Streatham Space Project Update

London Square (the developers) and Lambeth issued a tender document for a new operator for the Streatham Space Project and held an open day for those interested, and for community consultation.

The new offer is for a 17 year rent-free lease (the remaining time from the original 25 year lease), with the operator responsible for all other building costs – rates (with discount for charities), insurance, service charges, utilities, repairs and maintenance – plus their operating costs.

SAC went along to the open day to help potential bidders with information we have, based on our experience of the previous tender and the operation of the space – see our library for more on those.

We also joined other community groups and individuals to give feedback on what the community would like to see, and how an operator should work with the community while running a sustainable operation.

Lambeth have issued the output of the community consultation and will be issuing an update for tenderers.

You can contact London Square at john.giblin@londonsquare.co.uk and Lambeth at culture@lambeth.gov.uk.

New Manager for Woodfield Pavilion

Woodfield Pavilion have announced their new manager:

We are delighted to welcome Eddie Ralston as the new Manager of Woodfield Pavilion.

Eddie brings 20 years’ experience working in the charity sector in the UK and internationally, alongside a long-standing commitment to grassroots community initiatives.

In previous roles with Save the Children and Whizz Education, Eddie led global development programmes and operations, establishing systems to improve efficiency and accountability and ensuring projects delivered meaningful results.. Earlier in his career, he directed education programmes within a refugee camp with Jesuit Refugee Service, managing over 100 staff and volunteers and ensuring safe, effective day-to-day operations.

Alongside his professional career, Eddie has been deeply involved in local community work. He is Chair and Co-founder of Streatham & Balham Foxes football club and has spent the past eight years helping to run inclusive grassroots football sessions for local children. He has also served as a school governor and as a trustee for charities supporting refugees and sanctuary initiatives.

As a local resident who regularly uses Woodfield Pavilion and Tooting Common, Eddie understands the Pavilion’s importance as a community asset. He is passionate about volunteering, widening participation, and creating welcoming, well-run spaces that bring people together.

We are confident that his combination of charity leadership, financial oversight, fundraising experience and genuine local commitment will help Woodfield Pavilion continue to grow as a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable community hub.

I would like to begin with a heartfelt thank you to Nia Van Der Pauw and Susanna Abel, who have served as our interim Pavilion Managers since the start of the year. Their warm, steady presence and extraordinary hard work have helped guide the Pavilion through a busy period of transition. During this time they have overseen a thoughtful refresh of our communications and branding, while ensuring that the Pavilion has remained open and welcoming for classes, exhibitions and bookings.  

Nia will soon be stepping back once the handover is complete, although we very much hope to continue working with her on an ad-hoc basis. Her insight and experience as a senior educator have been invaluable to the organisation, and we are deeply grateful for the energy and care she has brought to the role.  

Susanna Abel will continue her wonderful work with us as the Pavilion’s digital assistant. Many of you will also know Susanna as one of our regular exhibiting artists, and we are delighted that she will remain closely involved in the Pavilion’s creative life.

Mohah Sharaf, Chair of Trustees

Streatham Space Project – Opportunity and Open Event

From Lambeth Culture and London Square:

London Square, with support from the London Borough of Lambeth, are looking for an enthusiastic organisation to take over the lease on the Streatham Space Project venue. This is an exciting opportunity to bring the space back to life for the benefit of the local community and other stakeholders.

We are seeking a venue operator with vision, a genuine commitment to community engagement, professionalism and relevant experience.

On 19 March, between 3-6pm, we will be hosting an open house event at the theatre. 

Parties who are interested in submitting a proposal, are invited to come and see the space and understand if it is suitable for them.

Members of the local Streatham community are also invited to come and share their thoughts on the future of the space.

Feedback from that session will be shared with interested parties so London Square and the council can ensure that when parties respond to the tender, they’re aware of the interests of the local Streatham community. 

If you’re interested in joining the open house please sign up for a session here.

A tender document is attached – Streatham Space Project_Tender Document_LSQ_March 2026.pdf. This PDF has a black background – an inverted version is here, but note that colours are also inverted!

The tender document gives a timeline:

• Invitation to Tender launched Open House Event for local community and interested parties 19th March (3pm to 6pm)

• Community Engagement Feedback Published w/c 23rd March

• Deadline for Expression of Interest 27th April

• London Square/ Lambeth concluding review of EOIs and due diligence. 15th May

• Shortlisted Tenderers notified 19th May

• Deadline for Tender Submissions 30th June

• Assessment Period and Deliberation 1st – 16th July

• Target Operator Selection Date 17th July

• Estimated lease completion date 21st August