Deputy Mayor opens new fashion campus at Fish Island Village

The scheme provides 600 high-quality new homes as part of a joint venture between Peabody and housebuilder Hill, with workspace managed by social enterprise, The Trampery.

A landmark project for London’s fashion industry, the campus provides 50,000 square feet of studios, manufacturing, coworking and event spaces, spread across 10 buildings across the Hertford Union Canal. Facilities include 42 studios for emerging fashion businesses as well as 21 affordable studios for small creative businesses in Hackney Wick and Fish Island.

Each day, up to 500 people will be working at the site, which will be the centre of Fashion District, a hub for fashion innovation in East London. The Mayor of London, the London College of Fashion, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), and the British Fashion Council are working together to make Fashion District happen.

The Trampery Fish Island Village has been realised with the support of a £2.26 million grant from the European Regional Development Fund and a £617,000 grant from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, with match-funding provided by Peabody.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “London is at the heart of the global fashion industry, and I am proud that we have been able to help provide an affordable workspace that gives the new generation of designers a chance to flourish in a thriving hub of creativity. It is vital to support and encourage creative talent, and as a key part of our Creative Enterprise Zone and the Fashion District, I am looking forward to The Trampery driving innovation, as we build a fairer and more prosperous city for everyone.”

Charles Armstrong, Founder & CEO of The Trampery, said:“Starting in the 1990s Hackney Wick and Fish Island emerged as one of London’s most important creative hotspots. Many feared this energy would be lost because of the area’s redevelopment following the 2012 Olympics. Today’s launch testifies to the determination of The Trampery, Peabody, the Mayor of London, LLDC and all our partners that Hackney Wick and Fish Island will continue as a thriving creative centre for many decades to come. Situated at the heart of the Hackney Wick and Fish Island Creative Enterprise Zone, just a short walk from the London College of Fashion’s new East Bank campus, with links to all the activities and facilities of Fashion District, The Trampery Fish Island Village could not be better placed or better connected.

James McMylor, Regional Managing Director at Peabody said: “It is exciting to see Fish Island Village thriving as a vibrant and dynamic neighbourhood. Our mission is helping people flourish through making a positive impact. Not only has the development created much-needed new affordable homes for Londoners, it has also reinvigorated the area by creating new opportunities for culture and enterprise through our partnership with the Trampery. As long-term stewards, we hope residents will feel connected to the creative community at Fish Island Village and we look forward to welcoming and supporting new talent as this becomes a home for sustainable fashion in London.”

Andy Hill, Group Chief Executive, The Hill Group said: “The opening of The Trampery is the culmination of a six-year journey for us and our joint venture partners, Peabody. This milestone is far from a finale here at Fish Island Village, indeed it marks yet another beginning for the dynamic creative community in their new facilities. I feel immense pride for everyone that has been involved in this project; we have taken a neglected part of London, breathed in new life and created a beating heart that leaves a legacy for residents and the local community.”

Fish Island Village has been brought to life by a team of architects, all working on various aspects of the design. Stirling Prize winners Haworth Tompkins, Lyndon Goode and Pitman Tozer have combined their expertise to create a unique and cohesive design for the site.

The project has won many awards, including best urban regeneration scheme at the 2022 Brick awards most recently.