Get Living’s Retail Strategy Puts Bet On Residents Wanting To Buy Sustainably

Build-to-rent giant Get Living has completed two new retail lettings at its East Village scheme on the former Olympic Park in London, as its retail strategy focuses on a desire from its residents to live more sustainably. 

Get Living has completed a new 10-year lease with Re-fill Therapy, a retail convenience concept centred on sustainability, low carbon and zero packaging. Get Living said this newest letting supports the placemaking strategy at its scheme, centred around the themes of sustainable living and positive fashion, which is being driven by growing demand from its residents and local consumers for ethical brands.

Re-fill Therapy will provide eco-friendly, plant-based, biodegradable and organic products such as bulk food, fruit and vegetables, household cleaning and personal care, at affordable prices. 

The unit will use recycled and reclaimed materials to fit out its space, minimising environmental impact. 

East Village has also agreed to let a unit to Barber Social, whose design concept brief centres around low impact and waste reduction through reusing elements of the previous occupier's store along with a host of reclaimed materials, including refurbished barber chairs. 

Last year, Get Living formed a strategic partnership with Christopher Raeburn, founder of RÆBURN and Global Creative Director of Timberland, and the British Fashion Council’s Institute of Positive Fashion, to try to position East Village as a new creative hub for the local E20 community, Newham and the wider London creative sector.

“We are seeing a growing desire from our residents to make changes to their lives which support the environment and Re-fill Therapy is a format which can help them achieve this for their everyday grocery consumption,” Get Living Director of Real Estate Ailish Christian-West said. “This is a seamless fit for East Village and supports our overall ethos of creating an environment which aids sustainable living within the local community.” 

Get Living’s £2B portfolio comprises 4,000 homes for rent across three neighbourhoods: East Village and Elephant Central in London and New Maker Yards at Middlewood Locks, Manchester. Further neighbourhoods are planned in Leeds, Lewisham and Glasgow, with ambitions to grow the portfolio to 15,000 homes within five years.