Dalston Foreword
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HACKNEY DALSTON FOREWORD Recent regeneration schemes have included a new station at Dalston Junction, the development of Dalston Square which brought in more than 500 new homes, the CLR James library and public archive, a new public space and further retail opportunities. Gillett Square, Dalston’s cultural heart, has continued to flourish as a home to a renowned independent radio station, music venues, creative start-ups and a programme of exceptional cultural events. We will continue to see significant investment to the area, with comprehensive redevelopment of existing retail hubs such as the Kingsland High Street, Kingsland Shopping Centre and the Ridley Road Market. Future investment will also supports the growth of two areas dedicated to culture, creative and community industries. Finally, we can look forward to a reorganisation of the public realm to develop new pathways through the centre and offer greener and alston represents the best of the borough’s more enjoyable public spaces. vibrant cultural and social mix and is the To get involved, please follow us on twitter @hackneybusiness DBorough’s most popular retail centre. or visit: www.investinhackney.org where you can browse content As Hackney’s foremost town centre, Dalston has such as video case studies with some of our local businesses, been designated by the Council as a major focus sign up to the Hackney Business Network newsletter and find area for development, building on the strong contact details for the regeneration delivery team. creative, cultural and community industries and benefiting from excellent public transport connectivity. Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney It’s an ongoing privilege to be able to operate my three businesses - Dalston Superstore, Voodoo Ray’s and Dance Tunnel - in the borough of Hackney. I can’t think of anywhere we would rather be. Hackney is a diverse, creative and progressive community; not to mention a fertile environment for independent entrepreneurs and businesses such as mine. We also enjoy an extremely positive relationship from the forward thinking team at Hackney Council and amazing support from the local neighbourhood.” Dan Beaumont, Founder, Dalston Superstore, Voodoo Ray’s and Dance Tunnel 3 “We have a reputation for contributing to eclectic, artistic and emerging neighbourhoods, Dalston was the natural next move, it was and still is an iconic neighbourhood, but it is going though rapid change and bringing a lot more people from outside of Dalston and Stoke Newington than when we first arrived, the area has become a bit of a destination. You can go shopping in unique independent stores like Pelicans and Parrots, have a bite to eat and drink at one of the many cafes and bars that are opening, take in a film at the fantastic Rio cinema... and of course shop vintage at one of our biggest stores.” Kate Peters, Managing Director, Beyond Retro 4 HACKNEY’S LARGEST TOWN CENTRE Dalston is the largest of Hackney’s town centres. open street based layout with a network of open Nearly 2,000 businesses, one of the oldest and air pedestrianised routes. This will bring new renowned markets and the highest amount of retail opportunities for independent and high street retail, floorspace make up the business community in food, drink and leisure uses alongside potential Dalston. With a distinct local character, Dalston residential above. is home to a mix of national high street names Finally, improvements to the public realm and alongside specialist independent retailers offering walkways are underway with the promotion of new a huge diversity of goods and serving several shopping circuits that guide visitors through the niche markets. town centre. This will include new public spaces to Dalston will be the Borough’s primary location for sit and relax, play areas, a public art strategy and accommodating future growth in retail over the improved signage. coming years, and therefore a detailed area action plan has been developed by the Council’s planning authority. Shops are located within in three main clusters: Kingsland High Street, Kingsland “We pitched our Circus tent in Dalston Shopping Centre and Ridley Road market, making because just like our little curiosity it Hackney’s busiest pedestrian location. Ridley Road market demonstrates the diverse shop the place is magical, colourful, spirit of Dalston. The popular market attracts free spirited, energetic and incredibly up to 50,000 visitors a week, offering a range of international foods and products. Hackney intoxicating. It’s full of undiscovered Council has recently implemented over £1m of improvements including new shop fronts, furniture treasures and well-kept secrets.” and business support. The adjacent Kingsland Shopping Centre Fiona, Owner, Fee Fee La Fou Boutique represents a major regeneration opportunity with plans for a complete transformation to an 5 CULTURE, CREATIVITY & COMMUNITY Dalston has an extraordinary leisure offer, with a The area around Ashwin Street and Dalston Lane lively mix of establishments serving food from every is home to the Arcola Theatre, the V22 building and corner of the world, as well as sought-after pubs, artists studios and the locally protected Reeves & Sons bars and clubs. building, housing Bootstrap Enterprises: a thriving shared workspace which includes the Dalston Roof Vogue Italia named Dalston ‘the coolest place on Park and the internationally acclaimed music venue earth’ and this is reflected in the eclectic and diverse Café Oto. entertainment programmes throughout the venues as well as the international clientele of students and Council planning policy is now in place to build on these professionals. vibrant sectors of the town centre. Community, cultural and creative uses such as theatres, art galleries and Dalston is a hub for many cultures with one of the studio space will be encouraged in this area. highest concentration of artists in Europe. The unique urban style of creativity, innovation and culture is Dalston is home to a large number of tech, designer fundamental to the identity of the area. and maker businesses, working in highly collaborative environments such as co-working spaces Lighthouse Gillett Square provides a focus for the cultural, Studios and Bootstrap. New businesses are drawn to creative and community sector including a setting Dalston for the character of the area as well as opportunities for various events such as Fronting the Square. The to work side by side with long-standing community Dalston Culture House accommodates the Vortex businesses and a highly diverse mix of residents Jazz Club, as well as a growing number social and cultural enterprises, community groups and other Working in consultation with local artists, planners, voluntary sector organisations. Close by, the Rio architects and arts venues Hackney Council will create Cinema and Jazz Café are lively contributors to the a public art strategy looking at options to embed site- vibrant scene. specific public art into the public realm, reflecting the identity of Dalston as a place and community. 6 The name Dalston is synonymous with boundary-pushing arts and creative businesses. This reputation and the foundation upon which it is built – an incredible array of creative people and businesses – makes Dalston the perfect place to start and grow a business.” Mehmet Ergen, Artistic Director, Arcola Theatre 7 “We chose Dalston Square as our next site for Frame because of the fantastic transport links with it being located right on top of the Dalston Junction Overground station, and in many bus routes from Hackney, Stoke Newington, Highbury. We also love the huge mix of residents, freelancers and office workers which will ensure constant trade throughout the day.” Pip, founder, Move Your Frame 8 WHAT’S ON Dalston has grown to be a unique Dalston is host to some of the capital’s most and thriving business hub, which unique events from Street Feast, London’s original street food night market behind Dalston Lane to is attracting the brightest and intimate concerts on Dalston Roof Park or in the idyllic Dalston Eastern Curve Garden. A year round best entrepreneurs from the outdoor programme of public events in Dalston and Gillett Square includes art, music, dance and creative, technological and social fashion for all ages working with a wide range of industries, as well as a thriving partners such as London’s Barbican Centre. night-time economy and restaurant A highlight is the annual Hackney One Carnival destination. With its strong which brings tremendous joy and colour to the streets. Hundreds of performers take part with offering of independent retailers, the procession ending in Ridley Road Street Market with reggae, soca and Brazilian music it is the perfect home for Hackney accompanying international food and craft stalls. Co-operative Developments to Prizes are awarded to the winning business or house for the most effort made joining in. Small support start-ups and maintain grants are available to performing groups wishing to join the parade. networked business centres.” Dominic Ellison, Hackney Co-operative Developments 9 10 THE MIX Dalston’s personality has always been conveyed Over the past decade, professionals, highly through the people who live, work and own qualified graduates and students have joined businesses in the area. The globally recognised long time residents to make Dalston one of the scene is shaped by Hackney long term residents most innovative areas to live in London. The and exciting new additions. nearly 5,000 employees and over