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
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 Hill
This 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, Lewisham
Long-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 Green
In 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, Catford
Back 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
01
HEAR 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.
02
WATCH 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.
03
SEE THIS
LEWISHAM SHOPPING CENTRE MURALS
The 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.
04
READ 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.
05
LISTEN 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_
