+ Make a Gin Buck with Bullards in our regular cocktail column Page 10
Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
inside issue 61
David Lefevbre Sell - Chris Ezekiel Peninsula Gardens - 30 Harbord Square CoinJar - Pop Skewer - The Well Bean Co Velocity - Canada Water Dockside BabaBoom - Wharf Life Hacks Sophie Goddard - Puzzles
how executive chef Dane Barnard has levelled up the food at Humble Grape to sit alongside its selection of wines Pages 6-8
wine flavour +
celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness
Image by Jon Massey
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feast your eyes on these
what’s on
things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Museum Of London Docklands West India Quay MASTERCLASS | University Of Repair This session with professor Gus John and Connie Bell aims to foster critical consciousness by identifying the process of decolonisation. Apr 30, noon, free, museumoflondon.org.uk
Welcome to Wharf Life. Our 61st issue has two themes – the future and food. Humble Grape has a fresh focus on its dishes BabaBoom is set to launch in Stratford and the The Well Bean Co has reopened in Royal Docks. There’s also a new roof on The O2, cryptocurrency with CoinJar, offices in Canada Water and a toilet
05
Canary Wharf teams up with The Eden Project to green the estate
Where? Montgomery Square Canary Wharf
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EAT | The Lunch Market Karnival brings back its street food traders every week to help enliven the estate and offer Wharfers a few fresh options for the mid-day meal. May 5-Sept 22, Thursdays, noon-3pm, canarywharf.com
Why running and travel inspired the creation of kebab shop BabaBoom
Where? Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Canary Wharf
GIG | Albert Lee The highly skilled guitarist who has played with everyone from The Everly Brothers to Joan Armatrading returns to Boisdale in fine fettle. May 4, 9pm, from £49, boisdale.co.uk
30
How Pop Skewer have brought street food from Brazil to a kiosk beneath railway lines in Wapping with a business created during the first lockdown – grab those sticks
flash back
09
How CoinJar created services for crypto as demand blossomed
the joy of six
06 Canary Wharf-based investment bank JP Morgan has teamed up with The Sutton Trust to offer opportunity grants from a £4.8million endowment fund to disadvantaged students to boost their employability jpmorganchase.com Scan this code to read our interviews with JP Morgan and The Sutton Trust at wharf-life.com want more? @wharflifelive
How Humble Grape’s chefs are raising up its food offering
12
The Well Bean Co is back open in Royal Docks and with great mushrooms
Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 12
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Canary Wharf
on the radar
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get more for less on and around the Wharf
need to know
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Branching out from its locations in Soho, Broadgate and New Street, fine fast food business Yolk is set to open up in Cabot Place at the beginning of May, offering a range of egg-based treats and bacon rolls (think melted Nduja) yolklondon.com
32 Fancy something otherworldly on April 16? Dance drama Radio Neighbourhood is set to be performed at Crossrail Place Roof Garden at 2pm and 3.30pm. Tickets are free to book or available on the door. Expect aliens and humans canarywharf.com
Book in at Brewdog Canary Wharf and get unlimited wings on Wednesday for £13 – available in chicken, cauliflower or Temple Of Seitan versions brewdog.com
34
How the future of the domestic toilet is being tested on the Island
Why ArtInvest is building office space in Canada Water
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The hole story – how The O2 managed to reopen much of its venue a week after Storm Eunice ripped off part of its roof, with work ongoing to get the rest up and running in May
Try a select range of cocktails for £7 at The Lowback bar under Hawksmoor’s restaurant in Wood Wharf, Tuesday-Thursday, from 4pm-7pm thehawksmoor.com
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25% off
write me
words you don’t know you need
dishclose
get a quarter off your bar bill as Market Hall finds its feet
verb, fake, from Latin subscribe to our newsletter and get Wharf Life content in your inbox each week for free
To tell everyone everything about your financial situation in an open, honest and transparent manner that might only leave out certain details such as one’s possession of a Green Card or a spouse’s non-dom status
heliophile
diary dates and ideas to make your Canary Wharf life sweeter...
COMP - Canary Wharf In Focus Until September 16, deadline 5pm canarywharf.com
noun, real, from Ancient Greek
A person who enjoys sunny weather. There are already plenty of rays out there, all we need now is for temperatures to climb just that little bit. Top tip, head to Wood Wharf’s Harbour Quay Gardens to soak them up
Canary Wharf’s photography exhibition returns, offering entrants the chance of winning up to £1,500 in Canary Wharf Gift Cards. There are four adult contests – covering Art And Architecture, Transport And Travel, Nature and Wildlife And Water – and two for junior snappers. Full details are available online.
Market Hall Canary Wharf is currently open with five traders serving food while technical issues are sorted out Market Hall Canary Wharf has opened its doors, although a few glitches mean it’s only offering food from five out of eight traders at present. Diners can expect dishes from DF Tacos, Baoziin, Inamo Sushi, Le Bab and Gopal’s Corner. While the technical issues are sorted out, the venue is offering 25% off house drinks at its two bars until April 22. When fully operational, Market Hall will also offer food from Pasta Evangelists, Chick Chick Crew and Black Bear Burger Go to markethalls.co.uk for more information DIARY DATE - The Night Market Montgomery Square, Thursdays, May 26-Sept 22, 5pm-10pm canarywharf.com
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Head down to the expanse of land behind 640 East for nighttime minigolf and an all-new regular after-hours food market. In addition to putting on an all-new course, Wharfers can expect a range of food trucks, colourful benches and some music to entertain on those long summer nights. Bar duties will be sorted by 640 East itself – to keep everyone suitably lubricated – and will also be supplying the DJ. Bibimbaps, burgers and the wind in the trees – this is set to be one of the hotspots for summer 2022.
