Developers are looking for coffee shops, book stalls and even art galleries to move into the site of east London’s former Queen Elizabeth children’s hospital.

The Hackney Road complex between Bethnal Green and Haggerston, which has been empty since the hospital closed more than a decade ago, is being redeveloped for housing and small businesses.

But the new owners have their eye on start-ups and independent business to put life into the scheme.

“We’re not looking to make any commercial return on the space,” said Andrew Pollard of Rydon developers. “We’re looking for anyone wanting to start a new business or community groups that may need this type of space.”

The corner site is at the beginning of Goldsmith’s Row which was turned into a pedestrian street earlier this year.