The Buzz - edition 1

The BuzzAutumn 2021 News and views from Barking Town Centre Welcomed with open arms. Councillor Darren Rodwell (centre) joined traders to welcome shoppers back to Barking market this summer. Welcome Back In this edition Since the lifting of the Covid restrictions, Barking town Page 2 centre has bounced back to life. The shops and market What’s new in town? are thriving and the number of stalls are back to pre- pandemic levels. The walkways between the stalls and Page 3 the shops have been widened to allow plenty of room, A tasty future for Roycraft House and the market is now open on Mondays. Page 4 The town centre was boosted over the summer by a Shop with confidence special Makers Market in Town Hall Square and outside the station. Barking’s budding entrepreneurs sold an Page 5 exciting range of goods, from fresh breads and Roman revival at Barking Station handmade chocolate to unique graphic art, handcrafted ceramics, and exciting jewellery. Its success has Page 6 prompted the market team to make provide more stalls Barking: Putting names to faces in the lead up to Christmas. So, if you make craft gifts and would like to sell your products, get in touch at Page 7 https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/barking-makers-market. Business spotlight - MK Travel So, welcome back. Be sure to check out what’s new Back page in buzzing Barking! What’s on? 1

What’s new in town? More art in the innovation doesn’t stop there. The team says that heart of Barking the new centre will provide cutting-edge facilities to revolutionise how communities, artists and individuals collaborate, giving access to outstanding art in a welcoming, accessible environment. Building work is progressing rapidly a stunning Let’s keep it clean new development featuring new rental homes, a permanent base for Care City and an Arthouse A deep clean programme is now underway to cinema. tackle fly tipping and graffiti and scrub the pavements so the town centre feels and smells Sam Neophytou, Director of Arthouse said: fresher. Specialist pavement scrubbing machines “The stage is set, the concrete poured and the are being deployed to remove the accumulated development is on track to be finished by July next grime and apply a lemon scented disinfectant. year! The cinema interior will have an industrial But, the Council is keen to emphasise that feel, reflecting Barking and Dagenham’s industrial everyone must play their part if the area is to past, and we will soon be looking at how we can stay smart. engage and collaborate with creatives throughout the borough creating a stage and platform to So, keep it clean everyone! showcase the borough’s industrious creative future.” Women’s museum marches forwards Winter opening for arts centre The curtains are set to “I can’t wait to welcome you The East End Women’s Museum is on track to rise on Studio 3’s new into the new gaff at the end of open in Barking next summer. The building - in arts centre in the the year,” says Liza Vallance, the new Apo development on Abbey Road – is winter following a Artistic Director of Studio 3 Arts. complete, and the architects are putting the £1.8 million extension. “We’re opening with a big old finishing touches to the interior designs before the party!” fit out early next year. In the meantime the team The new-look venue is hosting a series of test events before starting a on Boundary Road year round programme of events and exhibitions. promises world-class arts facilities, right in To find out more and to get involved, see the heart of Barking. www.eastendwomensmuseum.org Designed with and for the local community, the extension is constructed largely of straw bales, to reduce its carbon footprint. And the 2

A tasty future for Roycraft House Past and present. Roycraft House as it stands Barking, generating jobs through the provision of today and (right) an artist’s vision of its affordable and inclusive workspaces for all, and future incarnation. generating excitement with a cultural hub for use by and with the community”. A six storey building at the heart of Barking will become home to London’s most exciting Hannah Briley, Managing Director of Make It makers, food stars, retailers, content creators, London, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be designers, social enterprises and start-up reimagining Roycraft House into an exciting multi- businesses, the council has announced. use asset for Barking and Dagenham. The exciting plans to makeover Roycraft House “We believe there are some seriously exciting on Linton Road, are the brainchild of Make it businesses and talent in the area who will thrive in London, who were awarded the contract to give an inclusive and flexible work environment.“ a new lease of life to the former-council offices following a competition run by the council’s “And people are spending more and more regeneration organisation, Be First. time where they live and communities want and need to see local neighbourhood and town Make It London currently operate cultural centre spaces reimagined into positive multi-use spaces in Bow and Hackney destinations where they can work, eat, drink, play, Wick and plan to transform shop and socialise right on their doorstep. Roycraft House into a multi-faceted destination “This is exactly our vision for Roycraft House, for the local community to create a destination for everyone to enjoy.” and for visitors alike by Summer 2022. It will provide a workspace hub for independent businesses together with an event, cafe and community area, a rooftop garden, a large coworking floor and a series of public-facing creative facility spaces. Councillor Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Make It London will add a new dimension to the buzz around 3

Shop with confidence than a shopping centre. It will provide homes, health and educational benefits for local people while providing a fantastic range of shops, leisure, entertainment and culinary choices to satisfy everyone’s tastes.” The Compulsory Purchase Order is underway for additional land assembly and if successful work will commence mid 2022. The scheme is a key part of the new Barking town centre regeneration strategy including enhancing the night-time economy. For more information go to https://newvicaragefield.co.uk The Trading Standards team in action in Barking Highbridge Road Although social distancing rules have been lifted, A one-way system was introduced on the single businesses are still required to help control the lane Highbridge Road, Barking in August. The spread of coronavirus by understanding the experimental scheme on the narrow bridge over risks in their premises and taking steps to ensure the river Roding aims to improve conditions adequate ventilation, sufficient cleaning and good for walkers and cyclists along this increasingly hand hygiene. popular route, and to reduce congestion in the Town Quay area of Barking. The Council’s Trading Standards and enforcement teams are advising businesses on Keep up to date with how to keep workers and customers safe so Barking town centre you can shop with confidence. If you have any developments at yourcall. concerns about the way businesses are managing risks please contact the team on 0808 223 1133. yourcall.befirst.london/barking-town-centre New Vicarage Field – Memorial mosaic more than a shopping honours movie centre mogul’s hall Ambitious plans to redevelop Vicarage Field into a A mosaic of a former East London landmark diverse retail, business and leisure experience for which was damaged by bombing in the the 21st century consumer promise to transform Second World War has been installed on the Barking town centre. site where it once stood. The redevelopment by PineBridge Benson Elliott The artwork depicts a former Wesleyan will provide 850 new homes, shops, restaurants, Chapel in East Street in Barking, which then hotel, primary school, health centre, multi-screen cinema and music venue alongside improved public realm and landscaping. David Harley, Head of Regeneration at Be First, said: “The new Vicarage Field will be much more 4

