Quadrant Arcade in Romford sees student makeover
The Quadrant arcade Romford which is working with a creative arts programme to regenerate it (photo: Arnaud Stephenson) - Credit: photo: Arnaud Stephenson
Students have taken over a shopping centre and teamed up with different businesses as part of a creative programme to rejuvenate the arcade.
More than a hundred students from Havering College, Havering Sixth Form College and Redbridge College descended on the Quadrant Arcade in Romford last week to help nine independent businesses re-brand and promote their stores.
The programme, called Arcade Remade, will see transformational projects that include the renaming of a fish and chip shop, the launch of the Synergy Media gallery which is the first of its kind in Romford, and the complete re-branding of a butcher’s shop.
The owner of The Vault, a vintage clothes shop, Lauren Martin, said: “It’s fantastic to be working so closely with college students.
“They bring a fresh perspective to the arcade, helping to improve their community and the lives and businesses of people living in it.”
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The Quadrant was first opened in the 1930s and this will be the first creative takeover of its kind in Havering.
The programme is being led by the Romford Creative Arts Programme (RCAP) who hope to completely revitalise the small shopping centre just of South Street.
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A graduate of Havering College, Stephen Timms, has returned to his roots to lend his graphic talents to the project.
Having worked with companies such as Fox’s and McCains he has an idea of what is involved with branding products.
He said: “I think Arcade Remade is a fantastic opportunity to inject some creativity into the local area using local people.”
He added: “I am too excited for words.”
The Quadrant will showcase the results of the project work by the 150 students who participated on Friday at 6pm.
