Located in the heart of East London, Shoreditch Electric is a venue that perfectly blends historic industrial charm with creative energy. Originally built in 1897 as the Shoreditch Electricity Generating Station, this remarkable building has evolved from powering the local community to powering extraordinary events. With its vast vaulted spaces, dramatic architecture, and deep ties to the performing arts, Shoreditch Electric offers a truly distinctive backdrop for everything from brand activations and conferences to immersive celebrations.
We spoke with Lucy Fawthrop, Senior Sales and Events Manager, to discover what makes this one-of-a-kind venue so special.
We’ve been fortunate to host everything from corporate conferences to immersive brand activations and private celebrations. One standout was a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory–themed 50th birthday party, where Wise Productions and an incredible team of suppliers transformed our spaces into a magical world straight from the book, complete with theatrical catering, immersive sets, and creative lighting. It was a perfect example of what’s possible when creativity and collaboration come together.
Another highlight was our involvement in the 2023 London Design Festival, when designer Morag Myerscough partnered with MINI to unveil a large-scale art installation. The energy and innovation that filled the venue during that week truly showcased how adaptable our space is for bold and brilliant ideas!
Originally opened in 1897 as the Shoreditch Electricity Generating Station, the building powered the local community for 50 years. After closing in 1947, it was rediscovered by a group of circus artists in the late 1980s who transformed it into The Circus Space, now the National Centre for Circus Arts.
In 2024, the venue was rebranded as Shoreditch Electric, a name that honours its heritage while embracing its role today as a dynamic, multi-purpose events space. All venue hire revenue directly supports the National Centre’s charitable work, helping train and support the next generation of circus artists.
We offer three main hire options:
The National Centre for Circus Arts is a charity dedicated to training the next generation of circus performers. Over 900 people take part in classes each week, from degree-level students to young people and adults exploring circus for fun.
The venue also runs team-building workshops and provides performers and consultancy for productions. Every Shoreditch Electric hire directly supports the Centre’s mission to make circus training accessible and sustainable across the UK.
I’d love to see a film or TV industry event, perhaps an awards night or an opening night celebration. The contrast of our industrial architecture with the glamour of a red-carpet setup would make for a truly cinematic experience.
