Dr Martens Camden Stables
Image courtesy: thehorsehospital.com
With news that House of Fraser has asked for a reduction in its shop rents after a disappointing Christmas for sales, we will be asking questions at our Future Cities Forum in January about the shopping experiences that customers are looking for in this new era where seemingly retailers are being asked to work hard on their offers.
One retailer that is set for expansion across the UK and Europe, is Dr Martens, opening a new shopping experience in the old 'horse hospital' in Camden.
In 1939, a network of stable blocks, horse tunnels and the horse hospital - the latter now the home of Proud Camden, a club and art space - were used by Camden Goods Depot, with at its peak harnessing 800 horses, pulling trains and barges along the Regent's Canal. Any injured animals were treated on site at the hospital.
The conversion of 4,000 square feet over two floors of the Grade 2 listed building has created new retail space and a special Virtual Reality Experience area, showing tours of the Dr Martens Wollaston factory, complete with stage.
The whole project was delivered in a tight six week programme and is part of a larger growth and development for Dr Martens across the UK and Europe, which as a brand is showing resilience despite the Brexit vote.
The Sex Pistols were known to buy the brand when they were first sold at The British Boot Company shop in the area and Dr Martens has stated that it wants to stay close to the people who wear its products.
Baker Mallet, the leading surveyor and project manager, was closely involved in the project and has now opened a new office in Camden Market, wanting to be at the heart of where its retail clients are based.
We will be discussing the latest retail innovations and projects for 2018 at our January conference to be held at RIBA, London. London Borough of Culture Bid Leader for Camden Council, Cllr Jonathan Simpson will be speaking about what the borough has to offer residents and tourists over future years.
Dr Martens First and Forever advertising (ODD London)