NEW SHOP FRONTS

Jan Kattein Architects collaborated with traders to devise new designs for their shop fronts, which would contribute to a cohesive overall sense of place whilst celebrating each business’ individuality. The shop front project aimed to install designs that were sensitive to the heritage of the buildings whilst playfully injecting colour and celebration that reflects local culture and cuisine. 13 shop fronts have now been redesigned and installed, having a huge impact on the street overall.

DRUMMOND STREATERY

We met the challenges of the pandemic by prioritising the ‘street furniture’ stream of the fund, building one of the borough’s first new streateries with a fun, carnival-themed set of outdoors seating. The furniture is now used for Drummond Street’s cultural events and community celebrations.

PRESS & EVENTS CAMPAIGN (JUNE 2023 - NOVEMBER 2023)

We partnered with PR experts Sauce Communications to help us plan the ‘Season of Spice’, a 6-month campaign to promote the restaurants along Drummond Street with 3 celebratory events over the summer months. The press campaign led to pieces in Time Out London, The Financial Times, The Times, The Evening Standard and The Observer and City A.M as well as Instagram Influencer features and reels.

The Spice Sundowner in June saw the community come out for dancing in the street, special one-off dishes and henna, welcoming a summer of delicious food and colourful culture.

In October we sold well over 100 tickets to London’s first ever Samosa festival, hosting a walking tour of the restaurants sampling their best samosa recipes, before the winner was announced at the afterparty by our celebrity judges.

Wrapping up the Season of Spice was the Drummond Street Winter Market. The community wrapped up and come out in force to enjoy fire performances, bollywood dancing, creative activities, and of course the culinary delights of our restaurants.

WHAT’S NEXT?

ALLEYWAY IMPROVEMENTS

Our engagement with local people tells us that Drummond Street’s alleyways feel unloved and unmonitored. They are an essential network of links throughout the neighbourhood and yet often people do not feel safe or welcome to use them. However, they have the potential to introduce moments of art and light that tells stories and bring life to local culture whilst serving the practical purpose of linking communities and businesses. This project aims to use public artwork and lighting to transform the overlooked alleyways into celebrated public spaces that contribute to an activated and safer night time environment.

Project Update: April 2025

In December 2024, we held our first workshop to set the scene for the project with a site visit followed by a creative collaging session to inspire the brief for the artists and explore people’s interpretations of Drummond Street. Participants brought with them something that sparks a memory or anecdote of Drummond St, which they told their group. They then used fabrics, newspaper cuttings, coloured materials and photos to experience their perception and connection to Drummond Street in collages.

The collages will be used as a starting point for artists to design murals for the alleyways which tell different stories of Drummond Street. We have now appointed 3 artists to bring these stories to life with the help of our Neighbourhood Designers.