A local hair salon owner, who has been in the business for twenty years, has been named as the first chairperson of the Peckham Business Forum.
Gloria Douglas, a resident and owner of Satizfaktion on King’s Grove, was chosen out of seven candidates for the role.
Peckham Business Forum was set up eighteen months ago by local charity Tree Shepherd, in conjunction with Mountview, Southwark Council and GLA, to create a local voice for businesses in Peckham.
Their work so far has ranged from creating a coordinated stakeholder voice amidst a background of regeneration to supporting challenges local business owners face from sustainability to landlord issues.
Sandra Ferguson, CEO of Tree Shepherd, said getting a chair is a ‘milestone’ for the forum.
“Since we started working in Peckham, we have been identifying members and leaders,” she told us.
“Gloria has been in business for nearly 20 years, she is well-known in the community and can guide the forum through both her professional and personal experience – which is a huge asset to the organisation.”
Not only a hair salon, Satizfaktion has become somewhat of a hub for locals; its cafe is well-used as a space for community groups. The Southwark Labour Party also has their meetings there.
The forum’s upcoming projects, which will be chaired by Gloria, include responding to and influencing development in Peckham – especially the regeneration of The Aylesham Centre, as well as supporting the removal of graffiti and making the high street a safer, nicer place to be, and, looking at how to stamp out crime – through the Safer Business Network.
Gloria Douglas, Chair of Peckham Business Forum adds, “There are so many changes happening in Peckham, I’ve seen it myself over the last twenty years as a business owner here.
“Sandra and the team have galvanised the community with their ambition and vision for a united voice, working with businesses locally to develop trust, identify the challenges and set the groundwork.
“Already, Peckham Business Forum is a trusted group as it is run by businesses for the businesses of Peckham. I’m delighted to be Chair, and I look forward to getting started to raise the bar of business excellence.”
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