About Us

1995

Living Bankside (established as Bankside Residents' Forum) was established in 1995 to involve residents with the developers who were beginning to discover north Southwark and the area around the Bankside Power Station.

In the late 70s people had begun to move back into the area with the building of Falcon Point flats, the Rochester estate, Edward Edwards House, and the conversion of some of the old warehouses by the river. North Southwark Community Development Group and local residents became engaged in the battle for 'Homes not Offices' on the South Bank with the Coin Street Action Group.

Early developments in the 90s included the recreation of the Globe Theatre, the conversion of the old Power station to Tate Modern, the building of the Millennium Bridge and the opening of the new Jubilee line station at Southwark. all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

2000

Early local BRF campaigns included action against illegal trading on Bankside and involvement with instigating a ban on coach parking north of Southwark Street as well as engagement with the long running Thameslink 2000 project and subsequent enquiry.

In 2004 and 2005 there were the first consultations about huge developments on the old Sainsbury's site (20 Blackfriars Road) and 185 Park Street, neither of which have yet (2016) been built.t all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

2005

In 2005 BRF participated in the Thameslink enquiry, Southwark's ill-fated tall Buildings policy, and helped see off the proposed Tate tower between Tate Modern and Falcon Point.

In 2005 two members of BRF formed the Community Film Club as part of Tate Modern's community involvement.

In 2007 the Community Space at Bankside Mix (18 Great Guildford Street) was leased to Better Bankside to manage on behalf of the local community. BRF was able to use a desk here. http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/1220 2008 saw the property crash and several developments were put on hold.

In 2009 Andrew Richardson became coordinator and BRF was involved in a number of projects such as the revitalisation of the shopping parade in Great Suffolk Street and the creation of the Bankside Urban Forest. all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

2010

It 2010 was the 10th anniversary of Bankside Open Spaces Trust. The new Mint Street Festival marked the beginning of a Community Anchor Partnership between BOST, Blackfriars Settlement and BRF. That summer the London Festival of Architecture brought much interest to Bankside.

In 2011 Bankside Residents' Forum vigorously opposed the move by developers GC Bankside to provide the affordable housing component of its scheme at NeoBankside offsite.

The government also declared Bankside a 'front runner' in the localisation of the planning process Julian Cooling, chair of Bankside Residents' Forum, said: "Bankside is a unique neighbourhood, and therefore deserves a unique plan to ensure local views for the future are addressed over the next decade. Everyone is committed to developing a neighbourhood plan that provides Bankside with a planning policy framework for future growth while meeting local needs."

In 2012 funding from Southwark council for the coordinator was withdrawn and Bankside Residents' Forum entered a new phase as a volunteer-led campaign group. Resources became stretched with the development of the Neighbourhood Forum to develop the Neighbourhood Plan.

In 2013 Bankside Residents' Forum consulted widely on a local response to Southwark Council's Blackfriars Road Supplementary Planning Document and submitted a substantial document. All begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

2015

Due to a lack of resources and capacity between 2014 and early 2016 the efforts of Bankside Residents' Forum was diminished.

In 2016 a revitalised Board of Directors, led by a new Chair begin the revival and the re-branding of Bankside Residents' Forum as a vital community organisation and voice of the ever changing residential community - informing people about the planning process as well as helping foster community cohesion.

​The Bankside Residents' Forum conduct a substantial door-to-door consultation of the Bankside Neighbourhood Plan, reaching over 400 people.

In 2019 Marion Marples, Vice Chair of Living Bankside and Bankside stalwarts suddenly passes away.

2020

The outbreak of the covid pandemic in 2020 causes much difficulty for Living Bankside and small charitable organisations across the country.

Living Bankside responds by galvanising over 150 volunteers to provide advice to and deliver food and medicines to vulnerable residents across SE1. Over 1500 residents were supported during the Pandemic.

In 2021, post pandemic Living Bankside continues the legacy of The Great Get Together Bankside at Southwark Quarter.

In 2022 Living Bankside launches Living Bankside Academy and the Our Future Programme.

In 2024 the Board of Directors is once again revitalised with a number of new Directors form the local neighbourhood.

In June 2024 Living Bankside hosts The Great Get Together SE1 expanding across the neighbourhood.