Pop Brixton
Brixton is world renowned for its extraordinary character, rich diversity and heritage. Brixton is famed for its independent retail, hospitality, night time economy and a rich cultural offer. Todays growing sectors include creative industries and social impact clusters. Innovative spaces such as Pop Brixton are bringing new commercial space to an area where demand outstrips supply.
At Lambeth Council we recognise the importance of this moment to embrace demand for growth, whilst retaining value and the independent character of Brixton. So, in consultation with stakeholders from across the community we are leveraging our local land ownership to drive major developments and public realm improvements that bring inclusive growth benefits. We also welcome developers and businesses to Brixton who want to contribute to seeing it flourish.
The council is working in partnership with local stakeholders and communities to bring forward more commercial space within Brixton. More day-time workers within the area will help to support Brixton’s fantastic retail, food and drink and evening economy. A vibrant investment and regeneration programme is underway:
On 25th March 2021, the council will launch a competitive procurement process to secure a delivery partner to realise the ambitions for two key sites in the heart of Brixton town centre. More information about the opportunity be found here.
Brixton has been awarded CEZ designition and funding from the Mayor of London to support plans to further safeguard and grow Brixton’s creative economy. The investment will attract and support artists and creative businesses and develop skills and jobs for local people.
Tripod provides the space, events and connections for creative, tech and social businesses to do their best work. The space was designed by award winning local creatives Eley Kishimoto and Dolman Bowles and is operated by Meanwhile Space.
International House is London’s largest affordable workspace for new and growing businesses focusing on design, creativity, and innovation. It is located in the heart of Brixton town centre and operated by 3Space for the next 5 years before long-term redevelopment.
The scheme has brought Lambeth’s Town Hall back to former glory, preserving its features and making it more open and accessible to residents, whilst building a new Civic Centre, 194 new homes, with 40% affordable, and new outdoor public spaces.
Electric Avenue has recently benefited from major public realm improvements aimed at boosting trade, making it easier for local people to shop and increasing footfall; thanks to investment from the Mayor of London’s High Street Fund and Lambeth Council.
Phase 1 of Somerleyton Road was completed in 2022 and included the refurbishment of the locally listed Carlton Mansions and the construction of the new Brixton House Theatre. Phase 2 will deliver over 300 homes, including a new extra-care facility, public realm improvements and broader social value benefits to local communities.
A centre for visual arts, education and creative enterprise, 198 CAL supports underrepresented artists in the visual arts. Following a £475,000 Good Growth Fund award from the Mayor of London, 198 CAL plans to redevelop their site in Herne Hill, tripling the current available space.
LJ Works provides access to reasonably priced workspaces, including 16 workshops and five studios, that are specifically designed to support burgeoning businesses within the Loughborough Junction region. The primary objective is to foster and cultivate emerging talent, as well as those who possess the potential to make a meaningful and constructive impact on the local community.
Brixton BID – Brixton’s not for profit Business Improvement District provides a range of business support services and access to local networks including a business club for SMEs.
Brixton Design Trail is an annual festival and an ongoing network of local creative businesses.
Recent years have seen a growing cluster of creative and digital businesses, particularly in shared workspaces such as Tripod, International House, Impact Hub, Piano House and Canvas. There is increasing demand for more high quality office space to allow for business growth and annual events such as Brixton Design Trail are creating new business networks, fostering collaborations and highlighting the work of local artists, designers and creative organisations.
Squire and Partners architectural practice have moved their 250-strong team to Brixton from Kings Cross, marking the first large professional services organisation to relocate to the town centre. Converting a prominent former department store for their head office, the development also contains a new ground floor restaurant and a refurbishment of the former Fire Station and Stables, providing a new location for Brixton Post Office and units for local creative businesses.
Undeniably, one of Brixton’s highlights is its rich and varied food and drink offer. The famous covered market arcades of Brixton Village and Market Row, a number of street markets and range of restaurants and cafes provide Brixton with a fusion of flavours from all around the world. Food success stories including Franco Manca and Honest Burgers were founded in Brixton village, and have gone to scale.
Pop Brixton, a temporary project delivered in partnership between Make Shift and Lambeth Council has turned vacant land into a thriving destination for new businesses, community projects and affordable workspace. Meeting the local demand for space and fostering new networks, Pop Brixton is home to over 200 businesses including food and drink, retail, design, social enterprises and a youth radio station.
Brixton has long been on the map as a night time destination. The renowned Ritzy Cinema opened in 1911 and the world famous Brixton Academy, opened in 1929, heading a thriving live music and nightclub scene which includes The Electric, Phonox, The Dogstar, The Windmill, and many others. Since the late 1940s, Brixton has been home to a significant afro-caribbean population who made Brixton famous for ska, reggae and R&B; constantly celebrated through events and exhibitions at The Black Cultural Archives. The Somerleyton Road development will provide a new home to the Oval House Theatre, further adding to Brixton’s night time offer.
Brixton’s retail offer is made up of a significant number of high-street stores balanced with an eclectic mix of independent businesses, reflecting the diversity of its residents. With a number of both outdoor and indoor markets, Brixton has a unique pull to shoppers from both within and outside of the community. Constantly innovating, the markets and projects like Pop Brixton allow start up retailers to test their offer before investing long term.
Like many towns around the UK, Brixton’s residents are displaying an increasing appetite for businesses and projects that prioritise social value. Examples include Brixton Cycles, The Remakery and Impact Hub, alongside initiatives including the Brixton Pound, Brixton Energy and Brixton Transition Town.
If your business is interested in development or locating in Brixton, please click below to complete an enquiry form. We look forward to hearing from you.