The Revitalising Brixton’s Rec Quarter Project has seen Lambeth Council invest £1.8million, alongside a £2.17million grant from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund and £400,000 from the Corporation of London, part of the Stride programme, to complete the ambitious work.
As part of the investment an underused space has been transformed into state-of-the-art affordable workspaces to be used by two leading Brixton community organisations.
The project will also enhance the street through the addition of new trees to make it more pleasant and sustainable. This will build on the extensive refurbishment of shops and shop fronts in Brixton Station Road completed earlier this year.
Workspaces
A large, underused area of the iconic Grade-II listed Brixton Rec has been extensively refurbished to create the affordable workspace units for two home grown charities.
Lambeth Council has agreed to grant long-term leases to organisations to provide secure workspace that will enable both organisations to grow and expand the work they deliver.
- Photofusion – The renowned photography hub has been working in Brixton for 30 years where it supports photographers to develop their talents. The organisation has moved into a state-of-the-art new workspace that features darkrooms, gallery space and digital planning facilities that may otherwise be unavailable or too expensive for most photographers.
- Advocacy Academy – The youth-focused social justice organisation will establish its own centre where young people can learn about community organising as well as having access to services including mentoring and mental health support. The new youth centre will cement The Rec’s place for helping young people develop.
The council held a celebration event at the new space on September 30 to invite the community to explore the workspace and learn about the architectural improvements carried out by muf architecture/ art.
Heritage
The Rec’s original backlit signage, which was removed and preserved by the Brixton Rec Users’ Group, has also been restored and reinstated, alongside an architectural lighting scheme which celebrates the architecture and benefits the concourse and street.
To mark The Rec’s unique role in supporting generations of sports people in Lambeth, the council has created a Wall of Fame that has been installed on the ramp leading to the centre.
The Wall of Fame recognises trainers and leading sports people who honed their skills in the Rec, including the late Jimmy Rogers, co-founder of the Topcats, former NBA star Luol Deng who started his career at the Rec and Afewee co-founder Steadman Scott who has run daily training sessions for more than 30 years.
A series of lightboxes showcasing the work of Photofusion artists has also been installed, along with ambitious new architectural lighting around the concourse.
The council has also worked with community organisation Team GJC to train 10 local people in the oral history of Brixton Rec and have held interviews and events to gather untold stories of the Rec since it opened in 1985.
WATCH: Leading Brixton sportspeople explain why Brixton Rec is so important
View from the cabinet
Council leader Cllr Claire Holland said: “The project is an example of the kind of positive action that delivers on our Lambeth 2030 commitments to invest in our people and our places in ways that support economic opportunity, social justice and respond to the climate crisis.
“It also shows what can be achieved by working together with the Mayor’s Office and the local community to honour the Rec’s past and look ahead to its bright future. The new affordable workspace will provide a home for two Brixton charities with track records in supporting people to learn, develop skills and change their lives.
“Photofusion and The Advocacy Academy will support hundreds of people to gain employment and learning opportunities and both organisations are determined to be a force for good in the community.
“We have also worked with the local community to ensure we recognise some of the sportspeople who started their journeys at The Rec, while also making improvements to the concourse and the surrounding shops that play such a part in making central Brixton such a unique place.”
Photocredit Vincenzo Albano
