Council leader visits potential Bakerloo train factory
2 April 2025
The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension (BLUE) could unlock growth across the country – from London to Yorkshire – where the new trains would be built.
The Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Kieron Williams, visited the Yorkshire train factory with colleagues from Brent and Lewisham, to see for himself the impact that investment in the BLUE will have on the construction supply chain nation-wide.
In its first phase, this project would extend the Bakerloo line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, via Old Kent Road. It would also deliver brand new trains to replace the current Bakerloo fleet, which is more than 50 years old and well overdue an upgrade.
Work has already been completed at Elephant and Castle Tube station to enable the Bakerloo extension to go ahead – just as soon as the Government gives the project the green light.
New sharing library for the Elephant
1 April 2025
Two new ‘Library of Things’ have opened in Southwark, including one in Elephant and Castle.
This means local residents and businesses can now rent useful items – such as carpet cleaners, drills, sewing machines, sound systems or projectors – for just a few pounds per day, instead of buying new items they won’t use regularly.
Library of Things is a community-powered social enterprise that helps people save money and reduces unnecessary waste. Southwark’s first site, in Canada Water Library, opened in 2023. In its first 18 months it was used by more than 1500 people who, together, saved over £300k and saved the same amount of carbon as taking 29 petrol cars off the road.
The Library of Things can be found at The Castle leisure centre so, alongside your free swim and gym, you can now rent useful household items all in one trip.
Walworth Town Hall reopens
28 March 2025
Walworth Town Hall has reopened after a decade-long project led by Southwark Council to save this cherished heritage site, which has been a hub for the local community since 1865.
The council worked with real estate developer General Projects to complete this architecturally stunning restoration of the buildings and to give the town hall complex a new lease of life and a viable future, including a brand new community space for Walworth.
The official reopening was marked with a ceremony and plaque unveiling on Monday 24 March, almost 12 years to the day since the fire which caused so much damage to this local landmark.
The town hall complex complex will now act as a centre for business, culture and community, providing new workspaces for over 550 workers with a blend of flexible offices coworking spaces plus a brand new community space managed by and for the local community.
Green light for Borough Triangle
27 March 2025
Berkeley’s Borough Triangle scheme has been approved by Southwark Council’s planning committee.
The development, on Newington Causeway, will deliver 892 new homes including 230 affordable homes.
The scheme also includes a new, 5,000 sq ft community centre which has been earmarked for the Latin American community and a new home for the popular food market, Mercato Metropolitano, which has been using the site, on a temporary basis, for several years.
The planning application was approved at committee, yesterday, on 26 March.
Easter in Castle Square: 18 April
7 March 2025
Families are invited to join a free jam-packed ‘Eggstravaganza’ in Castle Square this Easter.
Come and enjoy free activities throughout the day, including; face painting, storytelling by the Easter Wizard, and an exciting dance performance with interactive workshops.
Families can also take part in games and win prizes from Castle Square traders.
This free, family event is designed to bring the community together and provide entertainment for children and adults alike. Whether you want to get your face painted with adorable Easter designs, listen to magical stories, or dance along to energetic performances, there will be something for everyone.
The Eggstravaganza takes place at Castle Square on Friday 18 April from 11am to 5pm.
Community Fund goes from strength to strength
14 February 2025
End-of-year report figures for the Elephant and Castle Community Fund reveal it has had another successful year, supporting community projects throughout the neighbourhood.
The fund, which was established in 2012 by Southwark Council, Lendlease and Get Living, is now it its 13th year.
The latest annual report, from the London Community Foundation, which manages the fund, details eight local groups – supporting more than 700 local people – that have benefitted from the fund over the last year.
These groups shared a total of £75k in grants, supporting activities for people with dementia, fitness lessons for older people, help for refugees and arts and culture ptojects.
Bakerloop Express Bus
3 Feb 2025
Transport for London (TfL) is consulting on a new ‘Bakerloop’ express bus service, which will run along the route of the proposed Bakerloo Line Extension from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham via Old Kent Road.
The consultation was launched on Friday by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
The BL1 bus service would become part of TfL’s Superloop express bus network and has been nicknamed ‘the Bakerloop’. It is being made possible by Southwark Council, which has committed funding for the buses using money raised from local developers.
£50k Inspiring Elephant Community Fund
1 February 2025
The 2025 Inspiring Elephant Community Fund is now open for applications.
Launched by the Elephant and Castle Town Centre team and Get Living in 2022, this fund is providing £50k per year, over five years, for projects that support the local community.
Since 2022, the Fund has awarded £150,000 to 39 community projects, delivering arts activities, wellness sessions, training opportunities and more.
Local organisations can apply for up to £5k each and, this year, applicants can also apply to run their initiative from the purpose-built Community Hub space on the second floor of Castle Square completely free of charge; helping to ensure their funding goes as far as possible.
Walworth Town Hall Community Space: open day
31 January 2025
Southwark Council, working with real estate developer General Projects, has completed the restoration of one of Elephant and Castle’s best-loved heritage buildings, Walworth Town Hall.
The town hall complex, which was damaged by fire in 2013, has now reopened as a centre for business, culture and community. It includes a new Community Space (in what was formerly the library) alongside commercial space with flexible office and coworking spaces for up to 550 people in the main building.
To mark the reopening, the Walworth Town Hall Community Space Board and General People have organised a special Open Day on Saturday 8 February with free tours and taster sessions for the local community.
Next step towards a walkable neighbourhood
29 Jan 2025
The transformation of Elephant and Castle will take a vital step forward with the creation of a key east-west pedestrian link that connects the new Town Centre with Elephant Road, Castle Square and Elephant Park.
The work will go ahead after successful negotiation between Southwark Council and a number of businesses based in the arches beneath Elephant and Castle mainline station.
A Compulsory Purchase Order for the land needed to create the pedestrian route was confirmed earlier this month, and all the businesses affected will be offered an alternative unit in the new Town Centre development.
The new route is vital to fulfilling the vision of a permeable Town Centre for the area; enabling easy pedestrian movement and good connectivity between the Elephant and Walworth.
Elephant Park market returns
10 Jan 2025
The Market at Elephant Park is a new neighbourhood market for street food and drink, artisanal food and designer-makers, set in the heart of Elephant and Castle.
The market will reopen for 2025 on Saturday 25 January.
Bringing together and supporting independent, local, ethical and sustainable food producers and crafts traders, the market runs every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, featuring over 20 independent traders.
Located in Elephant Park – outside The Tree House on Sayer Street.
Read archived news from last year (2024)