Hackney Town Hall Square

Overview

The Hackney Town Hall Square redesign aims to revitalise the heart of Hackney Central, creating a more inclusive, accessible, and flexible space for everyone. The redesign will preserve the square’s historical significance while enhancing its usability for community activities, gatherings, and day-to-day use. This project is a key part of Hackney Council’s wider strategy to improve public spaces in the borough, making them more welcoming and functional for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

What we're doing

We are redesigning the Town Hall Square based on feedback from the community to create a space that meets modern needs while maintaining its civic importance. Our design focuses on creating adaptable spaces that can host events, informal gatherings, and day-to-day activities. The redesign will include:

• Preserving Heritage: The redesign respects the Grade II-listed features of Hackney Town Hall and Hackney Empire while enhancing other important landmarks, such as Hackney Central Library. The goal is to honour the square’s historical and civic significance while making it more accessible and functional for modern use.

• Accessibility and Safety: Community input underscores the importance of an accessible and welcoming space. We’re improving pedestrian access, seating, and lighting to create a safer, more inclusive environment.

• Community-Centred Design: Feedback from residents highlights the need for inclusivity and representation. We’re working to capture Hackney’s diversity and spirit, ensuring everyone—especially vulnerable groups and youth—feels welcomed and at home in the square.

• Civic and Political Role: As identified through community feedback, the square serves not only as a public space but also as a platform for civic engagement, political demonstrations, and cultural events. This reflects Hackney’s ongoing commitment to democratic participation and public representation.

• Sustainability and Climate Resilience: A key priority from both policy and public feedback is ensuring the square is climate-resilient. The design will feature climate-adaptive planting and green spaces, enhancing biodiversity and aligning with Hackney Council’s net-zero targets for a sustainable urban space.

Why we're doing it

The redesign of Hackney Town Hall Square responds to the community's desire for a more inviting and functional space that respects the square's historical significance. Through previous consultations, residents have expressed the need for improved seating, greenery, adaptable spaces, and better connections to the surrounding area. This project aims to:

Create an inclusive space: Ensuring that the square is welcoming and accessible for everyone, including children, older people, and those with mobility needs.
Support diverse uses: Providing flexible spaces that can accommodate everything from informal gatherings to large-scale events, protests, and celebrations.
Promote sustainability: Integrating green and sustainable features to improve the environmental performance of the square and contribute to Hackney’s climate goals.

How we're doing it

We have been gathering input from the community through ongoing consultations and events. Most recently, we hosted an event on Saturday 28 September from 2-6pm on the Town Hall Square, where we shared our latest design proposals and invited feedback from attendees.

The information boards presented at the event are available below for you to view, and we are keen to hear your thoughts on the plans. Your feedback will help shape the final design of Hackney Town Hall Square.

Download the information boards here.

Why your views matter

We want to hear your thoughts on the current design proposals for Hackney Town Hall Square. Please click the link below to provide your feedback and help us ensure that the square meets the needs of the community.