Guest Editors

GUEST EDITOR | SEPT 2026 Emma Warren AUTHOR | JOURNALIST | LEWISHAM "Neighbourhood space is an engine room... Inside their walls, people of all ages can connect, decompress, come up with ideas and do stuff. " EMMA WARREN Emma Warren © BUILD HOLLYWOOD ROOTS BEFORE BRANCHES Creating Space Neighbourhood space, across the UK, is an engine room. I’m talking about cafes, community centres and pubs, parks, social clubs, and street corners. And given that my last book was about youth clubs, I’m talking about youth clubs as well. These are the spaces where commerce can sit alongside community for a very simple reason: there’s no massive global finance entity hovering above and sucking up all the profit whilst simultaneously dumping all the social costs back on us. Everywhere, including the South London borough of Lewisham, has retained at least a few of these spaces. Inside their walls, people of all ages can connect, decompress, come up with ideas and do stuff. I’ve always taken an active part in local life, starting with going to clubs (youth club and nightclub) and writing about music, culture and community as a journalist and, later, an author. My book 'Dance Your Way Home' inspired Southbank Centre’s 2025 summer season, which meant a heap of free events on the terrace. In parallel, I’ve been an informal youth worker, part of the happy cycle of giving and receiving that comes with being in the world in a meaningful way. So it’s a treat to be able to offer this snapshot. These people, places and items exist in a long lineage of South London treasures. I totally believe they’ll generate next-generation gems, simply by existing. That is, if we keep using them. BIG UP LEWISHAM No Borough is An Island I grew up in Bromley and moved to Lewisham in 1997. The borough has a rich and deep history and for a long time, it was a relatively cheap area to live in. I’ve worked in local schools, drunk tea in caffs in every ward in the borough, and I value the variety, from Downham in the south of the borough to Deptford in the north. I’ve seen local pride grow over the last few years. I think it’s because we’ve seen what happened to neighbouring areas like Peckham and Elephant and Castle, in terms of gentrification that destroys local culture. It’s made us value what we’ve got even more. Respect to Lewisham People’s Assembly for their work trying to ensure a better redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre than currently proposed by multi-million developer Landsec (£393m profit in 2025). No borough is an island. We’re all in this together. "I’ve seen local pride grow over the last few years. I think it’s because we’ve seen what happened to areas like Peckham and Elephant and Castle." EMMA WARREN BACK TO THE GRASSROOTS Long Live The Independents Hill Station Café, Telegraph HillThis community café perches near the top of this massive hill. There’s food, drinks, tonnes of events, and the D4100 pizza people on the terrace. It couldn’t be more welcoming or friendly. Also hosts the monthly South East Salon, bringing together people who want to support local culture and community. Antonio’s, LewishamLong-standing Italian deli and café, previously known as Gennaro’s and right next to Lewisham market. Lovely spot for a coffee. Hither Green Railway and Social Club, Hither GreenIn previous times this member’s club was run for and by railway workers and their families. Now they’ve opened it up to everyone. They’ve got cheap drinks, darts, pool, bingo, a bar, a huge dancefloor and a garden. A real gem.XO Bikes, Lewisham If you need your bike fixed, this is the place to go. Super friendly staff – and a brilliant social enterprise. Sister Midnight FM, CatfordBack in 2018, three friends tried to turn a local pub into a community-owned music venue. It laid the foundation for a new spot, opening this autumn. In the meantime, their radio station keeps the community together. LEWISHAM In Numbers 301k TOTAL RESIDENTS 35 AVERAGE AGE 23.4% RESIDENTS UNDER 19 1st BOROUGH OF SANCTUARY IN THE UK TURN IT UP The South LDN Culture List 01HEAR THIS MOSES BOYD - 'SAY YEAH'South East Londoner Moses Boyd got the children of Woolwich Creative Club, where I work, to take part in his new video. It’s a joyful and beautifully circular moment, given that he also came through youth music projects. 02WATCH THIS 'A PORTRAIT OF MR PINK'Jamaican-born Mr Pink created a local landmark, painting his house bright colours, adding sculptures and growing plants. Helena Appio’s tender short film is a reminder of what’s possible. 03SEE THIS LEWISHAM SHOPPING CENTRE MURALSThe walls of Lewisham shopping centre bear multiple murals including Guarab Thakali’s now-iconic Lewisham (2022) and a new one by local-born Molly Hankinson, inspired by the abovementioned Mr Pink. 04READ THIS 'NEW CROSS, NEW CROSS: A CULTURAL HISTORY'This brilliant new book from the man behind the indispensable Transpontine blog is a deep cultural history which ripples out far beyond SE14. 05LISTEN UP SAXON STUDIO INTERNATIONAL: 'COUGHING UP FIRE'Incredible live album capturing a historic SE LDN moment, with Lewisham’s Saxon Sound bringing pure fire on the decks and on the mic – and an off-the-scale whistle crew. Coming up A KOKOROKO solo show, a Sugababe in panto and a Northern Soul event for the dancers EVERY FRIDAY 'TIL 19 SEPT Sydenham Night Market 10 SEPT Sheila Maurice Grey at The Fox & Firkin 24 OCTOBER Heart & Soul at Zhulin Hidden Village 9-31 DECEMBER Cinderella at Broadway Theatre FOLLOW @_EMMALWARREN_

Guest Editors

Emma Warren: LOTI Guest Editor

Linett Kamala | Notting Hill Carnival Guest Editor

MAYOR ZOE GARBETT

Daryll Neita

Adele Zeynep Walton

Mursal Saiq | Guest Editor

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Guest Editors

Emma Warren: LOTI Guest Editor

Linett Kamala | Notting Hill Carnival Guest Editor

MAYOR ZOE GARBETT

Daryll Neita

Adele Zeynep Walton

Mursal Saiq | Guest Editor

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