Poplar Works, an innovative new home for East London’s fashion economy was officially opened by London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, who met with the building’s first resident creatives, before inaugurating the project.
Also in attendance was Kitsch Media Group’s co-founder, Judea Bogle, who gave an important speech on the importance of the new venture for independent companies like ours.
Poplar Works was conceived around the simple idea that fashion could again become a major part of East London’s social and economic make-up.
Designed by award-wining architects Adams & Sutherland, Poplar Works is the £6m transformation of 100 disused garages in the Aberfeldy and Teviot neighbourhoods, into 45 custom-designed, low-cost workshops and studios, a public café and events space, and manufacturing facilities offering enterprise support and training programmes for the creative industries.
The project was designed to nurture the existing talent and entrepreneurship in the area, by providing affordable workspace and training opportunities, as well as creating a new community facility.
Located in the heart of the Fashion District, it has been delivered by housing association Poplar HARCA, in partnership with London College of Fashion, UAL and social enterprise The Trampery. The scheme is supported by funding from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund – a landmark regeneration initiative that champions growth and community development in the capital, with support from the London Economic Action Partnership.