The beauty of Cornwall that drives over 4 million people to visit annually has created over 35,000 empty homes. In traditional fishing villages, whole streets lie untouched, with houses that cost 11 times the average wage. Amidst a national housing crisis, countless families have been evicted to make way for more lucrative holiday lets. 

Statistically, the region is the second poorest in Northern Europe, with nearly a third of children living in poverty – yet, during the pandemic, over £170 million in grants was handed out to the owners of holiday lets in the area.

Since the 1970’s London has drastically de-industrialised, becoming a world hub of a serviced based economy. The industry that remains has been ejected from the city and has floated further down the estuary.

Industry Estuary explores this short stretch of river from Greenwhich to Erith, the intertwined relationship between the shipping and aggregate works and their continuing impact upon the local environment.