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Socio-Economic Value at the Elephant & Castle

Socio-Economic Value at the Elephant & Castle

by Latin Elephant | Aug 31, 2018 | Projects, Publications

Socio-Economic Value at the Elephant and Castle (2018) is a collaborative research project between Latin Elephant, the Institute for Media & Creative Industries at Loughborough University and the Cities Programme in the Department of Sociology at the London School...

Update on Elephant & Castle Town Centre Application

by Latin Elephant | Jun 29, 2018 | News and Events

Delancey has made further changes to the Elephant and Castle Town Centre Application since its rejection and deferral on 16th and 30th  January 2018. Amendments to the original application have now been submitted by the Applicant. The application will go back to...

Elephant and Castle Town Centre Application – REJECTED

by Latin Elephant | Mar 16, 2018 | Policy Responses, Publications

ELEPHANT AND CASTLE TOWN CENTRE APPLICATION (16/AP/4458) – Southwark Council Planning Committee – 16 January 2018 Delancey’s Planning Application for the Elephant & Castle Town Centre Development was rejected at the Planning Committee of 16th January...

Update on EC Relocation Strategy – LE Comments

by Latin Elephant | Mar 16, 2018 | News and Events

LE comments on Relocation Strategy Update: After consultation with traders in the Shopping Centre, Latin Elephant is writing to comment on the ‘Draft Local Business Support and Relocation Strategy Update’ letter submitted 13 November http://buylevitra.net 2017 by DP9...

Delancey’s Relocation Strategy for EC Shopping Centre Businesses

by Latin Elephant | Sep 26, 2017 | News and Events

Latin Elephant’s Response to Delancey’s relocation strategy for EC Shopping Centre Traders – Delancey’s planning application (16/AP/4458) has been amended after Latin Elephant’s objection and following our deputation to Southwark Council Cabinet meeting on 9th...
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Latin Elephant

latinelephant

Promoting participation, engagement and inclusion of Black and minoritised Londoners in processes of urban change

Standing in solidarity with the Elephant Arcade tr Standing in solidarity with the Elephant Arcade traders as they face eviction today. Their requests are clear: support in finding affordable units to continue their livelihoods.

#SupportLocal #ElephantArcade #CommunityFirst #Reels #latinelephant
For one night only…

✨ Latin Elephant Cinema ✨

Join us & friends for a selection of shorts that showcase Latine London, plus conversation with Latine creatives and delicious refreshments at one of Elephant’s best community cafes @electricelephantcafe 💜 

Plus:
Bordando London Exhibition
Q&A
Creche

📆Saturday 20th September, 4-8pm
📍 Electric Elephant Cafe
📍 186A Crampton St (SE17 3AE)

FREE but ticketed. Link in bio! 🎟️ 

Part of Elephant Memory Club at Electric Elephant Cafe
🐘 Volunteer Call Out 🐘 We're looking for a 🐘 Volunteer Call Out 🐘

We're looking for a passionate volunteer with some experience of social media management to join our team 💕 

Tasks include: 

- Create a social media calendar 

- Design & schedule weekly posts to increase engagement 

- Produce creative content (including video & copy) about spatial & racial justice in Elephant & Castle & London 

- Development of a consistent visual style and identity 

Interested? Get in touch with sophie@latinelephant.org by midnight Monday 18th August
Despite the smiles in the photos, this is an incre Despite the smiles in the photos, this is an incredibly stressful and demoralising time for Elephant Arcade traders facing eviction at the end of August. Their asks are simple – for Southwark Council to: 

⏰Delay their eviction date 

🏬 Identify alternative affordable units so they can continue trading 

Last week traders organised & met with their local MP @coyleneilmp to share these asks, hoping his political support can get them closer to the solutions Southwark are currently resistant to. 

The week before traders shared their experience of 'regeneration' in Elephant & Castle with sixth-form students visiting to learn more about the importance and value of centring community perspectives in their research. 

It's emotionally taxing for traders but they are determined to fight to stay in the area they've invested so time, money & care in.
Gracias to all who formed part of our embroidery w Gracias to all who formed part of our embroidery workshops for Latin American-identifying women 🪡🌾💮 a  collaboration between the brilliant Helen Gutierrez (PhD student at Queen Mary University of London) and Latin Elephant. 

