Following months of preparation and approval by the counsel last December, the Slade in Plumstead is preparing to start work on the refurbishing and extending of the early 20th century toilets, which have been widely disused, in the area. Work on the new building, which will house a café and arts venue following an overwhelming response at the public consultation last March, is expected to begin on February for a 2018 summer opening. The building is expected to be a ‘community resource and focal point’ by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, who expressed these views on their website on the topic, and the centre will host events that will last all year round. Art displays and other community events are widely anticipated by the locals who came together in March to express their fondness on the plans.
The Slade in Plumstead is well known in the area for being a pure open space that is connected to nature in many ways. As well as holding a Green Flag Community Award for its ponds, which are found at the lower end of the park by the Thames Flood Plains, it’s also part of the Green Chain Walk. The dry valley slopes down from Plumstead Common and is lined by scrub heath land vegetation. When asked about their opinions on the Slade, a young woman in the area responded, ‘There’s a lot to do there. There’s tennis, an outdoor gym, a children’s playground, so it makes it a nice place for families to go.’ When asked about her opinions on employment at the new Slade Café she said the following, ‘Like I say, there are lots of young people and families that go there to play in the fields or the sport areas. So, I can imagine them getting lots of customers there which provide a lot of service. Working at the Slade is a great place to work to learn how to be a people’s person and deal with the members of the public.’
With funding and processes approved by the counsel, the Slade are currently looking for an operator, who will run the new business by Plumstead Common. Their preferred deadline is on the 24th of January and the email to get in contact is slade.cafe@royalgreenwich.gov.uk. As quoted by the Royal Borough of Bexley website, the building will be ‘a new, light-filled, creative and cafe space that will remain in keeping with the Plumstead Common Conservation area.’ Operators who would like to lease and run the refurbishing and extension to this well-known, local building are required to have experience in operating a café and demonstrate this knowledge. They must also have the motivation and contacts to become involved in ‘local arts and culture groups’ making sure there is a range of activities and public events accessible all year round.
With the public waiting excitedly, it’s sure to be a big year for the Slade in Plumstead as they prepare to open their new doors!
Liam Malcolm, Welling School
