See the entries to the Vauxhall Missing Link Competition

Vauxhall Business Improvement District - Vauxhall One - have organised a competition for architects to imagine the future for Vauxhall - 'the missing link between the American Embassy and the South Bank'.

You can view the entries pinned up around Vauxhall, at the Garden Museum, and on this website.

Get your Vauxhall Perk Card today

Vauxhall businesses have launched their 'Perk Card', entitling residents and workers in our area to discounts from local businesses.

Go to www.vauxhallvillage.com  to apply for your card today!

Vauxhall One's Christmas tree unveiled

Local business group Vauxhall One has arranged for a fantastic Christmas tree to cheer up the entrance to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens over the festive season.

Kate Hoey MP switched the lights on at a ceremony on Wednesday evening. She was joined by Richard Tice, Chair of Vauxhall One, and councillors Jackie Meldrum and Mark Harrison.

Christmas tree for Vauxhall courtesy of Vauxhall One

Local business group Vauxhall One are sponsoring a 10 metre Christmas Tree to be sited outside the Royal Vauxhall Tavern at the entrance to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. The tree will be in place for the festive season with the lights being switched on by a very important local person.

Come and see who it is at 7:15pm on Wednesday 28 November and celebrate the start of Christmas with Vauxhall One.

This is just one of many improvements introduced by Vauxhall One - which include refurbished railway arches, hanging baskets, and patrolling street wardens.

Kennington won't be left out - the Tree of Hope continues to be lit up outside St Anselm's Church during the dark evenings. The Tree of Hope was set up in 2009 by the Kennington Association, with help from local councillors' 'Ward Purse' fund.

Photo from Freefoto.com

Vauxhall Street Wardens making their mark

In June Vauxhall One, the new Business Improvement District, in conjunction with Lambeth community safety and the Police, introduced the local Street Warden service for Vauxhall, to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. They are dressed in distinctive purple uniforms and patrol the central area of Vauxhall.

To find out more about Vauxhall One you can visit their website at:

If you have any questions about the wardens you can contact Chris Law - 07725 960698.

A very successful year for Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

Yesterday was the AGM of the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens - an opportunity for the Friends to look back over a very successful year. Highlights have included:

• Changing the name of the park from Spring Gardens to 'Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens' - a more distinctive and memorable name which directly references the area's 18th and 19th century heritage.
• Paul O'Grady opening the new entrance to the park (pictured), in a ceremony which attracted large amounts of positive coverage.
• The Vauxhall Gardens Estate Residents' & Tenants' Association successfully bidding for over £100000 to refurbish the Glasshouse Walk playground.
• The opening of the Tea House Theatre, and re-opening of the Black Dog pub, which have brought new positive activity to the Glasshouse Walk side of the park.
• The successful ballot to introduce the Vauxhall Business Improvement District, which will see street wardens introduced, railway viaduct tunnels improved, and other improvements in the area funded by local businesses.
• The planning approval given to the Cabinet Gallery, which will bring a prestigious art gallery building to the park.
• The planning approval given to the Basaveshwara statue for Albert Embankment Gardens.
• New trees and bulbs planted by the Friends in the park.  

Things to look forward to over the coming year include:

• Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens being part of the Olympic 'Cultural Corridor' - attracting visitors for the Games.
• Work on the mounds behind the Vauxhall Tavern - to lower them and create a stepped amphitheatre effect.
• Working on plans to transform Goding Street.
• Interest from many organisations about holding more events in the park.
• Investigating the possibility of a mural on the back wall of the Tavern.
• A VGERTA/ Tea House Theatre Diamond Jubilee street party.

In 2006 a survey showed the park was perceived as being the least safe park in Lambeth. Thanks to the hard work of the Friends and the Council, the park is transformed. The new entrance in particular has reduced crime and the fear of crime dramatically. The Friends continue to do an excellent job and deserve the community's full support!

Overwhelming vote of confidence for Vauxhall Business Improvement District

Businesses in Vauxhall have voted overwhelmingly in favour of setting up 'Vauxhall One' - a Business Improvement District. It means that local businessed will pay for a new organisation which will help manage and improve Vauxhall, making a better place for businesses and residents.

The new organisation will invest upwards of £4m in Vauxhall over the next five years. Its four themes are Vauxhall Safe (reducing fear of crime), Vauxhall Change (improving public realm), Vauxhall Day & Night (promoting the area’s shops, hotels, restaurants & clubs) and Vauxhall Together (engaging with the local residential community).

Find out more about Vauxhall One on their website and their Twitter.