E1 Life Sept/Oct 16 = Issue 4 by RC Publishing

ISSUE 4 SEPT/OCT 2016

Take me, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m yours MUSIC WITH YOUR PINT LIVING ON A BARGE MIGHTY METRO BANK HEIRLOOM BUYS

HENNIE HAWORTH

PAINTING THE TOWN From Louis Vuitton to E1ife, the East End illustrator on the up! BUSINESS

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contents

P 10 Grown-up glamour at McQueen

P 14 Meet the incredible illustrating lady

P 19 The bank that’s shaking up business

P 22 Enjoy the life aquatic on a luxury barge

P 34 Fine dining for whatever the occasion

P 46 Fancy some music with your pint?

P 52 Fashion mavens of Broadway Market

P 54 How to keep that post-holiday glow

P 64 Sail the azure blue sea of Corfu

PUBLISHER: Rosie Coxshaw EDITOR: Kelly Beswick CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Nicky Acketts ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nicola Eusden BUSINESS & PROPERTY EDITOR: Eric Woollard-White ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Ed Gibbs FOOD & DRINK WRITERS: Liam Barker, Sophie Castle and Ann Castle BEAUTY WRITER: Lily Earle FEATURE WRITERS: Catherine Hudson and Alex Lloyd INTERIORS EDITOR: Michelle Frawley SUB-EDITOR: Gemma Rollason SOCIAL MEDIA: Charlotte Clarke Printed by Calli Media Circulation: RCP Media – Published by RC Publishing Ltd: 0203 011 1194; info@e1ife.co.uk While every care is taken, RC Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, omissions or errors. Prices correct at time of going to press. All rights reserved.

Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premium Drinks Event TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT EVENTBRITE OR YPLAN

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POSITIVE THINKING

It’s been nearly three months since Brexit – a topic of conversation that seems to be on everyone’s lips. I’m currently sitting at my desk overhearing yet another telephone call about the euro v’s the pound and how do we know what the future will bring? Of course, no one really knows the answer and such uncertainly is causing fear that in turn builds a sense of negativity. From a business perspective, it can make us halt and over analyse the situation. But is this fear going to solve anything? If I had let my fear overtake my decisions, I wouldn’t have achieved half of what I set out to accomplish. Indeed, when we set-up E1ife it was a gamble. Every conversation and interview we participated in addressed ‘print being in decline’. But our vision has always been about more than the copies we print. There is no denying the fact that East London has one of the biggest gravitational pulls in the UK, if not the world, and over recent years we have seen the area change significantly with individuals and businesses still wanting a slice of the action – even Ikea is about to launch its pop-up dining experience on Shoreditch High Street. East London is opening more avenues for so many audiences and this is why E1ife appeals to such a wide readership as it captures the heart and soul of the area, whether you are a sophisticated businessman or young hipster searching for the next dream. Being a part of E1ife, we want you to feel empowered by this special area, as we bring you compelling, creative content and a platform for our advertisers to be proud of and want to align their brand with. Why? Because whatever Brexit means, we are here to stay. ISSUE 4 SEPT/OCT 2016

Take me, I’m yours MUSIC WITH YOUR PINT LIVING ON A BARGE MIGHTY METRO BANK HEIRLOOM BUYS

With lo ve,

Rosie

HENNIE HAWORTH

PAINTING THE TOWN From Louis Vuitton to E1ife, the East End illustrator on the up! BUSINESS E1 LIFE_001_COVER_SEPT16_GR.indd 1

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SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

S I LV E R J E A N S . C O . U K

r da ra r ou ar on our rad n o on on our radar ou r ra da r

a rr

on our radar on

Only the hottest and most happening make the grade 1. ART FOR ALL Originally specialising in installing incredible pieces for businesses, Shoreditch-based Acrylicize now offers unique works of art at affordable prices. Whether it’s a picture created from Lego figures or Monopoly squares made from old train tickets, exciting art’s never been so accessible. acrylicize.com 2. RIVER DEEP Don’t miss Totally Thames 2016, which runs throughout September, offering a lively mix of art, entertainment and events designed to bring our great river to life. totallythames.org

3. MODEL BEHAVIOUR Just like the area in which her agency resides (E1 in case you hadn’t guessed), Eleni Renton, founder of Leni’s Model Management, is bringing more vibrancy and attitude to her books through a new initiative called the Influencers. These latest sign-ups are more than just pretty faces, being better known for their endeavours off camera, such as Marissa Montgomery, designer for Rotten Roach. lenismodels.com 4. WE’LL DRINK TO THAT Just launched in the Shoreditch area is a new drinks delivery service called Hopt. Operating within a one-mile radius of its Boxpark location, the company will bring anything from the finest craft beers and boutique wines to the newest East London gin brand, directly to you door (or office, should you prefer). hopt.co.uk 5. A FINE VINTAGE Connoisseur and casual drinkers alike are flocking to Andaz’s latest offering, with the 1901 Wine Lounge serving up an eclectic and adventurous selection of more than 160 varieties (many of which are available by the glass) in the most atmospheric of surroundings. londonliverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com

6. BAKE OFF The lovely ladies at the Luminary Bakery are on the move. The social enterprise designed to offer disadvantaged women the chance to build better futures through baking has been happily ensconced in the Husk coffee house in Limehouse. Now, however, it’s setting up shop in Stoke Newington, on Allen Road to be precise, with the new store boasting a commercial kitchen, café and training centre. luminarybakery.com

7. STOCK IT TO THEM Bone Daddies’ ramen master Ross Shonan has ventured east to Old Street’s The Bower for his fourth London branch. Opt for seats at the bar or benches and slurp up all manner of the soupy noodles (tonkotsu, tantanmen, spicy miso, kimchee, and – exclusive to Old Street – crispy duck aburamen with roasted sweetcorn and pickled padron peppers), snacks and sides (pig bones, shashimi, softshell crab). There’s also a fine selection of booze including cocktails, Japanese whiskies and sake. bonedaddies.com

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JUNE/JULY 2016

party party

Music and lights MCQUEENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OUTDOOR PARTY, SHOREDITCH The party people of East London lived up to their reputation at the recent McQueen bash celebrating the opening of the venueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stylish, new outdoor space. With Champagne flowing faster than Nigara Falls, the party hit the ground running with boogie band, Earthlights, commanding the stage and getting the dancefloor heaving. Burlesque performers, contortionists, live magic and incredible DJ sets helped make the night unstoppable.

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In your space Top tweets, pics and postings, plus events and openings with a digital edge

Best in show

Slip, sliding away

Prick up your ears

Cacti, famed for being easy to grow and look after, have recently found new admirers through their use as Instagram props and, what’s more, they’re rumoured to help soften the effects of Wi-Fi and other electronic waves in the home. Timely then that London’s very first boutique dedicated to cacti and other succulents has opened in Dalston. Seeing cacti as living sculptures, Prick on Kingsland Road was opened by Gynelle Leon and offers plants in all shapes and sizes. prickldn.com

Wheeeee! A bar with an adults-only slide has opened in East London – no wonder it’s become one of the most popular posts on our Twitter feed. The slide transports punters from the mezzanine level of Trade Union in Thomas More Square direct into the restaurant and bar. What with the water slide at Alexandra Palace and Carsten Höller’s whirly slide snaking around the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Olympic Park, us Londoners have obviously decided we are done with walking and must have the option to whizz down a slide wherever we go. Can’t say fairer than that! trade-union.co.uk

For all you dog owners out there, check out Bauwow, a fantastic free app that will help you find everything you could possibly need for your canine companion and, better still, you can tailor it specifically to the East London area. Available to download from the App Store or Google Play, it aims to help you build a social life and community for your pampered pooch and includes the best, local dog-friendly restaurants, bars, cafés and pubs, as well as putting you in touch with other dog owners in your area. bauwowworld.com

TOP TWEETS

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WE NEED YOU! Tag your pics on Instagram for a chance of appearing on this page SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

ART SCENE

All things bright and With the ability to find loveliness in the mundane, Hennie Haworth’s colourful, intricate illustrations have been snapped up by names as big as Louis Vuitton and Converse. But at heart she’s a simple EastEnd girl who likes to wander with sketch pad and pencils in hand capturing the area’s vibrant and eclectic streets WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK

What others might think of as dull or unappealing, Hennie Haworth has always found attractive. As a young girl she loved playing with mud, but not in the smearing-it, throwing-it way of most children. No, Hennie would seek out a suitable stick and then draw fabulous pictures with it. Some thirty years on, little has changed. Admittedly her artist’s toolkit is now made up of more conventional wares, but she still finds herself fixated by the most unprepossessing of things, where her keen eye and creative flair manage to draw out their latent beauty. Whether a Japanese vending machine or her local supermarket in Walthamstow, her illustrations are utterly captivating, full of such colour and detail that they remove the blinkers of familiarity, presenting the everyday and ordinary in a brilliant new light. “I do like to draw things that aren’t perfect and have a lot of character,” says Hennie, whose elfin appearance and soft, whispery voice belie her 34 years. “It’s why I’m particularly drawn to street scenes and buildings, especially those in the East End. There’s such warmth and texture to them and so much lovely detail.” Hennie certainly got to indulge her passion for drawing the capital in all its architectural glory during her latest commission, a gorgeous colouring-in book called Colour London (The Ivy Press, £9.99) which contains 20 panoramic scenes from our great metropolis, with more than a fair few depicting well-known East-End haunts. “It really was my perfect job,” laughs Hennie, still clearly delighted at landing such a gig. “I got to draw some of my favourite places,

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such as Columbia Road Market, Brick Lane and Spitalfields. They’re such eclectic areas with smart, glossy bits, old, crumbly bits, bright graffiti and a whole mixture of shops. I hope I managed to capture their vibrancy and friendliness. They’re so uniquely London and I really wanted to do them justice.” Well rest assured she has, with her trademark eye for detail evident in every cobblestone, shop sign and awning – all crying out to be coloured in. “I have such passion for colour, bordering on obsession, but for this book I had to rein myself in and leave that bit for others to decide,” says Hennie. It was not so, however, for a recent exhibition she

beautiful

held on her home turf of E17, which showcased her bright and bold take on such high-street staples as her local pub, butcher, pie and mash shop and the aforementioned supermarket! “It was the first time I’d properly shown my work and it was brilliant fun,” says Hennie excitedly. “I sold loads of prints, which was fantastic, and then to cap it all off, someone bought an original on the very last day.” Originally from Kingston upon Thames, Hennie

studied art and design at Brighton University before moving to Dalston, where she found studio space in the Print House on Ashwin Street. Back in the day the old building was dilapidated, barely in use, and overlooking an equally forlorn car park. “It’s changed so much since then,” say Hennie. “Now it’s home to Cafe Oto and the Dalston Roof Park. I can’t believe how trendy and popular it’s become. ➦

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Illustration by Fiona Woodcock

My years there were amazing, though, sharing this huge communal space with a mixture of photographers, graphic designers, illustrators and even a hat-maker. We were all freelance and very supportive of each other, which was really lovely.” After which Hennie’s life took a somewhat surreal turn thanks to her partner, a fellow artist at the Royal Collage of Art, securing a six-month tenure on an exchange programme with Kyoto University, Japan. “Being a freelancer meant I could up sticks easily and accompany him, so that’s how I found myself there with time on my hands to embark on a personal project. I wanted to do something that was quite specific to the country, and that’s when I struck on the idea of drawing the vending machines.” Ah, yes, those vending machines. Only Hennie could recognise what glorious objects they actually are. “They’re quite fabulous really, so bright and colourful and always working one hundred per cent, never vandalised like they are here, while the packaging of the products inside is so cute and nicely designed” she enthuses. “Also, they are situated absolutely everywhere. Do you know they even have them in paddy fields!” Once back home and having previously given up their flat and the studio in Dalston, Hennie and her partner opted for a spot of house-sitting

right next door to the British Museum, which she describes as “a bit of a weird experience”. Longing to head back East and discovering she was pregnant, Hennie took a pragmatic approach to house-hunting. “Obviously it would have been lovely to slot back in to Hackney, but it simply wasn’t affordable and this was five years ago. But Walthamstow back then was much cheaper, so that’s where we ended up, by necessity rather than choice.” Now, however, two children (Theo, 4, and Ivy, 2) later and the proud owner of a Border terrier puppy – which considering it’s a bitch is incongruously named Basil Casper (she blames her son) – Hennie couldn’t be happier. “I love the sense of community around here; everyone lives so close by you bump into people all the time. There are also plenty of green spaces, with the Marshes and Epping Forest practically on the doorstep. But if I need a fix of the city, we’re not a million miles away.” So life for Hennie couldn’t be sweeter, both on the home front and professionally, with her distinctive designs gracing everything from book covers and wine packaging to advertising hoardings and face creams, with big brands queuing up to get a slice of her illustrative magic. She wasn’t to know it as a small child drawing those pictures with mud, but as the saying goes: where there’s muck there’s brass.

