Campaigners say no to ‘top down gentrification’ of Deptford High Street

From an angry conversation in a church crypt, a community campaign has sparked outrage against council plans to pedestrianise a market high street.

Save Deptford High Street campaign has warned that Lewisham council’s plans could “fast-track gentrification” and displace working-class communities in Deptford High Street.

Plans unveiled earlier this month propose a stretch of the popular shopping street between New Cross Road and Hamilton Street to close to vehicles for up to eight hours per day.

Campaign organiser and Deptford High Street resident, Rebecca Fall, found out about the plans at church when her priest urged the congregation to take action against proposals which would see many unable to attend services. 

The 22-year-old said: “There is an 87-year-old woman in our congregation who younger members drive to church every week – I immediately thought of her when I heard Lewisham were planning to close it.”

The road’s closure is expected to allow for increased street trading in the area and more opportunities for cafés and restaurants to put out outdoor seating, according to the council. 

Deputy Mayor of Lewisham and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Climate Action, Councillor Louise Krupski, said the proposal aims to make the high street “more welcoming, greener, safer and an even better place to trade and do business”.

But Ms Fall said small independent businesses unable to pay staff to wake up at 4am to get stock are going to “suffer hugely”.

She said: “It will make it very difficult for small businesses to receive deliveries during working hours, while supermarkets and large businesses with night-time delivery contracts will be unaffected. 

“The change would push small and family-owned businesses towards bankruptcy and closure.

“We’re already seeing the rapid imposition of these places, selling £5 coffees, £60 t-shirts in the squeaky clean ‘Market Yard’ and paying little respect to the history and character of Deptford.”

Cllr Krupski said the local authority is actively approaching impacted businesses on a one to one basis to hear their views and resolve issues.

She said: “We have already received a large number of responses from people, businesses and traders, and actively encourage more to submit any suggestions or feedback.”

Repairs would also be made to paving in the area, extra parking for bikes would be fitted and additional trees and flower beds would be planted.

Ms Fall said: “Lewisham is perfectly happy to go about doing this so long as they attract the wealthy, who I feel treat my home like a playground.”

Led by residents and parishioners from Deptford church, campaigners have organised a petition, street outreach efforts and will host a community workshop at 6pm this evening.

Ms Fall said: “The council’s consultation process has been inaccessible, scheduled during working hours which exclude traders and shopkeepers who will be most affected. 

“The survey doesn’t even offer the opportunity to reject the pedestrianisation plans, forcing you to select ‘preferred’ pedestrianisation slots which are all seven days a week.”

The council’s scheme is framed as a solution to make women and girls feel safer and to tackle anti-social behaviour and street drinking.

But Ms Fall said: “As a woman who worked late hours in bars on and around Deptford High Street for four years, walking home via the High Street was always the safer, better option compared to some of the poorly lit side roads.

“If you want to make Deptford safer for women, make side roads better lit, don’t destroy our high street and tell us we’ll be safer for it.”

The campaign also garnered the support of Lewisham’s Green Party.

In a letter to the Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, prospective Green Party council candidate for Deptford, Adam Pugh, said he was “deeply concerned” about the plans.

A Deptford resident of four decades, Mr Pugh said: “The working class has been under constant pressure—from unaffordable housing to creeping gentrification—and this feels like yet another masked attempt to shape the area in a way that doesn’t reflect or serve the people who actually live here.”

The prospective candidate said the plans “risk solving a problem that does not exist”, while “creating new ones”.

He said: “Deptford High Street is not a busy through road. It is not a high-pollution zone, nor is it gridlocked with cars.”

Residents can share their opinions on the planned changes to Deptford High Street until May 14.

Cllr Krupski said: “The proposals are an early-stage design, with the outcome determined by the feedback gathered from this public consultation. Reponses can be shared online, or at one of the in-person engagement events, and as mentioned, our teams are also out in the area engaging with local businesses and groups to make sure we get as many views as possible.

“Lewisham has a proud history of celebrating and protecting our diverse communities and we are committed to ensuring that any proposed development builds on what is already great about Lewisham while making sure the area reflects the needs of everyone in the community.”

Pictured top: Clockwise from front left, Evan Cummins, Rebecca Fall, Amira Khan, Terry Corne shopkeeper at Terrys Discount and Ezra Pugh (Picture: Darren Halsey)