Idea Stores, located in shopping centres across Tower Hamlets, combine the best of traditional library and information services with lifelong learning opportunities in comfortable and friendly surroundings. Their objective are to bring the community together and to empower individuals to help themselves, whether it is learning to read, pursuing hobbies, expanding their knowledge or seeking a job.

Prior to the initiative, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets was facing a series of significant social problems that included the fact that 30 per cent of the residents needed help with basic skills and 80 percent of the population never used the library services on offer. After consulting with local residents in the largest consultation exercise ever undertaken about libraries it became clear that citizens wanted a high-quality, modern library service which provide far greater range of services.

Idea Stores and Libraries services include:

Idea Stores provide an excellent setting to browse and borrow books, read a newspaper or magazine, learn new skills, surf the net or to relax and meet friends over a coffee in a fun and stimulating environment.

Both an economic and cultural development initiative, (Scene) Metrospace provides visual artists, performers, musicians and artists alike with a multi-use exhibition space for creating and promoting new experimental art works. The venue focuses primarily on political issues, the environment, originality in art, and the role of art in consumer culture, etc. It constitutes a valuable resource to the community, as it presents nontraditional art forms, such as performance and installation art, to a population that traditionally has lacked exposure to these new art forms.

The building, a former bank, has been radically transformed into a vibrant gallery setting and it provides a lesson why governments should be committed to the adaptive reuse of existing downtown structures. All activities and opportunities are available free of charge or at nominal cost. Ultimately, (Scene) Metrospace aims to attract visitors to downtown East Lansing and expand its reputation as a creative hub for modern art. Hopefully (Scene Metrospace) will not only be a source for joy and culture, but will contribute in the economic development of local restaurants and businesses.