Boxpark has announced its Shoreditch site has been handed a new lease of life and will remain open until the end of September. Last summer the company announced it would close its east London site, dubbed the world’s first pop-up mall, but now will remain open for months “in a significant victory for independent businesses”. Boxpark recently opened a new site in Camden in 2024 and is due to expand with another site ‘Boxhall’ in Liverpool Street later this year.
The company’s chief operating officer Ben McLaughlin said: ‘The support we’ve received from the community has been nothing short of inspiring. “The extension of our lease provides certainty to the 47 small, independent businesses, and hundreds of their employees across our Shoreditch site. We are absolutely thrilled to continue our journey in Shoreditch and remain committed to providing a platform for independent businesses and a vibrant space for our customers.”.
The shipping container specialists first opened in Shoreditch in 2011, with the Croydon site arriving in 2016 and the Wembley spot following in 2018. All its locations house bars and food stalls, set within stacked shipping containers. The Shoreditch site also includes a range of independent stalls and has hosted a wide range of pop-up events. Boxpark has reached the end of its lease in Shoreditch and notice has been served by landlords Bishopsgate Goodsyard, the company said in July.
Planning permission had previously been granted to transform the site into new homes and office space as well as a new park. The Shoreditch site is thought to have driven more than one million visitors each year to east London and hosted more than 250 independent brands, generating nearly £100million in value for the city. Night Time Industries Association CEO Michael Kill commented: “We are absolutely delighted that Boxpark Shoreditch has been granted a lease extension until September 2025. This is a significant victory for independent businesses and the local community, reinforcing Shoreditch’s status as a dynamic cultural and economic hub.
“Boxpark has long been a cornerstone of the area’s vibrancy, supporting hundreds of jobs and generating invaluable economic activity. “The overwhelming support from landlords Ballymore and Hammerson, local authorities, and the Greater London Authority is a testament to the venue's integral role in the community. “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who backed the Save Shoreditch Boxpark Campaign. Your unwavering support ensures that this iconic venue can continue to provide a platform for small businesses and a lively gathering space for all.”.
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