PEARLY QUEEN FOR A DAY

“I’m not a big fan of the car, which is another reason I like living in Walthamstow where everywhere is so walkable you don’t need to drive, which has the added bonus of making the place more sociable. I wish the whole of East London was like it, but people have to get around – this is why I’d really like the area to be more cycle friendly. We need proper cycle paths so people can get around without the constant fear of being knocked off by a motorist.”

Hennie’s Little Black Book GO-TO RESTAURANT:

Sodo Pizza Café, the sourdough bases are authentic and delicious, but best of all they’ve just opened up a branch in Walthamstow. PUB: I love the Clapton Hart’s slightly down-at-heel feel and the fact it’s comfortable but with a lively atmosphere. COFFEE SHOP: Even if I didn’t have young children I’d still be a regular at the café at Hackney City Farm. MARKET: Of course it has to be Columbia Road, it represents everything that’s so fantastic about the East End. PLACE TO CHILL: With a little dog as well as two small children, I think the most relaxing thing is going walking on the Marshes – Hackney or Walthamstow, I don’t mind which. OUT-OF-TOWN TREAT: That has to be Leighon-Sea as it’s really easy to get to, has a lovely little beach and a lot of mud! PLACE TO VISIT: Similarly to my coffee shop answer you don’t need children to appreciate the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. I could spend hours looking at the various collections.

Short courses at The Cass

londonmet.ac.uk/TheCassShortCourses +44 (0)20 7320 1842

MADE IT Making its premises appealing to dog owners is all part of Metro Bank’s charm offensive

BY ERIC WOOLWARD-WHITE

A bank with bark as well as bite As enticements to switch current accounts go, Metro Bank’s offer of free dog biscuits takes the, well, biscuit – literally. But as Eric Woollard-White discovers, the treats don’t stop there...

Metro Bank doesn’t do branches, so I popped over to its spacious, shiny-floored Cheapside ‘store’ and took a moment to paws (that’ll be the last doggy pun, promise!) and reflect on the company’s enthusiastic new vision for banking. Metro Bank is the brainchild of US billionaire and financial services entrepreneur Vernon Hill, but his wife Shirley also has a significant role in the organisation, particularly overseeing the look, feel and branding of its iconic street-corner locations – with several new openings planned east of London as well as way beyond. Hill’s vision is about creating ‘fans’ rather than customers, and is fiercely focused on being brilliant at the basics and creating a great experience. ➦

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So passionate is Hill about his vision, he’s even written and published a book about it (Fans Not Customers: How to Create Growth Companies in a No Growth World, £11.99, Profile Books) which is just being updated and reprinted. It reads like the ultimate employee training manual for delighting customers at every turn and is surprisingly revolutionary in its wisdom – the surprise being that most of what it espouses is common sense, devil-in-the-detail stuff, but these are the very things that other brands, particularly Metro’s competition, often get wrong. Ask any Metro Bank team member and they will tell you with abundant energy and a smile about all these ‘little’ details – including the statistic that 77 per cent of customers open an account in just 15 minutes, with an active account, online access and a working debit card printed before they leave the store. Those who don’t get an account in this time usually just need a proof of address or identification that they haven’t brought with them. In the very short wait while the in-store debit card printer does its magic, customers are offered refreshments of tea, coffee or soft drinks, they can make use of facilities such as free coin-to-note changers, utilise the sparkling clean bathrooms, entertaining young children with colouring books and pencils and, of course, there’s the aforementioned dog biscuits (and bowls of fresh water should your pooch have worked up a thirst). Business customers (a fast-growing segment

METRO BANK FACTS: 42 stores 780,000 customer accounts £6.6bn in deposits £4.6bn in loans 80 per cent brand recognition in London market 110 stores by 2020

CASE STUDY

East London communications company FWD When corporate communications company FWD thought it had run out of options to raise money for a management buyout, they stumbled across Metro Bank’s Cheapside store. Having struggled to grab the attention of other lenders and financial institutions, FWD shared its story with the Cheapside team, which immediately started working closely with FWD to close the deal. “As a growing business we needed a bank that understood our needs and delivered the personal service we value – Metro Bank did just that,” says Elliot Lane, FWD’s joint managing director. “The credit and lending teams really got to know our business in order to be able to secure appropriate financing for the management buyout. “Our dedicated relationship manager ensured the process was as smooth as possible. We are very happy with the continued high level of personal service and would recommend Metro Bank to any business that wants more from its bank than just a call centre.”

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for Metro) can also, with prior agreement, use the meeting rooms in every store for those all-important deal-making moments with clients, and for day-today banking needs you get to speak with, and build a relationship with, real people. This all happens during weekday opening hours from 8am to 8pm, from 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on a Sunday. In locations where Metro Bank has opened, other banks have tried in some cases to follow suit with ‘extended’ hours and other modest efforts on service improvement. But, as Kevin Barrett, Metro’s regional director, explains, the key to success in getting the basics right is about being absolutely committed to consistency and truly caring about it. So, with all this in mind, I am still struggling with one tiny question: why dog biscuits? “It’s not just about dog biscuits, that’s just one of the many ways Metro Bank differentiates itself from the rest of the market, and one of many unique selling points we have as a business – but our founder and his wife do love their dogs, and that has become a part of our story,” Kevin explains. “We provide banking services like everyone else, but it is how we do that and, more importantly, why we do it, that really offers something very different. This is especially the case in London, where people’s working hours probably vary a lot from elsewhere. We are open for another three hours after people finish work and it’s really important we are here to serve our customers.” Added Kevin: “It’s not rocket science, we just

have a focus on doing everything in the store at the time, and the competition can do that if they wanted to. Things like our Magic Money coin change machines are open for customers and noncustomers alike, and with non-customers it’s about saying ‘we are open – please come in and see what we can do’, and if we are the only bank that will change your coins into notes for free, then maybe people won’t think twice about looking at our other services.” Metro Bank is not the only new bank on the block – applications for new banks are increasing, according to official statistics, but these are mostly niche services and based on a completely digital experience via smartphone or tablet. Kevin points out: “For Metro Bank it’s about delivering the consistency of experience across all channels, whether it’s stores, telephony or digital, but there is some recent research that says people tend to migrate to where there is a good-quality experience. We like to think we own that space.” All evidence suggests they do.

TO LET / FOR SALE

Vernon Hill’s bestselling book is currently in the throes of being updated and reprinted on the back of Metro Bank’s huge success

0207 566 6455 www.goodsircommercial.co.uk

Newly Developed Ground Floor Office (B1) Media Style Offices, Offered As A Glazed Shell With Core Services. Terms: On Application WE AIM TO PROVIDE OUR CLIENTS WITH A ONE STOP PROPERTY PRACTICE. OUR COMPANY SERVICES INCLUDE

22 CAVELL STREET, LONDON E1

1,428 Sq. Ft GIA

- PROPERTY INVESTMENT CONSULTANTS - COMMERCIAL AGENCY SALES & LETTINGS - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - RENT REVIEWS - FIRM OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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PROPERTY

WATER tight

Long for a plush apartment slap-bang in the middle of the city, but the price is beyond your reach? Well we’ve found the answer – a luxurious floating home, moored on the River Thames, and costing a lot less than anything else you’ll find in the vicinity WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK

Waking up to the sound of gently lapping water, looking out of a porthole to see dappled sunlight flitting over the river’s inky surface while a mallard duck glides serenely by – this is the scene that greets Alex Prindiville of a morning on board his barge, a name that really doesn’t do this particular vessel justice. A luxury floating apartment more like! All solid wood flooring, a state-of-the-art kitchen complete with breakfast bar, plush oversized sofas and a magnificent wood-burning stove taking centre stage, this is not Rosie and Jim territory, being more akin to a scaled-down oligarch’s yacht. Indeed, the main room leads to two equally impressive bedrooms and a bathroom that wouldn’t look out of place in a five-star hotel. No wonder Mr Prindiville seems to have a permanent smile on his face. And you too could have the grin of a Cheshire cat knowing that you’ve bagged yourself a fabulous floating residence in a prime East London location (the beautiful Limehouse Basin Marina, glamorous St Katherine’s Dock or cosmopolitan Canary Wharf anyone?), because what Prindiville originally created as an occasional weekday crash pad for himself and a lovely weekend treat for his three young daughters, he’s now manufacturing for public consumption, and all for £300,000 a pop. “What else could you get for that price in this area?” Prindiville asks, not waiting to hear a response because he ➦

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Living on the waterfront in a prime London location is now an affordable option

PROPERTY

knows the answer is practically nothing. “For the money you get a fully kitted out two-bedroom apartment, complete with washing machine, dishwasher – you name it. You’re all ready to move in. All you have to do is buy your shopping, stock the fridge and you’re good to go.” It does sound decidedly seductive and even though the business proper has only been up and running a few months, Prindiville has been inundated with interest, with three builds already in serious discussion. “Each customer wants different things, which is fine because we offer a bespoke service,” he explains. “There’s one guy who wants to forsake the second bedroom for a recording studio, a lady who’s moved out to the country

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and just wants a space in London where she can come down and stay for a few days, and a chap who’s already living on a boat but is looking for an upgrade.” If Prindiville sounds like the seasoned businessman, that’s because he is, with supercars, rather than super boats being the market he first dipped his toe in some 20 years back (he’s now 41). So how did he go from Bentleys to barges? “It’s not such a stretch, really. Working in the high-end motor trade means I have developed a fine eye for attention to detail and rely heavily on top-quality manufacturing. The same principles apply whether it’s Ferraris or floating apartments.” It was while in his Limehouse showroom overlooking the marina that Prindiville first struck on the idea of acquiring a houseboat. “Working so close to the river, I could see how lovely it would be to live on it, and also incredibly convenient. To be able to stay just a stone’s throw from where I work for a couple of days during the week, saving me having to make the train journey home, was very appealing, as was the idea of using it at weekends with the family, so I started to look into it.” Initially the idea was to simply buy something and be done with it, but Prindiville’s love of luxury and quality got the better of him. “I just couldn’t bring myself to buy some heap of plastic that didn’t really fit our use, so I started to look into getting something made,” he recalls. His research took him up and down the country, visiting various manufacturers, but it was in Sheffield that he finally found what he was looking for. “I came across these guys and I could see they were really good craftsmen who’d been building boats through

The boat’s interior is stylish and luxurious and includes all mod cons

the generations and I immediately knew they were the right people for the job,” says Prindiville. His instincts proved correct and he was so delighted by the end product that he decided to set up a second business selling similar floating apartments to the public. “It really wasn’t a business I intended to go in to, but once I saw from my own boat how brilliant living on the river could be, I thought it made perfect sense. This product really fills a gap in the market for young professionals looking for somewhere central to live and who don’t want to compromise their lifestyle, or for people like me who simply need somewhere to stay a couple of nights a week without spending a fortune.” Indeed, Prindiville’s enthusiasm for the life aquatic is positively infectious and after just half an hour in his company you seriously start considering the merits of his water-bound merchandise. But what of the hidden

costs, particularly the issue of mooring, which is at such a premium in the capital? “We can provide mooring if the customer requires it,” he says. “In fact, we have two immediately available within the E1 area. A typical one is between £10,000 and £13,000 per annum, but that’s it. There’s no council tax, no additional costs – everything else, the heating, hot water, all the running costs are really minimal.” But surely getting a mortgage is problematic? Not so, according to Prindiville. “It is a bit more expensive than a traditional one, but we have lenders in place. Say you’re looking to borrow the whole £300,000, you’ll obviously need a deposit, usually around 10 to 20 per cent, and the rest can be done over a period of 10 to 15 years.” No difficulty is insurmountable with Prindiville’s ‘can do’ approach. “People have said to me ‘you can’t beat bricks and mortar’, while others talk about how cold they think it’s going to get in the winter and worry about who’s going to empty the toilet. They’re silly concerns and totally surmountable. You’re hooked up to the electricity and water as part of the mooring and all the services are done easily by the people who run the marina.” With his smart business attire, Prindiville doesn’t look like a revolutionary, but that’s what he claims he is. “I’m leading an urban living revolution,” he states proudly. Long live the revolution we say!

