Old Kent Road Business Interviews

Two books recording 72 interviews carried out in 2015 and 51 interviews carried out in 2016, alongside photographs of the people and firms who participated.

Alongside Cities’ auditing efforts in the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area we undertook over two years (2015–2017), a total of 123 interviews with firms in and around the Old Kent Road and beyond, investigating the industrial areas in the reaches of Bermondsey, Deptford, Peckham and everything in between. Cities uncovered the thriving economic life of the Old Kent Road and its surrounding areas in Southwark and found out about the people who work there.

Many of the people we spoke to had fascinating tales to tell: how they got to be where they are, what has changed, what has stayed the same. Many spoke positively about the strong communities around them and their relationship with the local area. We discovered the amazing and surprising things made in this part of London, from theatre sets for the Old Vic and decorations for Selfridges in London to artisan gin, bread and cheese.

More worrying however, is the resonance of a quiet but persistent fear for the future of businesses in this part of London. Many people spoke of the threat posed by rising rents due to competition for suitable spaces for their businesses, and the growing pressure placed on places of work by demand for housing.