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On Saturday 4th December, Poplar residents welcomed in the festive season by switching on lights along Aberfeldy Street, illuminating the street’s colourful murals with special guests including Mayor John Biggs, the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh Minister Zahidul Islam and Councillor Ahbab Hossain, Speaker of Tower Hamlets Council.

The Festival of Light was organised by Aberfeldy Street business owners for the community on national Small Business Saturday which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local'.

The event included a Winter Market organised by Aberfeldy Big Local, with goods such as bubble tea made by young people from Spotlight, jigsaws and knitwear made by local and independent traders, on offer.

Christmas card and gingerbread house workshops took place at non-profit furniture shop More Life Home and the Your Future Aberfeldy hub, and mince pies and alcohol-free mulled wine were available to residents from Tommy’s Flowers pub. There was also boxing club taster sessions at the Aberfeldy Boxing Club that people could drop into throughout the course of the afternoon.

Prior to the lights switch on, Mayor John Biggs, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Minister Zahidul Islam, Councillor Ahbab Hossain, Speaker of Tower Hamlets Council, Councillor Victoria Obaze, Councillor Kahar Chowdhury and Councillor Rajib Ahmed were given a tour of the new, affordable homes being delivered by EcoWorld London and Poplar HARCA, as part of the latest phase of the Aberfeldy regeneration.

The Festival of Light is the latest in a series of community events on Aberfeldy Street, with previous activities such as Aberfeldy Fun Day in the summer, a collaborative art project with young people at Langdon Park School to design vinyls for all the shopfront windows and most recently, Aberfeldy Spooks during Halloween.

Several physical improvements have been made on Aberfeldy Street since 2019, commissioned by Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld London and include the large scale, colourful murals painted across the buildings. Several local entrepreneurs were also given rent-free retail units to kickstart their businesses and business support also provided to existing traders on the street.

Laurrice Debichi, a local Poplar resident who helped switched on the lights, said:

‘I was born in Aberfeldy and most of my friends were born here too. It is a really close-knit community. It has been great to see more shops open on Aberfeldy Street have more on offer which we can use and see the street come to life. It reminds me of what I remember Aberfeldy Street was like when I was younger.

Me and my family have been going along regularly to all the events and activities on the high street. I think it is important to keep the community spirit going and have opportunities which bring the community together and connect us with new people.’

Josh Johnson, a personal trainer who also volunteers for Aberfeldy Boxing Club, said:

‘Aberfeldy Street has given me an opportunity to change my life in a way I thought it would never change! I’ve completed my Kickstart placement at Aberfeldy Boxing Club this year, running children’s boxing classes and it’s given me a new direction. Since finishing I still volunteer my time at the club and am setting up my own personal training businesses. If I could sum up the street for me it would be great people, great services and great vibes!’

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:

‘This is a fantastic way to encourage people to shop local within Tower Hamlets. Our small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and so festive events like this help to give them a boost and also showcases the community spirit of our business owners.

The Aberfeldy regeneration will also provide much-needed new affordable homes for families in the borough, as well as investment in the area.’

The regeneration of the Aberfeldy neighbourhood in Poplar has moved a step closer following the submission of a hybrid planning application to Tower Hamlets Council. The application submission marks the culmination of over two years of extensive engagement with residents and the wider community on the Aberfeldy new masterplan, which has been developed with the community by Aberfeldy Village LLP, the joint venture partnership between Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld London.

Aberfeldy residents have been involved in the development of the plans at every step of the journey so far and prior to the submission residents gave the proposals the thumbs up, with almost 90% of the over 400 respondents saying they supported the details of the masterplan. This follows the estate regeneration ballot last year, where 93% of residents voted to support regeneration on a 91% turnout.

Commenting on the news, Aberfeldy resident Alaina said, “It was exciting to see the detailed proposals over the summer – it’s exactly the change our neighbourhood needs. It’s excellent news that the application has now been submitted. I can’t wait for work to get started.”

