Southwark News - January 22nd 2026

MILLWALL

Shortlisted for Scoop of the Year & Small News Brand of the Year - Regional Press Awards 2026

Issue 1772

Established: 1987

50p

January 22 2026

LOCAL PUBLICANS FEEL CRIPPLED BY A COCKTAIL OF TAXES

EXCLUSIVE

southwarknews.co.uk

KNIFE CRIME

MISSED CHANCES HAUNT LIONS INVESTIGATION

WHAT DO THE FIGURES HIDE?

‘WILD SWIMMING ON OLD KENT ROAD’ See pages 4-5

See page 4

See pages 6-7

EXCLUSIVE

Ambitious plans announced for former gas works See page 3

2 NEWS

NEWS Pages 2-16 OPINION Page 14-15 ARTS Pages 17 HISTORY Pages 18-19 EVENTS Page 20 CLASSIFIED Page 21 PUBLIC NOTICES Pages 24-27 SPORT Pages 29-32

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By Kumail Jaffer Local Democracy Reporter LONDONERS FACE paying an extra £20 a year in council tax to the Greater London Authority (GLA) to fund an increased police crackdown on phone theft and more resources for the London Fire Brigade (LFB).

The Mayor of London plans to increase the policing precept in residents’ council tax bills by £15 a year for an average Band D property, with a further £5.13 going to support the fire service.

The overall GLA precept – the portion of council tax the Mayor is allowed to raise – will increase from £490.38 to £510.51 for an average Band D household. This is equivalent to a 4.1 per cent increase, with the overall sum of money collected by the GLA forecast to be £1.67billion.

Here’s where Londoners will see their money going in the upcoming financial year – subject to change after scrutiny from the London Assembly in the coming weeks. The final budget will be published in March.

MAYOR TO RAISE COUNCIL TAX TO HELP TACKLE PHONE THEFTS

© Greater London Authority

Contents

Read what’s in Sadiq Khan’s budget

PHONE THEFT CRACKDOWN

Sir Sadiq Khan plans to ask the Met Police to work on a package of measures to target phone theft gangs on the capital’s streets, including the use of drones and training specialist officers to use e-bikes in hotspot areas.

The extra levy is expected to raise £60m out of an overall £1.22bn funding uplift for policing in 202627. Londoners will contribute just over £1bn in council tax for policing in the capital, with the remaining £2.9bn coming from the Home Office.

NEW LONDON FIRE BRIGADE HQ

Every household will pay an extra £5.13 a year which will go directly to fund improvements to the LFB to the tune of £19.3m.

Officials say that as the UK’s largest fire and rescue service – and one that operates in an “extremely complex environment” – additional investment is needed.

The money will go to “maintaining LFB’s operational capabilities and response times” and investing in LFB’s estate, including building a

London Fire Brigade Funding

Police Funding new headquarters and refurbishing Lambeth Fire Station.

The draft budget shows an extra £16.4m will be spent on “preparedness and response” in addition to £5.9m more being spend on capital financing – money used for major projects such as buildings or equipment. Overall, £251.1m of taxpayer cash will be given to the fire service.

TFL NEEDS £252M BAILOUT

The draft budget suggests almost £252m will be given to Transport for London (TfL) to cover a deficit caused by increased operating costs.

MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

Issue 1771

Established: 1987

50p

January 15 2026

southwarknews.co.uk

GREEN WAVE SOUTHWARK ON A

Editor: Kevin Quinn Reporters: Issy Clarke, Evie Flynn Sports Editor: John Kelly Sports reporter: Will Scott Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Clarry Frewin, Mandy Stong Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 em@cm-media.co.uk Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Thursday at: Community Matters Media Ltd 1 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 020 7232 1639 News: news@southwarknews.co.uk Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

COBURN KEEN TO KICK ON AFTER INJURY SPELL See page 8

BUT WILL THE VOTES COME FLOODING IN AT ELECTION TIME? See pages 6-7

HELP POLICE FIND GUNMEN who shot at and hit a mother in her

LOCALS WARNED OVER DEADLY ICE IN DULWICH See pages 12-13

WINTER REFUGE IS ON OFFER See page 5

home with baby son on Christmas Eve VICTORY FOR ELEPHANT See page 4

& CASTLE LEASEHOLDERS

Though passenger income is set to rise by £302mn to £5.91bn, the cost of operating the London Underground, buses and other TfL services will rise by £541m.

Despite a Government grant of £91m, City Hall has deemed the necessary council tax requirement to fill the budget gap as £251.9m.

In other transport news, £400,000 has been set aside to progress the business case for the proposed West London Orbital rail line.

FREE SCHOOLS MEALS TO CONTINUE – FOR CHEAPER THAN EXPECTED

The Mayor has previously said he will not end his policy of Universal Free School Meals for all primary school children in London’s state schools while he is still in office.

This is confirmed by the draft budget, which suggests the Government’s commitment to give free school meals to all children in households on Universal Credit will reduce the funding needed from City Hall.

The draft document says: “It is estimated that there will be a reduction in the academic year cost of the Mayor’s Universal Free School Meals programme compared

to previous assumptions of £50.6 million in 2026-27, £59.0 million in 2027-28 and £61.5 million in 202829.”

WHAT HAS SADIQ KHAN SAID?

The Mayor’s Draft Budget covers the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), which includes the Metropolitan Police Service and the Violence Reduction Unit, TfL, the LFB, the London Legacy Development Corporation (Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park), the OPDC, the Oxford Street Development Corporation and the core GLA, including the London Assembly.

Sir Sadiq said: “Bearing down on crime and keeping Londoners safe is my top priority as Mayor. That’s why I’m taking the difficult decision to increase council tax to provide crucial funding for the police.

“This will help to implement a major crackdown on phone theft – with more resources to smash the phone theft gangs – as well as to ensure we can build on the significant progress we’re making to reduce knife crime, gun crime, homicides and burglary in the capital.

“In total, I plan to invest a recordbreaking £1.22bn from City Hall on policing so that we can continue building a safer London for everyone.”

Neil Garratt, the Budget spokesperson for the City Hall Conservatives, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Today’s budget is Sadiq Khan being forced to admit that the Conservatives were completely right about his priorities and spending habits.

“When a phone is stolen in London every six minutes, that it has taken the Mayor more than a year since I first raised the issue of phone thefts with him to actually take action is appalling.

“And with cuts to City Hall mooted, as a result of his bloated, inefficient spending sprees, now Londoners who work for the Mayor are left in jeopardy about their futures because of his behaviour.

“He can keep coming out to tell us how amazing his tenure has been, but the figures in that draft budget reveal the extent to which the Mayor’s legacy needs rose-tinted glasses to look good.”

The Southwark News is proud to be the only independent, paid for newspaper in London Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper.

It is owned and run by Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn.

Former reporters for Southwark News, they bought the title in 2002, after the founder Dave Clark died suddenly from cancer four years earlier.

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NEWS 3

EXCLUSIVE

By Rich Brann WILD SWIMMING may be coming to the Old Kent Road at Southwark’s Grade II listed gasworks.

Plans outlined at the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee described the proposal as unlike anything else seen in Europe, creating an accessible freshwater swimming experience with health benefits at the development site in Old Kent Road, to be renamed Livesey Park.

The project would divide the historic gasworks in two, building a cold water swimming pool in one half and a natural reed-based filtration system in the other half, keeping water for the pool fresh, while a café, shop, and changing rooms would provide refreshment opportunities and pay for the pool’s upkeep.

Southwark Labour Councillor Helen Dennis said: “The idea for a wild swimming pond in the planned Livesey Park is at an early stage but would transform the area with such an exciting and unique offer, and is a good example of what can be made possible through investment and contributions from developers.

“We are determined for the Old Kent Road regeneration to deliver a greener and healthier neighbourhood, ensuring that development results in new and improved parks and community facilities.”

The gasworks at Livesey Park forms part

An early CGI concept of Livesey Park, complete with swimming pool of the major Old Kent Road regeneration scheme, projected to deliver as many as 20,000 homes across Southwark and south-east London, as well as two other parks for the neighbourhood.

Briefly the largest gasworks in the world, they were originally built by engineer Sir George Livesey from 187981, but have been disused since 1953 before being bought by Southwark Council in 2017 for £15m.

Wild swimming at the historic site would allow the Grade II-listed outer structure to remain in place while utilising the former deep-water tank at the site for the project, and is expected to be the only wild swimming opportunity at a gasworks in the world.

Cllr Dennis clarified that once detailed

proposals were in place, there would be community consultation on the project, after which it could expect to begin development in 2027 or 2028, though she stressed that the project remained in a very early stage.

Wild swimming has become a popular hobby in the last decade, defined as swimming in outdoor freshwater spaces, and lidos and outdoor swimming pools are one form of the hobby, though typically ponds, lakes and rivers are popular destinations.

The gasworks project follows Greenland Dock being turned into a wild swimming area in 2024, where people can book 400m swimming sessions with Southwark Council around the historic pools, while Beckenham Place Park’s

Concepts for the swimming pool at Gasholder 13 pool remains a popular spot in South East London for freshwater swimming.

Other health swimming opportunities in the borough in the last couple of years have included community sauna and cold plunge sessions in Burgess Park, with Community Sauna Baths opening one permanent spot in Ruskin Park last year and plans for another in Denmark Hill submitted in January 2024.

The wider Old Kent Road development, of which the gasworks form a part, is expected to take the better part of 20 years to deliver in full, with consultation on the plans taking place last year.

Omer Weinberge, the CEO of the site developers Avanton, who are expected to deliver 700 new homes as well as the wild swimming project, said: “We are

delighted to hear the positive response to the emerging plans for the former Gasworks site on Old Kent Road.

“We see this as a chance to offer the community something genuinely new, while retaining The Grade II listed gasholder frame. Our focus is on long term investment in this part of Southwark, not only enhancing the local environment but also providing much needed new homes.

“Avanton’s Ruby Triangle masterplan will deliver over 1,600 homes, with THE BeCa as the first phase completing in Q1 2027. Alongside Southwark Council’s aspirations for the Gasworks site, this reflects a shared ambition for the area’s future, where investment in homes goes hand in hand with meaningful places.”

BRINGING THE BEAVER BACK TO SOUTH LONDON © Harrison Galliven

By Kumail Jaffer

Local Democracy Reporter

The animals would be brought to South Norwood Country Park as part of a rewilding project designed to enhance the park’s wildlife and attract more visitors to the nature reserve.

Plans for the park would also see its visitors centre bought back to life as an education hub, after six years of closure.

The beaver proposals, backed by Croydon Council, are being developed in partnership with urban rewilding experts Citizen Zoo. The organisation, alongside the Ealing Beaver Project, was behind London’s first openly accessible urban beaver population, launched in Ealing in 2023.

Elliot Newton, Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo, said: “Following the success of the Ealing Beaver Project, we have been eager to identify new sites where these incredible ecosystem engineers can bring benefits; from boosting biodiversity and cleaning waterways to mitigating climate change impacts.”

He added: “South Norwood Country Park has huge potential, and we are excited to see how this project could positively impact the local environment and community.”

Citizen Zoo is now undertaking a feasibility study to assess whether South

© Deborah Freeman

ONE OF South London’s largest parks could soon welcome some unusual new residents, as plans to introduce a colony of beavers are unveiled.

Norwood Country Park is a suitable habitat for the beavers before any are introduced. South Norwood Country Park is one of Croydon’s larger green spaces, featuring a pond and a play area on land that was once a former sewage site.

Eurasian beavers are known as “ecosystem engineers” because of the wetlands and dams they create. These mammals were once a familiar sight

across Britain and the capital before being hunted to extinction centuries ago.

It is hoped that their reintroduction would improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitats for fish, birds, insects, and other mammals around the park’s ponds and wetland areas.

Approval would see the beavers housed in London’s largest secure enclosure, which would be fully accessible to the

public, including local dog walkers.

However, the project would also require additional funding and licences from Natural England if it is to progress.

Croydon’s plans for the park also include rebuilding its visitor centre and restoring it as a hub for nature education. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) previously reported that the visitor centre, damaged in an arson attack in

2020, remains closed despite repeated promises to reopen it.

This delay has led to frustration among residents and members of the team who run the kiosk next to the visitors centre. Their members told the LDRS: “We’re delighted to see Croydon Council’s commitment to reopening the visitor centre at South Norwood Country Park as part of the beaver rewilding project.

“The beaver initiative is genuinely exciting and will undoubtedly enhance the park’s biodiversity and appeal.”

However, the team believes the council still has work to do to make the centre “a thriving, self-sufficient community hub.”

They warn that transforming it solely for educational use risks turning it into “a one-time visit destination” rather than a space that people want to visit week after week.

The council has planned a public consultation for February, allowing residents to share their views on the proposals. This will include a questionnaire, community talks and local nature walks.

In an announcement made today (January 14), Croydon Council’s Executive Mayor, Jason Perry told the LDRS: “The introduction of beavers in South Norwood Country Park would benefit local wildlife and be a massive boost for the borough.

“It would support the park’s biodiversity, and residents and visitors will benefit from investment in a revitalised visitor centre. I look forward to hearing what residents think about these exciting proposals.”

Pictures supplied by Southwark Council.

WILD SWIMMING ON THE OLD KENT ROAD?

4 NEWS

By Issy Clarke TWO PUBLICANS have claimed the industry is the ‘worst it has been in 20 years’ with pubs ‘clobbered by taxes’ and struggling to compete with cheaper supermarket booze, and amid growing numbers of young people choosing to forgo alcohol altogether.

Landlords of pubs in Southwark spoke out about the challenges facing the sector days before Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to U-turn on a hike to business rates, after facing a furious wave of opposition.

They warned the rates increase was just one of a series of blows which had crippled the trade in recent years, along with increases to employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage.

Garry Phibbs, who manages a small chain of pubs in south London including the Copper Tap and the Duke of Sussex in Peckham, said taxes were the “single biggest challenge” facing his business.

Garry said he had seen his overheads increase by around 40 per cent over the last few years, forcing him to “tighten the belts” and lay off staff and cut shifts.

“It is taxes on everything that are affecting us - the actual product we’re selling and taxes on the staffing and business rates. Most of the price of a pint of beer is just tax.”

According to research by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), beer duty makes up at least £0.49 of each pint of beer sold. That is followed by VAT (£0.80), other taxes like business rates (£0.23) and ‘other costs’ like staff wages and energy bills (£3.28).

Days ago, it was reported that Chancellor Rachel Reeves was poised to abandon an impending business rates hike on pubs announced in the November budget, which would have involved cutting a discount introduced during the pandemic from 75 per cent to 40 per cent.

The planned increase was met with fury in the sector, with more than a thousand publicans banning Labour MPs from entering their premises.

UK Hospitality said the increase could leave the average pub facing a 15% rise in business rates next year, increasing to £7,000 more by 2028/29.

The British Institute of Inkeeping, [BII] which represents those working in hospitality, has welcomed the climbdown, but warned the lack of detail at this stage meant the ‘scale of the potential positive impact remains to be seen.’

They said that pubs were already struggling with ‘huge challenges around increased overheads, unfair taxation and the direct impact of the 2024 budget as well as ongoing Covid debts.’

CEO of the BII, Steve Alton, added the rates cut was “welcome as a starting point, however we must have a reduction in the overall unfair tax burden our members have been facing, in order to safeguard the future of pubs, high streets and communities across the whole of the UK.” He said when the minimum wage and business rates increase was announced in November it meant that only “1in 10” businesses would be profitable unless they axed staff and services.

Alton continued: “The lack of understanding from the Government, and specifically the Treasury, about the incredible pressure pubs have been under, with huge challenges they have faced since the pandemic, has caused incredible frustration, anger and worry for our members.”

