South London Weekly - June 23rd 2023

Contents

NEWS

NEWS

Pages 2-17

Pages 2-17

OPINION

Art S

Pages 18-19

Pages 18-19

Art S

Cl ASSIfIEd

Page 21

Page 20

Cl ASSIfIEd & fA mIly

PublIC NOtICES

ANNOuNCE mENt S

Pages 21-23

Page 22

PrOPErty

PublIC NOtICES

Page 24

Pages 23-26

SPOrt

SPOrt

mum hits out at proposal Which could see children's cancer care moved to evelina

© James Mayer

He said there are “inevitably trade-offs” in the process, adding: “We will have to take real care in implementation to make sure we look after the children who are travelling 40 or 50 miles, as well as the children that are travelling five miles.

"And we’ll look after the children who come in their families cars, as well as the children of families who can’t afford cars and have to make other means.”

Introducing the proposals earlier in the meeting, Mr Streather said the current arrangement with St George’s and The Royal Marsden delivers high-quality care.

By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter

consultation presenting both options as serious possibilities”.

Mum Jenny Houghton, from the parent and stakeholder group involved in the process, argued there is not a “business case” for the proposed move.

"I don’t know if it’s fair or not but it would be a good thing to know that you’ve taken those criticisms on board.

"I’d like to see this consultation process move forwards in a way that the parents aren’t made to feel like that.”

Pages 27-32

Pages 25-28

Contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email hello@cm-media.co.uk

A mum has slammed a proposal which could see children’s cancer care moved from two South West London hospitals, claiming parents’ concerns have not been met with “realistic responses”.

The children’s cancer centre at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, and The Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, would be moved to the Evelina Children’s Hospital, Lambeth under the proposal.

The option is one of two being considered by NHS England as it plans to move the children’s principal cancer treatment centre for South London, Kent, Medway, Surrey, East Sussex, Brighton and Hove to one location.

St George’s and the Evelina have put forward bids for the centre, which are being taken forward for public consultation.

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It follows NHS England approving a new national service specification for principal treatment centres in 2021, which requires them to be on the same site as a paediatric intensive care unit. The Royal Marsden does not have a paediatric intensive care unit on site, which means some children are transferred between the site and St George’s.

Chris Streather, medical director of the NHS in London, told the South West London and Surrey joint health overview and scrutiny committee on June 7 the Evelina’s bid scored slightly higher in an NHS England evaluation process. But he said both bids “are strong, they are both viable and we will go out to

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She said: “Everything that you’re seeing, there is no justification in terms of listening to people – everything we’ve fed back on.

“The transportation discussion has been hugely traumatic as a parent of a child with cancer. I don’t believe anybody who is taking part in this understands what it is like to try and travel with a neutropenic child who is very, very sick. You cannot get on a bus.”

She added: “It is not the majority of people who get their neutropenic child on public transport. All of our concerns are not met with realistic responses.”

About the evaluation process, Ms Houghton said: “I cannot tell you how bad this process has been in terms of being able to actually significantly mark both of these proposals.”

She continued: “I have no faith in this. This does not need to be happening. We are talking about one child a month from The Royal Marsden that needs this transfer.

“We have spoken to specialists. We know the level of care when they treat and transfer.

"They have a full clinical team travelling with them, so why the need to remove them from where they’re being treated, taking them away from their research centre?”

Richmond councillor Jim Millard said: “I’m absolutely appalled to see how they’ve been made to feel.

SouthLondonWeekly

Catherine Croucher, consultant in public health at NHS England, said: “I think it’s fair to say that obviously car travel in private vehicle would be a preference for many, many families and therefore it’s very important how we look at the mitigations available for how to make that as easy as possible when it comes to a longer journey.

“That said, we do have to acknowledge that there are some parts of the catchment where we can see from census data that car ownership is actually quite low so we can’t reduce the notion of public transport use to zero.”

Mr Streather said: “What we have to consider over the period of consultation is not whether the service moves from what it is now because it’s not fit-for-purpose.

“It’s as good as it can be in its current format, but by having it in a children’s facility, in a facility that’s used to looking after large numbers of sick children, we will potentially improve the care to children and improve the safety of children.”

Mr Streather said the NHS hopes disruption to existing patients is “kept down to a minimum, if anything at all”.

He said it will take another three years for the changes to be implemented, when treatment for most children currently being cared for will have finished.

But he said: “It’s certainly not ideal for patients to have more interruption than is absolutely necessary in the continuity of their care. So part of the principle and the case for change is, although the current arrangement is providing excellent care for children with cancer, to provide the very best, and we’re ambitious about it being world-leading care, for the majority of sick children to spend the majority of their time in a single place without transfers which we think will provide both better outcomes in cancer and a better patient experience.”

An NHS England report said analysis comparing travel times to the current centre’s main site, at The Royal Marsden, to either future location showed positive impacts for children living in the most deprived and rural areas when travelling by public transport, along with negative impacts for children living outside London or rural areas when driving.

It said: “Residents of South West London would, on average, experience an increase in journey time of 18 minutes to Evelina and no change to St George’s.

"However, this masks a difference between the boroughs where Sutton, Merton, Croydon and Kingston see increases of up to 30 minutes in driving time compared to decreases or no change for Wandsworth or Richmond.”

About the overall report, Kingston councillor Anita Schaper, chairing the committee, said:

“You’ve produced sort of quite high level key findings in this report and what we need really is for them to be evidenced.”

A public consultation on both options is due to begin in early summer.

NHS England will make a final decision after reviewing feedback and considering all information. Services are not expected to move before 2026

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St George's Hospital

'Rumble in the Jungle' fight coming to Canada Water

By Isabel Ramirez

A first-of-its-kind immersive experience, which will bring to life the iconic 1974 fight between muhammad Ali and George Foreman, is coming to Canada Water this autumn - and here is how you can get tickets.

Fusing theatre, sport and technology, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch will launch on September 14 at Dock X in Canada Water.

The first-of-its-kind show will see audiences will be transported back to the legendary Muhammad Ali and George Foreman boxing match nearly 50 years later.

Playing on all five of the senses, Rumble in the Jungle will be brought to life by an incredible live cast of actors, with live music, food and drink that will create

s oul choir needs more singers

authentic smells and tastes of the time.

From Muhammad’s pre-match trashtalking to the fight where his famous rope-a-dope was performed, it is the chance to see what was called the greatest sporting event of the 20th century played out in front of you.

The event will feature the sounds of the Zaire '74 music festival, which saw the biggest global acts in black music perform, including James Brown, BB King, Bill Withers and Sister Sledge.

Rematch transports fans back to relive iconic sporting moments through immersive theatrical events. In 2019, they started by recreating the famous Wimbledon match between Bjorn Borg and John McEnro of 1980 - but this is set to be much bigger.

Tickets are on sale now. www. rumbleinthejunglerematch.com/ to get tickets.

By Herbie Russell

A choir based in Borough, that sings and performs soul music ranging from Tina Turner to Lizzo, is looking for more singers - and there is no need to audition.

Singing teacher, Abi Gilchrist, founded UK Soul Choirs in 2010, on a mission to spread the joy that singing in a group can bring.

"I started soul choir in Greenwich about thirteen years ago with just four people," she said.

"Now, we have ten branches with around 470 members," she said.

The London Bridge group started in January, but Abi explained they are struggling to get people through the door.

"We've found it more difficult to find the

local community here," she continued, "because people coming through Borough are often getting on a train and going home after work.

"There aren't as many residents in the local area - so it would be great if more people knew we were here."

"Being in a choir is one of the most beneficial things for well-being," Abi said.

"Having a community and singing in a group makes you feel good. It gives you energy."

There's no need to audition - anyone can join whether you're a complete beginner or you've sung before.

The music they sing ranges from the older soul by artists like Prince, Tina Turner and Chaka Khan to newer styles, including a 'Lizzo medley.'

The choirs join up and do performances

at the end of term, one included recently singing backing vocals to soul icon, Mica Paris.

Dee Brissett-Dowe, from Borough, joined five months ago as a 'complete beginner.'

"I hadn't sung since school but everyone was so welcoming.

"The music is great - I'm singing songs from my childhood. And the choir is a good de-stressor during the week."

For people unsure about joining, Dee added: "You regret the things you don't do - more than the ones you do. Just try it and you'll see."

It's free to try out and for anyone over 18.

London Bridge Soul Choir practice every Tuesday from 6:30 pm - 8 pm, at Guy's Chapel, Guy's Campus, King's College London, SE1 1UL.

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Rumble in the Jungle Rematch will recreate the 1974 fight between Ali and Foreman.

locals 'want answers' after bbQ area was closed in pandemic and never reopened

By Isabel Ramirez

The BBQ area in Burgess Park has been closed since the pandemic, but despite eight months of consultation with the community on how to reopen the space, they are still waiting for action.

In 2011, a permanent barbecue section was created in Burgess Park by Southwark Council, where people could barbecue and gather freely and safely.

Locals say the area was well-used and although there were some issues, such as 'litter' and a 'lack of control' - it was somewhere many people without gardens could enjoy being outdoors.

Amparo Rendon runs a woman's football league in the park next to the barbeque space. "The area is populated

by people who can't afford to go to the beach in summer and don't have gardens - so the space was used a lot by these communities," she explained.

"It used to be so busy - there is nowhere else like it in Southwark."

During the pandemic, like everywhere else, the area was closed and has never come back into use.

Amparo said although it wasn't perfect, it would be wonderful to see it open again, "if there was a bit more control and organisation."

And this is what appeared to happen, with the council agreeing to meet with the We Walworth group, made up of community members, to work 'collaboratively' to discuss the future of barbecuing in Burgess Park.

Richard Galpin, one of the key members

of the group, said: "The BBQs came up as a distinct issue for helping to bring people back together after the pandemic. We've worked with the council but it has now stalled."

He explained that even though people presented issues at the meetings, everyone agreed that people without gardens need a space.

Santiago Peluffo, co-director of Latin Elephant said to many, the park and BBQ area is an 'extension of their doorstep.'

"Burgess Park's BBQs are absolutely essential to working-class and minoritised communities who regularly hang out at the park; since we see a fusion of both public and private habits taking place in an open green space," he said.

"To many, Burgess is an extension

of their own doorstep due to the lack of green space in most of the flats surrounding Burgess Park."

But despite eight months worth of consultation, there has been no progress and many said that with summer in full swing and the school holidays right around the corner, this is the perfect time to re-open the BBQ area.

Jess Hattam, who works for a sports charity based in the park, said she attended some of the consultation meetings. "It's a complex issue - so during the meetings all bases were covered and solutions were suggested to all of the problems that people brought up," she said.

"The litter, for example, has always been an issue - so more bins and staff were suggested, along with changing

Watch theatre for free as volunteer usher at Southwark Playhouse

the location to somewhere further away from the pond."

She explained that most discussions ultimately resulted in something that was going to cost money, which she claims was likely to be a reason for the delayed progress.

"It's a question of resources - everything costs money but how do we support local infrastructure to benefit local people?"

Jess added: "There's some amazing stuff about the space and overall, the communities' views should be listened to and we should get an answer - especially because they are agreeing to work with the council here," Jess added.

We asked the council whether there were any plans to bring the BBQ area back into use, but they did not respond at the time of going to press.

By Isabel Ramirez

southwArk PlAyhouse is looking for volunteer ushers for people to get work experience in the arts, and watch the shows they love for free.

The theatre venues, both in Elephant and Castle, rely on volunteers and now they are encouraging people to 'join the family' by becoming an usher.

Being an usher involves showing people to their seats and being the 'eyes and ears in the auditorium', whilst watching live theatre for free.

Holly Atkinson said she started as a volunteer in 2015 and worked her way up. "I did it for a year and then went on to work at the bar and was promoted to Front of House manager," she said.

She said despite leaving Southwark in March last year, she has continued

volunteering with them.

"It's an incredibly warm and welcoming atmosphere and the staff go out their way to listen to volunteers' needs. They really take into consideration everyone's capabilities and encourage everyone to get involved.

She added: "If you're a theatre-goer or not, this is a really lovely and supportive community, who are keen to help you progress or just give you the opportunity

to see more theatre."

Venues Manager, Rachel Atkinson, explained it's a great way for people to boost their skills. "Whether you want some work experience, are wanting a career change or maybe you're retired - this opportunity could be for you," she said.

"Our team are mostly volunteers, so they are key for the running of the productions."

The only commitment necessary is a minimum of two shifts per month. It works by signing up to work on the shows you want to see, as you will be able to watch them whilst on duty. Other benefits to the job include discounted drinks and tickets at the bar on your non-working days.

The opportunity is for people 18+. Go to the Southwark Playhouse website for more information or to sign up.

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families of brixton academy crush victims cry out for the public's help

By Herbie Russell

The FA miLieS of the people killed during the Brixton Academy crush have cried out for the public’s help in a desperate appeal.

Mother-of-two Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died on December 15, 2022 - a horrific night that saw crowds of people, many believed to be ticketless, force entry into the venue.

A 21-year-old woman remains in hospital in a serious condition - seven months on.

Operation Wickmar has seen detectives pore over footage and witness statements but they’re still appealing for information that solves "the puzzle and helps find some answers”.

Speaking together, Rebecca’s mother Yetunde, father Anthony and aunt Mary, said their loss had "broken us”.

“Until you go through something like this, you don’t know the importance of how the littlest thing could help,” they said.

Rebecca, from Newham, was a nursing graduate who worked with autistic children. She has been described as “beautiful… not only on the outside but also inside”.

Her family said: “What we would say to anyone who was there, who hasn’t spoken or doesn’t want to speak, it could

have been your sister, your cousin, the mother of your child, your daughter. We just ask, please come forward.”

Gaby, from Gravesend, was working as a security guard at the Asake gig. Gaby's mother Christina Hutchinson and sister Nina Hutchinson said: “Mum and Dad have lost their youngest baby, and it’s not something you should ever have to do, putting your daughter to rest before you.

“As siblings, we have lost growing old together. We have lost that because of what happened that night. It has been stolen.

“We want to say to anyone who was there, even if they think they have a minor piece of information, something

that they think is irrelevant, could they please, please contact the police.

“It could be that little bit that fits the puzzle and helps find some answers. It would make a difference to us as a family, because we just need answers. No one should ever go to work and not come home.”

Brixton Academy’s licence was suspended and it’s yet to start hosting events again. The Met has called for it to have its licence revoked.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, senior investigating officer, said:

“Six months on from this tragic incident, we remain absolutely committed to finding out what happened that night. We offer our heartfelt support to the

victims’ families as they pay tribute and remember their loved ones.

