Kingsland Shopping Centre is inviting Hackney residents, workers and students to take centre stage in shaping its future, with the launch of a landmark logo design competition. The winning designer will receive £2,000 and have their work featured prominently in one of East London’s most iconic destinations, while each of the four finalists will also receive £500.

This free-to-enter competition is being organised by Criterion Capital, the owners of the centre, and is aimed at celebrating and investing in the unique spirit of Dalston – its soul, its style, and its stories. Criterion also owns the majority of the land now home to the Dalston Curve Garden – a much-loved green area next to the centre, and one of Dalston’s most cherished and inclusive community spaces.

Competition entries will be reviewed by a panel of respected local voices and cultural champions. Among the first confirmed judges are Simon Murfitt, Editor of The Hackney Gazette – one of the borough’s most trusted and widely read publications – and Rahima Aziz BEM, Trustee of The Aziz Foundation and The Association of Charitable Foundations, renowned for her work advancing equity, opportunity and youth leadership in underrepresented communities.

Situated on Kingsland High Street, just steps from the eclectic Ridley Road Market, the centre features a diverse mix of national and local retailers, including Costa, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett, alongside a range of independent fashion, tech, and beauty brands. With convenient Click & Collect options, on-site parking, and strong daily footfall, the centre draws shoppers from across Hackney and beyond.

More than just a retail destination, the centre is the beating heart of Dalston, where cultures come together and generations mix. Dalston’s history is rooted in creativity and migration, from its Victorian architecture and international shopfronts to its grime and jazz clubs, markets and murals. This distinctive identity – shaped by diasporic stories and a thriving youth culture – is what entrants are encouraged to capture in their logo submissions.

“This is Dalston’s chance to shape its own visual identity”, said Omar Aziz of Criterion. “We’re looking for heart, heritage, and creativity. Whether you’re a local student with a sketchbook, a seasoned designer, or simply a Hackney resident who loves this neighbourhood, we want to see your vision of what Kingsland Shopping Centre means to you.”

The top 30 entries will go on public display at the centre this September, where the local community will help choose the final five through a public vote. From there, the centre’s team will select the ultimate winner.

This competition is a key milestone in Criterion’s wider vision to transform the centre into a thriving, community-focused destination. In May 2025, the centre became home to the UK’s first Music Booth – a soundproofed, affordable space equipped with a world-class Blüthner piano, designed to offer musicians a professional environment to rehearse and record. Meanwhile, detailed plans have been submitted to redevelop the eastern flank of the centre into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood. The proposals include 257 new homes, of which 35% will be affordable, alongside flexible workspaces, community facilities, and new high-quality public spaces.

Through this competition, Criterion is offering a preview of how it aims to regenerate with care – embedding culture, accessibility, and opportunity at the heart of Dalston’s story.

ENDS