Former Thamesmead pub awarded £382,000 to become arts centre, cafe and nursery

Thamesmead’s Lakeside Centre has received £382,000 by Arts Council England to convert the building to artist studios.

The building overlooks Southmere Lake and was formerly a pub. It was always handy for getting a pint as a 16 year old.

According to Bow Arts, who are behind the new venture, the money will see a lift installed to the first floor studios and events spaces, solar panel system to allow the centre to generate a good proportion of its own power, and installation of a rooftop lightbox put the building “on the map”.

It’s currently vacant:

Our 4th #OpenHouseLondon visit today was Thamesmead's Lakeside Centre, star of @E4Misfits. @BowArts have fantastic plans for this building! pic.twitter.com/WbFr3E1vEl

— Paul Speller (@paulspellr) September 17, 2017

The plan is to open in Spring 2019 with:

• 40 new affordable workspaces for local artists, designers and makers
• A café serving “delicious, affordable meals and beverages”






• A nursery, run by the YMCA, with places for 6 babies, 24 toddlers and 28 pre-schoolers
• The “Enterprise Kitchen”, a hire kitchen and production and training facility run by social enterprise Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency, teaching cooking and business management skills to young, local street food businesses

It’s a great re-use of a building known by many in the area but not the most accessible. Artists studios seem a perfect fit. It’s a great spot overlooking the lake.