The cider brand Kopparberg's Urban Forest takeover began last week in Hackney Wick and is the perfect example of why an effective and sensitive embedding strategy is crucial when a brand moves into an area and essentially takes advantage of the dynamism and community already in place after many years of local development and investment. It’s not surprising that there is resentment from local festival organisers and residents when a large brand swoops in with a significant cas

We're launching an exhibition Shopkeepers' Stories, commissioned by Hackney Council regeneration as part of their ongoing work around the Narrow Way in Hackney Central with a view to support local business in the face of change in the area. These audio and photographic portraits of six of the long-standing traditional shopkeepers from the area, explore stories of immigration, family business, local community and the effects of change. All of the shops featured here have exist