Boxpark signs lease for first site outside London

The company has struck a deal with Adur District Council to open Big Beach Box on the site of a run-down toilet block.

It will be the first project outside London for Boxpark, which has opened three “pop-up” street food and retail malls in London’s Croydon, Shoreditch and Wembley since 2011.​​

Boxpark is teaming up with Dan Stockland of Hove’s Big Beach Café, which is owned by Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim), for the seafront project.

Shoreham's Big Beach Box will feature a restaurant and café hub focused on supporting local community groups, with a roof terrace, changing rooms, and a centre for water sports.

It will work with local partners to run events, workshops and talks at the site.

“As a Brighton local myself, I have cycled past the run-down toilet block many times and see a lot of potential in the site for a new community hub in Shoreham,” says Roger Wade, CEO and founder of Boxpark.

“The Big Beach Box would become a favourite among locals whilst also attracting visitors to the world-class beachfront destination.”

With the lease now signed, Boxpark will be working with the community to draw up detailed plans for the site with the aim of submitting a planning application later this year.

Boxpark previously outlined proposals to transform​​ Brighton’s iconic Madeira Terrace in to a “world class” retail and leisure development, but the plans appear to have stalled.