The Chancellor increased the

EXCLUSIVE

‘IT’S THE WORST IT’S BEEN IN 20 YEARS’ - SOUTHWARK PUB LANDLORDS ‘TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS’ AMID TAX HIKES AND DRY JANUARY Garry

Phibbs

The Grange pub on Grange Road minimum wage in the budget last year by 85p to £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds.

It will go up by 50p to £12.71 for over 21s from spring 2026.

And since April of last year, employers have had to pay national insurance on all salaries above £5,000, whereas before it only kicked in on earnings higher of more than £9,100.

Garry said: “It means even though the minimum wage has gone up, staff are coming away with less pay because I’m having to cut their hours.

“We used to hire students for casual work because taxes wouldn’t have to be paid. Now they are at the threshold where we have to pay national insurance, so we’ve stopped hiring them.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Garry said the strategy would be just to “try and power through it. A lot of pubs are struggling, a lot have gone bust. We’re just doing our best to survive it as long as possible.”

Roughly one pub in England and Wales was forced to close every day in 2025, amounting to 5,600 direct job losses, according to the British Beer and

Pat McKenna Pub Association.

“The more pubs that do go bust, it means you’re one of the few around that are still there for people. Our pubs aren’t beside offices or big universities.

We just have local communities coming to us rather than workers.”

Pat McKenna, the owner of the familyrun Victoria Pub on Page’s Walk in Bermondsey, said he “wouldn’t like to be starting out in the indsutry today.

I’ve been doing this 20 years and things have never been this difficult.”

He highlighted the “astronomical cost” of heating an old pub, and admitted he had now stopped showing Sky Sports due to the cost and because “you’ve got to have a packed pub to make those things financially worth it now.”

With sobriety on the rise among younger generations and many people opting to drink at home, Pat said times at the moment were “very tough. People really seem to have taken to Dry January this year. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, now people have started doing Sober October.

“A friend said to me recently: I’m a

social drinker, I come out so I don’t drink at home. But he said: it’s pointless for me to go out because all my mates are doing Dry January.”

The number of adults in the UK who report drinking alcohol once a week has steadily declined in recent years, from 61 per cent in 2012 to 56 per cent in 2022.

That decline has been driven in large part by a fall-off in alcohol consumption among younger people, with almost half (46 per cent) of those aged 25-34 reporting last year that they regularly forgo booze in favour of alcohol-free alternatives, compared to 37 per cent in 2023.

That may be partly related to the increased cost of booze, with the price of the average pint in the UK up from around £3.90 before the pandemic to £5.17 at the end of 2025. In London the average cost is much higher at £6.75, making it the most expensive city to purchase a pint in the UK. Matt Downie, who runs the Grange pub on Grange Road in Bermondsey, said that since the national insurance

Michelle Tempest of the Raven on Tower Bridge Road increase kicked in last April, he had been forced to cut staff and work longer hours himself.

“The main problem is that people don’t have enough money. Footfall and turnover is down, we’re not selling as much as we used to. People I used to see once a week, now I see once or twice a month.”

He said that during the pandemic people got into the habit of drinking cheaper supermarket booze, whereas “our overheads mean we can’t sell a can of beer for £1.50.”

Government plans floated at the end of last year to loosen licensing restrictions to enable pubs to stay open later, he added, failed to respond to the nature of the challenges faced by the industry.

“People don’t stay out as late as they used to. My kitchen is open until 10, but it is rare for me to take an order before 9. Increasing trading hours to increase turnover is for the birds.”

However, Michelle Tempest who runs The Raven Pub on Tower Bridge Road, painted a rosier picture, claiming that while “everything in the news is true”

NEWS 5

Matt Downie

about the challenges facing the sector, her experience has been “a different story.”

Since purchasing The Raven with her husband in 2022, Michelle, who owns a small chain of seven pubs across England, says she has seen numbers go “up and up and up” although around ‘80 per cent’ of those customers are tourists.

In fact, business at the Raven is so good that it’s one of Michelle’s best-performing pubs.

“We’ve been blessed because of our location: we rely on our position. It’s very different for us compared to talking to someone who has a truly local pub, because we rely on tourists. “ On a typical day the Raven - which also hosts a comedy club upstairs and a cocktail bar in the basement - will sell around 180 portions of fish and chips alone to tourists eager to sample traditional British cuisine.

It’s thanks to the surge in customer numbers that she’s been able to grapple with a huge increase in her energy bills which is the “main killer.”

Her bills have gone up by 50 per cent since she purchased the Raven, with water now costing £1,000 a month and electricity costing £2,500, and she’s had to stop heating the fourth floor of the building to curb costs.

However she added: “The Raven is lucky because it is delivering. It’s the seaside pubs I’m more concerned about. I’m upbeat overall, but I don’t think it’s going to get any easier.

“Once bills are up they’re not going to come down very much, and with the minimum wage going up in April... it’s going to be harder to make a living.”

The government was contacted for a comment but had not responded by the time we went to press.

The Victoria Pub on Page’s Walk

Special thanks to

By Evie Flynn MET POLICE data shows Southwark had the third highest number of knife-related offences in London in 2025 – yet only one in five resulted in injury. What else do the latest figures tell us about so-called ‘lawless London’?

Southwark saw 622 knife-related offences last year (Jan – Nov), surpassed only by Newham in first place and Westminster in second.

However, only 146 incidents, or 20 per cent of Southwark’s total, involved an injury, including stabbings as well as ‘slashings’ and ‘punctures’.

The Met uses the label “knifeenabled crime” in its reports to refer to instances where knives were used to threaten, injure and those where a knife was present but unseen.

Despite repeated claims that London is “lawless” by those on the right of the political spectrum, the Mayor and local Labour MP Neil Coyle stand steadfast that City Hall investment has played a key role in reducing knife crime.

Coyle, who is MP for Old Southwark and Bermondsey, told us: “A lot of the work behind reducing knife crime is long-term funding from City Hall, youth clubs and other efforts that often go unseen. Other parts of the country should learn from the capital.”

The latest statistics do confirm that knife crime is declining, so what has changed and what needs to happen to continue the downwards trend?

THE FIGURES: KNIFE CRIME IS DOWN BUT KNIFE-POINT

ROBBERY IS ON THE RISE

The latest figures are extraordinary, with knife crime in Southwark down by around a quarter for the first time in just over a decade.

From January to November 2025, the number of incidents went from 755 to 622, while offences classed as ‘knife used to injure’ dropped by 26 per cent, indicating that fewer incidents resulted in physical harm.

However, 622 incidents still equates to an average of 1.86 knife crime reports per day in the borough.

Over the long-term, injuries caused by knives or sharp instruments have fallen by 37 per cent since 2016.

In terms of the most serious violence, Met data shows that three knife-related homicides were recorded in Southwark between June 2024 and June 2025. Since records began in March 2003, there have been 81 such killings in the borough.

While these statistics may point to a shift towards knives being used to threaten rather than to injure, the data alone cannot explain how or why weapons were used in individual incidents.

The decline seen in 2025 follows several years of rising recorded knife crime offences, with an 8 per cent increase between 2023 and 2024, suggesting that not all attempts to tackle violence in the city have worked.

WHAT THE FIGURES DON’T SHOW:

The data clearly shows that reported knife crime was down in 2025, however, a deeper dive into the statistics show that robberies

© Parliament TV

6 NEWS

EXCLUSIVE

Neil Coyle during a debate about knife crime statistics in Westminster Hall

KNIFE CRIME IN SOUTHWARK: WHAT DO THE FIGURES SHOW AND WHAT DO THEY HIDE?

Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com •

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Fri 30 Jan

Sun 15 Feb

Mon 23 Feb

Courtney Pine with Zoe Rahman Sat 14 Feb

Mon 16 Feb

Sat 7 Mar & Sun 8 Mar

Sat 1 Mar, 7.30pm

are on the rise. Also, after so many years of dealing with epidemic levels of knife crime, perhaps the doctors and surgeons have just become experts at making sure deaths are down.

After all, Met data only counts crimes that were recorded by the police and doesn’t show hospital admissions or incidents handled through safeguarding.

Knife-related homicides in Southwark have remained sporadic since records began in 2003, as the graph above shows.

Many knife-enabled crimes will inevitably go unreported, especially in situations involving gang violence, adding to the public’s perception that Southwark and wider London’s knife crime is spiralling.

The latest NHS data shows that the number of people taken to hospital after being stabbed by a knife or sharp instrument has fallen by 29 per cent in London over the past five years, from 1,350 to 955.

These NHS figures record every hospital admission, regardless of whether the incident was subsequently recorded as a crime. As such, hospitals see victims whether or not a crime is reported to police.

However, the steady rise in incidents since 2016 should not be ignored, despite a slight decrease in 2025. In wider London, 59 per cent of all knifeenabled crime was robbery offences, according to the Met’s latest report.

Injuries are indeed decreasing and simultaneously homicides are falling, but this doesn’t mean knives weren’t used to threaten in robberies.

Figures suggest that consistently more than half of Southwark’s knife crime incidents are categorised as robbery. In 2025, they accounted for 64 per cent of all knife-related offences – the highest proportion since the

records began in 2016.

As a result, falling knife crime figures do not always ease public anxiety, particularly around everyday fears such as street robbery.

It is seemingly random and opportunistic offences that impact the public more, helping to explain why knife figures can remain alarming even when overall incidents are falling.

This week, Conservative London Assembly Member, Neil Garratt accused Mayor Sadiq Khan of using knife crime statistics to “gaslight” Londoners, saying knife crime statistics ignore the reality of robbery.

He said: “If you break down the knife crime stats and specifically focus on robbery – let’s be clear what this means, an innocent person going about their day being confronted by a violent man threatening them with a knife to hand over their valuables.

“More people in London were threatened with a knife, robbed at knifepoint for their valuables, than the last year of Boris Johnson [as Mayor of London]. The figures have got worse.

Every single year of your mayoralty is worse than what you inherited. How can you tell Londoners that it’s getting better?

“It’s very clear that he has spent this week and this morning gaslighting Londoners about what they see with their own eyes.”

Sir Sadiq responded by saying the population had risen by over a million since he took office in 2016, while reduced funding under the previous Conservative Government resulted in cuts to police numbers.

THE HUMAN IMPACT: MOTHER SAYS HER TEENAGE SON IS BEING FAILED

BY A SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT WORK

Behind the data are complex personal stories that do not fit neatly into

headline figures.

Knife crime statistics record offences, but often fail to capture the context behind them, particularly in cases where possession is driven by fear rather than intent to harm.

One Southwark family described how their teenage son was arrested for bringing a knife into school as protection after he had been repeatedly targeted by gangs of robbers.

While police were initially involved, the case was later handled through safeguarding and education systems rather than prosecution, highlighting how a single recorded offence can mask a far more complicated reality.

The pupil was referred to a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), an alternative school for children struggling in mainstream settings.

However, the child’s parents are fighting this referral, arguing that the setting of the PRU will put the 15-yearold amongst the very people who initially targeted him.

As a result, the boy has not been in education since July 2025 and with the help of their Youth Justice worker, his parents are fighting his referral and attempting to get him a tutor so he can continue his education.

The mother said: “My son was a victim of knife crime and now he’s become an offender. Before this happened, he didn’t have any mental health problems but he now self-harms and suffers with PTSD, anxiety and depression - the waiting list for CAHMS trauma support is nine months.

“My biggest fear is that other kids who don’t have support may become perpetrators themselves. My son is only fifteen and having not gone to school since July, he feels like his life is over.”

While cases like this are often dealt with quietly through safeguarding,

others in Southwark are trying to address the issue more openly by creating spaces for young people to talk about fear and violence.

Eugene Ankomah, Creative Director at Salmon Youth Centre on Old Jamaica Road, is urging people to focus less on the statistics and more on the real-life impact knife-crime is having on young people.

His upcoming exhibition at the centre, entitled ‘Re-Claim’ aims to confront the issue head-on, inviting police and young people to engage directly and openly about why they might choose to leave the house with a knife.

He said: “A lot of people ignore what’s happening to young people involved in street violence. Some simply don’t care and that has to change. If you want people to care, sometimes you have to make them feel uncomfortable.”

Speaking on the falling knife crime figures Eugene, who works one to one with children who are prime targets for gang violence, said: “I believe we have to keep pushing for greater change and not to get complacent. There is still much work to be done to convince more people to put down knives and to seek more peaceful alternatives.”

However, working on the project has also revealed that young people are understanding the consequences of possessing a knife. He said: “My interaction with young people during the project tells me there is still a high level of anxiety.

“It feels like a lot of young people currently do have a deeper understanding as to why carrying a knife isn’t the answer and we hope to push this understanding further.”

WHAT’S BEING DONE AND IS IT ENOUGH?

The Met has said it is working closely with schools, the council and safeguarding partners to prevent knife crime and protect young people.

A Met spokesperson said officers regularly delivered school assemblies and lessons on the dangers of carrying knives, with an emphasis on early intervention.

They added: “When a child is found with a knife, police take proportionate action, which may include referrals, alongside disciplinary measures.

“Policing tactics in Southwark are reviewed regularly based on intelligence and community concerns.

Stop and search remains a key tool for removing weapons and preventing violence, and its use is monitored to ensure fairness and proportionality.”

To tackle knife-enabled robberies, the Met is carrying out targeted operations in known hotspots, including transport hubs and areas near schools.

MP Neil Coyle praised the work of

NEWS 7

the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which has invested just under £2 million and supported over 3,000 of Southwark’s youngsters since it was established. He said the political and public focus on knife crime statistics often overlooked the behind-thescenes work aimed at preventing offences before they happen.

“There seems to be a deliberate campaign to demonise the capital city, claiming that London’s diversity makes it more violent and dangerous,” he told us. “In reality, London is safer than many European cities.”

The VRU’s ‘My Ends’ programme tackles violence through community initiatives like mentoring, youth work and activities for young people in highrisk crime areas.

In Southwark, this programme is delivered by six grassroots community organisations: Active Communities Network, Southwark Young Advisers, Fight 4 Change Foundation, Motivity, St Giles Trust and Millwall in the Community and operates in three zones where violence and deprivation is the highest: Walworth, Old Kent Road and Peckham.

Support includes one-to-one mentoring for young people at risk of violence, outreach work on estates, boxing and mentoring programmes, such as Rotherhithe Roosters, and support for those exploited by criminal gangs.

However, Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrats, argues that more needs to be done. He said: “There is nowhere near enough investment in youth services to stop young people becoming victims of crime or being drawn into violence.”

The mother of the teenager boy, whose story we highlighted above agreed and said that her son’s boxing club, a place where he felt comfortable amidst the postcode wars plaguing areas of south London, had to close because of funding issues.

Cllr Chamberlain also pointed out Southwark’s last remaining 24-hour police front counter in Walworth was now open during the day and for fewer hours at the weekend, commenting: “Even if a few figures are starting to edge down, our communities still feel badly let down by Labour’s London Mayor and by a Labour council that has failed to put community safety first.”

However, something must be working in Southwark - the VRU has overseen a small 9 per cent decrease in knife crime since its implementation and an even higher reduction in homicide rates.

Whilst political opinions and solutions remain divided, one thing remains certain: knife crime in Southwark has witnessed a decline.

8 NEWS

The scheme involved live facial recognition cameras being fixed to lamp posts on a busy South London high street per cent, with shoplifting and robbery being highlighted as area in which they saw particular success.

Lindsey Chiswick, the Met and national lead for live facial recognition, said: “The increase in LFR deployments across crime hotspots in London is driven by its proven impact and success — with more than 1,700 dangerous offenders taken off London’s streets since the start of 2024, including those wanted for rape and child abuse.

