Saving Brick Lane: The Whys and the Wherefores

The East End is under threat! --- or is it? ‘Development’ is already happening. Will it improve our lives as East Enders, or make things worse?

For example: will Truman Brewery get to build its Brick Lane shopping mall? how might this kind of redevelpment transform Brick Lane and the surrounding neighbourhood?

In this workshop, we will use movement and rhythm:

• to have fun!
• to explore the power of community and neighbourhood
• to explore East End tensions: profitability or inclusion? business or housing? pursuing posh or keeping it real?

Presenters:

• Warren Heyes, award-winning choeorgrapher with Paracarnival UK and the 2012 Olympic Opening Games
• John Falcone, PhD, scholar of Theatre of the Oppressed and community-based practical theologian

One of the current projects underway to 'redevelop' the East End is the Truman Brewery's scheme to build up the north side of Woodseer Street, at its intersection with Brick Lane. Spitalfields Trust has proposed a different development approach for that entire neighbourhood. You can read about the different proposals below.

The Tower Hamlets Council Development Committee will review and vote on the Truman proposal at their Wed 14 Sept meeting at 6:30pm. The public is welcome to submit its opinions and to attend. To learn more about the meeting, click . To contact Committee members and share your opinion or comments, click .

The Truman Brewery's Proposal

To replace the current private car park and blank wall with:

• A gallery of 15 medium sized shops at ground level
• Topped by three levels of large open-plan office space, equivalent to 10 “Market Rate” medium to large (200 square meter) office units per level.
• 5-6 'Affordable' office units (offices of less than 100 square meters, at 90% of market rent).
• 2 new restaurants, different to the ones already in Brick Lane
• A small gym
• A small, enclosed yard with two trees, including public benches and restaurant seating
• New public toilets

(To learn more about the Truman Brewery proposal, click here: https://woodseerstreet.co.uk/)

The Spitalfields Trust's Proposal

The Trust believes the Brewery’s scheme will change the look, feel, and livability of Brick Lane by introducing more City-of-London style offices and big retail chains into the East End. They propose instead:

• A new terrace of live/work dwellings on Woodseer Street, each with a family-sized back garden.
• Rebuilding the old pub on the corner of Woodseer St.

In addition: instead of piece-by-piece redevelopment of the Brewery, the Trust propose a community-wide planning process with more citizen input. They hope the final plan will include:

• using other car park and disused buildings on the Brewery premises for housing and small workshops
• opening closed-off areas of the Brewery premises to create new foot paths and green spaces

(To learn more about the Spitalfield Trust's proposal, click here: https://battleforbricklane.com/)

FINAL DEMONSTRATION: Sunday 12 Sept 11:30am; starting at Altab Ali Park (Brick Lane & Whitechapel Rd) https://twitter.com/nijjormanush/status/1434503806054772736

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St Matthews Church, Saint Matthew's Row, London, United Kingdom