My Soho Times Spring 2022 by My Soho Times magazine

SPRING 2022 | FREE

In this issue: THE NEW ROARING 20'S RETURN OF THE SPEAKEASY MAYFAIR REAWAKENED THE SOHO FLÂNEURS

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editor's note

one-TWO-step (into '22!) There's something about the number '2' which has always been symbolic for me, to the extent that I've claimed it as my favourite number since childhood. So to enter the year of the double 2 digits just feels like it'll be a winning year (I've already affirmed it!) - if only based on my gut feeling about the lucky number 'two', and of course, history repeating itself; the 1920's didn't get into full swing until '22 - Gillian Smith p.8, and Nicholas Cox p12 share more giving a nod to the past, present and future... As we plan to go to print - a little earlier this year for our Spring '22 issue to coincide with our 2nd Anniversary Party at 28°-50° by Night p.15 on the 22.2.22 - I couldn't have asked for a more significant release date! Meanwhile, the streets of Chinatown are filled with a buzz in celebration of Chinese New Year: Year of the Tiger. Once again I can see the symbolism and run with it... the Roaring Twenties have officially begun! This issue is our biggest one yet! And whilst size matters to some, I'm more about keeping consistency than showing off girth; nevertheless it's a welcome relief to see the enthusiasm of partners who want to commit with us for a minimum term of one year. This guarantee means we can now start focusing on expanding our presence with events, digital; My Soho Times TV and our Soho on the Air podcast, alongside the print magazine! So what's inside this issue? We welcome our new hospitality columnists; restaurateur Jeremy Simmons shares in-depth insight into Mayfair p.22, and award-winning food writer Kelly Gavaghan marvels at Mere p.27. West End local Jessica Toale talks about Women's Safety in Soho p.36, The Soho Flâneurs p.48 make a debut group appearance, it's not Soho if we don't Talk About Sex p.60, and we wrap up with tips to release natural energy from the team at F45 Soho p.69.. Photo:Paul Todd

It's been one heck of a two years... see you on the dance floor?

Editor's Picks for Spring

The Soho Girl x

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

FACIAL

COCKTAILS

LET'S TALK PR

A treat of a facial is a way to show yourself some love and reveal your natural beauty. I was recently invited to try out a bespoke QMS Medicosmetics treatment at Liberty - it was the most indulgent act of self-care I've allowed myself in a while.... my skin felt quenched! Say it with me; 'I am deserving!'

if 100 years ago is anything to go by - 2022 is on right on cue to get back into the swing of night life! Speakeasies are ever popular and just as well because you know they specialise in great cocktails... I'll start by ticking off the list on p.13, then work my way around London!

It seems the combination of running a Soho lifestyle magazine and being a social butterfly has led me to gravitate naturally towards working in PR. By the end of last year I'd set up SohoxPR and shortly before won the gig to head the PR for the first SX events in February… Ready to talk PR? MY SOHO TIMES

At the heart of our society is... MY SOHO TIMES is an independent hyper local lifestyle magazine, media and events platform launched in Winter 2019. We believe Soho is the beating heart of London - in location and vibe! So our aim is to curate the very best of Soho businesses for the benefit of both Londoners and visitors. And not just online... we're committed to the power of print, so you can take us anywhere! Our distribution is across Soho and the West End (Fitzrovia, Mayfair, Covent Garden and Marylebone). Enquire about adverting with us info@mysohotimes.co.uk Join our monthly newsletter for local news, upcoming events and the next issue of My Soho Times magazine! WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK/SIGN-UP

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15 22

What's inside? 06 SPRING FINDS

This season’s products we’ve tried and tested we think you’ll love too!

12 SOHO'S SPEAKEASIES Dive down into a twilight world of 1920’s-inspired bars. Cocktails plus atmos to spare! The night is yours…

15 INTRODUCING 28°-50° BY NIGHT Fantastic food and now magnificent music. Discover the West End's latest late night dining experience.

22 JEREMY SIMMONS KNOWS HOSPITALITY

38 WHY YOU NEED MORE SLEEP!

He’s the ultimate insider – no-one knows the restaurant business quite like Jeremy Simmons and he’s here to spill the beans.

27 THE MARVEL OF MERE

Running on empty? Time to up your game in the sleep stakes and get some serious shut eye. We call upon the experts...

48 THE SOHO FLÂNEURS

Food writer Kelly Gavaghang heads north of Soho for an intense dining experience at Mere.

36 WOMEN'S SAFTEY IN SOHO While you’re out and about it’s important to stay safe – take in our tips for a secure night on the town

They’ve seen it all and done it all – Soho’s most colourful habituees tell us how us about the good old days.

55 A DAY IN HER SHOES A whistle-stop tour of Soho’s rich pickings through the eyes of stylist and personal shopper, Illyanna Gherbin.

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Contributing Editor: Gillian Smith @gilliansmith_ Contributors: Ava Lawrence @avarita7| Nicolas Cox @njcoxx | Kesh Wang | Darren Russell @darrenrussell47 |Paul Todd @streetlife77a | Jeremy Simmons @berkeleysimmonsleisure | Lucía López @lucia.lobaz | Kelly Gavaghan @circusmaguk | Jessica Toale @jessica.toale | |Illyanna Gherbin @thethrillsofills | Frankie Field @frankiegoestobrunch | Rachael Outwin @written.byrachael Design: www.Fast-Track-Branding.com | Cover photo: 28°-50° by Night ©2022 My Soho Times. Information correct at the time of publishing/printing. To enquire about submitting articles or to advertise please email: info@mysohotimes.co.uk MY SOHO TIMES

SPRING INSPIRATION This Season's Finds.

Treat yourself or a partner to this duo-set of incredibly rejuvenating Active Massage Oil, and sensually soothing Relax Massage Oil. £24.95 www.byjoshwatson.com QMS is a pioneering medicosmetics brand, with a focus on science behind their products. Expect collagen-rich creams, serums and cleansers. And their spa treatments offered - including facials at London's Liberty - are incredible. www.uk.qmsmedicosmetics.com

The Raw Chocolate company source their ingredients ethically, creating delicious, raw chocolate in a variety of natural flavours. Makes a great treat whatever your diet. www.therawchocolatecompany.com MY SOHO TIMES

With it's unique blend of therapeutic oils, Olverun Bath Oil is pampering as it is restorative. Crueltyfree, vegan, and naturally free of petrochemicals

Fragrances to release your inner rebel. Bold, brash, and unafraid to bare it all, notes of creamy sandalwood and fruity blackcurrant evoke a carefree, confident kind of vibe. www.confessionsofarebel.com

£36.50 www.uk.olverum.com

British workwear brand M.C.Overalls has teamed up with artist Tim Head, for a new capsule titled ‘UNITY’. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Safe House London and DanceWest, sold exclusively at the Brewer Street store. www.mcoveralls.com

packed with an abundance of nutrients, vitamins & antioxidant properties designed to really nourish your body and bring a healthy glow. £18.99 www.wildlifebody.co.uk

A unisex face porepurifying detox mask that’s suitable for all skin types.£22 www.greenpeople.co.uk

This handmade candle scented with a sweet 'Gingerbread', accented with gold stars and white snow dots makes a body-positive statement! £35 www.trippytuesday.com WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

WELCOME TO THE NEW TWENTIES... Written by Gillian Smith

think it’s safe to say the 2020s are perforce off to a bit of a slow start. We all need a period of rest and recuperation as one decade segues into the next, but two whole years of a pandemic was for sure not what anyone expected. So, what’s next for the city as we emerge blinking into the daylight? Here at My Soho Times we reckon we could do a lot worse than winding back a century and taking our cue from the perennially roaring 1920s - which coincidentally also kicked off a couple of years late, post-war and post pandemic. It’s a decade that never quite seems to vanish into the annals of history. And why should it? A lot happened. In many ways, then as now, it was all about the tech. Burgeoning industrial development introduced telephones, electrical appliances, cars, radio and moving pictures to the mass market and consumer demand rocketed. For a brief shining moment (brushing past the crash of ’29) everything was about potential… and with possibility of course, comes partying.

Enter the Jazz Age, bookmarked in popular imagination by the arts, fashion, night clubs and (initially silent) movies - much of it with a distinctly American flavour. Hems went up and inhibitions went down. Flappers flapped and speakeasies were drained of hooch. Its reputation as a defining era can’t be overstated though. Art Deco… a lingering love. And the music! 100 years on and we’re still listening to Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith and Bix Beiderbecke, to name really only a very few. Evoking the spirit of the age means quite naturally turning to the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway and Dorothy Parker- but over on this side of the pond we were pretty well served by the Bright Young Things of Noel Coward, P.G Wodehouse and Agatha Christie. So, what do today’s bright young (and not so young) things have in mind to stamp their mark on our own twenties? Key words seem to be regeneration, renewal… and re-scheduling! WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

A L T E R A T I O N S

Tony the soho Tailor M A D E - T O M A E A S U R E

Wth over 50 years service in the industry, Tony Phillips is Soho's longest running tailor. For all alterations, made-to-measure and re-styling suits enquiries, visit Tony the Soho Tailor at 16 Berwick Street above Borovick Fabrics.

@tonythesohotailor 16 Berwick St, London W1F 0HP 07507 425905 MY SOHO TIMES

IS HISTORY SIMPLY REPEATING ITSELF?

ith the pandemic having temporarily killed off live performance, we have ground to

make up for lost time! What began as glimmers of hope at the end of last year are turning into the fully-fledged floodlights of sold-out venues and packed pubs and restaurants - at least some of the time. As we inch away from live-streaming and hurtle happily hopeful back towards real-time, inperson, human to human experience, it’s a great feeling. Just to get a tad tangential, if you’re into timetraveling back another century, the 1820s (last full decade of the mad, bad and dangerous to know Georgians) was when London became the largest city in the world. The 1720s came up with the idea of vampires (it was all about the overstuffed graveyards unsurprisingly) so I don’t think we’ll linger there. Rewinding even further, the 1620s saw the departure of the Mayflower to the New World and all sorts of early parliamentary shenanigans with the accession of the doomed Charles I.

Are we seeing a pattern here? Is the third decade of any given century one to be reckoned with? It’s an interesting thought. But back to right here, right now. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get this party started. If we get it right we could be wielding as much influence over the 2120s as the 1920s have on us. Not to say there aren’t challenges ahead but there’s clearly no time to lose. Charge your glasses and prepare to get yourselves out there… Here’s to the new Roaring Twenty Twenties!

Use code MySohoTimes for 22% off at selected businesses in Soho & online! www.mysohotimes.co.uk/22

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RETURN OF THE INFAMOUS

After the catastrophic First World War and Spanish Flu pandemic, the government relaxed the wartime Defence of the Realm Act restrictions, loosening regulations on the sale of alcohol from August 1921. Dance halls and nightclubs popped up as the bright lights of Soho and the fast living of the jazz age provided an invaluable form of escapism from the realities of everyday life. Nicholas Cox walks us through The Return of The Roaring Twenties and Soho's Speakeasies... Soho is about to roar louder than it has ever roared before!

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Meyrick founded the infamous 43 Club at 43 K ate Gerrard Street in '21 but was raided, arrested and imprisoned many times because of her light touch interpretation of the licensing and drugs laws.

Jessie Matthews, born at 94 Berwick Street and a chorus girl in Andre Charlot’s Review of 1924 became an acclaimed dancer and Soho legend. By 1925 the Gargoyle Club had opened at 69 Dean Street, founded by socialite David Tennant as a place for writers, artists and musicians to mingle with the rich and well-connected. Fast forward one hundred years and as Covid recedes into the history books, Soho, with its impressive choice of Roaring Twenties-style speakeasies stands ready to repeat the 1920s... The Blind Pig (prohibition era slang for a den of iniquity) is discreet, to say the least. To get in you need to look under the vintage ‘Optician’ sign for the blindfolded hog doorknocker at 58 Poland Street. The decor is authentically retro with an antique mirrored ceiling, copper-topped bar and charmingly mismatched wooden furniture, creating a relaxed, easy-going vibe. The London outpost of Manhattan’s Milk & Honey remains one of Soho’s best cocktail bars, perhaps because it takes boozing so seriously. To find it, look for a tiny M&H sign next to a buzzer on 61 Poland Street. Basement Sate, 8 Broadwick Street. Behind the basement red door is a place where people can literally sate themself on new tastes and unexpected combinations, an informal comfortable setting where the music is as vibrant as the cocktails.

Jack Solomon, named after the boxing impresario, is at 41 Great Windmill Street. It’s a club that allows everyone and anyone to relax, engage and escape for the evening and well into the night. The Arts Theatre Club, 50 Frith Street, represents glamour with roots firmly lodged in the prohibition era. Private tables, decadent sofas and a vintage piano doubling as a DJ booth are scattered around the candle lit lounge, creating a chilled but vibrant feel. The Experimental Cocktail Club, 13A Gerrard Street, is a buzzing three-floor joint with a gently lit backdrop of minimalist brick and mirrored walls. Cut-glass tumblers help create the impression of an opulent but cosy bar. The Opium Cocktail Parlour, 15-16 Gerrard Street, a secret bar behind a nondescript jade green door that opens onto a long dark stairway. The decor is 1920s Shanghai with a contemporary feel. The latest late-night drinking den in the heart of Soho opened late last year. Louche at 5 Greek Street, offers live music and classic cocktails with the all glitz, glamour and potential misdemeanours of the underbelly of Soho. Designed to look like a bar from the 1920s, the inconspicuous spaces and alcoves complement a low-lit, raffish interior celebrating the area. Up next will be a new venue in the basement of Kingly Court, already home to two retro bars - Cahoots (1940s) and Disrepute (1960s). It will occupy the site of the lively 1960s nightclub, ironically named the Roaring Twenties! More on the My Soho Times blog, search: 'Soho Speakeasy' www.mysohotimes.co.uk/blog

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The West End's latest home for live music and late night dining. Welcome to 28°-50° by Night...

28°-50° by Night 76 Jason Ct, Wigmore St, London W1U 2SJ www.2850bynight.co.uk @2850bynight On Stage: Jazz singer, Emma Smith @emmasmith_music MY SOHO TIMES

An introduction to The newest, hottest Jazz Club in town: 28°-50° 28°-50° Wine Workshop & Kitchen are delighted to introduce you to the newest addition to the family, 28°-50° by Night, situated next to their esteemed Marylebone restaurant. Delivering the same exceptional food, wine and high-quality service you’ve come to expect from their five locations dotted around London, but with the added twist of live jazz every night. On the menu is dixieland, trad jazz, blues, swing and stomp from some of London’s best-known Jazz musicians! 28°-50° Director, Richard Green shared his insight into their truly astonishing growth, despite the pandemic.

"28°-50° was set-up by a couple of London's top restaurateurs in 2010. It was a great concept but needed a push. We took over in 2018 with ideas to grow the brand steadily, but instead, we put our foot on the pedal during lockdown. Waiters became painters, pastry chefs discovered their plastering skills, sommeliers turned into plumbers and management became construction site foreman! From two restaurants to five during the pandemic, and a few in the pipeline. Then add a bit of jazz, new menus and an exciting soul club on the horizon. Wash that down with some of the world's best wine, slick service and foot-tapping sounds and you get 28°-50°!" If 28°-50° took wine service to a new level, 28°-50° by Night moves it on a step further. Boasting live jazz and blues music until 2am, along with latenight dining, this is the ideal spot to toast in the weekend or enjoy a mid-week escape. Their modern European à la carte menu is served until 1am, so whether you fancy some light bites or a classic steak, you can relax, eat and soak up the vibrant jazz all at the same time. Now there’s an evening out! WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

I’m Alex Woods, Director of Global Acts, an international music agency based here in London. We have an expansive network of world-class musicians who we proudly supply for luxury events, hotels and restaurants. Our musicians are top of their game, often performing in London's Westend, on TV broadcasts or touring the world with A-list performers.

A Musical note: Meet musical director, Alex Woods of Global Acts

I have always been a huge fan of jazz and blues music. Before setting up my company, I studied jazz at the Manhattan School of Music and lived and worked in New York City as a professional musician. I had the great good fortune of working with several Grammy award winning artists within the jazz scene and definitely caught the ‘jazz bug’. As a result, a collaboration of this kind with 28°-50° by Night was right up my street and instantly became a strand of my business that I care deeply about. In a matter of months, the team at 28°-50° have successfully positioned the venue as a main player in the UK jazz scene, standing shoulder to shoulder with the best of London's jazz clubs and attracting the top performing artists in the industry. It goes without saying that the past two years have been very difficult for the music industry and as the world re-opens, there is a real buzz and excitement around 28°-50° by Night and the direction it's heading. We’ve carefully curated an eclectic program of jazz and blues artists which I’m confident you’ll absolutely love... We look forward to welcoming you at 28°-50° by Night! MY SOHO TIMES

In conversation with a Sommelier Jules Bensacq – the group’s Head Sommelier – shares his insights into the secret World of Sommeliers (and a little bit about himself), answering all the questions you've been wanting to ask!

What was the first wine that inspired you to become a Sommelier? The first wine that inspired me to join the wine industry was a Sauternes from the Château la Tour Blanche at my viticole college. I understood at that time that wine is much more than alcohol; it’s a complex drink that creates emotion. Why did you want to become a sommelier? I never really wanted to become a sommelier, but without admitting it to myself, this profession alone brings together everything I love. A lot of sharing, conviviality, emotion, lots of rigour, hard work, and adrenaline. I didn't expect the hospitality industry to be so inclusive, especially at 28°-50°, where we all share the same values and all have the same goal of doing our jobs to the best possible potential. What is the role of a Sommelier, and how do you become one? Our first goal as a sommelier is to highlight the food put forward by the chef and at the same time, make sure we respond to the wishes of our customers. The whole idea is to create a unique and a personalised experience for our guests. To become a sommelier, you need some important skills, such as being sociable, curious, open-minded and motivated to learn more every day.

Secondly, you need to study wine, either through specialised courses like sommelier schools, WSET or Court of Master Sommelier programmes. How should we taste wine when buying a bottle in a restaurant? First of all, you have to relax, forget about the pressure and the eyes on you, because trying a wine in a restaurant is the easiest thing ever. You have to answer one and only one question: do I like this wine or not? If the answer is yes, you can be served. If something bothers you, return the bottle and ask the sommelier's opinion about it. To show off, grab your glass by the stem, look at the colour, spin your wine into your glass and then take a sip and give your answer. What’s the best, affordable wine to impress guests at home? I advise that a good Crémant de Bourgogne or Crémant from the Loire Valley will have all the celebration qualities and the prestige of a bottle of champagne but for a much sweeter price. What is the most underrated wine? I think that the Langhe Nebbiolo from Piedmont in Italy is unbeatable in it’s value for money. These light body red wines are full of fruit, generous, and have a WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

THE

RISE

"IF WINE WAS A WOMAN, THE TANNINS WOULD BE HER BODY AND THE FLAVOURS HER OUTFIT. " great acidity too. The best choice for an aperitif or a first date. What do Sommeliers mean when they say “tannins”? Without being too technical, Tannins are substances found mainly in plants, bark, and leaves that create a drying, rubbing sensation on your tongue. Wine tannins are extracted from grape skins, seeds, stems and mainly oak barrels. If wine was a woman, the tannins would be her body and the flavours her outfit. What is the best, in your opinion of course, food and wine pairing in the World? I love wine pairing with cheese. The last one I tasted at 28°-50° was a “Brun de Noix” (cheese washed regularly in a walnut liqueur as it matures) with a Madeira Blandy’s 10 years old Malmsey. Quite impressive!” What’s the biggest sin that you can commit in the World of Wine? I broke up with my ex-girlfriend because she put ice cubes in her white wine! If you could drink one wine for the rest of your life, which wine would it be? That’s a very hard choice! If I could only pick one, it would be the Côte de Nuits from Burgundy where you find the most beautiful Pinot Noir in the World: powerful, elegant and harmonious. I particularly love the Nuits Saint Georges “Les Chaboeufs” from Philippe Gavignet, a winery which is a rising star of the appellation in my view.

FILIPINO CUISINE Type 'Filipino cuisine' into your Google search bar and at least 20 restaurant suggestions pop up for London, a relatively recent phenomenon. Previously Asian food was often categorised just as Chinese, Japanese, or South East Asia, Indian. Well those boundaries have been well and truly breached! The islands of this beautiful nation (note the spelling difference between the country, Philippines and it's cuisine, Filipino), are coming into their own - it certainly helped when BBQ Dreamz won the Million Dollar Menu on primetime TV a few years ago. Secondly, to study wine, BBQ, eithercrackling through So, thinkyou Asianneed flavours with smoky specialised courses likedoused sommelier schools, WSET young pork, veggies in coconut milk, andor rice of - as standard! Here are three you can find in Court Master Sommelier programmes. the heart of London: How should we taste wine when buying a bottle BONGBONG'S MANILA KANTEEN in a restaurant? The aforementioned and now re-named BBQ First of all, you have to relax, forget about the Dreamz began life in Hackney but with the big time pressure andit the onayou, because trying a wine beckoning noweyes boasts permanent site in Seven in Dials. a restaurant is the easiest thing YouMail. have to Hipster Filipino, according to ever. the Daily answer and only and one Ginger question: do I -like this wine Try theone Lemongrass Prawns lush! London WC2H 9LD If orSeven not? Dials If theMarket, answerEarlham is yes, St, you can be served. something bothers you, return the bottle and ask the KASA AND opinion KIN sommelier's about it. Opening to some fanfare late last year (and with good reason), the specialities of this Kasa (or Tohouse) show are off, flavoursome grab your glass by grills the stem, look at the broths, and, skewers colour, spin your wine desserts. into yourOperates glass anda bakery then take a and Instagrammable sipand andpatisserie give yourinanswer. addition to the restaurant. Spoilt for choice! 52-53 Poland St, Soho, London W1F 7NQto impress What’s the best, affordable wine guests at home? SARAP FILIPINO BISTRO I advise that a good Crémant de Bourgogne or Some show-stopping dishes, according to The Crémant the Loire ValleyExpect will have all the Guardianfrom and they’re not wrong. a simple celebration andfirst theprize, prestige of going a bottle yet concisequalities menu, with for me, to of champagne butPig’s for aTrotters much sweeter price. the Crackling (that’s the beauty of food, it often tastes a whole lot better than it sounds!). Onmost the non-carnivorous side it has to be What is the underrated wine? the kale virtue, Nebbiolo but without having to I think that–veggie the Langhe from Piedmont in forgo great taste. Italy is unbeatable in it’s value for money. These light 10 Heddon St, Mayfair, London W1B 4BX body red wines are full of fruit, generous, and have a great acidity too.Lutterodt The best choice for an aperitif or a Written by Kai first date. MY SOHO TIMES

REEL TALK:

HOW TO MAKE AMAZING REELS (THAT GO VIRAL!)

