Behind Peckham’s vibrant markets, buzzing high streets and unmistakable creative pulse lies something deeper: a powerful collective movement of local entrepreneurs shaping our neighbourhood.
That movement came together in full force in March, at the newly refurbished Palais on Rye Lane. Under the banner “Your Business, Your Voice, Your Power”, local traders, organisations and partners gathered to map out the next chapter for Peckham’s economy – one driven by unity, ambition, and an unshakeable belief in the strength of the community.
And the numbers tell their own story.
18% of businesses in Peckham Rye are less than a year old, signalling a surge of new ideas and new energy. Yet 40% of businesses on Rye Lane have been trading for over five years, proving just how resilient and rooted Peckham’s commercial community truly is. It’s a powerful combination: fresh innovation layered on top of long-term stability. It also reflects what we know about our community: people are eager to support the growth of local businesses, they’re loyal to their locals.
Add to that the fact that 76% of Peckham’s businesses are led by people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and the picture becomes clear. Peckham isn’t simply a business district – it’s a hub of local enterprise powered by diversity, cultural richness and community knowledge.
These businesses, the backbone of our local community, need a platform and support. And I am pleased to be able to work with them, alongside local organisation Tree Shepherd, to help them get that. Tree Shepherd have engaged with over 400 businesses in the area, listening closely to the challenges people face – from rising operational costs to securing workspace to navigating complex regulations. Their message is that Peckham’s success comes from its people, and meaningful change must be built around their voices and lived experiences.
This is where the newly launched Peckham Business Forum steps in. Guided by Tree Shepherd and born out of countless conversations with traders, community groups and local partners, the Forum aims to unite businesses under a single, influential voice.
The Forum is bringing traders from across the area together, engaging with the council, with me and with local organisations, and laying the foundations for long-term economic transformation. It is also supporting businesses to launch a Business Improvement District in Peckham, which could unlock new investment, platforms for local businesses, promotion, a stronger collective voice, and greater recognition for the cultural and economic value Peckham generates every day.
The event held in Palais was just the start for Peckham’s businesses. It ensured that momentum and expertise was visible. Traders shared stories, frustrations, hopes and ideas. BID experts spoke about how coordinated, business?led investment has transformed places like Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey. And the possibility of launching a BID in Peckham ignited genuine excitement.
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What is most exciting about a BID is that it offers a pathway for local businesses to shape change within their own community. Every trader’s voice matters, and everyone is encouraged to take part – starting with completing the BID survey to shape the next steps.
And it is clear from the work that Tree Shepherd are doing that Peckham’s business community is ready for this: Ready to organise, ready to speak up, and ready to take ownership of its future.
As Sandra Ferguson, CEO of Tree Shepherd, put it:“Peckham’s greatest strength has always been its business community – diverse, resilient, creative and deeply rooted… If we can bring those strengths together with a shared vision, we can shape solutions that genuinely reflect Peckham’s identity and help the area thrive long into the future.”
Peckham’s business landscape is changing – not because investment has arrived from elsewhere, but because the community itself is rising, united, determined and more connected than ever. I am excited to be supporting the community with this work, building the future of Peckham for the local community.