Help your loved ones to help you kiddrapinet.co.uk/understandinganlpa
You can’t control what the future holds, but you can control who makes decisions on your behalf.
Your options can start here. Download our free guide or book a free consultation with our private client team. Call 020 7205 2896 or Download our FREE guide to request an appointment online at kiddrapinet.co.uk
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LO N DO N
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S LO U G H
Linen Jacket, £119 The White Company thewhitecompany.com This simple, lightweight jacket delivers all the style of a denim jacket without the heft – perfect for spring and summer as things are warming up. Styled in a relaxed fit it’s intended as a “wear everywhere” garment in breathable, natural fabric sourced from mills in Ireland and across Europe. Find it at The White Company’s Jubilee Place branch on the mall’s lower level.
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Canary Wharf
20
Years since The Eden Project was created to help educate people about the benefits of spending time in nature
getting greener
by Sophie Goddard
W
ith our aim to demystify sustainability for Wharf Life readers, this column’s topic of focus is “biodiversity” – basically a fancy way of referring to the variety of plant and animal life across the world or in a particular habitat. It is generally considered that the greater biodiversity is, the better for the environment. Over the last 50 years (up to 2020) studies have shown a 68% reduction in wildlife globally. The planet is facing a biodiversity crisis and we, as humans, must play a part in reversing that reduction, even in urban environments like Canary Wharf. With more than 20 acres of parks, gardens, and waterside promenades we have aimed to ensure green spaces are integrated with the design of the estate for those who live, work and visit it – something we believe is crucial to wellbeing and health. The huge variety of plant and animal life here is part of what makes the Canary Wharf estate so vibrant, but we know we can go even further. That is why we are so excited to share that we are partnering with The Eden Project. Based in Cornwall, the charity and social enterprise has spent the past 20 years educating people about the value of spending time in nature. Its global mission is to create a movement that builds relationships between people and the natural world, something that aligns with our ambitions. This partnership will therefore support
Canary Wharf Group has unveiled a partnership with The Eden Project in Cornwall to help boost biodiversity on the estate to help fight half a century of global decline
east of
our work in prioritising open spaces and access to water, as well as providing expert advice to help us create a more biodiverse Canary Wharf. As one of the first developers in the UK to create a Biodiversity Action Plan, back in 2004, we continue to promote green infrastructure and encourage urban wildlife within our landscaping decisions. Our latest Greening Of The Estate initiative prioritises native, diverse and climate resilient planting and has brought an additional 13,000 plants onto the Wharf. The Eden Project will be supporting our ambitions to take this further and create a green spine through the centre of the estate, work towards tackling the biodiversity crisis, and continue to transform Canary Wharf into a space that can bring people and nature together in harmony. Sophie Goddard is director of sustainability at Canary Wharf Group and can be contacted via sustainability@canarywharf.com Go to canarywharf.com or breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk
An artist’s impression of how changes to Canary Wharf could look following its partnership with The Eden Project
Scan this code for more information on sustainability in Canary Wharf
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virtual viewpoint by Chris Ezekiel
Branches of Humble Grape are operating in London including the company’s Canary Wharf venue
Humble Grape’s Dane Barnard says the company’s chefs are always learning from each other as they develop new dishes
Business is about long-term relationships and Chris says these are best served in person
I
’m writing this while travelling back from Australia – my first business trip since the pandemic began. I last arrived back from Australia on March 14, 2020, just as the world was going into lockdown. Hearing stories about people getting trapped for months in other countries, I count myself very fortunate to have got back to the UK when I did. Just as well, too, because I’ve had two major life changing events during that time – getting married and having a baby. Australia is only just opening to the world again after imposing one of the strictest lockdowns. Meeting our staff, customers and partners was so refreshing. While video calls serve a purpose, I know our business, like many, has been impacted by not being able to meet face-to-face. Our business is all about long-term relationships, and I have no doubt that these are best served by regular, in-person catch-ups. The way we communicate and the body language we use as humans is completely different on video calls. Sydney and Melbourne, like London and many As we emerge from cities, are built around catch-ups in cafés and the pandemic, it’s bars, especially when it comes to getting deals interesting to see done. the lasting impact. The pandemic has impacted so many Business attire is now elements of our lives. smart casual Many people I meet complain about the Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual pandemic bulge. Many of us have added a few pounds. As we emerge from the pandemic, it’s interesting to see the lasting impact. Business attire is now smart casual, with complaints about suits shrinking. But I think our CEO for Australia, Patrick, was pushing the pandemic excuse a bit much when he looked at a parking space and complained that it might be difficult as he hadn’t driven for a while. It got me thinking about how many incidental things like this will be blamed on the pandemic. For the record, he nailed the parallel parking first time. It’s great to have travel and real meetings back.