“This is why we are trialling a new and innovative pilot in Croydon. It allows us to explore a different way of using facial recognition by operating it remotely and

Campaigners and locals have criticised the apparent lack of clear warning when facial recognition cameras are being used

© Robert Firth

The cameras were fixed to structures like lampposts in Croydon instead of mobile vans, and mapped people’s unique facial features against faces on watch lists.

It led to 103 arrests and the Met said there was just one false alert.

Among those arrested were a 27-yearold man wanted on suspicion of kidnap and a 37-year-old registered sex offender in breach of a sexual harm prevention order for having an unregistered mobile phone and access to social media. As well as a 36-year-old woman, whom police said was wanted since 2004, for failing to appear at court on suspicion of assault.

The Met said a third of the 103 arrests involved offences against women and girls, including strangulation and sexual assault.

This announcement on the success of the Croydon pilot comes just days ahead of a High Court challenge against the Met’s use of the technology.

Next week, Big Brother Watch is taking on the case of a 39-year-old man who was wrongly identified by LFR and stopped by police in February 2024 outside London Bridge station.

He said officers had asked him for his fingerprints, but he refused, and he was let go only after about 30 minutes, having shown them a photo of his passport.

He previously described LFR as “stop and search on steroids”.

The UK’s equality regulator, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has been granted permission to intervene in the judicial review and have said the Met’s current use has breached human rights law.

However, the Met are confident the use of LFR is lawful and proportionate.

The Croydon pilot involved 15 fixed cameras, attached to lamp posts, at two sides of North End high street.

The police said the cameras were only switched on when officers were deployed, which took place 13 times over the three-month trial, and insisted that any biometric data from members of the public who were not wanted by the police was immediately and permanently deleted.

The overall crime figures in the Fairfield ward, where the pilot was held, fell by 12

PILOT: OVER 100 WANTED CRIMINALS CAUGHT IN JUST THREE MONTHS

© Harrison Galliven

OVER 100 wanted criminals were arrested in the first months of a pilot programme in South London, in which live facial recognition (LFR) cameras were mounted onto street furniture.

The Met believes the use of facial recognition cameras will free up officer time, meaning they will be able to spend more time in the public eye

Van with facial recognition cameras in Lewisham on March 26, 2024

more efficiently. The amount of arrests we have made in just 13 deployments shows the technology is already making an impact and helping to make Croydon safer.

“Public support remains strong, with 85 per cent of Londoners backing the use of LFR to keep them safe.”

Mobile van deployments of LFR were used at the King’s coronation in 2023, after an Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur match last year, as well as at the entrances and exits to Notting Hill Carnival last summer.

The Met has said they use an LFR algorithm that does not exhibit bias and has been tested by the National Physical Laboratory. This came after claims that

LFR is “less accurate for women and people of colour”. And the Met added that Croydon was chosen for the pilot because it was a “crime hotspot” and because there was “local support” for it, after objections were raised that the area was targeted because it has a higher proportion of black residents (22.6%) compared to London as a whole (13.5%).

The pilot will now undergo an evaluation to assess its effectiveness. But the Met have pointed out that was little doubt it made arrests faster, saying the average time to locate wanted individuals has reduced by more than 50% compared with van-based deployments, which they added are then

By Evie Flynn

river from sewage spills.

The new embankment has has a public walkway, viewing points, varied seating, public art and 71 trees.There are a series of five sculpture along the path, titled ‘Stages’ by Nathan Coley, designed to create focal points and they even feature a cascading ‘water wall’.

Improvements have also been made to the 1960s Thames Path, making it wider and more accessible for wheelchair users.

There is also a new lift to the east of Blackfriars Bridge which means that the wider area is now fully accessible by boat.

Bazalgette Embankment is one of seven new riverside embankments created as part of the super sewer project, with other sites in Vauxhall, Nine Elms, Putney, Chelsea and Victoria Embankment.

New embankment on Thames ‘super sewer’

© Chris Hopkinson

A NEW 1.5 acre embankment next to the north end of Blackfriars Bridge opened to the public last week, after being closed for nine years during the ‘super sewer’ project.

Bazelgette Embankment, named after the great Victorian engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, was previously a construction site for the Thames Tunnel Project.

The engineer was responsible for the creation of London’s first sewerage system following the Great Stink of 1858, and his design still forms the basis of the capital’s waste system to the present day.

The Thames Tunnel Project project built a 25km long ‘super sewer’ beneath the Thames, designed to protect the

freed up for use elsewhere, expanding the police’s overall LFR capability.

They have also pointed out that LFR were of course significantly quicker at locating wanted offenders then normal police tactics such as door-to-door enquiries.

They say they will continue to run engagement sessions with Croydon residents and councillors to explain how LFR works, outline the intelligence-led approach behind deployments, and set out the safeguards in place to protect privacy and rights.

However, Scotland Yard have made it clear that there are currently no plans to extend the pilot to other areas.

© Harrison Galliven

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NEWS 11

NEW POLICE TEAM IN ELEPHANT AND CASTLE AND WALWORTH

Pride fund opens

By Frankie Hills SOUTHWARK COUNCIL has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Pride Fund.

By Evie Flynn ELEPHANT AND Castle and Walworth will see an increased police presence with the introduction of a team of 16 officers, called the Town Centre Team.

The launch is part of the Met’s commitment to drive down neighbourhood crime and target the issues that impact local residents and businesses.

Their main focus is reducing phone

snatching, violence against women and girls and anti-social behaviour.

The Town Centre Team has already built relationships with bars and clubs in Elephant and Castle, to help them strengthen safety measures and provide a more visible presence after dark.

Once a month, the team lead ‘Operation Vigilant’ to identify predatory behaviour. During a recent outing, officers arrested a domestic violence suspect inside a local bar.

Staff at the venue have personally

thanked the team for their swift response, which was only possible because of their proximity to and knowledge of the area.

Officers are also targeting anti-social behaviour by partnering with council wardens and support services.

On 14 January, the team arrested four people and two others were issued with a Community Protection Notice.

Inspector Samantha Honeyball, leading the Met’s new Southwark Town Centre Team, said: “Elephant & Castle and Walworth Road are some

of the busiest parts of Southwark, and people deserve to feel safe whether they’re working, shopping or enjoying a night out.

“Because we’re dedicated to this patch, we’re able to respond quickly, build strong relationships with local businesses, and take meaningful action against the offenders causing the most harm.

“We’re proud of the early results and even more determined to keep driving down crime and antisocial behaviour in the months ahead.”

The LGBTI+ community and organisations are being encouraged to apply for a share of £30,000 being allocated as part of Southwark’s festivities to celebrate Pride.

Events will be taking place within the borough from Pride Month beginning in June, and extended all the way through the summer to the end of August.

Applications were open from Monday 12th January and close Tuesday 9th February at 9am.

Applications must be received through the council’s online grant portal.

Candidates who are successful in their application will be notified by the end of March.

The council will be running an online information and guidance session for any would be applicants on Wednesday 28th January, between 11am-12pm.

Tickets can be found on TicketSource from until 12pm on Tuesday 27th January.

To apply for funding visit www.southwark.gov.uk/communityengagement/grants-and-funding/ southwark-pride-fund Any further inquiries about the Pride fund can be sent to cvssu@southwark. gov.uk.

Council housing rent in Southwark set to increase by 4.8% And tenant service charges is set to increase from £14.10 per week to £15.15 per week

By Ruby Gregory Local Democracy Reporter SOUTHWARK COUNCIL is planning to increase rents on thousands of council homes by 4.8per cent from April.

The council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is continuing to face “significant financial challenges” and has suggested this is down to the previous Conservative government’s “repeated interventions in rent policy”, which the council says has caused a significant shortfall in resources.

HRA is a ring-fenced account solely used as income and outcome for the council’s housing stock and related services.

The council said it was crucial to have the necessary resources to address issues such as damp and mould, and that this cannot be addressed without raising additional revenue through rents and charges.

Southwark Council’s Cabinet agreed a report outlining the proposals during a meeting on

and many council landlords with significant financial challenges.”

They said the council was working to become a good landlord, including creating better homes, estates and repairs for people living in council homes.

Comber Estate Camberwell and Southwark Council leader Sarah King

HOW HAS THE RENT INCREASE BEEN CALCULATED?

January 6.

The joint report came from Cllr Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Council Homes, and Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Equality, Democracy and Finance.

Cllr Mwangangye and Cllr Cryan later told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in a joint statement: “Rents are vital to pay for

this important work to our homes and estates and we welcome the government’s announcement of a 10-year rent settlement and 4.8per cent base rent increase.

“This will help make sure we can pay for vital work to our council homes and undo the previous government’s interventions in rent setting which have left Southwark

The government’s 10-year social housing rent settlement means that from April 2026, housing associations and councils can raise social rents annually using Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1per cent.

So, the 4.8per cent rent increase proposed for this year was calculated using the government’s new formula.

In September 2025, the CPI was 3.8per cent and when an extra 1per cent is added, it amounts to 4.8per cent overall.

The council’s shared ownership stock is also set to see its rent increase by 4.8per cent from this April.

The cost of tenant service charges, which covers estate cleaning,

grounds maintenance, communal lighting and door entry, is set to increase from £14.10 per week to a new charge of £15.15 per week for 2026-27.

The 4.8per cent rent increase has also been applied to Sheltered and Flexi-care, a type of sheltered housing and social rent for elderly people or those with care needs.

Supported hostels, which provide housing and support for vulnerable adults, will also see rent and service charge increase from this April.

Currently around 87per cent of residents living in supported hostels are in receipt of full or partial benefit.

Rent and service charges for supported hostels has historically been a combined charge, but for 2026-27 the two will be separated, in line with other forms of HRA accommodation.

The council said this won’t be a detriment to service users or the HRA, but rather will bring greater consistency and clarity for users and the council.

12 NEWS

HAS THE NEW BAKERLOOP BUS ROUTE BEEN A SUCCESS? EXCLUSIVE

By Frankie Hills THE ‘BAKERLOOP’ bus, which traces the route of the proposed Bakerloo line extension, has been a resounding success, according to the latest data released by Transport for London (TfL).

© TFL

Launched at the end of September last year this brand new express bus running between Waterloo and Lewisham has more than doubled the expected revenue it was projected to generate.

Data released by TfL revealed the BL1 Bakerloop service was used by passengers 367,000 times during its first 10 weeks in operation, generating £231,000.

A report produced by TfL in November 2024 projected revenue for the Bakerloop services to total £540,000 annually. This therefore means that the route has more than doubled its projected earnings of just £104,000.

The addition of Bakerloop services to the London transport network was introduced by London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, amid delays to the extension of the Bakerloo line, which would run between Elephant and Castle and Hayes.

Mr. Khan was able to get backing for funding to extend the DLR from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead last year, as part of the Autumn Budget, but faced setbacks in his plans to establish a ‘West London Orbital’ Overground line from underused freight track and the

Bakerloo Line Extension.

Current projections for when the Bakerloo Line Extension will be operational is estimated to be by 2040, with construction set to start around the early 2030s.

However, with no announcements from

the government the Bakerloop bus service has been established to act as a temporary stop gap to improve public transport in South East London. Mirroring the first part of the extension it runs between Waterloo, Elephant & Castle and Lewisham via Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross

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Gate, Lewisham station and Lewisham town centre.

The BL1 service runs every day of the week from 5am to 12.30am. Five buses run per hour from Monday to Saturday while four buses run every hour on Sundays.

The decision to implement the Bakerloop was been deemed somewhat of necessity, with TfL willing to accept a substantial funding gap to run the new service. The contract awarded to run the service was for £4.93 million a year, meaning a £4.4 million shortfall still exists on profitability for the service.

However, if the Bakerloop line continues to remain as popular as it is, revenues are on course to reach £1m in its first year.

Moreover, Southwark Council’s development arm has allocated over £5m in funds for the Bakerloop, generated from developments in the Old Kent Road area.

As part of its consultation process in launching the new bus route, overwhelmingly positive feedback was received from respondents. 82% of people said the new bus route was more convenient, whilst 79% thought it would decrease journey times.

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14 OPINION

Comment

'Reform are political zombies feasting on the decaying Tory Party'

T

HIS IS my first column of 2026 – so happy new year!

It hasn’t been happy for the Conservatives. Their party is in terminal decline. Two sitting MPs have switched to Reform already. The Tories deserve to be punished for the dreadful mess they created and their utter failure to extend opportunity when in government. No one can name a Tory achievement in office sadly.

One of their hugest mistakes was Brexit; it has damaged the UK economy and our international relationships, hit British firms with higher costs to import and export, and it has left British customers paying more for our shopping.

It is ironic to see Tory MPs join

Reform who share culpability for the damage they wrought.

Reform is a party of defects but is doubly untrustworthy as it pretends to be a new vehicle yet they are yesterday’s Tories offering no new policies. An old banger with a spray paint job. Political zombies feasting on the decaying Tory Party.

I’ll break it down: Reform have seven MPs. Four were previously elected as Conservative MPs, and all of them have been members of the Conservative Party (including Farage).

They all backed Truss’ kamikaze ‘miniBudget’ and would crash and trash the UK economy again given half a chance!

It is no joke. The Reform Wales Leader was found to be taking Russian bribes

'We are putting money back in families’ pockets’

F

OR TOO long, people across Peckham have been struggling with the costof-living crisis and an economy that does not work for them.

Families who are working hard, caring for loved ones and contributing to their communities, have been under pressure as the cost of everyday essentials have soared.

This year our government’s relentless focus will be on tackling the cost of living. That means acting immediately to lower the costs of essentials, whilst delivering changes that will improve living standards for the long term.

First, the government is prioritising measures that immediately put money back into people’s pockets.

We have ended the two-child benefit cap, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty and providing financial relief to hundreds of thousands of families.

We are improving the pay that people are taking home by increasing the

minimum and national living wage (worth £900 a year for millions of low paid workers) and strengthening workers’ rights, including ending exploitative zero hours contracts, establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave, strengthening sick pay and launching the fair work agency. By boosting worker’s rights and conditions, the government is tackling one of the root causes of financial insecurity.

Alongside this, we have introduced measures to bring down every-day costs and make monthly bills more affordable for households. We are taking £150 off energy bills for everyone and £300 for those on means tested benefits; bringing down transport costs by freezing rail fares, extending the fuel duty cut and extending the bus fare cap; and freezing prescription charges.

For families, we are rolling out free breakfast clubs to hundreds more schools and offering 30 hours of free

NEIL COYLE

MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark and I don’t think anyone in Reform would know our national interest even if it bit them on the backside.

Thankfully, the NHS did have a good start to 2026 though! Here in Southwark, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust have seen waiting lists fall by over 33,000. Congratulations to the local team overseeing this success.

But these results are not a coincidence.

They have been achieved through investment and modernisation under Labour’s national stewardship. We are the party of the NHS – building it post-war,

saving it in 1997 and fixing it again today.

Across the country, in November NHS waiting lists fell by 86,000.

This is the second biggest drop in waiting lists in 15 years!

Since our Labour Government came into power, waiting lists are down by 312,000. I hope local people are feeling the benefit but please contact me if you live in Bermondsey and Old Southwark and would like me to raise waiting times to see a GP or hospital consultant: Neil.Coyle.MP@parliament.uk.

London has also had a fab

start to 2026 – and not just the amazing New Year fireworks!

Crime statistics show London is now one of the safest cities on the planet.

Of course, there are challenges and the Met need to tackle mobile phone thefts in particular, plus companies like Apple need to utilise existing technology to disable stolen phones.

