Anyone who has visited Shoreditch in the
last few months may well have seen what looks like a lot of shipping containers stacked up in a row – this is Boxpark Shoreditch – the world’s first pop-up mall
in the heart of East London, which opened Christmas 2011.
Fantastic idea – take 60 standard shipping
containers, paint them black, strip them out and refit them with lots of selected
niche brands (by invitation only) to create a fashionistas' paradise in
Shoreditch - the perfect location with it’s vibrant atmosphere of start-up
creative and media companies eager to spend their dosh!
The fact that they are all the same basic
shell encourages a creative use of the space and makes for an interesting browse.
It’s not only fashion at Boxpark, shoppers
are invited to stay and hang out with boutique food offers including saladmasters
Chopp’d, juice bar Crussh and Pieminister with its gorgeous pies.
The Boxpark ethos is to offer cheap short-term
rents to help young companies get a foothold in a part of London where the cost of
commercial space is sky high. And with preferential rates being given to
local creative industries and organisations, Boxpark always involves and
enhances the community.
Roger Wade, the brains behind the idea, is
so confident of the scheme’s success, he’s now touting six to twelve additional
Boxparks around London, with another ready for Christmas next year.
Whether this happens of not, it is
certainly a fresh take on the shopping experience and a breath of fresh air on
the battered high street. So next time you’re in the East End check it out, it’s near Shoreditch High Street Station – you really can’t miss it!
Frazer Morgan
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