The two architects on the Peckham Society’s committee, Bill Morris and Benny O’Looney, are playing a major part in trying to bring the former First Class waiting room in Peckham Rye Station back into public use. It has been a billiard hall. It may become a restaurant – or a pub as happened at the next station on the line to Victoria: Denmark Hill.
Old Waiting Room (later Billiard Hall), Peckham Rye Station, London designed by Victorian Architect, Charles Henry Driver in 1865.
An event on 16 July celebrated the opening up and restoration of the windows, doors and floor of the grand waiting room. This represents the beginning of the renovation of this remarkable Victorian room in the heart of Peckham’s town centre.
Following the recommendation of Benedict O’Looney, Southern Railway have repainted the booking hall in colours reflecting its original Victorian appearance. Three shades have been used – sage green for the walls, cream for the upper walls and deep green for the joinery. Before the Peckham Society’s intervention, Southern Railway were planning to paint the booking hall all white.
