The last time Robert Sheppard looked around inside the Playtower was 10 years ago. In February Robert was one of four members of the Ladywell Society’s Playtower Sub-Group to be shown around the inside of the building. It is now in a much poorer state – ravaged by time, the elements and vandalism. Photos by Robert and Andy.
In recent weeks the council has been showing interested parties – potential ‘bidders’ – around the Playtower building. The deadline for expressions of interest is February 28.
I was fortunate enough to be one of four from the Ladywell Society’s Playtower Sub-Group to be shown inside the site on February 13.
The last time I’d been inside the building was some 10 years ago before Guildmore/Curzon were selected in late 2017 to deliver the (ultimately abortive) cinema/housing project.
As the photos show, and not unexpectedly, the site is in a poor state with holes in the glass and slate roofs, significant water ingress, and unsafe flooring at first floor level.
Pigeons and foxes have got into the building and vandals have done significant damage in places, including smashing windows and roof tiles. There is a lot of graffiti too, but this is probably the least of our problems!
There is some good news though – the wonderful iron railings which surrounded the pool at first floor level have not been stolen as I had assumed. They are safely in storage and can be replaced in due course. The pool looks to be intact under the largely rotten wooden floor!
A community Spring Clean has been arranged on-site on Saturday March 7 11.00am to 3.00pm, although the building will not be open on that date and we’ll all need to be mindful that there are some hazards on-site.
We aim to make significant inroads into clearing the grounds of the building and a skip will be provided for this purpose.
Please do come along, but make sure to wear robust boots and gloves and do please bring tools – loppers, secateurs, shovels, wheelbarrows if you have them.
We hope, at this session and another in May, to get the site into a state that would mean it could be used as a Brockley Max event space.
