The Chrisp Street Exchange is a tailored, place-based solution to the challenges and opportunities presented in the long term regeneration of Chrisp Street Market. It modernised and improved space for local enterprise, provided new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, supported the development of business skills within the local community and generated local ownership and pride of place.
With a strong vision for the type of place Chrisp Street could be, Accents work with a range of local stakeholders and delivery partners to shake up and improve local infrastructure for the long term regeneration of Chrisp Street.
In light of the forthcoming £300m re-development of Chrisp Street Market and densification of the local area, it was crucial for stakeholders to acknowledge the challenges and opportunities for Chrisp Street businesses within their rapidly changing surroundings. Stakeholders needed to make use of the available opportunities to make sure that Chrisp Street businesses and residents benefit from the forthcoming change and are driving local economic growth.
The Chrisp Street Exchange leveraged investment from the Mayor of London’s High Street Fund and influenced at a strategic level in order to secure long term affordable workspace provision, a renewed focus on the vitality of the local market, embedded cultural facilities within an extensive redevelopment plan and an area wide approach to economic development.
The initial programme consisted of three interrelated sets of interventions: Space, Knowledge and Connections. Each set contained projects which were designed to address the key issues of a place in transition, building a robust foundation for the long term.
Space: Built & improved a variety of spaces locally in order to embrace new enterprise and support existing businesses
- New co-working space and enterprise hub, Poplar’s first, The Chrisp Street Exchange
- 1,028 m2 of new or improved commercial or workspace in and around Chrisp Street Market and 8 upgraded shop fronts
- Secured a legacy for new types of spaces in the redevelopment of Chrisp Street, including new shared workspace and the Lansbury Micro Museum
Knowledge: Established Chrisp Street and Poplar as a hub for local enterprise
- Supported 266 local businesses
- Created 24 start-ups
- Supported 20 first time market traders
- Developed the Poplar & Bow Enterprise Network as a forum and voice for over 300 local businesses
Connections: Built the reputation of Chrisp Street as a distinctive and open place
- Introduced a strong arts and cultural offer based on the heritage of Chrisp Street, with partners such as the Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Trust
- Welcomed 20,746 visitors to Chrisp Street at 56 events
- Generated over £1.2m in media advertising value for Chrisp Street
Accents helped us to secure office space in Chrisp Street Market which, given its close proximity to Canary Wharf, provides us with great access to many large, corporate workplaces, a key part of our business model. We plan to keep up our work with Accents and their partners, to make sure Cracked It continues to grow and achieve the social impact we’re striving for.
Josh Babarinde
Chief Executive, Cracked It
