VN – 15 Mar, 2026

We have an urgent story to share this week. Over the past year of working on Fermenting Cultures, we’ve noted the number of food businesses struggling under the impacts of gentrification across London - rising rents, insecure tenancies, etc. Elephant & Castle, Ridley Road, Brixton, the list goes on.

Fermenting Cultures and Lambeth Larder (Virginia's social enterprise) are based at 3Space International House in Brixton. It is London’s largest affordable office space and was the UK’s first Living Wage building. International House also is home to over 100 social action and creative organisations. Our collective social impact across Lambeth, London, and beyond is vast. Lambeth Larder alone reaches over 20,000 local people a year. A recent report showed that at least 2,600 new jobs have been created since 2019 as a result of the International House initiative.

Sadly, rather than secure the building as a community asset, Lambeth Council is planning to redevelop International House to build luxury flats and commercial offices. The loss of International House for social purpose will be a severe loss to the whole community.

The planning decision is on Tuesday 24th March. Will you support us in fighting against it? COME ON DOWN! Or sign the petition here.