News

We have written an editorial for The South Londoner celebrating the easing of lockdown restrictions this summer. The South Londoner is delivered to homes and venues across all of Lambeth from Waterloo to Clapham.

Read here.

Top five (covid safe) reasons to visit Streatham this summer

We are ready for the return of visitors to our high street and have started a programme of COVID secure initiatives to keep you safe while staying local. When visiting shops, and restaurants in Streatham, you can expect to find safety measures including social distance signage, hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems, a limit on in-store capacity and even on-street jet-washing around key gateways and community assets.

As more restrictions are eased over the next few months, we can return to enjoying our favourite things again. We are exploring the possibility of a pop up outdoor seating area on Streatham Green and a same-day shop and drop service to make you feel extra comfortable when returning.

There are many reasons to visit Streatham, of course, but here’s our top five – from great shops to top-notch pubs, find out what’s back open in Streatham.

Make sure to follow the latest government guidelines and act responsibly when out and about!

Its creative community

The vibrant artistic community here is sure to add some colour to your day. From literature events at the Streatham Tate Library to comedy at the Streatham Space Project. The area is also brimming with talented artists that sometimes exhibit their work in various venues up and down Streatham High Road. If you’re feeling a little anxious or stressed, pick up one of the many stress reducing colouring books available that can lessen that weight on your shoulders.

The luxurious beauty experience

Nothing compares to the fabulous feeling you get when you walk out of the salon door and luckily, hairdressers, nail salons and spas across Streatham are eager to pamper you! Many provide complete hair care for both men and women with experts in colour, cutting and treatments for Afro and European hair textures. 

Manicures and pedicures are now available again with safety guidance in place, so visit your local salon to discover what you can treat yourself to. Dry hands from washing and sanitising? You can use collagen gloves at Regal Nails on Streatham Hill.

Relax, unwind and book yourself in for that much needed massage with one of the many spa and beauty experiences available. For smooth and hydrated skin  Emma Wilson Urban Spa specialises in the ultimate spa experience including massages, waxing and other beauty treatments.

The mouthwatering food

Streatham is the place for a fantastic dinner out, especially if you’re craving for an authentic dish – all ludicrously good value. Treat yourself to tasty meals at one of Streatham’s alfresco restaurants – pick up some amazing coffee, cakes and bakes to-go from a local cafe or grab a pint in the sunshine at a nearby beer garden. For an indulgent dinner in a classically British setting, look no further than your local pubs. The wondrous beer garden at The Bull is locally famous, most know about Pratts and Payne’s lovely urban oasis out the back, and The Rabbit Hole’s huge garden is a paradise for parents.

Green spaces

Streatham is one of South London’s greenest suburbs and there’s nothing better than a leisurely stroll on a nice summer day. Soak up the sunshine during a picnic, or take the kids to burn off some energy in a playground. Alternatively, practice your downward dog on Streatham Common and nestled at the north end of the Common is The Rookery Gardens.

Indoor leisure is now open again so head to the Streatham Ice and Leisure centre for a refreshing dip!

Retail therapy

We’ve all missed the sensory experience of traditional shopping. You will find many independent clothing and homeware stores in Streatham selling a wide range of products. In addition to a beautiful collection of mugs, key rings and postcards, you will also find stunning collections of clothing at Lark. While you’re on the Parade, pay a visit to Streatham’s very own Zero-Waste shop, Healthier without – you can find all the essential goods like tea, grains and pasta as well as other things like oils, sustainable household cleaning and personal hygiene products.

Newcomer, The Deli, down in Streatham Village also offers an extensive and exciting wine list.

If you’re not quite ready to visit us yet, you can continue to experience the Streathamite lifestyle from your sofa with our online marketplace. The new online marketplace is designed to make it easier for you to shop your favourite Streatham shops, salons and restaurants! You can buy everything from gift cards, beauty products, jewellery, clothing, and art to locally-made gin and spirits, pet suppliers and local produce using one basket and in one simple transaction and have it delivered via the electric cargo bike.

Since the beginning of the pandemic we’ve helped over 300 businesses get back on their feet. As we slowly return to normality, we are keen to hear from you on what your needs are to help identify how we may support you moving forward post COVID. We understand your priorities may have changed during this period so it would be really helpful to get your view. Hence, we’ve created a short survey to help inform our plans for reopening Streatham.

