LONDON, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Pop-up charity 3Space are excited to launch their Re:THINK Festival - a 3-day programme of workshops, panel discussions, debates, talks, exhibitions and meetups which will transform their Blackfriars Hub into an interactive playground for Re:THINKing the ways that we use our cities and resources.

From 1st-3rd May, over 50 UK organisations will be taking over the 3Space Blackfriars Hub at Audit House, previously the City of London's Employment Appeals Tribunal courthouse, to demonstrate the projects and ideas which are changing the ways that we interact with our cities. Themed around Re:THINKing the ways that we use both our spaces and our resources, the festival aims to showcase a unique mix of community led activities and ethical approaches to business and creativity.

Visitors to Re:THINK will also have the opportunity to explore the 3Space Blackfriars Hub, the latest of 3Space's properties, which has seen a disused building transformed into a free-to-use hub for charities, non-profits and social organisations.

Andrew Cribb, CEO and co-founder of 3Space says: "Re:THINK will act as unique forum for some of the most innovative social organisations in London to share, celebrate and promote their ideas for how we can rethink the way we use our cities and resources. We're also really excited to be opening up one of our spaces to the public, so that people get the opportunity to see first hand the opportunity that lies within empty property."

Highlights will include a creative pop-up masterclass featuring Secret Cinema, workshops run by Cultivate London, This Big City, Petit Miracle, The Journal of Wild Culture, Groundwork, and Dot Dot Dot Property, interactive art exhibitions from 21 Artists and Scratchadelia, as well as talks and workshops from PWC, Regeneris, AECOM and Meanwhile Space. Visitors will also get the chance to explore a number of exhibitions and workshops, sample some of the capital's most exciting street food, and maybe even play a few games of Pop Up Ping Pong! The jam-packed programme is entirely free, but tickets must be booked in advance through  http://3space.eventbrite.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

3Space are a charity which unlocks the value of empty or underused space by working in partnership with landlords and leaseholders to make it available free of charge to social organisations for temporary projects which benefit the community. Our mission: 'For all empty property to be recognised as an available resource that can deliver immediate social benefits and be a catalyst for longer term regeneration'. Images and further information are available on request.

Background:

According to statistics gathered by the Local Data Company in 2012, almost one in seven UK shops currently stand empty and neglected. The figure hit an all-time high of 14.6% in April 2012, as the country's high streets continue to struggle amid economic problems and the increasing popularity of online retailing.3Space's mission to 'turn empty space into an opportunity' sees them working in partnership with landlords and leaseholders, to temporarily make these spaces available for charities, registered community organisations and social enterprises for a range of temporary pop-up projects. 3Space are delighted to be working with property partners FORE Partnership to make the Re:THINK Festival a reality.

Other partners: Meanwhile Space, Pop Up Ping Pong, This Big City, The Journal of Wild Culture, Eventbrite

The 3Space Re:THINK Festival will be taking place at the 3Space Blackfriars Hub, located at Audit House, 58 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DS, from 1st-3rd May 2013. For the full programme, please see http://3spacerethink.org

For further information please contact:

Alice Vaughan - 3Space Head of Communications
alice@3space.org |
Find out more on our websites at http://3space.org
3Space is a Registered Charity (1136377)

SOURCE 3Space