Cash to spruce up Southwark courtyard

Published by Roisin Rowley-Smith for Riverside in Communities and also in Environment, Housing

Riverside has secured £20,000 to transform a Southwark courtyard from a blot on the landscape to an urban oasis.  

The area, around Friars Close, attracts vermin and is used for fly tipping.

In a bid to improve its neighbourhoods in the South East, Riverside earmarked Friars Close in Southwark as an area where regeneration work would make a significant impact.

To generate funding for the transformation, Riverside’s regeneration team applied to Borough and Bankside Community Council’s Cleaner Safer, Greener fund and was awarded £10,000.  The social landlord has also contributed £10,000 from its own regeneration budget.

Angela Dalton is regeneration officer at Riverside.  She said:  “We will be working with local contractors to create an oasis of calm with trees, shrubs, plants, seating and growing areas, for our tenants to enjoy. People who take pride in their neighbourhoods often have a positive effect on reducing anti social behaviour to the benefit of the whole community. ”