An insalubrious street name will reappear on the map as part of a multimillion pound redevelopment. The reworking of the former Vinopolis buildings near Borough Market will reinstate the ancient thoroughfare of Dirty Lane.
The Vinopolis wine experience and restaurant served its final plonk last year. The buildings will now be transformed into a mixed-use complex that will include new fashion-led shops, office space, a gallery and a two-screen cinema. More than 1,000 new jobs will be created (around 180 were lost when Vinopolis closed).
Approximate area of development.
The brick-and-bronze rebuild gained unanimous approval this week from Southwark Council's planning committee. As a condition of approval, the development must limit the number of chain stores, and high street supermarket chains will not be permitted.
The £30 million scheme will be developed by Sherwood Thames Ventures, to designs by SPPARC Architecture.
A particularly noteworthy part of the scheme will see the creation of several new streets that revive Elizabethan names. Dirty Lane will run from Clink Street to Park Street, straight through the former Vinopolis building. It recalls a long-lost thoroughfare of the same name, albeit on a different site. This grubby place-naming will be counterbalanced with the creation of a Soap Yard. Clink Yard will also be reinstated after long absence from the map.
Visitors will be relieved to learn that other ancient streets, such as Dead Man Place, Foul Lane, Little Cock Alley and Naked Boy Yard, will not be making a comeback.
Full details of the plans can be found on Southwark Council's website.
