Southwark wins £150,000 to help local businesses on Rye Lane

8 December 2021

Southwark Council secures £150,000 to help local businesses on Rye Lane, in Peckham. The money was awarded from the GLA’s High Street Challenge for All fund. Deputy Mayor, Jules Pipe, joined local businesses and the Leader of Southwark Council, Kieron Williams, to celebrate the news at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, in the heart of Peckham.

This news follows the council’s increased commitment to support businesses and traders on Rye Lane. Tree Shepherd has been contracted to start this work. They are providing business support, as well as bringing traders together, so that local businesses have access to different types of help, best suited to their needs.

Today’s funding will enable this project to continue and further support local businesses. In addition to business support, it will also help Southwark Council and Mountview to work with small businesses. Together they will deliver a creative night time strategy, improve women’s safety at night and help businesses tackle the climate emergency. 

Cllr Jason Ochere, Cabinet Member for jobs business and town centres, said: “Local businesses add personality and a unique character to each distinct and individual corner of the borough. They serve the needs of the communities who live alongside them, but they also help to draw people from further afield. We are fortunate to have many destination highstreets and town centres in Southwark, but today we are delighted to continue to expand our support of small businesses on Rye Lane, with this High Street Challenge for All funding.”

Many Rye Lane businesses attended the event to celebrate the news. These included: Isatu Turay from Izatu Kitchen, Rae Jenkin from Vintage Eyewear Popup and Jahson Peat from Zionly Vegan Rastarant.

The council recognises the challenges that local highstreets have faced in recent years, from the impact of online shopping to COVID-19 restrictions and more. Southwark Council continues to support small businesses with a range of grants, information and resources in order to help them at this difficult time.

Southwark Council invites all businesses in the borough to sign up for news about all the support on offer, in its monthly business news enewsletter.

Page last updated: 08 December 2021

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