"We know there were thousands of people there and that many will have seen what happened. Footage shared on social media immediately after the incident showed dozens of people filming on their phones.

“We are grateful to everyone who has come forward so far, but we still need more information from those who were there that evening. Please do not assume we have the information or images you are in possession of. We are especially interested in video footage from that evening.

“If you were there and recorded or saw anything, please think of the families

who are struggling to come to terms with their loss, and share what you saw with my team who are waiting to hear from you.”

People can get in touch with police by clicking on this link which has just been updated: https://mipp.police. uk/operation/01MPS22U62-PO1, You will be able to upload information and video content to this portal to assist the investigation.

You can phone the Operation Wickmar investigation team direct on 0207 321 9425.

Alternatively, to remain 100% anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Mayor says questions need answering before O2 Academy can re-open

By Noah Vickers

Local

Democracy

Reporter

sA diq k h A n has said questions about the circumstances of the o2 Academy Brixton crush need to be answered before the venue’s reopening can be considered.

Speaking precisely six months after the crowd crush in which Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and security worker Gaby Hutchinson, 23, were fatally injured, the mayor said the music venue’s future was a “secondary” issue, compared with the police investigation into what happened on the night.

“I think it’s important for us to remember that two people lost their lives,” said Mr Khan.

“A third person is still critically ill and in hospital. And there are still questions that demand answering about what did or didn’t happen that night at Brixton Academy.

“What I would do is amplify the appeal made by the families for anybody who was there on the night who may have recorded something on their phones, to send that information to the police.

“There is a separate discussion about the future of the Brixton Academy and that venue. I think that’s a secondary

issue. The first issue is to make sure the questions that we have about the event six months ago are answered.”

Asked whether that meant the venue might never reopen, he said: “I think it’s premature to make that assessment.

“I’m somebody who in the past has been to great gigs at the academy, [and] seen great musicians perform there. I live in south London, so it’s the nearest live music venue to me.

“What we need to do is make sure we have these questions answered, because what we don’t want is lessons not to be learnt.

“But also what we don’t want is those

who run the venue, those who were responsible on the night, to be able to continue to have events when there are still questions to be answered.”

The crush occurred on 15 December 2022, when concertgoers – many of them thought to be ticketless – tried to force their way into a sold-out gig by Nigerian Afrobeats artist Asake.

The venue’s licence was suspended by Lambeth councillors. The Met Police is urging the council to permanently close it, but an online petition to save the academy has surpassed 113,000 signatures.

Brixton Academy’s operator, the

Academy Music Group, which hopes the venue can reopen despite the Met’s opposition, has previously said it was “devastated” about the deaths and that it had “engaged collaboratively” with both Lambeth Council and the Metropolitan Police since the crush.

The Met has revealed a criminal investigation is being conducted involving a range of potential allegations - including corporate manslaughter, criminal negligence manslaughter, unlawful act manslaughter and health and safety at work offences along with violent disorder and assault.

More information and video footage is needed to help solve the 'puzzle' of that tragic night

© Drew de F Fawkes (Creative Commons)

Brixton Academy crush victims Rebecca Ikumelo (left), 33, and Gaby Hutchinson (right), 23

roma and traveller people parade horses and carts through london bridge as part of 'the london drive

By Herbie Russell

romA And traveller people from across the uk paraded around central London in horses and carts as part of ‘the london drive’.

The biannual charity event saw roughly 400 people descend on parts

of London, including London Bridge, on Sunday, June 18.

Passersby gawped and took photos as dozens of horses took up the pavements and blocked off roads.

Kaley, from Kent, who described herself as Romany gypsy, said: “It’s a charity event we do twice a year. If

someone in our world has a problem, or loses a partner, we all put a bit in... The children love it.”

Attendees, who came from across the British Isles, including Yorkshire, Kent and Ireland, said the money raised was going to children’s cancer and autism charities.

The route began at Tobacco Dock in Wapping, went through London Bridge and ended up in Hyde Park.

Traffic around London Bridge was reduced to a crawl at times as drivers struggled to navigate around the horses.

At one point, riders appeared to be racing up and down Union Street. One

man, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was a £500 prize for the winner.

Southwark Council confirmed there is no law prohibiting riding horses through London and Craig from Kent said: “We’re all respectful keeping mind of the traffic, we do it all the time.”

Brockwell Lido users hit out at 'dirty floors and broken showers'

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter

SWimmerS AT a popular South London lido have hit out at 'dirty floors and broken showers', which they say are putting people off visiting.

Brockwell Lido in Herne Hill is a popular destination for fitness fans and people wanting a dip in hot summer months, but some regular customers say they are fedup with poor maintenance which they say is ruining the centre.

Some regular users complain about faulty showers, dirty floors and surfaces and tired gym equipment that is in dire need of replacing.

They say conditions at the lido, which also includes a gym and hydrotherapy pool, took a turn for worse during the pandemic and have continued to deteriorate despite people raising concerns with operator Fusion – whom the site is leased to by Lambeth Council until 2028.

Ben Longman, chair of Brockwell Lido Users Group, which represents swimmers and gym goers at the centre, said Fusion weren’t spending enough money on the lido’s upkeep.

He said: “It feels like they are under investing in the site. They’re letting parts of the site deteriorate. The pool floor is not clean. The changing rooms have problems and need fixing. Some of the showers don’t work. The gym equipment is deteriorating. People don’t want to do yoga on a dirty floor.

“We believe things have got significantly worse since the pandemic. Users raise these complaints and they’re not dealt with in a reasonable time frame. We think it’s a financial decision that’s been taken. The staff are great. It’s not bad management.”

He added that sections of the pool were often closed during peak summer hours, apparently due to a lack of lifeguards. Meanwhile casual users of the lido were put off from visiting due to the complicated booking system, he claimed

Mr Longman added: “It’s not open for long enough in summer and parts of the pool are closed. The booking system is quite difficult for people who aren’t regular users to navigate. You can’t just turn up on a hot day any more.

“Before the booking system long queues formed outside and people tried to get over the walls but there has to be a middle ground between that and turning the pool into a white middle class enclave for people who can book in advance.”

Sofie Jenkinson, who has been a regular

swimmer at the pool for three years, said she’d noticed conditions at the lido deteriorate over the time she had been visiting.

She said: “The showers and the problems with the changing facilities and the cleanliness have got worse. You can’t wash unless you go to the gym side and you’ve got to walk through reception wet to get there so most people just go home.

“There are not enough lifeguards and they close the lido halfway through the day. Some people had bought their season

tickets on the strength of the opening hours and they’ve cut them back.”

She added: “I’ve complained about things and they’ve not been repaired… Fusion are not investing in it. The staff who are there are doing their best but every time you go it feels a little worse. It’s not being treated as a community asset.”

Other users who contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service [LDRS] about issues at the lido repeated concerns about broken showers, poor cleanliness and equipment that has reached the end of its life. Other problems people mentioned included: broken lockers, the booking system – described as “confusing” and a lack of space in the gym.

Fusion said Brockwell Lido attracted up to 2,000 visitors a day during peak summer months and as a result of this posed “maintenance challenges.”

A spokesperson said: “To ensure we can offer the best visitor experience our full-time cleaning team carries out daily inspections and regular overnight deep cleaning of the changing rooms and toilets throughout the peak season.

“We are aware of some equipment and lockers not working, and we are working with our suppliers to repair these as quickly as we can. We are also currently carrying out a significant upgrade on our showers and changing rooms, which has meant some disruption, for which we apologise.”

Lambeth Council was contacted for comment but hadn’t replied at the time of publication.

People taking part in the London Drive by London Bridge

mum is still searching for ansW ers t Wo years after son's fatal shooting

By Herbie Russell

A he A rtbroken mum has made an emotional appeal for information two years after her son was killed by masked gunmen outside his Balham home.

The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering £20,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of anyone linked to the killing of Matthias Poleon, in Balham.

The 27-year-old (pictured) was shot in the chest, outside his home, in Bedford Hill, on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

Two masked men then fled the scene in a car toward Balham town centre.

Police were called to the scene at 10.50pm and Matthias was rushed to hospital. He was pronounced dead at 11.36pm.

Following his death, the police launched an “extensive investigation”, later arresting two people, but nobody has ever faced justice for the killing.

Marking the second anniversary of Matthias’s death, his mum Vina said: “Matthias’s death has left me wishing for death most days.

“I miss my beautiful son daily. I miss his quirky sense of humour, his phone calls, his I love you mum.

“All I've got is his videos and his voice notes and there's some days when I can't bear to even watch that.”

She added: “Why did you have to kill my boy? You could have just hurt him, you didn't have to kill him. Do you realise you killed me?

"If you have any information please get in touch with the police or Crimestoppers and bring the killer/killers of my beautiful son to justice. I miss my son every day.”

A Crimestoppers spokesperson said there were “a number of people” in the area at the time of Matthias’ killing who could have vital information.

Alexa Loukas, London regional manager at Crimestoppers, added: “Our charity knows, only too well, that fear can be a massive barrier to people coming forward.

"We’re not the police, we’re independent and we guarantee you’ll stay completely anonymous. That means we never ask for your personal details – just tell us what you know."

Information passed directly to police will not qualify for a reward. Only information

passed to Crimestoppers using our untraceable anonymous online form or via our 0800 555 111 freephone number will qualify. Call the incident room on 0208 785 8244 or call 101/ tweet @MetCC quoting 8915/17June.

If you prefer not to talk to the police, you can stay completely anonymous by contacting independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crimestoppers is offering £20,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of anyone linked to the killing of Matthias

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter

r esidents living near a south London borough’s largest park have called for it to be closed at night following a spate of crimes in the area, including a fatal stabbing.

Lewisham Council opened up Beckenham Place Park to locals 24 hours a day a few years back and stopped locking many gates to the park, as well as removing some gates and fences entirely.

But residents who live near the 98 hectares park, which features a swimming lake and 18th century mansion, say the 24 hour policy is attracting criminals to the area and making the park feel dangerous.

Last summer, a man died after being stabbed in the neck in the park during the early hours of the morning.

In May this year a woman said she was raped in nearby Warren Avenue Playing Fields, which is less than a 15 minute walk from Beckenham Place Park.

The fields are in Bromley, but like the park is owned by Lewisham Council.

Residents also say they’ve heard neighbours complain of an uptick in drug dealing and antisocial behaviour around the park.

Rod Reed, a landscape gardener who lives nearby, said he wanted to see the park locked at night and increased security patrols.

Mr Reed, 63, said: “I was in favour of opening up the park but nobody wanted a 24 hour park.

"We didn’t anticipate it was going to

be a free for all and anyone could come in the middle of the night.

“It seems to be something they introduced during the pandemic and there was no consultation at all. The thing we pointed out to them is it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

He added: “We’ve had reports of drug dealing and people aren’t happy that public safety has been compromised. You can’t see something on CCTV if they are wearing hoodies.

"We are saying: have some patrols in the early evening, close the gates and restore the security that we had.”

Many local residents like Mr Reed live in neighbouring Bromley and feel Lewisham Council has sidelined their concerns because they don’t live in the borough.

Beckenham resident Rebecca, who declined to give her surname, said: “I don’t know why the council wanted to do that [introduce 24 hours access] given they put a huge lake in it.

"I suppose Lewisham Council can say we don’t have to consult with residents of Lewisham because we aren’t their council.

“There’s a question of perception. If it feels dangerous most people aren’t going to want to hang out there and people who are up to no good are more likely to go there.”

She added that the peaceful atmosphere of the park has changed since it became 24 hours, with large crowds gathering and cooking food on portable BBQs.

The park’s lake opened up to swimmers in 2019 following a £4.9 million restoration funded by the National Lottery. But the council had

to temporarily close the park just four days after the lake opened to the public, when two children almost drowned in separate incidents at the lake.

The swimming lake is monitored by CCTV but residents fear people could still sneak into it after hours.

Bromley Liberal Democrat councillor, Chloe-Jane Ross, said residents living near the park felt their concerns were being ignored by Lewisham Council. She said: “The majority of residents whose homes back onto the park live in the London Borough of Bromley and they feel they have no voice because it’s

managed by the Borough of Lewisham.

“I’m aware that there are some residents calling for the park to be closed. I would like to see the park have much more lighting and CCTV and for the entrances and exits to be well lit. There’s no doubt that as it gets dark it can feel quite unsafe.”

Lewisham Council said it took concerns about safety in the park “extremely seriously” and had dedicated staff on site everyday, as well as additional security during peak times such as bank holiday weekends and during warmer weather.

A council spokesperson added: “The

main vehicular access on Beckenham Hill is locked at night.

"The vehicle gate at the lower end of the park close to the properties on the Beckenham Place Park Road is locked at all times unless there are exceptional circumstances.

“Any change to the locking regime could negatively impact many park users who enjoy the current access arrangements that allow them to use the park before 8am.

"We are planning to hold a community meeting at Beckenham Place Park very soon to listen to all views from our park users.”

Residents calling for south London’s largest park to be closed after dark following crime spate

By Isabel Ramirez

A new stop and search scheme is being trialled in Lambeth, as it is one of the areas with the highest levels of crimes where weapons are used.

The aim is to improve the encounter the Met has with those suspected of carrying a weapon. It comes after the Met Police Service (MPS) admit they have at times 'got it wrong,' including when people have been wrongly accused of carrying a weapon because they 'fit the description.'

In the week that the Home Secretary said the police should "ramp up" stop and search, the new pilot scheme is being trialled to make the practice more 'precise.'

In a bid to become a 'data-driven' organisation, new research has been done to look at how stop and search can be improved, and how officers can work with the communities around to build back much of the trust that has been lost.

It is being tested in Lambeth as well as Barking and Dagenham, as areas where levels of weapon-enabled crimes are high.

The MPS say they recognise that communities often suffer if people are wrongly accused or the practice is done 'without respect', which diminishes the trust in the police.

Someone who perhaps understands this better than anyone is Lambeth Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, who said as a black young man he was often stopped and searched himself so recognises the need for improvement.

"I've lived it," he said. "Stop and search is definitely something people who look like me will have experienced often. And it's unfortunate because it is the more deprived areas where crime is higher, and in London, these are the areas that also happen to be more ethnically diverse - but that isn't the case for the

neW stop and search trial 'is necessary to improve trust' admits local police superintendent

UK as a whole.

"In Glasgow, they had this issue a few years ago and that was all white working-class areas - which is where it becomes linked to higher deprivation."

