SoWN News July 2026
- 15 hours ago
- 7 min read
Welcome to this edition of the SoWN newsletter, bringing you the latest news from across South Bank and Waterloo. In this issue, we share highlights from the recent SoWN Forum, a chance for you to have your say about local pavements and accessibility, good news on funding to support outdoor dining and events on Lower Marsh, updates from the South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us programme and some fantastic events taking place over the summer.
Inside this issue:
Highlights from the SoWN Forum at Oasis Hub
Take part in the SoWN Common Ground Survey by 18 August
£100,000 Fund Secured to Support Outdoor Dining and Events this summer on Lower Marsh
South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us updates
Local events:
Southbank Centre 75th anniversary programme
Emma Cons Gardens Summer Events
Lower Marsh Lates 2026: Your Ultimate 90s Cinema Experience
Lower Marsh Free National Theatre Live Shakespeare Season
Southbank Centre community offer: explore Anish Kapoor’s Hayward Gallery exhibition for free
Highlights from the SoWN Forum at Oasis Waterloo
Oasis Waterloo kindly hosted the SoWN Forum on Thursday 2 July at which Florence Eshalomi MP gave an update, first acknowledging the changes happening in national and local politics but reaffirming her commitment to being a champion for the people who live in the Vauxhall and Camberwell Green constituency. Florence hopes changes will mean that she can do more to serve constituents to the best of her ability.
Florence recently took a walk around the area with Cllr Ibrahim Dogus and noted issues such as lime bikes, motorbikes, fly-tipping and the welfare of people experiencing homelessness. Florence has also been busy on the national stage leading a debate on leasehold and commonhold reform. Developments are also taking place through the Renters Rights Act, Representation of People Act so people can vote from age 16, the reduction of VAT and social media ban for young people under 16 years old.
Warren Forsyth Property & FM Director at the Southbank Centre gave an update on the upcoming Jubilee Gardens extension. The project team hope the new garden will be open in 2028 or 2029. You can find details of the project here.
Doug Buist, the new Lib Dem Lambeth Councillor for Waterloo and South Bank, introduced himself and set out his priorities: 1) housing - making sure homes are safe and well maintained and that the council is building new homes, 2) making sure people have a say in decisions that affect them, 3) making sure everyone can access the support and care they need, 4) working alongside people to create a thriving community, and 5) culture. Recent decisions by Lambeth Council should strengthen the role of ward councillors and Doug wants to work with council colleagues to deliver for local people. If you have any requests or suggestions, email Doug: DBuist@lambeth.gov.uk
Richard Bailey of HB Reavis gave an update on the 10 Leake Street development. You can find details of the project here.
Susanna Barnes, Head of Libraries and Archives at Lambeth Council gave an update on the new temporary library. The library will be based at 30 Wootton Street for up to 2 years while they look for a permanent location. They are aiming for the library to be open from 3 August with the same opening hours. The Wootton Street library will be bigger and will include a children's library. If you would like to support the library you could join Lambeth Library Friends. Email libraries@lambeth.gov.uk for more information.
Carole Milner gave an update on the Elders Director launch. You can access the directory here or pop into the Coin Street neighbourhood centre to collect a paper copy or copies.
After the meeting, some attendees headed down to Emma Cons Gardens to enjoy the Thursday summer event (pictured).
The next SoWN Forum will be held on a new date: Thursday 8 October.
SoWN Common Ground Survey – Pavements and Accessibility
Damaged pavements and poor maintenance are among the most common issues raised with SoWN. While we are not responsible for carrying out pavement repairs, we'd like to build a better understanding of where problems exist, how they affect people's everyday journeys, and whether there is more SoWN could do to support improvements.
If you have a few minutes, we'd really appreciate you sharing your thoughts by completing our short survey before 18 August.
The results will help us plan our future work and next steps. We'll share the results with you once the survey has closed.
Reporting pavement and street repairs
If you've spotted a pavement or street repair issue that needs attention, you can report it directly to your local council:
Southwark: https://report.southwark.gov.uk/
£100,000 Fund Secured to Support Outdoor Dining and Events this summer on Lower Marsh
WeAreWaterloo BID, in partnership with Lambeth Council, has secured £100,000 from the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets Fund to support a vibrant programme of activity on Lower Marsh this summer, building on the street’s existing success as one of Waterloo’s most popular independent high streets.
