placemaking london uk - meanwhile use - activation - retail strategy -

placemaking london uk - meanwhile use - activation - retail strategy -

We make places work.

MARK London is a placemaking agency focused on meanwhile use, activation and independent retail. Our work has helped generate £11 million in residential sales in a single week.

We create purposeful, commercially intelligent places across some of the UK’s most high-profile regeneration sites - including King’s Cross, Elephant & Castle, Southbank Centre, Greenwich Peninsula, and five projects at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

From shaping launch strategies to bringing ground floors to life, we help clients create places people want to be - and stay.

We activate ground floors and public realm - driving footfall, connecting communities and creating commercially sustainable, purposeful places through:

Women friend and families at placemaking street market.

Meanwhile use. Activation.
Independent retail. Culture.

Our approach

– Strategy-led, with insights tailored to each site

– Temporary uses that deliver long-term value

– Builds local identity, community relevance and brand distinction

– From concept to activation - aligning vision with delivery

– Supports leasing, sales and investor confidence from day one

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.

What we’re great at:

Creating and bringing a place vision to life on the ground.

  • Placemaking, meanwhile use, activation, creative/cultural/public art, retail - vision & strategies

  • Research & analytics, stakeholder & community engagement, audience profiling

  • Place vision, positioning & concept development

  • Partnerships & commercialisation

  • Practicalities: space / retail unit design reviews, operations & services audits

Strategic thinking

Hands-on delivery

  • Meanwhile use, pop-ups and retail: curation, design, operator contracting, build & fit-out 

  • Activation & events: creative development, programming, execution

  • Public art & culture: commissioning & production

  • Networks & suppliers: maximising industry contacts

  • Marketing & communications support

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