He explained that this is why it's important officers are trained so they understand the area they're walking into, to prevent mistakes being made.

"Sometimes a crime will have happened in an area, and someone who the officer may think fits the description they have been given will be searched despite

being innocent."

"So it's that aspect we are trying to address. The technique in itself works and it's a good technique when it is intelligence-led. But we need to improve the encounter with the people we stop and search."

He cites times when people have been handcuffed when it has not been necessary, or they are handcuffed for too long.

"The Casey review highlighted times where the encounter is not done with

courtesy and respect," he added. "There are a lot of officers who get it right but there's some learning that needs to be shared across the Met."

The pilot will mean officers get procedural justice training, which involves treating people fairly, being impartial and giving the person being stopped more of a voice in the encounter.

But Supt Cameron said the biggest part involves working with communities to tackle the causes of these crimes.

"If there is a lack of opportunities or

no safe space for young people this leads to people being groomed by gangs and doing wrong.

"So we are working with the councils, local businesses to ask them what opportunities they can offer for young people in the Lambeth area."

He added that it's vital people work with them on this because it's not just an issue of policing, but reflects wider society as a whole.

If the pilot goes to plan it would be rolled out across London.

Team of boxing coaches step forward to carry on Steve Hiser's legacy in Bermondsey

By Isabel Ramirez

A TeAm of 'disciples' will take on the legacy of a Bermondsey boxing club's head coach, after he passed away having spent over fifty years training youngsters.

Fisher Boxing Club tragically lost their head coach, Steve Hiser, last month, after a lifelong commitment to amateur boxing.

As his colleagues, many of whom he coached as kids, recover from the loss of a man who shaped their lives forever, they told us why the club will go on despite his passing.

Trevor Thirwall, who knew Steve for over 40 years, said: "Steve was the head coach for a very long time and he held together a whole community." Trevor explained that part of his worry was who was going to carry on his work.

"It was so important for the gospel Steve created to carry on, that only his disciples could have taken it over."

Trevor is one of the new head coaches, or 'disciples', that have taken on the running of the club.

"A few years ago, towards the end of his life, he called on each of us to get more involved in the running of the place."

He explained that now there will not

be one head coach, but five, all 'handpicked' by Steve himself - Omar Riz, Ash Sharma, George Wadman, Andrew Wadman and Trevor.

But despite the newly shared responsibility, the mission remains unanimous. "The immense success that Steve generated: it was more than just teaching people to box. It's a legacy of love," Trevor explained.

"It's a responsibility - we're dealing

with and nurturing people with realworld problems.

Andrew Wadman, another one of the 'disciples', added: "So the new club will be run with a fresh eye - but the ethics and ethos have to stay the same."

Trevor added: "He instilled in us morals, duty and discipline - a code of conduct for life. And that is what we continue."

They said although it has taken some

time for the changing of the guards to be completed, the future of the Fisher Club looks "more successful than ever."

Fisher Amateur Boxing Club was formed in 1908 at Downside Youth Club in Bermondsey. Its rich history includes not only nurturing worldclass champions but consistently serving the ever-changing area. Its location in a youth club means every boxer is free to use the weight section,

the pool, and the rest of the building'as long as they pay their subs.'

A more recent addition is the women's programme - which Steve started in 2016 and it has continued to grow. They are trying to encourage more female boxers to join them.

Recently they partnered with the England Boxing Association to host the first London female squad day where female boxers from all across London came to train and spar together.

The new schedule can be found on their Instagram: @thereal�isherboxing or on their website www.downside-�isher.org

Gabriel Cameron

Fisher Boxing coaches take on the new club following death of head coach.

The late great Steve Hiser

Planet Summer at the Southbank Centre

Find care, hope, connection and activism in a season teeming with talks, performances, music and family events responding to the climate emergency at the Southbank Centre, from Wednesday 21 June –Sunday 3 September.

e Southbank Centre’s Planet Summer season of climate care, hope and activism takes its inspiration from the pioneering Hayward Gallery exhibition, Dear Earth: Art and Hope in a Time of Crisis, a group show itself inspired by artist Otobong Nkanga’s suggestion that ‘caring is a form of resistance’. Planet Summer inspires a call for action that all of us, making change together, can address the challenges of the climate crisis.

Planet Summer draws together a powerful group of perspectives on the climate crisis, hosting talks with Greta unberg, Mikaela Loach, Dominique Palmer, Rebecca

Solnit, elma Young Lutunatabua, Mark Carney, Tori Tsui and Cerys Matthews.

But Planet Summer also delivers a season of artistic and communal responses. eatre pioneers Ontroerend Goed bring a boundary-pushing new show about the future of humanity, Are we not drawn onward to new erA, Plot 17 throws a hip-hop garden block party on the Riverside Terrace, and we welcome back our Poetry International festival. Africa in Fashion events, co-curated by Creative Resilience International, bring together artists and industry experts for panel discussions, upcycling and recycling and a unique fashion show. Musical contributions in the season include Earth Makes No Sound’s fusion of choral singing, movement and body percussion, and MELTWATER, a haunting composition focusing on the melting of a polar

ice cap.

And because young people hold the key to the future of our climate, there’s plenty of ways for families to get involved, too. Children and their grown-ups are invited to play side by side at REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground which runs throughout the summer. Families will also love Bird Rave’s

colourful interactive performance, e SpongeBob Musical, e Marvellous Myth Hunter Ceilidh, a hip-hop party with ZooNation Youth Company and Just Vibez and the return of Jeppe Hein’s ever-popular Appearing Rooms fountain. At the end of the summer, families are invited to hurtle into a time-travelling adventure exploring themes of friendship and the environment at Zoe’s Peculiar Journey rough Time. Free events on the Riverside Terrace also include Pedal Power

parties with DJs BORN N BREAD, Guava Jamz and Heart n Soul and a free night of cabaret performed by Bi-curious George and guests.

Experience the powerful response of 80 emerging Black artists to climate change, in an audiovisual installation that combines lm, photography, music and sound design at Reframe: e Residency Exhibition. Reframe is supported by Apple and produced by the Southbank Centre with Factory International in Manchester and STEAMhouse and Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Birmingham. Planet Summer also sees free outdoor artworks pop up across the site.

Book tickets now at www.southbankcentre.co.uk/

Greta Thunberg, The Climate

Photo by: Kim Jakobsen To

 The Spongebob Musical

Photo by: Mark Senior

By Herbie Russell

comedy lovers can expect a giggle at a brand new 499-capacity comedy club that will open on the South Bank.

Big Belly Comedy Club - the team behind the Vauxhall Comedy Clubhas promised to host “internationally acclaimed comedians” and nurture local talent at the venue on Stamford Street.

Southwark Council approved its licence to welcome revellers until 1am at the weekends, and 2am during the

summer, despite local residents’ fears the area is being swamped with boozy establishments.

Big Belly describes itself as a “comedy club, creative talent incubator and training centre… bringing a little slice of New York style comedy club to the bustling arts hub that is the Southbank".

It plans to host workshops around comedy, podcasting and writing for people from “an array of backgrounds”.

The venue’s lower ground floor will host a cafe open to the general public and there will be an outdoor seating

Two free career fairs are to be held at the Elephant and Castle

area.

Mark Hermans, who lives in the luxury Southbank Tower where threebedroom apartments are advertised at £2.3 million, suggested revellers pouring out into the streets will make the area like Soho.

“That’s not where we chose to live. That’s why I chose to send in my representation. I like what you do but it’s not the area [for it],” he told the licensing committee on Monday, June 12.

He said: “We decided to buy an apartment in Southbank Tower and

massive ne W s outh b ank comedy club is aiming to shoWcase the World's best comedians

not in Soho because we love the city but we also like to live in an area that is more or less quiet, residential.” Borough and Bankside Councillor

Irina Von Wiese said: “This is the last straw for people. It’s too much to ask of them. There’s a bargain between balancing the business that we welcome, the tourists that we welcome, but also the residents.”

But Chris Rees-Gay, representing the comedy club, sought to assure people that local residents’ concerns had been heeded.

He said: "The hours that have been

applied for, a lot of consideration has been given. […] We do understand the residents’ concerns. As soon as we got the twenty concerns, we reached out [and] we had the meeting with them [residents].”

He added: “[They] are experienced managers of comedy clubs and licensed premises. The operating schedule is extensively conditioned to ensure the licensing objectives are promoted.”

There is no exact timescale for the venue’s arrival, but the company has reportedly said it will open “soon".

England legend Kevin Keegan surprises dad at the end his 600-mile-long charity bike ride

By Herbie Russell

former engl A nd football manager kevin keegan congratulated a dad at the finish line of a 600-mile charity cycle run in aid of evelina Children’s hospital.

Scott Gunn, from Margate, had wanted to raise money for the Waterloo-based hospital ever since he and his wife had a close call while she was pregnant with their second child. He wanted to give something back, so cycled from Margate to Edinburgh, from June 6 to June 13, raising over £5,600.

By Isabel Ramirez

two cAreer fairs in elephant and Castle will offer employment and further education opportunities for young people and job seekers, in areas such as cyber security, the nhs and government.

CASTLe SquARe JoBS FAiR

The event is free to attend and will welcome a range of local, London-wide and national employers who will be exhibiting on the day and will be on hand to support individuals looking for new roles or apprenticeship opportunities in a range of sectors.

There will be representatives in attendance from a range of employers, including Metropolitan Police, Prefort Consult (cyber security training programmes), Home Office, Skills

Bootcamps and more.

When? Thursday, June 22 between 14:00 pm – 18:00 pm

Where? Castle Square, Elephant and Castle, 40 Elephant Road, SE17 1EU

Admission: Free

SouThWARk JoBS FAiR

The week after, there is another career fair at the London College of Communication for jobseekers to find out more about what's on offer.

Again, there will be a range of different representatives, including from London South Bank University, Southwark Works, University of Arts London, and Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust.

When? Thursday, June 29 between 12 pm – 4.40 pm

Where? London College of Communication, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6SB Admission: Free

In a bizarre turn of events, Newcastle legend ‘King Kev’, who was due to speak for Scott’s estate agency business that same evening, congratulated him at the finish line in Edinburgh.

Scott said: “I’m overwhelmed by the support I have received from friends, family and even strangers. Watching the donations grow daily has felt very special, and I’m so grateful to every person who has donated their hardearned cash.”

The dad-of-two was motivated to take on the challenge by his family’s experience at Evelina some thirteen years ago.

His wife Vicki had been pregnant and the team at Margate Hospital were worried the baby might have a hole in her heart.

They were rushed to Evelina London – part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ –

to have another scan using more advanced equipment.

Thankfully, the scan showed there was nothing to worry about, but Scott understood that families weren't always so lucky.

“I thought that no one in the hospital would have better news than us,” he said. “It was such a strange feeling and it chokes me up just thinking about it.

I thought then that I wanted to give something back.”

Boe, now twelve-years-old, waved Scott off at the start line at Margate harbour on 6 June alongside her brother Rory, fourteen. Reflecting on his triumph, Scott said: “It was a slog in the heat but remembering the reason behind the challenge has made it worthwhile.”

The Stamford Street building where Big Belly Comedy Club will be

Scott with Kevin Keegan at the end of the challenge

© Tim Lumsdaine (Creative Commons)

school Where kids groW veggies for lunch and teachers love them spending ages on their ipads

By Adrian Zorzut Local Democracy Reporter

A school is embracing the modern world while still getting kids outdoors - by encouraging iPads in lessons while getting pupils to grow their own food for use in school lunches.

Greenside Primary in Shepherd’s Bush boasts a vibrant veggie patch where what ends up on lunch plates is planted, picked and cooked by students as young as three.

Its 230 eager green thumbs take turns every half term looking after the garden, which even includes a wheat belt that’s picked and used to make the school’s much sought-after sourdough bread.

The school – which also has a nursery – has also wholeheartedly embraced tech in the classroom and in the garden and was recently named an Apple Distinguished School thanks to its extensive use of Apple devices.

Deputy Head Teacher Georgina Webber said they use iPads to send soil sample results into the classrooms and kids FaceTime a farmer in Cornwall to get the latest planting tips.

She said: “The kids do it all. Everyone, from nursery up to Year 6… The kids are great, once they get over the fact that it’s not dirt [it’s soil].”

They grow everything from radishes and kale to chard, spinach, lettuce and tomatoes and have seedlings banked up in a greenhouse.

She said it was “standard” for kids pick a tomato or some lettuce and eat

them that very lunchtime.

There have also been times they’ve had enough veg to see them through summer. Ms Webber said: “We’ve had about 1,000 kilos of courgettes come out of this garden last year. Whatever we don’t use – the trimmings for example – we’ll try to ferment as much as possible.

“For example, we had bok choy. Rather than throwing it away over the holiday, it’s been fermenting. We then chop it up and put it into the salad.”

She said kids go away from the garden with a smile on their face and a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.

She said: “The kids are learning in an inner city environment how to be more connected with where their food comes from and the importance of their role in the future of the planet by making choices about how their food is made and having knowledge about how food should be grown.

“They’re learning about how the climate is connected to the food system and so how the health of ourselves and the planet lies upon them being knowledgeable about this sort of thing.”

What’s not eaten gets bundled with excess food sent in from local grocers which pupils cook and package into meals, which are then sent to a homeless charity.

“Last year, we made 730 meals for them,” explained Robin Yeats, who is the head of school.

“Whatever we have each week, that gets made into something. The

students do all of their prep – with the teachers of course – so they’re learning about food hygiene, they’re learning about world-ready skills like how to look after themselves by being able to make food for themselves, but also where they get to talk and reflect with their teacher about giving something back.

“It’s that duty of giving something back and giving them a moral compass.”

Greenside’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. When the school went vegetarian a few years ago, it caught the attention of Jamie Oliver who ended up filming an episode of his 2019 series Meat Free Meals there.

Head teacher Karen Bastick-Styles said ditching meat was as much a financial decision as an ethical one. She explained the chicken burgers kids ate were “poor quality” and the school’s large multicultural community meant catering for their nutritional needs became tricky.

Ms Bastick-Styles said going veggie was the “great leveller” and stopped long and often confusing queues for lunch. It also saw the school take control of the kitchen and welcome family members back in.

She said: “We knew that vegetarianism is the way forward, based on the meat that you buy with the amount of money you get for kids is such poor quality.

“Parents thought the kids were eating their chicken every day. They weren’t, they were putting it into the bin because the chicken burgers have never seen a chicken. So, we decided

we would take back control of that.

“And we wanted kids to understand there was another way of living and another way of eating healthy.”

