Brixton Buzz

A general strike took place in the United Kingdom from 4 to 12 May 1926.

It was called by the General Council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in an unsuccessful attempt to force the British government to act to prevent wage-reductions and worsening conditions for 1.2 million locked-out coal miners. Some 1.7 million workers went out, especially in transport and in heavy industry.

Earlier this month, we ran a feature about a proposed large housing development that would surround the Crown & Sceptre pub in Streatham.

The plans would see the whole interior, walls and floors being demolished, and replaced by a smaller pub, with an extended ‘fake’ frontage being added.

With no less than 117 ‘co-working’ residential units surrounding a drastically reduced pub, the chances of it continuing as a popular later night bar for the Latino community look very slim indeed.

Work on the next phase of improvements on the A23 Streatham Hill will begin at the end of this month (June 2026), with temporary traffic restrictions in place while the scheme is delivered.

TfL told Brixton Buzz about the forthcoming closures and restrictions:

From Monday 29 June, phase four of the project will see the construction of new central islands as part of a wider transformation of the road. These will provide safer waiting areas for pedestrians crossing the road and help separate traffic flows.

The man widely expected to be Britain’s next prime minister was billed to headline a rally in a south London park this morning. Andy Burnham never turned up. The crowd that gathered instead heard from the Green Party’s Zack Polanski.

Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, had been advertised to headline an “Andy For Us” event at Agnes Riley Gardens, off Atkins Road, at 9.40am, in the run-up to the two Lambeth by-elections on 9 July.

Burnham did not appear, and no reason was given for his absence.

Following the huge outpouring of local support at last week’s Buy Back Brixton rally, the organisers have announced that they have now “successfully submitted” what they believe to be a “competitive” bid for Brixton Village and Market Row.

In a statement issued earlier this week, they said:

Amazing news!

We can confirm that this afternoon, before the 17:00 deadline, the Buy Back Brixton campaign, with the support of a number of funders, *successfully submitted a bid* we believe to be competitive *for the purchase of Brixton Village and Market Row.*

For those who need it, we have specifically designated Streatham Ice Rink and Leisure Centre in Streatham High Road as a Cool Space for the heatwave.

But all our 10 libraries and eight leisure centres will be open as cool spaces for those who need help to beat the heat.

All sheltered housing residents will be checked daily, and our housing officers will check on our most vulnerable tenants.

Our outreach workers will also be on the streets supporting the homeless.

As Lambeth marks Windrush Day – honouring the cultural, economic and social contributions of Caribbean migrants to the UK since 1948 – Streatham artist Jazmin Lowe takes us inside Spicemas, Grenada’s carnival of emancipation, driven by drums, defiance and dancing in the streets.

As Lambeth marks Windrush Day – honouring the cultural, economic and social contributions of Caribbean migrants to the UK since 1948 – Streatham artist Jazmin Lowe takes us inside Spicemas, Grenada’s carnival of emancipation, driven by drums, defiance and dancing in the streets.

A community meeting at Brixton Library this Tuesday will bring together local organisations and campaigners to challenge the racist anti-migrant rhetoric that organisers say is “blighting lives and threatening the safety of our communities.”

The event, organised by Lambeth Stand Up to Racism during Refugee Week, comes in the wake of what organisers describe as racist rampages and pogroms incited by the far right in Southampton, Belfast, Glasgow and Liverpool.

Cllr Jonathan Bartley, Lambeth’s new Cabinet Member for Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods, has commissioned a review of the council’s arrangements for sharing information and intelligence with immigration enforcement agencies.

Bartley, who was elected for Clapham Town in an historic election that saw Labour lose control of the borough for the first time in 20 years, said:

“Immigration raids are causing fear and dividing Lambeth’s communities.