If the green light is given, the masterplan will deliver over 1,600 new homes of all types and tenures, at least 35% of which will be affordable homes for people on the Tower Hamlets housing waiting list, and all current residents wishing to remain in Aberfeldy have the option to do so, in a like-for-like home on the same tenancy terms and rent levels.

Working with Aberfeldy residents and pupils from local schools to develop designs that will create a safer, greener, child friendly neighbourhood alongside much needed new housing, the masterplan will deliver a new local centre on Aberfeldy Street, with purpose-built shops, workspaces, and a community centre. New connections will be created across the A12 and A13 to improve links to Poplar and Newham and deliver new walking and cycling routes and improvements to local streets, parks, and public spaces to create healthy streets that will improve the local environment, reduce air pollution, and encourage active travel.

Poplar HARCA Chief Executive, Steve Stride said “This application is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver the homes, workspaces and community facilities that this area of Poplar so desperately needs. The Aberfeldy LLP is committed to working with residents to deliver real change that makes Tower Hamlets a better place to live. 50% of the new homes to be built in the first phase as part of the transformation of Aberfeldy Street will be affordable. We hope to welcome the first residents into their new homes in 2024.

Commenting on the application submission, Heng Leong Cheong, CEO at EcoWorld London said “From the outset we have worked very closely with the local community and we are pleased that there is clear appetite from residents to see the masterplan brought forward, and we are happy to be submitting the application now with the support of the community. We have been working with Poplar HARCA in Aberfeldy since 2012 and we are proud of the positive change we have already delivered at Aberfeldy Village, and we look forward to continuing to work with them, Tower Hamlets, the GLA, TfL and residents to make this exciting and ambitious masterplan a reality.”

In September, Aberfeldy New Village LLP, the joint venture partnership between Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld London, held a consultation event to present the latest masterplan proposals for the regeneration of the Aberfeldy neighbourhood in Poplar. The event was an opportunity for residents to see and discuss the proposals to deliver new homes, shops, and workspace alongside better connections for walking and cycling and new and improved parks and public spaces.

Over 60 residents attended on the day, as well as ward councillor Rajib Ahmed and representatives from the Aberfeldy Masjid. Residents met with and discussed the masterplan with the Aberfeldy project team, and Maureen’s pie and mash and curry from The Indian Butler was provided free of charge. Feedback on the regeneration proposals from attendees was overwhelmingly positive about the future direction of regeneration for Aberfeldy and the event itself.

Commenting on the consultation exercise, Mahbubul Alom, Chairman of the Aberfeldy Islamic Centre said, “I was very impressed with the organisation of the consultation event held by Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld London and I look forward to seeing these exciting regeneration plans being delivered as soon as possible.”

Food leftover from the event was donated to Friends in Poplar, a charity that provides meals to those in need in the community. Sister Christine Frost MBE, who founded the charity in 1968, shared with the project team that the Friends are due to deliver their 20,000th meal in early October.

This consultation event, held at the Aberfeldy Neighbourhood Centre, marked the culmination of months of conversations with residents on the proposals for next stage of regeneration in Aberfeldy. In July, almost 5,000 information booklets were sent to households across Poplar with the details of the new masterplan, along with a feedback form and freepost envelope for residents to return their comments on the plans. The ‘Your Future Aberfeldy’ hub at 43 Aberfeldy Street has been open every Monday and Wednesday throughout August and September for residents to drop in to view the plans, speak to the project team and leave their feedback. The result of this consultation exercise has been overwhelming positive, with over 400 feedback forms received showing support for the masterplan proposals from almost 90% of respondents.

Over the last two years, feedback from the local community has helped to shape these plans and last year 93.1% of residents voted in favour of regeneration, with 91.1% participating in the ballot. A hybrid planning application is now being prepared and is due to be submitted to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets this autumn.

This latest regeneration of Aberfeldy will:

Although, the consultation period has now closed, Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld London will continue engagement and discussions with the local community as the plans are brought forward.

Throughout the rest of August and early September, will be holding a number of drop-in sessions focused on specific aspects of the masterplan at the Your Future Aberfeldy hub. These are a chance for you to ask questions and discuss the proposals we’ve put together based on the feedback you’ve given us.

You will also have the chance to give your feedback on our ideas and submit your suggestions for naming roads on the site and the new square.

There’s no need to register for these events – just come along to the Your Future Aberfeldy hub on Aberfeldy Street during the day to chat to one of the project team.

Upcoming sessions:

After a year of working with the design team to help shape the future of Aberfeldy, on 22 June Langdon Park pupils were awarded certificates by local Councillor Rajib Ahmed to recognise and celebrate their participation in this unique youth-led project.

Pupils have been participating in sessions with architects ZCD Architects, Morris & Co, Levitt Bernstein and LDA telling the design team their ideas to improve Aberfeldy.

Year 9 pupils Shakila Begum and Jumayra Islam told us; “It’s something that we’ve not experienced before and it’s not an opportunity many people get. It’s nice to have our voices heard and our contributions listened to.”

Councillor Rajib Ahmed, councillor for Lansbury Ward, said; “It’s fantastic and refreshing to see our young people involved in the conversation about the future of their area, because they are the future. Our young people want to see the area improve and it’s good to see the design team is listening to their ideas”.

Are we doing enough to build places that truly fulfil the needs of their inhabitants, now and for the future? This was the question that kicked off the latest Talkeoke hosted by The People Speak as part of the London Festival of Architecture - the world’s largest annual architectural festival - which brough together students from Langdon Park, Aberfeldy residents and the design team of the New Aberfeldy Masterplan.

The event was an opportunity for those present to share their stories with a wider audience watching live on Aberfeldy St and online. Topics ranged from the need for social and green spaces, the best ways to create a livelier high street, how to make neighbourhoods safer, the meaning and purpose of meanwhile spaces, the importance of being allowed pets in flats, and much more… as well as people’s thoughts on the proposed new designs.

Hamzah, a Year 9 student from Langdon Park School, said: “The new underpass design is the bit we like most…the underpass is really dangerous even at night people get scared. The proposals look nicer, it looks better.” Having more events to bring the community together was also something many people agreed they would like to see more of.

It was a very interesting event and a great opportunity to finally be able to see everyone in person again. The event was recorded and is available to watch online at the link here: https://m.facebook.com/thepsnet/videos/london-festival-of-architecture-talkaoke/559552781725493/

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.

We recently received this incredible story from a local resident which we wanted to share with you all.

The Aberfeldy New Masterplan is about delivering real change for the community, by the community. We want to hear from all of you, so please share your own story at hello@aberfeldynewmasterplan.co.uk.

Starting this week, we are hosting drop-in sessions if you want to chat all things Aberfeldy. These will be:

Mondays 2.00-4.00pm - Poplar Works, 384 Abbott Road E14 0UX

Thursdays 2.00-6.00pm - Your Future Aberfeldy Hub, 43 Aberfeldy Street E14 0NU

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This past year has been so tough on everyone. Overcrowding really hit me during lockdown. With teenage boys growing up, the constant arguing and bickering, the messy house because there is no space and the difficulties we faced only having one toilet. It makes you realise how important having spacious and quality housing is, and how much it can impact you if you don’t.

I am a resident of Jura House, I have been living in this property for over four years with my husband and 5 children in a 3 bedroom maisonette. For us, it has worked ok, but when the pandemic hit and forced us all inside, the problems mounted ever further.

I have tried to make this property a home for my family but the building is so run down from issues of dampness to cupboards falling off the hinges, drafts during the colder days to the lack of space and storage. I need more, and I need better.

But I know that change could be on the horizon with a bigger and better home, in a nicer and safer neighbourhood. I have been clinging on to the hope this regeneration will happen soon and we will finally get a home my children can enjoy, flourish and be proud of.

Aberfeldy has the potential to be such a beautiful place if this regeneration was to continue, already the Aberfeldy Village has really brought the neighbourhood alive and my whole family love walking around the area, seeing it change and evolve.

We just hope that Jura House is next. Jura House, in particular, is one of the most run down parts of this area and desperately needs some attention.

We don’t have access to our balcony and the open space in the area feels unsafe and anti-social. Now that the weather is beginning to turn, we want to enjoy the Summer’s sun as much as everyone else, but the impact of our housing situation and the wider neighbourhood means that for us, it is better to stay indoors.

My sons love to play sports in the blue cage, but due to a lack of open spaces in the area, these too, are often overcrowded and unwelcoming. For young boys, it is so important to exercise and socialise with their friends but without this regeneration, this will never be a reality.

Safety is a real concern for many of us parents in the area. All of my children have to walk through the underpass on their way to school. I have always felt fearful for them when they take this part of their journey. It is unsafe, unattractive and dirty. The darker days are particularly scary.

We are not alone in this. Many of the families in Jura House are suffering similar fates to us and we know that we are not alone in wanting change.

The underpass, as with so many parts of the area, could benefit so much from improved security measures such as lighting, or better accessibility and more walkways. This area should be about the community, and making the community feel safer, happier and having more space is fundamental to that.

I attend the Resident Steering Group (RSG) and I have been so impressed with everything that Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld have done. The presentations are excellent and the feeling of community involvement and being a part of the future of Aberfeldy is so exciting, it truly gives residents hope for a brighter, nicer way of living.

Poplar HARCA and the RSG workshops have really listened to our ideas and given us a glimpse into having a better way of life. I really that the masterplan comes to life as for the residents it would be a dream come true and make Aberfeldy a thriving and confident community.

As a resident, I thought I should share my thoughts and feelings with you all, because this project really will change so many of our lives.

We thought this was an incredibly inspiring story about the need to regenerate Aberfeldy, bringing new and better homes, a safer, more connected neighbourhood, and facilities than work for the whole community. If you want to share your story of why you think Aberfeldy needs this masterplan, please get in touch at hello@aberfeldynewmasterplan.co.uk.

The Aberfeldy estate is one of the most vibrant areas of Tower Hamlets. It is a neighbourhood that has a real community feeling, and this is something we want to help preserve and promote. 

Working alongside High Street Works, The London Mural Company and Global Street Art, we are already beginning to breathe new life into this incredible neighbourhood with the Aberfeldy Street mural makeover.

The shopfronts of Aberfeldy Street have been painted with vibrant and colourful patterns that were inspired by the Bangladeshi tradition of Kantha and fabrics donated by Aberfeldy residents.

Two large-scale murals on either end of the street were created by artists Philth (Phil Blake) and Captain Kris for the inaugural London Mural Festival organised by Global Street Art.

The mural by New Zealand born Captain Kris (above) is particularly special as it integrates motifs and ideas from pupils of the local Culloden Primary Academy.

Not everyone has had a chance to see this amazing community-led project. And so, we recently invited the pupils from Culloden Primary Academy to see the amazing murals and have a go at sketching their own.

The results were amazing. It was great to see so many happy pupils learning and enjoying themselves.

Salma Begum, Art & DT manager at Culloden Primary Academy told us:

“Pupils at Culloden were overjoyed to see Captain Kris bring their ideas to life. So many of our students have taken inspiration from the murals and now aspire to become artists themselves - as a career path or as a hobby. It was a great opportunity to involve young minds and they were truly thrilled with the outcome.”

We’re delighted that the murals are already have such as a positive impact on the community, but this is just the start of our transformative, community-led regeneration of Aberfeldy.

GET INVOLVED YOURSELF

There is just over a week left to get in your feedback on the first stage of our public consultation for the Aberfeldy New Masterplan. We want to hear your views on our early ideas, which have been directly shaped by residents of Aberfeldy. Have a look at our proposals and leave your feedback.

If you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing us on hello@aberfeldynewmasterplan.co.uk or calling us on 0800 999 1249.