London photographer @photosbyanil only recently got into Instagram during lockdown, yet his reels have made real impact! His IG account started as a place for to keep his travel photos, but then the pandemic hit, the account turned into a London account showing the capital's empty streets. As his passion grows - so does the equipment he uses! Anil shares 4 Tips For Making Amazing Reels on the 'gram!

Show London life from your perspective - not always what is most common. Take the 'reflections reel' as an example which was shot at the V&A using the reflection from a display cabinet to give almost a sci-fi feel to the finished shot.

Try and be different - stand out from the crowd. The shot of St Paul's Cathedral is iconic, but I wanted to capture the hustle and bustle of walkers over the bridge in hyperlapse. .

Create interesting and engaging content. The 'Regents Canal' reel was a lovely evening on GoBoat which sets off from Paddington. This is such a cool way to take in the canal views which I summarised in a burst of shots compiled into a reel showing other boaters and bustle of people.

Short and sweet. I try not to make reels too long to keep viewers' attention. For example, the 17 sec reel of a rainy evening which I shot on the way to Covent Garden. I Iove this moody scene of the rain drops falling in puddles and people making a dash for cover.

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JEREMY SIMMONS KNOWS HOSPITALITY Welcome My Soho Times' restaurant and hospitality expert. Our restaurant spy, reporter and commentator offers some background as to why he's just the person for the role!

he restaurant and hospitality world is territory I’m very familiar with, having been involved for more than forty years. In the late 1980s I created a consultancy business in London called Berkeley Simmons Leisure that specialised in the acquisition and sale of existing restaurant businesses and new property locations. At this time, London and the UK had Café Rouge, Dome, McDonalds, KFC and Burger King on a large scale. High-end restaurants were scarce, generally family-owned and frequented by the elite. By the mid-1980s more exciting options included Peppermint Park, Coconut Grove and Fatso’s Pasta Joint, owned by Roger Myers of Pelican Restaurant Group (he also had Rouge and Dome). Alternatively, there were American imports such as Chicago Pizza Pie Factory, Chicago Rib Shack, Henry J Beans, Payton Place and Meatpackers, all of which were delivered by Miami original, Bob Payton (My Kinda Town Restaurants). Sadly Bob died in a car crash in July 1994, leaving Stephen Gee to continue his legacy, and hell, did he deliver!! My first contribution to this newly re-invented business, was to bring Benihana from the States to London with my newfound client, the famous Rocky Aoki, often referred to as the American Richard Branson. We started in Swiss Cottage and then created a new European partnership with a well known Japanese industrialist investor based in Germany, which resulted in opening Benihana Kings Road, Mayfair and the City, along with other locations in Europe. The next test of my creativity was in 1990, when I met Robby Enthoven and Rob Brozin of the Nando’s owning families from South Africa (Capricorn Investments). In 1991 they acquired the franchised and failing Nando's in Earl's Court and Ealing (opened in 1987) and took total control of the Nando’s UK empire. We put together the first corporate Nando’s deal in Chalk Farm, Camden, opposite the Round House, and then proceeded to grow our respective businesses over the next decade and beyond. By this time, there were more than 100 outlets across the UK.

1990s: My property consulting business flourished with many other new restaurant brands, both imported and home grown: Gaucho Grill and Down Mexico Way from Holland and Switzerland, Pizza Express, Ask and Zizzi with Adam and Sam Kay, Jonathan’s and Chimichanga from their well-respected father, Phillip Kaye of the City Centre Restaurant Group (which became TRG plc), Las Iguanas, Pret a Manger, Itsu, Zuma, Roka, Oblix, Hutong, Chotto Matte, Nobu, Fish! Living Room, Carluccio’s, Café Flo, Giraffe, Brasserie Blanc, Loch Fyne, La Bodega Negra, Byron, Dim T, Wagamama, Ping Pong, Burger & Lobster and many others. 1998: I merged this business with two partners from another major competitor (we were one of THE three big boys based in London) and renamed the business Berkeley Simmons Davis. 2004: We sold this consultancy and again in 2006 to CBRE, which opened my eyes to the global restaurant scene. 2009: I took time out for a short while, and then created the current consultancy (BSL) with deals finalized in many cities around the world via licence partnerships and local investors. 2010s - 2020s: The restaurant industry has grown immensely over this period, exponentially over the last five to ten years. It’s been very exciting to be involved in this fast growing lifestyle business. I wake up wondering what the new day will bring. The average restaurant guest is now better educated and well-travelled and consequently able to make more reliable choices. There is now a vast array of international cuisines available everywhere, although the greatest variety is still very much found around Central London. Forget the North / South divide, I actually believe that it’s never really moved from the M25 divide! WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Photography: Jean Cazal.

MAYFAIR – REAWAKENED

Restaurateur and founder of Berkeley Simmons Leisure, Jeremy Simmons, shares in-depth insights on the Mayfair hospitality scene for his column this season,

s a long term advisor in the international and particularly the London restaurant space, I am aware of what has happened, what is about to happen and what may never happen in the London restaurant scene. There has been a substantial change in the immediate area of Mayfair, with new openings and a whole new crowd of restaurant customers never before seen in Mayfair. To fully experience this I would recommend that at around 7.00pm you take a look outside Hakkasan, Amazonico, Sexy Fish & Novikov, and ALL will be revealed!

he swooped in against more than fifteen bids and took the space off the market, with the ultimate vision of opening Sexy Fish. The original deal has already been rent reviewed and is now in the region of £1.4M pa, plus he paid a serious premium.

Due to my work with operators from all around the globe, I am well-versed as to the demand for space, (especially in Mayfair) which is still peaking from all the serious groups. Eye watering rents have been agreed between landlords and new tenants, which has oddly boosted the demand for space as close to Berkeley Square as possible.

11 Berkeley Street was acquired by a partnership of Ari Ojalvo, Shimon Bokovza and a friend from Miami (the original Sushi Samba team) with the objective of opening their R&B concept from Las Vegas. This was ultimately ditched by the partnership and again intense bidding took place and Seagrass Hospitality from Australia acquired the space from the landlord in possession. Roy Ner, in partnership with Seagrass, have now finally opened Jeru. During this period, Nobu’s lease expired and they relocated to Portman Square in their new hotel.

Richard Caring (Caprice Holdings) was the first contributor to set new rent trends with his audacious acquisition of the old Nat-West Bank on the Square -

Then Ferit Sahenk’s Dogus Group adopted the same principals on the Allied Irish Bank and acquired this space for their partnership with Sandro Silva and Marta Seco, with their popular Amazonico from Salamanca in Madrid’s version of Mayfair.

MY SOHO TIMES

Again, competition to acquire 15 Berkeley Street became intense with bidders from Dubai and Europe. This space was again given to the highest bidder (Omar Saideh’s Orange Hospitality from Dubai) who own the three times voted ‘Best Restaurant in Dubai’ award, Il Borro, partnered with the Ferragamo family. IT London from Ibiza also took a new restaurant space at 28-29 Dover Street, paying yet more high rents, and the ill-fated 19-20 Dover Street was finally acquired - at a realistic rent I must note - by Emerald Hospitality Group, a partnership between brothers Arian and Alberto Zandi, there they opened El Norte. So much actually was happening during the lockdown period, which included the landlord of Langan’s Brasserie repossessing the space from Vijay Malde’s company Langans Brasserie Ltd, and quietly offering a new opportunity to a selected few. I was bidding on this amazing opportunity with a 2am licence and the ‘off market’ competition was severe. A deal was struck with a new lease and this was delivered to a partnership between the extremely smart Graziano Arricale of the Caring/Birley Clubs stable and James Hitchen of East Coast Concepts from the north. Personally, I was very sceptical about this new incarnation of the old Langan’s, but with great enthusiasm, I sincerely hope that it surpasses all expectations, doing justice and respect to Peter Langan, Richard Shepherd and Michael Caine. The following is a list of many of the pre-covid openings and others that have happened during this scary period in our lives. There is still a list of developments underway in Mayfair, some of which are common knowledge and others that are still confidential. I can mention Starwood Capital and Crosstree re-development of the old Holiday Inn at One Berkeley Street to become the first 1 Hotel in the UK - possibly featuring a new chef-led, street level restaurant and bar with courtyard; the Mirabelle new building on Curzon Street; In & Out by the Reuben Brothers (Motcomb Estates); the Westbury Hotel on Conduit Street owned by the Cola’s; Leaconfield House on Curzon Street with Robert Tchenguiz, along with a couple of local banking halls.

SPOTLIGHT: MAYFAIR RESTAURANTS

Amazonico Combining a blend of tropical and Latin American cuisines, this exciting menu offers a mix of the Amazon, Asian and Mediterranean. Choose from Peruvian sushi to carefully sourced grilled meat and fish, taking you to the heart of Latin America. 10 Berkeley Square W1J 6BR 0207404 5000 www.amazonicorestaurant.com

Bar des Pres A Franco-East Asian restaurant from acclaimed chef Cyril Lignac. Saint-Germain meets Japan in a cosmopolitan, chic environment - to enjoy the experience, head for the Albemarle Street location. 16 Albemarle Street W1S 4HW 020 3908 2000 www.bardespres.com

El Norte Celebrating the gastronomic heritage of Spain in an upscale and entertaining atmosphere in Mayfair. The space and menu is carefully designed to showcase the fresh flavours of Spain in a modern setting. 19-20 Dover Street W1S 4LU 020 3154 8182 www.el-norte.co.uk WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Written by Jeremy Simmons Photo: Kai Lutterodt

Il Borro

Langan’s Brasserie

Bringing authentic Tuscan flavours straight from the hills of Arezzo to Mayfair. Courtesy of their everpopular location in Dubai. 15 Berkeley Street W1J 8DY 020 3988 7717 www.ilborrotuscanbistro.co.uk

The exciting re-creation of this London institution from 1976 features exactly what would have been on the menu if Peter himself was a partner today. I have very fond memories back to the 1980s and this has to be the greatest display of confidence and ‘balls’ ever invested in Mayfair. Stratton Street W1J 8LB 020 7491 8822 www.langansbrasserie.com

Jeru Middle Eastern-inspired food by Roy Ner transported to a lifestyle restaurant with Levant and Ottoman influences covering the Eastern Mediterranean from Syria to Egypt in the South. 11 Berkeley Street W1J 8DS 020 3988 0054 www.jeru.co.uk

Jose Pizarro at Royal Academy of Arts For me, Jose is one of the most talented Spanish chefs in London, and the thought of having access to his stunning skills in the West End, is a blessing for sure. The dining room is located in the Senate Room on the first floor of Burlington Gardens, in which you can experience his sensitive style of tapas on Jose’s canvas. Burlington Gardens W1J 0PE 020 7300 5912 www.royalacademy.org.uk

Manthan A delightful new Mayfair restaurant from my good friend, the very talented chef Rohit Ghai. The menu has innovative Indian food and cocktails and is situated in a beautiful townhouse setting close to Bond Street. Rohit carefully delivers home style cooking with expertly honed techniques - his dishes are imbued with his discreet and kind personality. The Michelin Star awarded to Rohit is certainly well deserved. 49 Maddox Street W1S 2PQ 020 7408 2258 www.manthanmayfair.co.uk

Mimi Mei Fair Specialising in Peking Duck in Mayfair, this beautifully crafted restaurant is the residence of Empress MiMi – keeper of the most revered Chinese culinary secrets. Certainly well worth a reservation. 55 Curzon Street W1J 8PG 020 3989 7777 www.mimimeifair.com MY SOHO TIMES

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Award-winning food writer, Kelly Gavaghan heads to Fitzrovia for a decadent encounter with food.