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secrets OF SUCCESSFUL PROPERTY DEVELOPING

Despite what Homes Under the Hammer would have us believe, investing in bricks and mortar, even in booming East London, is a risky business. We discover some tricks of the trade that should help maximise profit WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK

1 B U I L D Y O U R T E A M W I S E LY You are only as good as the team you have around you is Nicole Bremner’s mantra when it comes to successful property developing. Her company, East Eight (east-eight.com), is currently involved in £75 million worth of development in and around the E8 postcode, so she’s a lady who clearly knows what she’s talking about. “I think people sometimes have a tendency to feel intimated employing or partnering up with someone who is better than them,” she says. “This is a huge mistake. I realised early on that I needed to surround myself with the very best people, be they architects, builders or interior designers, if I was to have a chance of making a go of this venture. My team has been with me for many years now, which is quite unusual in this business.”

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H AV E A C L E A R V I S I O N

Developing a USP and sticking with it is also high on Bremner’s tick list. “Anyone can buy a flat, paint the walls white and put in a few nice cushions, but that’s just going to get you regular returns for a regular property,” she warns. “To stand out in this market you really need to do something quite exceptional that people don’t expect, so when the property is advertised online or they walk in it actually makes them say ‘wow’. We are able to get a higher price than others can achieve in the area because our properties do look so aesthetically pleasing.”

5 3

“I always have a really clear idea of the type of person who is going to buy one of our properties, and I think that’s vital,” says Bremner. “When I’m doing a family home then it’s for someone like me (she’s a mum of three), but if it’s a loft apartment, then it’s for my friends who are single, leading busy, social lives. It’s very much about knowing how different people live, and how they aspire to live, and building something I know would really work for them and their lifestyles.” Bremner recalls a big house she recently developed on Englefield Road. “Even though it was 3,000 square feet, I knew from the outset it would not make a family home. The garden was tiny while the property itself was vertical rather than lateral. We designed it pretty much for a single person and that’s exactly who ended up buying it – a musician in fact.”

STICK TO WHERE YOU KNOW

“I’ve gone out of location a couple of times and it’s not worked as well,” says Bremner. “Therefore, I strongly recommend choosing an area and making that your specialty. There’s not much of the E8 postcode and its environs that I don’t know – this is definitely my patch. I make sure I find out about every property that’s for sale, sold or being renovated in the area. I live off Kingsland Road so it’s easy for me to keep an eye on things.” Which brings Bremner to a related point. “I know a lot of people are buying properties up North, where you can buy a house for £50,000 and rent it out at high yield. That’s fine, but when things go wrong, as it invariably will, it’s a huge hassle. My business is on my doorstep, which is convenient, less time consuming and while my money doesn’t go as far, the risk is lower.”

RECOGNISE POTENTIAL

KNOW YOUR BUYERS

SMALL THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

If there’s one word that’s sure to provoke Bremner’s ire, it’s magnolia. “Just don’t go there,” she warns. “Dull and safe does not sell a property for maximum profit. You don’t have to spend a fortune, however, to give a place that wow factor. Things such as granite worktops in the kitchen, marble bathroom tiles and proper Grohe-branded sanitaryware can all make a huge difference to a prospective buyer’s perception of a property.”

Bagging a bargain isn’t high on Bremner’s list of priorities – far more important to her is spotting a property’s potential and actually securing the deal. “If I can see it’s a good property and I know it’s going to work then I don’t worry too much about trying to negotiate down to the last pound.” Of course recognising potential is one thing, but achieving it is another, as Bremner attests. “No one can learn all the rules about planning and what they can do and what they are likely to get in any given area because the goal posts are always changing. I’ve been allowed to do something in one place and then just a few streets away the exact same thing is prohibited. It is frustrating, but get yourself a good planning consultant who can help and advise.”

BE HANDS-ON

Currently juggling a dozen projects, Bremner goes to each site at least once a week. “I spend time where I’m needed most and at certain stages in a development I am needed more,” she says. “It’s important that I am handson and up to speed with any issues. In addition, my team likes seeing me there. They like knowing that I am interested in what they’re doing. My guys take great pride in their work, so whether it’s the tiling in the bathroom, cupboards they’ve just built or a new staircase, they want to show it off and, what’s more, I love seeing it.”

SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

PROPERTY

Stepney

The fall and

rise of

Once a down-at-heel district with none of the hip vibe of its fashionable neighbours, Stepney has recently emerged as the next big thing. Property expert Alasdair Carpenter on why it’s worth taking a serious look at this overlooked corner of Tower Hamlets

All of East London is steeped in history, but Stepney’s goes back even further than most. Its roots can be traced to medieval times, while at the heart of the community, on the High Street, is the impressive St Dunstan’s Church, first founded in 923AD and where a small community grew. The building you see today dates back to the 13th century and has the honour of being East London’s oldest-surviving church. The village that sprang up around the church expanded rapidly during the 19th century and became known as one of London’s most impoverished areas. Populated largely by immigrant workers, Stepney suffered from a reputation of discord and political dissent. Fuelled by the growth of the nearby docks, warehouses and clothing factories, the area also became synonymous with overcrowding. Much of the East End was known as Stepney prior to 1900, when a small borough of the same name was created. During the Blitz, the area was irrevocably altered, with more than a third of its homes razed to the ground. After the war, uninspiring council estates arose from the bomb sites. In 1965, Stepney was absorbed into the new borough of Tower Hamlets, covering a compact enclave between Whitechapel Road and Commercial Road. Now however, the landscape of Stepney is changing once more. The gentrification of Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Aldgate are rippling through to this previously overlooked area. The ugly duckling is fast becoming the swan.

Some of Stepney’s most deprived estates have benefited from a borough-wide regeneration programme. The Ocean Estate at its heart is a typical example – having undergone a £220 million transformation it is now receiving accolades for its design and sustainability. Phrases such as ‘up-and-coming’ and ‘hotspot’ are far too readily used by estate agents and the media alike, but for Stepney the terminology is correct. No wonder savvy investors are flocking to the area, as it still represents far better value for money than any of its neighbours. In addition to investors on the hunt for a bargain, we are also seeing a vast number of first-time buyers, having been priced out of nearby Shoreditch and Victoria Park. Meanwhile, the rental market is stimulated by the student population of Queen Mary University and health professionals from the Royal London Hospital. Stepney Green is a stunning area, populated with Georgian houses in the heart of a conservation area. This is very much the jewel in the borough’s crown. It also benefits from the excellent transport links from Stepney Green Station tube and will be just a short walk from the forthcoming Crossrail station in nearby Whitechapel. If you walk through Stepney today you will not fail but to notice a marked change in its inhabitants. The workingclass East-Enders and immigrants are replaced largely with big beards, skinny jeans and thick NHS reading glasses (that’s just the men folk, obviously). You can’t help but feel it’s only a matter of time before the pubs get painted battleship grey while the pop-up restaurants and obligatory micro-brewery are but a heartbeat away. Stepney’s attributes include a number of green spaces for the cool kids to hang, be it Shandy Park, Stepney Green Park and Mile End Park, while Stepney City Farm is a bona fide working urban farm that breeds a variety of animals and hosts an excellent Saturday farmers’ market. New-build developments are selling like the proverbial hot cakes. One-bedroom apartments start at around

Recent gentrification hasn’t dampened Stepney’s character; it still fosters a real sense of community belonging

£345,000, with prices for two- and three-bedroom units rising up to £850,000. Although this seems expensive, be under no illusion, a few years from now prices will be significantly higher. You can still acquire a freehold house in Stepney for £600,000, whereas in neighbouring areas you’ll get nothing for under £850,000, while houses in Victoria Park and Shoreditch sell for well over a million. Despite the recent gentrification, Stepney has thankfully retained much of its no-fuss, no-thrills attitude. It feels much more real and genuine than many of its counterparts and, as such, it still breeds a proud sense of community and belonging. This goes part way to explaining its increasing popularity – it may be just a few stops away from London’s financial district and tech hub, but it is a world away on almost all other counts. Yes, Stepney has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings, with the last few years witnessing a dramatic change to both the landscape and the demographic. Okay, so it may still be some chalk behind Shoreditch on the trendy scale but it’s gaining momentum at a rate of knots. Those with an eye for the future would be well advised to keep an eye on Stepney. Never in its history has its future looked brighter. Alasdair Carpenter is founder and sales director of Lourdes Estate Agents (lourdes-estates.com)

SEPTEMBER 2016

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OPINION

The best part of breaking up? When it comes to Brexit let’s hope it is the making up because nearly three months after the referendum we’re still in disarray about how best to leave the EU. Is it all doom and gloom or could our departure bring opportunities? No one knows the reality of this unprecedented situation, but Alex Lloyd hazards a guess at some of the probable pros and cons ILLUSTRATIONS BY SARAH DANIEL

Brexit is...

THEY say breaking up is hard to do and while 59.9 per cent of London voted to give our relationship with Europe another go (the most pro-EU region after Scotland), the country as a whole had its heart set on divorce. Stepping out alone is never easy (and certainly unprecedented for a member of the Union) but as the new PM says, Brexit means Brexit. Here’s what you can expect from the trigger of that much-mentioned Article 50…

apparently NOT on the NHS…). The reality is not so flush, however. We currently get £4.5bn back in EU subsidies, mostly for farmers and poorer (ironically, more Eurosceptic) regions that won’t want to lose out now. It means the extra cash is likely to be diverted to these areas and to prop up a shaky economy, rather than projects that benefit wealthier London.

The national budget

About half our imports come from Europe and a similar proportion of exports go back. Ditching the tarifffree single market means a minefield of complex trade negotiations – not just with the 27 other member states but globally too. Thought the antiUK tactical voting in Eurovision was

Remember the elation of paying off your student loan? Fantasising about how to spend that extra £200 month? Imagine it was £13bn a year. Brexit will leave Britain’s wallet heavier and we’ll be free to fritter it as we please (although

Trade

Feeling the other side doesn’t understand you

vicious? It’ll be nothing compared to the blood shed as France and Germany make an example of Europe’s teadrinking surrender monkeys. But by going alone, we can take advantage of emerging markets and cut deals with the Americas, India and China, a nimble alternative to the cumbersome EU. Plus they need our British beef as much as we need their brie and BMWs – it could well be business as usual.

House prices Ah, the perennial topic of conversation for any gathering of Londoners. And if you’re to get on the housing ladder, the keys to the castle could finally be yours – prices failed to rise for the first time in four years post-referendum, with

SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

OPINION

reports of a power shift as buyers refuse to pay over-inflated valuations. But owners who thought bricks and mortar are as safe as houses may now feel their home is built on sand. Home. co.uk estimates the vote has already cost each London homeowner an average of £6,000, with the Evening Standard reporting that worried vendors are starting to slash their prices.

Jobs With companies such as cosmetics chain Lush already planning to relocate production and big banks – the lifeblood of London’s economy – looking towards other financial centres like Frankfurt and Dublin, Brexit could mean redundancies are rife. A drop in permanent roles and rise in temporary jobs has already been reported too. However, without having to tow the EU line, in the long-term Britain could attract new investors and companies, protect existing ones with favourable tariffs while start-ups flourish and expand without the burden of legislative red tape. Plans to protect the City by devolving powers to London could shield us from some of the fall out, too.

