Hackney Village Fayre was an idea that came from the local restaurant businesses involved in the Park Hack Innovators group. They were keen to raise funds by hosting a community food festival. Led by local restaurant owners Luke Wilson and Natalia Ribbe from Magic Breakfast, a local charity that provides breakfasts for inner city children who need them most, the event was a great example of businesses and communities working together. It also demonstrated how businesses can contribute to improving green spaces, by utilising their contacts and raising funds through events, instead of making direct donations.

The festival was held in Hoxton Square, East London, on Saturday 12 September 2015. There were food and drink stalls, traditional village fete-style games (coconut shy, tombola, Splat the Rat), art from local schools, face painting by The Breakfast Club, and other home-grown entertainment. The event also transformed the TreeXOffice in the square (another Park Hack initiative) into a face-painting parlour for the day!  

The event was a celebration of the borough’s thriving food and creative scene. Fayre-goers were able to sample food from some of Hackney’s most celebrated restaurants and chefs: MEATmission, 8 Hoxton Square, Hoi Polloi, Bistrotheque, The Panthers Whiskers and more! Drinks for the adults were provided by Hoxton Square’s own cocktail specialists, Happiness Forgets, and craft beer supplier, Biercraft. All these local businesses donated their time and also their income to Magic Breakfast and the Park Hack fund, which will be used to improve the square and other public spaces in Hackney.

This first Hackney Village Fayre proved successful, making a profit in its first year and positioned to build on this in following years.

The organisers are keen to establish this as an annual event, beyond the scope of the Park Hack project, generating a regular contribution towards improving green spaces in the borough. This is a fantastic outcome of the Park Hack project. Natalia and Luke have demonstrated great business community spirit, and the ability to generate funds with local partnership working and the innovation and drive of a start-up venture.

Image via Groundwork London

Rethinking Parks was a £1 million Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Nesta programme designed to find, support and test new business models to sustain the UK's public parks.