The Marvel of Mere... MY SOHO TIMES

remember when MasterChef first made its debut on the BBC back in 1990. Presented by Loyd Grossman it used to air on Sundays and back in those days there were only four channels and the pub closed after lunchtime so curling up on the sofa to watch an episode of MasterChef was pretty much all that was on offer. But needless to say, myself, like the rest of the nation, soon became hooked on the weekly cooking competition. Fast forward to 2009 and Monica Galletti became the first professional female chef presenter of the muchloved programme, now moved to a prime-time slot on the BBC. Immediately I was intrigued by the Samoan born chef, who at the time was senior sous chef at La Gavroche where she was the first woman to ever hold that position. She clearly had the admiration and respect of her peers in - let’s face it - a predominantly male industry. Her on screen presence was and still is refreshing and I take my hat off to her for being such a trailblazer within the highly competitive restaurant industry. It was while at La Gavroche that she met, fell in love with and married head sommelier, David Galletti and in 2017 the husband-and-wife team launched their very own restaurant; MERE in Fitzrovia. With David’s extensive knowledge of fine wines and Monica’s Michelin level cooking and high profile surely this would be a recipe for success? Well, eager to find out, the perfect opportunity presented itself as my husband’s birthday was on the horizon so, I booked us in for the works, the tasting menu with wine flight.

On the Menu: What we ate and drank... Butternut Squash and Potato Terrine Wine: Pinot Gris – Black Edition – Little Beauty – Marlborough – New Zealand 2012 Hand Dived Scallop Wine: Sauvignon Blanc -Therese – Weingut Erich & Walter Polz – Styria – Austria 2017 Pollock Wine: Chardonnay – Pouilly Fuisse – Domaine Ferret – Burgundy – France 2017 Shorthorn Beef Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon – Gaston Hochar – Chateau Musar – Bekaa Valley – Lebanon 2015 24 Month Aged Davidstow Cheddar Port: 10-Year-Old – Bual – Blandy’s – Madeira – Portugal Hokey Pokey Dessert Wine: Trebbiano Toscano – Vinsanto Del Chianti – Carpineto – Tuscany – Italy 1999 6 Course Tasting Menu: £88 pp Wine Pairings: £69 pp WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

And how was it? Usually with a tasting menu there is a dish that perhaps doesn’t set your world alight but with this menu there wasn’t a single one that we didn’t love. Our starter of potato and butternut squash terrine came prettily presented with polka dots of white sour Greek yoghurt and tangy, tart tamarind and with a side of sweet velvety black chestnut puree. The texture of the terrine was just right, with the lightest ‘bite’ to it and it was wonderful to see the humble ingredients elevated into something so special. This was a really good start to the meal. Hand dived scallops are good for the environment and are better quality than the farmed variety. Whenever I eat out, if there are scallops on the menu, I order them, so I was pleased as punch to see them on the tasting menu at Mere. The perfectly seared sweet and tender scallops were served with a slow cooked French ragout of buttery white cannellini beans and herby, nutty black pudding with sweet potato, celeriac and pickled celery. Honestly, this dish was so moreish I could have eaten it ten times over. Onto the fish course. Pollock is from the cod family but because its oil content is higher it's somewhat more flavoursome. The fish came dressed in garlicky pil pil sauce which originates from the Basque country and is such a dreamy accompaniment with pretty much any seafood. This dish transported me right back to tavernas, tapas and Spanish summer holidays.

“The 24-month aged Davidstow Cheddar mousse with sweet fig compote was sublime.” The dish came with fresh steamed baby spinach and tapioca crisps which really didn’t taste of much, but did add texture and was decorated with dusky, divine black garlic rouille pearls Shorthorn beef is renowned for its marbling which caramalises and tenderises the meat when cooked, so much so it is like slicing through butter. This was an absolutely superb piece of meat, classically complemented with the earthy nuttiness of wild mushrooms and a delightful citrusy quince puree. Now onto the cheese course. This dish was out of this world! The 24-month aged Davidstow Cheddar mousse atop the sweet syrupy fig compote was sublime - to say the least - and we both agreed that this was our favourite dish of the whole meal. And last but certainly not least the meal was topped off with Monica’s take on her favourite Kiwi dessert of Hokey Pokey, vanilla and honeycomb ice cream. Served with slightly bitter Madagascan Manjari chocolate cremeaux and salted toffee this dessert was the perfect end to the perfect meal. MY SOHO TIMES

“The décor is stylish and elegant and makes for a relaxed and refined dining experience.”

Words: Kelly Gavaghan Images: Food Story Media What’s it like there? The beautiful interiors were created by award winning architecture and design company, Softroom who have achieved a calm, welcoming environment. At ground level the bar is furnished with plush velvet midnight blue seating and marble topped tables and downstairs the subterranean restaurant benefits from lots of natural light from the glass atrium. Along the main wall is a framed Samoan siapa or tapa cloth which was specially designed and made for Monica by her cousin Solomon Daniel. The décor is stylish and elegant and makes for a relaxed and refined dining experience. What you should know I don’t pretend to be a connoisseur of fine wines and normally when I’m reviewing, I tend not to drink alcohol, but this was a special occasion. And with David Galletti being such an expert we just knew that the wines at MERE would more than match the high standards of the food. David has curated a well-rounded, full-bodied list made up of much-loved wines from Europe and beyond, including a reserve selection of vintages. The premium spirits have also been carefully chosen by David and are predominantly from France and New Zealand which is a deliberate nod to and acknowledgment of the dynamic duo’s respective heritages.

74 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia London W1T 4QH 020 7268 6565 www.mere-restaurant.com

Would we go back? Absolutely! I’d very much like to try the 3-course set lunch menu (£36) and some of the dishes on the A La Carte menu. The food is incredibly good value considering the outstanding skill and excellent quality produce that they are created with. But seriously, we expected nothing less.... Monica’s Mere really is a marvel! WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

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MY SOHO TIMES

nce again, the West End bar scene showed the rest how. It’s done, with no less than four venues winning a place

on the World’s Best Bars List at the World’s Best Bars Awards 2021, announced last December. The Connaught scooped Best Bar in the World for the second year in a row. When other winners on the night were asked which was their favourite bar in the world, The Connaught was named again and again. It’s a classic hotel bar loved equally by hospitality insiders and tipplers alike. Kwant (sadly forced to close due to Covid restrictions) came in at 31 on the list. Happily, there is talk that the Mayfair bar will reopen in the summer this year. Old Compton Street’s poplar Swift came in at number 57 and Side Hustle (housed in the NoMad Hotel in Covent Garden) earned 80th spot. WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

va Lawrence had a chat with Swift co-owner Bobby Hiddleston about how it felt to be recognised once again on the World’s Best bars, how they survived another year hit by the pandemic and thoughts on the future.... AS A SOHO BAR, HOW HAVE THE TRADING CONDITIONS BEEN FOR YOU OVER THE PAST YEAR? It’s been fragmented at best. I'd say Soho has been affected arguably less than other areas of London due to its proximity to central amenities, but we have still seen an enormous dent in our numbers. We weren't trading at all for the first three and a half months aside from our smaller online delivery service. We had a staff Covid outbreak in June so had to close the doors of both of our sites for 10 days. From August to October, things were looking a little better, and some selected days we even beat the previous day, year-on-year. However, there has always been the constant threat that we could go back into restrictions again so nobody has been relaxed at all. HOW DID IT FEEL TO WIN A SPOT AGAIN ON THE WORLD'S BEST BARS LIST? It's great to be included. We were placed 57th this year, which was down from the previous three years, so initially we were a little bit disappointed. However this year saw so many more bars from smaller cities included due to the local voting of judges, so when we saw the full list we were genuinely pleased to be where we are - we are currently 5th in London where we were 6th here last year, despite being 20-odd places higher in 2020. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AS A HOSPITALITY BUSINESS IN SOHO IN A (HOPEFULLY) A POST-COVID WORLD? I think the only way we will ever return to normal is to accept that Covid is endemic and not to place panic restrictions on outbreaks. I don't see that happening this summer, the whole world has spent two years being terrified of Covid so it is a massive shift in mindset to accept its presence, and that will take quite a while. It's more a survival instinct than an optimistic outlook. WHAT ARE TWO DRINK/COCKTAIL TRENDS FOR 2022? I think people in general are more conscious of where their drinks come from, so I think people will be aiming towards a) sustainability, and b) seasonality. AND FINALLY, HOW DO YOU THINK SWIFT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FABRIC OF SOHO?

Swift Soho 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ www.barswift.com

We have always had a strong sense of community and try to involve ourselves with our neighbours as much as possible. But Soho's iconic places have been around 30, 40, 60 years, and we are a loooong way away from that! We like to think we have been a positive addition to the area in the five years we have been here, however we don't see ourselves as part of the furniture - not yet, anyway! At the time of going to press, Swift Soho has also been named as London’s Best Drinking Spot by this year’s Top 50 UK Cocktail Bars list.

MY SOHO TIMES

TALES OF THE CITY

A DAY ADRIFT IN SOHO... and art tutor Photographer shares Mabel Jarrett unt of a journal acco y walking spending a da Soho... the streets of

I wandered around like a cloud - but not a lonely cloud, who could ever feel alone in Soho, even when you are? There is something permanently in the air which promises kinship with passers-by, the unrelenting diversity and individuality which catches your eye on every corner that you pass. Shop fronts echo to the call of novelty, whilst the centuries-old establishments are static, in a divine stillness. I am here once again from the suburbs to observe. The many approaches I take to enter Soho all foretell of the uniqueness to come. Some epic tailoring (young and old) marches ahead of me as I slow down to catch my breath and savour more of the fine lines from behind, as Shaftesbury Avenue is no more. I am greeted by the South American food vendors on Berwick Street Market, eager for me to take a sample - so I do and it does not disappoint. I am propelled to dizzying euphoria, smiling and chewing with equal vigor, no tortilla has ever tasted richer and loved me more!

