Southwark Council has released its initial plans for a new pensioners centre in Camberwell.
The new Southwark Pensioners Centre, inside a former betting shop on Camberwell Road, will replace the current site, also on Camberwell Road.
The council wants local pensioners to give feedback on its early proposals, which include a floorplan and an artist’s impression of the centre’s frontage.
Southwark Pensioners’ Centre already serves over 1,500 elderly people but its current building is too small.
Last year Director Cathy Deplessis said: “We’re a little tardis over here but all our rooms are fully booked out and we’re struggling for space.”
The new centre at 201 – 205 Camberwell Road aims to provide a larger, more welcoming, stimulating and comfortable environment.
Initial plans show it providing a kitchen, hot desk workspaces and a garden-terrace area.
The new centre should increase elderly people’s participation in support services and leisure and learning activities.
It could even become a place where people get health check-ups if they’re struggling to access NHS services.
A benefit of the location is its proximity to the current centre meaning service users should find the new space easily.
Deplessis said: “We’ve got people who’ve been coming to the centre for 30-odd years so it will be a lot easier for them to find it.”
The centre is made possible by Southwark Council’s £1 million investment. The money comes from its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund – cash saved by taxing developers building in Southwark.
To provide feedback on the plans visit: https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/planning-and-regeneration/a-new-southwark-pensioners-centre/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo