News on Aberfeldy New Masterplan

After months of patience, uncertainty, and an abundance of online orders, retail has finally reopened. And for us, that means the incredible shops and units along Aberfeldy Street have now reopened their doors. It goes without saying that times like these call for celebration.

That’s exactly why local illustrator Matt Ponting (aka Doodling Around) worked with a group of talented Year 9 pupils at Langdon Park School, all of whom live on the Aberfeldy Estate. Ponting and the young Langdon Park artists have designed colourful art for the shop fronts to bring energy, life and optimism back to the high street.

As we’re sure many of you are aware, this isn’t the first time Aberfeldy Street has seen a lick of colour. Last year, we worked with High Street Works, The London Mural Company and Global Street Art as well artists Philth (Phil Blake) and Captain Kris to transform the street. Using 874 litres of paint in 200 colours across 26 buildings, the designs are a nod to the Bangladeshi tradition of kantha – recycling old textiles to create something new – as well as Poplar’s legacy of garment and fashion manufacturing. Fittingly, the patterns you can now find along Aberfeldy Street came from community donations.

But Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld see this as just the start. This next project is all about creating something for the community by the community, especially the community’s next generation.

There is a real hope this project will give a boost to local business owners by helping warmly invite back local customers, the lifeblood for these shops. The plan is to bring more footfall to the area as part of the #ShopSafeShopLocal initiative promoted by local authorities.

Take The Tommy Flowers for example, a real community pub with an amazing arts, cultural and heritage programme for local residents. Now expanding next door to create a community kitchen, The Tommy Flowers offers locals a safe, cosy, uplifting space to meet friends and get to know other residents while celebrating the multicultural East End and drinking beer.

Or what about Workshop 53? A dynamic space with a fully-functioning wood workshop for local artists and designers to hire. Or the incredible Roots. A DigiBarber app created by Leon and Joshua, two Poplar locals, Roots allows customers to book appointments quickly and seamlessly with a local barber. They recently opened their flagship barber shop at 37 Aberfeldy Street and could really benefit from the warmth and vibrance Matt and the Langdon Park creators are bringing to the high street.

Aberfeldy Boxing Club, a non-profit keeping kids away from knife crime and gangs; More Life Home, a furniture recycling business helping the socially deprived turn houses into homes; and Making Space, a programme offering workshops for locals to learn ceramics, glass-making, music, and photography are just a few other inspiring businesses that will hopefully gain from the increased footfall and atmosphere.

After all, that’s exactly what this project is all about. These bright Aberfeldy youngsters see collaborative community art as the perfect way to send a message of support to their local high street as we look to get Aberfeldy back on its feet.

If you have any thoughts on how we can support local businesses and create more colourful, engaging community spaces – both now and in the future masterplan - please get in touch by emailing us on hello@aberfeldynewmasterplan.co.uk or calling us on 0800 999 1249.