There’s a cry to my left, a ‘couple’ remonstrate about something seemingly important and then graduate to hushed tones before disappearing into a doorway. Two girls giggle as they point at something in the distance and then stare at one another in disbelief, unfortunately whatever caused their astonishment I missed. And so I walked some more and found myself drawn to a young woman whose ability to multitask would impress the most dexterous of conjurers. In one hand, a phone mid enthusiastic texting, whilst another phone clung to her ear as she smiled brightly, speaking and listening, managing to oscillate with each smile. Dare I interrupt her? It might all come crashing down! I did and it didn’t WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

As I walk down Dean Street, a very distinguished, tall middle-aged man shuffles his way in front of me, as he throws his litter into the bin. He smiles, I giggle. “Hey you,” I say, “you missed the bin.” (I lied). He looks down and then raises his eyes at me with suspicion. I find myself in conversation again, this time with a man who visits Soho purely to acquire the same coffee he has been buying since the 1970s. “Tell me a good story,” I beg of him. He tells me “next time” and leaves. It’s time I left this most unselfconscious of worlds and returned to the humdrum of the bus, ever ready with my Covid accoutrement to ruin my lipstick once more. Leaving the well-worn track, but not for the last time, surely...

London, with a Spoonful of Soho... Written by Sourena Naji |@sourenanaji My love of gloomy weather and freedom are only a match for the untamed streets of Soho. I’m from Tehran, I’m used to big city living, but London and Tehran couldn’t be more different. There’s so much to love here that I honestly can’t squeeze all the reasons in an article (or even ten articles). The most significant attribute that caught my attention is the architecture.Cafes, bars, and bookstores are showered with flower pots, roses and other seasonal flowers. They hang from windows, like a beautiful poem waiting to be captured by my camera. Fashion baby! The way people dress is one of my favourite things about London. Especially in Soho. All kinds of styles street, casual, punky, goth, sophisticated. Vintage stores are a big thing here, which has helped me get creative with my own style - and it's not all expensive stuff like Paris or Milan. My other obsession with Soho and London is how good it feels to be free. How great it feels to be able to be yourself without fear of the police. It’s illegal to party, to drink alcohol or be gay in Iran and I think people here forget how lucky they are to be able to do it all freely. I feel London is the most multicultural city in the world, and Soho really is the heart of it all.

New to London

what a wonder she was to break from her conversation to give me some time. She apologised for continuing to text and occasionally responded with “okays ” though not directed at me. “Soho is becoming less masculine,” she declared. “Lots of women are making an impact around here.” A venture capitalist would certainly know I thought!

Women’s Safety In Soho: Is Anywhere Really Safe? Written by Jessica Toale

oho's shadowy corners and its seedier side have been glamorised for decades. They have become part of the folklore that continues to attract visitors to the area. But the area’s dark alleyways and its role as a centre for late night entertainment has an impact on how people who live, work and visit the area feel about their safety.

Soho’s dark alleyways and quiet streets, particularly after dark or early in the morning, were singled out as locations respondents said they felt the least safe. Others reported aggressive behaviour and unwanted attention from men. Vacant shop fronts and empty pedestrianised streets were also cited as adding to the feeling of desertion in Soho.

Women’s safety is an issue which has come to the fore with the tragic deaths of Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa and many others. The recent drink-spiking epidemic has also created cause for pause and added weight to the campaign to make misogyny a hate crime.

Women have grown up learning tricks to enhance their safety, but the onus must not be put back on women for their own safety. Women should not have to modify their behaviour to avoid being harassed or assaulted in the streets. They should not have to feel like ‘nowhere is really safe’, as one respondent put it.

Soho’s popularity reveals a paradox at the heart of city living. Greater numbers of people and movement in the streets can foster both a sense of safety and of insecurity. As urban theorist Jane Jacobs puts it, these 'eyes on the street' create informal surveillance that contributes to an atmosphere of security. But the same phenomenon can provide the anonymity and protection under which crime and anti-social behaviour thrive. These competing forces can both empower citizens and leave them feeling vulnerable.

There are two very simple solutions to addressing the sense of safety in Soho – the first is to improve street lighting, particularly where it currently does not exist. The second is to ensure the police have a greater presence on the streets and are fully resourced to respond to reports in a timely manner. This could also tackle a range of other anti-social behaviours that people in the area are forced to endure.

In November of last year, I ran a survey which aimed to delve into women’s feelings about their safety on the streets in Soho and the wider West End. The overwhelming majority of respondents echoed the sentiment I come across regularly amongst Londoners, that they feel for the most part very safe or fairly safe. Yet many also reported having faced sexual harassment and assault in public places.

Safety on the streets is something which affects us all. It is an issue at the heart of building an inclusive environment for anyone who lives, works and visits Soho. As the weather warms and the streets become busier, we should all aspire to a city where the ‘eyes on the street’ strengthens space and inspires social cohesion, as Jane Jacobs once aspired.

WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Be aware of your surroundings. Report any street harassment or assaults. Follow your gut feelings about where you feel safe or not. Let friends /family know you're home safe.

Don’t leave your drink unattended. Don’t use unlicensed minicabs or pedi-cabs.

If you have been affected by any of the issues contained in this article, the following organisations can provide advice and support. - To report a crime to the police dial 101 or 999 if it is an emergency - Victim Support: 0845 3030 900 www.victimsupport.org.uk - Rape Crisis: 0808 802 9999 www.rapecrisis.org.uk - NHS Direct for information and help after rape or sexual assault: 0808 802 9999 www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Sexualhealth/ Pages/Sexualassault.aspx

WELCOMEBACK! CEO of METAL MORPHOSIS, Ben Harris, shares how it feels to be back on old territory...

METAL MORPHOSIS

2021 was a massive year for us: refreshing our branding, launching our eCommerce offering, opening our new boutique in Newburgh Quarter off Carnaby Street. The collapse of Topshop on Oxford Street - where we had a concession - was a defining moment for our brand and at a worrying time we needed reassurance; this we found by returning to Soho, where we opened our first shop in 1991 on Old Compton Street. Back then, it was that site that allowed us to open our concession in Selfridges and later Topshop - so to return after all these years feels incredibly apt. We’re extremely excited that our customers are coming back to see us in Soho for ear curation, styling, and of course, ear and body piercing. Soho is a place like no other, it’s a part of London that shares our ideologies, staff, customers and our brand identity. Inclusive, vibrant, and unapologetically authentic are our three values - and that’s exactly what Soho’s all about. We’re really excited for what’s to come in 2022 and can’t wait for our series of events to see our amazing Soho customers!

11 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RW 0203 370 6196 | WhatsApp 07534 147331 www.metalmorphosis.co.uk MY SOHO TIMES

Why you need more SLEEP...

Sleep is a fragile thing. The smallest things can send us out of sync and disturb our slumber patterns. Even if we think we are getting ‘some sleep’ our body might be telling us differently because it hasn’t gone through the full sleep cycles needed for restorative response. Community Pharmacist and adviser to DragonflyCBD, Sultan Dajani shares more... WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Sleep Cycles Sleep cycles can generally be split into non-REM and REM phases (Rapid Eye Movement). Each sleepcycle generally lasts around 90 minutes and if our sleep is interrupted, we go back to stage one and start going through the phases again. So, if sleep is broken the deep sleep stages may not be reached. Stage one: We fall into a light sleep and our eye movements are slowed down Stage two: Still in a light stage, the brain waves start to slow Stages three & four: The brain produces delta waves and this is when you will start to experience deeper and restorative sleep. This is when the body begins to repair itself. REM sleep is the most active stage. Our eyes move quickly , our brain is active, our blood pressure and heart rate go up and it’s in this stage that we dream. The REM sleep is a phase that’s closely linked with mental recharge and is believed to play an important role in learning, memory, and emotion, helping to regulate mood.

Snooze Tips #1. Routine: Try to keep to your normal sleep times. This will help your body know what it should be doing and will make sure you are ready for sleep at the end of the day. It also aids mental health to know what we are doing day-to-day, and this in turn helps us sleep better. #2. Exercise: If you can, get some daily exercise. It will release endorphins, the happy hormones, which makes us feel better and more equipped to handle things, giving us a calmer mind when it comes to settling down for the night. Exercise also expends energy and tires us out. #3. Beauty sleep: A lack of snooze time is bad news for our skin. That’s why a good night’s shuteye is described as getting your beauty sleep, for good reason. Research shows that even one bad night doesn’t do wonders for your face and skin. In a recent study, forty observers were asked to rate twenty photographs for tiredness, facial cues, and sadness. The faces of sleep-deprived people were perceived as having more hanging eyelids, redder and swollen eyes, paler skin, more wrinkles/fine lines, and droopier corners to the mouth. #4. Note things down: Something that keeps us awake at night is the sheer number of thoughts that race through our minds. It can actually be trying to remember them that stops us from switching off properly. Keep a notepad handy and jot down any thoughts that come into your head as you get ready for bed. Also write down tasks that need to be done the next day, this will help you ‘release’ them from your memory. #5. Sleep ZEN: There is a natural way that you can help your sleep and ease anxieties. A few drops of DragonflyCBD (p.43) as part of your daily routine ticks all the boxes for helping you feel relaxed, which also means better quality sleep to fully restore mind and body. DragonflyCBD Oil has been shown to reduce anxiety, and the World Health Organization has recognised that CBD may have the potential to help health issues such as anxiety and insomnia. #6. Talk: Keep in contact with friends and family, it will help you feel more connected. Talking also helps us to release pent-up thoughts or share problems or worries, which when shared can make us feel instantly better. Avoid the temptation of retreating into yourself. With lockdown easing we all understand the worries and anxieties that lie ahead.

