Over 60% of shops in Peel Precinct were vacant when the Empty Shops Network took over Unit 24. A four month programme explored alternative units of the council-owned spaces which are awaiting demolition, and warmed the area up for the neighbouring South Kilburn Studios, which opened as Workshop 24 closed.
Workshop 24 brought well-known artists to visit, hosted workshops, talks and poetry writing sessions, animated the empty precinct and celebrated local colour, characters and small businesses too. Over 1000 cups of tea were served as the shop became a space for discussion, debate and learning.
The project was commissioned by South Kilburn Neighbourhood Trust, and documented in a book produced by design studio Made Labs called Made in South Kilburn. Now, the book is available online and provides a useful reference for anyone running a community project in an empty shop.
Empty Shops Network 