Since then, the school has hosted a number of international cooking days where family members take over the kitchen and cook food representative of their culture.

One event saw kids presented 15 different types of breads to eat.

But there’s also an education component to it all, Mr Yeats explained: “Our mantra of ‘learning is everything and everything is learning’ is an opportunity to learn.

"Now we controlled our kitchen, it was a perfect opportunity for us to say, ok, this is no longer just a kitchen, this now needs to be a learning space as well.”

The school’s innovative approach to food and education shows no sign of slowing down. It recently drew the attention of Apple’s education chief, Susan Prescott, who flew from California to visit the school in April.

She said: “Being here in person and seeing the students on site, meeting the teachers, it’s just a different level of connection. I just love it. This is like a dream school. I wish my kids could have come to this school, honestly.”

The tech giant is determined to get more schools signed onto its accreditation scheme, which only a handful in London – Greenside among them – have been able to complete.

Year 5 students Arwen and Saja, 10 – who also double up as hosts of the school’s very own podcast – said the

tech “helps a lot”.

Arwen said: “It would be a very different school if we didn’t have iPads.”

Saja said: “It helps us with our work. We use our iPads to write notes. I know we do come to the garden a lot to take photos.”

Using tech in every aspect of life is something staff are keen to instill in pupils. It also helps the 50per cent of kids who don’t speak English when they enrol to learn the langague and engage in class.

Mr Yeats said: “The key to us having iPads embedded in the school is the idea that it is a tool that they can use for the right job for the right time.

“We allow the students to personalise their learning through the use of the technology. We might tell them ‘this is what we want the outcome [of the task] to be’ and they might choose to use green-screen [on iMovie] or [the app] GarageBand [to make a] piece of music.

“We’re always telling students that the work that they do is communicated and shared with the world and has an impact on a big scale.”

And to worried parents who might be concerned about their kids getting too much screen time, Mr Yeats had a reassuring message.

He said: “The children don’t come in at 9 o’clock, open their iPad and look at it until 3.30, when they leave.

“We want to teach them that worldready skill of – as adults do – ‘I need it for this and I’m not going to use it for that’.”

Greenside Primary Deputy Georgina Webber in the veggie patch.

Arwen and Saja working in Greenside Primary's veggie patch.

approved: a new school for children with special educational needs will be opened in richmond

By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter

A new school will be built in south west London to replace ‘derelict’ buildings on a site which has been a magnet for anti-social behaviour, including vandalism and arson attempts, since becoming empty in 2018.

The opening of the Clarendon Centre, Petersham, is expected to see local kids with special educational needs avoid a ‘tiring’ journey across the River Thames to go to school.

The new school on Meadlands Drive will be managed by the Auriga Academy Trust, which already runs the Clarendon School across three sites in Richmond for kids with special educational needs – including a primary and secondary school.

Old buildings for the Strathmore School will be knocked down to make way for the Clarendon Centre, which will have around 77 pupils and 35 to 40 staff, after the scheme was approved by Richmond Council’s planning committee on yesterday (Wednesday June 14).

About the new school, Lib Dem councillor Penny Frost said: “It will be welcomed by all parents on the Richmond side [of the borough] because that avoids that daily journey across the river which is so tiring and trying for the young people… from the Richmond side who are having to go across the river to the splendid sites on the Hampton

and Twickenham and Whitton sites but nothing on our side.

"It’s been a long time coming to fruition.”

She added: “The demolition of the old Strathmore school building is going to be a great relief not just for the Russell School staff who are constantly having to report children on the roof et cetera et cetera, but to all the local residents as well because there is a great concern about this site and the lack of ability to sort of respond to… getting this building clear.”

The Clarendon Centre will be for pupils aged four to nineteen and include ten classrooms, four specialist teaching spaces, offices, therapy rooms, play areas and a sensory garden.

In a statement read out by a council officer, John Kipps, executive headteacher of Clarendon School, said Clarendon has 167 pupils and the need for more places is “clear and compelling”. He said the new school will cater for “our lower ability pupils”.

He said: “At the start of the next academic year, in September, we have nineteen places available for new pupils. We have had more than 140 referrals for places so far.

"We have accepted and agreed 26 new starters, taking us back over number. Of the remaining referrals, we have said that we could have met the needs of nearly 50 of the pupils but that we are full and therefore unable to offer a place.

“For these pupils the options are

limited, some will go into mainstream schools with specialist resource provisions but many will need to go to specialist schools in other authorities that might have capacity or to independent special schools which are usually significantly more expensive.”

Mr Kipps said the new site will provide 95 extra places for Clarendon pupils in total – including 77 at the new school and the opening up of a further eighteen at the existing sites.

He added: “Like Strathmore School, that was previously situated on the proposed site, we would be mindful of the impacts on local residents and would want to work closely with them to ensure that any impacts are minimised and that the site and our facilities are seen as a valuable community resource.”

Strathmore School moved out of Meadlands Drive in 2018 after splitting into two sites.

A coucil report said: “The proposals would bring a currently derelict site back into its former use.

"The provision of a new SEND school would help to meet the current education needs of the borough.”

An earlier planning statement by agent Daniel Watney added: “Having been vacant since 2018, the site has been the subject of extensive anti-social behaviour including vandalism and arson attempts and the buildings are now in a significant state of disrepair.” The committee unanimously approved the application at the meeting.

Visualisation of the new Clarendon Centre. Photo from rbmp ltd - Richmond Council, provided in Richmond Council planning documents

Greenside Primary in Shepherd's Bush.

Apple education chief Susan Prescott with Greenside's Head of School Robin Yeats, and a teacher with Arwen and Saja after their podcast

© Adrian Zorzut

Greenside Primary Deputy Georgina Webber in the veggie patch.

By Kevin Quinn

A ch A rlton man has been found guilty of raping four women in separate attacks as they walked home alone from bars in Shoreditch.

Clement Omoregbee, 37, was convicted last Wednesday, June 14, of attacking and raping the four women between February 2019 and December 2020 after DNA linked him to the attacks.

The survivors, who did not know each other, all suffered “extreme” memory loss after the rapes.

Police believe he may have used party drug GHB/GBL to knock his victims out before committing the sexual assaults.

Omoregbee was found guilty following a five-week trial at Wood Green Crown Court.

The police said "all the survivors/ victims reported an extremely similar set of events over the almost two year period."

Detectives investigating one of the incidents were successful in obtaining DNA that matched with Omoregbee. The same DNA was then linked to two other rapes in the same area.

"The two victim-survivors were not initially supportive of an investigation but following this update they were re-contacted and engaged with detectives," the police said.

The Complex Investigation Team (CIT), who investigate linked series of rapes, took over the case and following a manhunt by officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, Omoregbee was arrested near his home address on April 21, 2021.

He denied the rapes during his police interviews and was charged on April 23, 2021.

The Complex Investigation Team then identified a fourth victim-survivor by

researching Omoregbee’s behaviour and interrogating police systems for possible further crimes.

"This victim-survivor had attended the Havens, a specialist centre in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted, and did not support a police investigation," the Met explained.

"Specialist detectives contacted the victim-survivor and obtained her support and permission to send off her forensic samples which returned a positive DNA hit relating to Omoregbee.

"Omoregbee refused to be interviewed in relation to this rape. He was further charged with a fourth

charlton man found guilty of raping Women as they left bars in s horeditch

count of rape in December 2021."

The work by the detectives continued as they carried out cell-site analysis, extensive CCTV and witness enquiries and gathered forensic evidence to build up their case against Omoregbee. Before the trial, Omoregbee pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud and theft for stealing the survivors' phones, jewellery and bank cards and making purchases after he’d carried out the rapes. He is due to be sentenced on September 29.

Detective Constable Steve Halfhide from the Complex Investigation Team said: “Clement Omoregbee is a vile

predator who targeted lone women in the night time economy.

"He has no place in society and is a danger to women.

"Omoregbee’s violent and disturbing actions have had life-changing impacts on the women he attacked.

“The victim-survivors have been incredibly strong throughout this lengthy process. I am pleased they have today seen justice. It was important to them all to help protect women of London from any further attacks by this man.

“All of the victim-survivors suffered extreme memory loss which was not attributed to by any other factors.

plans to extend dlr to thamesmead take a leap forward

By Noah Vickers

Local Democracy Reporter

PlAns to expand the docklands

light railway (dlr) across the Thames to one of London’s most isolated suburbs have been submitted to the Government for approval.

The scheme, which would see the DLR extended from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, is estimated to help unlock up to 10,000 new jobs and 30,000 new homes.

The area, located in south-east London and just north of Abbey Wood, is currently unserved by Tube, DLR, Overground and National Rail services.

The business case submitted to the Government outlines how the project could have a transformative effect on the area, and forms a necessary step towards receiving the required funding for it.

If built, the new DLR branch would split off from the existing route near Gallions Reach, with a new station created at Beckton Riverside.

A new tunnel would then be dug under the Thames to carry the line to Thamesmead – which, if built, would have a claim to be the most easterly Thames crossing in Greater London.

There are also proposals to improve bus provision in the area, including new bus lanes along a route stretching from Woolwich to Abbey Wood, going via Thamesmead to enable better connectivity between the Elizabeth line and the new DLR branch.

The project is dependent on funding from the Government and the receipt of planning permission, but the aim is to agree on an affordable solution by 2025, in order to enable construction to begin as early as 2028 and opening the DLR extension to customers in the early 2030s.

Transport for London said the scheme will build on experience from 2009 when the DLR was extended to Woolwich Arsenal tunnelling beneath the River Thames, with housing growth

following in areas including Woolwich, Canning Town, Pontoon Dock and West Silvertown.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Extending the DLR would unlock huge opportunities for London. It would support tens of thousands of new homes, deliver new transport connections, and boost the economy – supporting the creation of thousands of jobs.

“Investment in our transport network is key to building a better, fairer, more

prosperous London for all.”

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “We’ve seen what can be achieved with investment in public transport bringing transformational change over the past few years with the Elizabeth line, the Northern line extension to Battersea and the London Overground extension to Barking Riverside.

“This strategic outline case [submitted to the Government] is the next step on the way to making this scheme a reality.”

"It was accepted by both prosecution and defence during the trial that there was a possibility it could be indicative of GHB/GBL being administered to them.

“The investigation teams’ commitment to this case has been incredible, they have all worked incredibly hard and have really been behind this case from the beginning putting in hours and hours of work and overcoming many challenges.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward and report what happened to police. We will support you and take you seriously.”

Man found dead on train tracks after police chase

By Herbie Russell

A 34-ye A r-old man has been found dead on train tracks in Streatham after a car chase with police.

The Met said the chase began when a car heading towards Streatham High Road failed to stop for police at around 3.26am on Wednesday, June 14.

"A vehicle pursuit was authorised and officers followed the car for a short time, indicating it should stop,” the Met Police said in a statement.

The car crashed on Brunswick Mews and the driver reportedly ran from the scene. The police said officers last saw him in nearby Potters Lane before losing sight of him.

In its statement, the Met continued: “The police helicopter was called in and a search of the area was conducted. A man was seen lying on railway lines in the vicinity of Estreham Road.”

The Met turned off the power to the lines, with assistance from Network Rail and the British Transport Police. Paramedics and officers approached the man who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed as has the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The IOPC has declared it an independent investigation.

© Met Police

Clement omoregbee

The Docklands Light Railway

locals fear plans to stop thames from flooding could see popular swim spot drenched with sewage

By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter

feArs hAve been raised over plans to build an artificial channel to tackle flooding from the river Thames in London and Surrey as the risk from climate change grows.

A petition signed by more than 18,000 people demands ‘special’ lake Shepperton Open Water Swim be left out of the proposed route, which totals around 8.5km, raising concerns about the impact the scheme could have on water quality.

The River Thames Scheme, from the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council, would see a new river channel built in two sections close to the Thames – known as the Runnymede Channel Section and the Spelthorne Channel Section.

The scheme covers an area from Egham, Surrey, to Teddington, Richmond.

Excess water from the Thames would be diverted into the new channel sections to reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses and infrastructure.

The route would flow through lakes, intersect watercourses and cross under major roads.

New footpaths and cycleways would be built along the channel and through new public spaces created by the scheme, while capacity at three weirs and the Desborough Cut would be increased.

As the scheme is a project of national signficance, it requires a development consent order before full funding can be approved and building works begin.

Public consultation has been carried out on the scheme, which is still at the pre-application stage.

But a Change.org petition demanding the Spelthorne Channel Section route does not cut into lake Shepperton Open Water Swim, on Ferry Lane, is growing – with 18,091 signatures so far.

The petition says: “The route of the scheme does not need to include Shepperton Open Water Swimming Lake. It will cause a deterioration in bathing water quality and impact the existing standing water which supports the Ferris Meadows site of nature conservation interest.

“Thames Water regularly discharges raw sewage into the Thames and channelling that water through landfill sites into a lake currently fed only by groundwater and rainwater is unacceptable.

"It poses a serious risk to the health of swimmer[s] and the safety of the lake and threatens the natural habitats it supports.”

Visitors of the lake have thrown their support behind the petition.

Janine Jackson wrote: “This lake is beyond special and must be saved at all cost!

"I’m an amputee and this was the first open water venue that I tried out which was accessible.

"The support at this lake is amazing and since that first swim, I’ve gone on to swim several long distance swims.

“The water quality is fantastic which makes it a safe place to swim and should be protected. Do not touch this safe haven for the hundreds of people who come here to experience the beauty of nature.”

Sally Panter commented: “This is a favourite and rare place for open air swimming in a beautiful natural environment.

"My whole family go including my 88-year-old mum!

"It is run by dedicated and friendly people who have created a lovely community of swimmers of varying ages and backgrounds.

“It provides safe, well-maintained, high-quality amenity at reasonable cost to people from a huge area.

"With the issues with river pollution this lake is a gem that should be preserved.”

Brian Lynch also said: “There are so few fresh water lakes available around London to swim in, degrading the quality of the water would be a major step backwards.”

In another comment, David Ashton argued it “would be a tragedy if this place was to become contaminated”.

Peter King added: “This is simply the most sacred and amazing place. It must be saved.”

Responding to concerns raised in the petition, a River Thames Scheme spokesperson said: “The River Thames Scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses and infrastructure, improve access to quality green open space, create a more sustainable travel network and increase biodiversity by creating a network of high-quality wildlife habitat.

“The River Thames Scheme has consulted widely with landowners and the public about the scheme, including with Shepperton Open Water Swim Lake.

"These discussions are important to us to help us develop the project and they are ongoing. The public will be further consulted on the proposed scheme at the next public consultation.”