MY SOHO TIMES

SUKUN New Yorker This premium cotton bedding is Inspired by the clean, crisp lines and luxurious textures found across the trendiest boutique hotels - this contemporary line teleports you to that feeling after a night out in town. Revive your bedroom and refresh your most personal space (your bed) so you can reset for the morning adventures. From £170 available in sizes UK Double to UK Super King www.sukun.co.uk

FOR SLEEP & RELATATION ALEXANDRA KAY Time to Breathe Ceramic Diffuser Treat yourself or a friend to this stylish wellbeing gift for the home, boasting an elegant design with 90ml capacity and a soft LED light feature gently glows to add ambience to any room. Pair it with the calming 'Time to Sleep' (£20) expertly blended 100% natural essential oils including Lavender, Bergamot and Frankincense to entice sleep at the touch of a button. £75 available at www.greenpeople.co.uk

DRAGONFLY CBD CBD Hydrating Daily Face Cream 75ml Protect your skin from the damaging effects of everyday harm with Dragonfly CBD's innovative Hydrating Face Cream. Containing Dragonfly’s award winning CBD oil, nurtured on the Dragonfly Farm, and infused with Argan oil to leave you with soft, smooth skin. Scientifically proven to be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-sebum which all help to keep skin looking youthful, plump, and glowing when applied directly. From £40 www.dragonflycbd.com

DRAGONFLY CBD Sleep Better Diffuser Oil Enjoy the best that flavoured CBD oil has to offer with super-distilled CBD that delivers a smooth consistency and a range of different flavours.Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten free, Vegan, THC-& CBN-free! £29.50 www.dragonflycbd.com

WELLBE SLEEP WellBeSleep® Shot and Bar For an evening snack to aid sleep, try the WellBeSleep® Shot and Bar, both of which contain natural lemon balm – a herb used over the centuries for its calming properties. Eat or drink your WellBeSleep® a while before going to bed. www.wellbemed.com MY SOHO TIMES

HIGHERDOSE Infrared PEMF Mat A quick session on our Infrared PEMF Mat can give you the same results as one hour of yoga or meditation (without all that bending) and plug you into the healing benefits of Infrared (without an intense sweat session – not set-up or clean-up required). PEMF grounds you in earth’s magnetic field for a full-body reset, while Infrared’s deeply penetrating heat doubles your dose. £890 ww.higherdose.com

FOR SLEEP & RELATATION

LEXI & TEAL Raspberry Beetroot Pillowcase and Eye Mask Sleep on Silky Softness of a Lexi & Teal pure silk housewife pillowcase with zipper - all you need for a restorative night sleep. Silk allows the skin and hair to gently glide across it, helping skin stay hydrated, hair stay smooth and wrinkles not to form whilst sleeping. Pair it with a Lexi & Teal eye mask in matching colour to upgrade your sleep - or gift! Pillowcase from £85 Eye mask £55 www.lexiandteal.com PURESPORT Unwind Oil UNWIND Oil has been specifically designed to assist with calming anxious thoughts and improving your quality of sleep. A blend of 1500mg CBD, L-Theanine, Chamomile, Lavender and Vitamin B Complex combine to facilitate the deepest of sleeps. £80 www.puresportcbd.com

CV AGE DEFY+ HYDRA Glow Sleep Mask 50ml Nothing feels better than waking up in the morning with a beautifully pampered complexion. This winter, treat your skin to an overnight treat with the Age Defy+ Hydra Glow Sleep Mask. £34.00 (50ml). www.greenpeople.co.uk

O SO CURLY Satin Pillowcase (Reversible) The O So Curly reversible satin pillowcase is the hair care essential you didn't know you need! Keep you curls and twist-outs looking fresh with this hair-care necessity. From £24.99 www.osocurly.com MY SOHO TIMES

HOW WELL YOU DO SLEEP?

Sleep is nature’s panacea, it’s more powerful than any drug in its ability to restore and rejuvenate the human brain and body. Getting the recommended seven to eight hours a night can improve concentration, sharpen planning and memory skills, and maintain the fat-burning systems that regulate our weight. f you struggle with insomnia or with your quality of sleep then it’s important to try to rectify that. 36% of UK adults struggle to get to sleep at least on a weekly basis, with this growing due to COVID*. Bed of Nails is an excellent sleep treatment as well as providing a host of other benefits. Coming up soon is World Sleep Day on the 18th of March – a day dedicated to helping people with sleep problems. What is Bed of Nails? Bed of Nails provides acupressure Mats and Pillows covered by 100% non-toxic plastic nails. The pressure of the 8,820+ rounded nails on the mat against your skin triggers your body’s innate way of healing itself, stimulating energy pathways known as meridians. This helps encourage relaxation on a whole other level and helps you sleep better at night. Originally an ancient tradition and holistic remedy, it is now the third most popular method for pain, illness, and sleeplessness relief in the world. Even Britney and JLO are fans! If you struggle with insomnia, acupressure helps to calm and relax your mind and ease you into a deep sleep by reducing cortisol levels. BON ECO Mat & Pillow Bundle £135 at www.bedofnails.org

THE MUSEUM OF SOHO

Visit: www.mosoho.org.uk

FOR SLEEP & RELATATION EARTHS SECRETS Earths Secret Sleep Complex Sleep is said to be a public health crisis of the modern world, as up to one third of the population may suffer from insomnia or other sleep problems. Enjoy high-quality sleep and energised mornings with a natural sleep aid. Earths Secret Sleep Complex was created to help with longer, deeper and more rejuvenative sleep, that will awaken you refreshed and revitalised ready for the day ahead. £50 for 60 capsules ww w.earthsecret.com

TISSERAND Sleep Better Diffuser Oil This dreamy blend combines 100% natural pure essential oils of soothing Lavender, warm Sandalwood and calming Jasmine to help you relax and prepare for a blissful night’s sleep.. www.tisserand.com

SLEEPLESS BOOK Anders Bortne. Translated by Lucy Moffatt Anders Bortne enjoys a good life in Oslo. Happily married with two delightful children, he works as a speechwriter and has a cartoon strip in the newspaper. Anders has been sleepless for sixteen years and it’s taking a toll but perhaps the solution is closer than he thinks...Sleepless is Anders Bortne’s memoir of the most severe insomnia, and all the tips and tricks he’s tried along the way. £7.99 available at www.amazon.co.uk

CELEBRATING 11 YEARS IN SOHO! Our unique and exclusive hot wax is handmade using natural ingredients. 30% off on 1st visit to all MY SOHO TIMES readers!

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"Puts a face to the names (or vice versa) of some of Soho's most fascinating characters, past and present!" - My Soho Times

Available now in Soho or online. www.centralbooks.com

MY SOHO TIMES

THE SOHO FLÂNEURS

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From the French word meaning ‘to stroll around’, you’ll most likely spot these Soho regulars in their usual cafe hangouts - Bar Italia, Bar Bruno and My Place, amongst others - catching up with locals, and even posing for the ‘gram. Fashionable and distinctively cool, they have a unique bond based on their connection to Soho. Meet The Soho Flâneurs. Photography by Darren Russell | Written by Kai Lutterodt MY SOHO TIMES

BRIAN STEWART AKA SOHO HOBO "I first came to Soho in the early 1970s. I used to get a red bus rover - about ten bob and first stop was Soho to look in the sex shops and get chased out and see the brasses in the doorways. Never escaped since! Met this lot of reprobates from being in the manor and Instagram via our interest in film, music and clobber."

STEVE DENCH AKA THE MAN IN BLACK “Three or four years ago I got into conversation with Antonio at Little Italy. I was going into hospital for cancer. He gave me his card, and I told him as soon as I am fit enough to come back this will be my first place to be. I was as good as my word, and it's only lockdown that stopped me being there. I now have all these lovely guys and girls as my friends. I believe we watch out for each other."

DAVID A. SAUNDERS AKA ROCKIN' DAVE "After taking early retirement from a lovely creative lifestyle, l started leaving my flat most mornings for the five minute walk to Bar ltalia for a coffee and l met a few of the chaps who were doing the same thing. Being half Italian l love the old Italian music that Bar ltalia plays, it's such a lovely way to start a day listening to music over a coffee with friends."

ALAN OF W "I'm an East End boy born and bred, with a large slice of Soho influence thrown in. The excitement of that mysterious, glamorous world below Oxford Street has always been a massive part of my life.The late, great Marquee Club in Wardour Street was THE music venue. Bar Italia is of course is always a great meeting point, and it’s how I got friendly with the rest of the gang. My personal style? Well, not sure if you can ever accurately describe yourself, so I’ll just say 'Modernist Mod.'“ WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

GEORGE SKEGGS aka SOHO GEORGE "I first arrived in Soho in 1957/8 attracted to the new rock n roll/ skiffle and Jazz scene, which had just exploded at that time. Clothes then and now are still an important part of my life. I design my clothes which are made by two Soho tailor friends of mine. I usually meet most people l know in either Bar Italia, Frith Street (established 1949) or My Place Coffee bar in Berwick Street."

DAVID TOSSELL AKA THE DAPPER CHELSEA GUY "I’m also known as The Dapper Chelsea guy. I'm a retired financial advisor. Like most of the guys we were all friends on Instagram before we started meeting up and going on days out. My style is rather traditional with the odd flourish and twist, although I do like to look for bargains in charity shops. My connection with Soho is because of football, I would always go to Bar Italia on my way to watch Chelsea play."

'BIG AL' GROVES "Members of "The Gang" and I kept meeting at different functions and we all became friends. I always like to be well dressed as I'm 'Old Skool' and have my own unique style with my visible tattoos. I was always in Soho in the early 80's... I'm glad there still exists some great characters and places."

DEAN SHEPHERD "My connection to soho started with an interest in late 50s / 60s coffee bars and clubs. This was formed from being part of the eighties mod revival. I got to know many of the local characters from hanging around Soho who also had a similar interest in 50s and 60s films clothes and music." MY SOHO TIMES

JONNIE TOO BAD “I arrived in Soho aged 12 for the first time, the year was 1959. I was fascinated by a the sexy and attractive women that existed in the doorways, and the street corners - they all seemed to have exotic names, and models as their occupation... My style? You’re either born with it, or you don’t have it. You can’t buy it."

TOMMY LUCY "I’m a London Black Cab Driver and an East End boy, but I’ve been coming to Soho for 40 years. Even as a young man I loved the atmosphere/buzz and naughtiness of Soho. From an early age I'd always come for coffee and watch the world go by (and you do see the world in Soho). There is a special crowd of us that meet in Bar Italia, Frith Street... We are all so different in personality and style - but it works!"

FLASH AKA THE URBAN DANDY "I’ve been coming to Soho since I was a teenager. Think I know London by the second hand and vintage shops - I do like a mooch around them. Now this band of crazy friends, I know them from hanging in Soho and social media. Over the years we all gelled and It hasn’t changed. I really do think we’ll all be friends till the very end."

ALFIE SYKES AKA BERMONDSEY VIKING "My connection with Soho is like the salmon always returning to its pubs, coffee shops, cafes and bars as a creature of habit. My Father, Bruce Robertson was one of the original Soho Samurai who drank in the French house. As a child I’d shelter for cover inside my Dad’s Loden coat while waiting for a 24 bus on Charing Cross road as we ventured home to Gospel Oak. The coat is my ‘Thor’s hammer’ as my father’s spirit is always with me whenever I sport it." WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

BIANCA AKA SOHO SHOWGIRL "I am an artist and performer. During the lockdowns I was performing in the streets around the West End, fan dancing, playing fire tuba and performing in a giant holographic shoe. I did these performances at least once a week as a one woman protest to highlight those forgotten and excluded. This was also my exercise and hopefully entertained the few locals who were still in the area. It was like a ghost town or a film set. I was really the last showgirl standing in Soho!"

