With limited availability of appropriate sites, short leases and a very tight budget, Common Ground conceived a “living stage” concept – using scaffolding as a building-site frame for all other components. This allowed utilities to be exposed as features and the addition of ancillary structures (including kitchen and motorbike workshop) added over time without disrupting trade as cashflow allowed.
The design was as eclectic as the market, providing a very open and welcoming socialising space. The informality of the space and inclusiveness of the operations led to great success over the 4 years it ran – and was one of the catalysts for regenerating the wider area.