Food It’s time to dig out that old copy of Delia’s Frugal Food. After dropping for 38 months in a row until June, your family food shop is going to cost an estimated £580 per year more as Brexit currency fluctuations and tariffs make imports pricier. Buying British may not be a cheap alternative though, as farmers struggle to cover the shortfall from lost subsidies. Alternatively, local produce may end up more attractively priced, while tariffs on non-EU imports, such as Indonesian cocoa beans, might be lifted and redress the cost balance. Who knows, you might develop a taste for Californian olive oil over Italian?

Travel and tourism As the pound tanked on June 24, parents wailed as their already overpriced annual summer holiday to Greece got a good deal more expensive and dreams of a retirement timeshare in Tuscany were downgraded to Truro. The

easyJet generation will likely feel the pinch as costs rise, roaming charges are restored and travel insurance goes up to replace the European Health Insurance Card. But while we might be stuck with staycations for a few years, British tourism is facing a boom – online searches for flights from the US to the UK are up and London is set to cash in on the influx of visitors.

World standing Let’s face it – the pro-Brexit vote and ensuing political soap opera has left us something of a global laughing stock. It’s a bad hair day when the only people who compliment your new look are Marine Le Pen and Donald Trump… However, we Brits do like a challenge and with the sober, sensible Theresa in charge, this might be an opportunity to forge new relationships and create a new role in the world that’s a bit more reflective of modern Britain, rather than harking back to former glories.

Immigration This key Brexit topic swung many a vote and, in theory, we will regain control over our borders and who comes in. Many say this will ease pressure on housing, education and health – services already stretched by austerity slashes. But reducing immigration may not be so simple. The majority of foreign workers here are from China and India, not Europe, while we may have to keep the door ajar to retain favourable trade deals and ensure Brits abroad can stay put, a la Norway. Plus, London’s multicultural families and foreign highfliers might be forced to move their lives elsewhere if visas are hard to come by.

Brexit is... 32

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Agreeing to disagree and looking forwards

Why you should like Mondays

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FOOD & DRINK

BDQ

BUSINESS

B U S I N E S S LD I N N E R LQ U I R K Y

Our hot-right-now dining guide to suit all occasions WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK & SOPHIE CASTLE

FRENCH FANCY LA CHAPELLE It’s thanks to a bunch of squatters some 36 years ago that the Michelin-starred La Chapelle resides in St Botolph’s, a fabulous Victorian school hall. As manager Antonio relates, the group wasn’t made up of just any old squatters – it was the building’s supporters and trustees who, seeing the bulldozers outside about to begin demolition, arranged an impromptu sit-in. Thank goodness they did, because dining on Chris and Jeff Galvin’s sublime French cuisine in this wonderfully Gothic setting has to be up there as one of London’s best gastronomic experiences. But unlike certain fine dining establishments, La Chapelle is devoid of pretension. Yes, it has all the bells and whistles you’d expect, from the starched white tablecloths to the huge, glasscloched cheese trolley, but there’s a warmth and integrity that emanates from the attentive staff and shines through in the fantastic food we sampled. To begin I opted for the lasagne of Dorset crab, shellfish bisque and sea herbs, a delicate symphony of ocean flavours, while my partner had octopus, lardo and watermelon with red pepper dressing. I’d never been a fan of lardo, a fatty Italian delicacy,

E1LIFE

SEPTEMBER 2016

however tasting it deep-fried was a revelation. Assiette of Herdwick lamb, roast aubergine and miso glaze followed and was even better than it sounded, as was the fillet of turbot, mariniere of razor clams and sea purslane that graced my partner’s plate. A superb cheese selection was next up, and on our waitress’s recommendation we tried the light-as-air cheesecake of gariguette strawberries, black pepper meringue and strawberry sorbet. Bliss. La Chapelle might reside in a school hall, but school dinners these most certainly ain’t!

WHAT & WHERE: 35 Spital Square, E1 6DY galvinrestaurants.com

DINNER COCKTAILS & CURRY CHAI KI

A gem located just beyond Canary Wharf overlooking the water, Chai Ki is a stylish explosion of modern and experimental Indian food. The interior is edgy yet sophisticated with an industrial aesthetic made inviting with the use of low-level lighting. Its good, honest, earthy food is styled to perfection and accompanied by impeccable staff and elegant cocktails. Indeed, a key factor to any dining experience is the cocktail menu and the Toddy Shop Bar did not disappoint, offering an array of distinctive, refreshing drinks, each better than the one before and greatly complementing the food (the Nimbellini, of lemoncello, basil and prosecco, would be my first choice). We began the evening with sharing a plate of the chicken tikka naan and the most delicious Koliwada calamari, an infusion of sweet and spice so moreish I could have finished the large portion alone. This was followed swiftly by the main, dakshini korma that I chose to combine with masala fries. My companion opted for the bun farcha, a green

chutney-marinated chicken (and lots of it!) in a brioche bun, which miraculously kick-started my ability to share food as I quickly ate a large amount of the delectable bird. The best of the meal was yet to come though, as soon after devouring all this delicious food and another cocktail (just to be safe) I was advised by our charming waiter to sample the cheesecake. Not being a huge fan of this particular dessert, and eyeing up the chocolate brownie many other diners had chosen, I halfheartedly agreed, but how thrilled I was when the first incredible mouthful hit. Tangy with orange yet incredibly creamy, if you’ve ever seen Friends this cheesecake would make Rachel and Chandler weep. WHAT & WHERE: Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf, E14 5AR chai-ki.com

‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’ GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

SOUTH AFRICA GOES EAST HIGH TIMBER

QUIRKY

From its unusual name (after the street on which it resides) and its lovely, downto-earth manager Neleen, to the walk-in cheese room and the striking artwork on its walls, High Timber is not what you’d expect from a city eatery – and it’s all the better for it. Perhaps that has something to do with its South African heritage, with Neleen hailing from SA, along with her partners, who also happen to run a vineyard, so hence the restaurant’s strong emphasis on fine wines. We put our fate in to Neleen’s capable hands with a menu selection and wine pairing that couldn’t be faulted. The homemade biltong was tender and delicious, while the croquettes were melt-in-the-mouth perfection. A gazpacho packed a powerful flavour punch, while the crab salad was delicate and delectable. The following course of ribeye steak was devoured by my dining companion with unbridled gusto, as was my five-spiced duck breast. A selection of cheeses tipped us over the edge, but at Neleen’s insistence we shared a slice of malva pudding, after which all we could do was sit and stare out of the plate-glass window at the stunning views of the river. WHAT & WHERE: 8 High Timber Street, EC4V 3PA hightimber.com SEPTEMBER 2016

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FOOD & DRINK

QUIRKY

MUM’S THE WORD BLANCHETTE EAST

A welcome second East End outpost for the three Alary brothers (their first is in Soho) with a menu that honours their French heritage, but with a North African twist, and again named after their beloved mother. From the moment you enter the Brick Lane premises you are transported to Paris at the time of the Belle Époch, with a delightful nude staring down at you knowingly from behind the inviting wooden bar where different saucisson hang cheekily from hooks. Already packed during a mid-week lunchtime, the atmosphere is frivolous and fun, but as we soon discover, the food here is to be taken very seriously indeed, it is that ground-breakingly good. Putting our faith into the chef’s hands, we are first served cheese beignets with onion confit, with the deep-fried balls melting in our mouths and offset perfectly by the sweetness of the confit. Next up is a merguez sausage roll with harissa mayonnaise, a wonderful take on a classic and one I plan on recreating at home. For our mains we shared a pork fillet with pickled giroles, cauliflower and truffle and a monkfish with smoked aubergine and chermoula corgette. The meat was unbelievably tender and the flavour combination manages creates a dish that’s more than the sum of its parts, while the fish was a reminder of how fantastic perfectly cooked monkfish can be with the vegetables bringing a delicious smokiness to the plate. Baked Moroccan eggs with peppers and flatbread came as an accompaniment but was a feast in its own right. Our charming waitress kept us amply supplied with a fabulously fruity Cote Du Rhone and as the meal drew to a close, we decided to have one last push with a selection of fine cheese. Suffice to say, it tipped us over the edge. WHAT & WHERE: Blanchette East, 204 Brick Lane, E1 6SA blanchettebricklane.co.uk

E1LIFE

SEPTEMBER 2016

HIGH FLYING

BIRD OF SMITHFIELD

Bird has the feel of a private Soho member’s club, without the membership, covering five floors from basement cocktail bar, lounge bar, dining room and rooftop bar. With an eclectic mix of diners from creatives to suited-andbooted city types, the stylish Ivy-esque dining room, with mirror-ceiling, displays some great artwork to peruse between choosing your dishes from a modern British/European menu. Sat comfortably at a table next to the window, looking out over the historic Smithfield market, we were offered freshly baked bread and butter which my companion, who doesn’t usually eat bread, simply could not resist. As a fan of steak tartare I chose this dish served with radish, confit crispy shallots and confit egg which was sublime. My companion chose beetroots served with a horseradish cream and chicory, which she enthused over. For my main I chose a delicious river trout on a bed of well-dressed grains, perfect for a light lunch. We also had to try Bird’s pride and joy, shepherd’s pie, with minced lamb and slow cooked shoulder of lamb, which was beautifully piped with a layer of potato and served with peas. For dessert we shared a superb salted caramel, banana and coconut cake served with rum and raisin ice cream which slid down easily and a perfectly sized cheeseboard with a pot of deliciious homemade chutney. WHAT & WHERE: Bird of Smithfiled, 26 Smithfield St, London EC1A 9LB birdofsmithfield.com

DINNER

Now taking bookings for Christmas and New Year. For our full festive offering please contact our reservations team. The Woodford, 159 High Road, London, E18 2PA w: thewoodford.co.uk t: 020 8504 5952 e: reservations@thewoodford.co.uk

Evening Standard Restaurant of the Year 2016

Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6EW 020 7377 6443 info@cafe-caribbean.co.uk Catering enquiry: 0800 858 858 Opening times Every day 10am - 7.30pm

FOOD & DRINK

eat streets

Forget the Colonel, he’s never gonna give up that blend of 11 secret spices. This is LFC, London Fried Chicken WORDS BY LIAM BARKER

Chick’n’Sours This place is up there. In fact, it could just be London’s very best fried chicken. Yep we said it. Serving up a delicious herb fried version, next-level sides and sour cocktails that keep you supping. They’ve even come up with a contender for the Great British roast dinner with whole fry Sundays. On offer, an entire fried chicken glazed in Korean gochujang mayo and chilli vinegar along with two sides, all for £25 – just make sure one of those extras is the beef dripping chips. Verdict: chicken and chips the way it should be, truly finger lickin’ good. WHERE: 390 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA chicknsours.co.uk

Clutch

Mother Clucker The Cluck Truck is a converted US army ambulance currently giving those beautiful free-range chickens who didn’t quite make it a fitting end. First teabrined then soaked in buttermilk, then not once, but twice battered – do you even know how much crunchy skin that is? I mean we all know that's the best part, right? Here it’s all about crispy southern fried strips and Cajun chips. Seriously, if you try them and aren’t completely bowled over, then cluck you! WHERE: Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1

motherclucker.co.uk

The healthyish option, if there ever was such a thing, Clutch makes ‘guilt-free’ fried chicken, frying it in groundnut oil. So as long as you’re not allergic to nuts you are on to a winner. Wings come literally by the bucketful here, with a mixture of honey and sesame and sour and spicy chilli coatings that certainly awaken the taste buds. As sauces go, Clutch is about as saucy as it comes, with whipped feta, truffle aioli or just good ol’ chicken gravy. WHERE: 4 Ravenscroft Street, E2 7QG. clutchchicken.com

Foxlow Golden chicken tenders on top of a fresh croissant waffle, finished off with a fried egg and sausage gravy anyone? What a great way to start the weekend. WHERE: 69-73 St John St, EC1M 4AN. foxlow.co.uk

Bird It’s the influences from Asia and the US West Coast that gives you a choice of ten, yes ten, different glazes here. Then there’s the doughnut hatch serving fresh, handmade, yeast-risen, glazed rings of delight. Okay, okay, maybe not one for those watching their waistlines, but go for the smacked Korean cucumbers on the side and that should balance everything out nicely. WHERE: 42-44 Kingsland Road, E2 8DA birdrestaurants.com SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

FOOD & DRINK

DON’T MOVE A MUSCLE

More than just a local Occupying a rather unprepossessing corner of Morning Lane, just a short stroll from the fashion outlets, Farley Macallan looks like a typical East End boozer from the outside, albeit one that’s recently been spruced up. But upon entering and being warmly greeted by its manager, Mark, you quickly become aware that this isn’t an ordinary pub. Not wishing to make it sound like an 80s throwback, Farley Macallan is more of a wine bar with top-notch food taking equal billing. On Mark’s suggestion we opted for the pairing menu and were so glad we did. A pre-starter of bresaola, Cheddar and truffle popcorn accompanied by a fragrant glass of Picpoul set the bar extremely high, with the air-dried beef and cheese being of the most exceptional quality. Next up was gravadlax, samphire and horseradish Quark (a low-fat soft cheese), with the cured salmon a particular revelation, being thick and flavoursome and nothing like its dill and mustard sauce-smothered namesake. The Sancerre pairing took the dish to even giddier heights. Breaded lamb ribs, lemon and za’atar followed and these melt-inthe-mouth morsels were perfectly offset by a Primitivo. Last but not least was a cheesecake with the addition of sumac. Trust us, it works, as did the Chapel Down sparkling wine that came with it. Delicious! WHERE: 177-179 Morning Lane, E9 6LH

farleymacallan.com

BARBER AND PARLOUR...