“
Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at West India Quay’s Cannon Workshops Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on Twitter
plates filling the
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Canary Wharf
how executive chef at Humble Grape, Dane Barnard is placing food alongside wine as a key attraction for Wharfers by Jon Massey
T
here’s a subtle shift taking place at Humble Grape. The wine shop and wine bar, which has its Canary Wharf branch at Mackenzie Walk overlooking Newfoundland and Middle Dock, will always be focused on supplying bottles and glasses you just can’t get anywhere else. But the venue is also increasingly focused on the variety and flavours of the food it serves to its customers. The man whose blue eyes are tasked with overseeing that operation across the company’s five locations is executive chef Dane Barnard. “I started off as the head chef at the Battersea branch and, back then, there was no executive chef or a real food identity across the business,” he said. “Each branch was doing its own thing. To an extent we still do, because you should be able to taste each head chef’s personality on the plate but as we’re becoming more and more about food – it’s about coming up with that identity. “Now we know what we are and where we’re going – to really drive that side of Humble Grape. We’re not food-led, but it’s about half our business now, which is where we want to be. “Humble Grape is a place you can come with friends or colleagues to enjoy wine along with something to eat. “Our founder and CEO, James Dawson has done such an amazing job finding all these
Humble Grape offers around 400 wines in its shops and bars across London
My vision is to bring the food in line with the wine – to use as much free-range, organic and sustainable produce as we can
Lamb neck with freekeh (£13.50)
Dane Barnard, Humble Grape
niche wine suppliers that you can’t find anywhere else in the UK. My vision is to bring the food in line with that – to use as much free-range, organic and sustainable produce as we can and to really try to mirror what we’re doing with the wine. “That starts with our suppliers – it takes a long time to find the right ones and to build that relationship. “For example, we use Donald Russell, which is a big one but they source produce from individual farms. We go to them with a detailed spec and they come back if they can help us. “We certainly don’t know everything, so if they give us an ingredient then we can always try to do something with it. “Even though I’m executive chef, I’m learning from my head chefs every single day – we have people from Spain and France and we’re constantly teaching each other. There’s a lot of passion and knowledge. “We meet up for menu development and swap ideas – that’s what we’re looking for here and we’re always looking for talented chefs.” That process has led to a menu of small plates at the Canary Wharf branch, including baked Camembert with sourdough bread, octopus carpaccio with compressed cucumber, stem broccoli with a lemon dressing and crab on a flatbread with chilli. “My style of cooking is more about flavour than delicate presentation,” said Dane. “A lot of my training was with a chef from America and we used the whole animal – that’s something we are teaching our teams at Humble Grape. “For example, if we get a whole pig we take it apart, cure the legs use the cheeks and render the fat down to use when cooking. “Every part of it has something to offer, you can even use the skin.
Stem broccoli with lemon dressing (£8)
You can see it on the menu where we’re using lamb neck for a small plate, served with freekeh. “That’s more of a common cut but it has loads of flavour and you’re starting to see the upper echelons of the restaurant world jumping on that bandwagon.” Dane, who joined Humble Grape in 2018 following stints at The Lockhart and Shotgun BBQ, is also keen to showcase vegetables. “Spring is amazing,” he said. “If you can’t cook in this season, you can’t cook – there’s such a range of flavours and we try to use English seasonal ingredients. “Vegan food had already come along big time before the pandemic hit – back then it was about 10% of diners and now we’re looking at perhaps 30%. “We don’t go down the route of using products that look like meat – we’d rather use vegetables that look and taste like vegetables and try to enhance those flavours.” With around 400 wines available at Humble Grape, the majority exclusively available through the business, the emphasis is on accessibility rather than prescriptive pairing. “We regularly taste the wines,” said Dane. “ It’s a hard job, but continued on Page 8
, e s u re l and reficlle with y ards recu l b lg in > Find us on Mall Level -1, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf for free gin sampling bullardsspirits.co.uk
@bullardsgin
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from Page 7
5
Regular offers to allow Wharfers to drink and eat for less at Humble Grape Right, octopus
