, both sides looked affected by the three-day turnaround, leading to a sluggish spell where chances were traded but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested.

The best Leicester could conjure up was a blocked Thomas effort after an Oliver Skipp cut-back and a long-range Harry Winks

Rowett assessed Millwall’s season following the draw at the King Power Stadium.

“Incredible,” Rowett said. “I said it to Alex before the game. I spoke about it in the press. Done an absolutely amazing job.

“I was there for four years. We tried to get in the play-offs, couldn’t quite do that. He’s taken it on another level and done a very, very impressive job.

“I spoke to [Chairman] Jimmy [Berylson] a few times over the past year and a bit, and I’ve been really impressed with the way he’s taken it on from his dad. I think it’s a difficult position to be in, but I’ve been super impressed with the way the club’s dealt with this last period and this season is a great example of that.”

Rowett was asked if he will be following the Lions’ promotion push.

“I’ll be cheering them on,” Rowett said. “There’s no other club that I’d want to go up than Millwall, just to see the fans in the Premier League. That would be something. I think I might even go to an away game if that’s a possibility.”

By Will Scott

ALEX NEIL shot down suggestions it was not Millwall’s day in front of goal after their 1-1 draw with already-relegated Leicester City.

The Lions spurned several chances, registering fifteen shots before Harry Souttar nodded the Foxes ahead. Substitute Macaulay Langstaff eventually equalised, but Millwall still underperformed their expected goals (2.03).

Neil was asked after the game whether he felt it was just not the Lions’ day in the final third.

“It’s simplistic to say it like that, in the fact that our job’s to finish that off,” Neil said. “So I don’t really like the whole was it just not your day type thing. You’ve got to make it your day. That’s

to Azeez from the goal kick, who passed it round the corner for Ballo, and he found Sturge darting down the left.

Sturge’s cross was touched back into the box by Neghli at the back post and Ivanovic had an effort scrambled off the line by Stolarczyk.

The Lions then came close again shortly afterwards when Azeez floated a cross into the box and Ballo darted in front of Choudhary before nodding it on goal, with Stolarczyk reacting quickly to push it over the bar.

As the game went on, the Lions lost sharpness in the final third but still had a few chances - De Norre and Neghli both sent in low crosses that fizzed across the six-yard box but missed everyone, while MazouSacko overran his touch when Millwall were in four versus three in transition.

Leicester, who had looked ineffectual going forward for most of the match, looked more threatening after a couple of attacking changes. Abdul Fatawu burst past a few challenges before overhitting his final ball with two players free in the box.

Then, against the run of play, the Foxes broke the deadlock. Thomas chipped the ball in, and Souttar towered over Sturge to power it in at the back post.

Alex Neil immediately made three changes as the Lions looked to hit back. Substitutes Luke Cundle and Tommy Watson both had efforts blocked as Millwall won corner after corner.

Camiel Neghli looks frustrated as Leicester celebrate Harry Souttar’s goal

shot that was blasted wide.

The last chance of the half fell to Sturge after Neghli had spun and found him in plenty of space down the left, but with several bodies in the box he opted to go alone, skewing his effort past the post.

It was more of the same at the start of the second half - Millwall were on top and had sights of goal but not quite finding the decisive moment to break the game open.

They nearly found that moment six minutes after the restart after a brilliant move. Anthony Patterson played it straight

Eventually, the pressure told. Barry Bannan fizzed the ball to Ryan Leonard, who first-time flicked it into the path of Macaulay Langstaff, and the striker applied a cool finish.

The Lions pressed for a late winner in eight minutes of added-time, and Azeez had the chance when he met Cundle’s cross, but his header was straight at Stolarczyk.

Leicester City: 4-2-3-1 - Stolarczyk; Choudhury, Souttar, Vestergaard, Thomas; Winks, Skipp (James 79); Fatawu (Mavididi 79), Mukasa (Page 60), De Cordova-Reid (Monga 60); Daka (Aluko 95) Substitutes: Begovic, Ricardo, James, Ramsey, Ayew.