From hidden gems to established names and those fronted by some of the country’s most celebrated chefs, the restaurant scene in East London is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world – how lucky are we to have it all on our doorstep

A bit like Selfridges, you can spend the entire day at Barbour & Parlour, which takes up a whole building on Redchurch Street. Start upstairs at The Cheeky Parlour for a swift manipedi. Then head to the main floor where you can feast on fresh, wholesome dishes and drink prosecco from breakfast ‘til dinner should you so desire (we did). Absolutely try the creamy burrata served with focaccia and the heap of deliciously dressed salad leaves and sun-dried tomatoes. There’s also a whole selection of gorgeous things on toast, like poached eggs with avocado, chilli and lemon. And there’s more... mini sausages and mustard, smokey chicken, butterbean mash and chard. Guys can slope off to have a quick haircut, moustache trim or manicure at Neville on the same floor, while the girls can sneak in a naughty sticky toffee pudding. When you’re ready to burst, visit the basement where the Electric Cinema resides, for a luxurious night at the flicks. WHERE: 64-66 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP

barberandparlour.com

Stray off the path

Café Monico already feels like a legendary institution, with its unstuffy jazz vibe, dimly lit tables, eclectic artwork and five-star service. You’ll be very lucky if you’re looked after by Mariano, who hails from Naples, offers excellent food must-haves and stories of Capri. Try tender grilled octopus and chickpeas or Parmesan custard and anchovy toast to start. For mains, the chicken paillard with artichoke and halibut with sauce vierge could not be faulted. For dessert it’s got to be the light-as-a-cloud Paris-Brest. WHERE: 39-45 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6LA

cafemonico.com

BURGER HEAVEN... Situated opposite Boxpark, Dirty Burger offers just 15 seats and three options of burgers and has a charming shack-like feel. Opt for a Dirty Bacon burger (Cheeseburger and the vegetarian Dirty Cop-out are the other choices) and a side of crinkle-cut fries, what arrives is one of the most largely stacked burgers ever encountered and after one bite you’ll be in burger bliss. The beef melts, the thick bacon adds a subtle crunch and the creamy cheese glues it all together. The crinkle fries are the perfect accompaniment, all washed down by a thick and creamy chocolate shake. Beer is available should you prefer. WHERE: 13 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA eatdirtyburger.com

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Passione Vino

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Just tell us your mood and we will match the wine perfectly. COME TO VISIT US SOON Follow us @passionevino

FOOD & DRINK

snack to it

Cooking up a storm this September? Tweet us @E1LifeMag to share your top supper suggestions

With its bountiful harvest of fruit and vegetables, no wonder autumn is such a delight for food lovers WORDS BY CHARLOTTE CLARKE

CEREAL SUCCESS Light, crunchy and bursting with flavour – Alpen Oat Granola contains creamy textured wholegrain oats that go deliciously with milk, yoghurt or fresh fruit. The Raisin, Almond and Hazelnut Oat flavour, which is high in fibre and a great source of protein, is our favourite. £2.99, ocado.com EASY DOES IT Create delicious meals from good-for-you ingredients delivered to your door by Mindful Chef. Its recipes never include pasta, bread or white rice and are 100% gluten free. And unlike other similar services we weren’t left slaving away in the kitchen all evening. From £4.50 a head, mindfulchef.com

HEAVENLY MATCH Haven’t had cheese and pineapple since the 90s? Well, this classic combination has grown up and is ready to be on dinner party menus everywhere! Tiptree Pineapple Conserve is a sweet, tropical jam complimented by soft chunks of fruit and is crying out to be slathered on mature Cheddar. £2.19, redmoped.co.uk LIQUID ASSET Never heard of protein water? It’s the next big health and fitness trend. For Goodness Shakes Protein Water is a refreshing low-calorie drink that includes Whey Protein Isolate, one of the purest and most easily absorbed forms of protein. Being waterbased means it can deliver a massive 20g of the nutrient, so you get pure protein to help aid lean muscle growth post workout. £12.75 for six bottles, athletestore.co.uk

Runner beans Fresh, young runner beans are a gem among the many wonderful British vegetables currently in season. At their best they are tender, succulent and bursting with flavour. Boil gently and serve with your Sunday roast or use to make a vibrant chutney to serve with cold meats all year round. BEAN CUISINE High in fibre and a great alternative to wheat pasta, Explore Asian Gluten Free Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine is made from all organic ingredients and is utterly delicious with a creamy white sauce or basil pesto. It cooks in boiling water in just 7-8 minutes, making it a great mid-week meal. £3.35, hollandandbarrett.com OH HONEY, HONEY... The nectar of the gods, Lyme Bay Winery Traditional Mead is a sweet, delicious

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honey-based wine. It’s a great accompaniment to strong cheeses and casseroles, but can also be drunk as an alternative to dessert wine. Best served at room temperature. £8.29, lymebaywinery.co.uk

LUNCH OFFER

2 COURSE £18.50 3 COURSE £21.50 l

Champagne and cocktail bar

Upstairs roof terrace

Private and corporate parties

A slice of Italy in the beautiful surroundings of Abridge, serving modern European dishes. The New Roding is a restaurant & Cocktail bar for every occasion. With its plush decor, it’s the perfect place for a quiet bite to eat or for large parties. Live music every Thursday to Saturday.

01992 814 929

The New Roding, Market Place ,Abridge, RM4 1UA Opening Times: 12 noon – Midnight, Tuesday - Sunday

The Flight Club

OUT OUT

Just because the days are getting shorter, your nights don’t have to WORDS BY LIAM BARKER

FLIGHT CLUB 2a Worship St, EC2A 2AH Darts anyone? Don’t worry, it’s OK if your mental arithmetic is a bit rusty. Flight Club has a real-time scoring system designed by an actual rocket scientist. Of course darts wouldn’t be darts without a few jars of lager. And there’s something for everyone here; lagers, ales, wheat beers, even alcohol-free and gluten-free options. You don’t need to be able to play darts to have a good time at Flight Club, although beware it may bring out that competitive streak in you.

flightclubdarts.com

CRATE Unit 7, Queen’s Yard, Hackney Wick Crate sits idyllically canal side in Hackney, where innovation doesn’t just stop at its award-winning batches of micro-brewed lagers, ales & ciders (which are all made

on site obviously). Inventiveness runs rife throughout the rest of the venue too, from the up-cycled pallet benches and scaffold-plank tables, to its crisp stone-baked pizzas, which come topped with anything from sage and truffle, to Kashmiri dahl.

cratebrewery.com

HILL & SZROK PUB 8 East Road, N1 6AD The team behind Hill & Szrok master butchers at Broadway Market have since taken over the pub and it’s no surprise the food is EPIC. Sharing-size cuts are cooked on a charcoal grill and teamed up with locally brewed beers. It’s one of the best places for a steak in town. It also takes its pub snacks seriously. Just don’t expect to pay peanuts.

Dalston Roof Park

hillandszrok.co.uk

DALSTON ROOF PARK 18 Ashwin St, E8 3DL This sneaky little roof terrace is Dalston’s worst-kept secret, but there are few places like it. If you told your friends there was grass in Dalston they’d probably laugh at you, but take them up the tucked-away staircase to Dalston Roof Park and you’ll instantly become a hero. Laze about on the faux lawn or grab a bean bag if you’re lucky enough to find one, and enjoy a cold beer while DJs provide the banging tunes.

bootstrapcompany.co.uk

NIGHT TALES 1-2 Hepscott Road If you haven’t tried a watermelon sherbet daiquiri yet (and let’s face it, why would you have?), head over to The Lazy Flamingo bar at Night Tales before it’s too late! Night Tales has

transformed an old car scrapyard in Hackney into a mash-up of food shacks, bars and sun terraces together with an awesome line-up of DJs, which in the past have included the likes of Maribou State and Gorgon City.

nighttales.co.uk

OLD ST RECORDS 350-354 Old St, EC1V 9NQ Old St has a new record shop and it’s old school – we’re talking vinyl old school. Vinyl on the walls, vinyl on the decks and vinyl you can buy to play at home. And not only that, there’s live music six nights a week, making it a music lover’s haven. With craft beer on tap and its signature sour record cocktail (a whisky sour with pistachio syrup) you have everything you need to party well into the early hours.

oldstreetrecords.com

SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

noise

Great sounds with your pint Forget Camden, the East is where it’s at – with some of the best live music to be served and heard in your favourite local boozer. Check out our pick of the crop below. We’ll see you there… WORDS BY ED GIBBS

THE OLD BLUE LAST

THE GEORGE TAVERN

The most infamous of East London’s music venues, with its colourful history matched by a reputation of breaking the finest, brightest new talent. Everyone from Hot Chip and Lily Allen to Florence the Machine have played here over the years. Owned by Vice magazine since 2004, its barrage of new bands continues unabated, week-in, week-out. Expect to see plenty of musos and NME types lingering in the shadows. WHERE: 38 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3ES 020 7739 7033 theoldbluelast.com

Determined to stave off the unwelcome advances of rapacious developers, this East End institution has been a local clarion call for independent artists and musicians, who frequent its gritty space with a wealth of diverse sounds. Artist Pauline Forster bought the pub in 2004, bringing its live music credentials to the fore with artists such as Factory Floor. It also boasts regular club nights hosted by Jem Finer of The Pogues. WHERE: 373 Commercial Road, E1 0LA 020 7790 7335 thegeorgetavern.co.uk

THE SHACKLEWELL ARMS A favourite with bands and music fans alike, this downat-heel addition to the Dalston live music scene boasts wall-to-wall sounds from the most vibrant emerging talent out there. It gets rammed at the weekend – but with its

Soak up the Nordic vibe at Oslo in Hackney

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The George Tavern

authentic, sticky carpet vibe, it’s hard to resist its charms. Expect to catch the ‘next big thing’ here without warning. WHERE: 71 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EB 020 7249 0810 shacklewellarms.com

WILTON’S Older than your average pub, this fine music hall venue sits proudly restored to its former glory, in the heart of the

East, with a roster of weekly live music that NW1 would die for. An experience all its own, a night at Wilton’s encompasses the best in indie live music with bespoke food and drink to match. A real, pub-style feel with a grand music-hall flourish to finish. WHERE: 1 Graces Alley, E1 8JB 020 7702 2789 wiltons.org.uk

BIRTHDAYS A recent addition to Dalston’s live music scene, and a popular basement hangout with the hipster crowd, Birthdays has hosted everything from Chvrches to All Tomorrow’s Parties

MUSIC music remains intact, with a grimy stage at the rear ready for those about to rock. Owned by the Jaguarshoes Collective. WHERE: 451 Queensbridge Road, Dalston, E8 3AS 020 7684 0944 jaguarshoes.com

PUB ON THE PARK

shindigs. It’s already proving a cool contender on the scene in 2016. WHERE: 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BJ 020 7923 1680 birthdaysdalston.com

OSLO One of the brightest and hippest live music, drinking (and dining) spots, this Hackney favourite now has the annual Mirror Mirror live music showcase in October to add to its ever-growing list of essential events. Fashioned out of a disused railway station hall, and situated in the heart of Hackney (it’s literally next door to Hackney Central station), Oslo provides an all-under-one-roof experience, with a self-proclaimed sense of Nordic wonder to boot. Fastbecoming a key stop on the pub circuit for up-and-coming bands, expect to see rising stars playing multiple nights to packed houses.

