Elephant & Castle Town Centre Regeneration

Regeneration and gentrification are increasingly intertwined, with the latter often seen as an unintended consequence of the former. This has made inner-city development more complex, as local communities often feel regeneration is imposed. Striking a balance between revitalisation and inclusivity is crucial, with communication playing a key role.

Our work on Delancey’s Elephant and Castle Town Centre project illustrates these challenges. Currently under construction, it will transform the area into a dynamic town centre featuring residential housing, retail and dining spaces, a university campus, workspaces, leisure and cultural facilities, improved transport infrastructure, and extensive public spaces.

As the centrepiece of the wider £3 billion regeneration of Southwark, our brief was to ensure effective communication with the diverse local community while preserving the area’s cultural heritage. We provided comprehensive communications support, including asset management PR for the 1960s shopping centre before its closure and a proactive stakeholder engagement strategy aligned with the planning process. Our approach built on the existing community fabric, positioning the redevelopment as beneficial evolution.

Core to our brief was genuine consultation – we collaborated with various cultural and interest groups. We supported the establishment of a town centre “drop-in” space to address concerns, engaged closely with local residents, managed the relocation of businesses, and assisted during a high-profile judicial review that attracted national media attention.

By promoting transparent, community-focused dialogue, our work has helped shape a redevelopment that respects Elephant and Castle’s heritage while driving sustainable urban renewal.