Popular 1930s shopping arcade to be DEMOLISHED as major station square revamp begins
A POPULAR 1930s shopping arcade is finally set to be torn down, making way for a long-delayed transformation of the station square it fronts.
The demolition will take place in Peckham, south London, where the arcade outside Peckham Rye Station is being removed as part of a major upgrade to the square and surrounding transport links.
Contractors BAM Nuttall Ltd have been brought in by Southwark Council to carry out the works, which are due to begin this summer.
The revamp is the next phase of a wider regeneration project aiming to restore the station area to its former Victorian glory.
The arcade, built nearly a century ago, has long been a landmark but now stands in the way of much-needed improvements.
Once cleared, the new public space will offer better access, more room for pedestrians and a welcoming entrance to the station.
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Peckham Rye Station is one of the busiest interchange stations in the UK without step-free access.
Its platforms and passageways are too narrow for the modern-day passenger flow, causing dangerous overcrowding at peak times.
Network Rail’s proposals aim to fix that, with plans for new lifts, staircases, accessible toilets, wider platforms and bigger entrance gates.
The full upgrade promises a safer, more accessible station experience for all passengers.
Planning permission for the arcade demolition was granted back in 2016, but the project has faced years of setbacks.
Delays were caused by water damage to nearby buildings and the complicated relocation of existing businesses in the arcade.
The first stage of the project—refurbishing a nearby corner building on Blenheim Grove to house some of those businesses, was finally completed last year, though it ran three years behind schedule.
Once demolition begins, the pedestrian cut-through from Rye Lane to the station will be closed.
That path will remain shut until the new square is completed next year.
Southwark Council says the transformation of the square will be followed by the full overhaul of the station itself.
While planning permission for the station was secured in 2023, the next design stage is still waiting for government funding.
A Network Rail spokesperson said that once funding is secured, two years of design work will be followed by two years of construction.
Timelines remain unconfirmed, and any station closures won’t be announced until design is finalised.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “This is a massively exciting time.
"I’m glad we’re taking a step closer to delivering the station square local people have been calling for.”
Gareth White, Operations Director at BAM, said: “We’re proud to be involved in bringing this long-awaited regeneration to life.
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"The new square will enhance the station and benefit the wider community.”
When complete, the area will reflect the historic look of the 1880s while providing modern facilities to meet current demands, marking a new chapter for one of London’s most well-used transport hubs.
