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On the road out of lockdown
london has highest unemployment rate in the uK
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By Katherine Johnston
katherine@southwarknews.co.uk
More than half peabody's residents in london have now lost their job, been furloughed or are working fewer hours according to new data published this week on the financial impact of the pandemic.
The capital has the highest unemployment and furlough rate in the UK, with the biggest decline in satisfaction in any region according to research from the housing association and the Social Market Foundation think tank.
Its new report, based on an analysis of Office for National Statistics figures and surveys of Peabody residents, shows that Londoners are disproportionately affected by the lockdown, with the impact of furlough and low pay prompting fears of growing hardship among poorer residents.
London has the highest unemployment rate in the UK, with double the number of unemployed people than any other region. There are also more people furloughed in London than in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined. Unemployment in Southwark is currently running at 8.7 per cent. Nowhere in England has experienced a larger decline in life satisfaction than London (by 9.3 per cent), increasing to 17.4 per cent among people on lower incomes. More than 2,000 Peabody residents were surveyed for the research to find out how the pandemic had affected their finances and wellbeing. Over half (54 per cent) had lost their job, been furloughed or were working fewer hours. In October 2020 this figure was at 38 per cent.
More people are now earning less than the London Living Wage - 38 per cent - compared to less than a quarter in August. Only fifteen per cent of residents who had lost a job during the pandemic had now found new employment, while one in five had taken out loans or used credit cards to buy essentials. Most distressingly, one in four Peabody residents described themselves as being in a ‘desperate financial situation’.
The housing association said it was clear that the government should focus its new budget on strengthening the safety net for the most vulnerable. It called on the five-week wait for Universal Credit to be reduced and the £20 uplift to become permanent, and said it was vital furlough was extended until all sectors had reopened. It is also pushing for new funding to help people develop new skills, retrain and access mental health support. Peabody’s chief executive Brendan Sarsfield said: “The survey of Peabody residents shows that people on low incomes across the capital are really struggling as the lockdown continues. “London already had the highest rates of poverty in the UK and the new jobs crisis caused by COVID is making this worse.
“We’re doing what we can through our resident wellbeing programme, but London needs more support from central government to make sure the poor are not left behind as a result of the public health disaster over the last year.
“We hope that the budget will provide financial backing to support struggling Londoners through the ongoing emergency, and lay the foundations for a strong, comprehensive recovery for everybody.”
Scott Corfe, research director at the Social Market Foundation, said: “Over the past year, not only has London seen a much faster rise in unemployment than the rest of the country, but it has also seen a bigger fall in life satisfaction and wellbeing. This is particularly true for those on lower incomes.”
“Although the vaccine rollout offers hope of a return to normality later this year, there is a risk that the capital will emerge more unequal than before the pandemic.
“The rise of working from home, reduced tourism and online shopping could lead to significant job losses in sectors such as retail and hospitality.
“It is vital that the government continues to support those struggling in the current economic circumstances.”
brewery to expand despite a 90% drop in revenue
By Katherine Johnston
katherine@southwarknews.co.uk
when hiS revenue dropped by 90% overnight on 23rd March 2020, robert Middleton also dropped his plans to expand his london brewery, orbit Beers, instead focusing on online sales to survive the crisis.
Now he has decided to throw everything into carrying on his dream and growing the Walworth-based business.
“At the end of last year, I said that we could dig a trench and hide until this is all over, or we can start building again,” he explained.
“The world will come back to life and we want to be ready. I would rather give it and go and fail than wait.
“What’s the point of surviving the downturn if we end up missing the upturn? That to me would be illogical and an even bigger business risk. Things will get better and we are going for it.’
The former actuary from Dundee switched careers relatively recently, after moving to London from Edinburgh in 2006. Orbit is based in Walworth’s Fielding Street, in railway arches rented from The Arch Company.
“I had rarely ventured south of the river - this was a new world to me. I knew nothing about the area but I wanted somewhere central and arches offer that option,” he says on setting up the business. Orbit’s first beer was produced on July 1, 2014 and by 2017 they had added a neighbouring arch to the business and were growing at 25 per cent a year. He had a business partner and cash for expansion ready for the next phase when lockdown hit.
Apart from furloughing staff, Orbit Beers has had very little financial help to get through the restrictions. They have been paying all of their rent and rates in full, and then in September 2020 a planned three-yearly review doubled the rent for their newer arch.
Robert now plans to open a brewery bar in one new arch in May, and if that goes well, a new brewery later in the year, doubling their capacity and footprint.
“I think this year is still going to be pretty tough,” Robert said. “I don’t think we will get back to normality until next year.
“While it’s great to have a forwardlooking ethos, you still have to have money coming into the bank.
“We did everything we could to stay afloat and we are still here, still with our whole team intact.
“Orbit means too much to us to let it fail and I won’t ever let that happen.”
‘taKeaway only’ for historic bermondsey pub over outdoor space
By Simon Throssell
news@southwarknews.co.uk
the anGel pub in Bermondsey will re-open for takeaway only from 15th april.
This is due to ordering in new stock and a lack of appropriate outdoor space for social distancing.
The pub sits in front of the remains of Edward III's mansion; the English king who famously started the Hundred Years War. Today, The Angel is a Samuel Smith's pub located at the end of Bermondsey Wall East on the Thames Path.
A member of staff described its lockdown closure as 'awful' particularly as all 12 staff were put on furlough, many of whom were students.
The Angel look forward to welcoming regulars and new customers back inside at the end of spring. Pubs and bars can reopen for indoor food and drink from 17th May, at the earliest.
By Katherine Johnston
katherine@southwarknews.co.uk
the old School yard cocktail bar on long lane will reopen ‘when they can'.
