A Stroud-based community project, Emergence Restock, has launched a live crowdfund to secure a permanent town-centre space that would combine circular fashion, creative workspaces, skills-sharing, and community facilities under one roof.
Founded originally in 2013 as a zero-waste womenswear brand, Emergence Restock has evolved in response to changing high streets and the growing loss of accessible places where people can spend time, learn skills, and work creatively. The proposed space would offer resale and repair at street level, with co-working, workshops, and shared creative facilities upstairs.
The project is designed as shared community infrastructure rather than a single business. Plans include affordable access to workspace, shared equipment such as media and sewing kit, workshops and skills-sharing sessions, and routes into accredited learning. The aim is to support local creatives, freelancers, students, and residents, while offering a welcoming place to spend time that is not centred around alcohol or consumption.
The crowdfund is now in its final stages and must reach its target to secure a suitable town-centre location. Support to date has come from local residents, creatives, and students, with the project already operating informally through pop-ups, workshops, and placements, demonstrating local demand.
The initiative responds to wider concerns about the future of high streets, community wellbeing, and the need for new models of shared space as traditional retail continues to decline.
Founder Shalize Nicholas said: “High streets are changing, and people are losing places to simply be; to work, make, learn, and connect. This project is about creating a flexible, shared space that the community can actually use, not just another shop.”
The crowdfund remains live for a limited time and must reach its target for the project to go ahead.
The Spacehive campaign is live here – follow it to stay up to date with upcoming repair cafés, upcycling sessions, and clothing swaps this month.