Millwall: 4-2-3-1 - Patterson; Leonard, Crama, Cooper, Sturge (Watson 82); Mazou-Sacko (Bannan 82), De Norre (Cundle 82); Azeez, Neghli, Ballo (Langstaff 72); Coburn (Ivanovic 10) Substitutes: Crocombe, McNamara, Lamptey, Smallbone

got

why we’ve got 80 points on the board - because more often than not, we have made it our day.

“A couple of things obviously weren’t helpful for us. Losing Josh Coburn early, because he’s scored a lot of big goals for us, he’s been a talisman along with Femi, in terms of leading the way

in crucial moments and making a difference. His movement in the box is second to none, so we certainly missed him.

“What we also missed as a consequence of that is not being able to go two up top with the two big lads. I know Macca [Langstaff] scored a brilliant goal, but we could go two up with Macca behind them if we needed to.

“We end up with going with Camiel [Neghli] at left back to try and get a bit more aggression in the game with Tommy [Watson]. We end up with Luke Cundle and Barry [Bannan] in the middle, and I thought the lads came on and impacted the game really well in terms of going forward.

“That didn’t help us. Losing Caleb [Taylor] also didn’t help us. He’s been a big player for us. A bit frustrated.”

‘IT’S BEEN A HELL OF A SEASON’

EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott at The Riverside Stadium

RYAN LEONARD said it has already been “a hell of a season” after Millwall confirmed a topsix finish, but that the squad had no plans to rest on its laurels.

The Lions secured at least a playoff place when they beat Stoke City 3-1 last week, the first time they have done so at this level since 2002.

It caps off a remarkable season that has seen them maintain the best away record in the league, the most clean sheets (seventeen), and the second-most wins (23).

They are also still in contention for second place after Ipswich Town drew 2-2 with Southampton on Tuesday. The Tractor Boys are now ahead by just one point heading into the final round of fixtures but have a better goal difference.

Regardless of whether it is automatic promotion or play-offs, Millwall’s vice-captain is proud of his side’s efforts.

“People associated with the club, whether that’s fans, players, staff, have shown a real togetherness this year, and it’s shown in performances and results on the pitch,” Leonard said.

“It’s been a season to remember so far. We know at the moment there’s still a lot more to go, there’s a lot more to play for, but as it stands right now, it’s been a season to remember.

“If you look at the amount of wins we’ve had this season, the amount of away points we’ve got this season, it’s been a hell of a season for everyone involved in the football club.”

Leonard has witnessed several play-off near-misses in his eight seasons at the club, finishing within two points of the top six four times and suffering final-day heartbreak twice.

“There’s been a lot of ups and probably more downs when it comes to just missing out on the play-offs since I’ve been at the football club,” Leonard said. “We’ve

Lenny on why this Lions side has ended years of play-off frustration

Ryan Leonard has made 25 appearances in all competitions this season

missed out a couple of times on the final day. That hasn’t been an enjoyable experience.

“For the lads to guarantee play-off football with two games to go is a great achievement. It’s something that everyone at the football club should be proud of. It’s something we’ve pushed for seven or eight years now.

“We’re not, as a group, going to just settle for that. It’s the first hurdle to get over, so to speak. So now we’re over that, we’ll look forward to

Saturday and give everything we’ve got.”

Asked about the difference between this season and previous seasons, Leonard said: “The difference is maybe a bit of belief, maybe a little bit of togetherness.

“We’ve always had togetherness since I’ve been here, but I think the belief that the gaffer’s installed in us this year has been a huge part of that. We’ve gone into every game and tried to attack every game and win every game if possible.”

Neil reckons Oxford will want to ‘ruin the party’

EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott

ALEX NEIL reckons relegated Oxford United will want to “ruin the party” when Millwall host the U’s in a clash that could earn the Lions automatic promotion.

The Lions could leap Ipswich Town into second on the final day of the season if they beat Oxford and Ipswich fail to beat Queens Park Rangers, and face what should be an easier opponent on paper.

