What local grants could do for your idea

Published Thursday 15 October 2026

Our count shows the scale of local activity grants, plus a first Christmas market at Corner Corner and half-term craft plans.

Top Updates

Local activity grants: 35 awards, with a £1,300 median

Thinking of applying for Southwark’s 2027–28 Neighbourhood Grants? Our count of the 2026–27 Neighbourhood Fund awards in Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks found 35 awards sharing £60,000. The middle award was £1,300; 33 were £3,500 or less. These cover activities and running costs, not the separate building and street-improvement funds. That gives a sense of past awards, not a promise of future funding. Individuals and groups who live or work in Southwark can apply by 11.59pm on Sunday 1 November; funding becomes available in April 2027.

Demolition application follows Verney Road’s change of plan

A demolition application for 6–12 Verney Road, received on Thursday 8 October, is under consideration. The site’s planning history helps explain what could replace the warehouses: in October 2024, councillors backed an industrial and logistics building up to four storeys high, subject to conditions, a legal agreement and referral to the Mayor. That differs from the earlier 340-home scheme. The fresh application does not establish a demolition start date.

Dates For Your Diary

23–31 October · Friday to Monday, 10.30am–3.30pm

Build a Halloween peepshow at the Brunel Museum

Families can design, colour and layer illustrations into a miniature 3D scene during the Brunel Museum’s Halloween peepshow activity on Railway Avenue, Rotherhithe. The run is 23–31 October, during museum opening hours: Friday to Monday, 10.30am–3.30pm, last entry 3pm. It is included with admission: adults £10, SE16 and SE8 locals £2.50, under-16s free; quoted adult prices include a Gift Aid donation.

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October · 11am–4pm · free

Salad Days Christmas Market comes to Corner Corner

Get an early start on gifts at Salad Days Market’s first Christmas weekend at Corner Corner, Canada Water, SE16 7LL. Different small brands trade each day, selling jewellery, ceramics, art prints, vintage clothes and personalised gifts. Entry is free without a ticket, and the market and bathroom have step-free access.

What's On

Sunday 18 October

Japanese Baby Group at T&T2, 10.30am–12.30pm · free · drop-in. Parents who speak fluent Japanese can bring their babies to the free Japanese Baby Group at T&T2 in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Road. Drop in to meet and chat with other local families.

Monday 19 October

Try yoga in Surrey Docks Farm’s River Room, 6–7pm or 7.15–8.15pm · £13. Book a Hatha-Vinyasa yoga class in the heated River Room at Surrey Docks Farm, South Wharf, Rotherhithe Street. Beginners are welcome; first-timers can try the later class for £5. Booking is required, with no refunds or transfers. The October booking form also offers Monday 26 October.

Roadworks and Transport

Southern tickets accepted through Canada Water this weekend: Victoria engineering works on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October change Southern journeys. On Saturday, affected paper tickets are accepted on the Jubilee line between London Bridge and Canada Water, and on the Overground between Canada Water and Crystal Palace. On Sunday, Southern trains will not serve Victoria; affected paper tickets are accepted on the Overground between Canada Water and Crystal Palace or West Croydon, and on the Jubilee line between Canada Water and Westminster.