My Soho Times issue #1 Winter 2019 by My Soho Times magazine

WINTER 2019

FREE

In this issue:

'TIS THE SEASON, THE ART OF LOOKING DAPPER & SOHO'S 2020 VISION

MARK POWELL Bespoke Tailor

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editor's note 'is he a...

The winter season is a great time for reflection. With our official 'coming out' and the new roaring 20s just around the corner, this couldn't be a more fitting time for us to launch. It's been a whirlwind of a journey since the summer of 2019 when I took on the challenge of turning my long standing blog into a lifestyle magazine (and accepting that I cannot be the Carrie Bradshaw of Soho)! So it's with the greatest of pleasure, much enthusiasm (plus a healthy dollop of blood, sweat and tears), that I welcome you to the 1st issue of My Soho Times magazine. We kicked off the season curating our cover story, The Art of Looking Dapper - spotlighting Menswear designer Mark Powell. For foodies, Michelin Star chef Nieves Barragan of Sabor Restaurant speaks about her connection to London with a particular fondness for Soho (on a side note, the grilled octopus is a must-try!) Call me a bit of a Scrooge but I decided to go more festive than Christmassy. Festive is a way of life Christmas is only one day a year. That said, we snuck in a Holiday menu, paid Mr Mullan's General Store a visit (Soho's very own Santa's one-stopgrotto for your gifts!), and we crossed over to Bloomsbury to experience The London Cabaret Club scene! Faith is an important part of many people's lives and we become more aware of it this time of the year - even as the capital gets ready to party. So we've highlighted some ways to make that soul connection; from church to meditation, refuge at Soho Recovery Centre, and 50 years of the Radha Krishna Temple - come to Soho, all ye faithful! And so as 2019 comes to a close, we're using our 2020 vision to predict the next decade of our little corner of London. That's quite a challenge for the crystal ball, and the truth is, no-one knows exactly what the future holds in these turbulent times. For us here at My Soho Times, it's an exciting time to launch and be part of a new decade - and an iconic one at that! For us the 20's look hopeful. We want to be a voice for small businesses and a conduit for the larger ones to give back to our community. Our tagline LIVE WORK PLAY embodies in just three words what Soho and neighbouring areas mean to so many of the hundred of thousands of people who pass through these streets daily... My Soho Times is Yours too! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank this issue's amazing contributors, all those who've supported us from the very beginning, as well as the ones who've only just jumped on board. It's an exciting time to be a Soho gal - the future is looking bright!

The Soho Girl x

Kai Lutterodt Editor in Chief IG: @the.soho.girl

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32 32

What's inside? 10 The Asian Fusion We discover why Londoners are obsessed with the flavours of East Asia... and share a few of our favourites.

20 Buy Fresh This Season Berwick Street Market has a 300 year history. This season is the perfect opportunity to buy fresh and support its vendors.

34 Mr Mullan's General Store Tucked away in Smith's Court, we stumbled upon this gem of a shop. Lose yourself in the eclectic world of Mr Mullans General Store.

13 Gourmet Pasta Our selection of restaurants serving the favourite winter warmer - pasta!

24 The Art of Looking Dapper Dapper than ever... Soho's legendary tailor Mark Powell reveals the secrets of dressing up in style...

35 Your Guide Through Soho We join My London Walks on a tour through Soho... If you think you know the area well, bet there are some secrets you're yet to discover!

39 Oh Come All Ye Faithful 42 Soho's LGBTQ We explore Soho's places of spiritual wellbeing, faith, and religion.

Friendly bars Photographer Samuel Sasiharan shares his picks on gay-friendly bars for a great night out in Soho!

17 El Sabor Nieves Barragan talks about Spanish flavours, gaining a Michelin Star and giving back.

32 The Gift of the Word Our guest blogger shares her top books to read this holiday season

36 The Talentbanqer Ray Jones is known as Mr London, but we prefer to call him the Talentbanqer. Find out why.

43 2020 Vision: Re-imagining Soho's Next Decade We bring out the crystal ball to predict Soho’s future in 2020 and beyond, with the help of people who come here to LIVE, WORK and PLAY.

Shot in Soho

EXHIBITION 18 OCT 2019 - 09 FEB 2020

Although the area of Soho is relatively small (one square mile) and bordered by some of London’s richest and most commercialised streets, it has remained a complex place of unorthodoxy, diversity, tolerance and defiance. Shot in Soho is an original exhibition celebrating Soho’s diverse culture, community and history of creative innovation as well as highlighting its position as a site of resistance. This exhibition will be a rare opportunity to see outstanding images from renowned photographers including William Klein, Anders Petersen, Corinne Day, alongside other photographers whose work in Soho is lesser known such as Kelvin Brodie, Clancy Gebler Davies and John Goldblatt. The show also includes a new commission by Daragh Soden. The exhibition draws on the history, the myths and the characters of this hotbed of unpredictability, disobedience, eccentricity and tightlyknit communities. Part movie-set, part crime scene, part unfolding spectacle, Soho in recent decades has been the centre of the music, fashion, design, film and the sex industry – a place of unresolved riddles, a place of shadows and also somewhere to call home for incoming French, Italian, Maltese, Chinese, Hungarian, Jewish and Bengali communities – perhaps here is the prototype for multicultural open London. Astonishingly Soho has remained a village at heart – maybe due in part to the way it was purposefully hidden from view behind Nash’s sweeping Regent Street crescent – there tucked away and locked within a tight street grid that has remained unchanged for centuries. In many ways Soho has remained London’s rebellious teenager. It has been a place where anything goes and as creative as it has been sleazy. 16 - 18 Ramillies Street Soho, London W1F 7LW

Photo: Clancy Gebler Davies

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SOMETHING EXCITING COMING YOUR WAY!

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SOHO & W1 My Soho Times is a new hyper local lifestyle magazine, published quarterly from Winter 2019 onwards. With Soho as the beating heart of London in location and vibe, My Soho Times magazine aims to curate the very best of Soho businesses for the benefit of Londoners and visitors alike. We want to be accessible to you - not just online.

We have you covered - in Soho and W1 Our varied distribution in Soho and other parts of the notable W1 & WC1 postcodes (Mayfair, Marylebone, Fitzrovia and Covent Garden) will have a massive impact on the responses our advertisers get, and we expect to grow a loyal readership for both our seasonal and online publications in a very short time. Take a look at our back pages to see which businesses stock copies of our print magazine.

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THE ASIAN FUSION

Why Londoners have an obsession with the flavours of East Asia... Written by Syahna Yahya | IG: @syahnayahya

It’s probably safe to say London would not be the multicultural wonderland it is today without the influence of Asian culture. The upcoming Chinese New Year ceremonies (2020 is the Year of the Rat), are a true testament to the culture’s direct influence on the big city. Performances take place throughout the holiday and decorations are displayed along streets from Trafalgar Square to China Town, involving not only those who come to celebrate the event, but also tourists and Londoners. Along with all the festivities, comes an incredible cuisine with a cornucopia of flavours to tempt the tastebuds. Food is a highly regarded aspect of Asian culture and is very much embedded in its identity. East Asian cooking, in particular, has made an indelible mark on London’s culinary world with Soho’s very own China town at the forefront.

From the moment you step into the area, it feels different from the rest of West End. From the ‘no-frills’ hole-in-the-wall eateries, through the lines of street food parlours to the fanciest of fusion restaurants, the cuisine has had space to experiment and develop, which means every taste is catered for. This perhaps is its main attraction, because the only rules when it comes to the food is to provide delicious, palate-pleasing dishes aimed at delighting customers. Even for those who are not as familiar with this culinary subculture, one of the main challenges when strolling by is withstanding the wonderful aromas emanating from inside the various eateries. Resistance is futile so come in, draw up a chair and work your way down the menu!

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THE OLD TOWN 97

SINGAPULA

CHOTTO MATTE

TONKOTSU

THE OLD TOWN 97 Good food with no fuss. This low-key eatery located in the heart of Chinatown offers an array of tasty Chinese staples from chicken lo mein to crispy duck. Guaranteed to cure your Asian food cravings.

