Understanding Culture and Creativity in Walthamstow
In Walthamstow there is an active cultural and creative scene, which is supported by the highest concentration of arts and cultural venues in Waltham Forest, mostly located around Hoe Street. The Council has actively contributed to enhancing this offer with investment into the refurbishment of Soho Theatre Walthamstow (former Granada Cinema), William Morris Gallery and Fellowship Square.
Building on the momentum gathered with its designation as the first London Borough of Culture in 2019, there is a strong agenda for cultural growth across the borough, with an exciting number of small, medium or large-scale cultural and creative projects being implemented or supported since then.
The Council is now considering opportunities to further strengthen Walthamstow as a cultural and creative centre for the Borough. Our aim is to better understand and support the cultural and creative businesses and networks already existing in Waltham Forest and facilitate the development of new ones.
In winter 2022 we began this research project by inviting you to participate and share your views in a series of in person engagement events and online survey's and tools via this Let's Talk Walthamstow platform. In Winter 2023 we completed the analysis of the information participants provided, and in May 2024 we published the findings on this page.
This research project was conducted by Waltham Forest Council's Area Regeneration team, in partnership with DK-CM architectural practice. The council would like to thank all those who contributed to this research, which has provided a baseline of evidence used to shape the council's wider Cultural Strategy, led by the Destinations team.
Click on the image above to download 'The Public Experience' report
Culture and Creativity in Walthamstow - what’s here, what’s missing
Drop a pin in our interactive map with a focus on Walthamstow and Hoe Street, to help us understand where are the most creative and cultural places in Walthamstow and what is missing in our major town centre.
The left hand menu on the map allows you to choose what kind of pin you want drop, see the activity feed to read other people's comments, or filter the view to show only selected types of pins. Use the + and - buttons to zoom in and out of the map.
