Why local?

Since the COVID-19 lockdown and more recently with the conflict in Eastern Europe, the supply chain has been disrupted like never before. Businesses that manufacture and commercialise consumer goods have had to adapt fast and take bold and at times risky decisions. 

As a creative team full of ideas we are always thinking of the future. We are invested in the idea of ‘locally made’, short-batch production and building our local community.

Having a global economy on the verge of collapsing, we believe that creating strong and tight partnerships between local businesses is the best thing we can do.   

The Makers Map

We have created a Google Map where you can check out the local businesses that we visited or are planning on visiting in East London - click here to open. We have also created short videos that give you an idea of what you can expect in these places. We have linked their pages here. 

So far, we visited a few different places including local crafters, engineering and manufacturing, museums and design shops. We’ve learnt about processes that are hundreds of years old like sand-casting, through to 3D printing which is a relatively new innovation. 

We also recently heard about and have now joined the East End Trades Guild and this is a really wonderful local initiative that promotes independent local businesses and connects them.

Local Businesses visted 2022

Manufacturing & Printing

• Calverts Design and Print - 2D printing services including in-house digital offset lithography and risograph printing.
  Website - Instagram

• Duplikat Press - 2D riograph printing studio who work with local and international artists and creators.
  Website - Instagram

• Fab Pub - 3D design, printing laser-cutting and engraving studios. Using Grasshopper software and printing in recycled and ceramic materials.
  Website - Instagram

• BatchWorks - Stylish 3D printed consumer products using recycled and sustainable materials.
  Website - Instagram

• James Hoyle & Son - Sand-casting ironwork foundry established in 1880 that produce a variety of iron products.
  Website - Instagram

• Solid Floor - Bespoke, hand-crafted wooden flooring. They are also planning on upcycling old display units.
  Website - Instagram

• Nelly Duff - Art Gallery on Columbia Road. Amazing art and a creative building.
  Website - Instagram

Community Workspaces

• Containerville - Upcycled shipping containers into ready-to-use workspaces.
  Website - Instagram

• Hackney Depot - A previously abandoned and re-purposed space above a bus depot in the heart of Hackney.
  Website - Instagram

Museums

• Museum of the Home - “Our purpose is to reveal and rethink the ways we live, in order to live better together.”
  Website - Instagram

Community Initiatives

• Dalston Library of Things - Spaces across London where you can borrow items by the day at low-cost, making it accessible to all.
  Website - Instagram

Book recommendation - The Mesh by Lisa Gansky