Blending the aspirational with the practical | Brockley

South London blog Brockley Central has blogged before and after pictures of a regeneration project in Tower Hamlets to show what can be achieved in their area.

The photos of the project, which a Brockley resident played a leading role in, were  uploaded to highlight similar potential in the Brockley Road and Lewisham Way area of the south London suburb.

Brockley Central points out that our streets make a major contribution to our prosperity and quality of life, yet too often we accept the ‘crappy status quo’ as though any other reality is impossible.

You can view the original post via this link: Triumph of imagination 2: High Street 2012 | Brockley Central.

Hilsea Lido Group Prepare for Takeover This Week | Portsmouth

A development trust is to become permanent resident of the Hilsea Lido after signing a 99-year lease on the pool, a blog in Portsmouth is reporting.

After three years of negotiating with Portsmouth Council, the Hilsea Lido Pool for the People Trust took over the management of the main pool and Blue Lagoon in June 2010.

After completing a three month probationary period, the trust becomes the new owners of the site on 3rd September 2010.

You can read the original post via this link:

Hilsea Lido Group Prepare for Takeover This Week | Portsmouth Home: Welcome to Portsmouth!

Cinema for Camberwell Green campaign steps up a gear | Southwark

The campaign to turn an old bingo hall on Camberwell Green back into a cinema is stepping up a gear, South London Press reports.

The future of the Gala Coral building is up for grabs and a planning application for change of use pits the Christian organisation leasing the building against those who believe that Walworth and Camberwell need more arts venues.

You can read the original post via this link:

Cinema for Camberwell Green campaign steps up a gear | The South London Post.

Crafty new look for former sex shop | Islington

A retro craft shop, which doubles as a bar, has reopened permanently at a serially vacant lot on Caledonian Road, Kings Cross Local Environment reports.

Drink, Shop & Do was a hit as a temporary venture in December 2009, with its curious mix of cocktails, knitting and other craft activities, board games and vintage furniture.

On Saturday, the address which used to be a sex shop and originally a Victorian bathhouse, became part of  Caledonian Road’s burgeoning ‘cake strip’.  A calendar of craft activities will follow, pending the necessary licences.

You can view the original post via this link:

Tea, cake, beer and craft pop-up shop returns to Caledonian Road | Kings Cross Local Environment.

Leeds needs more independent spirit, not just shopping centres | Leeds

A major developer investing in Leeds sends the right messages about confidence for the future. But a local blogger notes that at the same time areas that epitomise the city’s independent spirit are struggling.

In his blog on the restart of a £350m scheme, John Baron says this piece of good news hides the fact that the city is losing the uniqueness that makes it different from neighbouring cities.

He warns that the city must make the most of its character if it wants to remain a popular shopping destination.

Opinion: Leeds needs more independent spirit, not just shopping centres | Leeds : guardian.co.uk.

Elephant & Castle love story opens at shopping centre theatre | south London

A production documenting the lives and experiences of people in a rapidly changing area of south London has opened in the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre

Southwark-based Mayhem Company’s production will be performed in the Royal Court’s Theatre Local space in an empty unit on the upper floor of the complex.

The SE1 blog reports that 50 members of the community were interviewed, including former residents of the Heygate Estate, and their stories turned into a play.

You can find the original story via this link: Elephant & Castle love story opens at shopping centre theatre | SE1 blog

Castle market and Sheffield castle | Sheffield blog

A debate is rumbling on Sheffield blog about whether or not a city centre market should be listed.

The argument against the listing is that it would be much harder to go ahead with some elements of the masterplan for the city centre. But others point out that the market has a social role.

You can read the original post via this link:

Castle market and Sheffield castle | Sheffield blog.

A future for Stoke | Stoke-on-Trent

Authorities’ lack of confidence in the local people of North Staffordshire is at the root of Stoke’s problems, but in his assessment of the town’s plight,  Bill Cawley is optimistic about the future.

In this response to an article by local MP Tristram Hunt,  the local blogger says authorities must stop ignoring local people’s ideas in order for Stoke to flourish once again.

You can view the original article via this link:

Pits n Pots Blogger Bill Cawley Replies To Tristram Hunt’s Recent Article In The Sentinel | Pits n Pots.

The problems with leasing a shop in Brockley | south London

Brockley Central documents an attempt to take over an empty shop in the neighbourhood with a particularly unsatisfactory conclusion.

You can read the original post via the following link: Brockley shops – no vacancies | Brockley Central.

Balsall Heath and the Big Society | Birmingham

This video by Demos tells the story of how people in the Balsall Heath are doing work which fits with the government’s Big Society idea.

Nowrah the main woman in the film is one of the people helping Podnosh (the Birmingham-based blog that flagged up this clip) run the Balsall Heath Social Media Surgery.

You can view the original post via the following link: Balsall Heath and the Big Society | Podnosh.