OUR STORY

Colvestone Primary School has stood in Dalston since 1862, serving generations of local families and shaping everyday community life. 

Hackney has long been shaped by people arriving from different parts of the world, bringing with them languages, cultures and ways of living that continue to define the borough today. For much of its life, the school was part of this shared story, a familiar place woven into daily routines and intergenerational connection.

As Dalston changed, rising rents and redevelopment reshaped who was able to live nearby. Many families were pushed further from the immediate area while remaining connected to schools, culture and community networks across Hackney. When the school closed, the neighbourhood lost a place that had quietly supported local life for more than 160 years, and the building was left without a clear role.

In response, organisations led by Black and Global Majority communities, many rooted in Hackney, came together to form the Colvestone Corner Collective. We share a simple belief, this building should serve the public again – that as a community we should have a say on the future of our neighbourhood. Our vision is for a space that is inclusive and intergenerational, grounded in culture, creativity and care, and open to everyone 

Colvestone Corner offers a rare opportunity to protect a historic building, strengthen local infrastructure, address land injustice and unlock long term social value for the borough.