CHOTTO MATTE Fusion taken to the next level, Chotto Matte offers you dishes with a twist like their Peruvian-Japanese crossover otherwise known as ‘Nikkei’. If you’re looking for something a little different, this one’s for you.

www.oldtown97.com

www.chotto-matte.com/london

WAGAMAMA

YUU @ ICE BAR With a residency at Ice Bar London, Yuu is a sublime union of Japanese, South East Asian and Filipino dishes. From Taiwanese-style bao buns to Filipino flavoured braised pork belly, it makes for the perfect night of overindulgence with friends. www.yuukitchen.com

SINGAPULAH Adding Singapore to the map of London’s vast array of Asian outlets, Singapulah could be said to be the new kid on the block - but not quite. Co-created by the founder of the Macclesfield Street area Malaysian/Singaporean “Rasa Sayang”, this new venture is a celebration of the often overlooked dishes of the island city. www.instagram.com/singapulah_ london/

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TONKOTSU If the bustling and brimming crowd inside this place doesn’t intrigue you enough, get yourself a table and let the food speak for itself. With an open kitchen giving you a front row view of the homemade noodles, you are pretty much guaranteed to leave highly satisfied and with a full stomach. www.tonkotsu.co.uk

WAGAMAMA Noodle Lab As one of the largest pan-Asian chain restaurants in the UK, Wagamama is a 21st century success story. With a large, extensive menu including their own vegan range, there is usually something for everyone. www.wagamama.com

Feeling inspired? Search 'Asian cuisine' on our website www.mysohotimes.co.uk

THE HOLIDAY MENU It's that time of year again that can only mean an exciting festive addition to the menu!... Catch these Christmas treats while you can! HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY

SHAKE SHACK

REFUEL AT SOHO HOTEL

EAT.

GELUPO

ZELMAN MEATS

THE CHRISTMAS BURGER

FAFA'S

HONEST BURGER

CINNAMON BAZZAR

Read our full review online! WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

The Italian community in Soho is one of the most established and extensive in London. Since the 1860s when the first major inrush of Italian political refugees hit the city, diaspora from the boot-resembling nation have helped shape the geographical and cultural landscape of central London. When one thinks of Soho-Italia, food and drink comes straight to mind. It was the introduction of pizza, pasta and espresso that became the community’s calling card in the UK. From the now iconic Bar Italia, family-run since 1949, to neighbourhood favourite Lina Stores Deli - Italy continues to dominate the food scene. Today Soho is home to over 30 Italian restaurants, and at the core of each menu is a hearty pasta selection. Italy's most famous export to the world has a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of Londoners... Here are some of our picks on where to get your pasta fix in Soho!

gourmet pasta

Written by Freya Starr | IG: @freyastarr

40 DEAN STREET

PASTATIO

PRINCI

LEGGERO

VAPIANO

OBICÀ MOZZARELLA BAR

BOCCA DI LUPO

MELE E PIERE

LINA STORES

Read our full review online! MY SOHO TIMES

n i t h g i A n

SOHO

The Nadler Soho makes your visit to this thriving district of London easy. Whether you're in town to explore some of London's hippest bars and most innovative restaurants, or Theatreland is on your bucket list, The Nadler Soho, located on Carlisle Street, is a great central base for any direction you decide to take. Guests can enjoy a range of partner benefits including 20% off drinks at 68 & Boston, and 10% off the bill plus a welcome cocktail at the modern Swiss restaurant Heritage. The Soho Girl shares her experience, for one night at The Nadler Soho... WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Don't get me wrong, I love my home. But there's also something I like about being away from it, even if it's just for a night or two, then coming back to rekindle my home-buddy status. Hear me out. I'm not married (I can only go by Carrie Bradshaw and Mr Biggs' example unfortunately), however I can somehow imagine my relationship with my home being a bit like an understanding - if I ever lose the 'je ne sais quoi', I need to take a break and after a few days apart, I return to the nest feeling revived and renewed. Hence I loved the idea of staying at The Nadler Soho - even if just for a night. I figured it could go two ways; I take my laptop with me and utilise their ultra-fast wifi - goodness knows I love my apartment but my wifi isn't one of its best features - or I use it as my base for a fab night out. After all, my motto is work hard, play harder! Tough choice considering I have deadlines to meet, but as you've probably guessed, I went with the latter! Somewhat unusually, I actually like the fact that The Nadler Soho has no amenities that might have you trapped within the confines of the building. They partner with a host of local businesses offering complimentary or discounted services. So no gym, but then a Marshall Street Leisure Centre pass is included. MY SOHO TIMES

Ideal for pulling an all-night work marathon without disturbance... or a night on the town treat to feel the energy of Soho! And also no restaurant or room service, but do you really need them when you can get 20% off at Ceviche, or a a complimentary Pisco Sour cocktail on arrival at Chotto Matte? And the same goes if you decided to use this stay as a work-focused get away - why have the distractions? If anything, taking a break for a stroll in the fresh air (well, let's let's leave it at air - this is Soho after all), will do you some good, and who knows, Soho's weird and wonderful characters could provide a much needed source of inspiration. When you finally do decide to get some sleep, cozying up in The Nadler Soho hotel room offers a few of its own charms. I loved my handwritten thank you note with a bottle of wine and a box of Nadler Hotels’ Harry Specters Chocolates. The hotel rooms are designed to offer maximum functionality, even where they lack space (basic kitchen facilities are tucked away behind sliding door for example). Overall, my night night at the Nadler Soho was a welcome treat. I know where to book into next time I have a deadline to meet!

The Soho Girl: a night in The Nadler Soho

Use code 'PARTNER' to get 10% discount. www.nadlerhotels.com 10 Carlisle St, Soho, W1D 3BR www.nadlerhotels.com Written by Kai Lutterodt | IG: @the.soho.girl

DINNER DATE WITH THE SOHO GIRL at INKO NITO: My unexpected vegan date One of the perks that comes with my role as editor of a magazine is the opportunity to feed my foodie persona! For this date night, I invite Estelle, a model from Paris living in London. What I didn't realise however is that she's vegan. Tricky, I thought, for a restaurant specialising in grills. Luckily, INKO NITO had us sorted! What was your favourite dish? The chargrilled broccolis were undoubtedly some of the best I’ve ever tasted. I did not expect that all. The sweetness of the onion sauce was the cherry on the cake When did you become vegan and why? In mid- 2017 I had a spiritual awakening and started asking myself questions about how I could make this world a better place. Veganism is something I'm passionate about and I’d like to raise awareness and educate people around me on how it works in dayto-day life. How easy is it for you to find vegan dishes in restaurants? It's much easier today to find vegan options on the menu than it was two years ago. Demand equals supply. The more customers ask for a vegan option, the more restaurants are going to consider re-thinking their menus. It's the same for gluten-free options. How do you make being vegan a lifestyle? A vegan lifestyle isn't all about food, contrary to popular assumptions. It’s also about ethics. It's also the clothes we wear, the cosmetics we use, the activities we take part in. These all need to be taken into consideration. Read about our full dinner date experience at www.mysohotimes.co.uk/dinner-date

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NIEVES BARRAGAN:

On gaining a Michelin Star, growing up in her mum’s kitchen and giving back

A rising star in London’s culinary orbit, chef Nieves Barragan Mohacho is a Spaniard with an infectious smile, boundless energy and a love for food that has earned her and her team at Sabor restaurant a much prized Michelin Star. I met Nieves in Bangladesh where we visited refugee camps for the displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar with Action Against Hunger. Nieves is an enthusiastic supporter, and we formed an instant friendship, cemented over evening meals in the suffocating Bangladeshi heat. I'd heard so much about Sabor that I was intrigued and keen to visit. Sabor is a restaurant Nieves with her business partner José Etura opened in Heddon Street (off Regent Sreet) almost two years ago. This is where flavour meets a unique personality, in the heart of London's West End. Witten by Ivo Belohoubek | @dogoodfilmsworldwide