somebody has to do it and it really helps when we’re developing new dishes. “Our staff will be on hand to help with suggestions, of course, but we don’t tell people what wine to have with a particular dish – this is a place where people choose.” The venue, which offers bar snacks, sharing boards, sweets and a range of meats and cheeses, also serves more substantial dishes such as herb-crusted chalk stream trout with Jersey royals, steaks and a spring pea and asparagus pasta. “The Sunday roasts are probably the best place to start here,” said Dane. “We serve lamb, chicken, pork, beef and nut roast – all sustainable and organic – as something traditional but more in a sharing style with Yorkshire pudding, grilled cauliflower cheese, roast root veg and gravy for £18. “We used to do a bottomless brunch, but everybody does that, so now we do a bottomless lunch on Saturdays. I didn’t become a chef to cook eggs for people, so we thought it would be better to showcase our small plates “You get three plus unlimited Prosecco, red wine, white wine or beer for 90 minutes for £35 between noon and 4pm. “Our intention is, when the summer comes, that we will expand the food offering a bit more. “We’ve got a massive grill in the kitchen, so when it’s sunny and people are on the terrace, we’ll be looking to maximise the use of that and really make it a place to come and sit outside.” To go with the food, Humble Grape boasts plenty of regular wine offers including etail Monday (our favourite), where bottles can be drunk at takeaway prices, Tasting Tuesday – a mini flight of four wines for 1 per person, and Icon Thursday And Friday, where more expensive bottles are sold by the glass. Booking is not required to participate in any of these events – just drop in and place an order. ● The Canary Wharf branch of Humble Grape is also launching an Express Lunch menu from Wednesday–Friday with a main course for £14, two courses for £19 or three for £22. Go to humblegrape.co.uk for more information
Scan this code to find out more about Humble Grape
carpaccio (£14.50), crab flatbread (£11.50) and, below, herb-crusted chalk stream trout with Jersey royals
Our staff will be on hand to help with suggestions, of course, but we don’t tell people what wine to have Dane Barnard, Humble Grape
Right, Humble Grape is located in Mackenzie Walk in Canary Wharf
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Canary Wharf
how fintech startup CoinJar continues to ride the surge as consumers explore crypto
9
Years since Asher Tan and Ryan Zhou founded CoinJar in Melbourne Perhaps the demise of physical currency is a contributory factor to the increasing popularity of
cryptocurrency as an investment
by Jon Massey
T
his image is a great big pile of old tech (albeit American in this instance). While coin has been around for thousands of years, there’s a growing sense that physical money has had its day. Go to an ATM – machines once used on an almost daily basis. Try and remember your PIN and extract some cash. See how odd the plastic notes feel, how strange the idea that they might be taken to a shop and broken down into small metal discs representing value. Currency was digital before the pandemic but now physical euros, dollars and pounds seem increasingly otherworldly. That’s one reason, perhaps, why cryptocurrencies seem less and less exotic. If wealth is simply represented by numbers on a screen, maybe changing the logo next to them with the hope of making money on the trade is a little less scary than say, walking up to a currency exchange counter and converting a familiar set of notes into something completely alien. Maybe it’s why about a fifth of British people have owned cryptocurrency as of March this year – up 103% on 2018. Statistics like these will doubtless be welcome reading for Asher Tan, co-founder of CoinJar, which operates from bases in Australia, and Level39 in Canary Wharf. He created the company with business partner Ryan Zhou in 2013 after the pair took part in an incubator scheme in Melbourne as interest around Bitcoin, which emerged in 2009 grew. “CoinJar is a simple way to buy, hold and sell crypto assets,” said Asher. “We also have tools, such as a debit Mastercard, so that people can go to any ATM and convert their crypto to any currency they want or spend it where the card is accepted. “That part of the business has been a long time coming – we’d had previous versions, but we were a small company and nobody wanted to work with us until now when we’ve partnered with Mastercard. continued on Page 10
embracing the
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Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
spirited flavours
by Bullards Spirits
£30,462
Sometimes, you just can’t beat an easy recipe, and the Gin Buck is just one delicious tipple that falls into that category. This simple and deliciously bubbly drink is the perfect cooler, best enjoyed outdoors on a warm spring evening. The sweet, honeyed flavours of Bullards’ Old Tom Gin lead into a warming spice that’s naturally complemented by the addition of ginger ale – especially from mixer brand Double Dutch – making it a marvellous choice for this classic cocktail... ingredients 50ml Bullards Old Tom Gin 25ml freshly squeezed orange juice Dash of lime juice Top with Double Dutch Ginger Ale Garnish: Lime slice Garnish: Angostura Bitters (optional) method Pour the gin, orange, and lime juice into an ice-filled glass. Top with ginger ale and stir to combine. Garnish with a slice of lime and three drops of Angostura bitters (only if you like the taste).
Bullards’ Gin Buck
flavour profile A modern take on the classic Old Tom style, Bullards’ Old Tom Gin – Gold Winner at the 2022 London Spirits Competition – is made with Norfolk honey and fresh mango to create a delightfully golden hue. This sweetness is delicately balanced by notes of pink pepper, black pepper and cassia, adding a gentle warming spice that tickles the tastebuds. Infused with demerara sugar, our Old Tom is sweeter than a London Dry – a perfect choice for those dipping their toes into the gin world, or who are looking to try more traditional styles...
