Fears for future of Peckham over plans to revamp Aylesham Centre with 1,000 homes

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

Shoppers and traders say a leaky shopping centre desperately needs a facelift but are divided on plans to bulldoze it.

Developers want to flatten the Aylesham Centre in Peckham and build more than 1,000 new homes on it, as well as shops and offices.

Business owners said the 24-year-old centre often flooded during heavy rain, and was in urgent need of repairs.

But some who have operated out of the centre for decades said they feared for their futures if the centre was bulldozed.

Many shoppers said they were worried about losing free parking in Morrisons next door, which is also due to be rebuilt as part of the plans.

Rose Morgan, who works as a community champion at Morrisons in Rye Lane, said she supported the rebuild, as long as the area kept its authenticity.

Ms Morgan said: “It’s nice. We’re going to have something new, fresh and different. I think the authenticity needs to be kept though.

“Peckham is going through a change and we know we’re seeing little bits of change at a time. I think that helps. It’s better than it being a big change all at once.”

But shopper Yasmin Dawson, 42, was worried about the area becoming overcrowded if more homes were built.

Ms Dawson, who has lived in Peckham all her life, said: “Why would you put houses in a place that’s very busy already? Even if we’re short of housing, that’s not just in Peckham.”

Developer Berkeley has yet to submit detailed plans to Southwark council, but it has revealed it wants to create 10,500sqm of shops, leisure space and offices on the site, alongside the new homes.

The first part of the redevelopment, which is expected to take place between 2024 and 2028, would see a new Morrisons with a basement car park built where the petrol station currently stands.

Once finished, the existing Morrisons store would be redeveloped. Work to rebuild the Aylesham Centre itself is not expected to begin before 2030.

Sultan Mohammad, 52, who has sold bags, belts and luggage from his pitch in the shopping centre for 20 years, said he was worried about his future. He said: “I support lots of family members with this stall. If we get moved out, I don’t know what I’m going to do.

“The roof leaks and it floods, the centre needs repairing but I don’t think most people want it rebuilding.

“Rye Lane is busy from people in Morrisons car park who pass through here. One day the centre was closed off because of an incident and Rye Lane was empty. What is going to happen to Rye Lane if this goes?”

Berkeley has been contacted for comment on the plans.

Pictured top: Rose Morgan in the Aylesham Centre in Peckham (Picture: Robert Firth)