Kennington Community
Kennington is essentially a multi-ethnic area with a mixed and varied population, all falling within different geodemographic strands. The area attracts young and affluent incomers who fall within the ABC1 demographic strand of the NRS social grade spectrum, who come to the area in search of its varied and affordable but solid housing stock.
Kennington is within the Division bell zone for the Houses of Parliament, and a number of Members of Parliament and civil servants live within the area. An article in The Sunday Times in 2010 - in connection with David Laws - described Kennington as "the politicians' enclave across the Thames from Westminster"; in 2009, The Times observed that "Kennington...is the suburb that has featured the most in the MPs' expenses scandal. Hazel Blears and Alistair Darling are only two of the ministers with Kennington second homes".
Kennington Road and Kennington Lane, south of Kennington Cross, could properly be described as the "shopping area" of Kennington. This area is identified as a "Local Centre" in the London Plan. There is a range of local shops, restaurants, cafés and estate agents, and there is a Barclays Bank branch and a Post Office. There is a Tesco supermarket on Kennington Lane. The area has a range of pubs and some bars, as well as the only nightclub, the South London Pacific.
There are two theatres in Kennington: the White Bear Theatre and the Oval House Theatre. The Cinema Museum, London, established in 1986, occupies a converted part of the former Lambeth Hospital, off Renfrew Road.
The area has an active residents' association: the Kennington Association.
The Friends of Kennington Park is a local organisation, involved with the promotion of Kennington Park as a valuable resource for the community.
A weekly farmers' market takes place at St. Mark's Church.
The distillery of Beefeater Gin - the only premium gin still distilled in London - is situated in Montford Place, Kennington.
The City and Guilds of London Art School, one of the longest-established art colleges in the country, has been at Kennington Park Road since 1879.
Kennington is also home of the The Cinema Museum - a popular local venue for watching films and learning about the history of cinema.
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