Lewisham council is to use £19m it won from the government’s lewvelling up fund plus £5m it is providing in matching funding to revitalise the town centre.
The council is planning to refurbish the library, rejuvenate the market and improve the high street.
Lewisham wants to transform the market to encourage more visitors, help local businesses and create a better space for the whole community.
The aim is to improve the market layout, increase the number of pitches for traders by 60 per cent.
By building a permanent market structure and designing modern, environmentally friendly canopies the council hopes to exten the current market trading hour and use the are as an event space.
In addition there will be more green space with trees, more benches, better paving, improved lighting and a refurbishment of the clock tower.
On the library the plan is to renovate the existing building and to create a flexible space for cultural and business activity alongside a high quality library service.
The library was closed on September 15 for the works and will not reopen until 2026.
Until then a click and collect service will operate from the Glass Mill leisure centre alongside the home library service. The archive and local history service has move to Catford library.
On the high street Lewisham is planning to improve infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. It is aiming to upgrade cycling provision and create three mobility hubs for cycling and electric vehicle use. More trees and pocket green spaces are planned.
Construction work should begin in the high street in January 2024. Lewisham will be consulting on the changes and seeking views in face to face sessions and online. FAQs are available on the council’s website and there will be a an emailed newsletter lewisham.gov.uk/signupMore details on lewisham.gov.uk/LewishamTC