Oxford’s two-year stint in the Championship was brought to an end on Saturday after both West Bromwich Albion and Charlton Athletic picked up results in the midday kick-offs, despite the U’s thumping Sheffield Wednesday 4-1.

Matt Bloomfield’s side now have nothing to play for at The Den, although Neil does not expect them to roll out the red carpet.

“Every game at this level is really tough,” Neil told this paper. “Leicester have probably the best squad I’ve ever seen get relegated at this level. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a squad like them getting relegated.

“Even when you watch their games, a lot of the time, they’ve actually played well. I watched them against Norwich for 70 minutes, were the better side until

Norwich scored. I watched them against Hull, which they drew 2-2 right before playing us. I thought they were really good in parts of that game.

“Oxford, it’s disappointing for them that they’ve been relegated, but they’ll come with probably an element of freedom and they’ll want to upset the party as every professional does and try and win the game. But our responsibility is to make sure we go and try and win it as well.”

The match will also mark the return of Aidomo Emakhu to The Den, who completed a permanent move to Oxford in the January window for what this paper understands to be a seven-figure fee.

Emakhu, 22, has since made eleven appearances for the U’s.

“Aidomo was a great lad,” Neil said. “A really good lad. Enjoyed working with him while he was here.

“He just wanted to play more regularly, and we couldn’t give him that here at that point in time. There are business decisions that need to be made as well, in terms of where we felt we were getting really good value for him, in terms of where he was in the pecking order at our club.

“So he’s moved on to pastures new. It’ll be disappointing for him that they’ve gone down, but it might give him the regular game time he desires next season.”

Millwall consider legal action after logo used in anti-racism booklet

By Will Scott

MILLWALL ARE considering legal action after their official club badge appeared on an illustration of a Ku Klux Klan outfit in a children’s education booklet distributed by Westminster City Council.

The booklet was circulated in schools and told the story of Paul Canoville, who became Chelsea’s first black player in 1981, and was subjected to racist abuse throughout his career.

The image showed a cartoon figure wearing the white hood and robes of the white supremacist organisation, with the club’s crest printed on the robes.

Westminster City Council have confirmed they intend to remove all copies of the booklet and have apologised to the club.

The Millwall Supporters’ Club provided the following statement on behalf of the club.

“The club has received a full apology from Westminster Council following their serious misuse of a registered club badge, which was placed on an illustration of a

Coops wins player of the season

By Will Scott

JAKE COOPER has been voted the 2025-26 Millwall Supporters’ Club Player of the Season.

Cooper, 31, has captained the Lions to their first second-tier top-six finish since 2002 and has been a rock at the back, starting 44 of 45 league games as part of a defence that has kept seventeen clean sheets, currently the

most in the league. Now in his tenth season at Millwall, the centre-back marked his 400th appearance for the club last November and moved into fourth in the alltime appearances ranking against Leicester City last Friday.

Cooper finished ahead of Tristan Crama and Femi Azeez, who came second and third, respectively.

“It’s blown me away,” Cooper told

MillwallTV. “I wasn’t really expecting that. The lads have done really well. We’ve got some great players in the team.

“For the fans to come together and vote for me is just a real pleasure. It’s been a great year and a pleasure to be representing them on the pitch.”

THE OTHER AWARD WINNERS WERE:

• Players’ player of the season:

Tristan Crama

• Junior Lions’ player of the season: Femi Azeez

• Young player of the season: Caleb Taylor

• Goal of the season: Caleb Taylor

(vs Southampton in November)

• Matija Sarkic save of the season: Anthony Patterson (vs Ipswich Town in March)

white supremacist hate group member in a children’s education booklet distributed in schools, creating a false and damaging image of the club.

“The council have confirmed no more copies of the image with the club’s logo will be made or distributed by them and all remaining material in their possession will be destroyed.

“The club is still considering its legal position on the matter and are unable to comment further.”

The council released the following statement on Thursday afternoon.