MY SOHO TIMES

El SABOR SABOR IS SPANISH FOR FLAVOUR “This was the first site we saw when we looked for a place” José explains. "In Heddon Street you can feel like you are in Spain. And this space with its beautiful bricks felt very rustic and Spanish.” Nieves and José met at London’s acclaimed Barrafina restaurants, where Nieves was Executive Chef for the group for nine years. In 2014 Barrafina Soho was awarded a Michelin Star for under her watch. The pair both come from Spain, Nieves from Bilbao and José from Valladolid in Castile. They founded Sabor in 2018, with the aim of taking their diners on a journey from the tapas bars of Andalucía via the asadors of Castile, all the way to the seafood restaurants of Galicia. When you get into Sabor you could be forgiven for thinking you have been transported into Spain. The place is abuzz, and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed. It feels down to earth compared with many top end eateries, with people sitting comfortably at large tables in the upstairs restaurant or at the counter downstairs. Instead of the isolation of tables for two, you become a part of an ongoing celebration of Spanish cuisine: A fiesta de Sabor! The open kitchen radiates inclusion as waiting staff weave in and out amongst the tables with smiles on their faces - and the skill of slalom skier. Spanish food is the core of Sabor’s DNA. From its origins in Nieves’ mother’s Basque kitchen, through its rustic décor to its layout. “There are three distinct areas reminiscent of different parts of Spain,” José shows me around. “The downstairs bar takes you to Southern Spain where you can sip Sangria while waiting for a seat. The counter with its open kitchen is all about seafood from Costa Verde and other parts of Northern Spain.” El Asador upstairs is the only place in Sabor where you can pre book (downstairs is first come first serve) and that’s where the magic happens. The Segovian Suckling pig roasted in a wood fired oven is definitely Sabor’s signature dish as well as the pulpo a feira, croquettes, and other Spanish classics. If you think you know Spanish food then this place is for you. Not because it will fundamentally change your view of Spanish cuisine, but because you will probably have some of your best tapas, your best pork, seafood or beef here. And to add to that some unexpected gems like goats cheese ice cream. Yes, you read it right - it shouldn’t work but it does! Eating at Sabor means you are as close to the action as it gets. The chefs cook in front of you, the waiting staff dance around you in the tight space between tables with plates full of food and enthusiastically recommend their favourites. The team vibe is that of staff who enjoy their job and take pride in doing it well. “You need to be their friend, their family.” Nieves explains. “They call me mommy Nieves! We do a lot together, we all sit down together for breakfast and dinner. With the open plan at Sabor, there is no front and back of house, we are one team.” WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Cooking the best food means using prime ingredients, which means fresh. That’s why the core menu is simple but the specials - fish, shellfish and other treats, change daily depending on what can best be procured at the market in the morning. FROM MUM’S KITCHEN TO MICHELIN STAR Nieves’ food career and philosophy is firmly rooted in her own childhood. “I grew up in my mum’s kitchen. She cooked with everything: liver, kidneys, brains. She gave me small jobs so I was involved from a very young age. Over breakfast we were already talking about what we were going to have for lunch. And before lunch was finished, we were already planning dinner.” Almost as a testament to that, the Michelin Star arrived quickly - within one year. Sabor however, is not a once in a lifetime tick on a list of expensive indulgences. With it's delicious food and warm atmosphere, it's simple a place you will want to come back to again and again.

GIVING BACK Nieves is an enthusiastic ambassador for Action Against Hunger UK (AAH). In Bangladesh she was totally hands on with the giant pots of simple food that fed tens of thousands of Rohingyas every week. During autumn Sabor participates in the charity’s Love Food, Give Food campaign, adding a pound to every bill that goes to the work AAH does around the world. Nieves regularly cooks at AAH’s events that help raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to secure the right nutrition for the world’s poorest. “I think as chefs we do this because it makes us feel good to see the difference we can make and it’s amazing to see that the generosity of people is still there. And we need to keep pushing.” You can find Sabor on Heddon Street, a stone's throw from Soho.

“We didn’t focus on getting a Michelin Star” Nieves tells me. “Of course I want to keep it and the whole team works for it hard.” Sabor doesn’t create elaborate plates that look amazing but fall apart the moment you put fork in the food. "Sabor is all about the flavour. What I wanted to achieve was our guests having an amazing time and when they go out of the door, they want to come back. When people talk about the great time they had at Sabor, that’s the best feeling you can have as a person, as a chef and as a team.” With the coveted Michelin Star Nieves knows all too well that talent on its own is not enough. “There is a big difference between love of cooking and being a chef. As a chef, you have to stay focused, you have to become a leader.” When Nieves started, she was often the only woman in the kitchen but thankfully times are changing now. The conversations have evolved and the machismo and chauvinism of the high end food industry are becoming a thing of the past. Women are claiming their place in the limelight."

35-37 Heddon St, Mayfair, London W1B 4BR www.saborrestaurants.co.uk

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BUY FRESH THIS FESTIVE SEASON BERWICK STREET MARKET

Wandering around a market, coffee in hand, looking for the perfect bouquet of flowers, some beautifully ripe peaches and topping it off with a tasty takeaway from a food stall, is one of my favourite things to do in London – and you won’t find a better spot for it than Soho’s own Berwick Street Market. Situated in the heart of Soho, this historic market is one of the oldest in London, dating back to 1778. The most special part of the market is the independent traders selling fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. Many of these vendors have sold at the market their whole lives, and some families have been vendors for generations. You’ll find the most beautiful bouquets made from an array so seasonal flowers at Ronnie’s Flowers – the oldest floral market stall in central London. “We’ve been here since 1959," owner Mark tells us. "Started with my dad Ronnie, now I’m running it, and I just hope we can continue for a long time to come."

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Local vendor Anna described Soho as a “microcosm of London”, and highlighted Berwick Street Market as a piece of local history. She explained that the market used to be a mix of fresh produce, flowers, bread products and book stalls – but in recent years, many of the traditional stalls have had to close up shop and new stalls selling an array of prepared food have taken their place. Robin of Soho Dairy, who has had a stall selling locally sourced dairy products at Berwick Street Market since 2013, has campaigned on behalf of the market and its traders for years. He tells My Soho Times, “The market has a fantastic history and is culturally vital – a commitment to the market is a commitment to Soho.” Berwick Street Market is an important slice of Soho’s history and the wide variety of choice and great quality of food, veg and flowers makes this the perfect spot for an authentic, affordable London market experience.

Written by Maria Vole | IG: @miamariasv Photograpgy by Ari Gurdon Lindey | @ari55

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FERNANDEZ & WELLS DOES GOOD COFFEE... AND FINE

While the initial two cafes were located in Soho central (Lexington and Beak Streets), when the time came for further expansion the decision was made to venture outwards.

Today

establishments

are

the

four

situated

Fernandez in

Somerset

Wells House,

Exhibition Road, Dover Street and finally the Denmark Street premises, their last Soho bastion.

The name Fernandez & Wells. Ring any bells? Trigger

This choice of location – after the closure of the two

any memories of a glass of white and a light bite,

original venues - was an almost serendipitous one, as

followed by an aromatic, artisan coffee sipped in a café bar strongly reminiscent of one you frequented on a recent European trip?

Wells explains: “We came across this across this because we opened a big place in Somerset House. Over the years, we spent a lot of time walking between the two

Just for you, MST decided to do a little detective work, which led us to Soho’s own Tin Pan Alley - Denmark Street and genial former journalist Rick Wells, the guvnor. He parted company with original co-founder Jorge Fernandez a few years ago now but the name endures, as does the ever-popular combination of

locations and we noticed this site, which had been a job centre specialising in the catering trade, coincidentally. I love it because it’s a very historic area of London - you’ve got St Giles’s Church, Centrepoint and the street itself Tin Pan Alley and guitar shops, It’s got a real sense of history and people know it for that. It is changing

simple food, wine and coffee.

though… the whole of Denmark St is being refurbished

Wells explains its provenance: “The concept came

but hopefully it will be a lovely area when it’s finished.

from a creative standpoint, not so much a business

Just got to be patient.”

so it’s really been quite tough for the last year or two year

plan. When Jorge and I met in 2006 the independent coffee revolution was just starting; we added to that

And while you’re waiting… the cheese board and a nice

the idea of simple, good quality foods that we loved -

rioja perhaps?

good bread, good cheese, good ham, good wine. What you might like to have at home but we would

Written by Gillian Smith

share with friends and customers. So it was a very

Fernandez & Wells

unpretentious notion.”

1-3 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LP

And it’s a notion that’s endured. The menu has stayed largely the same over the more than decade that’s passed

since

Fernandez

Wells

began.

impeccable range of cured meats, chorizos and morcillas from the Iberian Peninsula and Italy is complemented by a seasonally changing array of cheeses from all over Europe. When it comes to wine, Wells is a huge fan of the continental

variety. “I’ve

always

seen

wines

something you have with food so for me European wines generally tend to be more subtle and gentle, particularly in terms of alcohol, so the other flavours don’t overwhelm the food.I also bear in mind the menu when it comes to pairing.

