“Bootstrap offers the most fantastic home, with staff and tenants who really care as well as amazing social enterprise coffee shops, bakery and a roof top bar. There is a sense of community and shared values that alongside the cool exterior makes a great place to work and definitely helps us keep staff for longer.”
Lucy, Mediorite.
The Bootstrap Charity has been home to entrepreneurs, small businesses, charities, and social enterprises for nearly 50 years. We operate 3 buildings and 2 outdoor spaces in a quiet and quirky corner of Dalston.
Bootstrap is a 2 minute walk from Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction stations. We are also 2 minutes from the green oasis that is the Eastern Curve Garden, and the vibrant Ridley Road Market. We offer 24 hour access and security to the buildings, meeting, and training rooms.
Bootstrap is home to a family of 75 tenants in the creative, social, and hospitality industries (please see tenant directory). The combination of place and people generates a distinct energy and warmth. We believe that good people can make the world a better place, and we reflect this in the way we work and care for each other.
Our tenants offer each other discounts – including lunch at the Dusty Knuckle Bakery, after work drinks at 40ft Brewery, and world renowned jazz at Cafe Oto. We also have Dalston Roof Park – our lovely summer space. We run regular events with our tenants and friends (please see our tenant discounts page).
The rent you pay makes things happen – Bootstrap offers our charity tenants cheaper rents, breathing space to do great things, and pays our social enterprise tenants to run employment programmes for young people.
If you are looking for a place to grow your work, somewhere to belong, and to make the world a little better, then please contact David Williams at david@bootstrapcharity.com to discuss your needs, and to arrange a visit.
“To us Bootstrap is not only a landlord but a true partner in our journey. We hope to make world changing films with real purpose and it is not always easy. As a small business there are times when we have struggled, and Bootstrap has been there. But they have also been there for the good times – for our growth, for making us feel part of a community, for feeding us (literally) and for nurturing our confidence in trying to do the right thing. Every film that we make is infused with that spirit and we are grateful for it.”
Mark, Silverfish Films.
Tenant Profile
The dusty knuckle
The Dusty Knuckle Bakery started 10 years ago in a single 40ft container in the yard at Bootstrap with the intention of making the best bread in London and supporting young people in need of help. The business has grown to employ over 100 people across 3 sites, supports 65+ trainees each year, and won Time Out’s award for London’s best neighbourhood bakery. They have been shortlisted in 2024 for two catergories in the Social Enterprise of the Year Award by SEUK. Bootstrap supports their work with money, love, and space.
Tenant Profile
COMPOST CREATIVE
Compost Creative is an Emmy Award Winning VFX and animation company. 3 years ago they had an office up the road, and wnated to find a home with us. We knocked 4 rooms into one for them and they co-designed the space with us. They share our values and show this in what they do – finding time to mentor young people, support social enterprise neighbours, and find work placements for local students.
Tenant Profile
Latin American Women's Aid
Latin American Women’s Aid is Bootstrap’s longest serving tenant – 25 years. The charity has been supporting Latin American, Black and other minoritised women and children survivors of gender-based violence for over 35 years. They offer refugees access to legal advice and support, counselling, English language classes and to Policy and Advocacy and Community Programs. LAWA is part of Bootstrap’s DNA, and your rent will support their work.
“Bootstrap has gone above and beyond to help us settle into the building and improve our studio environment and culture. Bootstrap has created a really unique environment where companies and artists have their own space but when needed have an incredible support community within the buildings”
Neil, Compost Creative