The Hub: South London Ecosystem

The Hub is Camberwell College of Arts’ venue for the community in the heart of Peckham. The Hub is a vibrant space where local businesses and the community come together to develop creative business ideas, explore emerging technologies and learn new skills. Created in partnership with Southwark Council, The Hub was born out of Camberwell College of Arts’ continuous commitment to meet the needs of those who live and work in the local area. Its outreach, digital learning, start-up and business development programmes support economic growth and explore business solutions to social challenges. The Hub is a dynamic space designed to foster collaboration between graduates, local entrepreneurs, and the Peckham community. The Hub includes an onsite start-up incubator aimed at supporting impactful and sustainable business ideas, contributing to the economic and social growth of South London.

Opened in early 2023, The Hub provides various spaces for community engagement. Beyond its 6-month residential business support programme Greenhouse: New ideas for positive change, The Hub offers subsidised and free training facilities as well as exhibition, meeting, classroom and lecture spaces. It offers community groups resources and training, making digital and business skills more visible and accessible to local residents. The Hub forms a key part of the infrastructure of UAL’s South London Ecosystem, a model which has developed over the past 3 years to foster collaboration and innovation between local groups and entrepreneurs, UAL academics, students and graduates.

The ecosystem comprises venues across South London, including The Hub, Greencoat and Camberwell Space, each serving distinct yet complementary purposes. The Hub focuses on digital and tech upskilling and start-up support for the community and the wider UAL graduate body, while Greencoat offers affordable studio spaces for recent Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon graduates.

The goal of the ecosystem is to create a network where public-facing, impact-led engagement can occur at any of these spaces, managed by the knowledge exchange team. This integrated approach aims to build a supportive environment that enhances local economic development and community well-being through shared resources and expertise. Unlike traditional campus facilities, The Hub was designed to be a free, open-access space for local residents to use for work, to access free extracurricular workshops and training, and specialised start-up business incubation. It is funded through UAL.

The Hub at originated as part of a planning (Section 106) agreement, which allowed the construction of student accommodation halls next door under the condition that UAL would create a community-focused space. The idea was to provide a venue that fostered engagement and collaboration between UAL and the local community, centred around digital technologies and innovation. Initially named the Digital Hub and later The Hub at Eagle Wharf, it has evolved into a multifunctional venue known simply as ‘The Hub,’ highlighting its role in serving and integrating with the local Peckham community while promoting business support and digital upskilling.

• Enhance community engagement through access to space, resources and digital and business skills development.
• Support local entrepreneurs and UAL graduates in launching and scaling innovative and impactful businesses.
• Boost the local economy by creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Initiatives and activities

External collaborations

This project focuses on building partnerships with local councils, community and grassroots organisations, and industry to support local businesses and entrepreneurs by offering affordable and free space to host events, workshops, lectures, talks and meetings. By leveraging collaboration, The Hub brings real-world challenges into the academic setting, enhancing the learning experience for participants and increasing community impact. Activities include partnering with local authorities to identify businesses in need, collaborating with community groups for targeted programme, and engaging industry mentors through its incubation programme.

Interdisciplinary projects

Sited at The Hub, Greenhouse: New ideas for positive change is a purpose-driven start-up programme that harnesses the potential of South London-based talent and UAL graduates to make a difference in the world - with a focus on digital and physical innovation. Since its pilot year, this free, 6-month initiative has hosted an ecosystem of 31 entrepreneurs gleaned from both UAL’s graduate body, and from The Hub’s surrounding communities in the South London boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham. The Greenhouse portfolio’s entrepreneurs have targeted sectors as diverse as MedTech, New Materials, BioDesign, FashTech and IoT Product design.

Targeting opportunities

The Hub's incubation programme is inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of participants. In future, The Hub Team aims to widen participation in its local community through targeted support like scholarships, bursaries and sponsorship financial assistance. Outreach campaigns attract participants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, while programme designs cater to varying expertise levels, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for all, within the context of digital and technological innovation.

Placemaking outcomes

More accessible

Over the past academic year, 1,639 attendees participated in various events and workshops, with a substantial proportion being local non-graduates. Programmes like the Digital Exchanges Programme have been instrumental in offering digital upskilling opportunities

More equitable

Since 2024, the Greenhouse incubator programme has supported 31 entrepreneurs working across 22 businesses. It specifically targets both UAL graduates and local community members, ensuring a diverse mix of participants.

More inclusive

The Hub brings together individuals from various backgrounds to work on common goals. This approach promotes a sense of belonging and collaboration, enriching the experience for all participants.

More sustainable

Encouraging sustainable practices, such as working with recycled materials and consider environmental impacts in their creative processes.

More innovative

The Hub promotes innovative thinking and solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration and access to cutting-edge technologies.

More prosperous

By improving the skills and employability of local entrepreneurs and UAL graduates, the Hub contributes to economic growth. The support provided to start-ups helps create job opportunities and drives local economic activity.

Nurturing collaborative and sustained engagement

Resolving limited visibility in the community

Recognising constraints faced by many local entrepreneurs

Securing sustainable funding

Legacy

The Hub public-facing programming and its onsite incubator generate legacy in fostering community engagement and innovation. Its model of providing a free, open-access space has bridged the gap between the university and the local community, promoting digital upskilling, business incubation, and collaborative initiatives. By supporting both UAL graduates and local entrepreneurs, the Hub has cultivated a diverse ecosystem of innovation, driving positive change in the hyper-local economies. The Hub's enduring legacy lies in its ability to adapt to community needs, provide sustained support, and create a thriving environment where local and academic talents intersect, fostering long-term economic and social benefits for the Peckham area.