But Time Out and TripAdvisor have both declared London the ‘best city of 2026’ already! Londoners should take pride in the early accolades this year and beware those who attack our wonderful home.

MIATTA FAHNBULLEH

MP for Peckham

childcare worth up to £7,500 a year.

Critically, the action we are taking to bring down bills sits alongside bigger reforms to ensure that essentials are affordable in the long term.

On energy, we are accelerating investment in cheaper, homegrown clean power that reduced our dependence on volatile global markets. This is not just a climate imperative—it is a cost-of-living one.

On transport, we are taking railways back into public ownership through Great British Rail so that they work in our interests and deliver affordable travel.

And through our childcare reforms,

we are delivering free universal childcare for the first time ever for children from 9 months to school age, so that parents don’t have to make the choice between going back to work and expensive childcare.

This is a start, but we know we must go further. And for me, housing must be at the heart of this. For too many, the security of a good, affordable home is out of reach. Our government is determined to tackle this.

In May, our Renters Rights Bill comes into force, finally ending no fault eviction and requiring higher standards of rental accommodation.

The introduction of Awaab’s law will ensure that social landlords are required to provide decent homes, ending the blight of damp and mould in too many of our homes.

And we are tackling the affordability crisis by delivering the biggest boost to social housing, backed by £39 billion pounds of investment and reforms to planning rules to get the homes we need built.

By focusing relentlessly on lowering costs and raising living standards, this government is making a clear choice this year: to stand with working people so that you feel the change that you voted for.

OPINION 15

The knife crime Londoners are most likely to face

C

laims that London has become “lawless” sit uneasily with the latest crime figures.

In Southwark, knife crime is at its lowest level since lockdown. Injuries are falling too, with just one in five incidents resulting in physical harm. Taken at face value, the statistics suggest that something in the Mayor’s approach - alongside the work of the Met and the Violence Reduction Unit - is working.

But headline numbers do not tell the full story. While serious injuries are declining, knife-point robbery is rising, with 64 per cent of all offences categorised as such in 2025. This changes who is at risk. The average Londoner may be reassured by falling levels of gang-related violence, but that reassurance offers little comfort when the threat of crime can appear at any moment.

Robbery is a crime that feels immediate and it does not require involvement in gangs or criminal networks; it simply requires being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For many residents, this is the form of knife crime they are most likely to encounter and the one most likely to shape how safe they feel in their own neighbourhood.

Progress has been made, but knife crime may be changing rather than simply disappearing. Public opinion will now depend on how the Mayor and the Met react to that shift.

I

One policy U-turn after another

t is hard to keep track of the number of U-turns performed by the current government.

The latest came just this week on plans to increase business rates paid by pubs, right as we were preparing to go to press on an article about the subject. After facing criticism over its plans to axe a discount on business rates applied to pubs during the pandemic, which industry bodies had warned would lead to landlords seeing a 76% rise in rates over the next three years, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves was forced into another policy climbdown.

When we went back to the publicans we spoke to for their reactions to the U turn, the response can best be characterised by weary confusion rather than relief, with one exasperated pub landlord expressing disbelief that the government had embarked on the policy without properly considering the impact on the sector. (He was referring to comments by the business secretary Peter Kyle, who said shortly after the U-turn was reported that the government had not been given the full picture of how the cut would impact pubs before announcing the policy.)

But what also emerged from our conversations was that business rates are just one ingredient in a cocktail of taxes battering the sector, and other sectors, alongside increases to employers national insurance contributions rising energy prices and increases to the minimum wage. Three of the pub landlords said they had been forced to cut staff and shorten shifts as a result of the mounting financial burden.

The government talks its commitment to boosting economic growth and bringing Flyer_A5.pdf 1 endlessly 12/10/2021about 22:35 more young people into the workforce. Easing the tax burden on small businesses like pubs would be a good place to start towards realising that goal.

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1 Encourage it to be in a nice mess (6) 7 I’ll take ninety-nine with it being outside the law (7) 8 Heading it back and getting the bird about it (7) 9 Smart to give voice about the start of the trend (5) 10 Buildings that were standing before Sion was in ruins (9) 12 But do deer lay eggs? (3) 13 Therefore it comes back to the monster (4) 15 Stopped talking because he felt parched (5,2) 17 See a different form of relaxation (4) 19 Bring back a dish of gold dust and make a pile (3) 21 Those who cheat have a sort of wildness about what is right (9) 22 The girl to entertain at Christmas (5) 23 Tending to run back and croon (7) 24 Journeys along a back street to make it complicated inside (7) 25 Return the bribe and put down the drink (6)

Clues Down

1 Multiply in the fold (8) 2 In which a policeman can get himself into hot water? (6) 3 Chatter about the weight following a trite exchange (7) 4 The high quality of the group (5) 5 Performing an exacting part (6) 6 The animal for men only (4) 7 There are ones among the Sikhs, for examp1e, who belong to another Asian country (11) 11 Company of the French body of law (4) 13 Though possibly looking milky, there’s nothing to lap up (4) 14 Look at the view with vision (8) 16 Urged on to endure (7) 18 Spanish Communist has a feast (6) 20 The dangers of misplacing small pincers (6) 21 Keels over to look smooth (6) 22 Cast out the pets (4)

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1 Followed (6) 7 Movement of cars in streets (7) 8 Valet (7) 9 Bias (5) 10 Day (9) 12 Expression of affirmation (3) 13 Annoys (4) 15 Brought into harmony (7) 17 Apparatus (4) 19 Ocean (3) 21 Conceivably possible (9) 22 One who suffers loss (5) 23 Wandering (7) 24 Idiots (7) 25 Words spoken in undertone (6)

Clues Down

1 Financially supporting (8) 2 Firm (6) 3 Simplest (7) 4 Common flower (5) 5 Occurrence (6) 6 Tax (4) 7 Association of workers (5,6) 11 In the vicinity of (4) 13 Notion (4) 14 Noiseless periods (8) 16 Inhabitants of Greenland (7) 18 Reply (6) 20 Stayed (6) 21 Instruct (5) 22 Be deficient (4)

K

SOLUTIONS TO LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD CRYPTIC

281 Jamaica Road, SE16 4RS

Across: 4 Oppose 8 Behaved 10 Roister 11 Satyr 12 Those 13 Deathless 16 Downfalls 19 Bingo 20 Rover 22 Showing 23 Shelled 24 Design Down: 1 Abused 2 Chat 3 Overshadowing 5 Points of order 6 Optional 7 Earned 9 Drive 14 Abandons 15 Abased 17 Wings 18 Stride 21 Vile

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4 Scales 8 Ravings 10 Control 11 Lance 12 Taste 13 Scavenger 16 Seascapes 19 Opera 20 Inset 22 Assails 23 Sunrise 24 Strays Down: 1 Frills 2 Oven 3 Unnecessarily 5 Constructions 6 Lordship 7 Silver 9 Scrag 14 Assessor 15 Morals 17 Amiss 18 Settee 21 Slip

16 NEWS

SOUTH LONDON COUNCIL ACCUSED OF INSTALLING ‘SOCIALIST SPEED BUMPS’

By Frankie Hills LABOUR-RUN LEWISHAM Council have been accused of installing ‘socialist speed bumps’ in upmarket Blackheath.

Residents’ complaints noted how the newly refurbished speed bumps in Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill in Blackheath are predisposed to damaging the undercarriages of high-performance and luxury cars.

Architect Andrew Thorp, 59, told the Telegraph newspaper that he suffered

By Issy Clarke

A NEW map allows you to see how good each local authority in England is at fixing potholes, with each one rated using a traffic light system.

Southwark has been rated Amber meaning it has ‘room for improvement’.

Most of London has been rated Amber, although Lewisham was the only inner London local authority to receive a Green rating which is good.

Greenwich was rated Red (bad) alongside Kensington and Chelsea.

The ratings show how effectively each of England’s 154 highway authorities are fixing potholes and investing in preventative measures to maintain their road network in the long term.

The red, amber, green ratings are based on three key areas: the condition of local roads, how much LHAs are spending on road repairs, and whether they are following best practice in maintaining highways.

Those that scored Green, like Hillingdon and Lewisham, were able to demonstrate they are following best practice, such as investing in more long-term preventative measures rather than just patching up potholes, while also maintaining good road conditions and investing significantly into improving local roads.

‘Amber’ ranked LHAs showed some of these qualities with room for improvement in individual areas, while those rated red are not yet meeting the expected standards in one or several areas measured by the ratings such as the current state of the roads, their plans for preventing potholes or investment into maintaining their local roads more widely.

The map was published ahead of National Pothole Day (January 15)

significant damage to his Mercedes C-Class, which scraped the bumps on multiple occasions, prompting him to conduct the survey. He said: “We are paying for the bumps with our council tax, and then paying for the damage to our cars.

“It’s as if they are socialist speed bumps.”

He said that it was exclusively more expensive vehicles such as Audi, Mercedes, Tesla’s that were disproportionately affected.

Steve Emmott, 67, also described

having to move along the road at a crawl, claiming that when driving his Ferrari, he had to slow down to between 3-5 miles per hour before each hump. “If I try to straddle them, I will take the underside of my car out,” he stated.

Mr Thorp’s survey allegedly found that 12 out of 15 of the speed bumps exceeded Lewisham Council’s own height limit. The specially ‘commission engineering survey’ also claimed that five of the bumps were between 100mm and 105mm, being far above the council’s 80mm standard.

However, the council has disputed these claims, saying the bumps comply with national regulation, with changes to the road being made several months ago to enforce new 20mph speed limits within the area.

Yet it isn’t just motorists who have been complaining about the measures - Lewisham Cyclists have also voiced discontent. The group has warned the council that motorists could create severe danger for passers-by, potentially cutting in front of riders to bypass them.

Yet, despite the disaffection from the

community, a council spokesman said the bumps were within national guidelines and met the Department of Transports standards.

However, the authority did acknowledge that 3 of the 15 near Bellmont Hill and Lee Terrace did require adjustments, which have since been corrected at the contractors’ expense.

Yet the council added that speed control was imperative in the area, given the proximity of Belmont Hill to a school and Lee Terrace to a hospital, saying this remained their priority.

are encouraged to get on with the job and use taxpayer money efficiently to repair and maintain their roads before potholes form.

To further ensure transparency from LHAs, 25% of local highway authorities’ £500 million funding uplift this financial year was withheld until they published transparency reports and set out how they comply with best practice. The

withheld £125 million in funding was unlocked at the end of last year by councils which successfully submitted their reports.

And the government has also said it will extend the Live Labs 2 programme for another year, which allows local authorities to access innovative approaches to road maintenance including uptake of longer-lasting, lowcarbon materials for repairing roads faster, more efficiently and far less often.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long drivers in London have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate. I have heard time and again their frustration on footing the bill because they hit a pothole – money they should never have to spend in the first place.

“We’ve put our money where our mouth is, increasing the funding in London with £300 million to fix roads and given them the long-term certainty they have been asking for. Now it’s over to them to spend the money wisely, and for the first time we are making sure the public can see how well local highway authorities are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.”

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “These new ratings are a positive move that will help drivers understand how councils are performing when it comes to improving the state of local roads.

While there are examples of good road maintenance practice taking place, this isn’t consistent across the country and means drivers have for too long been left with substandard roads.

“We hope this initiative, plus the promise of longer-term funding for councils to allow them to plan and carry out much-needed preventative maintenance, means we’re finally on the way to having smoother, better roads.”

Map rates how good each council is at fixing potholes

and after the government announced £300 million funding for London local authorities to fix potholes and invest in long term measures to maintain roads.

On average a vehicle repair bill from hitting potholes is around £320, with some motorists paying over £1,000 last year.

To boost standards, local highway authorities (LHAs) currently rated red

will receive dedicated support to bring them in line with best practices, backed by £300,000 worth of expert planning and capability assistance. The support programme will include peer reviews where sector experts will help improve processes and provide practical advice.

As an incentive to better roads, access to full future funding allocations will be linked to performance, ensuring LHAs

ARTS 17

what’s on

in Southwark

SAXOPHONIST LEO Green hits the front of the stage and introduces each band member one by one, letting us know how many times they played live with Van Morrison, and how many of his albums they contributed to. Between them they racked up an impressive amount of hours playing alongside one of our greatest songwriters; a man who accepts nothing but the best from his fellow musicians, and that’s what we were treated to – A selection of his best songs performed by the best, writes Michael Holland.

The crowd was a mix of old school aficionados and relevant newcomers to the music of someone who was already in the Top Ten before they were born. It was a good blend. The youngsters took pouting selfies, the others grooved in their own way.

Sharon Colman reminisced with us about first seeing Van Morrison playing in a North London pub at the start of his

career; her sister Barbara Emile has also been a long-term fan and in the interval regaled us with how she got Barbara Windsor to take the Peggy Mitchell role in Eastenders!

These two elegant music fans were very much grooving in their own way.

Morrison does not appear but this group gets his full approval.

Sir Van said, “These songs are meant to be sung and heard, and I am really happy that Leo Green is carrying the torch.”

And we found out why.

Of course, all the Morrison classics are there, plus the little known tunes that Van would play on stage. It was a show full of soul and blues, slow love songs and get up and boogie bangers.

And even though there are over 50 albums to choose from, Van Morrison didn’t shy away from covering other people’s songs if he liked them – and the Alumni Band know that, which meant we had a great rendition of Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? All the vocals sung superbly by guest singers.

We moon-danced, did our

@Justin Sutcliffe

Van is The Man in Spirit

sweet thing, drifted into the mystic and realised you don’t get many days like this. It was a concert that took us from the dark end of the street to the bright side of the road, as one, in tune with some of the best music written in the last 60 years.

The Van Morrison Alumni

Band is a group of all-star musicians: • Leo Green (Sax) • Matt Holland (Trumpet) • Alec Dankworth & Steve Pearce (Bass) • Robin Aspland (Piano) • Geoff Dunn (Drums) • Matt White (Guitar)

•

Sophie Hiller and Tess Burrstone backing vocals.

• Lead vocals: Hayley Sanderson (Vocals) Jess Greenfield, Wayne Hernandes.

This homage to Art Deco and live music is tucked away

beneath Waterloo Bridge and allows the audience to sit comfortably or dance in the aisles.

The Emerald Theatre every Tuesday until April 28th Booking and full details: thevanmorrisonalumniband.com

REVIEW: A STAN IS BORN

AS THE lights hit the stage, it’s immediately clear we’re entering a pop shrine: an array of T-shirts emblazoned with icons from Madonna to Britney frames the space. Seconds later, Alex Sakellaris bounds onto the floor. With lush, flowing hair, unmistakable New York drawl, and an easy-on-the-eye confidence, he has the audience in the palm of his hand within minutes, singing along to his catchy opening number, writes Luigia Minichiello.

Sakellaris’ musical comedy is a love letter to pop divas, queer survival, and the slightly unhinged comfort of obsession when you feel out of place in the world. From the outset, it’s obvious we’re watching a performer who knows exactly who they are and isn’t afraid to share it. Written and performed by Sakellaris, the show charts their move from New York City to rural Germany, a culture shock that feels both deeply personal

and painfully relatable. Stripped of familiarity, community, and queerness-as-normality, Alex clings to pop divas as a lifeline: Céline, Whitney, Mariah, Beyoncé, Gaga, Aretha.

Along the way, Sakellaris explains the term “stan”: a highly devoted fan, originating from Eminem’s 2000 song Stan, which he wryly reframes as a Greek tragedy , “one man killing another for love.” It’s a sharp, funny observation, but it also plants the show’s central question: can obsession protect us, or does it stop us from fully living?