WHERE: 1a Amhurst Road, E8 1LL 020 3553 4831 oslohackney.com

Although not your typical live music venue, when it is plugged in (usually at the weekends), everything from folk and indie to funk and soul can be heard on the decks at this Hackney institution, handily situated by London Fields (a recent live folk music showcase kicked off here too). It’s an idyllic spot to relax, with the sun setting over the park, with a perfectly placed beer garden, and a bespoke dining menu to match, easing the way into the weekend. Arrive early to get a good spot. WHERE: 19 Martello Street Hackney, E8 3PE 020 7923 3398 pubonthepark.com

THE WAITING ROOM

93 FEET EAST

A popular spot with an emphasis on electronic and dance, this rebooted venue (formerly known as the Drop and relaunched by the team behind the Shacklewell Arms) sits beneath the Three Crowns pub. Its unfussy, unpretentious approach has played host to the likes of Four Tet and Daniel Avery, among others. WHERE: 175 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0LH 020 7241 5511 waitingroomn16.com

Offering live music and mega club nights, and with precious few pubs nearby, this Brick Lane staple located inside the Old Truman Brewery building has seen its position on the strip solidified as the weekend crowds gather in everincreasing numbers to dance the night (and their blues) away. Security can be tight, so it pays to look the part. Leave the baggage at home – and get down on it. WHERE: 150 Brick Lane, E1 6QL 020 7770 6006 93feeteast.co.uk

THE VICTORIA Quietly reinventing itself as a live music-cum-hipster-friendly pub with grub, the Victoria boasts Psychic Burgers on the menu, with a décor that’s more about atmosphere than flash. Its long history of live

than pub – but it can often surprise. Dress to impress is the order of play. It can get pretty hectic as the weekend draws near – and can often live up to its name. WHERE: 578 Kingsland Road, E8 4AH 020 7241 5755

BRILLIANT CORNERS A lo-fi, low-key space for audiophiles and music enthusiasts, this isn’t strictly a pub – technically, it’s a Japanese restaurant – but like Lion Records in nearby Clapton, it offers the same cool ‘n’ cosy vibe that the best pubs do, with lush sonic tones to match. A top spot for discovering the latest sounds. WHERE: 470 Kingsland Road, E8 4AE 020 7812 9511 brilliantcornerslondon.co.uk

SEBRIGHT ARMS The quintessential no-frills pub, with a fine array of ales upstairs and a suitably grungy room downstairs for live music. The likes of Courtney Barnett and East India Youth have graced its hallowed stage, and it’s easy to see why. It’s refreshingly devoid of any pretension and easy to reach. If it’s oldschool grime and grunt you want, this be the place for you. WHERE: 31-35 Coate Street, E2 9AG 020 7729 0937 sebrightarms.co.uk

HYSTERIA Formerly the Junction, situated by Dalston Junction, this multi-level, multi-purpose live music venue is more club

Sebright Arms

SEPTEMBER

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MUSIC

Soul man

Ronnie Herel’s DJ work takes him to some of the world’s most exotic locations, but there’s only ever been one place he wants to come home to and that’s East London. Similarly, he may rub shoulders with some of the music industry’s biggest names, but it’s the emerging, local talent that really gets him fired up WORDS BY CATHERINE HUDSON

I interview Ronnie Herel, London-based DJ and ambassador of urban music, on what must be one of the hottest days of the year so far. He’s just arrived at his ‘office’ at Mi-Soul Music, the London-wide DAB and online radio station, to prepare for his drive-time and evening shows. “I’ve done a bit of work at home this morning, but I’m stuck under this old roof, now,” he says. No rest for the wicked, then? “Exactly that!” he immediately replies. “I must have been a right wicked git in my previous life, I tell ya.” And just like that, I’m sold. Whatever Ronnie is selling, I’m buying. This man talks about music and discovering new, local talent with such passion, that I would defy anyone not to be galvanised by him. Ronnie, the trained carpenter and joiner, who now, after years of experience in the music business, champions teenagers plugging away at the latest grime sounds with as much enthusiasm as he regales me with stories of interviewing legends such as Lionel Richie and Mary J Blige. It’s been more than three decades since an excitable teenage Ronnie first discovered being a DJ could be a viable job. “I started working in the Charleston pub in Stratford (since closed) when I was 14 when a mate of mine got me a job collecting glasses,” he recalls. “It was one of the first of its kind in the area, a pub-cum-wine-bar, with a DJ booth, too. I watched the guys on the decks on weekend nights, and thought ‘they’ve got great music, they’ve got girls hanging around’, which, as a teenage boy, was all part of the attraction, and I loved it.”

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Young Ronnie had all the makings of a ducker and diver. Not least by heading to school, then leaving straight out the back door to work stacking shelves, emptying skips – anything to earn a bit of cash. “The money I made meant I could buy some records to start playing a few sessions.” He soon moved from the pub to a much worse-paid job in a Leytonstone record shop but, even then, Ronnie could see the benefit of learning his trade. East London has always been Ronnie’s stomping ground. Born in Forest Gate, growing up in Chingford and Stratford, and always a staunch supporter of West Ham, he’s a self-declared ‘proper’ East End boy, through and through. “If I got a massive windfall, I’d probably get a second house abroad, but my proper home will always be in the East of London,” he enthuses. But what of the huge transformations the area has undergone? “I think the East End has changed for the better, thanks to the influx of money and development before, during and after the London 2012 Olympics. It’s far more cultured and accessible now, and it’s a better environment for people to live in. It’s a lot more... ‘picturesque’, shall we say, than back in the day!” He’s a strong believer that the culture of East London is ‘most definitely’ still inspiring the urban music scene, despite the area’s many changes. “The grime scene is huge in the UK right now, and it kind of all started back in 2002. It’s got a life of it’s own, derived mainly from acts emerging out of East London,” he asserts. “It’s going from strength to ➦

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strength and it’s a beautiful thing to see.” Ronnie splits his time between Mi-Soul (he joined the station after a ten-year stint at Radio1Xtra), regular nights in London town and playing sets abroad. “I recently spent seven days straight working in Croatia. By the time you come back, you are absolutely knackered. The schedule does get gruelling, but at the same time it’s an amazing feeling to see a couple of thousand people get off just listening to what you’re playing. I’m thankful really, because I’ve been doing it a long time.” Ronnie played more than a few sets at the Margate Soul Festival in Kent this summer, alongside more than 50 other DJs, such as Kathy Sledge and British Collective, since Mi-Soul now hosts the growing event. “Yeah, they proper rinsed me out!”, he laughs. It was the tenth anniversary of the festival, with Mi-Soul coming onboard last year after it spotted it’s amazing potential. Ronnie was brought in to spearhead the DJing side of things. “During a set on the outdoors Revenge of the Soulboy stage, my mate played a track called Oh Happy Day. I looked up, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was a perfect track for a perfect setting.” I tell him that I had tuned into some of his shows via MixCloud and ended up losing hours after loving every tune. He seems genuinely thrilled. “The music we play at Mi-Soul all comes from the

heart. Whether it’s soul, R&B, reggae, or whatever, it’s delivered with passion. We have the longest retention rate of UK radio station listeners, so hopefully we’re doing something right!” Ronnie is always on the lookout for new producers, as well as artists, such as Hungarian DJ and musician Opolopo. “For my BIG R&B weekly show, I seek out lesser-known people who I think listeners need to know about, people like Eric Roberson, Jordan Rackei and Raleigh Ritchie. “There can be so many egos on national radio. DJs who are bothered about who gets to play a record first or who gets an exclusive, but if we like a new record, we buy it, play it and support it, to spread the message for other people to buy it, too. Ultimately, that’s what DJs should be doing, so we’re trying to change the mentality back to that way of promoting artists.” Check out Ronnie’s Twitter page and you’ll see he does indeed work tirelessly to discover and support emerging talent. And while he’s excited to tell you about the time he met Stevie Wonder (who revealed how Marvin Gaye had given him tips on playing the drums), it’s the music and not the name dropping that matters to Ronnie. Indeed, in the very next breadth he is extolling the talents of a young unsigned artist, who ‘you just have to listen to’. A man with heart as well as a lot of soul!

Ronnie Herel’s Little Black Book SECRET EAST LONDON

The Red Lion pub on the corner of Harvey Road and the High Road is great for quality food, live music and relaxing. That’s where I go to hide away when I’m not working. Bit of Wi-Fi, bit of Al Green playing in the background – perfect. theredlionleytonstone.com

COMFORT FOOD

I’m a huge pie-andmash eater – my belly is testament to that. Got to do a bit of work in the gym to get rid of that. There’s the lovely Eel & Pie House on the High Road in Leytonstone. Delicious!

NIGHT OUT

The Bedroom Bar in Shoreditch is a brilliant night out. I play a set there, Universal Soul, once a month on the last Saturday of each month. I’d highly recommend it. bedroom-bar.co.uk

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APR/MAY 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016

Eat, drink & just be

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Street Style

KEEPING IT REAL

STAYING AHEAD

IT’S HATS OFF TO THE FASHION-FORWARD FOLK AT BROADWAY MARKET PHOTOGRAPHY: JORDAN KILFORD. INTERVIEWS: BECCY BURGIN.

1. Fumi Kimura Fumi trades her boutique women’s clothing range, Fara (faraboutique. com), just off Broadway Market. She’s a local, living in London Fields, and especially enjoys East London’s art scene, as well as the plethora of places to eat. “There are lots of good cafés and bakeries now that cater for different dietary requirements, like vegan or gluten free,” says Fumi. One of her favourite places is E5 Bakehouse. “I actually went and did a baking class there – it was really good and the people are always so friendly and lovely.” Wearing: Entire outfit from Fara.

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2. Julie Roberts Busy buying a birthday present when we spotted her, Julie was planning on pottering around the market before heading off to a party. A resident of Clapton, she’s a huge fan of the area. “I love the mix of styles, the great pubs, parks and the fact all my friends live here too,” she says. Her top tip for a cocktail? “Definitely Satan’s Whiskers on Cambridge Heath Road.” Wearing: Headband, vintage; dress from a thrift shop in Berlin; sunglasses, Tom Ford. 3. Jude Nwimbo Jude does interiors for a living and having just delivered some furniture to a client, was passing through Broadway Market, soaking up the atmosphere. He’s lived in East London for many years and when asked what he likes about the area says: “It’s a free-for-all. It’s like anything goes. One of my favourite places to go is The Bike Shed in Old Street, it’s a bit different, there’s bicycles there and lots of furniture – mostly from me!” Wearing: T-shirt, Religion and the rest vintage.

4. Tiffany Hamilton-Atkins We caught Tiffany making her way to a Brazilian pop-up at The Institute of Light for lunch and some cocktails. “I live five minutes away from here and I just love the people, the vibe and the diversity,” she says. Sager and Wilde on Paradise Row is one of her favourite restaurants. “It has a lovely outdoor space and a fresh, weekly menu. Also, you can’t beat Shoreditch House.” Wearing: Dress, French Connection; glasses, Quay Australia; headband, Zara.

