The project to create a new home for the Loughborough Farm, a new community kitchen and new workshop and studio spaces, supporting more than 100 jobs, is due to open in Loughborough Junction later this year.
Building work at the LJ Works project off Loughborough Road is close to completion. The final works needed to complete the project are external infrastructure and landscaping around the site, and works to the kitchen space.
The planned landscaping works will open up a new pedestrian route between Styles Gardens and Rathgar Road, improving local connections to Loughborough Junction station.
Funding secured
Lambeth council has attracted £1.6 million in grant funding from the Mayor of London’s London Regeneration Fund, and invested close to £1 million into the scheme to support the local community, boost entrepreneurship and create new opportunities for the area’s diverse community. A further £1.2million collected from community contribution taxes on new developments will be used to finish the project.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Matthew Bennett, Cabinet Member for Planning, Investment & New Homes, said: “This project is hugely positive for the area.
“We’ll soon be seeing local families learning about food growing, new jobs, career development and so much more. I’m really looking forward to joining people from Loughborough Junction and the surrounding area in enjoying all that will be on offer following the completion of this ambitious project.
“I’m also pleased to say that all tenants at LJ Works will be supported throughout their tenancy to become Living Wage employers, and that the builders on the scheme are already Living Wage accredited.”
The new studio working space will initially be managed by Meanwhile Space. The site will include low-cost co-working kitchen facilities, operated by Mission Kitchen, along with studios, workshops and shared textile workspaces. It will also continue to be home to the Loughborough Farm and there will be on-site business support and training delivered by local organisation, Tree Shepherd. The project has funding to build a further phase later this year, as a community build project that will offer opportunities for training and construction experience to local people.
Looking forward
Anthea Masey from Loughborough Farm said, “The Loughborough Farm is really excited about being part of LJ Works and getting to know all the tenants. We are open for gardening sessions every Tuesday and Saturday and we really hope LJ Work tenants will come and join us even if it’s just to sit and enjoy the peace of the beautiful green space we have created for the community.”
How to get involved
The project is intended to directly benefit the Loughborough Junction community and therefore local residents and businesses will be given priority when applying for space. However, applications are welcome from all. Please visit the LJ Works www.ljworks.com website to register your interest and get notified when applications open.