Hair becomes a recurring and inspired theatrical device, used as a teleport to the divas whenever Alex needs guidance. For a while, it seems to work. He’s invited to sing in the Christmas choir, tentatively finding his place. But when the chance to play football with the boys arrives, things unravel. A stray ball, a slur, and a moment of paralysis lead to the realisation that you “cannot stan

your way through loneliness.”

Rescue comes from the girls, who drag him off the pitch to form his newly defined diva defence squad.

Here, genuine friendships are born.

Beneath the pop references and punchlines lies a sincere search for connection not just with idols, but with the divas in everyday life who help us survive.

Sakellaris is a compelling all-round performer, slipping effortlessly between characters and accents, though he occasionally lingers a beat too long with audience interaction, briefly breaking the illusion. By the end, this becomes unintentionally poetic as the same audience member has him pinned into a corner, screeching breathlessly in his face, proof that A Stan Is Born! has done exactly what it set out to do. Fresh, funny, and full of heart, this is a standout piece of queer musical comedy that deserves its continued success and a very devoted fanbase of its own.

18 HISTORY

History

By Debra Gosling WHAT A tourist attraction the Thames would be if we still had harsh winters. Can you imagine Tower Bridge covered in glittering icicles, like a huge fairytale castle belonging to the Snow Queen?

At night the river front would look like one of those Christmas cards you get from your posher sort of aunt; St Paul’s bathed in the silvery glow of the moon and covered in glitter.

That’s how it looked for Southwark residents for centuries (well, obviously they didn’t have Tower Bridge then, but you get the idea).

One of the first recorded accounts of the river freezing over is in 1309 when a severe winter silenced the babble of the Thames and threw a web of sparkly icicles over the borough.

London Bridge was damaged by the weather with three of its arches being wrecked, and as the ice melted they became dislodged and floated downstream.

Back then keeping warm was a bit of drag, there being no nice warm fleeces in the shops and rather a lack of decent anoraks. You had to be content with a woollen shawl, a scratchy woollen dress and lots of pairs of socks (underwear, especially thermals hadn’t been invented yet, so it was a bit breezy in some regions).

The people of Southwark were bloomin’ freezing. No central heating, no double glazing drafts in every nook and cranny (literally) and very little warm food to eat. It was bad enough in the summer when bread went mouldy quickly but during this particular winter it was frozen solid. To keep it warm it was wrapped up in straw but that didn’t keep Jack Frost from breathing on it.

Before anyone could sit down in front of ye telly with a bowl of cabbage soup they had to thaw their bread out over the meagre fire.

In 1433 things were a bit better - the bread was still frozen but so was the wine, which was sold by the pound hurrah, the first ice lolly, and alcoholic too! What were they moaning about?

Just over a hundred years later in 1536 King Henry Vlll saddled up his horse and rode down the frozen Thames from Westminster to Greenwich. Blimey, that ice must have been strong to take his weight - bet the wife was hoping he’d fall through.

A few years later people were making the most of the icy weather and even looked forward to it and before you knew it a whole winter trade had sprung up on the river. People could buy or make their own ice skates out of smooth animal leg bones attached to their boots. Soon a whole load of Torvill and Deans were pirouetting and spinning across the river from Southwark to Wapping and back.

Those that couldn’t skate danced, gliding across the still waters like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. No doubt the quacks of the day made a profit on their ointments and tinctures; many suffered bruises and cracked ribs when their skating routine went pear shaped.

For the less energetic there were other attractions on the Thames. Loads of little booths set up shop selling toasted bread and warm, spiced wine along with fruit and sweets. You could even buy meat for the Sunday roast, as there were more than a few butchers vying for trade.

The City agreed to licence more meat

WHEN RAUCOUS FROST FAIRS WERE HELDOneON THE of the first accounts FROZEN THAMES recorded of the river freezing over is in 1309 and the last great frost fair was in 1813

Colour aquatint showing the frost fair on the Thames published 18th February 1814. Aquatint. ‘View of the Thames off Three Cranes Wharf when frozen Monday 31st January to Saturday 5th February 1814 on which a fair was held attended by many hundred persons’.

sellers as the fish supply was short. This was still a time when the Thames was relatively clean and fishermen were a regular sight on the shores of Southwark.

But of course, once the ice appeared that was their living out of the window.

The year 1683 saw one of the coldest winters on record. The river was completely glassed over with ice eleven inches thick. It was a harsh time; London was still pretty rural and the lack of buildings ensured an icy blast whipped around the quiet streets. Everything was covered in a white frosting; the eaves of houses hung with dagger-like icicles.

Everyone huddled around their log fires, the only sound coming from the clack of chattering teeth.

Those poor souls that did have to venture out took their lives in their

hands. Couriers leaving London for the counties were found at the side of the road frozen to death along with their horses.

Nevertheless, the frost fairs went on and a jolly good time was had by all.

Even King Charles ll visited the Great Frost Fair on the Thames. By his time they’d really got the hang of skating and all sorts of booths appeared selling everything from hair ornaments to oranges. It was a bit like an iced East Street Market. Novelties of the day were the printing presses on the ice where punters could get their name printed on a certificate as a kind of souvenir. There were even barbers who would shave customers on the middle of the Thames - apparently this was a rather impressive tale to tell your

mates. Obviously a bloke thing...

One of the main reasons that the Thames froze over every year was London Bridge. Because it had been built with tiny arches the flow of the water was very restricted and as soon as ice slowed it down it set solid. In the late 1700s boiling water was poured over the wheels of the bridge waterworks to keep them moving but it hardly touched the problem.

Of course, the saying skating on thin ice had to come from somewhere.

Indeed many did and ended up going to a watery grave. In 1795 a man fell overboard from his boat, disappearing into the depths of the Thames which promptly froze. When it started to thaw again the man was seen floating through London Bridge encased in

ice with only his arms and head being visible.

One year panic broke out when the ice could be heard cracking up. Everyone ran for the shore where the bored and skint watermen refused them access until they paid a toll. You can’t blame them really, as they lost a lot of trade during the frosts and their families went hungry.

When the ice finally did break it did a lot of damage for those along the riverfront. Many boats were torn from their moorings or broken open by icebergs. One house in Rotherhithe had a particularly large boat moored to it. As the ice cracked up the boat floated out into the river, taking the whole house with it.

By the nineteenth century a proper Dickensian type of frost fair was a

HISTORY 19

History A view of the Thames from Rotherhithe Stairs during the frost in 1789. Frost Fair on the ice with crowds and frozen ships. Hanging from a ship is a cage with a sign, ‘The original cat in the cage, by Roberts’.

Frost Fair on the River Thames.

Coloured and varnished aquatint.

General view of the frost fair on the river Thames in 1814.

An elephant famously walked over the frozen Thames during the last Frost Fair in 1814.

For centuries London Bridge was the Thames’ only dry crossing

regular occurrence in Southwark. There were stalls with brightly coloured awnings selling gin, gingerbread, toys and books. There was mulled wine, roast beef, roast mutton, hot chicken, roast chestnuts, cough candies, brandy balls, black pudding, plum pudding, huge pies and sugary pancakes.

Entertainment was lavish with travelling theatres putting on productions in full costume and puppet shows with scary old Mr Punch whacking his missus over the head.

All along the waterfront were show people such as fire-eaters, stiltwalkers, sword swallowers and jugglers, not to mention the odd bearded lady (she should have got a shave in the middle of the Thames). All the locals joined in the games of football and skittles.

There were even horse races - suppose if the ice had caved in they would have been seahorses - oh come on, it is the pantomime season. The watermen by now had put down their oars and started flogging beer instead. Oh yes, there were plenty of drunks sliding about in an alcoholic haze. As one writer put it “And folk do tipple without fear to sink more liquor than the fish beneath do drink”. And rightly so.

Crime of course was rife in Southwark and the fear of frostbite didn’t worry the light-fingered. As the rich flocked to the Thames so did the robbers, footpads and pickpockets. At least they couldn’t throw you in the river.

The last great frost fair was in 1813 when the December snow fell for fortyeight hours. But once the new London Bridge was complete that was the end of the frozen Thames. However, in the 1840s the Surrey Canal froze over but was used to locals’ advantage. Blocks of ice were cut away and stored in nearby icehouses to keep things refrigerated.

In 1881 there came the greatest snowstorm of the nineteenth century.

Postmen got lost in the blizzards and tradesmen used sleds to convey their wares. Massive blocks of ice as big as a cottage floated down the river, forcing any ships to berth and unload their cargoes onto carts which delivered via road. It happened again in 1895 when a severe frost left miniature icebergs all along the shoreline at Rotherhithe.

It’s unlikely we’ll ever see the Thames freeze over again. Bigger bridge arches, central heating, traffic exhaust, global warming and larger buildings have ensured our winters are much warmer in the city. And of course, big fluffy coats and thermal smalls keep us all draft-free.

REVIVAL OF FROST FAIR COMING TO BANKSIDE INSPIRED BY the days when the River Thames froze over and traders took to the ice, the 2026 revival of the ‘Frost Fair’ offering free performances, workshops, and music-filled pubs takes place this month.

On Saturday 31st January, Better Bankside are brining the ‘Frost Fair’ back to London, from 11am – 3pm and an ‘After Hours’ celebration from 7pm onwards.

Better Bankside first brought the reimagined Frost Fair back to the area in 2024.

In 2026, Borough yards is set to come alive with traditional games, roaming actors, puppeteers, free outdoor performances and art workshops for the whole family.

Alongside the general entertainment, head to Arch 23 between 12:30 - 4pm for a series of drop in workshops: • An immersive art installation led by artist Sammie Snow • Rosie Brooks will be running a series of winter crown crafting sessions • Make elephant masks with Alice Clarke

From midday, Mr Londoner will be leading a Winter Walk, sharing the fascinating history of the Frost Fairs held in Bankside.

After 7pm, Bankside’s pubs will be hosting a variety of folk musicians playing acoustic sets.

Date: Saturday 31 January Time: 11am - 3pm and ‘After Hours’ from 7pm - late Location: Throughout Bankside, SE1 Tickets: Free, no ticket or booking required for any of the activities

20 EVENTS

History Events

© Mark Senior

WATCH PEPPA PIG LIVE AT BLACKHEATH HALLS

Peppa Pig and her family will be coming to Blackheath Halls on 31 January as part of the ‘Big Family Show’, full of music, adventure and surprises. The brand new show will have live actors bringing the muchloved characters to life. With a new arrival on the way, Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George need the help of the audience to get everything ready before Baby Evie comes.

The show will be full of music and interaction, ideal for children of all

ages. The Big Family Show is once again produced by leading children’s theatre team Fierylight.

Date: Saturday 31 January Time: 1pmAddress: 23 Lee Road, London SE3 9RQ Tickets: £17 adults, £15 children, under 1s free. Family tickets are £60 for four people.

Book here: https://www. blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/ peppa-pigs-big-family-show/

DEPTFORD’S READING LOUNGE: A COSY PLACE TO DISCOVER NEW BOOKS Lewisham’s libraries are hosting an adult reading challenge and Deptford Lounge’s free Reading Lounge provides the perfect space tackle the list of books. To take part in the adult reading challenge, simply pick up a welcome pack from any Lewisham Library from December to March this year. The pack includes a bookmark featuring weekly reading prompts to inspire your next book choice, including ‘a book set in South East London’

and ‘a book translated from another language’. Deptford Lounge have a Reading Lounge, open for passionate readers or for those simply curious about last years most celebrated books.

The Reading Lounge exists to provide a free space for people to explore books at their own pace and is the perfect place to tackle the Lewisham Library reading challenge. There are comfy beanbags, cushions, soft ambient music and complimentary tea

and coffee to create the perfect reading environment.

Date: Reading challenge is taking place until March and Deptford Lounge’s Reading Lounge is on the last Wednesday of the month.

Next session: Wednesday 28 JanuaryTime: 6pm - 8pm Location: The Reading Lounge, Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin Street, Deptford, London, SE8 4RJ Tickets: No ticket required, free to attend

LIFE DRAW CLASS AT TING NATIONALHE MARITIME MUSEUM F O JUST £5 R

WRITING GROUP AT THE ALBANY:

A relaxed writing group at the Albany is back on Monday 26 January and offers an opportunity to write for an hour and share their work for an hour. Just Write It! allows writers to gain constructive feedback on their work from other members of the group. The first half of the session is an hour of writing, where you can focus on your individual projects

in a quiet and focused space. The second hour will be a feedback session and discussion about the pieces shared. Run by award-winning writer Ella Dorman-Gajic with support from Maddy Accalia, the session is in an inclusive, focused environment to share your works in progress, connect with other likeminded writers and mutually support

the work of others. It will be running three sessions for this next cohort.

Date: Monday 26 January (last Monday of the month until Monday 30th March) Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Tickets: ‘Pay what you can’, from £1 to £10.

Book on the Albany website.

Join the Royal Greenwich Museum’s practitioner in residence for a life drawing class on Wednesday 28 January, focusing on what it means to be Black in the UK today. EVEWRIGHT, an acclaimed artist whose work champions Black British stories, will lead an informative session aimed at all abilities. The class will work with Black models to bring up new perspectives and conversations, whilst EVEWRIGHT guides you through his personal tips and techniques. At the end of the class, there will be an opportunity to share your work

and gain valuable feedback in a ‘show and tell’ session. This event is part of a wider series within the public programme accompanying Unbroken: Art Installation in the Ocean Court at the National Maritime Museum. All material is provided and all skill levels are welcome.

Date: Wednesday 28 January Time: 6 - 9pm Address: The Royal Museums Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF Tickets: £5 each, book on the Royal Museums Greenwich Website

CLASSIFIED 21

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24 PUBLIC NOTICES

Thursday, January 22nd 2026

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (FIELDING STREET, MACLEOD STREET, SUTHERLAND WALK)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (FENNING STREET, NAYLOR ROAD)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1.

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

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:

2.

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

(2a) Fielding Street, at its junction with Walworth Road (2b) Macleod Street, at its junction with Walworth Road (2c) Sutherland Walk, at its junction with Walworth 3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic will be Walworth Road, Penrose Street or 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 closure will be in operation on the following dates 5th – 6th February 2026.

7.

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

(2a) Fenning Street, between St Thomas Street and Melior Street.

(2b) Naylor Road, at its junction with Commercial Way for 40m north 3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic will be (2a) as indicated by the signs displayed (2b) Commercial Way, Bird in Bush Road. 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 closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 2nd – 6th February 2026 (2b) 2nd – 17th February 2026.

7.

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

Dated this 22nd January 2026

Dated this 22nd January 2026

Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) WG8TNJ5VZSB/BT (2b) WG8TNJ5V22SB/BT (2c) WG8TNJ5VYSB/BT

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) SEC50/FENNINGST26/edgetech/gauge (2b) 91441397/conway

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (RELOCATION OF BAYS & TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (GREAT SUFFOLK STREET, CLEMENTS ROAD, JACOB STREET, PARK HALL ROAD)

(DRUMMOND ROAD)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice, that, it made, an order, the effect of which would be to introduce ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions and relocation of bays as detailed below.

1.

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

2.

Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, the below will apply.

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) DRUMMOND ROAD south-west side opposite its junction with Layard Square, remove 5m of existing free solo motorcycle bay. (b) DRUMMOND ROAD south-west side opposite its junction with Layard Square reduce 5m of existing ‘permit bays’ (a total of 99m remaining) and relocate the 5m of free solo motorcycle only parking bay. (c) Add new lengths or extend existing lengths of ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions ‘DYLs in DRUMMOND ROAD south-west side opposite its junction with Layard Square.

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 30th January 2026 – 5th September 2026, and can remain in force for a maximum legal duration of 18 months.

