This council-backed initiative, in collaboration with Meanwhile Creative, which supports start-ups and independent retailers, will be an important interim milestone in the regeneration of the Magdalen Street area to the north of the city centre.

St. Saviour’s Yard has been identified for a new pop-up workspace and retail destination on an existing car park site situated between Magdalen Street, St. Saviour’s Lane and Peacock Street. This temporary ‘meanwhile’ use, anticipated to last up to 10 years, will see small units with flexible lease arrangements formed from ISO Shipping Containers, arranged and coordinated to form a coherent and attractive urban space suitable for start-up offices, workshops and small-scale retail. A small proportion (less than 5%) of the spaces will be adopted for food and beverage uses, the rest dedicated to makers and other local entrepreneurial activities.

The site adopts an existing car park and the undercroft of the elevated St. Crispin’s Road, which crosses Magdalen Street at this point. This will provide all-weather cover for the central area fronted by the container units, forming an informal public space.

The 20 and 40ft container units are positioned to positively front onto communal zones and set back from surrounding developments to provide a noise buffer and minimise marginality. The spaces between them are sequenced to help activate and animate the Magdalen Street frontage, respect the Peacock Street frontage, and sensitively respond to St Saviour’s Church.

The whole scheme has been designed to maintain active frontages that will extend the vibrancy of the street, supporting continuous street-level engagement and visibility. A curated retail mix focused on independent boutiques and local businesses will enhance Magdalen Street’s unique, community-driven character with a new destination and workplace at the city’s heart.