old photos of Central Kennington

Last photos for now from the soon-to-be relaunched Lambeth Archives website

Kennington Cross, 1960

Kennington Cross, 1960. That lady looks like she’s moving at a leisurely pace. No way she’s going to make it all the way across in one journey.

from Kennington Cross towards Imperial Court, 1930

from Kennington Cross towards Imperial Court, 1930

the Elephant end of Kennington Lane, 1970

the Elephant end of Kennington Lane, 1970

pretty much the other side of the top of Kennington Lane, 1905

pretty much the other side of the top of Kennington Lane, 1905

The Windmill Fish Bar, 1972 - they should have kept that wonderful frontage

The Windmill Fish Bar, 1972 – they should have kept that wonderful frontage

Kennington Theatre, later a cinema, now a block of flats, Kennington Park Road, 1930

Kennington Theatre, later a cinema, now a block of flats, Kennington Park Road, 1930

The Salvation Army Citadel, 93 Kennington Lane, 1966

The Salvation Army Citadel, 93 Kennington Lane, 1966

what is now Pelican Nursery at Kennington Cross, 1972

what is now Pelican Nursery at Kennington Cross, 1972

more shops at Kennington Cross, 1972

more shops at Kennington Cross, 1972

amazing mural depicting a mediaeval village scene in Durning Library, 1952

amazing mural depicting a mediaeval village scene in Durning Library, 1952

Granada Bingo, Kennington Road, 1960, now Tesco Express

Granada Bingo, Kennington Road, 1960, now Tesco Express

our central Kennington predictions for 2015

The Boule-In, the new French vintage homewares boutique at the junction of Kennington Road and Windmill Row, will be a great success. Watch this space for more on this.

“The Boule-In Effect” will see further exciting boutiques opening up in central Kennington, joining Sally White, Kennington Bookshop and Windmill Flowers. Windmill Row will become the new Redchurch Street.

Lambeth Council will finally get their way and kill the Tree of Heaven behind Durning Library, which will help the Green Party in their surge across Lambeth (OK, not everyone agrees about the tree’s heavenly properties, but it’s called the Tree of Heaven – let it be, for heaven’s sake).

Property prices across Kennington will continue to outperform other parts of London. Despite this, no new estate agents will open in Kennington. Yet another estate agent will open on Kennington Road – Lauristons is coming soon – grrr.

2015 will see the return of Kennington’s own Florence Welch. She will be sampled by Rihanna and spotted in Sally White. Will she release a new album? Never mind that – the question on everyone’s lips is when will she start her guest column for Kennington Runoff?

Florence Welch at South London Pacific

Florence Welch at South London Pacific

Check back tomorrow evening for our predictions for North and East Kennington (formerly known as Elephant & Castle and Walworth).