The funding will maximise opportunities presented by the Saturday road closure (9am–9pm), enabling local hospitality businesses to expand their outdoor offer through additional tables and chairs and supporting increased al fresco dining and drinking across 10 Saturdays throughout the summer period from 25 July onwards.
Alongside this, Lower Marsh will be enhanced with simple but effective public realm improvements including festoon lighting, bunting, planting and improved street dressing, helping to create a welcoming and distinctive summer destination. The programme will also include three free outdoor cultural screenings in collaboration with NT Live, taking place on the final Saturday of each month from July to September. These events build on the success of WeAreWaterloo’s “Lower Marsh Lates” series and aim to make high-quality cultural experiences freely accessible in the heart of Waterloo.
WeAreWaterloo’s Chief Executive, Kate Poulter, said: “Lower Marsh is already a thriving and much-loved destination in Waterloo, and this funding will help our hospitality businesses make even more of the opportunity created by the Saturday road closure. By introducing additional outdoor seating, enhancing the street with lighting, bunting and planting, and bringing free cultural screenings to the area, we will support local businesses, welcome more visitors, and encourage people to stay and enjoy everything Lower Marsh has to offer.”
The Summer Streets programme will run from July to September 2026 and will be evaluated to inform future approaches to outdoor trading and public realm activation on Lower Marsh.
South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us
Save the date - South Bank and Waterloo Eco Fest!
You're invited to the South Bank and Waterloo Eco Fest - a free community celebration of sustainability, creativity and family fun in the heart of London. Building on the Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day in 2025, this year’s event explores how we can create a more circular neighbourhood. Get ready to swap, share, upcycle and repair!
There'll be activities to enjoy for all ages with hands-on workshops, inspiring stalls and live performances.
See the event page to register here and keep an eye out for the release of the full programme closer to the date. See you there!
Marking Clean Air Day with new local air quality tools and a garden party
On Thursday 18th June, Sustains Us celebrated Clean Air Day by bringing together our community for a Garden Party. Thank you to everyone who came along - we had a great afternoon and evening of live music, food, activities and conversations focused on greener living and improving local air quality. The event marked the launch of our new resources to help us understand our local air quality and what we can all do about it.
Click through to read more about the Garden Party and access these new air quality resources.
Local events
Southbank Centre 75th anniversary programme
Emma Cons Gardens Summer events
The Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary programme is packed year-round with events that explore the future, celebrate youth culture, embrace arts’ relationship with technology and open up the site as a joyful, welcoming space for everyone.
Various dates and times.
Visit the website for more information.
A free summer-long programme of inspiring community events to transform the Emma Cons Gardens into a vibrant destination for creativity, wellbeing, and connection in the heart of Waterloo.
Date: Thursday evenings from 18 June until 17 September 2026
Visit the website for more information.
Lower Marsh Lates 2026: Your Ultimate 90s Cinema Experience
Lower Marsh Free National Theatre Live Shakespeare Season
Lower Marsh Lates returns with FREE 90s films on the big screen, live performances, and exclusive food and drinks deals on an iconic and historic market street – all wrapping up beneath the glow of a ‘Waterloo Sunset’.
Upcoming dates:
WeAreWaterloo BID, in partnership with Lambeth Council and National Theatre Live, is bringing free outdoor theatre screenings to Lower Marsh this summer as part of the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets programme.
The first screening will take place on Saturday 25 July (5-8pm) with a free showing of Hamlet.
Book here.
Southbank Centre Community Connect offer: explore Anish Kapoor’s Hayward Gallery exhibition
Get a new perspective this summer with Anish Kapoor’s Hayward Gallery exhibition featuring monumental, immersive artworks that inspire awe and wonder in visitors of all ages.
Through the Southbank Centre's Community Connect offer, community groups and non-profit organisations based in Lambeth and Southwark can book up to 30 free tickets for any day during gallery opening hours.
To request your Community Connect tickets, email communityconnect@southbankcentre.co.uk with the following:
The name of your organisation: South Bank and Waterloo Neighbours
A website or social media link for your organisation: https://www.sowneighbours.org/
Your preferred date and time to visit: [for you to complete]
The size of your group visiting: [for you to complete]
Please email at least two weeks in advance of your intended visit to help the Southbank Centre accommodate your request. They aim to respond within five working days.
Find out more here.
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