Glory of Rome restored in Barking Plans to revamp Barking station to improve the commuter experience are on track and restoration work is underway. The Grade II listed canopy, which is closely modelled on Italy’s best-known railway station, the iconic 50s modernist Roma Termini, will be retained. The new look station will improve the layout and quality of the retail spaces. Environmental improvements will be trialled in October this year in the public realm outside the station. There will also be opportunities for arts and entertainment spaces in the new look Station Parade. Look out for the new developments and pass your ideas and thoughts on to [email protected] became a new Central Hall in 1928 thanks to Artist Tamara Froud hopes that her series of murals will inspire funding from British movie mogul and Methodist people to find out more about Barking’s heritage J. Arthur Rank. Artist Tamara Froud created the artwork at Short Blue Place, the site of the old hall, as part of Barking Heritage Project’s trail – which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. She said: “It is the first of series of mosaics I will be creating to celebrate Barking’s rich history, and QR codes will allow people to find out more.” 5

Barking – putting names to faces A warm welcome back to Barking from us all at Barking Market. We are now open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Assim Mahood Atif Nasir Fascial Khan Justin Lopez Amanda Dawes (Makers Market trader) Metin Dangoz Mohammad Yaqoob Nadeem Hashmat Ofien of Gifted Hands Umar Mukta 6

Business Spotlight We’ve come out of this stronger even started to slightly rise!” MK Travels’ experience shows out of dark times there is light. You can contact the team at: 36 Vicarage Field Shopping centre Barking IG11 8DH Phone 020 859 43895 https://www.mktravels. co.uk/ Mina Hills (second from right) and her MK Travel UK team Green energy network Covid has caused heartache to many families and powers ahead friends of its victims. Regular visitors to the town centre will have It has also hit business hard and one of the seen major excavation works on Barking’s streets worst affected sectors is the travel industry. in recent months as B&D Energy set to work constructing an exciting new green energy But Mina Hill of MK Travels in Vicarage Field network. says the company has come out of lockdown a more resilient firm. Though the work has undoubtedly been disruptive, the Council’s energy company is keen She said: “The pandemic brought the travel to explain that it will bring lasting benefits to many industry to a standstill. With the travel ban and residents and for the environment. closure of international borders, we had absolutely no product to sell with fears that we Neil Pearce of B&D Energy explained: “We’re may not recover. installing a 2km network of highly insulated pipes that will carry hot water from our district “This pandemic was a make or break situation heating plants to over 10,000 homes. It will for our business. I believe we came out somehow provide affordable heating to local residents and, stronger as we have new clients coming to us for because the plants use solar power and efficient our services through recommendation. Those who gas boilers, it means much lower carbon used us remember what we did for them during emissions.” that difficult time.” “We’re really sorry for any inconvenience that And Mina says the local shoppers are happy to we’ve caused,” added Pearce, “but we hope that come to Vicarage Field. people will understand the long term and environmental benefits.” “Shoppers have no problem visiting the mall. They still comply with social distancing. Work is expected to be finished by the end of October. You can see more about the project, “People still want human interaction and need including details of any road closures, help to guide them through the travelling process at https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/bd-energy as it’s quite complicated now. “We help our clients sort out their PCR tests and other necessary documents for foreign travel and on that is on top of finding the client a fantastic deal on their holiday. Our sales have 7

What’s on? including cooking, making, learning, growing, fixing, trading, singing, playing, eating and Barking is buzzing back to life, and there are sharing ... pop in to meet the team and find out plenty of opportunities to get involved. Here are how you can get involved. some of the highlights. See https://www.weareeveryone.org/ Studio 3 Arts Broadway Theatre We’re offering readers of the Buzz £1 off every ticket for Broadway Theatre productions. Book online before 31 October using the code ‘Barkingbonus’. Big Deal – Studio 3 are running free weekly drama and dance Highlights include: classes for young people. • 25 September - The Country Superstars experience Also, at Studio 3 • 3 October– Strictly • Now until 24 October Monthly art commission UB40 at Unit 46, Vicarage Field Shopping Centre • 8 October – The Bob • 21 October - Spoken, Not Stirred - monthly Marley experience poetry open-mic night • 16 October - LDN See www.studio3arts.org.uk Wrestling • 26 October – Stages – Every one every day Mary Poppins appears For a full programme see www.thebroadwaybarking.com/ The Every One Every Day shop at 55 Ripple Road Acknowledgements (opposite Lidl) is now open every Tuesday 10-4pm. If you think you might like to do practical The Buzz is funded with support from the things with your family, friends and neighbours, Welcome Back Fund, a European Regional Development Fund and HM Government programme to support town centre recovery. It is produced by Be First for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. It is distributed to approximately 16,000 households in and around Barking. If you would like to advertise or share your news, email [email protected] Photographs by Jimmy Lee, Andrew Baker and Creative Commons. 8