Dalston
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About Dalston
Dalston is Hackney’s largest town centre.
It’s known for its creative industries, cultural organisations, night-time economy and mix of communities.
The area has a strong identity, defined by its:
- high-quality architecture
- built heritage
- nighttime venues around Gillett Square
- shops along Kingsland High Street
- long-standing street market at Ridley Road
Over the last decade, Dalston has changed as it has become a more popular place to live, work and visit, a hub for creative industries and cultural organisations, and a destination for entertainment and nightlife.
This has provided major benefits such as:
- a bigger range of businesses on the high street
- job opportunities for local people in a growing town centre
- better connections with the rest of London through improved transport infrastructure
It has also created challenges, highlighting issues such as:
- the housing shortage affecting Hackney and London
- the pressure on the management of public spaces and the lack of green space
- the poor connections around the town centre
It has also led to concerns that Dalston’s unique character – and some of the places and facilities that are most valued locally – may be under threat.
Our ambition
More change is on the way in Dalston, as the borough’s population continues to grow, landowners put forward proposals on sites they own, and high streets and town centres adapt to the short and long-term impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
We can’t control all this change, but we will use all the assets, resources and powers we have to help shape it so that local residents, businesses and communities are the first to benefit.
Working with the community
Over the last four years we’ve worked with local people, organisations and businesses to ensure our plans for Dalston help address the area’s shortcomings and build on its opportunities and safeguard the things people value most.