We are still yet to sign a lease agreement for the premises, though we expect this to be finalised in the coming weeks. No funds will be transferred to the project until this is confirmed. Funding is secured for the rent and business rates for 3 years, but refitting the unit in line with local need and running it effectively and safely requires additional investment. The hub will be the focus of a cultural experiences programme and an annual Petticoat Lane festival, co-created and inspired by local communities and their heritage, drawing people to the area, supporting the market & high street. Students, amongst others, can work with local communities to develop projects and host cultural events. There will be an opportunity to share skills/knowledge on themes such as caring for historic buildings and traditional signwriting. The kitchen will be used for community food sharing, to support local women to make and sell produce at Lady Lane Market, and by OITIJ-JO Collective.

What we'll deliver:

• Refurbish shop unit
• Wifi connection and utilities to allow the space to be used effectively all year round
• Furnish space to make it welcoming, and to enable residents, neighbours and visitors to meet and organise
• Install lighting and sound for community-led culture and heritage exhibitions, events and talks
• Install kitchen for local community use, market traders and small businesses

Why it's a great idea:

The hub will offer the diverse local community a sense of ownership over a space in an area of London undergoing immense and rapid social change, and in which many often feel alienated. It will provide local people with a safe space in which they can come together; it will be an active element of the community which intergenerational groups can feed into and lead on, and a space in which local developments can be engaged with, and in which decisions can be made by the spectrum of the community. It will be an essential part of the cultural programme, in which local people can gather to share ideas, to create and to collaborate. The kitchen will support local women who want to start their own businesses, and who do not currently have a place to produce their food. Building maintenance workshops for local business owners, young people and residents will equip them with both the skills and motivation to protect the historic buildings in this area, which will fuel local pride in the area.

Steps to get it done:

• Survey and install electrics, gas, heating, fire safety, wifi etc.
• Install kitchen
• Refurbish shop unit
• Buy and install lighting equipment, tables and chairs, etc.
• Grand opening

There are regeneration plans for the area, jointly funded between the City of London Corporation, Tower Hamlets Council and Historic England through their ‘High Streets Heritage Action Zone’ national funding programme, an initiative designed to secure lasting improvements to historic high streets and the communities that use them. Middlesex Street and Wentworth Street will see improvements to historic shop fronts and buildings, public open spaces and market management, as well as market trader recruitment. Lady Lane Market is London’s first women-led market selling unique and handmade crafts, clothing and gifts; it also has makers who would like to sell food. The Hub will provide an indoor meeting space for local resident associations, such as from the Middlesex Street Estate. Historic England are also funding the cultural programme to run over three years, supported by a Cultural Consortium of local organisations and a Community Organiser based at Toynbee Hall.