PLI, 2-12 Hales Street, Deptford, London, SE8

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Deptford is being gradually re-developed. This will involve the construction of around 3,500 new homes and an extension of the town centre northwards towards the river. It has a lively street market and High Street. In February 2005, Deptford High Street was described as “the capital's most diverse and vibrant high street” by Yellow Pages business directory. Much of the area along Creek Road, close to Greenwich, has also been redeveloped, with the demolition of the old Deptford Power Station and Rose Bruford College buildings.

The Albany Theatre has a lively community arts program. Lewisham Law Centre (one of the oldest law centres in the country, founded in 1974) is also based in the area. The Laban Dance Centre, opened in February 2003 and designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, is an award-winning new building next to Deptford Creek.

The area, along with neighbouring New Cross, has been touted as 'the new Shoreditch' by some newspapers and magazines, due to its supposedly developing arts and music scene. Among the famous musicians who started in the area are Jools Holland, Dire Straits and, more recently, Athlete. It ought to be of little surprise that many artists live and work in such close proximity to Goldsmiths College.

Lewisham Council recently granted permission for the last remnants of the Deptford Ragged School known as The Princess Louise Institute to be demolished and replaced by flats.