Why Tottenham Pavilion Matters Now, More Than Ever Before
Someone once famously said “timing in life is everything” and this sentiment couldn’t be more true when it comes to Tottenham Pavilion. Originally planned to be built in 2020, the project – like most things – got sidelined by the pandemic. Yet, this the delay afforded us real benefit; it gave us time to extend our involvement with local residents, time to explore new partnerships and, ultimately, time to launch the build at a point in the pandemic when it can make the biggest contribution.
If we manage to build the Pavilion over the summer months, it will give the local area an outdoor arts and community venue at a time when indoor space is still likely to be highly restricted or ordered to remain closed. The space, by virtue of its design, is highly flexible, able to be very open and able to accommodate small groups with plenty of space. When we started the project back in 2019 we couldn’t have known how important these characteristics of the brief would become. We’re now advocates of another quote “If it’s meant to happen, it will, at the right time for the right reasons”.
What Happens Next
The priority for January has been pouring over content, copy, costs and calculations for a crowdfunding campaign – launching later in the spring. The campaign will be run on Spacehive, a crowdfunding platform specifically focused on raising finance for ideas that bring local places to life. A unique feature of the platform is the opportunity to pitch the idea to the Mayor of London (via Make London), as well as other public bodies, businesses and individuals alike. If we can get sufficient local support in the early stages, we’ll be in a good position to *hopefully* secure a sizeable contribution form Mayor of London. We’ll be loud and proud when the campaign is launched. Watch this space and have your pledges ready…£2 upwards.
The Build + Other Ways to Get Involved
If we hit our crowdfunding target, the build phase of the Pavilion will take place between June – August 2021. D.I.Y. on a grand scale, the “Festival of Making” is open to anyone local to the site. The chance to build something on this scale will be something totally unique. It’s also been a quagmire for us to navigate in terms of insurance – something we’re pleased to have resolved.
Alongside the physical build, there will be numerous opportunities to get involved. From making accessible walkways by up-cycling existing cobble stones on the site into slabs, to collaborating with neighbours to produce a weekly activity programme. For a full list of opportunities visit our website and sign up below to get more involved (we’re holding monthly Zoom meet ups on everything from ideas for events to managing rewards for volunteers).
Doing Things Differently
Tottenham Pavilion is less about a fixed moment in time and much more about evolution. From start to finish we want to see what happens when local residents are given the power to shape a space and decide what happens within it. The site has been earmarked for development by the local landlord, with exact timings still undetermined. After the Pavilion is built, it will stay up for all of 2021 and some of 2022 – before it is re-purposed by the very same people who have been using. How it is re-purposed is unknown. It might be that aspects of the site are relocated elsewhere on the warehouse estate, or people involved might find other places locally to accommodate planters, pieces of furniture or even a modified version of the Pavilion.
No one knows how the project will evolve. Nothing has been predetermined. It is entirely up to the people involved to decide how it is re-purposed. And that’s why we’re really excited to make it happen.
As always, we’re open to talk to anyone who has questions, concerns, ideas or objections. Drop us an email and will be in touch – email us here>>
Want to get involved – register your interest here: