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. 

2000

Early local Bankside Residents’ Forum (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.

The Open Spaces Committee at BRF establishes itself as Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST). BOST is a positive legacy of BRF.

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.

2010

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 BRF 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 BRF, 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 BRF 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 BRF consulted widely on a local response to Southwark Council's Blackfriars Road Supplementary Planning Document and submitted a substantial document.

2015

Due to a lack of resources and capacity between 2014 and early 2016 the efforts of BRF was diminished.

In 2016 a revitalised Board of Directors, led by a new Chair begin the revival and the re-branding of BRF 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 BRF conduct a substantial door-to-door consultation of the Bankside Neighbourhood Plan, reaching over 400 people.

In 2017 BRF hosts a Grand Iftar with Southwark Cathedral, which becomes more significant to the local community following the horrible London Bridge Attacks. The Iftar becomes a positive legacy of the attacks and is held every year in partnership with Southwark Cathedral.

In 2018 BRF rebrands as Living Bankside.

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

2020

In January 2020 Living Bankside hosts its first stakeholder’s gathering in partnership with Ben Lovett and TVG Hospitality at Tap and Bottle. Living Bankside goes onto host these gatherings on a frequent basis at venues across the neighbourhood - Living Bankside @

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 the autumn of 2021 Living Bankside renames Gambia Street Garden as Marion’s Way in honour of local hero, Marion Marples

In 2022 Living Bankside launches Living Bankside Academy and the Our Future Programme (an annual award-winning summer programme support young people).

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.