Asher Tan founded CoinJar in Australia in 2013 – it now also
Wharf Life has teamed up with Bullards Spirits for a series of marvellous mixes – try the range for yourself at Bullards Gin Shop And Tasting Room in Cabot Place Scan this code to discover the full Bullards range, more cocktail recipes and to shop merchandise, gift sets and spirits online
operates in the UK with a base at Level39 in Canary Wharf
Cost to buy one Bitcoin at 10.38pm on April 11, 2022, via CoinJar’s exchange
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Canary Wharf
from Page 9 Most people use CoinJar for some form of asset investment, to just buy and hold crypto. The popularity of doing that comes in waves every two or three years. “You have a huge upswing as crypto rises in value, then cryptomania resumes, but that’s just the nature of the cycles. It’s been easing off in the last three months.” Such fluctuations are not unusual and Asher exudes the air of a business owner content to play the long game. Bitcoin, the most well-known and first cryptocurrency is famed for its rapid fluctuations in value, having gone from a few pence in value in 2009 to more than £30,000 per coin in 2022. It’s still about 50% of the total crypto market but has since been joined by a bewildering array of digital coins – Injective, The Sandbox, Synthetix and Bancor, for example – many of which can be bought on CoinJar for a few pounds. Ethereum, perhaps the second most well-known, can be bought for about £2,300 at the time of writing. Doubtless people will continue to buy and sell the stuff in the hope of a big pay day. But there’s another way to make money from crypto and that was the niche Asher and Ryan spotted. “Being a startup in 2013 was a good vintage – we travelled quite a bit, saw other companies being built and, in the UK, saw the fintech bubble beginning,” said Asher. “The message was already being pushed out that London was the fintech capital of the world and Level39 - Canary Wharf’s tech accelerator – was created about that time too. “That was a bold move by Canary Wharf Group, to combine the existing financial infrastructure with fintech and it’s one that has really paid off. “Being part of that early group, crypto was a movement – we were all trying to figure out this piece of technology. Everyone was trying to push for something but not everyone knew what that was yet. Everyone was trying to build services – some people created crypto point of sale businesses, others wallets to keep crypto in and some exchanges so people could buy it. “Would you use it to pay for coffee There was even a Bitcoin ATM in Old Street. Back then it was underground, people looking for consumer services. Now, in 2022, after the pandemic, crypto is almost accepted as an asset class, not just Bitcoin. “There’s some debate about how you use it, but no-one argues that this isn’t the status quo. The premise has shifted and the
imagination continues to grow. It might seem crazy to some people, but it’s the job of entrepreneurs to make these things happen. We’re trying to create an alternative financial system for the whole world.” While the currencies it trades in are very different, CoinJar operates in a similar way to a conventional exchange, charging a fee to change money from one currency to another. It also levies a 1% fee on in-store and online purchases and cash withdrawals for those using its debit card, available in either physical or digital form. Having operated consistently in Australia, CoinJar has maintained a presence in Canary Wharf, deciding in 2018 to expand its business in earnest overseas. “It’s been nine years since we started the company,” said Asher. “In that time there have been so many peaks and troughs about Bitcoin – it’s died a thousand times. In the early years, you were wondering if this was a fatal step or whether cryptocurrency even needed to exist. “At some points the overriding opinion was that crypto was just going to evaporate. So you do need belief and it takes time. Like with most good things, you have to wait. When we first came to Level39 we never fully launched and there were questions about whether we should just focus on Australia, but we always kept the membership even when we weren’t operating in the UK. “So, in 2020 we had a proper launch and now we have six people based at One Canada Square. I think the UK market has always been slightly under-served in terms of crypto services. “But there are some things it has in common with Australia, such as strong regulation. It’s always been a market we wanted to enter because the two countries have a unique friendship. It’s a good place to come for Australian startups. “In terms of the future for CoinJar, the product is always changing. We started this business to provide consumers with an alternative way to use finance, so that means we’ve also got to keep up and change as the industry
We started this business to provide consumers with an alternative way to use finance. We’ve got to keep up as the industry develops
develops. As a business, we’re first generation crypto – we now have staff who are much younger and their views are very different – everything’s going to change, right “Now it’s Non-Fungible Tokens and these seemed very strange to me when I heard about them in 2017, but nine years ago crypto was very strange to everyone. It’s important to keep challenging yourself about the reality of the online world.” The question all those teetering on the brink of their first investment want answered, is whether it’s worth it “Different people have different strategies,” said Asher. “Personally, I’m not a trader day-to-day – I don’t really see crypto as get rich quick. “With fintech there’s no cap to what it could be, so it captures the imagination and then the sky’s the limit. “In the early days there were a lot of predictions around crypto – everyone would be using it, the banks would all take it. But, come on, seriously It might happen. “The premise of crypto has always been about choice. You can opt for something different – you don’t have to choose one of the
big banks – you can use alternative platforms in terms of investment. Right now, that means there are more options. “Crypto has always been something for people who want to try different things. ight now, I do believe the promise has benefit for everyone in terms of buying and holding cryptocurrency – an experience most people should try. “You can get into it for £10, so it’s not a huge financial commitment to try to understand what this movement is about. Use it, try to make sense of the technological mystery behind it, and I think that’s the first step to a better understanding of why it even exists.” Go to coinjar.com/uk ● Cryptocurrency remains a very volatile investment. What you do with your money is your own affair and this article should in no way be seen as recommending the purchase of cryptocurrency.