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Beauty notes

As summer slowly retreats and the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness beckons, we look at ways to prolong that golden glow through treatments and treats that will leave you feeling like you’ve just come back from holiday

Cattle class

Keep that laidback vibe going and shrug off the stresses of day-to-day life with beauty revivers such as Knackered Cow, Lazy Cow and Grumpy Cow. Or book in for a bespoke Cowshed body massage tailored to your needs with moodboosting essential oils from organic and wild harvested plant extracts. The perfect post-holiday pick-me-up. From £60 for a 45-minute massage. cowshedonline.com/spa

WORDS BY LILY EARLE

Buff barnet

MOOD ENHANCER

If you’re missing the summer spirit, try Calm Balm, a multi-functioning skin treatment with a mix of organic lavender, Roman chamomile and calendula oils to help lift a glum disposition, leaving you feeling more relaxed while moisturising at the same time. Priced £23 for 50g. skinandtoniclondon.com 54

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Famed for its cool, confident and forward-thinking style, Radio London on Redchurch Street is the perfect pitstop to have your locks spruced up after the damage wreaked by all that sun and sea. While you’re there you can make believe you’re still away by indulging in a spot of sightseeing, as the salon doubles as a gallery space, exhibiting work from a different artist every three months. It is also a Bumble and Bumble hair care flagship store, so make sure you pick up a can of Surf Foam Spray (£9.50 for the travel size) to recreate tousled, beachy waves on the move. From £50 for a cut and finish. radiohairsalon.com

MILK IT BABY

Pucker up

Mixed up by Suzie in her kitchen in Bow, the award-winning Yum Yum Balm is a creamy lip salve that uses cocoa butter and plum kernel oil to help keep lips hydrated whatever the weather might throw at you, and can also be used to moisturise dry skin all over the body. The balm uses mineral filters to provide an SPF10 sunscreen and comes in three flavours – perfect for popping in your pocket. Priced £7. soothe-me.com

And relax…

LLUSTRATION: Sarah Daniel, sarahdanieldesign@btinternet.com

PROTECT & THRIVE

Just because you’re back from your holidays, it doesn’t mean you can ditch the sunscreen just yet, with those early autumn rays still capable of doing damage. Free from fragrances, Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defence Mineral Sunscreen is a new lightweight, gentle lotion for sensitive skin. The 100% mineral based filter uses titanium dioxide to protect against both UVA and UVB light that cause premature skin ageing. The lotion is lightly tinted to prevent it leaving a chalky residue and infused with vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps keep skin moisturised and soothed. Priced £35 for 50ml. kiehls.co.uk

Lavender is a multi-tasking botanical and a small bottle of Aqua Oleum’s offering is one of our musthaves. If you are shattered after a day’s hard graft, a few drops in the bath is a quick way to sweep away the cobwebs. And if stress makes your brain whir and sleeping is difficult, try sprinkling a few drops on to your pillow to aid a good night’s rest. Finally, for those making a final dash away from the capital to catch some late rays, mix a few drops in with your normal body lotion or aloe vera gel to help soothe and moisturise sun-kissed skin. Priced £6.50. planetorganic.com

Versatile, hard-working products are our haircare heroes and All in One Hair Milk, a multipurpose spray treatment by Davines, ticks both boxes. It helps hydrate, eliminates frizz and protects locks from styling damage, leaving them softer and shinier without weighing them down. The downside? It comes in a 135ml bottle that will be confiscated at the airport, so if you’re planning a cheeky latesummer getaway remember to decant if flying hand luggage only. Priced £18.80. davines.com

Painted perfection

Located in Boxpark, Imarni Nails brings nail art from the pages of Italian Vogue straight to the heart of Shoreditch. Here the team combine their years of collective experience working in the fashion and beauty industries to create highquality, on-trend manicures and nail art. For late summer/early autumn, our favourite pick is the chrome manicure, with a mirror-like effect on the nails that lasts for up to three weeks. From £40 for gel nail art. imarninails.com SEPTEMBER 2016

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INTERIORS

Kitchen confidential

By embracing mixed materials and finishes, you can create a kitchen full of personality and timeless beauty that’s perfectly attuned to your family’s lifestyle. Design specialist Urban Interior lifts the lid on the tactile trend When it comes to creating a contemporary kitchen that takes all of your family’s needs into account, without compromising on style and design, Urban Interior has it covered. The company specialises in using a unique mix of materials and textures, alongside traditional and modern designs, so the end result is a kitchen that’s both classic and individual. To achieve this, it works with some of the world’s leading and most aspirational brands, ensuring your kitchen will add value, as well as lasting pleasure, to your home. One such firm is SieMatic, the luxury German kitchen manufacturer founded in 1929. Combining a prestigious pedigree with cutting-edge design, SieMatic recently unveiled its Classic BeauxArts 0.2

kitchen collection (as seen above) via Urban Interior, such is their close working relationship. “Homeowners are increasingly embracing a more tactile form of design,” says Dieter Berends, senior designer at Urban Interior. “As a result, varying tone and texture in the kitchen has become inevitable. “SieMatic’s Classic range is ideal for creating a transitional space that will come to life through a clever use of different finishes, colours, materials and styles and become the heart of the home. By offering this eclectic look to our customers, we’ve been able to successfully bring the favoured neutral kitchen design right into the 21st century.” The SieMatic Classic BeauxArts kitchen collection retails from £30,000. urbaninterior.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Beautiful Plantation Shutters and Blinds

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INTERIORS

Ageless design Old-school living in Homerton, still looking good 17 years after being designed

When planning an interior, Michelle Frawley is a big believer in keeping some elements of the past as a reminder of a building’s history, thus bringing character as well as an agelessness to her designs. Inspiration can come from the simplest of things, a raw brick wall, worn wooden floorboards. Indeed, the success of her company, Inspire Design Interiors, has been built on this philosophy of respecting the old while understanding the needs of modern living. “I’ve always been very aware how rapidly the fashion for interiors changes,” she says. “Just like clothing, a scheme can look incredibly dated in just a few short years. I can go into someone’s house and if they’ve followed a particular trend, I can pretty much pinpoint when it was done.” To avoid becoming similarly pigeonholed, Michelle steers well clear of high-fashion pieces,

Award-winning interior designer, Michelle Frawley, on how finding the balance between a property’s rich history and the necessities of contemporary urban living can create a stunning result that’s truly timeless concentrating on a few quality objects that might have an expensive initial outlay, but will ultimately stand the test of time. “In the long-run, designing like this is more affordable because you don’t need to constantly change things,” says Michelle. Using classic pieces of furniture while keeping a soft, muted palette is very much her stock in trade. “I prefer the accessories, artwork and mirrors to provide the more trend-led, colourful elements of the design, as these can easily be updated.” Take the apartment pictured above. “I actually designed this in 1999,” says Michelle. “The brief was to create a contemporary, modern flat within a stunning converted Victorian school in Hackney, so I used key pieces of furniture and a neutral colour scheme, while making a feature of the beautiful old brick wall and high ceiling. Nearly two decades later it still feels current and appealing.”

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INTERIORS

TOP OF THE TABLES

This Entwine Ironwood, High Gloss Black Dining Table is structured with an iron frame coated in ebony lacquer that’s topped with rich caviuna wood and finished using a marquetry technique. Below, the dark metal contrasts with the carved wooden legs as it spirals towards the floor. “An object of true beauty to pass down through the generations,” says Michelle, £4,950 touchedinteriors.co.uk

Future heirlooms Statement pieces don’t come cheap, but they do come with a longevity that will see them passed down through the generations. Michelle Frawley goes heirloom hunting

CUTTING IT FINE

This Personalised Cloche Family Paper Sculpture is truly unique. It’s cut entirely from white, acid-free archival paper and is presented under a large glass bell. “This piece perfectly juxtaposes the antique and modern and has a beautiful, timeless quality,” offers Michelle, £150 giftwrappedandgorgeous.com

MAKING A DASH FACE FACTS

Make a bold statement with this stunning original abstract portrait called Sneer by Russian artist Vladinsky. The painting is in acrylic on canvas and comes signed and with a certificate of authenticity. “Fun and funky, but grown up at the same time,” says Michelle, £3,640 fineartseen.com

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La Parisienne by Irene Lussou is a 35cm high, signed and numbered bronze with a green and gold patina. Lussou is a self-taught artist, who always wanted to be a sculptor. She lives and works near Paris. “This sculpture brings a wonderful sense of movement and immediacy to a room. Definitely a work to treasure,” says Michelle, £1,800 nataliawillmott.co.uk

INTERIORS

LIGHT FOR LIFE

Babylon Gold Leaf Pendant is a large and decadent hanging light featuring multiple overlapped fronds, while the gold finish gives a beautiful, ambient glow. “If ever there was an object worthy of being called a statement piece, this is it,” says Michelle, £625 alexanderandpearl.co.uk

FOR PEARLY KINGS & QUEENS ‘Button-up’ sideboard by Kate Noakes. Metal inlaid with gesso on a reconditioned vintage cabinet, every piece made is a one-off. “I’m loving the retro vibe of this,” says Michelle, £1,350 katenoakes.com

COUNTDOWN

Acrila Numbers Floor Lamp is brilliantly quirky, realised in black acrylic figures that are cut with a laser for an exceptional finish. Acrila, a French company, was founded in 2007 and its work is now sold in more than 55 countries. The brand is renown for its contemporary, unique designs that play with shapes, images, transparency and light. “This company is brilliant, which is why I’m now stocking its products on my website. The craftmanship is superb and it isn’t massively expensive for that level of quality,” says Michelle, £685 inspiredesigninteriors.co.uk

WHO’S A PRETTY BOY?

Would this elegant and freestanding ‘Polly-Gone’ floor lamp look good in your home? We should Rococo! A unique and intriguing design that gives free rein to the imagination, the bird is outside the cage looking inwards towards the bulbs which appear like ‘trees of light’. There are all sorts of styles and influences here; Louis XV-meets-21st-century wirework, with input from an 1960s American brass parrot. “What a lovely, mad piece this is. I know it won’t float everyone’s boat, but it’s a great way of bringing some lightness and humour into a room,” says Michelle, £975 itsalight.co.uk

CHAIN GANG

Made from tubular steel, with a bronze, nickel or gold finish and a granite top, this Metro Console Table has all the markings of a design classic. “This is made by Villiers, a UK company run by three brothers. Their work is incredible. Again, I love it so much, I’ve started selling it,” says Michelle, £12,309 inspiredesigninteriors.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

FULL

LEATHER RESTORATION SERVICE Before

After

Before

After

•CAR SEATS •FURNITURE •HAND BAGS •ETC

LEATHER CARE & REPAIR SPECIALISTS Most repairs can be undertaken leather technicians, or larger jobs brought into our fully equipped workshop. DIY cleaning and repair products also available via the website.