“We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within football. We have apologised to Millwall Football Club for the improper use of their logo and for any offence caused.

“The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

The Paul Canoville Foundation also released a statement, insisting that they were neither shown, consulted on, nor asked to approve the booklet.

Sport Southwark

INSIDE Coops wins player of the season

CRAIG: YOUTH GAMBLE PAID OFF

‘a few’ back for

EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott

ALEX NEIL expects to have “a few” injured players back this weekend when Millwall take on Oxford United.

The Lions lost two key first-team players to the treatment room last week, with Caleb Taylor picking up a foot issue against Stoke City and Josh Coburn having to be replaced early on against Leicester City after landing awkwardly following a challenge. Coburn has been assessed and his status for the weekend is currently unclear.

“He’s doing okay,” Neil told this paper. “He landed awkwardly, so I don’t think that the gash is the biggest issue. We’ll see how he develops this week, and then we’ll make decisions.” Taylor is currently in a walking boot out of precaution, and is another whose availability is up in the air.

“He’s hurt his foot, so we’ll see how that goes over the next week,” Neil said. “Then we’ll make decisions once we get closer.”

Billy Mitchell and Alfie Doughty, both of whom have made more than 20 appearances for the club this season, have been out since March and April, respectively. Neil was asked if either could be back in time to face Oxford.

Ex-skipper backs young Lions to go all the way at Wembley

EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott

EX-MILLWALL CAPTAIN Tony

Craig said the Lions’ bold “gamble” on youth has paid off and backed them to cap a “remarkable” season with promotioN

Millwall sealed a top-six finish with a 3-1 win at Stoke City, booking their first second-tier play-off appearance since 2002. They are still in contention for automatic promotion, with Ipswich Town just one point ahead heading into the final day of the season, although the Tractor Boys have the superior goal difference.

Craig, a boyhood Lions fan who made 324 appearances for the club and recently announced his retirement at 41, has been following

their progress while playing for National League South side Dorking Wanderers.

“It’s been remarkable,” Craig told this paper. “It’s been fantastic to watch. Fortunately, I’ve gone to a good number of games this season. I’d have liked to go more, but unfortunately, the Saturday ones are tricky with my schedule.

“Alex Neil, what a fantastic job he’s done at that football club. But it’s not only him. They’ve signed a good young, talented squad. They took a gamble because they’ve turned from experienced pros to young pros to see where they can take them, and they progressed them. They made them better footballers, and hopefully they stay at the football club for a number of years.

“They’re assets as well at the end of the day, aren’t they? Every

player’s got their number. Any player who’s coming to that football club at the moment is certainly improving week in, week out, which is fantastic to see.”

Craig knows what it takes to win in the play-offs, having skippered the Lions to the 2016-17 League One final where they beat Bradford City 1-0. He went on to play another eight seasons and finished his 23-year career having made first-team 845 appearances.

Asked if he backs Millwall to go all the way at Wembley and secure just a second promotion to the top flight in the club’s history, Craig said: “100 per cent. I’ll always back Millwall Football Club. Whoever they’re up against, I’ll always back them.

“They’ve certainly got momentum, and more importantly, they’ve got their twelfth man in the

stands as well. They’re travelling in their numbers this season, every away game’s sold out now, which is absolutely fantastic. The Den is selling out, which is brilliant.

“There’s no better place to play than at The Den in a full house. They certainly get behind the boys. They drive them, they push them, and it’s an intimidating place for an away team. I’ve got everything crossed that hopefully they can go the whole way.”

Craig is already planning a return to Wembley if the Lions make it.

“It’s a funny one,” Craig said. “If they’re at Wembley, I might have to come back a bit early. The missus knows, but we haven’t had that discussion yet.

“It is one of them where I will certainly do my utmost to get to Wembley if they do. But they’ve got to finish the season strong, and they

“We’re going to have a few players back for this weekend,” Neil said. “What the game time or involvement will look like is unclear at the moment, but I expect to have a couple of lads back in the squad.”

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