Better Bankside will be taking part in this year’s Arch Day celebrations on Saturday 8 July, with a “This Is Bankside” photography competition, exhibition and workshop, to celebrate the railway architecture, local heritage, and the vibrant business community that the rail arches house today.
It is the first time the Business Improvement District (BID) has taken part in the annual event, as the area’s Low Line continues to evolve, repurposing and unlocking unused spaces to create new opportunities for enterprise, social connection and public space along the mighty Victorian rail viaducts of South London.
The Arch Company’s Arch Day is an annual celebration of the diverse businesses that call the UK’s railway archways home. Together with Better Bankside, Blue Bermondsey, Borough Market, Team London Bridge and Southwark Council, The Arch Company is part of the group of partners steering the Low Line project across Bankside, London Bridge, Bermondsey and beyond, linking existing and new hubs of creativity, entertainment and industry along its course.
Better Bankside will be marking Arch Day with a photography competition, where the shortlisted and winning photos will be exhibited in Arch 23, just off Flat Iron Square on Saturday 8 July.
The winner of the competition will not only have their work showcased to the public, but they will also win an overnight stay in Sea Containers hotel, where they can enjoy spectacular panoramic views across the river and capital, farm to table dining in the hotel’s stunning restaurant and a bespoke tour of the Bankside neighbourhood and Low Line.
The theme for the competition is “This Is Bankside” and entrants are invited to share images of what the district means to them, bringing to life everything that makes the area and its unique arches special, while capturing new angles and perspectives of the neighbourhood.
With three different categories to enter, photographers are given the opportunity to show off their individual photographic areas of interest, from structural design, to real people, to the unexpected. There is also an opportunity for young, aspiring photographers to show off their skills with an under-18s category also open, for a prize of a family Everyman Cinema ticket, to a film of their choice.
The competition is open for entries until 5pm on Monday 26th June. Details on how to enter can be found at: betterbankside.co.uk
For those who want to work on their existing photography skills or learn how to make a start, Better Bankside will also be running free photography workshops on Arch Day (8 July) at Arch 23 Workshops will take place from throughout the day and will include a dedicated walk along the district’s Low Line and its Victorian viaducts. The workshops are open to all abilities. Those wanting to take part will need to book their place in advance at banksidelondon.co.uk
Nicole Gordon, CEO of Better Bankside, said: “Bankside is a neighbourhood that encourages exploration and discovery. With many stories hidden in plain sight, we are looking forward to seeing how people respond and capture what is unique and special about Bankside to them.”
Arch Day is a key part of the #LoveYourLocalArches campaign and is an open invite for members of the community to discover the businesses in their local neighbourhood, through a series of events and activities.
For more information on Better Bankside visit: betterbankside.co.uk
