Peckham stands at a crucial junction that will shape its future for generations. Fishmongers on the high street, herb shop in the shopping centre, African foods and fashion, essential vegetable shop, roof top bars, cinema everyone has a favourite spot in Peckham that we love, this is what Peckham is known for.
This portrait project focuses on individuals, who own businesses, people who work in Peckham and people whose future depends on the incredible diversity. Without their everyday contribution, Peckham wouldn’t be such a vibrant and cool place to live, work, visit and socialise in. The reason I started this series of portraits is to highlight the importance of existing local community during the proposal of Berkeley’s development of Aylesham shopping centre in Peckham. It is crucial to protect this fragile community and local businesses, because these are the people who are the core of Peckham and they must be included in all future plans for the area.
There are many visions for the development, but these independent businesses should be supported instead of being slowly replaced by soulless high street brands. This will preserve Peckham and its incredible diversity that is loved by so many of us.