A new, creative and vibrant space was officially opened on Monday by newly appointed Mayor of Harrow Cllr Anjana Patel and Leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Paul Osborn. You may have noticed the sleek timber and metal units being installed on the old Debenhams car park and wondered what it’s all about.
Welcome to Artpark — a 900sqm, purpose-built space created for local artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to come together to showcase their work through exhibitions or by renting one of the micro studios to trade as a small business.
There are 10 creative micro studios available to let. The studios are designed to support Harrow’s growing creative economy while breathing new life into underused spaces — perfect for startups or growing ventures.
The units are managed by Meanwhile Space, a social enterprise known for transforming vacant properties into thriving community hubs. Each studio is offered on a rolling 12-month contract with just one month’s notice required, making them ideal for small businesses looking to test, grow, or stabilise their ventures without long-term risk.
The development goes far beyond just workspace. With anchor tenant Crowning Greatness CIC – a local youth-focused charity – the studios will serve as a community-led hub supporting young creatives and emerging entrepreneurs, offering guidance to the wider community.
In addition to the studios, the site features several exhibition spaces, a large creative studio, greenhouses, community art display walls, and open areas for local exhibitions, workshops, and events. It’s all part of a wider ambition to energise Harrow town centre through creativity, culture, and collaboration. The site is fully wheelchair accessible and includes on-site toilets.
Cllr Anjana Patel, newly appointed Mayor of Harrow, said: “Local talent is nurtured here, where people can come and be inspired. Together, culture and opportunity can flourish.”
Councillor Norman Stevenson, Portfolio Holder for Business, Employment and Property, said: “Art Park is a fantastic opportunity for Harrow, we’re excited to have a place to highlight the talent we have in the borough. The transformation of the underused space has been incredible to watch over the last few months.
The line-up for the launch week is a great way to bring local communities together and showcase the creativity in Harrow. We want local businesses to thrive and welcome them to express interest in a space. We’re committed to our plan to support business and growth – we want to continue to make Harrow a great place to live work and visit.”
Award-winning architects Jan Kattein led the design. Jan said: “The buildings were designed with relocation and reuse in mind — they’re here for at least five years and are made mostly of reusable timber and metals. The scale makes them affordable and supportive for businesses just starting out. A business currently run from a kitchen table might finally find its home here.”
Artpark is part of this year’s prestigious London Festival of Architecture. It is funded through the Future High Streets Fund and plays a central role in Harrow’s £7 million town-centre regeneration — shaped by local input to unlock new opportunities.
The micro studios are now open. Harrow residents, artists, makers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to contact Meanwhile Space to check availability.
So whether you’re a painter, sculptor, designer, costume maker — or anything in between — this is your chance to get creative and be part of something new. Reach out to Meanwhile Space today.
Carly is a creative writer with a wide range of interests and a genuine curiosity about people and their experiences. She’s community-focused and enjoys telling real, relatable stories. When she’s not writing, she’s usually exploring something new or working on one of her many projects.