THE SOHO FLÂNUERS AT BAR ITALIA/ LITTLE ITALY Read the full article and view more images when you search 'Soho Flânuers' on the My Soho Times blog www.mysohotimes.co.uk/blog

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A Quickie with Shyanne O'Shea Written by The Soho Girl

The Soho Girl caught up with Drag extraordinaire, sassy bae, Shyanne O'Shea, for a quickie... (get your head outta the gutter!) How did you get into drag? I first got into drag in Southern Ireland in 1999. I was asked to perform in drag and I had to ask “what is drag”? I was 19 and had no idea what this word drag was! In Ireland we had two channels and being gay was only made legal six years before this so it was very hush hush and nothing was on TV about gay life, let alone drag! What’s your inspiration? My inspiration comes from the 90’s supermodels and my sister who used to work as a glamour model whilst I was growing up. There’s finally light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. What are your plans? Once this pandemic has fully lifted I want my shows to always allow me to have another artist from my drag family performing with me. What makes a great night out? A great night out for me would be: lots of laughter, great food, amazing company, great music and being hit on by hot guys! What's your connection to Soho? When I lived in Ireland and it was still very frowned upon; coming over to Soho I just felt very free and safe.Whenever I come into London now I get drawn into that area. I love the quirkiness, the mixture of people and the shops although I prefer the Indi shops of the old days. www.shyanneoshea.com | @shyanne_oshea

First impressions are everything and from the moment we walked up the decadent red carpet, through the gigantic gilded doors, we were greeted by friendly staff dressed to impress and performance after performance providing breathtaking entertainment. Not knowing quite what to expect when we arrived, it was a feast for the eyes indeed. We were soon immersed in the infectious atmosphere of fun, mischief and sensuality. We tucked in hungrily to our three course Asian menu and delicious drinks, while our polished waiter took care of our every need with expert attention to detail. Helen Lederer is Proud Cabaret’s latest All Star to grace their stage. She performs alongside daring fire breathers, burlesque sensations and dazzling circus acts. Helen enchanted and amused spectators with her hilarious stand up and tongue in cheek poetry. Marie Devilreux, Burlesque beauty, stunned the crowd while suspended from a giant heart shaped hoop. Pi, a brilliant mime artist, blew us away, breaking free from their mundane desk job to reveal the inner performer. It was a production like no other which brought the audience to their feet to applaud the evening’s stars. The evening’s climax saw all the artists on stage and the guests singing along enthusiastically. We finished our night, truly spellbound by the extraordinary experience and vowing to return as soon as possible. Catch Cabaret All Stars ft. Helen Lederer until 26th March. Book your tickets at www.proudcabaret.com MY SOHO TIMES

Short but not so Sweet Paapa Essiedu takes the lead in award-winning mini-thriller, FEMME “There’s always gonna be boys that will hurt ya,” Jordan’s dad opens Femme with this foreboding statement, igniting immediately a sense of imminent danger. Crime thrillers conventionally have been dominated by cisgender, heterosexual masculine narratives, but Femme writers and directors Ng Choon Ping and Sam H. Freeman centralise the queer, femme experience against a backdrop of criminality and homophobic belligerence. First premiered at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) where it received Best British Short, the film was also nominated for Best Short Film at the London Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award for Narrative Short at the SXSW Film Festival. Femme is a crime thriller that details the unique yet precarious position of a queer, femme man living in a heteronormative and at times misogynistic world. Originally used in lesbian subcultures, where the terms ‘femme’ and ‘butch’ are used to acknowledge feminine and masculine identities, femme has become popularised for usage among gay and trans as well as non-binary people. Paapa Essiedu, known for his roles in I May Destroy You and a stunning turn as Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company, stars as the protagonist Jordan, who wears his femme label proudly. He is tempted by Wes, a drug dealer he meets outside a queer nightclub after experiencing heartbreak, and invites Jordan to go with him for some innocuous “style tips.” Played by Harris Dickinson, Wes is masculine, straightforward yet alluring to Jordan, whose own vulnerability and feminine demeanour suggest the two match like a moth to a flame.

As Jordan leaves the protective realm of the nightclub and heads to the unfriendly environment Wes resides in, the mise-en-scene switches from dreamy visual to stark and bright. Images of blue play an intermittent role - denoting emotional intensity in key moments. Similarly with red, which blares through a desk lamp in Wes’s house to show the impending threat Jordan is facing. “We wanted to explore the idea of ‘heterophobia’ - the sense of unease, or even fear, that queer people often experience in aggressively heterosexual environments and scenarios,” Ping and Freeman say. “We love [the crime] genre and thought that a twist on the hypermasculine late-night thriller would be an exciting way to tell our story; one that would allow us to ramp the premise up to its extreme.”

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Written by Kesh Wang Essiedu gives a rich performance in his role, showing his capability at bringing nuance and subtext to a crime story where plot could have easily overshadowed the protagonist. Its quick accumulation of tension near the end of the film erupts in a burst of violence that leaves your heart pounding. Ping and Freeman cite the American filmmaking duo the Safdie Brothers as a key inspiration for Femme, for their mastery in building and sutaining tension in films such as Good Time and Uncut Gems. “When people tell us that they hid their face behind their hands, or that they had to pause the film to take a breath, we know we’ve done our job well.“ The writing and directing duo demonstrate that there is ample space for queer perspectives to be featured in crime thrillers. Together with Essiedu’s performance, it tells us that the apprehension associated with the genre encapsulates exactly the anxious feelings that queer people experience by outwardly defying gender stereotypes.

Ever Been Turned Away From A Club - wait for it For Being 'Too Dark'? Loosely based on the DSTRKT nightclub incident of 2015, Queens of Sheba tells the hilarious, moving and uplifting stories of four passionate Black Women battling every-day misogynoir; misogyny directed towards black women where race and gender both play roles in bias (coined by Moya Bailey). Turned away from a nightclub for being “too black”, four women take to the stage with their own explosive true stories: the music and the misogyny, the dancing and the drinking, the women and, of course, the (white) men. Blending movement, music and storytelling this award-winning show confronts the status quo, tackles the truth and speaks it. Stripped back, the words take centre stage. The award-winning and critically-acclaimed play Queens of Sheba by Jessica L. Hagan, adapted by Nouveau Riche’s Ryan Calais Cameron triumphantly returns to Soho Theatre for its longest run to date. Directed by Jessica Kaliisa, the original National Tour cast - Tosin Alabi, Eshé Asante, Kokoma (Koko) Kwaku and Elisha Robin. Showing from the 7th to 26th February 2022, 7.30pm. Tickets from £11.50 www.sohotheatre.com/shows/queens-of-sheba MY SOHO TIMES

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Lavish Nails Soho 22 D'Arblay St, Soho London W1F 8EQ 0207 734 1788 www.lavishnailssoho.co.uk

Editor's Note unwrap with The Soho Girl

Seasonal unboxing & reviews of PR products live on Instagram

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Freelance Creator's Column Photographer Paul Todd @streetlife77a keeps on eye out for the creators making waves on the streets on London...

Ella Judge

Dancer, photographer, model, founder of Movingplaces Specialising in her passion for dance and photographing movement, Ella is definitely one to watch out for! @ella.judge.portfolio @_movingplaces

Adrian Alexander

Black cabbie, photographer A friendly London cab driver, who in between fares, uses his camera to create some epic photos of the best city in the world (London of course!) @Alexander_shootz

@the.soho.girl Join editor-in-chief, The Soho PR Girl as she unwraps and reviews the latest press samples landed on her desk - make that kitchen table - each season via the 'gram! www.mysohotimes.co.uk/editors-note

Peter Tyrell

Photographer & videographer Chef by day, adventurer at night, Peter swaps his torque blanche for a camera creating stunning visuals from London's best kept secret rooftops. @peterjamestyrell

Join the West End Creative Network monthly socials! Sign-up at www.mysohotimes.co.uk MY SOHO TIMES

Let's Talk about Sex in an Online World Lucía López speaks to three brand ambassadors of an online adult subscription platform creating sex for a digital audience....

f you’ve ever thought that making money by getting naked in front of a camera is easy - or easy money, you probably haven’t considered the amount of work that goes into creating valuable NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content and the emotional connotations of the experience itself. As a filmmaker and visual anthropology researcher with an extensive interest in women studies, sexual and cultural practices (I recently started LibidoTube, a youtube channel that offers a space for conversations around sex), when an opportunity arose to interview the brand ambassadors of adult subscription platform, sex.com, I couldn’t miss the chance. In a world where pornographic content creation is led mainly by men, the DotDolls (brand ambassadors) offered a refreshing stance on the subject - of empowerment, not oppression. These women are high profile content creators and entrepreneurs in their own right. My conversation with Josy Black, Alissa Noir, and Leah Obscure offered much needed context to some of my questions about sex in an online world; What are the emotional implications of having to meet the constant demands from their fans?, and how is their work relevant within the

context of supporting mental health during the pandemic. "I like to masturbate before I start filming to get in the mood,” shared Josy Black as casually as ordering her morning coffee. “the more I enjoy it, the more my fans will and that shows in the work, the energy that you have while producing is the energy that the fans are getting when they’re watching your video.” she added of how she gets in ‘the zone’ to prepare her content. Her openness and honesty didn’t surprise me, after all, speaking openly about sex normalises it. When watching any type of audiovisual entertainment, we may take for granted what goes on behind the scenes. During the first wave of the pandemic, so many people were made redundant or went into furlough that reduced resources and plenty of spare time called for finding different creative outlets. "We had a lot of new models asking for advice on how to set up their own accounts and tips for making videos,’ explains Alissa Noir. At the same time gender violence cases have peaked, which could in part be due to the inability for most men to go to brothels and unleash their frustrations WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

through the physicality of sex, hence the tendency for searching similar practices on the internet.‘Most times my fans just want to ask me what am I cooking for dinner in exchange for listening to their problems, I feel more like a therapist than a sex worker.’ admits Leah Obscure. In a world of isolation and uncertainty, sex work has become a key contributor to our society, as well as a support system for the fans’ mental health, hence we should be able to look at sex workers from a different perspective. Firstly, they are full time entrepreneurs and content creators. Second, they have strong work ethics and a creative outlook into their personal and professional life - and let’s not forget they constitute the basis for the sexual fantasies of the vast majority of the population. So why does sex work so often on the receiving end of shaming? ‘Most people believe that I am just horny all the time and I am too lazy to get a real job,’ Josy Black explains. She has vocationally dedicated her career to pornography as she enjoys exhibiting her body and gets joy out of making people feel like they belong. Sex expert and toy retailer UberKinky’s Ruby Payne has this view, “Some anti-porn campaigners argue that all porn is violent against women by nature, and that it perpetuates negative images and values. I don’t necessarily agree. Whilst porn - at least the traditional 'porn' as we know it on free sites - is misogynistic, exploitative and often racist and transphobic, there have been moves in recent years towards ethically made porn, and porn by females for females.

