Bussey Building

From Peckham Vision

Bussey Building panorama: photo Nick Woodford

This building is an early 20th century reinforced concrete industrial structure, brick-clad with most of its decorative features on the side facing the railway tracks. It originally acted as advertising for Bussey and Co, the well-known sporting goods manufacturers. George Bussey was an eminent Victorian industrialist and entrepreneur. The factory made cricket bats from its own willow farm in Suffolk. There are magnificent views of central London from the three roofs. The factory was, when it was built, one of Peckham’s tallest buildings.

A sketch of a possible addition to the Bussey Building on site 63P.

Now known as CIP House, in the Copeland Industrial Park, it is tucked away behind Bournemouth Road and Rye Lane. The Park hosts many small businesses, some 60 artists, faith groups, and cultural arts and exhibition spaces, and is part of the large 7 acre site designated by the Council and TfL in 2007 for demolition for the Cross River Tram depot (2016). TfL have subsequently been advised by their experts that this is the wrong site for the tram depot; they have identified a different site elsewhere. In the meantime the London Mayor Boris Johnson stopped further planning for the Cross River Tram on the grounds that there was no funding for it.

Peckham Vision always argued that this is a strategic site in the heart of the town centre, and could have a different future. The mix of historic buildings and other spaces provide significant potential for innovative development for new modern uses providing vibrant life to the town centre. The Bussey building is probably the last really big early 20th century industrial building in Peckham of which there were once quite a few. It was probably used for wartime production during the first and presumably the second world wars. The basement was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.

Benedict O’Looney, local architect and historian, says “This building needs preserving as a marker of Peckham's once impressive industrial past. There are just a few of these industrial buildings left in the area, and this is an important example. It is a very solid well made building capable of a long life with modern rehabilitation, as part of a creative development of the overall site.”

Hopefully, this building and the adjacent site can now have a well designed quality development fit for the 21st century and contribute its potential to a revival of the town centre.

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[edit] Directions

Address

Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST

Entrance opposite Blenheim Grove: walk through the passageway to the ornate front door in the small courtyard at the end of the passage, and follow the signs to the first floor.

[edit] Photos

[edit] Photos of the Bussey building


Copeland Industrial Park - potential for new public realm, mixed rehabilitation and new buildings	Inside the Bussey Building. Nick Woodford	Window on London. Nick Woodford	Stairs. Nick Woodford
Side of Bussey Building. Nick Woodford