Hackney ‘fashion hub’ gets the go ahead

Plans to build a 100 million pound “fashion hub” in Hackney, East London have been approved by Hackney Council. Hailed as a Bicester Village-style fashion outlet, the Hackney Fashion Hub will feature two seven storey buildings that will

replace the temporary structures currently housed by Pringle, Aquascutum and The Hackney Shop and will feature a mix of high-end designers with local emerging talents.

The new 75,000 square foot outlet, a joint venture between Manhattan Loft Corporation and Chatham Works Limited, is being designed by architects Adjaye Associate and will convert the disused railway arches in the Morning Lane area of Hackney.

Manhattan Loft Corporation’s chief executive, Harry Handelsman, said: "The go-ahead for The Hackney Fashion Hub is great news for Hackney and for London as the fashion capital of the world. We are delighted that these visionary plans have been granted permission.

“We can now start delivering the plans that will create a new fashion destination that will provide new jobs in the area and extra footfall to existing local shops."

Hackney’s multimillion ‘fashion hub’ approved by council

The development, which will support schemes for the local textiles manufacturing industry including a ‘Stitching Academy’, was given the green light by the council after guaranteeing that at least half of the jobs created would be given to local residents through the Council's ‘Ways into Work’ programme.

Commenting on the council’s decision, Cllr Guy Nicholson, cabinet member for regeneration, Hackney Council, said: “This decision marks the beginning of the next stage of work to bring The Hackney Fashion Hub to life. We are working with a range of partners who share our vision of bringing this world-class development to Hackney Central for local people.

“One of the key goals for us is that the Fashion Hub creates local jobs and opportunities for residents to create new business. It's crucial that new developments like this benefit the whole community, including existing businesses and town centres.”

The Hub forms part of a wider regeneration programme for Hackney which has received 2 million pounds in funding from the Mayor of London’s Regeneration Fund. This will include the completion of shop front improvements, one to one business support, the transformation of railway arches into pop up retail outlets and improvement works to the public realm, all of which aims to help to drive jobs and growth in the area.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, added: "It is great news for Hackney that a major new fashion hub has got the green light, helping to put this vibrant area on the map as a retail destination and providing support for aspiring young designers to boot."