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Taking action to improve the health of rivers is a key focus for us.

"The discharge of untreated sewage is unacceptable, and it’s understandable why the public are demanding more from water companies to do better.

“The Thames Tideway Tunnel , which will be completed by 2025, at a total investment of more than £4billion, is designed to dramatically improve the water quality of the River Thames by capturing around 95% of sewage overflows.

“We recently announced our plans to invest £1.6bn on our sewage treatment works and networks over the next two years and are striving every day to reduce the discharge of untreated sewage into our rivers.

"This will help us to deliver our commitment to a 50 per cent reduction in the total annual duration of discharges across London and the Thames Valley by 2030, and within that an 80pc reduction in sensitive catchments.

“In London, we have started the £100million upgrade of Mogden sewage treatment works, which will increase capacity and reduce the number of storm discharges from the site, and we’re also spending £145m upgrading Beckton sewage works.

“At the beginning of the year we published an online map providing close to real-time information about storm discharges from all of our 468 permitted locations and this continues to be updated with information on improvements being planned for more than 250 sites across our region.”

© Google Maps

The River Thames in Shepperton, near where the Spelthorne Channel Section would run.

what’s on

t his W eek’s Witch h unt

roughly A week ago Boris Johnson resigned from parliament claiming that a ‘witch hunt’ was taking place against him and that he was “being forced out by a tiny handful of people, with no evidence to back up their assertions.” An interesting time to see Arthur miller’s play ‘The Crucible’, writes katie kelly...

Miller bases his story on the Salem witch trials of the late 17th century when a tiny handful of, in this case, adolescent girls, empowered by a judge, and a priest with a penchant for exorcisms, brought a whole community to ruin with a genuine lack of evidence to back up their accusations. The disaster that befell Salem as hysteria overtook the village - long running feuds adding petrol to the fire of superstition - makes the Parliamentary Standards Committee enquiry into Johnson look pretty tame.

The play makes for intense and uncomfortable viewing. The action begins when Salem’s sanctimonious and selfserving priest Revd Parris discovers a group of teenagers dancing in the forest by night, in itself a forbidden activity in funloving Salem.

Faced with potential punishment, his daughter falls into a state of unconsciousness. Cue the arrival of villagers Ann and Thomas Putnam whose own daughter has been similarly afflicted. They jump with astonishing speed to

the possibility of witchcraft. Parris’ orphaned niece Abigail Williams, a leader in the dancing antics, sensing a way out of trouble, begins to make accusations. From here things spiral out of control at an astonishing pace and the community is left devastated.

The emotional intensity is powerfully reinforced by the lighting, which is oppressively dark throughout, haunting vocals, and an impressive curtain of rain which drips misery between acts. The

A Brilliant Image

hAving been my don’t-miss viewing on 80s and 90s tv, i knew Spitting image The musical (idiots Assemble) was going to be a winner, writes michael holland.

Before the curtain goes up and a voice tells us that anyone without a sense of humour who might be offended can ‘F**k off!’, instantly reminding us it is

business as usual for Spitting Image.

The characters are newer (or older), the voices are now provided by a more contemporary generation, and the writers are a different breed, but the puppets themselves still look a bit Flucked up, which is perfect.

The Royals are the first to appear on stage with Harry and Meghan put to one

despotic mix of church and state in the theocracy of Massachusetts allows no one room for manoeuvre. Villagers are either for or against the witch trials. Ordinary people find themselves in the impossible position of choosing to admit a crime of which they are innocent or hang.

This may seem like a remote tale from ancient history, but Miller told this story to hold a mirror to the political persecution of the 1950s and the play’s perennial appeal is due in part to the unfortunate way in

side in a Royal Box, though Meghan still counts this as her ‘West End debut’.

The premise of the story is that the fabric of society is threatened by recent political leaders and that the ‘fabric’ is measured by the condition of a Royal pair of pants that are kept locked away until such drastic times as these. When they are revealed we see that the underwear is rotten.

The politicians are then introduced to us before a rat appears to tell us, ‘In London, you are always just two yards away from a Russian oligarch’. Cue Putin who does a rather wonderful song and dance: Putin on the Blitz.

The tale is set just before Charles’ coronation but with the pants in such a state the crowning could be cancelled. He needs a team to sort the mess out, and who else to pull off such a task but Tom Cruise who enters the stage on a wire, as he does and seeks to find a Magnificent Seven.

He quickly recruits Ru Paul to help him audition others for the impossible mission. After a catwalk of stars parade their wares before them, they opt for Idris Elba, Angela Rayner, Greta Thunberg, Meghan Markle and Tyson Fury.

Their enemy is the world’s most evil men: Trump, Murdoch, Zuckerberg,

which intolerance and totalitarianism reinvent themselves relentlessly.

To the genius of Miller’s writing, this production adds some very strong performances. Milly Alcock as Abigail Williams is alternately sympathetic and convincingly monstrous. Brian Gleeson plays John Proctor, a deeply flawed hero, with depth and charisma. This is a play that intends to wake us up not gently distract us. A warning against black and white thinking, the power of the mob, and

the head of Saudi Arabia, James Corden and Boris Johnson - who wants to usurp Charles and become king himself.

Spitting Image has not lost its bite and everyone who is targeted in this Idiots Assemble production deserves their public evisceration. Braverman is depicted as the girl in The Exorcist while Gary Lineker is called upon to perform the exorcism; Priti Patel is a witch; Trump only has to open his mouth as himself to be a laughing stock, and Farage, who got the biggest cheer of the evening when Tyson Fury pummelled him to death.

The Daily Mail gets it, and pretty much every Tory Minister is shown up to be a puke-spewing sycophant, so the laughs kept coming and coming.

Two Metropolitan Police officers gave a brilliant version of Chas & Dave’s Rabbit, Rabbit, while Carrie Johnson sang ‘Men think with their dicks’ accompanied by four singing and dancing penises; something I never thought I’d see.

There is a brilliant Nicola Sturgeon, and I was reminded why I admire Angela Rayner so much. And Liz Truss as a cabbage is hilarious.

At the end, Johnson sings an English version of ‘Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien’ as headlines of horror are projected behind

exploitation of human suffering for cynical political power. As Boris’ hero Churchill once said “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR until September 2nd.

Times: Monday – Saturday at 7pm, with a matinee on Thursday and Saturday at 2pm. Admission: £45 - £150.

Booking: www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/ theatres/gielgud-theatre - nationaltheatre. org.uk - 0344 482 5151

him to remind us all exactly what he achieved before cowardly scuttling off instead of facing up to the deeds the Conservatives brought to the nation: Covid deaths, food banks, austerity, lies, croneyism and scandal after scandal. The fun stopped about then and the booing began as the reality hit home.

But just for a short while because this is satire and our anger should be saved for those that have earned it. We stood to applaud this magnificent show that put those people in the spotlight to be mocked and laughed at.

Spitting Image The Musical (Idiots Assemble) is a masterclass in a synchedup script, voice and puppetry and is being rewritten almost every day to keep up with the fast-changing face of politics. Perhaps this review will be as out of date as the resigning Tories by next week.

My favourite puppet? Greta Thunberg. My sidekick’s? The ‘smouldering’ Idris Elba. Get your tickets now.

Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0JP until August 26th. Tues - Sat 7.30pm. Thur & Sat matinees 2.30pm. Sunday 3pm. Admission: £30 - £175.

Booking:www.SpittingImageTheMusical. com

Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Photo by Mark Senior

a neW kind of animal

in the summer, Southwark Park Galleries will present an extensive installation by multidisciplinary artist Tim spooner for his largest uk solo exhibition in a visual arts organisation.

Spooner brings unpredictability and liveness to Dilston Gallery through an installation of furry, quivering animatronic sculptures. Simultaneously at Lake Gallery, he stages a theatrical encounter with over 150 works in collage, painting, sculpture and objects used in performances over the past 15 years.

Spooner has been creating immersive sculptural interventions and performances since 2010, which have been predominantly experienced within theatre settings. Split across both our galleries, Spooner will work on a more ambitious scale than has been possible before.

Anew commission for Dilston Gallery will continue the artist’s exploration of using mechanics and animatronics to bring liveness, agency and unpredictability that transforms the audiences’ perceptions and

The Third Man: A Musical Thriller

expectations of what makes a sculpture. Lake Gallery will exhibit the breadth of his wider practice.

Commissioned by Southwark Park Galleries, London, and generously supported by Arts Council England and The Paul and Louise Cooke Endowment. Southwark Park Galleries, 1 Park Approach, Southwark Park, London, SE16 2UA from 15 July until 24 September. Admission: Free.

AS i entered the auditorium i had just one hope for The Third man, that there would be a zither playing the harry Lime Theme in the soundtrack, writes Michael Holland... Holly Martins(Sam Underwood) arrives in war-torn Vienna to meet up with old friend Harry Lime, but finds himself in a bombed and broken city that is trying to survive in its own ‘black market hell’. Lime, however, has met with an untimely demise and Martins is directed to his funeral. He asks around for details of his friend’s sudden death but none of the witnesses’ stories seem to add up, making Martins very suspicious. Lime’s girlfriend, Anna, is fraught, while the local police are happy to be rid of him, telling Holly that Lime was dealing in stolen penicillin that he sold to the hospitals for an exorbitant price while also diluting the contraband to double his illegal income. Children were dying from

the watered-down medicine.

Holly needed to get to the bottom of this mystery to redeem the memory of his dear friend but the deeper he delves the more he finds that Lime was in fact a scumbag getting rich off the misery of others. Everyone he talks to seems to be mired in the skulduggery. His loyalties change.

The 1949 film noir is always high on the list of greatest films for its cinematography, where the camera was set to throw long shadows down the seedy back alleys and sewers beneath a city where the black marketeers would cross between the American, British and Russian sectors of Vienna, carrying their illicit wares. This style is recreated in the Menier where Emma Chapman’s lighting and Paul Farnsworth’s set design combination respectfully recreates the film’s B&W noir. It allows for chases and getaways along

starkly-lit streets. We’d see the iconic shadows of the flowing overcoats and Fedora-wearing protagonists on the walls before they reached the stage. Some of the debris that littered the set was cleverly utilised to form the Mozart Café, the Casanova Club and all other scenes. From such an auspicious film it was important to get this play right, and with Don Black and Christopher Hampton on book and lyrics, and George Fenton writing the music, you have three thoroughbreds of musical theatre. Add in Trevor Nunn to direct and you have yourself a Dream Team who brought all the suspense you need for a thriller to thrill.

The songs, though, became a distraction when they weren’t pushing the story on, and some seemed utterly irrelevant, although the one sung by Anna Schmidt(Natalie Dunne) about having two men in her life, Paul and Klaus, was fun but hit an odd comedic note when her real lover was recently killed and freshly buried… But that is a minor detail in this version of a classic that does exactly what you want from The Third Man.

The first act ended with a zither playing the Harry Lime theme, and Act 2 was where the real intrigue began to sort itself out, where the pace quickens and the tension rises. So, other than the dodginess of Harry Lime’s best friend Holly Martins trying to pull Lime’s girlfriend before the corpse got cold, I had a great night. Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU until 3rd September. Times: Tues - Sat 7.30pm; weekend matinees 3pm. Admission: £45 - £55. Booking: 0207 378 1713 - www. menierchocolatefactory.com

Photo by Manuel Harlan

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)(TOWNLEY ROAD, EAST STREET, MEYMOTT STREET, BLACKFRIARS ROAD, MILLSTREAM ROAD, OMEARA STREET, STONEY STREET, VARCOE ROAD

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND CYCLE LANE CLOSURE

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:

(a) Townley Road, between Beauval Road and Lordship Lane, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be imposed on both sides of the carriageway

(b) East Street, between Walworth Place and King & Queen Street

(c) Meymott Street, at it’s junction with Blackfriars Road

(d) Blackfriars Road, closure of north bound cycle lane between Meymott Street and Colombo Stree

(e) Millstream Road, between Druid Street and Maltby Street

(f) Omeara Street, between Southwark Street and Union Street

(g) Stoney Street, at it’s junction with Winchester Walk for 15m south

(h)Varcoe Road, From outside No’s 74 to it’s junction with Bramcote Grove

3.The alternative route for affected traffic will be (2a) not applicable (2b) as indicated by the signs displayed (2c) Blackfriars Road, Blackfriars Road, The Cut, Hatfields, Stamford Street. Blackfriars Road, Stamford Street, Paris Gardens (2e) (2f) (2g) (2h) as indicated by the signs displayed

4.Meymott Street, will be made ‘two way’ for access and egress purposes for (2c)

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 works will be in operation for (2a) 3rd July – 30th August (2b)

July, with back up dates of the 15th – 16th July (2f) 6th – 7th July (2g)

– 1st August

(2c)

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

Dated this 29th June 2023

Ian Law

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

Notice of Application for a Club Premises Certificate made under Section 71 of the Licensing Act 2003

Please take notice that I / we Izaak T Bestebreur , director of PR Dutch Drinks hHave made application to Southwark Council for a new Club Premises Certificate in respect of 67-68 Enid Street, Southwark. SE16 3RA

The supply of alcohol by or

on behalf of a club to, or to the order

of, a member of the club:

The provision of regulated

The provision of late night

to

to

to

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 http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp

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: 24th June 2023

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (STONEY STREET) (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:

(a) Stoney Street, opposite the junction with Winchester Walk to opposite No’s 15 Stoney Street

3.The alternative route for affected traffic will be (2a) as indicated by the signs displayed

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 works will be in operation for (2a) 16th July – 17th July

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

Dated this 29th June 2023

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) LO00000500327362404

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (MELIOR STREET, WESTON STREET, MELIOR PLACE (TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS AND TEMPORARY PROHIBITION)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that, because of development works, it intends, to make an order, the effect of which would be to introduce various waiting and loading restrictions in part of the above named roads.

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

(a) Melior Street - the existing ‘waiting restrictions’ (single yellow lines) will be converted to ‘at any time’ ‘waiting and loading’ restrictions (double yellow lines) located on the south west side from the junction with Fenning Street for a distance of 20m west

(b) Melior Street – the existing ‘waiting restrictions’ (single yellow lines) will be converted to a 12m loading/unloading bay located on the south west side near No’s 14 loading will be 40 minutes, with no return within 2 hours

(c) Weston Street – the existing ‘waiting restrictions’ (single yellow lines) will be converted to ‘at any time’ ‘waiting and loading’ restrictions (double yellow lines) located on the south west side outside No’s 50 for a distance of 8m

(d) Melior Street - the existing ‘waiting restrictions’ (single yellow lines) will be converted to ‘at any time’ ‘waiting and loading’ restrictions (double yellow lines) located on the south west side outside No’s 14 to the junction with Weston Street.