• Rips • Cigarette Burns • Holes • Cat Scratches • Re-colouring • Colour Matching • Cleaning • Cracking • Stain removal. Repairing leather is approximately 20% of the cost of re-upholstering

The Workshop, Bury Farm, Bury Lane, Epping, Essex , CM16 5JA tel/fax: 01992 610 660 mobile: 07702 753 068 web: www.furnitureclinic.co.uk

Staycation

bothboth

there is lots to see and do during your stay. However, just to wander around the hotel is a sight-seeing THE ANDAZ HOTEL tour in its own right, taking you History combined with uber-cool style, this was originally The Great on a trip through time. There’s the courtyard atrium with breakEastern Hotel, which opened in out area and billiard table; the 1884 and was one of London’s Victorian staircase with elegant first railway hotels, sitting next wrought-iron balustrade leading to Liverpool Street Station. Now, to the original, majestic marble however, Andaz is a five-star gem staircase; the labyrinth of doors – named after a Hindi word for and corridors through which is a personal style – and comes under tucked away old Masonic lodge and the Hyatt umbrella. an amazing small hall of marble, We were warmly greeted in the gold-inlaid rich dark wood and a minimalist foyer with an offer of a glass of wine and canapés, a delight beautifully painted ceiling, now provided between the hours of 5pm one of 14 meeting rooms used for and 8pm, when most guests check private parties or conferences. And so to dinner. With a choice in. Tea and coffee is also available in the foyer throughout the day on a of four restaurants, we opted for The Eastway Brasserie. And to start self-service basis. proceedings we entered into the With 267 rooms including spirit by sampling the special 14 suites to choose from, we Great Fire of London Cocktails, recommend opting for one of the aptly named ‘fire fighter’ and four ‘Rooms with A View’ due ‘smoked G&T’. to the original artworks painted The theatre of the open kitchen directly on one wall by different set the scene, with a good and young East London artists. Our varied selection on offer on the particular favourite is the ‘The Pearly Room’ showing a pearly king menu. I chose the dressed Cornish crab with sweetcorn fritters, and queen in traditional garb. avocado and cherry tomatoes Andaz is located in the heart of and my companion decided upon the city, bordering Shoreditch, so

While the Andaz Hotel may be chic and stylish and the Dictionary Hostel more basic and buzzing, one thing’s for sure, they both have bags of charm

The luxurious Andaz has everything you could possibly need under one impeccably decorated roof

big spender

thrifty

WORDS: Ann Castle & Kelly Beswick

DICTIONARY Don’t be put off by the fact that this place bills itself as a hostel – yes it is mostly dorms, but it also has very reasonably priced private doubles. What’s more, Dictionary is fantastically located at the Shoreditch end of Kingsland Road, so you have everything you need on the doorstep. Seriously cool with an interior that wouldn’t look out of place in one of the trendy boutiques it nestles up alongside, it also boasts incredibly welcoming staff and guests who are super friendly and chatty. We bagged one of the private

the octopus salad; both were beautifully presented and big on flavour. The charcuterie platter to share also looked very tempting as it passed us on its way to a neighbouring table. Definitely one to order on our next visit. Mains were sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce, cooked exactly as asked, and lamb shoulder ragout on pappardelle with shaved Parmesan. Both were divine and washed down with a superb Argentinian Malbec. The manager asked if we trusted her to serve a selection of desserts. Of course we did, as by now we were putty in her hands. We were not disappointed: four different delights were beautifully arranged

doubles and it had everything you would expect from a hotel room, with key card entry, TV, tea and coffeemaking facilities, free Wi-Fi and a large, comfy bed. It is also spotlessly clean. Downstairs is the Translate Bar, which is open to all-comers, but offers a 20 per cent discount to guests – a benefit we made use of on excellent cocktails. Food is also on offer, while annexed to the bar is the Coffee Shop with fresh Rinkoff pastries, but as breakfast is included in the price you might be able to resist – we, however, could not! IN THE KNOW: Dorm from £15 per night; private double from £60 per night. Address: 10-20 Kingsland Road, E2 8DA. thedictionaryhostel.com

on a slate platter served with two glasses of mandarin pudding wine, heaven for those with a sweet tooth. Pleasantly full, we headed to yet another venue within the hotel, The Catch Bar and Lounge, for a naughty little night-time tipple and where a DJ played a chilled set to the Friday night crowd. With so many venues within the hotel to choose from, the Andaz still manages to maintain its intimacy. Staffed with warm and friendly people, who bend over backwards to help their guests, you will feel at ease from the moment you arrive until your lamentable departure. IN THE KNOW: Doubles from £323. As part of the London Restaurant Festival, Andaz is offering a limited 20 per cent discount on its best room rate throughout October (buffet breakfast included). Enter offer code LRF16 when booking. Address: 40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN. londonliverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com SEPTEMBER 2016

E1LIFE

CITY FLIT

Corfu marina next to the Old Fort

CORFU

eat & drink Moor up at Toula’s Taverna

Stop dreaming of sailing the Greek islands and do it. Glide over the waves and bask in the warm sunshine on board your own skippered yacht. What’s not to like! The farthest north of the seven main Ionian islands, the greenest, with countless olive groves, and the closest to Italy, Corfu is undoubtedly one of the world’s most gorgeous spots. No wonder centuries of visitors – Italians, Brits and Turks – have felt the urge to claim this alluring place for their own. And how better to explore Corfu and the surrounding islands than on board your own skippered yacht. Set sail out of Gouvia Marina while the clear blue sea sparkles with sunlight against a backdrop of swaying cypress trees, pines and rolling olive groves. Stop to swim in secluded azure bays, explore small fishing villages and take in the breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

sail

Take a turn at the helm, or just stretch out in the sun. Look out for the area’s dolphins, turtles 64

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and leaping marlin. If you’re really lucky, you may even see a whale. Spend an evening moored at the Corfu Yacht Club, alongside the Old Fort, with access to beautiful Corfu Old Town with its Venetian architecture, restaurants and bars. The best view is to be taken while sipping drinks on the roof terrace of the Hotel Cavalieri. Go at sunset to see the swirling swallows and soak up the spectacular vistas across the sea and town. Equally as rich in history and legend, the neighbouring islands all have something different to offer. Of course, where you finally end up depends entirely on how adventurous you are.

by night

Wander through enchanting cobbled streets where you will discover lively, authentic tavernas and shops selling everything from designer wear to tourist souvenirs.

Start the evening with cocktails at the aforementioned Hotel Cavalieri, then head to La Cucina, a modern bistro with contemporary design and top-quality food. You’ll find its effervescent owner, George, and his friendly staff will go out of their way to make you feel at home. After dinner, should sleep beckon your cabin is reassuringly close by, moored beneath the historic Old Fort. As an alternative to Corfu Old Town, Agni is a romantic location, where the legendary Toula’s Taverna provides spectacular views across to nearby Albania, combined with some of the finest cuisine you’ll find anywhere in the world, let alone in Europe. It’s the preferred choice of the sophisticated and well-heeled. Moor up at the end of their private jetty – again very handy for getting back to bed later! For one of the best locations in the world, head to Erimitis, which is set atop a mountain on the island of Paxos, overlooking the sea. This is fine dining with unbelievably beautiful scenery topped off by spectacular sunsets. It is run by the lovely Martha and her Greek husband Nikos.

stay

Your captain, Rick Driscoll, a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) instructor, commercial yachtmaster and former 70s’ pop star who runs skippered sailing holidays and RYA courses. Visit sailblueplanet.co.uk or call 0030 6945 286 249 or 0044(0)7768 201777 for more details. Top off your trip and lose your sea legs at the relaxing Art Debono Hotel back in Corfu, which offers first-class, low-cost luxury and where nothing is too much trouble. Just 20 minutes from Gouvia Marina, the hotel offers a 10 per cent discount if you mention SailBluePlanet. Visit arthoteldebono.com or call 0030 2661 090220.

get there

Direct charter flights with easyJet from Stansted, Gatwick or British Airways out of City Airport.

The Art Debono Hotel

WORDS: Renate Ruge. PHOTOGRAPHY: visitbrighton.com

All the islands have something different to offer. Where you finally end up depends on how adventurous you are feeling

JUNE/JULY 2016

E1LIFE

LAST WORD

‘

Accessories designer Ally Capellino, famed for her understated rucksacks and satchels, has lived, worked and played in East London for more than thirty years. Over that time she’s certainly seen some changes, but one thing has remained constant, and that’s her deep passion for the area in all its gritty, creative, idiosyncratic glory

BOUTIQUE: Hostem is very créme de la créme and has recently been housed in a very sky-lit warehouse on Old Nichol Street while its own building is refurbed. 127 on Brick Lane is also cool with stuff you’d never expect or be able to find anywhere else. COFFEE SHOP: I’m faithful to Leila and she’s right on our street in Calvert Avenue. No takeaway coffee is the rule. PLACE TO VISIT: Hackney Marshes for a bit of outdoors and wildlife and Ridley Road Market for rubbing up against the grit of the East End. PUB: I mourn the passing of the George and Dragon on the corner of Hackney Road. I like the Royal Oak and it’s brother or sister the Spurstowe Arms, which both have good staff and a relaxed atmosphere. NIGHT CLUB: Brilliant Corners at Dalston has sushi and amazing acoustics that mean the music is loud, but you can still hear a

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SEPTEMBER 2016

conversation if need be. The music is continuous and seamless. PLACE TO BAG A BARGAIN: There’s a Traid shop in Dalston that has amazing secondhand clothes and an atmosphere like a festival. There’s loads of music and queues for the changing rooms and the prices are a bit more than Oxfam, but worth it for a better than fifty per cent success rate with purchases. RESTAURANT: I’ve had some really good food at Brawn on the corner of Columbia Road Market, it’s friendly, with a great wine list and great veggie selection, considering it’s primarily a meat place.

Great for veggies: Brawn

Ally’s shop in Shoreditch

Living and working in this area for so many years has influenced my design aesthetic, I think it has made me very open to what’s going on in the art and culture scene and I love to see individuals being individual. My designs have a utilitarian appeal. I like things that work for their money, so hanging up loops, pockets and comfort all have great importance and become part of the design. I always try to avoid the more obvious style signals, which means something is less instantly ‘so last year darling’. I take a similar approach to my clothing, being a hoarder and recycler who never says die until the moths have won. My wardrobe is big and eclectic and I am constantly trying different combinations. ‘Dress like a toddler’ is the mantra handed to me by a good friend, so it’s kind of matchy-matchy colour stories with a mix of the old and the new. Colour is a growing pleasure for me as a hot body is less on the cards! I’m not a great relaxer, but yoga does the best job of stopping my brain racing. I especially love going to a yoga retreat for a week, ideally somewhere hot. Otherwise I sometimes manage a class or more likely I’ll follow some yoga bunny on YouTube. Aside from that, my garden is maybe my greatest pleasure/ leisure, particularly the pond with my child-substitute fish. For more information visit allycapellino.co.uk

INTERVIEW: KELLY BESWICK

Ally’s Little Black Book

“I first moved to the East End in 1982, when I bought a lovely flat in one of those mini mansion blocks built by philanthropic Victorians. It had great views across Stepney Green and some splendid Georgian residences opposite. When children arrived, we moved to a big family house on the canal off Roman Road, and then when my husband and I (then creative partner Jono Platt) separated it was an off-plan conversion in Mile End Park. For the past 12 years, however, I’ve been living on the Hackney/ Dalston borders, an area I would have found far too scary when I first arrived in the East End. It’s been fascinating watching the area becoming more fashionable. Back in the 80s it was very gritty and grungy, but for that exact reason space was fairly cheap, which resulted in an influx of creatives who could see the potential. The realisation of that potential means that there’s now a new generation finding the next round of potential. One of my favourite East End places is the Boundary Estate, the very first council estate in Britain, with its own school, shops, college, workshops and laundry. Our studio is in the old weights and measures building and our Calvert Avenue shop is in the original little parade of shops. We’ve been there since 2005 and it’s changed dramatically over the last few years and become the shopping destination, which is fabulous. Raising children in the East End meant they had a broad education, and I think that was good for them. I’m not sure if they see themselves as East Enders though. That said, my recently married son, Hamish, has just bought a place in Walthamstow, pushing up the house prices there, while my daughter, Aggie, is in Mile End at the moment but she is threatening to up sticks for New York. We’ll see…

THE OAK-TREE Group of Schools

Choose a better school for your child

Four privately-owned local independent schools make up the Oak-Tree Group: Braeside in Buckhurst Hill, Coopersale Hall in Epping, Normanhurst in North Chingford and Oaklands in Loughton. The schools are known for their outstanding teaching and excellent pastoral care.

OPEN DAYS

BRAESIDE : WED 5 OCTOBER 9.15AM (Early Years, Juniors) & 6PM (Seniors) COOPERSALE HALL: TUES 4 OCTOBER 9.15AM NORMANHURST: THURS 6 OCTOBER 6PM (Juniors, Seniors) & FRI 7 OCTOBER 9.15AM(Early Years) OAKLANDS: THURS 6 OCTOBER 9.15AM

EARLY YEARS l INFANTS l JUNIORS l SENIORS For more information www.oaktreeschools.co.uk

@OakTreeSchools

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