placemaking - meanwhile use - activation & culture - retail & F&B -

placemaking - meanwhile use - activation & culture - retail & F&B -

Great places need more than good intentions.

Because meanwhile uses, cultural activation and public realm don’t fund themselves.

They work when social impact, aesthetic quality and commercial strategy come together.

A UK-based placemaking agency - strategic, design-led, delivery focused - bringing energy and identity to ground floors, public realm and under-utilised spaces with:

Women friend and families at placemaking street market.

Meanwhile use. Activation. Culture.
Independent retail. Crommercialisation.

Our approach.

  • Start with strategy – grounded in research and local context

  • Shape a vision – of what a place could be and how it would feel

  • Build identity and momentum – through curated uses and activations

  • Follow through – from concept to commissioning, fit-out to launch

  • Bring developers, creatives and communities together – through purposeful partnerships

  • Measure success – by cultural, social and commercial impact

What we do:

Turning ideas into real places – and places into destinations.

For developers and landlords who value imagination, precision and purpose across: - Vision & Strategy - Meanwhile Use - Activation & Culture - Retail / F&B Strategy - Creative Commercialisation.

Explore what we do. →

Some of our famous places.

  • The Barbican Arts Centre foyer and lakeside restaurants lit at night

    The Barbican: City of London

    Consultancy to bring new F&B and retail to the Arts Centre and Estate, as part of the transformational Barbican Renewal project; with architects Allies & Morrison and Asif Khan Studios.

  • Placemaking activation at Southbank Centre Square for London Design Festival. Thomas Heatherwick spinning chairs.

    Southbank Centre

    Creating a mixed economy at the world’s largest single-run arts centre with new independent F&B and retail, London-first pop-ups and opening new spaces such as rooftop garden and bar; all increasing commercial income.

  • Placemaking activation at Coal Drops Yard King's Cross London at night.

    King’s Cross: Argent

    The initial independent retail strategy for landmark shopping destination, Coal Drops Yard.

  • Design District Canteen people outside

    Greenwich Peninsula: Knight Dragon

    Retail strategy and managing operator fitouts, integrating six districts across 150 acres.

  • Families in deck chairs and bunting at Here East Canalside retail family day launch event at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

    Here East: Delancey

    Activation from masterplanning stage through to launching Canalside retail.

  • Retail and Enlivenment Strategy at East Bank London public realm outside V&A Museum.

    East Bank: London Legacy Development Corporation

    Retail design strategy and advice plus an operational plan for enlivenment.

  • Local office workers friends - man and woman - sitting and eating at Placemaking meanwhile use street food market for workers at White City Place, London. With deck chairs and market stalls.

    Television Centre / White City Place: Stanhope

    Enlivenment strategy and delivery, repositioning the iconic former BBC Television studios and media offices.

  • Sayer Street independent Elephant Park Living Room meanwhile use kiosks curated with local entrepreneurs and creatives.

    Elephant Park: Lendlease

    Long term meanwhile uses and activation with innovative local creatives and entrepreneurs. Digital placemaking during lockdowns.

  • Dancing City GDIF 2025 stratford cross placemaking yoann bourgeous choreographer

    Stratford Cross: Lendlease

    Annual strategic Activation Programme, working with cultural partners East Bank and GDIF; putting the place on the map and driving footfall.

  • cultural public art museum meanwhile use Jo Peel drawings bankside london tate modern

    JTRE London: Triptych Bankside

    Immersive 3D art installation in a retail unit, created with breakthrough artist Jo Peel to reflect the changing fabric of the borough. Plus a curated programme of public and private events, resulting in £11M in residential sales in the first week.

Meet the team.

  • Jenni Carbins

    FOUNDER

    An experienced strategic placemaking expert, Jenni has helped conceive world-class destinations such as King’s Cross and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Previously she was Director of Marketing at Southbank Centre, worked with London Design Festival and founded a marketing communications agency in Australia, with clients including Sydney Opera House.

  • Sofia Dawe

    DESIGN DIRECTOR

    Sofia has extensive experience in creative strategy, experiential placemaking, cultural programming and strategic partnership development. She has led the curation and delivery of high-profile enlivenment programmes across London including King’s Cross, International Quarter London, Broadgate, Regent’s Place, Royal Albert Dock and Elephant Park.

  • Anne Hynes

    STRATEGIC RETAIL

    Expert in delivering vibrant commercial precincts, Anne develops strategies for landmark regeneration and cultural projects. She has brought her hands-on approach to developments at Greenwich Peninsula, East Village E20 and The British Library. As Trading Director, she transformed London’s Southbank Centre into a dynamic destination for shopping and eating out.

  • Roberta Titley

    RETAIL OPERATIONS

    As Southbank Centre’s Commercial Project Manager, Roberta oversaw the delivery of all retail and commercial projects. She’s delivered retail and enlivenment projects with major UK property developers and is skilled in leasing strategy, working with architects during design and delivery, managing stakeholders and suppliers and overseeing fit outs.

  • Matt Nightingale

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

    Matt’s 15 years experience as project manager & producer includes festivals, public art, installations and live events across the UK – working with clients such as Southbank Centre and 180 The Strand. He is also Creative Producer on the TIDE Festival at Greenwich Peninsula; a large-scale outdoor arts festival featuring wellness, food, art, music, film, fitness and performance.

  • Gillian Fox

    PUBLIC ART

    Gillian is a Curator for Hayward Gallery Touring, based at Southbank Centre. As a freelance Art Consultant, she brings her expansive knowledge of the UK and international art world and links to established and emerging talent. Gillian is commercially savvy and has a deep understanding of what makes public art relevant, engaging and successful