(e) Weston Street – ‘disabled parking space’ 6m will be allocated from the end of the existing ‘paid by phone’ parking spaces located on the south east side between No’s 52/54

(f) Melior Place, ‘disabled parking space’ 6m will be allocated from the end of the existing ‘paid by phone’ parking spaces located on the north west side between No’s 1 and No’s 2 to 4

(g) Melior Street will be closed at it’s junction with Weston Street

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

4.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.

5.The restriction will come into force on the 13th July – 12th August 2024

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

Dated this 29th June 2023

Ian Law

Traffic Manager

London Borough of Southwark

Network Management

Traded Services Environment and Leisure

160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529

London SE1 5LX

To place a public notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Our weekly deadline is 4pm on Tuesdays

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, Chief executive's department, 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; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building;

THE ROCKINGHAM ARMS METRO CENTRAL HEIGHTS 119 NEWINGTON CAUSEWAY

LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/1348)

New external seating area with loose furniture enclosed by free-standing planters with 2x millboard FE gates. Remove existing double set of entrance doors and replace them with new doors located slightly forward to match the existing shopfront line. New double FE door to the far left-hand bay to replace existing sliding doors. Existing hinged doors are to be replaced with sliding doors. New metal plate with hole for boiler flue through external existing louvre

Internal refurb and re-fit throughout Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB STDLB (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397)

THE ROCKINGHAM ARMS METRO CENTRAL

HEIGHTS 119 NEWINGTON CAUSEWAY

LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/1348)

New external seating area with loose furniture enclosed by free-standing planters with 2x millboard FE gates. Remove existing double set of entrance doors and replace them with new doors located slightly forward to match the existing shopfront line. New double FE door to the far left-hand bay to replace existing sliding doors. Existing hinged doors are to be replaced with sliding doors. New metal plate with hole for boiler flue through external existing louvre

Internal refurb and re-fit throughout Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB STDLB (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397)

WETHERSPOONS METRO CENTRAL HEIGHTS 119 NEWINGTON CAUSEWAY

LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 6DQ (Ref: 23/AP/1597)

Variation of Condition 2 'Opening Hours' of planning permission ref. no. 06/AP/0684: Variation of condition 9 of planning permission 99/AP/1405 to allow opening hours: SundayThursday: 7am 11.30pm (alcohol sales from 9am to 11pm), Friday - Saturday: 7am12.30am (alcohol sales 9am to 12am) and 7am to 2.30am (alcohol sales 9am to 2am) on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Variation sought: For the premises to open 60 minutes later Monday to Sunday. The public house shall

only be open between the hours of 0700hrs to 0030 hrs Sunday to Thursday (alcohol sales 0900 to midnight), 0700hrs to 0130hrs Friday and Saturday and days prior to a Bank Holiday (alcohol sales 0900hrs to 0100hrs) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Agneta Kabele 07548097486)

CAMBERWELL POLICE STATION 9 WREN ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8QP (Ref: 23/AP/1661)

Proposed extensions, alterations and change of use of the former Camberwell Police Station Section House 'rear building' at 9 Wren Road, Camberwell, SE5 8QP 'the Site' to Nursery use Use Class E f. (Associated LBC 23/AP/1662)

(Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Winnie Wing Tse 020 7525 0554)

NORTH DULWICH PARADE DULWICH VILLAGE LONDON SOUTHWARK

(Ref: 23/AP/1676)

Improvements to the public realm to include resurfacing and the installation of bench seating around all existing street trees as well as additional proposed street trees (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA

(Contact: Liam Bullen 020 7525 5338)

6 DULWICH COMMON LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7EX (Ref: 23/AP/1250)

Construction of a single storey rear extension and 2x rear dormers. (Within: Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397)

2A SHENLEY ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 (Ref: 23/AP/1703)

Conversion of part of a basement within an existing apartment building currently being used as a storage space creating a duplex dwelling with the ground floor apartment. (Within: Sceaux Gardens CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA

(Contact: Sean Gomes 020 7525 0666)

TOWER BRIDGE TOWER BRIDGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/1690)

Listed building consent: Installation of new

CCTV camera to the South Abutment of Tower Bridge (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng )

143 CAMBERWELL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0HB (Ref: 23/AP/1727)

Listed Building Consent: Changes in layout to the lower ground floor plan to create a new utility room and bathroom. Alterations to the front lower ground floor window and door and lower ground floor level. Replacement of the existing rear lower ground floor window. Widening of the existing rear ground floor door that provides access to to the garden at lower ground floor level. Alterations to the window at 1st floor level in the original raised first floor WC outrigger. (Within: Addington Square CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng )

143 CAMBERWELL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0HB (Ref: 23/AP/1726)

Changes in layout to the lower ground floor plan to create a new utility room and bathroom. Alterations to the front lower ground floor window and door and lower ground floor level. Replacement of the existing rear lower ground floor window. Widening of the existing rear ground floor door that provides access to to the garden at lower ground floor level. Alterations to the window at 1st floor level in the original raised first floor WC outrigger. (Within: Addington Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876)

CAMBERWELL POLICE STATION 9 WREN ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8QP (Ref: 23/AP/1662)

Listed building consent for proposed extensions, alterations and change of use of the former Camberwell Police Station Section House 'rear building' at 9 Wren Road, Camberwell, SE5 8QP 'the Site' to Nursery use Use Class E f. (Associated full application 23/AP/1661) (Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375)

4 COLLEGE GARDENS LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE21 7BE (Ref: 23/AP/1673)

Resubmission: Internal alterations to Lower and Upper ground floor, the extension of the bay window to the rear elevation, the replacement of garage roller shutter with timber screen & concealed door, a new timber bin store to front drive. (Within: Dulwich Village CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Sean Gomes 020 7525 0666)

12A ASYLUM ROAD LONDON SE15 2RL (Ref: 23/AP/1740)

Erection of temporary scaffolding to provide support for structurally defective external wall

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403)

Dated: 27 Jun 2023 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

Licensing Team, 4th Floor, Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London, SE18 6HQ. Tel: 020 8921 8018; Fax: 020 8921 8380; Email: licensing@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE - LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is given that: Mustafa Konche has applied for the grant of a Premises Licence for the following premises:

275 Court Road, Mottingham, SE9 4TH

A record of this application may be inspected by appointment.

Other persons may make representations to the Council on this application by no later than Tuesday 18th July. Representations can be made in writing, by email or fax using the contact details above. Representations can only be made on the grounds of one of the four licensing objectives, namely:

• Protection of children from harm

• Prevention of Public nuisance

• Prevention of crime and disorder

• Public safety.

Any person who makes a false statement in connection with an application is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of £5,000.

It is proposed that the following licensable activities will take place at the premise,

• Supply and sale of alcohol

To place a public notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Our weekly deadline is 4pm on Tuesdays

PUBLIC NOTICE

London Borough of Southwark

NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR SELECTIVE LICENSING

Section 80, Housing Act 2004

1 The London Borough of Southwark (“The Council”) in exercise of its powers under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004 ("the Act") hereby designates for selective licensing the areas described in paragraph 5

CITATION, COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION

2 These 2 Designations shall be known as the London Borough of Southwark Designations for Areas for Selective Licensing 2022 All privately rented residential accommodation situated within the designated areas must be licensed with the Council unless subject to sta tutory exemption as set out in paragraph 6

3 The Designations are made on 6 December 2022 The Designations fall within a description of designations for which confirmation is required by Secretary of State On 14 June 2023 the Secretary of State confirmed the Designations, and the Designations sh all come into force on 1 November 2023

4 The Designations shall cease to have effect on 31 October 2028 (not more than 5 years) or earlier if the Council revokes the scheme under section 84 of the Act

AREA TO WHICH THE DESIGNATION APPLIES

5 These designations shall apply to the following areas of the London Borough of Southwark Designation 3 is delineated in red with the area itself coloured light blue on the map and Designation 4 is delineated in red with the area itself coloured darker blue on the map both in annex A below The following wards are included in each

Wards included in Designation 3 Wards included in Designation 4

North Walworth Camberwell Green

Nunhead & Queens Road Chaucer

Old Kent Road

Peckham

APPLICATION OF THE DESIGNATION

Peckham Rye

Rotherhithe

Dulwich Hill Rye Lane

Dulwich Wood

South Bermondsey

London Bridge & West Bermondsey Surrey Docks

6 This designation applies to any house1 which is let or occupied under a tenancy or licence within the area described in paragraph 5 unless:

a the house is a house in multiple occupation [HMO] that falls within the nationally prescribed category of HMO that is required to be licensed as a ‘mandatory HMO’ under section 55(2)(a) Part 2 of the Act2;

b the house is a house in multiple occupation that falls within the prescribed category of HMO that is required to be licensed under the London Borough of Southwark Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses of Multiple Occupation made on 1 January 2022 under Section 56 of the Housing Act 20043;

c the tenancy or licence of the house has been granted by a registered social landlord4;

d the house is subject to an Interim or Final Management Order under Part 4 of the Act;

e the house is subject to a temporary exemption under section 86 of the Act; or

f the house is occupied under a tenancy or licence which is exempt under the Act or the occupation is of a building or part of a building so exempt as defined in Paragraph 5(f): Exempted tenancies or licences, Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 SI 370/2006

EFFECT OF THE DESIGNATION

6 Subject to sub paragraphs 6(a) to (f) every house in the area specified in paragraph 5 that is occupied under a tenancy or licence shall be required to be licensed under section 85 of the Act 6

7 The London Borough of Southwark will comply with the notification requirements contained in section 83 of the Act and shall maintain a register of all houses registered under this designation, as required under section 232 of the Act 5

If you are a landlord, managing agent or a tenant, or if you require information regarding this designation, or to apply for a licence, further information and assistance is available from the Council’s Private Rented Property Licensing Team by telephone on 020 7525 3114 or by email to resi@southwark gov uk, or by writing to Private Sector Housing Enforcement Service, PO Box 70063, Queens Road, London, SE15 2HP

The Designation may be inspected at the above address during office hours All landlords managing agents or tenants within the designated area should obtain advice to ascertain whether their property is affected by the Designation by contacting the Council’s Private Rented Property Licensing Team

Upon the Designation coming into force any person having control of or who manages a licensable property without a licence or allows a licensed property to be occupied by more households or persons other than as authorised by a licence, is liable to prosecution and upon summary conviction is liable to an unlimited fine pursuant to the provisions of section 95 of the Housing Act 2004 A person who breaches a condition of a licence is liable upon summary conviction to an unlimited fine The Council, as an alternative to initiating a prosecution, may pursue one or more of a range of other enforcement actions including the imposition of a financial penalty of up to £30 000 and/or taking management control of the unlicensed property Further, where an offence has been committed an application may also be made by the Council and/or tenant under the provisions of section 96 and 97 of the Housing Act 2004 for a Rent Repayment Order to pay back up to 12 months’ rent Housing Benefit or Universal Credit No notice under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 may be given in relation to an assured shorthold tenancy of the whole or part of an unlicensed house so long as it remains an unlicensed house

Signed by Caroline Bruce, Strategic Director of Environment, Neighbourhoods & Growth for and on behalf of the London Borough of Southwark on 14 June 2023

1 For the definition of "house" see sections 79 and 99 of the Act

2 Section 55 of the Act defines which Houses in Mu tiple Occupat on are requ red to be licensed under the Act See also The Lic ensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed

Annex A: 2 Maps below showing selective licensing designations 3 and 4 with the designation boundaries marked in red and the designation areas marked in light blue for designation 3 and blue for designation 4

Designation 3

Map below showing selective licensing designation 3 with the designation boundaries marked in red and the designation areas marked in light blue

Designation 4

Maps below showing selective licensing designation 4 with the designation boundaries marked in red and the designation areas marked in blue for designation 4

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK MINOR TRAFFIC SCHEMES – 22/23 Q4

The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (MTS 2223-Q4) Order 2023

The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (MTS 2223-Q4) Order 2023

The London Borough of Southwark (Pedestrian and cycle zones) (Camelot Primary School) Traffic Order 2023

The London Borough of Southwark (Prescribed routes) (Comber Grove) Traffic Order 2023

1 Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 22 June 2023 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) Traffic Order are to change an existing ‘no motor vehicles’ restriction to a ‘pedestrian and cycle zone’, as part of the Council’s School Streets Programme, and extend the restriction to cover that part of BIRD IN BUSH ROAD which lies between its junction with Green Hundred Road/Naylor Road and a point 35 metres west of the north-western kerb-line build-out of Commercial Way All motor vehicles, except permit holders, would be prohibited from entering the pedestrian and cycle zone in BIRD IN BUSH ROAD in the vicinity of Camelot Primary School between 8 15 am and 9 00 am, and between 3 00 pm and 4 00 pm on Mondays to Fridays, during school term time (as determined by the school) Permits allowing vehicles to enter the ‘School Streets’ pedestrian and cycle zones will be available to residents of premises located within the zone, to registered carers or residents of premises located within the zone, to disabled person s blue badge holders who are school staff, carers or dropping off and/or collecting pupils to the school and to SEND vehicles, by application to the Council Exemptions would also apply in respect of emergency service vehicles

3 The effects of the (Prescribed routes) Traffic Order are to change an existing pedestrian and cycle zone’ to a ‘no motor vehicles’ restriction and introduce a two-way cycle track for the use of cycles only in that part of COMBER GROVE which lies between a point 75m south of the south-eastern kerb-line of Wyndham Road and a point 30m north of the northern kerb-line of Blucher Road (limited exemptions are provided to make space for pedestrians and cyclists, no exemptions are made for emergency services vehicles)

4 The effects of the (Charged-for parking places) Order are:-

(a) within CPZ 'C2' (i) in GLASSHILL STREET south-west side, o/s No 38 remove 5m existing 'shareduse' parking, and (ii) in WEST SQUARE north-west side, south-west of its junction with St George's Road remove 5m existing 'pay' parking; and

(b) within CPZ K in COMBER GROVE east side north of its junction with Blucher Road remove 18 5m existing 'permit' parking

5 The effects of the (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) Order are:-

(a) in NUNHEAD GREEN formalise (i) 2 existing DPPPs (each 6 6m in length) south-west side o/s No 5 Nunhead Green, and (ii) an existing 'goods vehicle only' loading bay (9m in length) north-west side o/s No 15 Nunhead Green which operates every day of the week (max stay 40 mins, no return within 2 hrs);