From March to July, we held 10 community embroidery workshops – the majority at Hotel Elephant's St John's Studio – exploring the different ways that we connect to nature in London. Some of the themes that we talked include how we understand and define nature, what our experiences have been accessing nature here in London and back home (wherever that may be), and how we approach rest. 

Together, we’ve carved out a space on Saturdays where we come together to stitch, laugh, talk, and connect with one another. We’re hoping to share what everybody has made with you all soon.... stay tuned! 👀
🔔 COMMUNITY CALL OUT🔔 PRO-BONO COMMERCIAL P 🔔 COMMUNITY CALL OUT🔔

PRO-BONO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LEGAL INFORMATION NEEDED

We are seeking information from a commercial property solicitor to help us & Elephant Arcade traders better understand the eviction notice delivered to them

Pls share! Ty 🙏

If this is you and you have the skills and the time drop us a DM or email sophie@latinelephant.org ❤️

More info: https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/elephant-and-castle/traders-evicted-from-elephant-and-castle-shopping-arcade-as-private-landlord-hands-back-control-of-struggling-retail-space-to-southwark-council/
📣WE’VE GOT A NEW MURAL IN ELEPHANT AND CASTLE 📣WE’VE GOT A NEW MURAL IN ELEPHANT AND CASTLE!!

🎨🖌️Residents, visitors and community members can now enjoy this beautiful mural at La Bodeguita Deli, painted by young artis Carlos @moya___studio supported by collective @bomgo.cic 

🫂Thanks to attendees who joined us last Saturday’s mural unveiling and Walking Tour! Thanks for the free-flowing chats about the impact of regeneration in #ElephantAndCastle, why public art matters and the importance of Latin American culture locally. Also thanks to Carlos and Diana who both very sweetly expressed their mutual appreciation to one another, and for the opportunity. 

☕️🥟We also enjoyed delicious juice, coffee and empanadas from Bodeguita Deli and buñuelos from Distriandina for our early bird walkers!!

👀Stay tuned for our next tour!!
* UPCOMING LEGAL WORKSHOP * for London’s market * UPCOMING LEGAL WORKSHOP * for London’s market traders and community members.
📅 Wednesday 28 May 2025
📍 ONLINE via Zoom: link in bio to register
✨Any questions? Email sarah@latinelephant.org ahead of the workshop

💥Important Info: 
Across London, markets and affordable retail spaces are being threatened by speculative development. But the planning process is convoluted, and it’s not always clear what rights market traders and community members can use to contest displacement and gentrification. 

As part of our work convening the Protect Our Places (POP) coalition, we are putting on a workshop with Jed Holloway (Planning Solicitor at Southwark Law Centre) about the rights that market traders have under the planning process. Topics include: protections for traders under the London Plan vs local plans and the Public Sector Equality Duty. 

Please share! 💛
🚶🏽‍♀️☕️WALKING TOUR + NEW MURAL! 🎨🐘

Join us Saturday 31st May at 10.45am for a special edition of the Walking the Elephant featuring the unveiling of a NEW MURAL!

📌Meeting point will be Bodeguita Delicatessen (Unit 3, Dashwood Studios, 118 Walworth Rd, London SE17 1JY)

You’ll witness the unveiling of a brand new mural from young artist Carlos Moya @moya___studio 🤩

If you come along you’ll also...

🐘Learn about Elephant’s recent past, present & future through an anti-gentrification lens

🛍️Discover local small businesses

🫓 Enjoy a complimentary treat from some of our local traders

Don ‘t miss out! Nos vemos!

(Funded by National Lottery Fund)
Our latest report is out!! 📣 ‘Relocation Imp Our latest report is out!! 📣

‘Relocation Impact Assessment’ aims to collect quantitative and qualitative data regarding the traders in the context of regeneration in #elephantandcastle at four years of the relocation process. 

