Turning places into destinations.
Creative commercial placemaking for developers, landowners and cultural destinations in the UK and the Middle East: places that reflect their identity, trade well and get people to return.
Food and beverage and retail are at the heart, because it’s what gives a place life and sustains commercial viability.
F&B & Retail. Culture & Activation.
Meanwhile Use. Commercialisation.
What we do.
Shape the strategy. Grounded in research, insight and local context: the right F&B and retail mix, independent operators and a commercial model that works for operators and owners.
Build identity and momentum. Curated uses and activation, from meanwhile use to pop-ups and events, that give a place character and prove demand.
Follow through. From concept to commissioning, fit-out to launch, and beyond, with our own delivery team on the ground.
Bring developers, talent and communities together. Through purposeful partnerships that make a place belong to the people who use it.
With our catering consultant partner
We work with MYA, specialist catering consultants, to add technical design and operational expertise. Together we’ve worked on F&B and retail for the Barbican Renewal Project and for a new museum in Saudi Arabia.
Some of our famous places.
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![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.
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![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.
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![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.
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![Design District Canteen people outside]()
Greenwich Peninsula: Knight Dragon
Retail strategy and managing operator fitouts, integrating six districts across 150 acres.
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![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.
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![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.
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![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.
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![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.
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![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.
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![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.