(b) to add two lengths of school keep clear' restrictions (16m each) operating Mon - Fri between 8am and 5pm (i) in BELLENDEN ROAD west side one o/s No 52 and one opposite No 43 Bellenden Road, and (ii) in HAWKSTONE ROAD both south-east side o/s No 59 Hawkstone Road;

(c) in COMBER GROVE relocate southward an existing 'school keep clear restriction (26m in length) west side o/s Comber Grove Primary School (operating Mon - Fri between 8am and 5pm) to accommodate kerb changes;

(d) relocate existing free short stay' parking (11 5m in length) in HARPER ROAD north-west side, o/s Nos 100-102 to a new location in COUNTY STREET north side side of No 98 Harper Road;

(e) convert existing SYLs into DYLs in COMBER GROVE east side opposite Comber Grove Primary School (10m), in COUNTY STREET on both sides west of its junction with Harper Road (24m total), in HARPER ROAD north-west side either side of its junction with County Street (16m), and in HAWKSTONE ROAD south-east side either side of its junction with Hodnet Grove (27 5m);

(f) remove all existing SYLs on both sides and an existing ‘school keep clear’ restriction on the west side in COMBER GROVE within the proposed 'no motor vehicle' restriction, and add 5m new SYLs in GLASSHILL STREET south-west side, o/s No 38 Glasshill Street;

(g) add new DYLs in BARRY ROAD south-east side o/s Nos 21 and 23 Barry Road (5m) in CALTON AVENUE north-west side o/s No 7 Calton Avenue (5m) and south-west side o/s No 91 Calton Avenue (8m), in COMBER GROVE east side north of its junction with Blucher Road (18 5m) and either end of the 'no motor vehicle' restriction (total of 12m), FOUNDRY CLOSE on both sides (total of 96 5m), GOODRICH ROAD north-east side o/s Nos 69a and 71 Goodrich Road (8m) NAYLOR ROAD northeast side either side of its junction with Studholme Street (total of 12m), PECKHAM HILL STREET on all sides of its south-west to north-east arm (side of No 126 Peckham Hill Street, a total of 64m), ROTHERHITHE STREET north-west side opposite its junction with Swan Road (32m), STUDHOLME STREET on both sides north-east of its junction with Naylor Road (total of 12m) and WEST SQUARE north-west side south-west of its junction with St George s Road (5m);

(h) in CHANDLER WAY north-east side o/s No 18 Chandler Way formally relocate 8m existing DYLs to accommodate kerb-line changes and free cycle parking;

(i) HARPER ROAD north-west side o/s Nos 100-102 Harper Road add 11 5m DYLs and DKBs;

(j) add new DKBs to existing DYLs in ALICE STREET on both sides north-east of its junction with Green Walk (total of 12m), in CALTON AVENUE south of its junction with Townley Road north-west and west side (15 5m) and east and south-east side (11 5m), and GREEN WALK on all sides of its north-westernmost extremity (20 5m); and

(k) add new DKBs to new and existing DYLs on both sides and on either side of the junction in COUNTY STREET (a total of 44m) and in HARPER ROAD (a total of 100m)

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Please take notice that I / we Carnaval Del Pueblo Asociación

Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Burgess Park, The Great Lawn, Chumleigh Gardens, Camberwell, SE5 0AT

The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are

The retail sale of alcohol: Sunday, August 20th, 2023 11:00 23:00

The provision of regulated Sunday, August 20th, 2023 11:00 23:00

entertainment:

The provision of late night Sunday, August 20th, 2023 11:00 23:00 refreshment:

Opening hours: Sunday, August 20th, 2023 11:00 23:00

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 http://app southwark gov uk/licensing/licenseregister asp

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: 16th June 2023

NOTES:

(1) ‘DPPP’ refers to disabled persons parking places which may only be used by vehicles displaying a valid disabled persons 'blue badge' (2) permit refers to parking places for holders of valid parking permits within the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) listed; ‘shared-use’ refers to parking places in which holders of a valid permit for the CPZ listed or ‘pay’ paid ticket holders are permitted to park within the permitted hours (3) ‘SYLs’ refer to timed waiting restrictions, ‘DYLs’ refer to 'at any time' waiting restrictions and DKBs refer to at any time' loading restrictions (4) All measurements are in metres m and are approximate (5) Parking charges are listed on www southwark gov uk/parking

6 Copies of the Orders, which will come into force on 26 June 2023, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH, by appointment only E-mail traffic orders@southwark gov uk or call 020 7525 3497 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 22 June 2023

Dale Foden - Head of Service, Highways

By Mark Baldwin

surrey heAd coach Gareth Batty expressed his disappointment with his side’s display as hampshire hawks strengthened their bid for vitality blast quarter-final qualification by trouncing the South Group leaders by nine wickets in a one-sided affair at the kia oval last weekend.

A brilliant collective bowling performance by Hampshire, led by the impressive John Turner’s 3 for 17, resulted in Surrey being bowled out for just 124 in 19.2 overs.

Ben McDermott, with a hard-hit 50 off 38 balls, and James Vince, who finished with a superb 62 not out off 40 balls, then ensured a Hampshire stroll to victory with an opening partnership of 92 in exactly 11 overs.

The in-form Vince, who has now scored 476 runs in ten innings in this season’s Blast at an average of 79.33, saw the Hawks home in the company of Toby Albert and it was a first T20 win for Hampshire against Surrey in nine attempts, going back to July 2015.

Vince hit two sixes and seven fours, his last a pull off Sean Abbott to end the game.

McDermott ramped his fellow Australian international, paceman Abbott, for four and six from successive balls in the second over of Hampshire’s reply and he later top-edged a hook at Tom Lawes for another maximum before falling to Gus Atkinson. His 92-run stand with Vince equalled Hampshire’s T20 best for the first wicket against Surrey, by Michael Lumb and Jimmy Adams at the Ageas Bowl in 2009.

Jamie Overton, with three sixes and five fours in a powerful 45 from 24 balls, was the only Surrey batsman to make a score of note as Turner, Chris Wood (3 for 20) and Nathan Ellis (3 for 21) exerted an almost total stranglehold.

Surrey, joint top of the South Group alongside Somerset at the start of the game, with seven wins from their first nine matches, lost their first five wickets for just 32 after being put into bat and, at the halfway point of the innings, were in deep trouble at 39 for five.

Only an extraordinary 56-run stand in a mere 3.1 overs between Overton and Tom Curran – particularly extraordinary in the context of the rest of the innings – hauled Surrey’s total up to something defendable. Their partnership was a seventh wicket T20 record for Surrey against Hampshire, beating the 52 put on by Zafar Ansari and Gareth Batty at the Ageas Bowl in 2012.

When Surrey captain Jordan mishit Ellis to deep mid off to go for 17 it left the total 53 for six from 12.4 overs, and his team in disarray.

surrey devoured by haWks

Mills boon for Dulwich

By John Kelly

dulwich hAmlet captain danny mills has signed a new deal to stay with the club for the 2023-24 season in the isthmian League Premier division.

It will be Mills’ fifth season with the Hamlet. Mills joined in the summer of 2019 from Ebbsfleet United and has scored 52 goals in 140 appearances.

Mills has racked up plenty of milestones across four seasons, including being Dulwich’s topscorer in three campaigns and being one of only two players, along with Quade Taylor, to reach 100 appearances in National League South with the Hamlet.

“Danny is a good character, a top professional and has a brilliant personality,” Hakan Hayrettin said.

“He always has a smile on his face and conducts himself in the right manner, he’s the kind of professional that I would always want to work with.

“He is still such a threat in the air and will continue to be next season. It was a very easy decision for me to keep him with us.”

But Overton pulled Benny Howell’s medium pace for a huge six into the second tier of the JM Finn Stand to begin a muchneeded revival in the 14th over. Howell’s delivery had also been a no ball, giving Overton the chance to muscle the next ball, a free hit, over wide mid wicket for another six as the over ultimately cost 20 runs.

Nineteen more were plundered from the 15th over, with Overton taking three fours and a pulled six off James Fuller, while Curran then joined in the fun by pulling Wood for six and then creaming the leftarm seamer through extra cover for four before being caught at long on for an 11-ball 22 later that over.

Turner returned to bowl Sunil Narine for 2, off his back pad, and Overton’s fine knock was ended in the 19th over when Ellis fired a full ball through another attempted big hit.

Last pair Atkinson and Lawes came together with still nine balls of the innings to be bowled but they could not manage to see out the 20 overs, with Wood bowling Atkinson for five behind his legs.

Wood had actually started Surrey’s struggle by forcing Will Jacks to chip the

fifth ball of the game to mid wicket, to go for a duck, and Laurie Evans (1) skied Turner to mid on in the second over.

Sam Curran clubbed Ellis to mid off in the fifth over, and Jamie Smith had only made two more runs than Curran when he fell for nine in the next over, mis-hitting the pacy Turner to mid on.

The powerplay ended with Surrey a sickly 22 for four and Abbott was then sent back for 6 when he touched a Fuller lifter to the keeper.

Batty said: “We’re very disappointed. We set out to win every game and although we know that’s not possible it is always our aim.

“But we simply did not make enough runs in the powerplay. Hampshire started far better than us and we lost it in the first six overs. And 39 only on the board at halfway is nowhere near enough.

“Jamie Overton and Tom Curran’s great cameo of a stand gave us just a little bit of hope but if you do not get a foothold in the game in the early part of the innings, as we didn’t today, then you are going to struggle against a very good team like Hampshire.

“We play again here on Tuesday evening

and we have to think hard about how we play then. I will be expecting a good performance in that next game as we are still in an excellent position in the South Group table.”

Hampshire’s Ellis added: “That was a really good win for us. We emphasized to each other before the match that, after two defeats in a row, we needed to bounce back and we did it with a complete performance with both bat and ball. That’s very pleasing.

“They kept trying to come at us hard with the bat and it was testament to the way we bowled, especially up top with John Turner and Chris Wood.

“Chasing a small total can be tricky, particularly like today when there was a bit of rain forecast and we therefore wanted to keep ahead of the Duckworth Lewis requirements but Ben (McDermott) and James (Vince) batted brilliantly to ensure we were always in control of things.

“I love playing for Hampshire and I want to do all I can to get us back to Finals Day again. Winning the T20 was a great experience last year and I’d like to have that feeling again.”

Meanwhile, Dulwich have re-signed defender Michael Chambers for a third spell. Chambers, 28, who has joined from Billericay Town, played for the Hamlet in 2011-12 and between 2016 and 2019, during which he helped Dulwich to promotion to the sixth tier.

“I’m over the moon to be back, it’s a place that I’ve had a lot of good memories and spent a long time and we were largely successful here so fingers crossed we can do that again,” Chambers said.

Hayrettin has also brought in one of his former players from Maidstone United. Jerome Binnom-Williams, 28, can play as a left-back or centre-back and was part of the Stones squad that won the National League South title under Hayrettin in 2022.

The Hamlet will continue to have a busy summer as Hayrettin ruthlessly reshapes his squad after not holding back in his assessment of the weakness of last season's group.

Dulwich fight back but have to settle for winning draw

By John Lewis

dulwich fought back well to restrict their opponents to 270 in their AJ fordham surrey championship division 1 match at Camberley, but found the target too demanding and were obliged to settle for a winning draw last weekend.

The early part of the Camberley innings was dominated by opening bat Max Shoveller, who raced to a century before

lunch. They had set off at a rate of six an over, but Kaif Ramzan broke the opening stand in his first over with the score on 54 and new bat Todd Hutcheson was unable to get going against the spinners.

Camberley went into lunch on 162-1 after 39 overs, but Ramzan removed Hutcheson with the second ball after the interval. He had made a painstaking 22, scored off 89 balls in a partnership of 108 for the second wicket with Shoveller. The scoring rate speeded up again and the score had reached 204 in the 47th over when Ahmed Khan had Shoveller caught for 139, off 145 balls.

Khan had now been joined in the attack by Jon Lodwick. Both had gone wicketless

before the interval, but they now bowled in tandem as they worked their way through the rest of the innings. Khan added three more wickets to finish his second spell with 4-55 off 13 overs, while completing a mammoth stint of 27 overs for 4-114 in the innings.

Lodwick took 2-28 off eleven overs in his second spell to finish with 2-45 off 15 for the innings, as well as taking three catches in the slips. The ninth wicket fell to a run out as Dulwich completed a fine fight back by taking seven wickets in seventeen overs for 64 runs. The last pair batted out the remaining ten balls to finish on 270-9 after the full 66 overs, leaving Dulwich just 54 overs to get the runs.

Ollie Steele fell in the third over of the innings, but James Schofield and skipper Chris Purshouse took the score to 45 after 12 overs before Schofield fell for 28 off 37 balls. Purshouse fell for 34, off 48 balls, and Ramzan followed two overs later to make it 76-4 after 20 overs.

Khan now joined Apoorv Wankhade in the highest stand of the innings, putting on 56 in eleven overs for the fifth wicket before Wankhade fell to an astonishing one-handed catch on the boundary, having scored 38 off 49 balls. Khan and Tom Bishop took the score to 150 when Khan was caught behind for 40, off 48 balls, and Bishop followed two overs later for eighteen off 26 to make it 165-7 after 37.2

overs.

This brought together Michael Harms and Harvey Booth, who added 48 in nine overs for the eighth wicket before keeper Harms fell for 21, off 28 balls, with the score on 213 after 46.2 overs. With hopes of victory receding Lodwick opted for defence at one end while Booth took the score past 221 for the winning draw and 225 for an extra batting point before falling for 44, the highest score of the innings, off just 47 balls. With nine balls remaining, Lodwick and Isaac Eustance batted out time to finish on 230-9 and secure the draw.

Dulwich took thirteen points and are in seventh. This weekend, they have a home fixture against leaders Banstead

Gareth Batty: ‘We’re very disappointed - we set out to win every game’

Surrey’s Jamie Overton

Camberley 270-9 (66) drew with Dulwich 230-9 (54)

Surrey 124 (19.2 overs) lost to Hampshire 125/1 (14.2 overs) by nine wickets (Hampshire 2pts)

Former Palace and Millwall winger Punches off

By John Kelly

former crystA l Palace and millwall midfielder Jason Puncheon has announced his retirement from playing to take up a head coach position.

Puncheon started his career at Wimbledon and also played for Fisher Athletic.

The winger first played in the Premier League on loan at Blackpool from Southampton in 2010-11.

In the same campaign, he endeared himself to supporters at Millwall, where he was also on loan, by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at The Den in the Championship.