Scan this to find out more about CoinJar’s services
Give your customers the digital self-service experience they want with help from the Conversational AI Leader
Asher Tan, CoinJar
www.creativevirtual.com info@creativevirtual.com | 020 7719 8332
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Royal Docks - Canning Town
£6.50
Cost of mushrooms on sourdough at The Well Bean Co Cafe in Royal Albert Wharf
The Well Bean Co Cafe
what’s on
things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Excel Royal Victoria Dock
overlooks the waters of Royal Albert Dock and offers a menu of plant-based treats
EVENT | Schools And Academies Show This event brings together the biggest names in UK education to share their insights, advice and solutions as pressures mount on institutions. Apr 27, 9am-5pm, registration, excel.london Where? RA Fold Canning Town
CLUB | Silk + Steel Focused squarely on challenging conformity, this is Silk + Steel’s only London show in 2022 and features Body Sushi, Hadone, Tasha and Riva. May 7, 10pm-6am, from £20, ra.co Where? Excel Royal Victoria Dock
EVENT | Accountex More than 9,000 accountancy and finance professionals join more than 200 global brands and startups for a two-day meeting of minds. May 11-12, from 10am, registration, excel.london
flash back
plants made from
and passion
how you can taste the love in every bite as The Well Bean Co reopens for business in Royal Docks by Jon Massey
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Figures suggest London City Airport is getting busier and busier as air travel recovers with many routes operating again and even a few new ones, including two to Milan. Expect 36 destinations this summer londoncityairport.com Scan this code to read our interview with London City Airport head of aviation Anne Doyere want more? @wharflifelive
he Well Bean Co Cafe at Royal Albert Wharf has been scrubbed, painted and refinished following a fire that will doubtless prove just a soot-coloured punctuation mark when the venue’s history is written. Visit its expansive space, freshly decked out in dark greys, rustic wooden tables and comfy seats, and you’ll find a place already buzzing with activity as locals return – laptops at the ready – hungry for its food and drink. Owner Charlie Claydon has done a fantastic job in bringing the cafe back,
refreshing its menu for the launch to feature substantial bowls for breakfast and lunch plus an inviting list of snacks. Everything on the menu is plant-based, in keeping with the vegan ethos of the chocolate factory that spawned the cafe, and we opt to try a couple of the lighter options. The smoked cheese and tomato toastie costs £4.50 and proves generous in proportion and well-rounded in flavour, pepped up with a little paprika. Scan this code for more on The Well Bean Co’s reopening
But it’s the mushrooms on sourdough that steal my heart. Fat, juicy slices of portobello lie on a thick bed of wilted spinach. Combined with the crusty bread, each bite seems filled with self congratulation as the body praises the mind for choosing a dish both healthy and packed with flavour. Enjoyed with a decent cup of English breakfast tea, it’s a fine escape from the turmoil and pressures of the day. And perhaps that’s a clue as to why there’s a steady stream of customers, with tables filled and an atmosphere of optimism that even floats up to the mezzanine as we all gaze out over the dock. For more information go to wellbeanco.com
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Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
from the streets of
6
Hours taken to slow-cook the beef ribs Pop Skewer serves up as a special once a month
how Marina and Marcio created Pop Skewer during lockdown to bring South American flavours to London by Laura Enfield
U
nderneath the grey stretch of railway tracks in Wapping lies a surprise. Well, more than one, actually. Venture off the beaten path of Cable Street and you will find Brazil’s most popular street food on offer at op Skewer. Succulent beef on sticks, halal chicken and sausage are freshly barbecued and served up on the side of the road, just like in South America. The compact kiosk was opened by Brazilian couple Marina Simoes, 4 , and Marcio okota, , after they both lost their jobs during the first lockdown. They had never worked together, but decided to use their skills and take a chance on their new venture. Marina said “We were both doing something completely different before. I was working in property sales and then started temping because I knew I wanted to do something else but never thought of opening my own business. “My husband was working in a coffee shop as manager but because of lockdown we were both at home unemployed, so we said Why not work together ’. “He’s a very good cook, so we thought we’d do something that uses his skills and gives people a taste of Brazil.” They decided to serve the skewers with another popular dish from their home country – rice and beans. “In Brazil, they wouldn’t normally be served together,” said Marina. “But we decided to combine them. “The skewers are everywhere in Brazil. ou grab them and eat them on the street really informally on the stick. They’re a really profitable business there and, hopefully, we will get the same success here.” They also serve up a op
Sandwich and op Burger and daily specials like beef stew with cassava, beef stroganoff, beef parmigiana and, once a month, slow-cooked beef ribs. “Every Saturday we serve the feijoada, which is black bean and pork stew,” said Marina. “It’s made with different types of pork meat served with rice, tomato salad, spring greens and the farofa, toasted cassava flour with bacon and something else. Forgive me, I forget as I’ve been a vegetarian for 0 years.” A vegetarian running a meatbased business How does that work “To be honest, I don’t like the smell of the BBQ, but I respect everyone whether they are vegetarian or not,” she said. Marina admits she mostly stays away from the kitchen and sticks to handling other parts of the business. The couple buy all their food fresh every few days and have items like the black beans delivered from a Brazilian supplier. “I don’t cook anything, I’m terrible with that,” she said. “Of course, I help put the meals together. But cooking No.” Thanks to her, op Skewer also serves up plenty of vegetarian options, including a halloumi, onion and courgette skewer, a halloumi burger with courgette and lettuce, tomato and homemade sauce and a vegetarian sandwich in ciabatta bread. Marina said “Cooking with
Cooking with a charcoal grill makes such a difference to the taste. So far everyone is enjoying eating it, which we find amazing Marina Simoes, Pop Skewer
a charcoal grill makes such a difference to the taste. “We have never just aimed to target Brazilians and, so far, everyone is enjoying eating it, which we find amazing.” It’s not the first time the Bromley residents have taken a leap into the unknown. Marina, who is of Italian heritage and grew up in Minas Gerais, left Brazil in her 0s on a one-way ticket to London. She said “My first job was working in silver service in hotels. I was terrible. Then I started in retail sales and then management and then property sales.” Marcio, who is of Japanese heritage and grew up in Sao aulo, arrived in England 1 years ago. He left behind a clothes business and found work in restaurants and coffee shops. Having grown up 0 miles apart, it took them both travelling , 00 miles across the Atlantic for their love story to begin on the streets of London. “We met through a mutual friend and have been together ever since,” said Marina. Their relationship is being put to the test with the challenges presented by their joint venture. They built the business in just eight weeks, launching just after the first lockdown, and have faced struggles with supplies during the pandemic, getting word out to customers on a shoestring, and working together in very close quarters. “Sometimes I want to strangle my husband,” said Marina “But we have separate areas with me in the front taking orders and the other two guys in the cooking area. Sometimes we do bump into each other and bicker. “It’s been very challenging having our own business under these conditions for the past year, but I’m really enjoying it.” They have also taken on fellow Brazilian Lucas Montagnini and trained him up to work on the grill.
