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Goldfinger turns waste into something we want

Axminster Tools & Machinery is helping the West London based Goldfinger Factory with its process of up-cycling. So, next time you are about to throw out an unwanted piece of furniture ask yourself “Can this be re-cycled?”

Not far from Portobello Road, situated on the ground and first floors of the tower block Trellick Tower in North Kensington, you will find the Goldfinger Factory.  Founder Oliver Waddington-Ball describes Goldfinger as “…essentially a collective. Goldfinger is an up-cycling, teaching and production hub, with all the facilities of a community centre built in.” Oliver goes on to explain that “The idea behind it is to reduce social exclusion and empower the community through teaching people to up-cycle, do building fit-outs downstairs and sell their product upstairs. And to use the events space and café which for the last two years have been boarded up. We sell designed products in a charity shop without the charity shop feel.”

Oliver, himself, is a social entrepreneur with a big heart and a vision to change how we view waste by empowering communities to turn it into unique home furnishings.  Born and raised in West London, he feels very close to the local community and is passionate about sustainable design and reuse. Oliver is also a board member of the charity, Farm the City.

The Goldfinger Factory houses a sustainable workshop, retail space and a training school. The spaces are all occupied by designers, artists and craftsmen who provide skills and support to trainees from some of London’s socially disadvantaged groups. The trainees play a big part in up-cycling the furniture, learning skills such as restoration and upholstery. 

Goldfinger provides workshops for the local community in furniture up-cycling, DIY and interior design together with accredited training, work skills experience and ultimately the creation of job opportunities.

Axminster Tools & Machinery is one of seven sponsors and is now loaning Goldfinger a substantial amount of tools, machinery and accessories to assist Oliver and his team with the process of up-cycling.  AT&M has also provided practical training on the machinery to Oliver’s staff and volunteers.

Image: L to R Alan Styles, Oliver Waddington-Ball and Mark O’Halloran