Loupe London

Summary

Aiming to break new ground to join London’s £42bn a-year creative industries market, Loupe plans to create an experiential destination in the heart of London’s heritage rich Jewellery Quarter, connecting UK artisans & discerning consumers, sharing appreciation for creativity, craft & unique design.

• UK Creative Industries worth £92bn GVA, £150bn growth forecast by 2023
• 78% of Millennials would choose experience over product purchases
• Number of people buying craft in England has increased from 6.9m in 2006 to 31.6m in 2020
• 1000sqf high demand Camden Council shop secured on 10-year lease

Idea

Loupe aims to make creativity accessible to all, and be the one-stop, go-to global destination for creativity, craft and unique design. A vision underpinned by two growing UK industries; Creative - predicted to grow to £150bn GVA by 2023, and Leisure and Recreation - predicted to grow to £141bn revenue by 2022.

Retail is taking a new direction. Millennials are pushing a growing ‘experience’ economy and Gen Z are preferring experience over product purchases. Loupe aims to build on this, creating a visitor destination offering creative making experiences. We are now seeing a craft explosion with at least 10m people taking part in weekly craft activity. Moreover, with 54% of the UK using craft to relax and 28% to improve mental health, Loupe aims to provide valuable space for people to escape busy lives.

Our team strives to celebrate Hatton Garden’s heritage, promote UK design & protect craft skills by offering business support & workspace to artisans and future talent. With 80% of consumers preferring independent brands, Loupe will sell their products to consumers mindful of sustainable purchases & attracted to UK products. As the Council complete final checks, we aim to move to the Hatton Garden premise soon.

Funds will contribute to a creative utilitarian immersive space, and an interactive website with integrated social channels providing a joined-up physical & digital journey.

Team

Amanda Mansell: Founder and Director

1st Class BA (Hons) and Royal College of Art (RCA) MA underpin Amanda’s 20-year professional career. Highlights include gaining a Craftsmanship and Design Council gold award, becoming Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company, producing ‘For the Love of it’ a film celebrating local artisans, has taught at the world number 1 ranked RCA, writing a published book Adorn:New Jewellery, and currently advising Hatton Garden BID as a steering group member. Loupe's born from a passion to retain Hatton Gardens heritage and to enrich lives through creativity, Amanda's expertise supports her delivering this mission.

Eleftherios Panayiotou and Tommay Thomas are advisers to Loupe who bring extensive business experience.

Eleftherios Panayiotou

A global Senior Executive at CEO and Non-Exec level, Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors, Fellow of the Institute of Engineers and current mentor for London & Partners.

Tommay Thomas

MD of CL Paper Sales, a commercial property company and CLOC Ltd, a specialist university printing company with substantial tendering success most recently with University of London.

Justin WIlson

Investor and highly skilled Hatton Garden artisan who began in 1974 as apprentice to high-end jeweller Graff. He’ll play a valuable role delivering Loupe’s 'ask the expert’ sessions, skills improvement courses and demos.