“It was very hard to find someone because of the pandemic,” said Marina. “He was a friend of a friend who was an engineer in Brazil, but he’d had enough and decided to leave and do something else. That’s what we all do when we come to England – something completely different. It’s great and challenging, leaving our comfort zone.” The op Skewer site was empty before they took it over and they rely on Instagram, Google and word of mouth to gain customers. But business can be unpredictable, with the lunch crowd sometimes arriving at 11am and sometimes not until 1. 0pm, which makes it hard to plan. “It can be really unpredictable,” said Marina.“We are not just building up op Skewer but also the location. The residents kept us going during the pandemic, but now the o ce workers are coming back. Hopefully, when the weather gets warmer, there will be lots of BBQ for everyone. “We really want op Skewer to grow and get more customers. The past year has been about working hard and not getting much money, so we really want to move to the next level now and become known by everyone for Brazilian food.” Follow @popskewer on Insta
From left, the Pop Burger £6.80, Pop meal with beef skewer £7 and a selection of sausage, halal chicken and beef skewers £3.50 each
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell
what’s on
things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Tower Vaults Wapping
EVENT | The Gunpowder Plot An immersive journey through history to uncover those behind the plot, avoid traitors and escape to journey towards the Houses of Parliament. Wed-Sun in May, £40-70, gunpowderimmersive.com Where? Tobacco Dock Wapping
EVENT | La Piñata A celebration of agave spirits, Mexican culture and an opportunity to taste some of the best Tequila and Mezcal side by side from 20 producers. May 7, 11am, 4pm, £21.44, tobaccodocklondon.com Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping
Marina Simoes and Marcio Yokota serve up food from their homeland at their Wapping kiosk Scan this code to find out more about Pop Skewer
SHOW | Ida Barr This good time old gal is a creation of Christopher Green. A former star of the British Music Hall, she has embraced her own brand of urban R’n’B. Apr 27, 7.30pm, £10-17, wiltons.org.uk
flash back
The Tower Of London’s moat is set to welcome Superbloom, an installation that will transform the ground surrounding the palace into a wildflower meadow from June to September with tickets starting at £12 hrp.org.uk
Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
Scan this code to read our interview with the Tower’s Rhiannon Goddard at wharf-life.com want more? @wharflifelive
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Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
by Laura Enfield
H
e might look like a sombre-suited Clark Kent but Garry Moore is actually a superhero. He has invented a way of saving something vital to life on this planet. Water. His superloo uses the power of air to blow away waste – saving countless litres of our most precious resource. And he has chosen Alpha Grove Community Centre on the Isle Of Dogs as one of the first venues in the world to trial the toilets, produced by his company Velocity. “There is amazing pressure on water sustainability in the UK,” said Garry. “People think it rains a lot here but it’s not enough to be self-su cient. “We need to make sure we are not wasting what is a precious resource. It’s clean drinking water and we flush it down the toilet and turn it into raw sewage. That’s a luxury that can’t continue.” His toilets are the first domestic designs in the world to use a pressurised air flush. They use 1.4 litres of water to clean the bowl, rather than the nine litres used on average by a traditional toilet, a reduction of 85%. Garry said it meant his design was eco-friendly and also more pocket friendly, paying for themselves in four years through a 25% average saving on water bills. He said the superloo also required no behavioural change from users and would help achieve water neutrality when developments were built meaning the impact on water availability would be the same or less than previously. “I’m a very practical person and have an inquisitive mind,” said Garry. “I’m always questioning how things are built and why they are built that way. “So many things we interact with every day have been invented by someone and I like to consider whether they could be designed better.” The married father-of-two has self-funded and developed the
The first flushing toilet was invented hundreds of years ago for Queen Elizabeth I and, since then, the industry hasn’t radically innovated at all Garry Moore, Velocity
toilet from his home workshop in Westcliff-on-Sea and at the Innovation Centre at the University Of Essex in Colchester, with a team of six experts. They include a ceramic sanitaryware specialist, a mechanical engineer and a microbiologist. Garry and his team are now getting ready to bring the innovation to market within the next year. He said the Isle of Dogs was the perfect place to test the invention. The area holds great meaning for the 57-year-old. His parents were born and raised in Canning Town, surviving the Blitz and working in the docks before moving to Ilford to raise their family. It was at the University Of East London campus in Docklands where Garry developed his first air flush toilet with ropelair during the 1 0s and 000s. It was aimed at commercial use and went on to be installed in the Barclays and Citi buildings in Canary Wharf as well as at branches of McDonald’s and Moto service stations. He parted ways with the company on bad terms in 01 and thought his dream of revolutionising the toilet industry was over. But inspiration hit once again during lockdown. “I realised working from home was here to stay and, with COP26, people were not saving water using those flushes at the o ce,” said Garry. “So I formed a home working group with my original design team and set about designing Velocity for domestic use.” The original 0-year patents that his Propelair design was based on had expired, so Garry was free to have another shot at his superloo. “It wasn’t my choice to leave ropelair,” he said. “I spent 1 years building the company up, 10 years unpaid and to just have to walk away was really di cult. “I had secured 1million to develop a domestic version, but it just hadn’t happened. Then, during lockdown I just realised we had to do it – society needed it, because 75% of the market is domestic. “So it has been absolutely fantastic working again on a new project with the team.” His new toilet is more compact, quieter and has a motion sensor, offering hands-free opening and flushing. But the main star is the in-built air system, which has shades of Back To The Future inventor Doc Brown. “I had some big lightbulb moments – the main one being something we call the flush capacitor,” said Garry. “It came to me while lying in a hammock drinking a beer in the summer of 0 0. “With a conventional toilet, you