6.

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

Dated this 22nd of January 2026 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: TTRO00033/Londonsquare

(2a) Great Suffolk Street, at its junction with Union Street and the side of No’s 200 (Skyline House) (2b) Clements Road, between St James Road and Storks Road (2c) Jacob Street, between Mill Street and No’s 2 (2d) Park Hall Road, cycle lane suspension between No’s 96 and No’s 86 3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic (2a) Union Street, Great Guildford Street, Southwark Bridge Road, Southwark Street, Lavington Street. (2b) Storks Road, Webster Road, St James Road. (2c) Mill Street, Bermondsey Wall West, George Row, Jacob Street.

4.

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

5.

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

6.

The closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 2nd – 15th February 2026 (2b) 4th February – 11th March 2026 (2c) 2nd – 4th February 2026 (2d) 29th January – 1st February 2026.

7.

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

Dated this 22ND January 2026 Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) W122349384-01130/SGN (2b) SEC50/CLEMENTSFEB26 (2c) 00967930-0001 (2d) SLS00081415639-0045

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PUBLIC NOTICES 25

Thursday, January 22nd 2026

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended) The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or 'My Southwark Service Points' to access the website.

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX. Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; PIP - application is for Permission in Principle; S106 - ; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building; AND A HALF 59 SOUTHWARK STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 0AL (Ref: 25/AP/3596) Extension of existing office building to create additional office space at 2F, 3F and 4F, with reconfigured 4F terrace and installation of roof plant enclosure; and external alterations including facade refurbishment, installation of windows, louvres, and entrance screens (Within: Thrale Street Thrale Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Chirag Bhavan 020 7525 5851) LAND AT THE REAR OF DOMINIC COURT 43 THE GARDENS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 9QR (Ref: 25/AP/3759) Erection of 3 no. 3B5P dwellings (Use Class C3) to the rear of the site, together with associated gardens, cycle storage, refuse storage, and landscaping (Within: The Gardens The Gardens CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) JAVA WHARF 16 SHAD THAMES LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2YH (Ref: 25/AP/3698) Listed building consent for the installation of fibre infrastructure (Within: St Saviours Dock St Saviours Dock CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Adam Dickenson ) ST ANDREWS WHARF 12 SHAD THAMES LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2YN (Ref: 25/AP/3699) Listed building consent for the installation of fibre infrastructure (Within: St Saviours Dock St Saviours Dock St Saviours Dock CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Adam Dickenson ) 51 CALTON AVENUE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7DF (Ref: 26/AP/0030) Replace exiting timber framed outbuilding and hardstanding with new insulated timber framed outbuilding to be used for purposes ancillary to the main home. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Joseph Vadilonga 020 7525 5341) FLAT 2 PEACOCK HOUSE 38 ST GILES

ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 7RG (Ref: 26/AP/0005) Listed building consent for a rear extension with a glazed roof and clerestory glazing to the existing dwellinghouse to create a living room and/or additional bedroom to the rear, including the regularisation of existing works within the dwellinghouse. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Rosie Poser 020 7525 7924) 40 NUNHEAD GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3LY (Ref: 25/AP/3068) Replacement of existing sash windows throughout the property, using like for like design and materials with the addition of double glazing.

(Within: Nunhead Green Nunhead Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki 020 7525 0646) 79 TURNEY ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7JB (Ref: 26/AP/0009) Construction of a single-storey rear and sidereturn extension, and landscaping and patio works to the rear garden. (Within: Dulwich Village Dulwich Village Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Gabriel Neri 020 7525 2707) 177 ABBEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2AN (Ref: 26/AP/0096) Redevelopment of the site to provide a tower building comprising a community facility on ground and first floors and key worker homes above; disabled car parking, cycle parking, refuse storage, mechanical plant and associated hard and soft landscaping. Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Troy Davies 0207 525 1513) 17 COUNTY GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 9LE (Ref: 25/AP/3812) Single-storey side infill extension to the rear of No. 17 County Grove (Within: Camberwell New Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Agneta Kabele 020 7525 3148) 36 DENMARK HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8RZ (Ref: 26/AP/0076)

12 NEW CONCORDIA WHARF MILL STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2BB (Ref: 25/AP/3742) Listed building consent for the installation of aluminum framed secondary glazing to the front and side elevation. (Within: St Saviours Dock CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Anna Poulose 020 7525 3174)

conservatory. Middle House, part replacement windows. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Emily Williams 020 7525 1249) Dated: 20 Jan 2026 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date (or 14 days for Permission in Principle, 30 days for EIA development).

STEPHEN PLATTS Director of Planning and Growth

PECKHAM PULSE 10 MELON ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5QN (Ref: 26/AP/0041) Removal of gas fired boilers and installation of Air Source Heat Pumps and associated pipework on the roof with acoustic screening in the ground service yard and flat roof to the rear of the building. Amendment to the location of the pedestrian gates for fire escape. For-like replacement of existing pool curtain walling and rooflights. (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Abbie McGovern 020 7525 0254) 31 GLENGALL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 6NJ (Ref: 26/AP/0022) Listed Building Consent for roof repairs. (Within: Glengall Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Anna Poulose 020 7525 3174) 56 BELLENDEN ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5BB (Ref: 25/AP/3376) Construction of a two storey rear extension to the existing dwelling. (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876) MIDDLE HOUSE ANNEXE MAUDSLEY HOSPITAL DENMARK HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8AZ (Ref: 25/AP/3293) Middle House Annex replacement windows, internal alternations and new external heat recovery unit. Demolition of existing UPVC Notice of Application for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

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

Please take notice that I / we: Elhamami Ashraf Kassem Mohamed / Lebanese Mix Grill have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of : Lebanese Mix Grill, 204 Old Kent Road, SE1 5TY

Please take notice that I / we S Lyons Ltd Have made application to Southwark Council to Vary the Premises Licence in respect of: Vine, 126 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TX

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

The Proposed variation is as follows: Variation on opening and sale hours.

The provision of late night refreshment

The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be varied:

Opening hours

The sale by retail of alcohol

Days Monday - Sunday

Start time 08:30

Finish time 23:00

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Monday - Sunday

08:30

23:00

Opening hours:

Monday - Sunday

08:30

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 https://app.southwark.gov.uk/ It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

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

Date of application: 16 January 2026

Alterations to existing shopfront to provide a new independent entrance to upper floors, including a fire-rated door, staircase, and new address number 36A (Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465)

Day

Start Time

Finish Time

Sunday to Thursday Friday and Saturday

23:00 23:00

01:30 04:00

Sunday to Thursday Friday and Saturday

10:00 10:00

02:00 04:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH. A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000, details are also available on our website at https://app.southwark.gov.uk/ It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives.

Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Licensing Unit by 6 January 2026. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to 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: 12/01/2026

To place a notice in this paper and online, please email hello@cm‐media.co.uk or call 020 7232 1639

26 PUBLIC NOTICES

Thursday, January 22nd 2026

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

Transport for London Public Notice

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CLEMENTS ROAD, DRUID STREET, MANOR PLACE, REDCROSS WAY, PECKHAM PARK ROAD)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A202 GLA ROAD (PECKHAM HIGH STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2026 1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Traffic Order under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specified in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2. The purpose of the Order is to enable resurfacing works to take place at A202 Peckham High 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:

3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from: (1) entering, exiting or proceeding in a southerly direction on Peckham Hill Street between its junctions with Goldsmiths Road and Peckham High Street. local access will be maintained between Goldsmiths Road and the unnamed access Road to the rear of Nos. 126 to 130 Peckham Hill Street and Nos. 95 to 107 Peckham High Street; (2) stopping at the northern kerb-line on Peckham High Street between its junctions with Peckham Hill Street and Mission Place.

The Order will be effective at certain times between 11th February 2026 and 10th August 2026 every night from 10.00 PM until 4.00 AM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by traffic signs.

4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of: (1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes; (2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.

5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by traffic signs via Commerical Way, Naylor Road and Meeting House Lane to normal route of travel. Goldsmith Road and Meeting House Lane to normal route of travel.

Dated this 22nd day of January 2026 Andrew Ulph Co-Ordination Manager, Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

(2a) Clements Road, between St James Road and Storks Road.

(2b) Druid Street, including cycle lane, between Arnold Estate/Phoenix Wharf Road and No’s 267.

(2c) Manor Place, between Walworth Road for 30m westwards.

(2d) Redcross Way, between Southwark Street and Park Street.

(2e) Peckham Park Road, No’s 1 and its junction with Old Kent Road.

3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic as indicated by the signs displayed.

4.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Druid Street between Abbey Street and Arnold Estate/Phoenix Wharf Road will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for No’s (2b)

5.

The loading bays in Druid Street located between No’s 249 and No’s 276 will be suspended for No’s (2b)

6.

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.

7.

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.

8.

The closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 7th – 8th February (2b) 7th – 8th February (2c) 9th – 10th February (2d) 9th – 16th February (2e) 11th – 12th February.

9.

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

Dated this 22nd January 2026 Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) CRN00013/NTS (2b) 48727840/LPN Powercare (2c) WG8TNJ5V14SB/bt (2d)UX2080-0DP/ukpower.dis (2e) 28676207/TfL/ldenton

MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT 2009 APPLICATION FOR MLA/2025/00597 Lack's Dock Slipway Reinstatement Notice is hereby given that Mr Marcus Van Der Gaag, London Amphibious Tours Limited, 762-763a Henley Road, Slough, SL1 4JW, has applied to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, Part 4, for a marine licence to undertake The activities are to undertake the reinstatement of Lack’s Dock Slipway for the use of London Amphibious Tours Limited.

Copies of the application and associated information may be viewed online in the MMO Public Register at: www.gov.uk/check-marine-licence-register Representations in respect of the application should ordinarily be made by: Visiting the MMO Public Register (www.gov.uk/check-marine-licence-register) and accessing the Public Representation section of case reference MLA/2025/00597.

However, we will also accept representations via the following formats: By email to marine.consents@marinemanagement.org.uk; or alternatively By letter addressed to Marine Management Organisation, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7AR In all cases, correspondence must: - Be received within 28 days of the date of the first notice 22/01/2026; - Quote the case reference; and - Include an address to which correspondence relating to the representation or objection may be sent. The Marine Management Organisation will pass to the applicant a copy of any objection or representation we receive.

Notice of Application to Vary Premises Licence made under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Floris Kouijzer (General Manager) Have made application to Southwark Council to Vary the Premises Licence in respect of: Bankside Hotel, Marriott Autograph Collection – 2 Blackfriars Road, Upper Ground, London SE1 9JU The Proposed variation is as follows: The proposed variation seeks to permit the use of the adjacent piazza area next to the hotel for licensable activities as part of the premises. This area has previously been operated under a temporary license during the summer periods of 2024 and 2025 without incident, and the application seeks to make this arrangement permanent.

The premises are professionally managed with trained staff and policies in place to promote the licensing objectives and prevent crime, disorder, and public nuisance.

The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be varied: The sale by retail of alcohol The provision of regulated entertainment:

Opening hours:

Days Monday - Sunday

Start time 11:00

Finish time 21:00

Recorded background music 11:00 Non-amplified live music (Thursday to Sunday) 14:00

21:00

Monday - Sunday

21:00

11:00

21:00

Notice of Application to Vary a Premises Licence made under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I: SEFATULLAH ROZIKHEL Have made application to the Southwark Council to Vary the Premises Licence in respect of: HAYATT, 20 - 22 CAMBERWELL CHURCH STREET, LONDON SE5 8QU The Proposed variation is as follows: 1.

Extend licensable activities and closing hours. 2. Amend certain conditions: The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be varied: The provision of late night refreshment: FRIDAY & SATURDAY 23:00 HOURS - 04:00 HOURS SUNDAY 23:00 HOURS - 03:00 HOURS Opening Hours: FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10:00 HOURS - 04:00 HOURS SUNDAY 10:00 HOURS - 03:00 HOURS 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.

You’d want to know if someone was applying for an ALCOHOL LICENCE near you, right?

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A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at https://app.southwark.gov.uk/ It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

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

Date of application: 09 January 2026

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PUBLIC NOTICES 27

Thursday, January 22nd 2026

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK MINOR TRAFFIC SCHEMES – 25/26 TRANCHE 2 The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (MTS 2526-T2) Order 2026 The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (MTS 2526-T2) Order 2026 The London Borough of Southwark (Prescribed routes) (Love Walkway) Traffic Order 2026 1.

GIVES NOTICE that on 22 January 2026 it has made the above Orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2.

The effect of the (Prescribed routes) Order is to implement a 'no cycling' restriction in LOVE WALKWAY (which lies between the south-western kerb-line of Camberwell Road and the north-eastern kerbline of Grove Lane) to restrict any pedal cycles and e-bikes from using this passage making the area safer for pedestrians. The restriction would also apply to e-scooters being used in the TfL-led trials, and there would be no exemptions.

3.

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

4.

(a)

in Controlled Parking Zone (‘CPZ’) 'G' in BEVINGTON STREET north-west side between its junction with Chambers Street and its junction with Scott Lidgett Crescent convert two existing permitholders’ and ‘Pay by Phone’ ('shared-use') parking places (a total of 85 metres ‘m’ in length) to new 'stop and shop' parking in which either:- vehicles may be left free of charge for up to 30mins, or vehicles which have paid the parking charge of (currently) £8.80 per hour or £12.80 per hour for diesel vehicles may be left for up to 4hrs, the first 30mins of which parking session would be free of charge, provided no vehicle may return to a parking place within the same 24-hour period, between the hours of 8.30 am and 11 pm on every day of the week;

(b)

in CPZ 'M2' in BOUNDARY LANE (i) south-east side relocate an existing cycle hangar (north-east of its junction with Camberwell Road) to a new location on the north-west side opposite No. 18 Boundary Lane, and (ii) reduce existing 'shared-use' by 3m north-west side opposite No. 18 Boundary Lane (15m remain);

(c)

in CPZ 'NC' in GROSVENOR TERRACE south-east side opposite Nos. 146 to 156 Grosvenor Terrace split and reduce existing permit-holders’ only parking ('permit') by 4.5m south-east side opposite Nos. 146 to 156 Grosvenor Terrace (a total of 40.5m remain) to accommodate a new cycle hangar in the carriageway at this location (the existing cycle hangar formerly on the footway at the junction of Grosvenor Terrace and Grosvenor Park);

(d)

in CPZ 'OKR' (i) in GALLEYWALL ROAD north-east side opposite Nos. 82 and 88 Galleywall Road reduce existing 'shared-use' by 15m (22.5m remain), and (ii) in SANDGATE STREET south-west side opposite the vehicular access to No. 57 Sandgate Street reduce existing 'shared-use' by 6m (21m remain) – which will be converted to new free solo motorcycle parking;

(e)

in CPZ 'PR' in LYNDHURST GROVE north-east side opposite its junction with Azenby Road (i) reduce existing 'shared-use' by 3.5m (21.5m remain), and (ii) add a new cycle hangar 2.55m in length;

(f)

in CPZ 'PW' (i) relocate an existing cycle hangar from OXENFORD STREET north-west side (side of No. 105 Copleston Road) to a new location in EVERTHORPE ROAD south-west side at the rear of Nos. 113 and 115 Copleston Road, (ii) in EVERTHORPE ROAD south-west side at the rear of Nos. 113 and 115 Copleston Road split and reduce existing 'permit' by 4.5m (a total of 94.5m remain), and (iii) in OXENFORD STREET increase existing 'permit' by 2.5m north-west side at the original location of the cycle hangar (new bay length will be 41.5m);

(g)

in CPZ 'RV' in SWAN ROAD north-east side on the side of No. 170 Rotherhithe Street (i) relocate an existing cycle hangar north-westward by 14.5m, and (ii) to accommodate the relocation of the cycle hangar, amend the length of an existing 'permit' by 3.5m at both ends of this bay (no parking will be lost at this location the length will remain 13.5m);

(h)

in CPZ 'T' in PECKHAM PARK ROAD north-west side o/s No. 120 Peckham Park Road reduce existing 'shared-use' by 5m (22.5m remain); and

(i)

the Council will amend the Traffic Management Order map-based schedule in CPZ 'SEB' in ST JAMES'S ROAD south-east side to add 80m of existing ‘shared-use’ between its junction with Blue Anchor Lane and Alexis Street (this is an administrative exercise; no physical changes will be made in St James's Road at this location).