We’re not a

restaurant, we just have simple cafe style food. So you might have sardines on toast and to go with that a nice dry wine from Northern Spain, Galicia for example. That’s the kind of thing I always have in mind.”

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Let's do brunch

at My Place

If you want to experience the real Soho, it makes sense to go where the locals go. And this little gem has fast become a local hangout from morning to night, that it's difficult to believe it's only been around for five years. My Place is the ideal location for your spot of brunch by a window whilst people watching out onto Berwick Street's market. Or hide away at the back area for a more intimate date setting. If you're a breakfast or lunch person (or somewhere in between) - you're in luck as they offer a wide selection of hearty brunch selections with a curated cocktail menu to match... At My Place, there's no judging if you have a cheeky 11am cocktail on a weekend - or weekday! Whether you visit for an expert cup of coffee and pastries or a relaxed evening date with a pick from sharing platters and a glass of wine, My Place Soho hits all the right spots with a warmth that makes people feel completely at home. This is a place where the barista knows your name and remembers your favourite dish. While their equipment is state of the art, the interior is reminiscent of old Soho charm with an environmentally friendly spirit; as is evidenced by the use of recycled design details and walls featuring an array of artworks by local artists. Maintaining its rank in the top places for Brunch in Soho, it's a no brainer... Let's do brunch at My Place.

table for 2

Treat yourself to the seasonal Winter Special; grilled Goat’s cheese, beetroot and perfectly poached eggs. Or go for something more classic like the Eggs Royale; poached eggs with delicious smoked salmon on toasted sourdough bread smothered with a healthy serving of hollandaise sauce. My place is well known for it's brilliant coffee - and that also extends to their espresso martini! MY SOHO TIMES

My Place Soho 21 Berwick St, Soho W1F 0PZ www.myplacesoho.com 23

Suited & Booted:

The Art of Looking Dapper Soho’s larger-than-life personalities are the stuff of legends. Artists, bohemians, musicians, and mavericks of all persuasions have long called Soho’s narrow streets their home. Even though many are being driven out by the relentless commercial pressures, there are still those who stand the test of time... After 35 years in the business, Mark Powell upholds class and style.

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Mark Powell wears his own design and Ascot Shoes. Photography by Lewis Inman | @lewisinman_ Words by Ivo Belohoubek | @dogoodfilmsworldwide MY SOHO TIMES

Few people embody Soho’s unique position in London – and the world - as well as Mark Powell. A tailor to the stars, he oozes class in his stylish suit - accessorised with cufflinks and a neat hanky - as he greets customers at his Mark Powell Bespoke shop on Marshall Street. An East End boy, Mark has the charisma of a cockney geezer that puts you both in your place and at ease simultaneously. His clients range from global A-listers to local personalities, from Mick Jagger and George Clooney to George Skeggs aka Soho George. His life story has all the ingredients of a unputdownable memoir.

ON HIS OWN TERMS Mark did a stint as a night club owner, but went back into bespoke tailoring in his studio in D’Arblay Street in the 1990s and his career took off. “I had them all coming in: Naomi Campbell, George Michael, Brian Ferry.” In the early 90s Mark starred in several episodes of the Soho Stories: an early reality TV series based on Soho characters. “There is an episode called Brush With the Law, where I get done for a driving offence” he laughs. “The cliffhanger at the end of the episode is whether I go to prison or make it to a fashion show.”

“Some people have got style while others may wear the most fashionable or expensive gear from head to toe and there would still be something not quite right with it. It’s being easy with yourself really... Dapper is style, elegance and coordination. Dapper is looking sharp.”

Mark is a maverick and his life is a testament to it. “I was doing things on my own terms. I wasn’t playing games or kissing arses, I wasn’t part of a NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION clique.” His philosophy would sound like a cliché if Mark’s creative journey started with the subculture of it wasn’t rigorously tested by his own life story. the 1970s, when new fashion styles meant alterations “You do things the way you want to and believe you and improvisations. “I was too young to be the original can do it!" skinhead but I was certainly a suede head smoothie. And when I wanted a double breasted jacket for the ON LOOKING DAPPER Gatsby look, I had one made; when I was a soul boy "There is an art to having style” Mark spills his secrets. and needed peg trousers, I went to a tailor’s.” At the “It has to look easy. You don’t have to look too tryage of 24 Mark got his own shop (in true Soho style his hard.” And if you want a proof, just look at Mark Powell. landlord ran sex shops around Old Compton Street) The suit, the shoes, the hanky, the cufflinks… They all and the Mark Powell brand started to take shape. “At suit him like a second skin and one would struggle to this age you have the confidence to do it,” he laughs, imagine Mark looking anything other than dapper. His “we had no money and we were winging it.” style is effortlessly class.

“Bespoke tailoring is a dying craft.” One might think that these words from a guru of bespoke tailoring is equivalent to throwing the towel in the ring or going on a trip down the memory lane. “People want an instant hit and don’t have time to wait for an expensive bespoke suit.” But Mark is not a man stuck in the past. He is handy with his Instagram, comfortable with the change and enjoys embracing the times. He has designed his own ready-to-wear range and has a few words for those blaming the times. “Having a shop in the centre of town is difficult,” he admits, “But when you had things in your life like I had, you just have to adapt. People complain about how corporate everything is nowadays. And you know what, it is! You have to embrace it because it’s not going away.”

EMBRACING CHANGE

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SOHO 2020 VISION Mark has seen Soho evolving throughout the decades and just like time, he has no intention to slow down. “Soho has always had a strong individual identity and has been home to mavericks and individuals. There is - and will be - some of that still going on.” People forget that Soho is also a residential area, Mark calls it a village, "full of characters and they are not going away.” According to Mark the key is to keep the identity of the place and nurture the nonconformists.

“I see young people doing interesting and important things for the area. I hope Soho will remain a friendly place for individuality.”

MY SOHO TIMES

Mark Powell outside his shop Photo: Kai Lutterodt | @the.soho.girl

Mark Powell Bespoke Tailoring 2 Marshall Street, Soho, W1F 9BA www.markpowellbespoke.co.uk WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

THE NEW ARRIVAL ON OLD COMPTON STREET... MY SOHO TIMES

SPECIALISING IN JAPAN'S LONG STANDING TRADITION OF CHARCOAL COOKING

ROBATA meaning ‘fireside’ specialises in robata grilled charcoal cooking, a Japanese tradition that was first introduced by ancient fishermen who took boxes of hot coals with them on their boats to warm their food as they gathered their day’s catch. While the cooking method has largely stayed the same, the menu is a modern interpretation of some of Japan’s most prized dishes as well as a number of ROBATA signatures. The concept is straightforward; the menu is broken down into 5 sections where guests are advised to share a number of dishes between them. Sections include: Raws and Sushi, Small Plates, Bao Buns, Robata Skewers, and Robata Large. The Head Chef Charles Lee has worked in a number of Michelin starred restaurants during his career before arriving at ROBATA. Possessing a strong command of Asian cuisines from across the globe, Chef Lee has devised a menu which shows the diversity of the country’s food, highlighting traditional cooking techniques and contemporary flavours, along with using the best of British produce.”

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BRINGING THE FLAVOURS OF JAPAN TO THE HEART OF THE WEST END

The izakaya-style restaurant is not just a place to satisfy hunger cravings as the bar keeps guests well-oiled with its extensive selection of sake and sake-based cocktails. Alcoholic libations include: Sake Mojito (Sawanotsuru sake, jasmine syrup, lime juice and mint leaves); Ume Ocha (Umeshu plum sake, pineapple juice, peach liqueur and Sakura tea foam); and Umetini (Roku gin, Umeshu plum sake and orange bitters). ROBATA has sourced some of the finest sake, and proudly stocks a selection of old favourites along with new editions. ROBATA is an independent restaurant where each menu item is created with care, passion and love. Everything about this place is built on Japanese principles; friendly service, fresh food bursting with flavour, natural cooking techniques and food which is enjoyed with all five of the senses.

Monday – Friday 12:00 – 15:00, 17:00 – 11pm Saturday – Sunday 12:00 – 11pm *Friday & Saturday Evening – 11:30pm*

56 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 4UE 020 7287 5766 www.robata.co.uk MY SOHO TIMES

The gift of the word...

Tipping the Scales lifetsyle blogger, Sabrina Hamilton shares her 'must-reads', which also double up as great gift ideas.

