The idea
Award-winning arts & mental health charity CoolTan Arts is developing a pioneering regeneration project in partnership with Peabody Trust & Carnaval de Pueblo.
We will creatively transform East St through sustaining & attracting a new & diverse customer base, we will provide the following benefits to the local commercial ecosystem:
*Expand CoolTan Arts' existing 'CoolTrade' online trading social enterprise from a solely online resource to a public facing High St premises
*Offer a unique experience whilst shopping by 'Making Art' through creative workshops with artists in residence & have fun
*Provide a creative space where people can pop in, shop, stay for a snack, join a 'make art' session & hang out for longer
*Offer an events programme that links to existing local festivals & initiatives
*Increase footfall by both local & new people
*Prolong the length of time that local & new customers spend in East St Market
*Attract a younger demographic to East St, increase networks
What we'll deliver
- Fit out a commercial kitchen including equipment e.g coffee machine, oven etc
- Fit out the interior of the shop to promote our range of local art & craft products, materials & books
- Provide internet facilities for local people who cannot access internet at home
- Purchase crockery, cutlery and display cabinets
- Add seating, benches, lighting, gas and electricity
- Provide a sound system & basic sound-proofing
- Provide equipment for our creative workshops (e.g. easels, silk, screen set etc)
- Provide equipment to do practical creative activities such as sinks, workbenches
- Put in place a disabled toilet, and make sure shop meets accessibility requirements
- Put in tills, online payment facilities
Why it's a great idea
CoolTan arts believes mental well-being is enhanced by the power of creativity. It is run by & for local people with disabilities. We want to ensure our local street market stays vibrant & economical though the changing turmoil of regeneration. We believe our quirky creative space will be pivotal to keeping alive community spirit by providing a community hub/retail space where the community can meet, play & have fun, when they come to do their shopping.
It will not only be creative but a place to socialise/network. Hang out at board games evenings, read a poem or try some new foods, learn to manage a medical condition such as diabetes type 2, or how to, knit a jumper, make a belt or paint a picture in a creative workshop.
Our space will be able to be rented for special occasions such as baby showers & small celebrations. Our space will break down barriers between people & build social cohesion & friendship creating a better, safer neighbourhood were people want to live & work.
Steps to get it done
- Capital match funding for external shop front £90,000 by Peabody
- Charity Partnership with Dulwich Hamlet FC where we can promote CoolTrade to their thousands-strong fan base.
- Charity partnership with The Affordable Art Fair London where we can promote CoolTrade to over 75,000 visitors.
- CoolTan’s expertise in bringing empty / underused spaces into use (e.g The old Benefits Office in Brixton).
- CoolTan’s expertise in social enterprise
- Mentor & Charity partnership with ‘The Breakfast Café’ group where we can promote CoolTrade
- We already have local art products and books sold though CoolTrade to go live in the shop
- Large volunteer force as winner of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2014 (The MBE for charities)
- Partnership with Peabody Trust & Carnaval del Pueblo in place
- Support from Peabody Southwark council
CoolTan is a multi-award winning organisation - we have won over 30 awards in 24 years. We have the Queens Award for volunteering - an MBE equivalent for all our volunteers, and we have won the Citizen Voice Award twice from the Mental Health Provider's forum as well as a GSK iMPACT AWARD in partnership with the Kings Fund.
We have also won the most diverse organisation in Southwark Award from Southwark Arts Forum, as well as Best Innovation in Health from South London HEE NHS department.
We also have the local councils' CIVIC awards and keys to the city.
Our CEO is a fellow of the School of Social Enterprise and we have a 24 year track record of social enterprise in running popular and well-attended events from the nineties onwards.
We have a 25 year track record of working in South London with our local community and being a part of the fabric though our historical walks which are 10 years old next year.