The bar has a garden area and extended pavement space for customers to be able to enjoy a drink outside.
Their message from their reopening in July 2020 of "Respect each other; Don't take the p**s; and then we can have a good time" remains the same for this time round. "It's been a struggle I'm not going to lie," said one of the managers but praised the council for being "very good and providing grants automatically."
This was a very different experience to an East Dulwich hairdresser who had to wait seven weeks for a response, as reported in last week's News.
As a small cohort of three, the team will be closely looking at the coronavirus numbers and will be 'relieved if we get to that stage [of a full reopening]'
Photo by The Rake
london’s smallest bar is re-opening in april, but is daunted by expected crowds
By Simon Throssell
news@southwarknews.co.uk
the rake in Borough Market is ramping up its safety measures ahead of reopening in april.
Based off Winchester Walk, the Rake is known for its 'impressively large' beer selection while having a 'famously small' seating area.
Being inside Borough Market, punters will be able to have a drink of craft beer on the bar's patch of decking
The outdoor heaters and covered area will keep their customers dry during the April showers.
Manager George is yet to make up his mind about the Prime Minister's roadmap, saying: "The plan sounds reasonable but I'm waiting for the fine print."
While customers are more than welcome to share a drink, it is important to adhere by the regulations. "We were flooded with groups of people from London and further out when we reopened in July," he explained. "Reopening in April therefore seems a little daunting."
camra’s south east london pub of the year is ready to re-open outdoors
drinK on the Jetty and cobbled front of rotherhithe’s historic mayflower pub
By Simon Throssell
news@southwarknews.co.uk
the doG and Bell in deptford hopes april will be the last reopening as landlord says he won’t be ‘rushing back into it'.
Landlord Seamus O'Neill celebrated winning the 2020 CAMRA South East London Pub of the Year award but behind the scenes, things were tough.
He decided not to reopen in December out of fear that the UK would go into another lockdown.
Speaking to the News, he said: "I think that people and the media misunderstood what the furlough scheme actually meant. "The Government said they were supporting businesses but the scheme actually supports our staff. "As a business, we have to pay National Insurance contributions and pension costs. Putting sixteen of my team on furlough meant that our monthly bill was around £2,500."
The Dog and Bell are more than set up for reopening outdoors only in April, having invested in new equipment back in October.
The pub purchased large red umbrellas, multiple heaters and outdoor lighting for their outdoor stretch on Prince Street.
Seamus is quietly optimistic about the future, saying: “Things are tough but we will soldier on, return and provide the best situation for what we can.”
By Simon Throssell
news@southwarknews.co.uk
the MayFlower in rotherhithe is 'very excited' to reopen so its customers can enjoy the beautiful view again.
It will be opening up its cobbled front and decked jetty for customers from 12th April.
The outdoor space boasts a perfect accompaniment to a pint; a beautiful view of the River Thames. The pub was awarded a Blue Plaque courtsey of the News and Southwark Heritage for its historical importance related to the sailing of the Mayflower. In 1620 the Mayflower, commanded by Captain Christopher Jones, sailed from Rotherhithe on the first stage of its epic voyage to America.
After providing takeaways during the lockdown, a member of staff told the News that they were all 'very excited' to have people back.
In a statement on its website, the pub said: "Thankfully we are delighted to say that as of the 12th April we will be taking bookings for our outdoor decking area and will also have limited walk in space at the front of the pub. "We will also be starting reservations shortly for bookings inside the Mayflower as of May 17th. "We miss you all and look forward to welcoming you back, safe and sound.”
the gregorian is giving its staff special outdoor service training ahead of april
By Simon Throssell
news@southwarknews.co.uk
the GreGorian in Bermondsey have given their staff special outdoor service training ahead of their april reopening.
The pub on Jamaica Road claims to have the 'biggest beer garden in the area' making it more than suitable for the initial outdoors only regulations.
In May 2015, the pub underwent major transformations into a typical Antic shabby chic style.
Customers will be able to enjoy its warren of rooms once pubs can reopen for indoor dining in May.
A staff member told the News: "Being put on furlough was a difficult experience to go through but it will be great to get back to work. "I'm looking forward to getting out of the house and really hope for the best."
They added: "We had a sign outside the pub saying, 'See you all soon, it's not the end' and that is definitely true!"
mayor announces £5m tourism fund for london
By Simon Throssell
news@southwarknews.co.uk
the Mayor of london has announced plans to launch a £5 million post-Covid tourism campaign to support the capital’s safe reopening.
The campaign will focus on bringing domestic tourists back to London to help aid the recovery of the hospitality, retail and cultural sectors.
A recent report found that tourist spending in central London had fallen by nearly £11bn in the last year.
The new recovery proposals could include ‘major events that showcase central London’s public spaces and cultural riches.’
Sadiq Khan said: “I am determined to do everything I can to help our great city recover as quickly as possible from this appalling pandemic.
“Crucial to that will be the safe reopening of central London and attracting Londoners and domestic visitors back to our amazing restaurants, pubs, cultural venues and of course our major shopping districts like Oxford and Regent Street and Covent Garden.
Khan continued: “London has always been one of the most visited cities in the world and my proposed investment will help to support central London as it begins to recover.”
The news was well-received by the Tower Bridge Exhibition in Southwark, who were forced to close during the pandemic.
Welcoming the announcement, the Head of Tower Bridge, Chris Earlie, said: “The Mayor of London’s investment into London tourism is a huge welcome from all of us at Tower Bridge.
“Tourism is at the beating heart of our capital, and it is vital that this can thrive to ensure the speedy recovery and future prosperity of London.
He added: “Our team can’t wait to welcome visitors from both London and across the UK back inside London’s most famous river crossing when we are able to reopen our doors in May.”