By seeking out these sites - yes, you often have to pay for this content - you can masturbate with the peace of mind that no one was hurt, everyone consented, and everyone involved was protected and paid." "There are also a lot of people who think that because of your pornographic career, you are also an escort or dating your fans." says Alissa Noir, who admits to being an extremely shy person and finding it difficult to interact with the fans sometimes. For the DotDolls, this is a full time job where they are in charge of the whole production and distribution of their videos, as well as fan engagement. But the task does not end there; most sex workers are willing to build a special connection with the customers, since being able to get direct feedback allows them to understand their needs as well as finding out what they enjoy the most. Nowadays, pornographic content is not only about sex but about the personal connection you can build with the person you are watching. "There is definitely more room for intimacy, our fans just want to talk, they want to hear about your everyday life and they want to feel like they are with you, things that a normal girlfriend would do.'’ says Leah Obscure. Online pornographic content can be seen as recreational entertainment as well as a therapeutic experience. How to reframe this narrative comes down to online platforms willing to support the creators as the legitimate workers they are. Written by Lucía López MY SOHO TIMES

Monster AMBITION

Young creatives are the pulse of the current generation in Soho! Passion emanate from this new cohort of artists, designers, models and budding photographers flocking to the area . Here at My Soho Times, we aim to encourage this new generation and put them firmly in the Spotlight! Melissa Ryan, a seventeen-year-old designer, hailing from Ealing, chose Soho as the place to begin her career in fashion. Studying at FRA (Fashion Retail Academy), she is shooting her collection against a backdrop of eyecatching graffiti, stating ‘the streets looked like huge never ending art exhibitions’. She spoke to us about her brand, vision and hopes for the future. A firm believer in sustainable fashion, Melissa never throws anything away, experimenting with old clothes and creating wearable art. She pays close attention to the eclectic mix of styles in Soho and absorbs what the fashion school has to offer. She says: ‘Since I’ve been attending FRA I’ve learnt so much and have expanded my creativity and courage to go further with fashion.’ Approaching her final exams in school, she was unsure of which direction to pursue. But after considering ‘some creative A-levels’, finally decided to take the leap and apply to fashion school.

Spotlight Gen z

She admits that initially her mum was concerned about her following this path, but she got behind her daughter and now supports her ambitions fully, and Melissa’s creativity blossomed. ‘Since I’ve been attending FRA I’ve learnt so much and have expanded my creativity and courage to go further with fashion.’ Her Monster ambition continued as she chose a brand name to best represent her clothing range. She took inspiration from artists such as Zheani and fashion brands like Widow, as well as her favourite dolls from Monster High! With the creation of the 'Poison' top, the brand Pink Poison was formed. Her hopes for the future is that her brand ‘can influence Soho in a way that will open people’s eyes’ and ‘be known for rejecting the norm’. So what would she say to other young people unsure about pursuing their dreams? ‘I would say, analyse what makes you happiest and where your creativity flows best’. Great advice!

Written by Rachael Outwin Photography by Paul Todd

However, during lockdown Tom started creating artistic variations on the iconic ‘Acid Smiley Face.’ What started out as a hobby soon turned into a force to be reckoned with as demand for his creations skyrocketed.

S MIL

The Acid Lounge Written by Kelly Gavaghan

After graduating from university with a degree in Creative Technology, Tom Finn moved to London and became the head of DJ Mag TV. It was there that he really made his name on the international dance music scene as a wild child interviewer, DJ and music producer.

With Irvine Welsh, The Happy Mondays, Carl Cox and Fatboy Slim - to name but a few - all huge fans of Tom’s work, The Acid Lounge has gone stratospheric and Tom is now gearing up for an exhibition here in London at the end of March at Hanway Social Club, off Tottenham Court Road. Tom tells us how it all began… HOW DID THE ACID LOUNGE START TOM? I have ADHD so in the second lockdown I spent a lot of time in my studio working on new music. I joined forces with my friend Greg Nash and we started our double act, Brothers Ruin, gaining a residency on Release Radio. WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

However, with ADHD you never know when to stop and I was self-medicating a lot. Things had to change so I decided to get sober. My friend Joanna Barber told me about her new project called the Six Zero Experiment which was about committing to 60 days with no alcohol or drugs. It was just what I needed! After three weeks of sobriety the magic started to happen and I decided to try a new hobby - acrylic paint pouring. I was overwhelmed by calm while experimenting and creating hypnotic, psychedelic pieces. When I posted on social media it went crazy with loads of people asking to buy them! I went on a frenzied mission creating acid smileys… it was the most incredible outlet for my ADHD and nothing else has kept me more focused.

A real highlight was a commission for Rolling Stock nightclub in Shoreditch where we revamped the entrance with a huge vivid green and yellow smiley. I am regularly tagged in posts of people standing by my giant smiley! WHAT CAN VISITORS EXPECT AT YOUR LONDON EXHIBITION? With Hanway Social Club being a bar, club and gallery, visitors can expect loads of smileys with soundtrack and light visuals to take you back to the early days of acid house and rave culture with live DJs. It’s going to be a real nostalgia trip for all the ravers out there!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FANBASE.

The Acid Lounge Exhibition 26th March until the end of April Free Entry | From 6pm – Midnight Everyday

I’ve created over 300 pieces and am selling globally to celebrities, pop stars, house music legends, night clubs, restaurants, record labels, superstar DJ’s, models, radio stations, presenters and record shops.

Hanway Social Club 20 Hanway Street, London, W1T 1UG IG: @tomfinn_official MY SOHO TIMES

A Day in her shoes...

The Thrills of Illyanna Gherbin IIllyanna Gherbin is a freelance stylist and personal shopper, as well as a mother of two. Her services range from sourcing high value/rare pieces, curating clothes for photo shoots to doing wardrobe edits for clients. She walks us through her average day in Soho, through the eyes of a stylist....

Illyanna wears: Blazer – Isabel Marant Belt – Weekday Dress – Magda Butrym Trainers – Balenciaga Bag - Prada

Photography by Alla Bogdanovic | @allaphoto.art

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But first, coffee.... After completing the school run, I retreat to the haven of Grind Soho (19 Beak St, Carnaby, London W1F 9RP) to look at the day’s agenda. Checking and responding to emails, sourcing soughtafter pieces and making calls to hold pieces in advance of collection. Every day is different and usually with a tight deadline so efficiency is key. Charged with a punchy strong coffee and a quick breakfast, I plan my route for the day. This place is also a great shout in the evening as there is a cocktail bar in the basement, for when I need a little bit extra in that much needed coffee!

Let's shop! In my role as a personal shopper, I am always on the hunt for something for a client. Whilst sourcing pieces online is convenient, I will always search additionally in shops, as there’s usually different stock available. Soho is a fantastic place to source pieces -from the big high street flagships for the limited edition pieces, to the designer boutiques for the luxury pieces not forgetting the vintage stores to get hold of those unique pieces; it’s a one stop shop!

Through the rails On the Run

Recently, I have really been pushing for clients to shop more sustainably. Trawling vintage shops is a big passion of mine and the joy I get from finding a unique piece for a client who usually shops luxury fashion is exhilarating. Reducing fashion’s footprint is something we can all do and buying vintage is a great way to do so. Goldsmith Vintage (121-125 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0EW ) is fantastic for bargains or specific retro era pieces; leather jackets, beaded dresses, designer blazers, all for £12.95 or less!

Showrooms are plentiful in Soho and collecting and returning items that are being used for shoots is a given. A favourite stop of mine for contemporary designer fashion is Machine-A (13 Brewer Street, London W1F 0RH), they offer beautifully crafted pieces from artisans of fashion and they work as boutique and showroom so great for both private clients and photoshoots. I get a lot of steps in with my job! With everything within walking distance and usually the fastest option, trainers are the only thing I can wear in the day. That said, I always keep heels in the bag in the case of any impromptu events! I am constantly searching for new shops to source pieces from. Visiting them is part of my daily research. Over the past 2 years, we have seen the shopping landscape change rapidly as premises have collapsed under the pressure of the pandemic. What has been amazing and shows the resilience of this city are the new shopping locations that are cropping up. Dunno Curated (8 Berwick St, London W1F 0PP) is a fantastic addition to Soho. Launched in July 2021 under young and innovative ownership, it incorporates vintage as well as art and music, presenting itself as more of a lifestyle brand than your typical vintage outlet. There you’ll find high end luxury designer pieces, retro t-shirts and limited-edition trainers. Beyond Retro, (19-21 Argyll St, London W1F 7TR) a well known and loved vintage store, which first launched in 2002 and has long been a favourite haunt for your average vintage lover. With super friendly staff and a vast collection, you’ll be walking out with a purchase and a smile.

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“Everytime I’d see something amazing I’d say OMG - oh my God’!” explains London-based, BrazilianFrench makeup artist, Jonas Oliver, on the inspiration behind the three letter word title of his debut book OMG; “The name of the book was supposed to be colours. I have never been afraid to play with colours. In Brazil even the cleaning lady will put on red lipstick to go to the shops. My influence however is largely connected to the cinema and lighting.” "The point of the book isn’t to teach people how to do makeup, there are so many platforms for that. It’s to get people to see my work and say; “Oh my God, this is too much,” or “Oh my God, maybe I can do this in a different way.” In that moment I’ve already got what I want - for them to be thinking about and develop ideas on how they can do it. And not be afraid to try." IG: @jonasolivercom MY SOHO TIMES

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4 TIPS TO RELEASE NATURAL ENERGY So your New Year's resolution to get fit came to an abrupt stop - if it even saw the light of day! Don’t fret- a new season brings with it a fresh slate. We’ve called upon Ophelia Bird, Senior Coach at F45 Soho for tips to get your mojo in motion again with a burst of natural energy!

01 WAKE UP AT THE SAME TIME EVERYDAY Early mornings can be hard…really hard, but waking up at the same time every day is actually proven to improve your sleep. There are sleep apps that you can use to monitor this but if you are anything like me (I get a bit obsessed with them and it counteracts with my ability to sleep), keep it simple and set an alarm for the same time every morning during the week. We are all human so a lie-in on the weekend is acceptable, but you will probably find that your body clock will kick in!

02 EAT BREAKFAST They say, ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ and in my opinion it is the best meal of the day! During the night we don’t eat so it’s important to replenish your body which will give you that energy boost and set you up for the day. Choose something that will fill you up (I have porridge) and won’t have you snacking throughout the morning. When we go hungry, that’s when we start making bad decisions. I am particularly guilty of this at times!

03 DRINK ENOUGH WATER Drinking water is so important - I cannot stress this enough. Dehydration gives you all sorts of issues ranging from bad headaches to feeling fatigued. Working at F45 Soho, I am constantly on the move and wherever I go, my water bottle comes with me. There are so many health benefits, better skin, more energy, improved brain activity etc. I would recommend drinking at least two liters a day, sounds a lot but remember your body is made up of over 50% water!

04 EXCERCISE Exercise leads to so many health benefits, physically and mentally. Where I train and work, at F45 Soho, there is a huge variety of classes. There are cardio days that are fast-paced and resistance days where you slow it down and focus on lifting heavy! Whatever the class, it is always a challenge and if you come in not feeling 100% you will definitely leave feeling it. There are classes throughout the day to fit everyone’s schedule. If I’m not coaching in the morning, I will usually do 6.30am class which sets me up for the day ahead! Exercise releases so many endorphins and it is essential to mental health. If you’re having a stressful day get your body moving, whether it’s an F45 class, a walk outside or a stretch. Try F45 Soho for FREE! Get energised this season -Simply scan the QR code and enter code MYSOHOTIMES for your free class! 14a Dufour's Pl, London W1F 7SN MY SOHO TIMES

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