While plans for HS2‘s terminus at Euston are being redeveloped, HS2 is allowing the local community to make use of the land it has acquired for its new station.

Local Camden charity, Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC), has moved into the Annex at the old Maria Fidelis School on Starcross Street.

ODAC will use the space to deliver its ‘Neighbourhood Makeshop’ project. It will be working with Camden People’s Theatre (CPT), with the support of Hopscotch and Community Champions Regent’s Park, which is managed by Fitzrovia Youth in Action.

The groups will use the building for hands-on community and artistic making, and will provide space for meetings and projects.

ODAC will use the Annex as a ‘messy creative space’ to complement its main premises, and to make provision alongside other arts and community infrastructure in the area, including theatre, performance, visual art, woodwork, crafts and do-it-yourself.

ODAC explains that it has “a vision to catalyse artistic creation and collaboration to transform society and city”, and has already started to make good use of the space.

The first session took place in late April, with the Drummond Street Artists running a two-hour workshop for local artists affected by homelessness. It continues to run this workshop each week.

CPT is using the space as support for early career artists, who are making new work for and by Camden people.

The space will also incorporate a ‘Tool Library’, from which residents and local artists can access and store DIY, craft and painting equipment. In response to local residents’ requests, the programme aims “to nurture everyday creativity and provide a new, free and accessible resource that encourages repair and reuse”.

The Euston Meanwhile Use Fund provided sixteen thousand pounds fundings for the Tool Library, which is administered independently by Groundwork UK.

ODAC will provide information about activities at the Annex on its website.

ODAC is recruiting a Workshop Facilitator to lead the Tool Library’s development and deliver the creative sessions with the community.

Through its Station construction partner, Mace Dragados joint venture (MDJV), HS2 has acquired the Old Maria Fidelis School under a ten-year lease agreement. It will use the ground floor as a community hub, where local people can find out more about the changes that will take place at Euston.

HS2 has been working with the Euston Partnership and local community on ideas for ‘meanwhile use’ of HS2 spaces. This is the second space in Camden which has been repurposed for the local community – the first being a green space on Hampstead Road. More spaces are due to be open for community use soon.

It has also made its Euston Skills Centre available to the local community through Camden Council

Since the government announced that it was scrapping the northern part of HS2 last October, the high-speed rail operator has been considering alternative funding arrangements to deliver Euston station. It is continuing to prepare and design the railway between Old Oak Common and Euston.

“Taking on the management of the Maria Fidelis Annex marks a next step for ODAC in both the range of creative practices we can properly enable, and another step in the ways that we respond to and collaborate with local residents to develop our programmes. We’re delighted to collaborate with our Drummond Street neighbours Camden People’s Theatre on this, serving our shared communities and pooling resources. This ‘slightly-less loved’ space is exactly what we need to be able to offer more opportunities for creativity in the ward.

“Walking through ODAC’s main centre doors, you’re walking through the words ‘create’ and ‘community’ – we believe that creating things together, creates community – and with this new Neighbourhood Makeshop that making things together can make the community better!”

Daniel Pitt, Creative Director of Old Diorama Arts Centre

“While work on new arrangements for the HS2 terminus station at Euston are developing, it is great that we are able to support the local community and open parts of the HS2 site footprint for their use.

“The use of the Annex by Old Diorama Arts Centre will bring a vibrant presence to the site.”

Nick Jones, Project Client for Euston at HS2 Ltd