Museum of Modern Shopping opens at Romford Shopping Hall.

A Museum of Modern Shopping has opened at Romford Shopping Hall.

The Museum of Modern Shopping (MoMS) is an art gallery and museum that presents different exhibitions each month, each of which explores different aspects of shopping and the architecture – both physical, virtual, social, economic and psychological – of retail. MoMS wants to consider how the design of shopping shapes our urban and online landscapes, our communities and social identities. As well as the exhibition series, MoMS will present a programme of events, workshops, conversations and podcasts. MoMS’ will be presenting work by lots of exciting local and international artists, architects, designers and more. 

Shop spaces are increasingly sitting empty as rents increase and people gravitate towards shopping online. What does the future hold for these spaces? What about the small independent businesses that lose out as online retailers such as Amazon gain ever more power? What might our high streets and shopping centres become if they are no longer focused on retail? MoMS wants to imagine new possibilities for these spaces and consider how a new architecture of online shopping is shaping our habits, homes, cities and communities.

MoMS is not-for-profit, artist-run and is supported by Arts Council England and Romford Shopping Hall.