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The Victoria Pub Co-Design
2014–Present

Date
2014–Present

Project Name
The Victoria Pub Co-Design

Client
Lend Lease Deptford Ltd (LLD Ltd)

Category
Public | Interim Use | Learning

Lend Lease Deptford Ltd (LLD Ltd) appointed Fluid in December 2014 to assist with identifying the 3-year interim use, associated design and management of a community engagement process of The Victoria Pub, Deptford.

The Victoria building is on the perimeter of the proposed Wharves, Deptford masterplan site, one of the five strategic sites identified in the London Borough of Lewisham Local Development Framework Core strategy for significant mixed-use redevelopment.

The initial proposals for the wider Site sought to demolish the disused Victoria building. However through consultation with the community, a decision to retain the building was made. The Victoria is the only building to be retained as part of The Wharves Deptford scheme, and will act as a reference to the past and will retain the historical character of the Pepys Park street elevation.

A co-design group was formed to develop ideas for the interim use of the derelict Victoria Pub building, along with the client, to ensure that the use and vision reflected the needs and aspirations of the local community.

The group was established at the end of 2014, and represented a cross-section of local interests and groups that have previously shown a commitment to the process of involvement. Fluid, along with Soundings, carried out monthly co-design workshops to develop the brief and implementation strategy for the buildings future use.
The interim uses for The Victoria seek to provide employment and training opportunities for local people.

The use of the revived Victoria Pub as a start-up kitchen, café and flexible co-making / co-working venue during the construction period for The Wharves, Deptford will provide an incubator space for local businesses to grow and collaborate, and potentially establish themselves on the permanent site after the 3 year interim period have elapsed. The Victoria proposal is driven by flexibility to meet the requirements set out by the community and client for a multi-functional space. After the 3-year interim period, the building will revert to being a local pub to the old and new community.

Planning approval was granted in January 2016. Fluid is currently developing the detail design and construction drawings for the project with a view to construction starting on site in Summer 2016.