First three-day craft market opens at The Forge Victorian ironworks on the Isle of Dogs

The first winter market at The Forge historic east London ironworks opens on Friday on the Isle of Dogs.

Winter market to open at The Forge ironworks in West Ferry Road.Picrture: Justin Webb - Credit: Craft Central

The three-day event is being run by Craft Central charity supporting craftsmanship which moved into Millwall’s former Victorian engineering works in West Ferry Road in September.

It is bringing together 50 craftspeople for three days from Friday to Sunday, selling handmade products such as home accessories, fashion, jewellery, ceramics, stationery and prints.

The public can explore the converted early-19th century engineering works, join craft workshops and meet members of Craft Central’s network of 700 designer-makers.

Hand-crafted goods include leather accessories using vegetable-tanned leather, ceramic tableware, geometric and monochrome lino-cut prints and home-knitted accessories from natural fibres.

Winter market to open at The Forge ironworks in West Ferry Road.Picrture: Justin Webb - Credit: Craft Central

The charity, which supports craftsmanship and craftspeople, converted the disused ironworks into studios, workshops, offices, shared workspaces and an exhibition hall.

It moved into the Grade II-listed building after 40 years in a warehouse in Clerkenwell when its leased expired.

A winter programme of open studio events and more craft workshops is also being put together, bringing commercial life back to the once-desolate docklands district.