With many businesses offering a 10% discount scheme
Putney Bridge may be temporarily closed to vehicles, but the traffic-free town centre is still very much open for business. To reward local shoppers, a number of local businesses such as Paperchase, Hairways, Smugglers Café, the Pilates Room, Physio4life and Giuliano's Deli have teamed up to offer people a ten per cent discount on bills if they produce a specially designed Putney Exchange Oyster card holder, which is available from participating businesses.
During the closure, the Putney Town Centre manager will also be releasing a Putney hidden gem everyday – so if you have a Putney best kept secret or an interesting fact you wish to share such as – “Did you know that Putney Bridge is the only bridge in Britain to have a church at both ends” then email them to ngrant@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Parents looking for activities to keep children occupied in the school holidays can take part in the ‘Putney Bridge Trail’, where young people will be tasked with finding photographs of the bridge ‘hidden’ in a variety of shop windows around Putney..
Each photograph will contain a letter and when combined will spell out a secret message. Registration forms can be collected from Eddie Catz on Lacy Road or Toystop in the Exchange. A prize will be given to every child who completes the trail with the correct answer. This activity will run from August 6 to September 6.
‘Open Putney’ celebrations take place on Sunday, September 7 with an activity-filled Funday, which will include music, courtesy of the Radio Jackie Roadshow, the popular monthly art and craft market, a kid’s zone complete with a bouncy castle, mini-funfair, face painting, a punch and judy show, tasty street food stalls, and if that wasn’t enough, the Thames Rowing club will offer budding rowers mini-rowing sessions.
For further information on the Putney Bridge Trail and a full listing of businesses offering discounts visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/putney.
So far the bridge’s essential repairs are progressing well, with the old road surface removed along with the paving and kerb stones on the western footway.
This has exposed the old waterproofing material which needs replacing. Engineers are now checking what repairs are needed to the bridge’s internal structure prior to the new waterproof membrane being laid.
All the ornate Victorian lamp columns have been removed from the bridge parapet and taken to a specialist firm of restorers. Temporary lighting has been installed until they are ready to be put back.
Work has also begun on the refurbishment of the subway on the northern side of the bridge. Its brickwork, which has been damaged by water penetration over the years, is being fixed while the lighting will be upgraded and other repairs carried out.
People can find out more about the closure and also view TfL’s bus maps at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/putneybridge.
July 28, 2014