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

in SANDGATE STREET south-west side opposite the vehicular access to No. 57 Sandgate Street add 6m new free motorcycle only parking;

(b)

in LORDSHIP LANE north-west side o/s Nos. 118-124 evens Lordship Lane remove 17.5m existing free 'short stay' parking place and add 17.5m new ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions (double yellow lines ‘DYLs’);

(c)

in CRYSTAL PALACE ROAD west side o/s No. 56 Crystal Palace Road remove 7m of existing DYLs;

(d)

convert existing ‘timed’ waiting restrictions (single yellow lines ‘SYLs’) to new DYLs in (i) COPPERFIELD STREET on all sides at its junction with Pepper Street (a combined total of 16.5m), and (ii) in PEPPER STREET on both sides throughout its entirety (a combined total of 132.5m);

(e)

in ABBOTSWOOD ROAD add new lengths of ‘at any time’ loading restrictions (double kerb blips ‘DKBs’) on existing ‘DYLs’ south-east of its junction with Edgar Kail Way (a combined total of 34.5m);

(f)

in SWAN ROAD north-east side on the side of No. 170 Rotherhithe Street relocate an existing cycle 1m length of existing DYLs north-westward by 14.5m;

(g)

add new lengths or extend existing lengths of ‘DYLs’ (i) in ABBOTSWOOD ROAD west side o/s No. 6, south-east and north-east side o/s Nos. 3-29 odds, north-east side on the side of No. 1 Talbot Road, south-west side o/s Nos. 28-34 evens, south-east side o/s No. 39, and north-west side o/s Nos. 58-62 evens (a combined total of 171m), (ii) in ALLEYN PARK south-west side o/s No. 31 Alleyn Park (a combined total of 12m), (iii) in BOUNDARY LANE south-east side north-east of its junction with Camberwell Road (2.5m), and north-west side opposite No. 18 Boundary Lane (1m), (iv) in BURROW ROAD north-west side o/s No. 1 and Nos. 29 and 31, and south-east side either side of its junction with Buxted Road (a combined total of 34m), (v) in BUXTED ROAD on both sides south-east of its junction with Burrow Road (a combined total of 16m), (vi) in DAYTON GROVE east side opposite Nos. 21 and 22 (10m), (vii) in EVERTHORPE ROAD south-west side at the rear of Nos. 113 and 115 Copleston Road (a combined total of 2m), (viii) in FARQUHAR ROAD south-west side north-west of its junction with Tylney Avenue (4m), (ix) in GALLEYWALL ROAD north-east side opposite Nos. 82 and 88 (15m), (x) in GROSVENOR TERRACE south-east side opposite Nos. 146 to 156 (a combined total of 2m), (xi) in HAWKSLADE ROAD north-east side opposite No. 4 (3m), (xii) in HOLLYDALE ROAD south-west side o/s Nos. 45-53 odds (20m), (xiii) in LYNDHURST GROVE north-east side opposite its junction with Azenby Road (1m), (xiv) in NUNHEAD GROVE south-west side over the vehicular access to No. 56 (5m), (xv) in PECKHAM PARK ROAD north-west side o/s No. 120 (5m), (xvi) in PECKHAM RYE south-west side o/s Nos. 234 and 238 (13.5m), (xvii) in SHAW ROAD on both sides north-west of its junction with Abbotswood Road (a combined total of 16.5m), (xviii) in TALBOT ROAD on both sides north-east of its junction with Abbotswood Road (a combined total of 20m), and (xix) in YORK GROVE west side o/s No. 31 (7m);

(h)

the Council will make changes in the street to more closely match the Traffic Management Orders in LYNDHURST GROVE to correct a street-lining error north-east side opposite its junction with Azenby Road, a length of DYLs will be removed and the corresponding length of existing 'shared-use' parking will be replaced at this physical location; and

(i)

the Council will amend the Traffic Management Order map-based schedule in ST JAMES'S ROAD south-east side to add 53.5m existing DYLs between a point 7m north of the northern kerb-line of Lynton Road and a point 66.5m north of that kerb-line (this is an administrative exercise; no physical changes will be made in St James's Road at this location).

NOTES: (1) ‘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. (2) In reference to 'stop and shop' pay parking mentioned in item 3(a), a parking session must be registered with the Council’s ‘Pay by Phone’ provider to obtain the 30 minutes free of charge parking in addition to a longer charged-for stay. The ‘Pay by Phone’ provider will calculate the total parking charge for the parking session payable automatically upon registering. (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

5.

Copies of the Orders, which will come into force on 26 January 2026, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH, by appointment only. E-mail traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk or call 077 3132 4742 for booking details.

6.

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 January 2026 Polyvios Polyviou Head of Highways and Sustainable Transport Policy - Highways, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure

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Keeping Older Residents Moving

Ballers Academy may be best known across the community as one of the leading providers of youth football activities, but their work stretches far beyond the pitch.

While many recognise the organisation for developing young talent and providing high quality football coaching, Ballers Academy also delivers vital work for older people each week through inclusive multisport programmes.

Every Friday morning, a dedicated group of older residents gather at the Dockland Settlements for Ballers Academy’s weekly mobility sports session. The sessions are open to all older people and support

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those who may be experiencing mobility challenges, isolation, or a decline in physical confidence.

The session focuses on gentle movement, balance, coordination, and social connection. It is one of the few activities locally that combines physical activity with a strong emphasis on companionship and wellbeing for older people.

Participants are supported by qualified coaches who guide them through a range of chair based or standing low impact activities, all tailored to individual needs. The aim is simple but powerful: to bring older people together in a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment where they can stay active, enjoy movement, and have fun without any pressure.

For many attending, the benefits include improving their physical health as well as having the opportunity to socialise. The laughter, conversation, and shared encouragement are just as important as the exercise itself.

Ballers Academy’s commitment to older residents reflects their wider

mission of supporting the whole community. By offering chair based, walking, and adapted mobility sports activities, they ensure that age or ability is never a barrier to participation. This approach demonstrates that Ballers Academy

is not simply a football provider but a community organisation dedicated to improving lives at every stage of life.

As the need for inclusive activities for older people continues to

grow, Ballers Academy’s Friday morning session at the Dockland Settlements stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when sport is used as a tool for health, connection, and community spirit.

SPORT 29 © Rob Avis

‘EMOTIONAL’ HAMLET BOSS ‘PROUD’ DESPITE DEFEAT

Fish out in Challenge Cup quarters

By John Kelly FISHER ARE out of the SCEFL Challenge Cup after losing 3-1 to Larkfield & New Hythe in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

Tom Jones scored the only goal for Ajay Ashanike’s side.

The Fish went behind when their former player Kesna Clarke ran through on four minutes before rounding goalkeeper Isaac Ogunseri to finish.

Alex Kozak went close to an equaliser before Jones was denied.

Jones then scored from the spot in the 22nd minute after Jack Gibbons was fouled.

The visitors went 2-1 behind early in the second half before Michael Sarpong missed a chance to level.

The hosts added the third from the penalty spot late on.

Fisher are away at Windsor & Eton (Stag Meadow, Windsor, SL4 3DR) in the fourth round of the FA Vase this Saturday (3pm).

Hamlet striker David Smith is taken down

By John Kelly DULWICH HAMLET boss Mark Dacey felt “emotional” after his side suffered their first defeat of the year as they were edged out 1-0 by Cheshunt in the Isthmian League Premier Division last weekend.

After Amadou Kassarate was sent off in the 39th minute, the visitors won it through Matthias Fanimo’s goal three minutes into the second half.

The result meant Dacey’s side dropped to eleventh in the table, with a play-off push looking increasingly unlikely as they

By Sports Reporter MI LONDON have retained Rashid Khan and signed Nicholas Pooran for the 2026 Hundred season.

The franchise, formerly Oval Invincibles, will add West Indies star Pooran to the men’s squad, with New Zealand all-rounder Melie Kerr and Windies batter Hayley Matthews signing for the women’s side.

Khan, 27, helped the Invincibles win their third consecutive men’s title last year.

Pooran, 30, a veteran of the franchise circuit, has played one prior season in The Hundred, for Northern Superchargers in 2024.

Kerr, 25, was with Originals last season, after two seasons with London Spirit.

Matthews, 27, spent the first five seasons of The Hundred at Fire.

“The signings we have made have built a terrific backbone for both the men’s and women’s teams,” MI London chair Oli Slipper said.

“Fans were wowed by the performances of Rashid Khan at the Kia Oval last summer and Nicholas Pooran is an incredibly dynamic and exciting cricketer.

“In Hayley Matthews and Melie Kerr, we have signed two players who have delivered on the biggest stages for their countries and have extensive experience in franchise cricket.”

Sides can retain or add four players before March auctions, a new feature this year.

deflection which has led to them going 1-0 up. Then in the 95th minute the lad goes through one-on-one and dinks [goalkeeper] Toby [Bull] and we get it off the line.

“I thought we were brilliant and really the first half has probably the game-changing moments because we had a couple of one-on-ones with the goalkeeper when we’ve not hit the target.

A few balls across the box that we’ve not picked anybody out.

“But we’ve created chances. I know for some fans they can feel the pain, they all feel the pain, but they can see we’ve

thrown the kitchen sink at it. We not only did that but did it in an organised manner and it didn’t look like we had a player less.

“There are other people who will just see we lost to a team down near the bottom, so it doesn’t matter what we looked like or what I say, they’re not going to be happy with it.

“We had chances and we had a lot of entries into the final third. We didn’t stop and for that, as tough as it is to take - and I think that’s why I feel so emotional - I’m just proud.”

Dulwich travel to Brentwood Town in the league this Saturday (3pm).

Sims: Dubois could take out Fury

By John Kelly

© Liam Asman

MI London add West Indies star for Hundred

are ten points off the top five.

It was Cheshunt’s first win in nine games in all competitions.

“I feel emotional,” Dacey admitted. “It’s weird how I feel like I want to get upset over a game of football, and I am.

“All I want is for the boys to play for the badge and [have] pride in what we do and the philosophy we have, how we carry ourselves and go about it.

“At times when teams have got ten men or go down to ten men they just park the bus and try to hit people on counterattacks. Chestnut have had two shots on goal. The first one has taken a massive

Dulwich Hamlet Women celebrate a goal as they defeated Millwall Lionesses 4-0 in the Capital Women’s Cup at the weekend.

DANIEL DUBOIS’ new trainer Tony Sims reckons the Greenwich puncher would beat Tyson Fury with his “phenomenal power”.

Former world heavyweight champion Fury, 37, is on the comeback trail, with videos and photos posted to social media showing him in training and sparring.

Fury hasn’t fought since losing a unanimous decision to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.

Dubois, 28, last fought when he was stopped by unified champion Usyk in the fifth round in Wembley last July.

Dubois and Sims linked up the following month.

“I think Daniel can beat anybody.

His power is phenomenal. We all know that,” Sims said.

“In the heavyweight scene, anyone can beat anyone.

“Daniel is capable of beating Tyson Fury or anyone he goes against.

“It’s going to be an interesting year this year to see who fights who.”

Meanwhile, China’s Zhilei Zhang wants to fight Dubois.

The 42-year-old lost his last fight against Agit Kabayel but he has beaten Deontay Wilder and twice beaten Joe Joyce.

Dubois’ promotor Frank Warren is open to a bout against the 6ft6ins Zhang.

Warren said: “I’d like to see him in with ‘Big Bang’. “I think that’s a great fight. I like that fight.

“I’d like to see that - let’s see.”

30 SPORT SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP Coventry - 2 Millwall - 1 Esse 11’, Wright 78’

Ivanovic 29’

Date: Tuesday 20 January 2026 Man of the match: Haji Wright Referee: Andrew Kitchen Attendance: 28,605 (884)

By Will Scott at CBS Arena HAJI WRIGHT scored a late winner as Coventry narrowly bested Millwall 2-1 in a thrilling encounter in the Midlands.

Wright had tormented the Lions’ back four in the reverse fixture in September with a brace and proved to be a difference maker again, striking with twelve minutes left.

The goal came after a back-and-forth 77 minutes. The Sky Blues started well and took an early lead through ex-Lion Romain Esse, before the Lions hit back through Mihailo Ivanovic, leaving the game knotted up at half-time. Both sides had their chances in the second half before Wright pounced While a narrow loss at the league leaders is certainly not a cause for alarm, Millwall will feel disappointed not to leave Coventry Building Society Arena with a result, and certainly created enough to have scored another, with |vanovic having a glorious opportunity to nab his brace in the second half with the score tied 1-1 The match started as most expected.

Coventry had more territory and possession from the off, immediately putting Millwall on the back foot, despite the Lions’ willingness to press high and take the game to their opposition.

Josh Eccles had a shot blocked and headed over from a corner in the opening stages, while Millwall nearly punished the Sky Blues on the counter.

The Lions won the ball back after a setpiece was cleared, and Azeez immediately fired it long for Ivanovic down the left.

He sprinted down the length of the pitch before attempting to square it for Ballo in the middle, but he got the final ball all wrong.

There were some signs the Lions’ high press was working. Ivanovic won the ball high up the pitch in the ninth minute and put it forward to Thierno Ballo, whose low cross was cleared for a corner. From the setpiece, Tristan Crama won first contact, and Langstaff’s sprawling effort was saved.

However, Coventry found the breakthrough two minutes later. Ephron Mason-Clark curled the ball in towards the back post, and while Max Crocombe agilely kept out Haji Wright’s header, Esse scrambled in the rebound, and after an initial wait for the goal-line technology, the referee signalled for a goal.

The Sky Blues kept up the pressure. Joel Latibeaudiere, then Eccles, both had a go from inside the box in the eighteenth minute, but Cooper was on hand to block

HEARTBREAK Millwall battle valiantly against league leaders but are stung by an ex-Lion

Billy Mitchell applauds the away end after the match

Caleb Taylor beats Haji Wright to the ball

the second attempt with his large torso.

After an initial lull, Millwall set about cobbling together a response. In the 20th minute, Zak Sturge beat Esse for pace and was brought down outside the box, earning the ex-Lion a yellow. Azeez then sent the resulting set-piece into a sea of bodies, and it deflected off Crama for a goal kick.

Coventry were leaving spaces to attack in transition, and Millwall nearly capitalised four minutes later. Ivanovic was hacked down, but play was waved on, and Billy Mitchell put it forward for Azeez. Dasilva attempted to clear, but only served to flick it on for the winger, who took a touch, then

fired it wide from a position he has usually hit the target from.

Millwall countered again four minutes later, to far greater success. Sturge nicked the ball off of Jack Rudoni, then played it forward to Camiel Neghli, who found Azeez down the right. Azeez drove forward, then curled in a teasing cross. Ivanovic ghosted between the two centre-backs then raised his leg to lift it over a rooted Carl Rushworth in the Sky Blues’ net.

The momentum of the match was now with the Lions, who had started to unsettle the home crowd with their speed and intent when they won the ball back.