For The London Girl… Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams This book follows 20-something Brixton-born Queenie as she navigates through family, dating, friendships and career whilst battling some childhood demons. With Brixton’s West Indian community as its backdrop, the book successfully highlights gentrification, racism, and the community’s thoughts on mental health. Through it all, the book is wickedly funny, I’m talking laugh-out-loud-on-the-tube funny.

For The Risk Taker... Be More Pirate by Sam Conniff Allende To be clear, we’re not talking about murderous kidnappers, or fictional walk-the-plankers. The OG pirates were the original industry disruptors. They didn’t like the way their ships were being run, so they went off, did their own thing and were successful too. In this book, entrepreneur Sam Conniff explains how we can all learn a thing or two from a bit of pirate mentality.

For the Romantic Feminist... Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ifemelu - the protagonist - is one of the strongest people I ‘know.’ I fell in love with her, wanted her to be my best friend and rooted for her all the way. Americanah is a passionate love story. It tells the tale of family adoration, flirtations with a new city, the fondness for the place you call home and the one true love you never let go of.

For the Budding Activist... Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling In this current climate - a story about a group of school kids taking on the evils of the world and winning couldn’t be more pertinent. Plus, it is magical, fun and always feels like Christmas!

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For the Young Reader... Oh My Gods (OMGs) by Alexandra Sheppard This debut YA novel from Alexandra Sheppard has been showered with awards nominations, and incredible reviews since it was released. It’s a coming of age novel following teenage Helen - half mortal, half Greek god - as she moves in with her old dad and older sibling who just happen to be Greek gods living in London incognito. Throughout the book she works through keeping her family's secrets, trying to have a normal social life and what to do when she meets a cute boy!

For the Learner... Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge This book was born from a blog post written by the author in 2014 which ironically sparked hundreds of conversations, topics and a whole book on the very subject. Whether read by someone just beginning to awaken their thinking, or someone much further down the line - this book promises to be an enlightening read.

For the Beauty Queen… Palette by Funi Fetto Billed as the Beauty Bible for women of colour, Palette is a must for anyone wanting a definitive list of hair, skin and make-up products that really work for melanated skin and curly hair. As the Executive Editor and Beauty Director of Glamour UK, Funmi has earned her beauty strips. To top it all off each product is elegantly illustrated, making it the perfect coffee table book for the fashionista in your life.

For The Instagrammer... An American Marriage by Tayari Jones This book received critical acclaim, went on to win the Women’s Prize for Fiction and has had is gorgeous orange and blue cover plastered all over instagram. It’s a sad story of wrongful conviction, torn relationships and what it really means to be married. The characters are so well rounded, there is no clear right or wrong, no definite heroine or hero - just humans doing human things.

Written by Sabrina Hamilton | IG: @iamsabrinaham

My Soho Times on the radio

Hosted by The Soho Girl

Tune in for the new monthly show starting 19th November 2019 www.mysohotimes.co.uk/radio-show MY SOHO TIMES

Mr Mullan's General Store YOUR ONE-STOP-SHOP THIS FEASTIVE SEASON... AND BEYOND!

Soho has its own mini version of Covent Garden’s

Unlike Father Christmas though, Mr Mullan is also an

Neal’s Yard, it comes in the form of Smith’s Court, a

international hairstylist and creator of skin and hair

hidden gem just off Brewer Street. Within the quaint

care brand Mr Mullan's Apothecary. “Working in the

courtyard space, home to a select few retail, food

hair industry for 26 years, I just wasn’t happy with what

and

Store.

I was achieving with the products I was using so I

independent

started playing around with my own in the kitchen at

beauty

Number

units, is

lies Mr Mullan’s

a one-stop

shop

General

for

fashion and lifestyle brands you won’t find on the

home.

High Street. If you're lucky enough to pick the right

developed into its own brand.” All beard oils and

day

waxes

you

might

meet

its

namesake

owner,

And

over

are

the past five years

made

from

John Mullan who, with a little bit of Christmas magic

and Mullan is

products for grooming needs.

could

easily

pass

for

modern

day

Santa

developing

natural even

that’s

kind

ingredients

wider

range

Claus. With his signature groomed beard, friendly persona and Harley Sleigh-vidson parked outside the

Intrinsic

store, his

stocked

sustainability. “I

brands.

natural,

with

emporium

personally

is a

sourced

Santa’s

Grotto

independent

his

products

wanted

sustainable,

clean

the

concept

something

and

good

that

was

for

the

Mullan's inspiration comes both from the people he

environment. We believe in refills as well. All of our

works with and the destinations he's travelled to.

packaging uses as little plastic as possible, so we rely

“They’re

on glass. We’re not trying to re-invent the wheel, we’re

France,

just do things a little differently.” Tis the season to be

Sweden, England - all over. Things that you won’t

jolly… so drop by and support independent businesses

find in your average shop.”

not just for Christmas, but throughout the year.

take

kind

products

from

international Japan,

America,

Get 10% off on Mr Mullan’s skin and haircare

Written by Kai Lutterodt | @the.soho.girl Photography by Ari Gurdon Lindey | @ari55

range when you mention ‘My Soho Times’!

18 Smith's Ct, Soho, London W1D 7DP www.mrmullans.com WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Your guide through Soho

You might think you know Soho, but Nika Garret is guaranteed to show you something you’ve never seen before in the capital's former hunting ground of centuries ago. Specialising in delivering tailored guided tours around London, especially in Soho, her 'love affair' with the area started in 2011 when she was commissioned to deliver a tour specifically about Victorian Soho for a group of secondary school students studying The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad. Today Nikka incorporates her passions for coffee, history, art and quirky tales into bespoke tours. I joined Nika for an express Soho tour starting at Soho Square and ending at My Place Soho. And I have to admit, I am one of those people who thought they knew Soho, but it turns out there's much more beneath the surface... Secrets of Soho Once a grazing farmland, it was taken as a royal park by Henry VIII. It is said that Soho was named after a hunting call! Soho in London became famous all around the world and gave its name to similar areas in the cities like; New York, Hong Kong, Palermo and Buenos Aires. Here in London's Soho you can listen to tales about kings, artists, actors, anarchists, booksellers, heroes, Huguenots, inventors, lovers, losers, musicians, murderers, mistresses, painters, prostitutes, restaurateurs, writers...

Soho Coffee A fascinating tour full of the history of coffee in Soho. Discover when the very first espresso bar in London opened and where you can find the oldest Gaggia machine. Step into a Victorian shop and enjoy possibly the cheapest and one of the best ‘take away’ coffees in the area. Discover where you can get your cappuccino at 5 or 7am in the morning. Listen to the tales of coffee and rock n’ roll of the 1950s and meet Soho writers, artists, eccentrics and coffee enthusiasts in their favourite haunts today.

Georgian Soho tour Discover 18th century Soho and meet some of the fascinating characters of Georgian era. Listen to the story of London's first 'private' club. Find out where famous visitors like Casanova and Mozart stayed in Soho. Listen to the story of the notorious Chevalier d'Eton a spy, writer, swordsman and a transvestite, who lived here as a woman for over 30 years. Meet 18th most famous, talented and clever woman painter Angelica Kauffman who amassed a fortune and fell victim to a bigamous conman. Finally, imagine travelling in a sedan chair past some of the rare 18th century architecture that you can still find in Soho.

David Bowie Explore how Soho shaped David Bowie's career. Bowie was only 14 when he was first introduced to Soho and its artistic and possibly also seedy places by his older half - brother Terry. In the 1960s Soho was a creative hub. It was a place where you could get inspired, meet other musicians, agents and journalists, buy your instruments, play gigs, record your music and obviously let your hair down. Soho was an exciting place of endless opportunities.

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Did You Know... The space beneath Soho Square was used as a bomb shelter. Leslie Hardcastle from the Soho Society remembers that: "It could take about 150 to 200 people initially although that became less when they put tiers of bunks in. The only facility was a toilet and it could get quite smelly with all the people down there." In 2015 there were reports that Westminster Council offered the space for sale.

Photography by Kai Lutterodt | @the.soho.girl

www.mylondonwalks.co.uk MY SOHO TIMES

Ray Jones is

The Talent Banqer

He has earned the nickname 'Mr London' for his hard graft in the hospitality and entertainment industry over the decades. At My Soho Times, we call him The Talentbanqer... Ray Jones is on a mission to bring great live music to unexpected venues across London!