We hope that this research will create awareness and visibility around the connection between regeneration, and the displacement of migrant and ethnic businesses, and the disproportionate effects it has on the local community 💪🏽

Link in bio for the full report 📄

Big thanks to our volunteers Gabriela & Nicolás for their amazing contributions to the design, format and infographics 💕
We thoroughly enjoyed our first embroidery worksho We thoroughly enjoyed our first embroidery workshop on March 1st, facilitated by our collaborator Helen @zurciendo.me, and exploring where we connect with nature in London 🌿🌸 Thank you to all the wonderful participants for bringing your ideas & collaborative spirit 💜💚 

Looking forward to the next workshop tomorrow /Saturday! ✨ 🪡
Almost 1 week on and we’re still feeling incredi Almost 1 week on and we’re still feeling incredibly buoyed by the turn out and people power at last Saturday's protest organised by @shapecoalition of which Latin Elephant is part ❤️ Biggest thank you to everyone involved & everyone that came along.

It was especially poignant for us to be part of the sea of bodies marching & chanting through the Elephant & Castle, recalling the similarly powerful protests between 2017-2020 organised by Up The Elephant ✊🏾

The Up The Elephant Campaign came very close to getting the inadequate Shopping Centre development plans refused. Elephant would look very different now had this happened. 

For those fighting for a better for Peckham, Borough & beyond - we have good reason to believe WE CAN DO IT THIS TIME! 6 years on we are stronger in our united rage, experience, numbers & people power - Let’s goooo! 

Speeches: Jed Holloway of Southwark Law Centre; Michael Clinkett of @plushse16 & @nopriceonculture. 

🔥 Date for your diary 🔥 

‼️SHAPE Council Assembly Protest 

 🕔 Wed 19 Mar, 6pm

📍 Southwark Council Offices, 160 Tooley St (SE1 2QH)
Welcome the arrival of spring with us in Elephant Welcome the arrival of spring with us in Elephant & Castle!
 🌸🌷🌞🌼 

🧑🏼‍🦼 Learn about Elephant and Castle's working class & migrant histories and the ongoing local fight for more inclusive redevelopment 

☕ Enjoy a complimentary coffee from  @bodeguita.deli 🇨🇴 & delicious Venezuelan empanada from @loschamosuk 🇻🇪 both Elephant legends! 

🫓 Stick around for lunch and trial our new Business Relocation Google map - discover some gems & support independent traders in the process 

🕚 Sat 22 Mar, 11am
📍Bodeguita Delicatessen (118 Walworth Rd, SE17 1JY)

Free 🎫: https://bit.ly/EleSpringWalk (link in bio) 

Nos vemos! 😊 

With funding from the National Lottery Community Fund 💕
Muralist Call-Out - Commission Opportunity! ¡Con Muralist Call-Out - Commission Opportunity! 
¡Convocatoria para Muralista! 🎨

⭐Please make sure to send your design proposals to info@latinelephant.org using the word *Mural* as subject. 

⭐Por favor enviar sus propuestas de diseño a info@latinelephant.org usando la palabra *Mural* como asunto. 

We look forward to receiving your messages! 🐘
Esperamos recibir sus mensajes! 🐘
Join our ✨free✨ embroidery workshops! 🧵🪡 Join our ✨free✨ embroidery workshops! 🧵🪡 🐘

If you identify as a woman of Latin American/Latinx/e background, are you 18 years or over, and you have a close connection to Southwark, we need you!

The workshops will be free of charge. Experienced and beginner stitchers alike are welcome! 

First session: 

Saturday, 1st March, 2025

🕚 1pm – 4pm
📍 Elephant and Castle (I will share the exact location, once we have confirmed your participation)

If you would like to participate and embroider talk about nature in the city, please fill in the interest form at https://forms.office.com/e/JCT7NrjHuT (clickable link in bio)

OR contact Helen Gutierrez at: bsx139@qmul.ac.uk. 

🗓️ Workshop schedule 🗓️

Saturday, March 1, 1-4pm

Saturday, March 15

Saturday, March 29 

Saturday, April 12

Saturday, April 26 

Saturday, May 10 

Saturday, May 24 

Saturday, June 7
Seasons Greetings from Latin Elephant 💝 Graci Seasons Greetings from Latin Elephant 💝 

Gracias to all the team and wider community that we connected and worked together with this past year. Looking forward to building community power with you in 2025 💫
Muchas gracias to the wonderful folk that joined u Muchas gracias to the wonderful folk that joined us to Walk the Elephant last Saturday, and local business owners and collaborators Meklit and John that made it possible 💕 

We didn't take many photos, although managed to capture some highlights including our stop at the @se1stories exhibition (still on display at the Castle Leisure Centre), Meklit serving delicious traditional Ethiopian coffees, and some of the heartwarming additions to our collective Elephant & Castle map 💫 building on our collaborative Walking the Elephant/Recorriendo Elephant project with @luise_vormittag, started in 2017. 