Millwall turned it over again high up the pitch, and Ivanovic flicked it through to Langstaff, who drove forward but quickly found himself isolated and sent in a despairing cross that sailed past the back post.

The Lions had the only shot in the remaining fifteen minutes, a stinging longrange drive that Rushworth easily gathered.

Coventry still looked menacing in the final third, and were outraged not to be awarded a penalty when Matt Grimes went down in the box, but referee Andrew Kitchen vigorously waved away any complaints, and the half ended all square.

the league leaders for most of the 90 minutes, and on another day could easily have come away with all three points.

“They are a good team,” Lampard said. “We beat them 4-0 earlier in the season. It wasn’t a 4-0 game. We were in a really good moment, clinical.

“They’re a really difficult team. I watched a lot of them. They’re hard to analyse because they’re adaptable in possession.

“Everyone thinks of Millwall and thinks of the old Millwall. They’re

not that [anymore]. They can play.

They’ve got a good squad, good balance in the team, players that can get on the ball, they’ve got a physical presence.

“I knew today would be a very tough game. Full respect to them, and they’ll go and get a lot of results, and I absolutely wouldn’t be surprised if they’re in and around it in whatever way, because I think they’re a very good team, with a strong squad.

“They’ve had injuries, but they can still deal with it because they’ve still

got enough good players. Maybe they reload a bit in January, I don’t know.

But I think they’re a strong team.

They’ll give everyone a difficult game in this league for sure.”

Millwall have been aggressive out of possession since Alex Neil was appointed head coach just over a year ago, and rank highly in pressing stats.

Lampard was asked whether Millwall’s approach can be difficult to play against.

“Yeah, of course it is, because they negate passes that you want to

Lampard praises ‘very good’ Millwall

By Will Scott

COVENTRY CITY boss Frank Lampard heaped praise on Millwall after his side’s narrow 2-1 home win, insisting the Lions “will give everyone a difficult game in this league”.

The Sky Blues have held an iron grip over first place since early October, powered by formidable home form that has seen them lose just one league game at the CBS Arena.

Yet Millwall went toe-to-toe with

The second half resumed at the same intensity as the first, perhaps becoming even more end-to-end and competitive.

Within five minutes, Esse really should have scored his and his side’s second of the match. A cross landed to him just outside the six-yard box, and he sidefooted his effort straight into Cooper’s legs.

Two minutes later, Sturge pounced on a loose ball after Grimes claimed to have been tripped by Mitchell, and cannoned one just past the post.

The match resembled a table tennis match, with most sides taking turns to get up the pitch and cause issues in the final third. It was now Coventry’s turn, and Eccles curled one just past the post.

The Sky Blues’ vulnerability in transition remained the case in the second half, and Millwall again could, and probably should have taken advantage.

In the 61st minute, Ballo won the ball in his own half, then drove forward before putting Ivanovic through on goal. He drove at the box before forcing out an outstanding one-handed save from Rushworth, with Dasilva then scrambling it clear before it could bounce in.

After both sides were given a quick breather while physios looked at Liam Kitching, Ballo headed over the bar from inside the box. Two minutes later, Coventry failed to properly clear a free kick, and Azeez volleyed wide from outside the box.

Coventry made a triple change shortly after, while Alex Neil brought on Casper De Norre for Ballo.

Frank Lampard’s substitutes had an immediate effect, with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto winning a free kick that Victor Torp planted into the sidenetting.

Sakamoto had a hand in Wright’s late goal as well, putting the ball in that Mason-Clark touched back to the American, who fired it past Crocombe.

Momentum then shifted back in the direction of the Sky Blues, with the best Millwall could immediately conjure up was an unthreatening Ivanovic header that bounced wide.

A minute later, Mason-Clark drove inside a fired one just past the post.

The Sky Blues had a litany of chances to grab their third late on as Millwall threw bodies forward, with Crocombe making a few good saves to preserve the Lions’ goal difference.

Coventry: 4-2-3-1 - Rushworth; Van Ewijk, Latibeaudiere, Kitching, Dasilva; Grimes, Eccles (Torp 70); Esse (Sakamoto 70’), Rudoni (Thomas-Asante 70’), Mason-Clark; Wright (Simms 81’) Unused Substitutes: Allen, Bidwell, Wilson, Woolfenden, Min-Hyeok

Millwall: 4-4-2 - Crocombe; Crama, Taylor, Cooper, Sturge; Azeez (Doughty 86), Neghli (Emakhu 83), Mitchell, Ballo (De Norrre 74); Langstaff (Coburn 83), Ivanovic Unused substitutes: Evans, McNamara, Leonard, Cundle, Bangura-Williams

make,” Lampard said. “We had a lot of possession, I think 60-odd per cent against them, that’s not easy because their high pressure is really good. So you’ve got to try and break that bit.

“Then, when we got to the midthirds of that, I thought we did have a lot of possession, and we did give them problems, as much as maybe anyone will in this league. [They’re] very, very good - the way they closed down, they closed passing lines, they push you to the side of the pitch, and they’re very good at it. So full credit.”

SPORT 31

REINFORCEMENTS NOT NEEDED Alex Neil insists Millwall well covered at the back after Grant loan

By Will Scott ALEX NEIL says Millwall remain well covered at the back after Kamarl Grant joined Blackpool on loan for the rest of the season.

Grant, 22, completed a move to the League One club last week. The defender made four appearances, all in the cups, in his first campaign in and around the Lions’ first team, having spent the previous season and a half on loan at Bromley.

Neil stressed last week that Millwall would not sanction loan moves that left the squad short in certain areas, but believes they have enough defensive cover for Grant to go out.

Kamarl Grant in action against Burnley

“If you look at us at the moment, Tristan [Crama] played centre-back for the majority of his career,” Neil said. “He’s been playing right-back a lot for us at the moment. We’ve got [Ryan] Lenny, who has played a lot at right-back for us this season when Tristan was playing centreback. We’ve got Danny [McNamara], who’s now back and fit and available.

We’ve got Wes [Harding], who’s now fit and available. There are certainly a lot of bodies there.

“What I’ve been finding of late is - I’ve had two of the lads that I just mentioned missing squads recently. With Kamarl, it was getting to the stage where we needed to get him out and get him some game time.”

The move will be Grant’s first exposure to regular first-team football at the League One level. He had previously spent half a season in the National League and a full campaign in League Two with Bromley, before testing himself against Championship and Premier League opposition for Millwall.

Neil explained why it was the right time for him to go back out on loan.

“We felt that for Kamarl, we wanted to keep him in-house and see how he developed and see where he was,” Neil said. “I think the game is very different at the Championship level than it is for maybe League Two, as far as the tactical element goes. That was an area where we felt we could help him way more than

what he would have got exposure to there.

“But what we’ve found is that in the first half, his opportunities have been limited.

We’ll only see that continuing, going forward. So we don’t want to hold the lad back and prevent him from playing football, so I think it was important that we got him a good loan and got him out so he can try and enjoy the rest of the sort of second half of the season and get some minutes under his belt.

“It was the next stage for him. He’d done League Two, he got promoted, and I felt that he needed to go to a good League One team and show everybody his capability at that level. It’ll be a good challenge for him at a good club. We’ll be really interested to see how he gets on.”

Neil said. “That typifies our team. That’s what we expect from ourselves, what we expect from each other. That’s one of the key reasons as to why we are doing so well this year - we work extremely hard, we’re really organised, and the lads put everything into every game.”

Millwall scored their second twelve minutes later when Camiel Neghli put it through for Josh Coburn, who calmly finished past Watford keeper Egil Selvik.

The Hornets pushed hard but were repelled by a disciplined Millwall team, who came away with a well-earned three points.

“At this stage of the season, winning is obviously the most important thing, particularly in the position we are in,” Neil said. “But I think how you win does matter - if you can perform well and be dominant.

“In the first half, we were very dominant in terms of pressing them. They couldn’t really get out of their half much. I thought we were very dominant in that sense.

Probably just lacked a little bit of guile,

bit of cutting edge, bit of final third sort of creativity to get better opportunities.

“Then Casper came off at half-time.

He was only scheduled to do x amount of minutes. At the moment, he’s not fully ready to do any longer. Then the second half we were a little bit looser in that sense because obviously we’ve got another forward on the pitch, rather than a midfield player. But what it does do is it allows us to be a little bit more aggressive and put more bodies in the box when the ball comes in.

“Our first goal was really a goal of persistence. We knew, playing against a 4-4-2 block, that the spaces were going to be down both sides. And I thought in the game, whoever did the most damage down the sides, whether it be full-back or full-back and wide player, was going to win the game. If they were better than us at doing that, they would have beaten us. If we were better than them, I felt we would have won the game. That’s how I thought the game panned out.

“Down the sides, we caused them a lot

of problems, put good balls in the box, got the first goal, and then, when the game opened up transitionally, we managed to nick it and get the second. Really pleased for Josh [Coburn] as well. Great bit of movement, great finish. We’ve missed Josh. Mika [Ivanovic] has done a lot of the heavy lifting this season, and we’ve missed having an alternative to come on and bring a bit of freshness.”

FA issue sanctions for Bristol melee

By Will Scott MILLWALL AND Bristol City have been sanctioned by the FA for the post-match fight that broke out after the Lions beat the Robins 1-0 in December.

It was alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/ or technical area staff did not behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way after the final whistle, and the two teams admitted the charges against them. Bristol City has been fined £40,000, and Millwall £30,000.

Lions coach Dave Livermore and goalkeeper Joel Coleman were also individually charged by the FA for acting in an improper manner and/ or using violent conduct around the same time.

Livermore admitted the charge and has been handed a four-match touchline ban and fined £1,400.

Coleman denied his charge, but the Regulatory Commission “found it to be proven,” and he has been suspended for two games.

Three Bristol City players, Joe Williams, Harry Cornick, and Ross McCrorie, were also charged and each received a three-game suspension.

The fight broke out immediately after the final whistle, starting when Robins skipper Jason Knight shoved Alex Neil in the chest, supposedly for failing to shake hands with his opposite number.

Both coaches claimed after the game that they had tried to shake the other’s hand and had been ignored.

Neil: Watford win typifies ‘persistent’ Millwall

By Will Scott

ALEX NEIL thinks “persistence” typifies his Millwall side after they overcame a strong Watford side 2-0 away from home.

The Lions dominated the first half without creating many chances, before an enforced half-time switch to a 4-4-2 Casper De Norre completed his allotted minutes and was replaced by Macaulay Langstaff - which led to a far more open game.

While the Hornets had their chances, Millwall looked likelier to score and took the lead in the 69th minute. Alfie Doughty sprinted after an overhit cross and put it back in. Tristan Crama got his head on it; it was initially cleared, but it landed to Femi Azeez, who applied the finishing touch.

“We talk a lot about doing the hard yards, and sometimes at this level, you can beat teams through persistence and doing the hard yards and putting the effort in that maybe others won’t,”

Millwall: 4-2-3-1 - Crocombe; Crama, Taylor, Cooper, Doughty; De Norre (Langstaff 46), Mitchell; Azeez (Cundle 80) Neghli (Sturge 88), Ballo (Emakhu 67); Ivanovic (Coburn 67) Unused substitutes: Evans, McNamara, Leonard, Bangura-Williams Watford: 4-4-1-1 - Selvik; Ngakia (Keben 66), Pollock, Abankwah, Bola; Ince, Louza, Kyprianou (Baah 80), Maamma (Irankunda 66); Chakvetadze; Kjerrumgaard (Semedo 80) Unused substitutes: Baxter, Sissoko, Doumbia, Morris, Mendy

Millwall celebrate Femi Azeez’s opener

INSIDE

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MISSED CHANCES HAUNT MILLWALL

‘Emotional’ Hamlet boss ‘proud’ despite defeat Femi Azeez

© Millwall FC

ALEX NEIL felt Millwall were punished for failing to take their chances in a tight 2-1 loss away at league leaders Coventry City.

The Lions had multiple opportunities to take the lead with the game knotted up at 1-1 for most of the second half, but failed to capitalise on any before Haji Wright struck late to score a 78th-minute winner.

Millwall were denied by a few excellent Carl Rushworth saves - with his strong hand to deny Mihailo Ivanovic a brace a particular standout - but Neil felt his side did not do themselves any favours in an otherwise very positive performance.

“I thought the game was very, very tight,” Neil said. “I thought they had good moments. They’re a good side.

“But equally, we had really good

moments in the game. We had the moment in the first half when we’re two versus down the side, and our pass across the box is dreadful.

We then had Zak Sturge’s left foot, Mika’s header, and then we have another one where we’re two versus one against the goalkeeper and he pulls a brilliant save off, and it just doesn’t land for us. [Thierno] Ballo tries to shift his feet and get his shot away, and the ball gets nicked off his toe.

“So we had all of that in that spell where we’re on top. When you have that away at the league leaders, you’ve got to make one of them count. If you do, you’ve got a good chance of getting the result.

The fact that we didn’t, then we got punished.”

Neil then reflected on the 90 minutes as a whole.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game,” Neil said. “Second half, I thought we were excellent. The

game ebbed and flowed. Coventry certainly had their moments, but we certainly had our moments.

“The biggest frustration for me would be - we had all our key moments before they scored their goal. If you think of the three or four opportunities that we could’ve taken to then get the goal that was going to really change the tide. Up until about the 78th minute, right before they scored, three or four of the opportunities came our way, and we looked more likely to get the goal.

“Then they scored, and from there, we opened the whole game up. It looked a bit scrappy and a bit messy, but we needed to try and force the issue. We’re never going to be satisfied with losing the game 2-1, so it was always going to open right up at that point.

“They had the moments at that stage really, but the game would never have got to that if we took a

MATTHEWS LOANED TO O’S

By Will Scott AJAY MATTHEWS has joined Leyton Orient on loan for the rest of the season.

The nineteen-year-old striker has predominantly played for the under21s this season, making three firstteam appearances in the cups and being included in a further thirteen match-day squads as an unused substitute.

Matthews will now link up with the O’s, who are eighteenth in League One. He joined Millwall last January from Middlesbrough, signing a long-term contract.

The England youth international progressed through Boro’s academy before making his first-team debut on April 22, 2024, coming off the bench during Middlesbrough’s 4-3 loss to Leeds United.

KENDALL SIGNS NEW DEAL

By Will Scott SHELDON KENDALL has signed a new, long-term contract with Millwall.

Impressive Lions hamstrung by wasted opportunities

By Will Scott

PAGE 29

chance beforehand, because if we scored, we would’ve locked the game up and it would’ve been a different story. But that’s this level, isn’t it? Particularly at the top end of the table when you’re playing the best teams.

“What happens is you’re never going to dominate a game for 90 minutes. What you’ve got to do is you’ve got to make sure that you have your moments before they have theirs, and you’ve got to take them. That ultimately will decide the flow of the game and what the result looks like.

“I think my biggest frustration is that we had that. We had our moments before they had theirs, and we should’ve put the game to bed. We should’ve scored at least, and then from there, we’ve been brilliant at defending leads, and then it allows us to hit them in transition. And they did exactly that to us when they got the goal.”

Kendall joined the Lions at the under-14s level and made his firstteam debut in January, coming off the bench in an FA Cup tie against Dagenham & Redbridge shortly after signing his first professional contract.

The eighteen-year-old forward has continued to be in and around the first-team squad this season, making two substitute appearances in the EFL Cup last August and being named in the match-day squad against Burnley in the FA Cup last Saturday.

Kendall has also been a regular part of the under-21s since being promoted to Kevin Nugent’s side last season.

Sheldon Kendall won 2024-25 Academy Player of the Season THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%