The first designated Cool Space in Lambeth is being developed at Streatham Ice Rink and Leisure Centre in Streatham High Road which is run by the council under the Active Lambeth brand. The council is working to identify other locations in the borough that could be used in the same way.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Leisure and Sport, said: “We have seen three periods of very hot weather already this summer, and that is part of a wider trend of rising temperatures.
“We are working hard to make Lambeth fit for the future, creating climate-resilient borough where people can lead healthier, happier lives. Practical steps like this cool spaces plan are important when to comes to dealing with the impacts of hotter summers.
“Our homes aren’t adapted to hot weather and it is challenging for people living in flats in particular, especially when it comes to costs like buying air conditioning units and the expense of running the units.
“This is why the council started work to identify cool spaces to support residents to stay comfortable in the hot weather. Streatham Ice Rink is in an ideal location to support local people and is ideally suited to help those who really need to escape the heat.”
Cool space
Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre is open seven days a week, has wifi, toilets and also has a café serving cold drinks as well as snacks at affordable prices so is well suited to being a cool space. The plan is to allocate Streatham Ice Rink as a cool space between June and September each year during the warmest times of the day, from 11.30am to 4pm.
Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, Lambeth has made significant progress in delivering projects to build climate resilience. From making schools and homes more affordable and comfortable to improving flood resilience and creating healthier neighbourhoods.