Nos vemos a la próxima! 🐘
📢 Throwback to November 20th, when a 50 strong 📢 Throwback to November 20th, when a 50 strong crowd gathered outside Southwark Council's offices 

It was the debut protest by SHAPE coalition ✊🏻✊🏽✊🏿 alongside Southwark & Lambeth 4 Palestine 🇵🇸

✨ What is SHAPE ✨ 

SHAPE (Southwark Housing and Planning Emergency) coalition is the coming together of groups from across Southwark bringing their experience, energy, and rightful rage about the housing and planning crisis to demand emergency action from Southwark Council! 

✨ Why is Latin Elephant part of SHAPE? ✨ 

Southwark Council has failed, and continues to fail, residents and small businesses impacted by redevelopment. They even acknowledge this themselves. 

And this is shameful. As the council are well aware, it is the parts of the community that are already marginalised and dealing with the systemic challenges who are experiencing the most negative effects of development done badly. Planning is undeniably a racial issue, a class issue. 

In the Elephant and Castle it is the  independent migrant business owners that used to trade in the shopping centre, and the their customers to whom they provided affordable goods, key services and social infrastructure, that have suffered immense damage to their livelihoods, health and well-being. 

This followed the first stage of the development in Elephant, which saw the Heygate estate demolished and the loss of over 1,000 council homes that have not been replaced – and the displacement of locals that lived there. 

And of course this is by no means limited to the Elephant and Castle. Crucial lessons have not been learned by Southwark, and mega-developments that do not provide necessary council and social housing nor protections for local independent migrant traders are scheduled to go to planning in Peckham and Canada Water.

📢 And so we are getting together to make our voices heard and demand change! We are growing and now include: 

⭐ Aylesham Community Action 
⭐ 35% Campaign
⭐ Save Borough Triangle 
⭐ Up the Elephant
⭐ Yes to Fair Redevelopment
⭐ Southwark Notes 
⭐ Peckham Vision
⭐ Fight for Aylesbury
⭐ No Price on Culture
⭐ Southwark Defend Council Housing
⭐ Latin Elephant

We are open to new groups ❤️
Join us for our annual winter walk around the Elep Join us for our annual winter walk around the Elephant!

🐘Walk & learn about Elephant and Castle and local fight for more inclusive redevelopment 

🖍️ Take part in a collective mapping workshop, designed in collaboration with artist & friend @luise_vormittag

☕🍊 buñuelos from @distriandina.uk, traditional Ethiopian coffee from @meklitfashion & cold-busting fresh juice from @drjuice.official on us! 

🕚 Sat 14 Dec, 11am 
📍 DistriAndina, Arch 6 Elephant Rd (SE17 1LB)

Free 🎫:bit.ly/EleWinterWalk (link in bio) 

Nos vemos!

❄️💝❄️💝❄️💝❄️💝❄️💝
🎞️ From the My Elephant Story archive 🎞️ 🎞️ From the My Elephant Story archive 🎞️

La Bodeguita, by Patria Román Velázquez

A man is caught pausing outside La Bodeguita, a landmark at the old Elephant. The original kiosk, opened in 1998, proved so popular that owner Diana Sach had no choice but to open a restaurant three years later. From bandeja paisa and cazuela de mariscos, to mojitos and bachata, La Bodeguita welcomed visitors with either a taste for escape or a longing for home. 

Fast-forward, and disgracefully La Bodeguita Restaurant has not been relocated as part of the 'regeneration' of the Elephant. Por siempre en nuestros corazones y the fight for accountability continues! ❤️ ✊🏽

You can find Diana still trading at her smaller cafe @comaybebalondon at Castle Square (40 Elephant Rd) serving delicious coffee, crêpes & empanadas (ofc!) Drop by, say hi & support small, female-led Colombian business 🇨🇴 

Photo credits: @patria_prv; @comaybebalondon; @saifosmani
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