This information will help with the mapping of a coordinated safety strategy and consistent messaging and communication with customers. It will take less than 5 minutes to complete and your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

All responses offer hugely valuable input that will be used to shape the BID’s operations. Deadline is June 18th 2021.

Complete survey

BID manager Louise Abbotts joined Reuben from RM Surveyors for a house buyers’ guide to Streatham.

With three train stations offering easy access to central London and a large common right on the doorstep, I think it’s easy to see why Streatham has become popular with families and first-time buyers looking for great value and lots of space. The guides looks at shopping & dining out, transport links, green spaces, arts, leisure and much more.

“Streatham High Road is truly the home of the independent with over 70% of our high street offering locally run. We have a broad array of shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants, salons and convenience stores for you to explore. This is definitely not a mono high street and we are proud of our diverse and entrepreneurial community. We are so excited to see our high street come alive again now restrictions are being lifted so come on down, because #Streathamisopen!”

Read the guide here

The Chancellor’s 2021 budget announced today outlined a number of initiatives to support businesses.

1. The business rates holiday in England has been extended by an additional three months. Retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England will pay no business rates for three months from 1 April. This will be followed by 66% business rates relief for the period from 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022, capped at £2 million per business for properties that were required to be closed on 5 January 2021, or £105,000 per business for other eligible properties.
2. Extended the temporary 5% reduced rate of VAT until 30th September 2021. To help businesses manage the transition back to the standard rate, a 12.5% rate will then apply for a further six months, until 31 March 2022.
3. The government is extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) for a further five months from May until the end of September 2021. Employees will continue to receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked. There will be no employer contributions beyond National Insurance contributions (NICs) and pensions required in April, May and June. From July, the government will introduce an employer contribution towards the cost of unworked hours of 10% in July, 20% in August and 20% in September, as the economy reopens.
4. Grant funding will be available to businesses in England through a new Restart Grant scheme to help the high street, providing up to £6,000 per premises for non-essential retail businesses and up to £18,000 per premises for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses, giving them the cash certainty they need to plan ahead and safely relaunch trading over the coming months. This brings the total spent on business grants to £25 billion. The government is also providing all local authorities in England with an additional £425 million of discretionary business grant funding, on top of the £1.6 billion already allocated. Altogether, this support will cost £5 billion.
5. A new Recovery Loan Scheme will also be launched to replace the existing government guaranteed schemes which have supported £73 billion of lending to date and close at the end of March.
6. UK Government’s Plan for Jobs to support, protect and create jobs: the Chancellor is increasing support with £126 million of new money to enable 40,000 more traineeships, and doubling the cash incentive to firms who take on an apprentice to a £3,000 payment per hire. The National Living Wage will be increased to £8.91 from April and there will also be a six-month extension of the £20 per week Universal Credit uplift, with eligible Working Tax Credit claimants receiving a one-off payment of £500.
7. 130,000 small and medium sized businesses will be supported through the new Help to Grow scheme, providing the digital and management tools needed to innovate, grow and help drive recovery.
8. Beginning April 2021, a new super-deduction will cut companies’ tax bill by 25p for every pound they invest in new equipment meaning they can reduce their taxable profits by 130% of the cost. This is worth £25 billion to companies over the two-year period the super-deduction will be in full effect.
9. Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution, new port infrastructure will be built to support the next generation of offshore wind projects in Teesside and Humberside. The UK will issue at least £15 billion in green bonds to help finance the transition to net zero and the government will launch the world’s first sovereign green savings bond for retail investors.
10. To support the self-employed across the UK through the next stage of the pandemic, the government confirms that the fourth Self Employment Income Support Scheme grant will be worth 80% of three months’ average trading profits, paid out in a single installment and capped at £7,500 in total. The grant will cover the period February to April, and can be claimed from late April. Self-employed individuals must have filed a 2019- 20 Self Assessment tax return to be eligible for the fourth grant. The government announces that there will be a fifth and final SEISS grant covering May to September. The value of the grant will be determined by a turnover test, to ensure that support is targeted at those who need it the most as the economy reopens. People whose turnover has fallen by 30% or more will continue to receive the full grant worth 80% of three months’ average trading profits, capped at £7,500. People whose turnover has fallen by less than 30% will receive a 30% grant, capped at £2,850. The final grant can be claimed from late July
11. The government will provide £300 million to extend the Culture Recovery Fund to continue to support key national and local cultural organisations in England as the sector recovers.

Full details here.