Love Your High Street
Love Bakers Arms
Commissioned by Waltham Forest Council
Saturday 14 February
Bakers Arms, Waltham Forest
A Valentine’s Day celebration of local shops, sustainability and community
Love Bakers Arms celebrated the Bakers Arms area on Valentine’s Day, bringing together local businesses, residents and visitors to share the stories, skills and values that make the area special.
At the heart of the day was The Bakers Arms Walkround, a guided walking tour of local businesses. With demonstrations, special offers and activities across the high street, visitors were invited to explore the area, shop locally and discover the creative and sustainable businesses based in Bakers Arms.
Described by the people who work here as lively, fun and diverse, Bakers Arms is a place full of community richness, knowledge and curiosity. With its bustling vibe, strong sense of connectivity, and a community that is loyal, supportive and friendly, it’s a high street shaped by the people who live and work here.
Bakers Arms is a lively crossroads where routes to Stratford, Hackney, Leyton and Walthamstow meet, and many people pass through every day. Love Bakers Arms shone a light on the town centre’s mix of shops, small businesses and charity stores, with a focus on sustainability. Visitors discovered opportunities to take part in craft, mending and sustainable fashion, and met the makers and businesses behind the strong local community already here.
Short Films with Local Businesses
Reel from the Tour : The Bakers Arms Walkround
Photo Gallery
What happened on Saturday 14 February
‘The Bakers Arms Walkround’ - A Guided Tour
A guided walking tour led by stylist and slow-fashion advocate Paula O’Connor visited local shops, studios and community spaces featured in the Love Your High Street: Love Bakers Arms short films, which were screened during the event and shared online. The tour included stories of craft, sustainability and local history and finished at a local café.
In-store activities included:
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Clothes mending surgery and styling tips at Age UK
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Meet the Maker block printing demonstrations at Leyton Green Studios
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Pop-up Community Apothecary at the Hornbeam Centre with remedies for sale and herbal teas to taste
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20% discount on reclaimed paint at Forest Recycling Project
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Textile window displays created by Age UK volunteers
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Short films screening at Age UK throughout the day
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Special Valentine’s “red rails” curated from shop stock
The free event invited people to explore Bakers Arms in a new way, whether they were local residents or visiting the area for the first time.