There’s no price on culture, but when places like PLUSH SE16 are shut down for profit, it feels like that’s exactly what’s happening.
I’m Sumayyah, a 16 year old Bengali girl raised in the heart of SE16, right next to Millwall, where a community of thousands thrives on culture and connection. Over the years, SE16 has taught love over hate. My parents, who grew up here in the 80s, experienced racism, but now this area has grown into a diverse community where people from all backgrounds come together. Culture shapes who we are, what we eat, the music we listen to, and the way we live.
For me, it’s speaking Bengali at home, wearing sarees, and watching Bollywood films. SE16 is special because it’s a mix of so many cultures Caribbean, Somali, British, Bengali, and more each adding something unique. Growing up here, I made friends from all over the world, from Brazil to Algeria and the Netherlands. I’ve tried food from feijoada to shawarmas, and it’s all shaped who I am. That’s why PLUSH SE16’s story hits home for me. They created a space that brought all these different cultures together, a place where we could connect, learn, and just be ourselves. It was more than just a business; it was like home to so many, where the community thrived. And when that’s taken away for profit, it’s not just about losing a building, it’s about losing a piece of what makes SE16, SE16.
Watching spaces like PLUSH SE16 disappear feels like seeing pieces of our community fade away. PLUSH wasn’t just a business; it was a place where culture and connection thrived. Michael, the owner, created a space that brought people from all backgrounds together. Your local corner shop boss came for a trim, Millwall fans came for jerk chicken, and people from outside the Caribbean culture all came together over food, haircuts, conversation, and community. And you know what? It wasn't just about the food or getting your car cleaned; it was about sharing love in a world that often lacks it. When PLUSH closed, it felt like we lost more than a business; it was like a key part of SE16’s soul had been taken away.
The sense of togetherness, the chance to learn about each other’s cultures, and the love that made it feel like home all vanished with it, just for money. I’ve seen this happen across SE16, where money is put before people, like Surrey Docks Farm, once a space for learning and community, now surrounded by luxury flats.
These new buildings might be pretty and profitable, but they’ve erased the culture that made SE16 unique, just like PLUSH did. For young people like me, these spaces are irreplaceable. They’re where we find a sense of belonging, a place to grow together and appreciate one another. Without them, we lose more than just physical spaces; we lose our culture, our love, and our home.
Mental health and safety are also so important for an area like SE16. Gang violence is so prevalent, and we’ve seen how quickly young people can be drawn into bad situations. Just recently, a 14 year old boy lost his life over gang violence, showing just how high the pressures are for young people. Losing places like PLUSH takes away the spaces that keep them safe from those outside influences.
Michael shared how parents trusted PLUSH as a safe space for their kids, knowing it was good for both their mental health and wellbeing. It wasn’t just a hangout spot; it was a place where young people could feel supported, be themselves, and escape from the pressures of life. It was a place where you could love who you are, no matter where you came from.
When PLUSH closed, it felt like we lost more than a business; it was like a key part of SE16’s soul had been taken away. It’s been a year since PLUSH SE16 closed.
PLUSH SE16 wasn’t just about the food; it was about the connections it built through food. The Caribbean meals they served weren’t just delicious; they became a way to bring people together from all different ethnicities. When Millwall had home games, fans would stop by for a bite; it became a tradition. They’d joke with the cooks, try different spices, and share their stories. It didn’t matter where you were from whether British or from a completely different background, food had a way of bridging the gap.
As a Bengali girl, I know how food connects people and creates a sense of belonging. I grew up cooking with my grandma, making curry together, laughing as my eyes watered from the onions. Food is part of who I am, and it’s a big part of why PLUSH felt like home to so many. It wasn’t just about feeding people; it was about creating a space where everyone, from different cultures, could share a meal and feel like it was home. Food is a language of its own, one that brings people closer.
It’s been a year since PLUSH SE16 closed, and I hope you’ve learned that it was more than just a spot to grab food, get a haircut, or hang out. It was a place where we could all come together, no matter where we were from, and feel like we belonged. Losing it wasn’t just about losing a business; it’s about losing a piece of what makes SE16 unique.
The culture, the love, and the connections that made us thrive all disappeared when PLUSH closed its doors. SE16 thrives on diversity, on the mix of people and cultures, and spaces like PLUSH are vital to keeping that spirit alive. When these spaces disappear, it’s not just buildings that are lost; it’s what keeps the community going. It’s important for us to protect places that bring us together, where we can learn, grow, and feel supported. Without these spaces, our community is no longer SE16, and we risk losing everything that makes this area our home. There’s no price on culture, so don’t let PLUSH be an exception.
Please take the time to take part in the Social Value out reach below.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, please share and if you know how you can get involved please reach out to PLUSHSE16 or #NoPriceOnCulture.
Sumayyah Sara Ramahan - Youth Mental Health Advocate, Southwark
PlushSE16 Contributing Writer
Flash back to one year ago today
So, What does Social Value mean to you?
We are asking on a local level across our community to feed into this long winded but necessary work through our project Displaced Society, which is a series of talks, events and local engagements.
We have put together a Poll below that you can feed into which we will factor into using to shape our community with real voices echoing amidst our fight.
Select the one that you connect with, when you are asked What does Social Value mean to you? What do you think about?
What does Social Value mean to you?
Creating spaces for connection and community
Preserving local culture and heritage
Supporting small businesses and local jobs
Affordable housing and stability for residents
Whether you are a member of our community or not, we would like you to contribute if you need to talk to someone, we are all still available. Although we have lost our physical space, our commitment to relocation remains. While the PLUSH site may be derelict whilst we are displaced, the bond within our community is now more robust than ever. We are here for everyone and invested in this work of community, harnessing unity and belonging along the way.
Peace, Love, Unity, Strength, Harmony
The PLUSHSE16 Team
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