A new Southwark Pensioners Centre

Overview

Southwark Council is working with the Southwark Pensioners Centre (SPC) to open a new facility at 201-205 Camberwell Road.

Their current premises has a number of spatial constraints and is in need of investment. With the increasing ageing population in Southwark there is also the need and opportunity for the centre to expand its services, activities and membership.

Together we will develop a new fit for purpose facility for older people in the borough.

Our aim is to:

• design and deliver a well configured centre that is welcoming, inclusive, stimulating and comfortable
• improve access for over 50’s to support services
• improve over 50’s health and wellbeing by increasing opportunities to contribute and participate in a range of learning, leisure, wellbeing, and consultation activities
• encourage people from across the borough to come to this new centre and take part in all it has to offer.

To date we have:

• secured a Council owned premises, 201-205 Camberwell Rd, triple retail unit & basement
• secured £1m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy
• undertaken feasibility work
• appointed architects  - Fraser Brown Mackenna as lead consultant
• carried out early consultation (attached) with SPC, partners and potential partners, Southwark Older Peoples Day 
• completed Royal Institure of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 1 design – confirming the brief
• compiled a list of FAQ’s (attached) to help people stay informed on the decision making process

The purpose of this consultation is to share the design process to date with older people, to get their comments on the exterior designs and how they might like to get involved with the SPC. 

We would also welcome people giving their view at a drop in event early in the new year at SPC - see below.  Our sustainable growth team at Southwark Council looks forward to hearing from you by the closing date of 22 January 2024.

Why your views matter

We want to make sure the new Southwark Pensioners Centre meets the needs of older people across the borough as well as current members. It is also helpful for people younger than 50 to respond as you may want to access services in the future.

What happens next

On completion of the consultation in late January we will feed the responses into the stage 2 design process. Another consultation on the detailed design will follow prior to planning submission in May 2024.