Community asked to help shape plans for Lewisham town centre

Lewisham Council is investing £24 million, after securing £19 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2023 which it matched with an additional £5 million. The funding is being used to deliver a programme of improvements that better meet local needs and help drive economic growth.

After consulting local groups, including market traders, on initial plans for the town centre – which have been fed into current designs – the Council is now moving forward with its proposals and is going out to the wider community to find out what they think of them.

The public engagement programme launched this morning with an event attended by the Mayor of Lewisham and other key local figures. People are encouraged to go online where they can view the plans and fill in a survey or alternatively to head to Unit 25 in Lewisham Shopping Centre, where the Council is running drop-in sessions. Community groups will also be invited to attend workshop sessions.

The feedback will be used to help create detailed proposals for Lewisham Library, Market and High Street before then going through a formal planning process. The design proposals include:

• Transformation of Lewisham Library into a Library, Culture and Business Hub. In addition to the existing services, there will be more spaces for the community, cultural events and local entrepreneurs.
• Lewisham Market is being revamped with improved layout, permanent market house and canopy – offering opportunities for evening and night time events – plus better pitches and infrastructure for market traders.
• High street – upgraded layouts making it cleaner and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate, more opportunities to rest and reflect, plus additional planting and greenery.

Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham, says:

“It’s essential that residents, businesses and community groups in Lewisham can have their say on the future of the town centre. We want to build a thriving, inclusive space that we can all be proud of – that creates opportunities for the whole community.

“This investment is to help protect Lewisham’s unique identity, whilst supporting local businesses and traders. I hope everyone will get involved and have their say, to make sure the improvements deliver what the local community really wants – a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and shop.”

Improvements will start to be delivered later this year and are expected to complete in 2026.

The survey closes on Monday 22 April.