Written by Kai Lutterodt and Ivo Belohoubek Photography by Ari Gurdon Lindey Ray Jones walks into L’Escargot restaurant bang on time. Of course, I made sure to be there earlier as if there’s anything I know about Ray, he’s punctual - and if he gives you his time, he must like you. I sit wondering how he does it - radiate such warmth and humour, as he jokes with the waiter. For years Ray has been my mentor and friend, an advisor and listening ear, so it was only a matter of time I'd one day turn the tables to find out how a London boy of humble Irish heritage honed his craft in the West End hospitality industry and earned himself the nickname Mr London. Other work hats he’s worn include business developer (he’s closely linked with Time Out) and CEO of TalentBanq, a live music agency that represents some of the best independent and emerging musicians out there. Ray Jones has an eye for spotting talent, which to me makes him the Talentbanqer.

MAGIC TOUCH Ray’s life story will one day become a memoir worth reading. He is one of the lucky people who turns his passions into opportunities. His beginnings in the hospitality industry made him one of the youngest head concierges of his generation at the age of 21. In 1988 he took on an empty office in Piccadilly Circus with no money and no business plan but a passion for theatre and 9 years later he sold his successful business packaging hotel accommodation and experiences. Dubbed “Mr London”, Ray continued to build up an empire selling London attractions, tickets, restaurants, travel, you name it - “If it happened in London, we were involved in it!” he exclaims. It was no surprise then to anyone that Time Out London headhunted Ray to help build the business - and Ray developed his love for live events.

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“I loved TimeOut because our readers wanted us to be adventurous.” he confides. With his finger firmly on the pulse of London and a penchant for cultural innovation, Ray’s latest entrepreneurial path has led to another project that he hopes will excite London audiences.

“We collaborate, not compete” explains Ray. “We don’t want to be stepping on toes of other promoters of new music talent and that’s why Talenbanq has opened two new intimate venues where people can experience live music in a unique way.”

THE TALENT BANQER Ray’s latest venture - Talentbanq - combines his passion for music and live events with an unparalleled knowledge of the London scene. It is an agency for new, raw and unsigned musicians and bands. “We didn’t follow any established business model. It’s a completely novel scheme for discovering, nurturing and promoting unsigned talent and making them available to play wherever needed.”

For 2020 Talentbanq is planning to bring to the stage some of the biggest names of the next decade in music - being fashioned in the Talentbanq laboratory as we speak. And on Ray’s 2020 vision for Soho? “The first thing is that L’escargot won’t have changed. It will still be this beautiful, comfortable, bohemian hangout. And I hope that that applies for the rest of Soho too.” For Talentbanq events and news visit www.talentbanq.com Location of interview: L'escargot, 48 Greek St, Soho, W1D 4EF

MY SOHO TIMES

Lights, Cabaret, Action!

THE LONDON CABARET CLUB SCENE Written by Syahna Yahya | IG: @syahnayahya

It’s 1886 and Le Chat Noir has just opened its doors in the bohemian district of Paris known as Montmartre. Initially home to poetry readings, shadow plays and comedy skits, it was quickly replaced by what we know primarily as Cabaret today - the somewhat infamous Moulin Rouge. Scantily clad dancers graced the stage entertaining their wealthy and predominantly aristocratic audience, dreaming up their wildest fantasies, as they enjoy dinner with a glass of red on the side. As the first of its kind, the original Modern French Cabaret, it was a huge success. Almost a century and a half later, the hottest ticket in town hereabouts is an enactment of the three longest-reigning queens of England dancing their way across the stage as part of the latest concept from the London Cabaret Club. Evidently Cabaret is far from being an artefact of a bygone era. The word Cabaret encapsulates the art of performance from burlesque dance to firebreathing shows, leaving a great deal of room for interpretation. It could be your earliest memory of seeing can-can dancers on stage or a first trip to a strip club. The art form has successfully retained the interest of patrons in almost every corner of the globe.

London itself is no stranger to the scene, with the very first Cabaret and Jazz Club, Murray’s, being introduced in Soho’s Beak Street in 1913. The club was known to have been one of the driving forces behind the Swinging 60s with its risqué performances and homage to its Parisian roots. Now, of course, it is sadly a thing of the past with its closure in 1975. Founders of London Cabaret Club Evelina Girling and Doni Fierro saw this gap in the market long before they could have envisioned the huge success they have today. “The days of people going out dining and being entertained seem to be a forgotten pleasure from the day television came along, and we really wanted to bring it back.” says Evelina. Initially hitting London’s entertainment scene six years ago as a pop-up before finding a home in the Bloomsbury Ballroom, the Cabaret has both a traditional and a uniquely modern twist to it. With this newer incarnation, performances are curated to mirror the state of our vastly changing society. “There’s so much misconception with the word Cabaret nowadays. Yes, striptease can be a part of it but what we’re proud of, what we’re here to show is that we are in this new age where an attractive girl doesn’t need to be half topless to be

be called beautiful - to have the audience applaud her, ” Doni remarks. Along with their commentary on the current state of society, they strive to capture the true essence of British culture. “I think both of us being foreigners knew what Britain looked like from an outsiders perspective which is why our whole show is about showcasing the often overlooked potency of British talent and incorporating British themes.” Taking notes from Brit-pop through the years with music from artists such as Jessie J and Ed Sheeran integrated into the performances, as well as Bollywood-style segments commemorating India’s influence on Britain, you’d better believe this is no boring history lesson. For all we know (what with the competitive nature of the entertainment business) the day may come when people will no longer enjoy the simple pleasures of a tasty meal and a riveting show, but as it's looking now, the curtains aren’t closing anytime soon… What's On this Winter... This winter step into a glittery and magical wonderland for a unique entertainment experience as The London Cabaret Club presents 'A Gatbsy Christmas'.

The Bloomsbury Ballroom Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, WC1B 4DA www.thelondoncabaretclub.com WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Oh come all ye faithful... SOHO IS THE PLACE TO FIND FAITH

ST. ANNE'S CHURCH

THE HOUSE OF ST BARNABAS

BY REV'D SIMON BUCKLEY RECTOR OF ST ANNE'S CHURCH, SOHO

BY KAI LUTTERODT | @THE.SOHO.GIRL

St Anne’s is the oldest centre of religious faith in Soho. Though the building is relatively new, having been completely rebuilt in 1991 (50 years after its destruction in the blitz) there has been a St Anne’s on Dean Street since 1686. It was the church that founded the local primary school in 1699 and fortunately both church and school continue to thrive. Now of course the Church of England is not the only Christian denomination in Soho, nor indeed is it the only religion. Soho is often viewed as a very secular neighbourhood and not generally seen as being a magnet for the religiously-inclined. But the truth is that in despite the hustle of this part of London, behind the façade of the few remaining sex shops and day-glo doorways, above the bubble tea emporia and outside of the heaving cocktail bars, are ordinary people living their day to day lives. Lives touched by illness and grief, loneliness and self-doubt to which the Christian faith can try to offer help, answers or even just companionship as we work out what being human, and indeed divine, is really all about.

55 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 6AF www.stannes-soho.org.uk

The House of St Barnabas located on Greek Street has a long and rich history in Soho, having stood as a house of charity since the mid 19th Century. Today, it is a social enterprise members’ club which supports its Employment Academy created to break the cycle of homelessness. With a ‘secret’ chapel located at the back still in use, I was intrigued to learn about how 'the House' still brings a sense of faith to those who come through. I met with Jenny Barley, HoSB’s Membership Community Manager to learn more about how 'the House' brings a sense of faith to its community. "When the time came for us to open this as a private members’ club it seemed very natural for us to continue that connection with charity, because it’s been established in Soho for so long as a house of charity. Consequently the private members club here is a pioneering social business. The private members club funds the Employment Academy on the second floor of the House, which is working to break the cycle of homelessness by virtue of an 8-9 week programme, which takes a really holistic approach to providing programme participants with the support and training they need to find lasting paid employment. The chapel has always been integrated into what the House does, no matter what it’s done over the years. And now in terms of what we do here, there is still an element of faith or spirituality. We’re all about community and I think at its core, that is what a lot of faith and spirituality is about.”