Puncheon went on to join Palace from Southampton and played for six consecutive season in the Premier League.

Puncheon left the Eagles in 2019 before spells in Cyprus with Pafos and Anorthosis, where he finished his playing career.

Puncheon, 37, will now be in charge of Peyia 2014 in the Cypriot Second Division.

“All good things come to an end,” Puncheon posted on social media. “I would like to thank all the coaches, team-mates and staff I have worked with – those memories, football lessons and life skills will stay with me forever.

“Thank you to all the fans. Hearing people sing your name from the stands is something I only dreamed about as a kid, which then became a reality.

“I would like to thank my family and parents for being part of the sacrifices professional football demands, most importantly for your continued guided support in good or bad moments.

“Now it’s time for me to be a coach. I would like to thank Peyia 2014 for giving me the opportunity to be head coach at this early stage of my new career and I can’t wait to get started.”

guehi is a marc-ed man noW

Palace star and England international attracting interest from top six clubs

By Wilf MacDonnell

crystA l PA l Ace are facing a battle to fend off interest from some top clubs if they are to hang on to talented centre-back marc Guehi.

The English international has already been linked with a potential move to Tottenham, but it is understood Palace would not consider any bid less than £50 Million.

Guehi is currently away with England on international duty as he looks to secure his place in the national team squad before the 2024 European Championships. The drop in form of Harry Maguire and John Stones’ potential move into a midfield role leaves the door open for Guehi to push for a starting place.

The 22-year-old came through the seemingly endless conveyor belt of talent that is the Chelsea academy system. After two excellent spells on loan in the Championship with Swansea City, in one of which he lost a play-off final, Guehi was snapped up by Palace. The fee was reported to be in the region of £18million which was at the time the club’s third most expensive deal in their history, but now looks to be a bargain.

One of his main attributes that makes Guehi so attractive to top six sides is

By Wilf MacDonnell

C heLS e A W ere reportedly close to completing a deal for villarreal’s nicolas Jackson for a fee of an estimated £29 million this week.

As is consistent with the rest of the Todd Boehly-era signings, Jackson is expected to be offered a long-term contract at the club.

Jackson was picked up by Villarreal from Senegalese club Casa Sports after breaking into the first team at the age of eighteen. Initially Jackson had to bide his time in Spain, first representing the reserve side and then heading out on loan to secondtier Mirandes.

The 2022-23 campaign was undoubtedly his breakout season when he scored twelve goals and assisted four more in just sixteen La Liga starts. His season was somewhat disrupted by a hamstring injury that

his fantastic ability on the ball. For back to back seasons he has impressed massively with both short and long passing accuracy. The fact that he is playing alongside Danish international Joachim Andersen, also an excellent distributor, means that Palace can build from the back in a way that teams around them in the league cannot.

It’s clear to see why teams that dominate the ball more than Palace are so keen on Guehi. The willingness to constantly show for the ball and receive possession in tight areas while not neglecting any of the defensive aspects of the game is something that comes naturally to him.

This confidence in a possession-based system should also benefit Guehi’s England career, as the majority of international fixtures require centrebacks who can make progressive passes rather than just a tough tackler, nononsense type.

Should the Eagles hold on to Guehi, they will start next season with a very credible spine. The combination of Anderson and Guehi with Cheick Doucoure and Jefferson Lerma in front of them in midfield is a strong one.

At just 22 and already in the England set-up there is no need for Guehi to rush his decision, especially with his current deal running up until 2026.

on centre-forward solution

incidentally prevented him joining AFC Bournemouth in January after a fee had been agreed.

Despite being born in Gambia, Jackson has opted to represent Senegal at senior level which has naturally brought about comparisons with Sadio Mane. There are some similarities in their strengths and weaknesses but the comparison doesn’t hold up when taking a closer look at Jackson’s playing style.

First, Chelsea will be getting an incredibly athletic striker. At just 21 years of age, Jackson has boundless energy which means he can occupy both centre-backs and often a fullback, too. He is quick across the ground and strong enough to hold the ball up but his best physical attribute is his agility, with his springy strides and long legs making him very difficult to get the ball off when he’s dribbling at speed.

The forward is a natural and

intelligent finisher. He often finds himself one-on-one against the goalkeeper due to his ability to get in behind defences. Jackson also possesses a range of finishes rather than having a trademark, normally adapting to whatever is needed to find the net.

Chelsea are, of course, in urgent need of a No.9 heading into next season. The project to bring back Romelu Lukaku has not worked and it looks as if manager Mauricio Pochettino will allow the striker to leave this summer, with one of the rumoured destinations being Saudi Arabia. Pierre EmerickAubameyang will also likely leave, having managed just one goal in his fifteen Premier League appearances.

David Datro Fofana also has not been able to make the desired impact. The Ivorian striker joined in January after displaying excellent form in Norway but his Premier League minutes were extremely limited, as he found himself

to be one of the casualties of Chelsea's inflated squad.

Jackson could well provide the solution Chelsea so desperately need but no one would be blamed for reserving their judgement. There are fair questions over the type of effect that Jackson would be able to make for various reasons.

For instance, will Jackson be given the chance to make an impact? With the squad still so overcrowded, it is absolutely no guarantee that Jackson would be able to hold on to a starting place if he doesn’t hit the ground running straight away.

Then there are questions over Jackson himself. He has only had one season scoring regularly in professional football, a season that was also disrupted by injury.

If he is to lead the line for Chelsea, he will be expected to both adapt to the Premier League quickly and stay fit, which is no small ask of a 21-year-old.

Marc Guehi Chelsea closing in

Photo by Brian Tonks

Jason Puncheon

By John Kelly

ryAn leonArd revealed the close bonds he has formed with players and staff was a key reason in his decision to sign a new deal with millwall.

The Lions offered the versatile Leonard, 31, new terms after the end of the season and it was confirmed last week that he had signed to remain at the club for a sixth season.

Leonard joined initially on loan from Sheffield United in the summer of 2018 before a then-record club transfer went through the following January.

The former Southend man is a popular player in the dressing room and his big work ethic has impressed fans.

Leonard was due to be out of contract at the end of this month.

“I’m very happy, it’s nice to get it over the line. It’s always one of those when you’re trying to get it sorted it takes a bit of time,” Leonard said.

“It’s nice to move on from that and focus on the pre-season ahead.

“I’ve got a lot of friends, I’ve got a lot of people here that I get on really well with. Players and staff, I seem to get on really well with everyone and it was a factor in me wanting to stay.

“The football club is one I’ve really taken on board. I enjoy playing for the club and I enjoy all the backroom staff, all the players.

“It was a no-brainer.”

Leonard has made 128 appearances for the club but that number would be a lot higher if it weren’t for injuries. He was restricted to eighteen games last season and 21 the season before that. Yet when he’s available his managers always seem to call on him, such as in Millwall’s mustwin game on the second-last day last season against Blackpool.

Leonard started on the right side of a back three and set up Tom Bradshaw’s opener in the second minute in the 3-2 win.

Leonard is determined to overcome his injury issues.

“It’s no hiding place, I have struggled with injury the last couple of years. It’s an obvious thing, I’m not scared to say it. It’s something that I need to work on and need to move away from,” Leonard said.

“When I get myself fit and I’m available I feel like I’m a big part of the squad and a big part of the team.

“I need to keep myself fit and do things to keep myself out on the pitch. For me that’s the main thing, I need to be available for the manager and available for the lads so that when I get out there playing I can do what I’ve done.

“There have been moments when I’ve contributed in different ways. It’s a case of staying fit and staying out there and

family values convinced lenny

Popular and versatile Lion explains why he inked new deal

then my football takes care of itself.

“We all realised going up to Blackpool, coming out for the warm-up and seeing all the fans ready for the game, we knew how much of an important game it was. We know the last away game is a big one for the fans, a big achievement for them.

“It was a game where we turned up on the night and put in a great performance. I managed to contribute, which was good.”

Leonard’s first season could have seen him relegated back to League One where he played with Southend.

Millwall stayed up on the second-last day under Neil Harris and Leonard has seen how the club has grown since then.

“They’d got promoted to the Championship just before I signed,” Leonard said. “My first season we struggled, we only just stayed up the last couple of games. To go from that in four years to just missing out by one game of the season, the gap from where we were and where we are now is massive.

“You see it with the players we’re signing, you see it with the squad we’ve

got, the young lads coming through –we’ve got a hell of a group of players for the season coming up. I’m sure we’re going to be bringing in new players as well. We’ve got a squad of players where every year it seems to be getting better and better and we’re in a stronger position each year.”

Leonard had his children at Calmont Road the day his new deal was confirmed.

He highlighted what is special about Millwall.

“It’s a family club. I wanted to bring my

kids in today and for them to see where I work and where everything happens. That’s one of the biggest things, it is a family club and everyone behind the scenes is in it together,” Leonard said.

“That’s the mainstay of the football club – we are all in it together.

“We may not have the biggest budget or be the biggest club in the Championship but we’re all in it together. That’s what we have to focus on. We’re like that as players, we’re like that as families and we’re like that as a club.”

Fulham defender released Midfielder Johansen leaves Hoops

By John Kelly

fulhAm defender issa diop has been released without charge after being arrested for allegedly making death threats to his former partner.

The Cottagers defender had been in custody in Toulouse after being arrested last Sunday evening.

french media said that diop, 26, and his 29-year-old partner are currently negotiating a divorce which is involving claims on financial settlements.

A spokesperson for Toulouse prosecutors said: “The suspect has been released. There is no case to answer.”

Fulham released a statement that said: “We are aware of reports emanating from France this morning regarding one of our players, issa diop.

“We are currently liaising with the player's representatives to establish the facts.”

diop joined west ham united from toulouse for a reported £22million in the summer of 2018.

Fulham bought him from the hammers for £15million last summer and he signed a five-year deal.

diop made 29 appearances and scored once last season. Toulouseborn diop has represented france at every age level up to under-21.

By John Kelly

queens PArk rangers have confirmed the departure of midfielder stefan Johansen after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

Johansen, 32, had a year left on his deal but will now be able to sign on a free transfer for another club.

Johansen played 30 times last season and scored twice but increasingly found himself out of the team under new manager Gareth Ainsworth.

Former Celtic man Johansen joined the hoops from Fulham initially on

loan in January 2021 before the deal was made permanent the following summer.

Johansen made 88 appearances for qPr, 85 of them in the Championship, and scored seven goals.

“There is no bad blood at all, i have had conversations with the club and i think it’s time to move on,” Johansen said.

“it suits all parties that i am leaving now. i have had a great time but do wish that i could have achieved what i came here to do, which was promotion to the Premier League.”

QPr have agreed a deal to sign

midfielder taylor richards, 22, from Brighton & hove Albion. The former manchester City youngster has had loan spells with doncaster rovers and Birmingham City, as well as with QPr last season. richards will officially join on a permanent contract from July 1. meanwhile, midfielder elijah dixon-bonner has signed a new one-year contract at the club. the 22-year-old said: “i am really happy that it is all sorted. There has been a lot of change here, but everyone is excited for the season ahead and i am pleased to be a part of this group.

Ryan Leonard in action away against Blackpool last season

Sport

SURREY DEVOURED BY HAWKS

charlton ceo reveals latest transfer stance

Takeover process ongoing with no timeframe for completion

Addicks fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome

N’Golo gone

By John Kelly

n’golo kAnte has left Chelsea for Saudi Arabian champions Alittihad.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s side signed the World Cup and Champions Leaguewinning midfielder on a free transfer. Kante, 32, spent seven years at Stamford Bridge and also won a Premier League title under Antonio Conte in 2016-17.

Chelsea had been in negotiations with Kante over a new deal and there was hope that an agreement would be reached.

But now Kante joins an influx of overseas superstars heading to the Saudi Pro League, after recent arrivals Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and Ruben Neves from Wolves.

“Ittihad Club has announced the signing of French international player N'Golo Kante, the former Chelsea player who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Champions League,” the club said in a statement.

“Kante has signed a three-year contract with the club. The contract was finalized on Tuesday (June 20) after Kante completed his medical tests at a specialized medical centre in Dubai.

“Kante's addition to Al-Ittihad is considered one of the most highprofile and impactful signings in the club's history. It is part of the club's efforts to establish itself as a top choice for world-class players in the Saudi Professional League.

“Ittihad Club wishes Kante success in achieving the club's goals and fulfilling the expectations of all the club's fans and supporters during his time with the team.”

By Wilf MacDonnell

chArlton Athletic chief executive Peter Storrie provided a highly anticipated update on the club's takeover when speaking to fans at the quarterly forum recently.

Charlton announced earlier in the month that Danish-US businessman Thomas Sandgaard had approved a deal for SE7 Partners to purchase the football club.

The sale comes at a crucial time for the Addicks as the club aim for promotion from League One next season. Naturally, fans were eager to hear how the deal

would affect transfer business, among other issues, and Storrie went some way to offering an explanation at the meeting.

The headline was that transfer plans haven’t changed from two months ago along with the aim of a top-six finish. However, Storrie did concede that the buying party must be made aware of any big expenditures, meaning they will have the seal of approval on any signings the club wish to make from a financial perspective.

Fans were pleased to hear that Storrie was still certain that regardless of the new owners’ input, the final say on identifying talent will lie with manager

Dean Holden.

Storrie did then cast some doubt over the summer business by adding that he could not comment on what the plans and budget will be once the new owners have officially arrived, as he simply did not know yet.

The process of the official takeover may still take some time. It was revealed that despite the club having nearly all the documents in line, due to the sheer volume of information required for the EFL’s approval, it is uncertain in what timeframe it might be completed. This information includes also getting FA clearance for the takeover of the Charlton Athletic Women’s team.

Storrie added on the details of the paperwork process, that the EFL has an independent review body that looks at the financial side and also into the source of funds. He said that is something the club would not be involved in. While the club are aware that elements of the process would be conducted between the potential new owners and the EFL and the FA, there is no telling how long this part of the takeover may take.

Storrie was keen to emphasise that the club would move as normal until the process was completed, with him and Holden looking at the same type of players as they were before the takeover was agreed.

Kante isn’t the only Chelsea player heading for Saudi Arabia as Hachim Ziyech is expected to join Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s club.

Ziyech, 30, will sign a contract until 2026.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have completed the first signing of new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s reign with France striker Christopher Nkunku arriving from RB Leipzig for £52m.

The 25-year-old scored sixteen goals in 25 games in the Bundesliga last season.

Nkunku has won ten caps for France.

Photo by Brian Tonks