With a record funding award from the HS2 Business & Local Economy Fund (BLEF) of £650,000, matched with £160,000 from Euston Town, we are currently implementing the first stage of the Drummond Street Neighbourhood Vision scheme - Making an Entrance.
A package of interventions designed to protect and sustain this neighbourhood of cultural importance.
PEOPLE’S HIGH STREET: We aspire to create a ‘People’s High Street’ – a public realm that provides a platform for every day street activities, regular events and celebrations, social meeting spots and more.
ENTRANCES: Artwork, illuminations and greening will be used to transform the neighbourhood’s gateways, using artists and designers who are committed to co-design practices to devise exciting, engaging creations.
SHARED GARDEN: Bringing pockets of nature, peaceful havens, creative seating areas and spots for play on to Drummond Street will allow the street to serve its local community whilst becoming a destination.
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?
LIGHTING: We have double layered catenary lighting planned for installation, which will bring a beautiful, joyful glow to the street in the evenings, all year round. We also have funding to look at how trees or walls at the entrances to Drummond Street could be illuminated, and a creative lighting scheme to be installed at the crossroads.
ALLEYWAY IMPROVEMENTS: A consistent comment from stakeholders is the amount of dark corners, alleyways and entrances that can feel unmonitored and intimidating. Jan Kattein Architects will be considering how we can breathe new life in to these spaces and make use of them for art and lighting to uplift the street.
SHARED GARDEN: We are going to inject Drummond Street with nature and life. With greenery and street furniture we aim to create spots for play, socialising, resting, eating… We want to create a neighbourhood that makes you stop to enjoy, not just pass through.
GET INVOLVED
Online Consultation: Drummond Street Alleyways
We’re gathering community feedback to understand your experiences with Drummond Street at night, specifically focusing on the alleyways and darker areas in the public realm. Share your experiences and suggestions by filling out our online consultation form.
Apply to be a Neighbourhood Designer for Drummond Street
We’re looking for people who live and work in Euston to take part in workshops that will transform the alleyways surrounding Drummond Street. You will collaborate on the design of murals, lighting and public artwork to create a monitored environment that feels safe, joyful and active. Deadline to apply: 18th November.
PRESS COVERAGE
PARTNERS & CONSULTANTS
