London Pop-ups: Pop-up Shopping Parade in Willesden Green

This is the sort of project I love to write about! A parade of 8 shops in Willesden Green has been re-opened as pop-up units, helping to regenerate the local area. There are lots of businesses represented here, and there's a launch event next Thursday. You can see from Google Streetview how depressing the row of empty shops looked; now it's bustling and vibrant. It's the sort of project that Mary Portas would make a TV show about, but thankfully she hasn't. I hope everyone gets behind this great initiative!

"This week, Queens Parade retail space in Willesden Green is once again open for business with a vibrant collection of start-up businesses and projects.
The parade of eight shop units and offices – which has not been in retail use for many years - is now home to thirteen creative enterprises that offer a range of goods and services, from home-wares and interior design, to an art gallery and a vintage clothes emporium.
The former textiles building has been secured by the New Windows on Willesden Green project on a ‘meanwhile’ lease to give these fledgling businesses a chance to try out their ideas in a well-located high street space. The building’s run-down façade is being given a new look, care of designer Kieren Jones, and the interior decorations have been carried out with the help of Painting and Decorating students from the local College of North West London.
The reactivation of this underused high street building is part of the New Windows on Willesden Green project supported by the Mayor’s Outer London Fund. It is being delivered for Brent Council and Design for London by The Architecture Foundation in collaboration with Meanwhile Space and Blue Consulting with the view to bring positive change and new audiences to Willesden Green.
A rigorous selection process was undertaken to choose which businesses and projects would benefit most from the space, contribute best to the local community, complement the existing businesses on the high street and work well together to create a new destination in Willesden Green.
Queens Parade will be hosting a series of exciting events, activities and workshops over the coming months, kicking off with its official launch celebration on 29 March 2012 from 5:30pm.
Over the forthcoming holiday there will also be events which are free and open to all, improving the appearance of the High Road and marking a new addition to Willesden Green’s retail and cultural offer. There is also the opportunity to hone your own business skills at one of the Library Lab workshops in the Willesden Green Library Centre."

The Shops & businesses are:
Art Lobby
Jardins D'EDEN

Roses & String

Vintage Green & Plumkin Pie Studio

Paint Mine

My Pop Up Design Shop

The Unlimited Printshop

When - Big opening on Thursday 29th March, then all units will be open

Where - Queen's Parade, Walm Lane, Willesden Green, NW2 5HT

Map