1 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4NQ www.hosb.org.uk MY SOHO TIMES

SOHO RECOVERY CENTRE ANONYMOUS

Soho is a yin and yang universe. Crowds of tourists bring pick pockets and beggars, night economy feeds vices like drugs and sex. With Soho’s hedonistic image come those who abuse alcohol and drugs. I am not here to point a moralistic finger at those battle with addictions. I am one of them. And no, we are not just the few who sleep on park benches in Soho Square. We are parents, teachers, decorators, artists and millionaires. Addiction crosses party lines and social class. I am one of the thousands of anonymous addicts, alcoholics, bulimics or sex addicts – you name it - who walk Soho’s streets every day with a new lease of life in sobriety. FESTIVE & SOBER The festive season has been an ambivalent time for me for a long time. First it was a ticket to guilt free oblivion with parties galore. Everyone gets smashed so I was allowed. Except that I didn’t stop with the morning hangover. I went on and on, days turned into weeks long binges and mornings into rituals of self-loathing. In early recovery the party season was a minefield. Should I go, fight peer pressure and risk a relapse? Or should I stay home and be a scrooge? I obsessed about having to explain I no longer neck double gins and tonic from lunchtime. The more time has passed since my last drink, the less I care what people think. I have a life, career, kids who love me and a partner who is proud of who I am becoming. I also have thousands of friends who meet and support each other all over the world. Will I be joining the party crowd? Maybe. I will keep it in the day and if I feel like it, join in with my tonic water. And if people ask me why I don’t drink I tell them I stopped a few years back. They won’t hear a lecture from me about my mad years in addiction and hopefully I won’t hear the broken record about their own drinking habits. And if I feel like not going out I won’t. I have the freedom to choose now without being a slave to substance that almost killed me more than once. The amazing thing is most people don’t give a toss whether I will get smashed at a party or not. HOPE & RECOVERY Where there is madness of addiction, there is also serenity of recovery. I made Soho my home in sobriety and discovered a new world or church halls filled with hope and like-minded crowd of people in recovery.The Soho Recovery Centre is without doubt recovery’s beating heart with dozens of meetings every week for all of us who want to kick addiction, whether we are men, women, black or gay, addicted to alcohol, cocaine, food or sex, we are all welcome without judgment. Perhaps you are not an addict or an alcoholic and I salute you. You may be one of those who hover in the twilight not sure if you are fine or have a problem. I wish you best of luck navigating the Christmas parties without harm or embarrassment once you had few too many. Or maybe you feel like you are losing control, and trust me I know it how that feels and it sucks. What if you knew there's someone willing be a listening ear over a hot drink? CHOOSE LIFE I have made peace with the world and no longer blame the bars that got me drunk, or people, or money stress for driving me to drink. If you think you may have a problem with addiction, Soho Recovery Centre is a good place to start and is open every day of the year, including Christmas day. Don't lose faith... 123 Charing Cross Rd, Soho, WC2H 0EW www.sohorecoverycentre.org

THE LAST SOHO SYNAGOGUE BY TONY SHRIMPLIN | @THEMUSEUMOFSOHO

In March 2020 the Soho Theatre will have been at 21 Dean Street for 20 years. The theatre had been awarded an £8 million lottery grant in 1996 and through this and matchfunding it was able to open a purpose-built 150-seat venue in 2000. What most people don’t know it that prior to its current incarnation, the site was home to the West End Synagogue (West End Talmud Torah) which was established in 1880 at 10 Green's Court and then Manette Street, before eventually moving to 21 Dean Street in 1941. There has been a Jewish presence in Soho since the 17th Century; rate books of St Anne’s Parish show that during the 1750’s there were Jews living in Berwick Street, Broad Street, Carnaby Street, Great Windmill Street, Greek Street and Rupert Street. In the latter part of the 19th Century, Jewish refugees arrived from Eastern Europe fleeing the pogroms and persecution of Czar Alexander III. Many settled in Soho, forming their own neighbourhood. Berwick Street Market was predominantly Yiddish-speaking from the 1890’s right up to the first half of the 20th Century with more than 70% of the businesses being Jewish-owned. Tradesmen included tailors, dressmakers, cloth merchants, haberdashers, milliners and lace makers, many of whom worked long hours. There were also Jewish butchers, delicatessens and grocers. By the mid-nineteenth century many institutions were established in Soho, including The West Central Jewish Girls' Club founded at 71 Dean Street in 1893. Today there is little evidence of the once thriving Jewish community and Soho's last synagogue closed in May 1996, but if you ask nicely next time you visit the Soho Theatre you can see a ‘Mizrach’, a reminder of the theatre’s former use.

ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

St Patrick’s seeks to foster a strong sense of Catholic identity, offering Holy Masses everyday of the week. On a weekday lunchtime at 12.45pm you'll find Soho workers congregate in St Patrick's, a place of faith and refuge for afternoon Mass. If you're an early riser weekday morning Mass takes place at 8am. A Mass service in Spanish is given on Sunday at 6pm. "Faith to me means believing in God, believing in something which forms the bedrock of the universe which we can lean on and trust..." Shared Neil, a worshiper at St Patrick's. 21A Soho Square, Soho, W1D 4NR www.stpatricksoho.org

The Museum of Soho is an independent, communitybased group committed to creating a safe haven for artefacts, documents, etc, relating to Soho, London www.mosoho.org.uk WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

HOW MEDITATION CALMS THE MIND BY AMRU SABBAH| @OUR.SANGHA

DAILY PRACTICE OF YOGA BY JESSICA LEE | IG:@JESSICIALEE.YOGA A daily yoga and meditation practice doesn’t have to be a full 60mins asana class followed by sitting for 30minutes. It can be as simple as taking 3 yoga poses followed by a mindfulness meditation whilst having a cup of tea. Yoga and meditation go hand in hand supporting your wellbeing mentally and physically.Some people don’t realise that yoga was first created to help prepare the body and mind to sit for long times of meditation. They have been used as an alternative form of exercise to keep the mind and body healthy and happy. There are many different types of yoga and meditation practices. I strongly feel that there is a type for everyone, it’s simply a question of exploring and finding the one that suits you. Practicing yoga improves strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. Then meditation helps keep the mind sharp, relieves stress and anxiety, and can strengthen your immune system.

From the moment we open our eyes, we are being targeted by super computers that are carefully designed to keep us glued to them. We should have the choice, of directing our attention to what we believe it deserves. Its our attention that lets us focus on what is happening in the present moment, enjoy the time with our loved ones, intimate relationships and excel at our work. Measures which help us regain grasp over our attention are more vital than ever. One of these measures is Meditation. When we practice meditation, we allow our mind to get distracted and then we consciously bring it back to the point of focus, strengthening the concentration muscle. Other benefits of meditation are numerous and range from reducing stress to increasing grey matter in the brain. Our Sangha - Modern Spirited Community Our Sangha is a community and social tech startup, with a focus on connecting people through meditation. We believe in combining the benefits of healthy, genuine social connections and the practice of meditation. The benefits of group meditation open up a new range of social benefits as well. It supports in building a habit, it creates support networks especially in cities with low sense of community. Find out more about our open community on Instagram @our.sangha

RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE, SOHO BY KAI LUTTERODT | @THE.SOHO.GIRL It’s impossible to talk about faith in Soho without mentally hearing the sounds of Hare Krishna devotees joyfully singing and dancing through the streets of central London. So I met with Vayu-Das, a devotee from the Rahdha-Krishna Temple to learn more.

In a yoga class there is a focus to connecting with the breath and bringing your awareness into the body. This increased awareness helps to notice changes in your body which is only a good thing in tuning in when you’re feeling run down or in need of rest or even more movement then having the space to make adjustments or changes to help keep yourself in the best space. Jessica Lee teaches at MoreYoga Soho and runs her own yoga platform: www.jessicalee.yoga

ISLAMIC CENTRE SOHO The Islamic Centre located on Berwick Street, offers a central space for Muslims to visit for prayer. On a Friday you might see worshipers from the Islamic centre spill out into Berwick Street market to perform their prayers due to lack of space inside. The lack of space is also partly the reason for the scrutiny the centre has faced over the years for being a male-only Mosque. The centre shares that it is Sharia - Islamic law - to segregate men and women, however they do not have the space to do that. The Equality and Human Rights Commission says the mosque is not breaking any laws, as gender segregation is permissible during collective religious worship and the Charity Commission supports this. Islamic Centre Soho 10 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PH

For 50 years, the ISKCON ( International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Radha-Krishna Temple has served as a spiritual oasis for thousands of Londoners and visitors from all over the world. Originally located at Bury Place, the Temple moved to its current location on Soho Street in 1977. "If you ask me what this means to Soho, at that time Soho was quite artistic but also a dark area. There was a lot of prostitution and drug dealing. Wherever these kind of things occur, it's very important to counteract those activities with more elevated, spiritual ones. " Vayu-Das shared. “We understand from our philosophy that real happiness comes from spiritual fulfilment. On the Yoga pyramid or ladder, Bhakti is the highest yoga. Bhakti means divine love. This divine love is the constitutional quantity of every living entity. As humans, we are more spiritual, intellectually and mentally evolved than other species of life on earth. This means we are completely equipped to become self-realising in this life... but we have to apply our free will willingly to do that."

