Stratford Junction: Thank you, Stratford

Published: 9 July 2026

Thank you, Stratford — here’s what we’ve heard so far

Since summer 2025, we’ve been out and about across Stratford, engaging with as many of you as possible about the future of Stratford Junction. From pop-ups to exhibition events, hundreds of you have shared your thoughts, ideas and opinions with us.

As we enter our next round of engagement, we wanted to pause and give you a round-up of everything that’s happened so far, and how your feedback is shaping the plans.

Where it all began

Stratford Junction is the transformation of a long-closed site into a new cultural neighbourhood for Stratford with performance and gallery spaces, an immersive experience venue, greener public spaces and new routes, shared living accomodation, a hotel, and workshop and studio spaces to support learning and making.

Getting the conversation started

We began engaging with the community in September 2025 through pop-up events, at Meridian Square and Stratford International Station, and door-knocking, speaking with local people and independent businesses about what they value most about Stratford and what they would like to see improve. We also ran an online survey, which received more than 100 responses, and a social media campaign that reached nearly 20,000 people.

What came through loud and clear was a real pride in Stratford — its diversity, its sense of community, and its brilliant transport links. People also told us they’d love a wider range of places to eat, drink and socialise, and that safety in the evenings really matters. Their message: better visibility, more social spaces, and reasons for people to spend a little longer in Stratford, both day and evening.

Sharing our early ideas

By late 2025, we were ready to share our first ideas and hear what you thought. We launched our project website, distributed thousands of flyers to neighbours near the site, and held a series of pop-ups, with a warm response from everyone we met.

Across those December events, we spoke with around 200 people. The excitement was wonderful to see, lots of you told us how good it was to see a long-unused space finally coming back to life, with real enthusiasm for public art, cultural events and independent food and drink.

Sharing our vision for the long term

In March 2026, we held our first public consultation on the long-term vision for the site. We hosted two drop-in events at The Source in Stratford and went door-knocking in the local area.

More than 40 of you came along to the events, and many more shared feedback online. You told us that culture, public space and connectivity matter most. There was strong support for the ambition and creative focus of the plans, and clear priorities came through: better pedestrian routes to Stratford Station, the Olympic Park and East Village; green, welcoming, well-lit public spaces; and a strong interest in how the site will look, feel and be managed over the long term.

What you’ve told us so far, in a nutshell

Culture and creativity should be at the heart of the site
Green, safe, welcoming public spaces are a top priority
Better connections, especially walking routes to the stations, East Village and the Olympic Park
Support for local businesses, artists and community groups
Clear information on design, sustainability and how the site will be managed over time

So far, we’ve held two more public drop-in events and two pop-ups near the site, and it’s been a real pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces and meet plenty of new ones. Thank you to everyone who’s come along and shared their thoughts so far, your feedback is already helping us refine the plans.

And there’s plenty more still to come. We’ve got more events and pop-ups planned over the coming weeks, so there are lots of opportunities to get involved.