All Aboard the Dialogue Express: Works Begin to Transform a Train Carriage into a Community Cafe

Posted 29 November 2024

The Carpenters Estate regeneration programme has taken another significant step forward with the arrival of a retired train carriage on-site, ready to be transformed into a cafe for the local community. The train cafe is part of the meanwhile projects that act as a precursor to the wider development, with a new playground and Steel Warriors gym creating exciting new spaces on the estate. 

In line with Populo Living’s ethos of sustainability and re-use, the disused carriage will be converted into the ‘Dialogue Express’ Cafe, a new public space for residents and locals to meet and connect. Designed by Jan Kattein Architects, works will get underway immediately to transform the space for the community and attract pedestrian footfall to the area. 

 

 

Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz oversees the delivery of the train carriage.
Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz oversees the delivery of the train carriage.

 

The Dialogue Express Cafe will be operated by Dialogue Hub, a Newham-based organisation dedicated to the social inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing communities through employment and training opportunities. Dialogue Hub aims to bridge gaps of interaction and understanding, encouraging customers to order in British Sign Language (BSL) to spark conversations with deaf or hard-of-hearing baristas. Located in Dennison Point’s car park, the train café will be a welcoming hub for residents and commuters using the new Stratford Station entrance on Gibbins Road. 

Jan Kattein Architects is a firm recognised for its innovative approach to urban regeneration and community projects. Their work on this train carriage highlights the creative ways in which underutilised spaces can be repurposed to benefit local communities. 

Clare Neilson, project manager at Populo Living, said:   

“It has been a wonderful experience, leading on the delivery of these amazing, ground breaking projects, and especially the logistics of getting a train carriage on site. We have set ourselves some tough targets in terms of sustainability and can already see the benefits from the changes that have started. Ultimately, we are improving the surroundings and lives of the residents of the estate and proving that it's possible to build sustainably whilst maintaining quality.” 

 

Wider shot of the train carriage, situated next to Stratford Station's DLR platform.
Railway Support Services working to set the train carriage in place.

 

Once transformed, the Dialogue Express’o Café will also create opportunities for social enterprise, aligning with the broader goals of creating more inclusive and engaging spaces for the community.  

Speaking about the project, Hakan Elbir, Founder and CEO of Dialogue Hub stated:   

“The Dialogue Express Cafe creates a welcoming space where deaf and hearing individuals can connect, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. More than just a social space, the cafe also represents positive change for the area, symbolising a commitment to creating inclusive spaces that serve diverse needs. It embodies the spirit of regeneration by providing opportunities for local residents, particularly those living with sensory impairments, to contribute and thrive socially and economically.”    

About Dialogue Hub 
Dialogue Hub aims to create inclusive society by bridging the gap between wider society. They host multipurpose a space for sensory experience set in total darkness where visitors are led by blind tour guides, a British Sign Language cafe where customers interact with deaf and hard of hearing baristas, and an exhibition of artists with diverse background. 

Learn more: dialoguehub.co.uk 



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