Londoners love their green spaces. In fact, 47% of Greater London is taken up by green spaces. The 3,000 parks in the capital provide public open spaces that serve as oases of natural beauty and calm away from the bustling streets of the city. Nevermore so than in the summer. On a warm summer’s day, from Richmond Park to Hamstead Heath you’ll see Londoners making the most out of the sunshine. And the city is only set to become more green, as the current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan wants London to be the world’s first ‘National Park City’ this summer and for 50% of the city to be green by 2050. nn nnPop Brixton in Brixton and Boxpark in Shoreditch are well-know and loved shipping container villages with an array of street food vendors, restaurants, bars and shops. But due to their location in the urban areas of some of London’s most populated areas, they are enclosed spaces. So when the four-day British Summer heatwave hits (as it always does), these places can feel abnormally claustrophobic and hot. It’s more likely that Londoners will want to enjoy the abnormally hot weather in more open spaces, which is where a converted shipping container business can really make a name for itself. nn n
Why use shipping containers?
nWe’ve all been there. There you are, enjoying the glorious sunshine and suddenly you have an urge to go get a cool drink. You’ve been in the sun all day, and are in need of a nice cold drink, maybe even an ice cream. You start to scout out what your options are, but the park cafe is swamped and the nearest bar is a fair walk away. If only there was a bar or restaurant closer at hand. Something like a pop-up container bar.nnA converted shipping container makes it easy to create a temporary, portable space that can be set up exactly where people need it. A bar, restaurant, or whatever container modification you have in mind, bring your business to your potential customers, you’ll be helping them to make the most out of the British summer. You can bring the drinks, food, music and entertainment straight to them, right in the green heart of London. nnNot only are they mobile, but shipping containers are also affordable, and look a lot more professional than flimsy pop up stalls or gazebos which could easily get blow away by a gust of wind. Whether you want a one-time solution for attending a summer event or a permanent extension of your business, a modified container gives you the chance to showcase what you do to new audiences. You can make a memorable impression to your target audience, attracting more customers to your business long after the summer heatwave has ended. nnTo give you some inspiration of the types of shipping container conversions you can explore, we’ve included below some of our favourite modification ideas. nn n
Match of the summer
nUpcycled and modified cargo containers can be used to quickly build impressive structures, which make them the perfect building block to create areas for large-scale screenings of live sports, films and theatre productions. Take inspiration from events such as Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Pop Up Screens and the screenings of the World Cup in Merchant Square and Camden Market. Not only can you provide Londoners with the perfect outside venue for watching the summer season’s top viewings, you can also provide container bars and food stalls on-site for nibbles and drinks. nn n
Pass the Pimm’s
nMobile, temporary cafes and restaurants made from shipping containers can be transported and set up in less than 24 hours, making them perfect to serve Londoners their mandatory 99 ice creams, burgers and glass of Pimms right where they need it. Fully stocked bars can be moved and rapidly set up, ready for any event or location. Follow in the footsteps of festival-themed spaces like Wonderfest in Camden and Summer By The River by creating your own summer-time celebration. nn n
Urban beaches
nCan’t make it to the coast? Bring the seaside to London with a sandy beach pop up made from a modified shipping container, complete with white sand, deck chairs as well as a beach-themed bar made out of shipping containers to give the space a proper holiday vibe. There are plenty of ideas out there to take inspiration from when it comes to pop-up beaches. London’s Royal Docks has come to London for July-August, prepped with deckchairs and ice lollies ready for Londoners to get a little taste of the seaside in the centre of the city. While Fulham Beach has also returned, decking the Thames’ shoreline with sun loungers, deck chairs and beach huts to provide the illusion of the tropics. BeachEast in Stratford boasts fairgroud rides, paddling pools, two beach bars and various food stalls. Find out more about container pools and more. nn n
What permissions do you need?
nIf you want to put your converted shipping container in one of London’s many parks, you’ll need to discuss the event feasibility and space availability with a park officer prior to making an application. Often applications require an event management plan including a park site plan for your event, and a risk assessment. You might also need to pay a fee for the host park, which will vary based on how much space you are taking up and for how long.nnIf you are looking to have a custom-made, bespoke container, make sure you’re clued up before you go in with your hammer and paint. Here are the most common problems you may encounter when modifying a shipping container. When you’re ready to stat on your conversion project, get in touch with our team for expert advice on container modifications. For businesses looking for a fast and affordable solution to starting their own pop-up event or summer gig, our ready-made container bar units are perfect for making the most out of the British summer, all you have to do is tell us your requirements and we’ll provide a tailored quote for your business.
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