55 Nigel Road

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55 Nigel Road – the well-loved community venue SET Social

meeting dates

  • SET Social Public Meeting: Thursday, 3rd September at 7pm in Peckham Levels, 95A Rye Lane, SE15.
  • Developer Consultation: 14th and 15th of September 5-8pm at Set Social, 55 Nigel Road, SE15.

For more information about SaveOurSET campaign, and to join the mailing list and to get involved. Email- saveourset55a@gmail.com.

Introduction

One part of this site has one storey business units now empty. The other is home to SET Social, a community arts and social centre providing free event space for local organisations. This occupies the buildings which are a series of low-rise single-story buildings, yards, and temporary structures. They are the historic location of the former Peckham Rye Tabernacle church. The original 1891 building was demolished by the Church in 1970, which then occupied the current buildings until a few years ago.
SET Social hosts diverse arts, gardening, and charitable initiatives throughout the day and evening, alongside an on-site bar. Facilities include four dedicated event spaces and a shared community garden.

  • Developer Cherwell plans to close SET Social for two years to construct a co-living apartment block, which includes a proposed smaller community space. See their web link for more information. Visit their exnibition at SET Social on 14th and 15th of September 5-8pm.
  • Save Our SET believes that this development risks permanently extinguishing a cherished grassroots venue that provides vital arts opportunities and social support, including services for individuals with learning disabilities and dementia. See below for more details. The issues will be discussed at the SET public meeting on Thursday, 3rd September at 7pm in Peckham Levels, 95A Rye Lane.

Southwark News 10 August 2026. 'A popular community venue that boasts a cafe, beer garden and even a little corner library could be redeveloped to include apartments for key workers. GRID architects are working on proposals to convert non-profit art, music and community venue SET Social in Peckham into co-living apartments.'

Key SET Social concerns

Key concerns of Save Our Set representing the collective voice of the numerous organisations relying on SET as an essential venue are:

  • A two-year closure would threaten the survival of these groups, forcing many to disband.
  • While Cherwell promises future community provision, SET already stands as an active and vital community hub in the area.
  • They fear that the current proposals are incompatible with how SET operates, making it impossible for the space to survive in its existing format.
  • Previously promised community facilities in applications by Cherwell (such as in Battersea) have been left unopened. Peckham risks being left with a boarded-up space and a loss of a key social hub.
  • Southwark Council describes SET social as a designated warm space. This would be lost.
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