Blenheim’s £4.5m revamp moves a step closer

Published Thursday 1 October 2026

See what the Blenheim works mean for local services, catch up on Kelvin Parade’s alcohol-licence proposal and plan an October outing.

Top Updates

Council approves contractor search for Blenheim revamp

Bromley Council approved seeking a builder for Blenheim Children and Family Centre’s £4.5m revamp on Wednesday 30 September. Councillors have until 7 October to request a review of the decision.

Sessions at the Blenheim Road centre would move elsewhere during construction, planned from February 2027 to summer 2028. Temporary venues are still to be announced. The improved centre would also house Age Concern’s Saxon Day Centre and the Saxon and Royston services for supervised family visits.

Bromley Online reported the plans last week. The approval to seek bids takes effect on Thursday 8 October if no review is requested.

Kelvin Parade shop’s new alcohol-licence application goes to hearing

Councillors will decide on Wednesday 7 October whether to grant Stop N Go at 6 Kelvin Parade a new licence to sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm daily. The application originally sought midnight sales, but the applicant agreed shorter hours with police in August.

Neighbours have raised concerns about late-night noise, litter and drinking around Oregon Square, opposite the shop. Bromley Council records 72 valid objections: 69 from the public and three from ward councillors.

The applicant agreed additional police conditions, and police have no outstanding objection. Permission has not been granted. The hearing starts at 10am; read the revised proposal and hearing papers.

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 10 October, 9:30am–1pm · free

Kindred Orpington nursery open day

Families can book a one-to-one visit at Kindred Nursery and Pre-School on Knoll Rise, meet the team and ask about settling in, meals and childcare funding. Booking is essential, with one ticket needed per family. Book an open-day visit.

Sunday 11 October, 10:30am

Petts Wood 10K through woodland and parkland

The 19th Petts Wood 10K starts at Willett Recreation Ground, with an undulating route through parkland, National Trust woodland and stretches of road. The race has a 90-minute cut-off; do not rely on entries being available on the day. Check the race and registration information.

Sunday 18 October, 2:30pm–3:30pm

Orpington Band concert for Welcare

Orpington Band plays at St Mary's Church in Green Street Green to raise money for Bromley Welcare. Save the concert date.

What's On

Friday 2 October

Ask foster carers about fostering with Bromley, 12:30pm–2pm · free, online. Social work professionals and existing foster carers answer questions at an informal online session. Email fostering@bromley.gov.uk or call 020 8461 7701 to join. See the fostering session.

Saturday 3 October

Krishna Club for families, 11am–1pm · free. Parents and children of all ages can join Bhagavad Gita stories, devotional singing and dancing, crafts and free food at Harris Academy Orpington on Tintagel Road. Reserve a free place at Krishna Club.

Natural Women at Orpington Liberal Club, 7:45pm–10pm · free for members, £1 guests. Four singers celebrate women songwriters including Amy Winehouse, Carole King, KT Tunstall, Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman at Orpington Liberal Club, 7 Station Road. Angela McCarron also performs original songs. Entry is free for club and CAMRA members or £1 for other guests, with a cash collection for the performers. The bar takes cards only. See the Natural Women programme.

Monday 5 October

Advice clinic at St Paul's Cray Library, 10am–noon · free, appointment required. Bromley Well offers help with benefits, finance, housing, relationships and legal issues at St Paul's Cray Library and Community Centre on Mickleham Road. Call 020 8402 0123 to book in advance. See the advice-clinic arrangements.

Flower-arranging demonstration at All Saints, 7:30pm · £5 on the door. Cecilia Willatt demonstrates arranging flowers without floral foam at All Saints Church on Bark Hart Road. Everyone is welcome at the Guild of Church Flower Arrangers’ evening. See the church’s current notices.

Roadworks and Transport

Sunday Thameslink trains divert away from Denmark Hill: On Sunday 4 October, Thameslink trains between Blackfriars or Victoria and Sevenoaks divert via Beckenham Junction, with extra calls at Herne Hill and Beckenham Junction. For Denmark Hill and other stations on the usual route, replacement buses run between Herne Hill and Beckenham Junction, missing Nunhead and Ravensbourne; paper rail tickets are accepted on London buses for those two stations. Check the Sunday rail changes.

Community Notice

Ask about the proposed Poverest Centre closure

Bromley Council’s extra Q&A takes place at Poverest Centre on Poverest Road on Wednesday 7 October, 4pm–5:30pm. Service users, carers and other interested people can ask about the proposal to move adult-education classes to other venues and use the site for 42 affordable homes. No final closure decision has been made. The consultation closes on Sunday 18 October. Read the proposals and have your say.

Family-centre survey opens for local parents and carers

Families using Bromley’s six Children and Family Centres can give feedback on their services and activities as the centres prepare to become Family Hubs. The survey opened on Monday 28 September and closes on Friday 23 October. You can request an emailed or posted copy on 020 8461 7259. Share your experience of family services.