The Bootyard is where The Dusty Knuckle and 40FT Brewery started and flourished. In Hackney Borough Council's local development plan for Dalston, the Bootyard is identified as an 'opportunity site', which means it might be sold for development as part of a bigger project. We want to ensure that the Bootyard remains a vibrant community and cultural space by agreeing a long lease with Hackney Borough Council or its purchase - as happened with V22. 

Developing a link between Ashwin Street and the Bootyard, incorporating the Ashwin Arts Centre, would help turn a series of neighbouring sites into a connected cultural quarter. Rather than treating these spaces as separate, we want to see a clear physical and public link that improves movement through the area, strengthens visibility between sites, and creates a more coherent destination for culture, enterprise and community activity. Our aim is to support artists, audiences, local businesses and residents alike, while helping to anchor Ashwin Street and the Bootyard as part of a shared long term future for Dalston.

The value of the Garden, as a vital green space for residents at the heart of Dalston, cannot be disputed. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. In 2025 Hackney Council adopted the Dalston Plan which not only deals with the Garden it also references development adjacent to the garden: 

 “… protect the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden as an enclosed designated open green space and consider the enclosed character of Dalston Eastern Curve Garden a key element when producing plans for development adjacent to it.”

The Dalston Cultural Quarter will ensure that these principles enshrined in the Local Planning Guidance must be fulfilled.

Our first campaign will focus on securing the site at 2-8 Ashwin Street for permanent community and cultural use. If the site is sold to a developer for luxury flats, it would put further pressure on Dalston Curve Garden, damage the character of Ashwin Street, and undermine the evening economy that venues such as Cafe Oto help sustain. The members of the Dalston Cultural Quarter want to ensure that the site remains a cultural asset, used by and for the community of Dalston, and continues to contribute to the area’s creative, social and economic life for the long term. We are now bringing together local support to secure 2-8 Ashwin Street for community and cultural use. Our next steps will include raising public awareness, engaging decision makers, and working with local partners to develop a shared vision for the site that reflects the needs and character of Dalston.

The Hackney Peace Carnival Mural was commissioned by the Greater London Council in 1983 during the ‘GLC Peace Year 1983’ campaign. Of the six commissioned only two remain. Ray tragically passed away before the painting had began in 1984. In his memory and with his original designs his wife Anna Walker and close friend Mick Jones completed the mural in 1985.

Now the row of buildings the mural sits on has been earmarked for future redevelopment. We alongside the group “Friends of the Hackney Peace Carnival Mural’ are seeking Hackney Councils commitment to the protection of the historical work.