MY SOHO TIMES

"There isn't one faith-less person in the world, in our view. You must have faith. It's like saying 'I don't have blood in my body'. You have to, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to function with no blood. It's the same with faith. But we invest faith in the wrong things, like temporary activities or obsessions that cannot bring us happiness. To me faith means a firm conviction that certain activities or actions that you perform will focus your consciousness and bring you an everlasting result... or the long-lasting happiness we're all hankering for. Everyone wants to be happy... That is faith."

ISKCON-London Radha-Krishna Temple 9-10 Soho St, Soho, London W1D 3DL www.iskcon-london.org

LATE NIGHT SOHO

The Piano Bar Soho We love a newbie in Soho and The Piano Bar Soho has already positioned itself as so familiar - it seems like it’s always been there. By night the town house becomes a secret getaway for those wanting to experience a new vibe, taking on the format typical of Soho's social scene 'members only’ clubs. However with a much smaller annual fee, it’s accessible to all, especially a younger crowd who want the benefits of membership without the huge fees. Here size doesn't matter - it's about functionality, with rooms all on the cosy and quaint spectrum. Inside the bar is where the star attraction - the piano – sits. Moving on you go through to the snug, library and screening room. Come to The Piano Bar Soho for the music first... everything else will just fall into place.

SOHO'S LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY BARS

Experimental Cocktail Club The Experimental Cocktail Club sits somewhere between the swanky bars of Mayfair and the few-and-far-between of what’s left of Soho’s underground speakeasies. This venue is located in China Town, with a stout battered brown door which possibly also serves to ward off any unexpected curious visitors. So if you’re stepping into ECC, it’s most likely not by chance. By the time you do make it through the anonymous door and up the three levels of bars, you’ll have earned yourself that cocktail. Make this a first date venue and revel in the fact that you’ve set the bar to an impressive level. There’s a great range of cocktails created in-house by expert bartenders from around the world. The vibe is a buzzy yet intimate... Enjoy, you’re in good hands.

Written by Samuel Sasiharan | @ samuelsasiharan I'm a freelance photographer, and I commute on my Brompton bike across London and almost always end up in the former fashionable district of the aristocracy of the 19th century. Today, Soho is London's entertainment and gay district. A world within a world of its own where gender fluidity is able to thrive. Whether it's with my fellow gay and lesbian friends or non-homosexual friends, from the morning till late, there is a little something for everyone...

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Hidden dating spots in Soho. You want that East London feel in the West End? This is your best place to go to

THE YARD

A hideaway in Soho offering a court yard with an upstairs giving you that country house feel. Single and on the hunt for beautiful men? This is your place!

VILLAGE

Get your half price cocktails and pints at the Village Weekly Happy Hour. A pub style gay bar that allows enough space to socialise and talk.

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2020 VISION

PREDICTING THE NEXT DECADE OF SOHO

A brand new decade is dawning – the new roaring 2020s. What does the next 10 years hold in store for Soho? For our answers we're going straight to the source - the people who LIVE WORK & PLAY in Soho. Everyone has an opinion, and that's why we'll be continuing the discussion going with our events and online throughout the year... #2020VisionSoho MY SOHO TIMES

Re-imagining Soho's next decade... Simon Buckley, Rector of St Anne's Church, Soho

I hope the Soho of the future won’t have just sunk into the bland swamp of commercialism and corporate consumerism which many fear is in danger of engulfing us. ‘So-Ho’ was originally the hunting cry of the monarch as he chased deer across the land that we now know as Soho. Perhaps in the future ‘Soho’ will become a rallying cry for the creation of a mini utopia: in which a diverse rainbow of people live creatively together in mutual respect, care and affection. In the future I want people to look at something really satisfying and say “that’s just so ‘Ho’”... Soho – shorthand for ‘the way life’s meant to be’.

Anne Pigalle The Last Chanteuse My vision for Soho is neither pessimistic or optimistic, in spite of not many public live music venues having survived. I trust the arts of tomorrow will intervene. So I will quote Malcolm McLaren (a great visionary), when he said; 'the future of music will be karaoke vs authenticity.' I will say, the future of Soho will be a lot of karaoke and a little bit of authenticity.

Beverly Soho Resident I think for the next decade there’s going to be a lot of space still being being sold to rich people. Often it feels like a social cleansing going on that I’ve noticed for the last 10 to 20 years. For instance within walking distance you have 10 hotels. We just don’t need that. There needs to be more of a focus on social housing, the elderly, and people with disabilities. My concern is that Soho is going to be extremely overcrowded. People are already living on top of each other. London’s just full to the brim, and it’s not stopping. It’s like a sink you can only fill it up so much until it overflows... It’s really sad.

Samuel Sasiharan Photographer Soho has been my home away from home for the past decade. I've seen chains of clothing and restaurants taking up the space where boutiques once were. I hope visitors and locals realise that we have to support small businesses to continue the essence of Soho. And I also hope that future of Soho is that it remains inclusive for LGBTQ+ people, especially, those of colour.

Ray Jones Talentbanq CEO

There’s a lot of people talking about gentrification, but you can’t hold back progress, and I’m not sure that we should try to. One thing that people never talk about when they talk about gentrification, is that the whole area around St Giles was actually some of the worst slums in London. So, trying to hold onto that sort of heritage I don’t necessarily think it a good thing. So what I hope for Soho it that it is developed sympathetically, and that it’s character is retained. The most important thing about its character is liberalism. Not in a political way, but in a cultural way.

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Re-imagining Soho's next decade...

Anita Soho resident My concern is that elder people are being neglected. It's not like before. There's no shops for elderly people for example. There's only Tesco really. Before there were many artisan shops and boutiques in the area, Now I have to go to Camden Town. With the new Elizabeth line it will be terrible. I can imagine it will be very crowded, you cannot even walk. I'm older now and I'm shorter - they won't see me with their rucksacks. I don't know if it's a good idea but that's life - it's all changing.

Gillian Smith Film producer

I think Soho might struggle a bit to keep its identity but let’s face it, everyone still wants to come here. If you look around the restaurants and bars are all rammed with people, so I reckon that’s a good sign. Might be a problem keeping small record shops and book stores say open, but I have faith and I think because people like the way it is, it’ll adapt.

Clare Lynch Freelance Producer

Soho has historically been a place of refuge and an area where new chapters of peoples lives can be written. It's an area that thrives on creativity and celebrates difference. Whether one is a resident, worker or visitor the challenge will be how in the coming decade Soho continues to provide spaces for people to engage in diverse activities with diverse audiences where a spirit of generosity prevails.

Tony Shrimplin Chair, Museum of Soho Change is inevitable and I am certainly not suggesting that ‘Soho’ be kept in cotton wool. It is a living/breathing, working part of London and historically it has reflected these changes with its architecture, businesses, residential community and attitude. We can’t live in the past. New memories/experiences will be made by younger generations if the venues are here. Unfortunately, there are less music establishments now and more hotels that are being developed but not needed. WCC must not destroy the difference and could support SME’s by creating an enterprise zone to encourage diversity of business in the area. Soho is resilient (or its residents are) and will certainly not disappear as a destination but will it be the place you still want to live/ visit when what makes it different is under attack? Predicting the future is not an exact science so I won’t make any bold claims as to how I see Soho looking in 10 years, but I do hope that Crossrail will be operational by then.

MY SOHO TIMES

Join in the discussion online using #2020VisionSoho #MySohoTimes and at our events www.mysohotimes.co.uk/event

Soho x Talk:

2020 VISION OF SOHO 20.02.2020 6.30pm at The House of St Barnabas Booking info: www.mysohotimes.co.uk/2020vision

For more info on this and other Soho x Talk events please email info@mysohotimes.co.uk WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

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My Soho Times issue #1 Winter 2019

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