ABOUT LIVESEY EXCHANGE BY PEMPEOPLE

Livesey Exchange (LEX 1) is a local grassroots project initiated by community enabler Nicholas Okwulu of Pempeople with the aim of transforming the garages of the Ledbury Estate on Old Kent Road into workshops, studios, multidisciplinary spaces, skill development training and cultural programmes. Following structural issues of the tower blocks on the Ledbury Estate, an alternative location was found in close proximity.

The new Livesey Exchange venue (LEX 2) will open to the public in 2022. It will be an important new piece of social infrastructure. Through its mix of accessible social, cultural and community space, it will serve to support the local community.

Named after the Victorian industrialist George Livesey – who set up a quasi-cooperative energy company, the South London Gasworks, off the Old Kent Road, LEX 2 is a new cultural destination for Old Kent Road, designed and led by local residents.

Livesey Exchange Site Photo credit: Alexander Christie

Started at the Ledbury Estate in 2006, LEX 2 was initiated by Pempeople and developed with architects what if: projects.

LEX 2 is majority funded by Southwark Council, Greater London Authority (GLA) and contributions by local people and private companies – who have come together to support and deliver new neighbourhood projects.

Livesey Exchange (LEX 2) was granted planning permission by Southwark Council in March 2021.

We are now appointing Two Works Limited as the principal contractor to complete the build of LEX 2 in 2022.

Photo credit: Alexander Christie