Once an industrial hub now a haven for creatives. This is the Harringay Warehouse District. For the past 20 years the Harringay Warehouse District transformed from an industrial site into a vibrant community. Artists makers performers and alternative community advocates now call it home. It’s also known as Manor House Warehouses by locals.
Let’s rewind to the early 20th century. The Harringay Warehouse District became a key employment center for the Municipal Borough of Tottenham. Maynard’s Wine Gums led the way. Furniture piano and electrical manufacturers soon followed. Imagine the sounds of industry filling these streets.
By the 1980s larger businesses moved out. Small-scale garment manufacturing took their place. This too declined in the mid-to-late 1990s. But this decline paved the way for something new. Artists began to move in drawn by the large affordable spaces. The Harringay Warehouse District started its transformation.
What makes the Harringay Warehouse District unique? It’s the self-directed conversions of warehouses. The main Landlord supported this approach. This created a self-shaped neighborhood unlike any other urban area. The Landlord and Haringey Council value the area’s character. They created a Policy on Warehouse Living. This legitimizes the district. It also recognizes it as an asset within the Tottenham Creative Enterprise Zone. This policy actively resists big developers. It demonstrates a commitment to retain the area’s distinctiveness.
Piano manufacture once thrived here. Harringay was a major UK center. Names like Challen Boyd Barrett & Robinson and Eavestaff were well-known. Confectionery was another key industry with Maynard’s at the forefront. Furniture making and shop-fitting also played a significant role. HK Furniture George Hammer & Co and Courtney Pope were major players.
Other industries added to the Harringay Warehouse District’s diversity. Paper tableware flexible tubing printing ink and industrial thermometers were all manufactured here. The district also produced radio valves cathode ray tubes industrial saws shaving brushes rafia early photographic slides electrical components and shoes.
Rough Trade Records moved into the area during the rise of creative industries. New River Studios stands as a testament to the area’s artistic spirit. It’s an arts center studio provider venue education hub cafe and bar. It welcomes a wide range of users. Haringey Arts a social enterprise connected creative tenants for a decade.
The Harringay Warehouse District stands as a vibrant example of community-led regeneration. It protects its unique character. It fosters creativity. It’s a testament to what can happen when a community shapes its own space. As you explore the Harringay Warehouse District remember its rich history. Appreciate its unique character. Celebrate the creative spirit that thrives within its walls.