1596
The year the first flush toilet was invented by Sir John Harington
Founder and director of Velocity, Garry Moore, was inspired to invent a domestic version of his air flush toilet by home working during lockdown
how every
flush saves
how Velocity has transformed the humble toilet into a superloo designed to help save vital resource have a water cistern and, when you flush, water flows from it into the pan and carries the waste out into the sewer. It requires a lot of water. “With Velocity, the lid seals onto the pan and when you flush a small amount of water comes in to clean the pan and then air is sent directly in and cannot escape, so it pushes the waste into the drain. “With this system, you are not actually relying on water to move the waste, it is only for cleaning.” Southwest Water is testing the design from a regulatory stand-
Garry outside the Alpha Grove Community Centre
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall
what’s on
things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The Space Westferry Road
STAGE | A Place To Fall To Pieces You are on a sinking island. But how can you drown, with no place to lay your bones? An exploration of home by spoken word duo Isobel and Anna Hughes. Apr 28-30, 7.30pm, £15, space.org.uk Velocity’s toilet design uses patented air-flush technology point, while the project at Alpha Grove will check how effective Garry’s design is in a real-life situation. The toilets are due to be installed at the community centre as part of its redevelopment, which is being overseen by Dennis Sharp Architects. Garry’s team is currently capturing six months of data from the site to map out its current water and energy consumption so the company can demonstrate what the savings are with Velocity. Garry said installation of 12 toilets was expected to take place in early summer.
Docklands legacy the man behind the man
W
hen Garry’s father, Stan Moore, lived in Docklands, everything was different. The 95-year-old grew up in Canning Town during the Second World War, when the Alpha Grove was a Methodist Church and the family’s toilet was an outhouse. “It was my job to tear up the News Of The World, to use in it,” he said. Aged 14 he started working for the civil defence association, delivering messages and putting out fires around the Docks. “It was terrible – the Blitz,” he said. “One day you would walk
down a road in Canning Town and the next it was all gone. “As a young kid I took it all in my stride. My poor mum was a widow and had to bring up five kids with no pension. We lost our house and got evacuated. Our family was really lucky to come out of it in one piece.” In the 1960s his father-in-law helped get him work at Millwall and Royal Docks, but Stan said he was “very suspicious” about risking his house by giving up his £17-a-week job at William Warne rubber factory in Barking. “There were thousands of dockers waiting to pick up work,” he said of his first day. “I was told by an elderly docker ‘no matter what, you don’t go on the ships.” By hometime he had earned £17 loading flour and said: “I couldn’t get on my motorbike quick enough to tell my missus.” The places he knew have all been flattened but Stan said he loves having the chance to go back and visit with Garry and to see where his son is working. “He’s a wonderful bloke,” said Stan, “Good looking and everything he does is good.”
“We’re really excited about the first trial at Alpha Grove because it is a residential area,” said Garry. “They’re trying to be an exemplar of low water use. It’s going to be a great place for us to do some demonstrations and save them water and carbon. “We’re also looking at developing additional hygiene benefits, including chemical-free disinfectants. “We want to eliminate the use of bleach and develop technology that kills Covid and other viruses.” The trained engineer said people often laughed when they first heard about his job, but quickly realised the gravity of what he is doing. “The modern toilet was crucial in preventing cholera,” said Garry. “I’m pleased to be following in the footsteps of Doctor John Snow, who influenced big changes in public health and the construction of improved sanitation facilities. “The first flushing toilet was invented hundreds of years ago for Queen Elizabeth I and, since then, the industry hasn’t radically innovated at all. “As we move into the 21st century, we need to look at a different way of doing it. A royal appointment would be fantastic – you have got to dream big. “I know the world needs to save water and we are developing a product that’s going to enable it to do that. “I would love to see our toilets go into every home in the UK and to know we are really doing some good for the environment.” Go to velocity-wc.com
Scan this code to find out more about Velocity
Where? Poplar Union Poplar
STAGE | Shewolves Armed with a backpack full of Pop-tarts and a hunger to be heard and tackle climate change, teenagers Priya and Lou embark on a covert expedition. May 1, 7.30pm, £10, poplarunion.com Where? Craft Central Westferry Road
MAKE | Rework Your Garment A four-hour workshop showing how to use weaving and creative sewing techniques to rework an existing garment. Run as part of London Craft Week. May 10, 10am, £162.29, craftcentral.org.uk/events
flash back
While The Sushi Co has plans to open 13 restaurants in 2022, its very first branch is on the Isle Of Dogs, serving freshly made dishes to order and priding itself on having no sushi in the fridge, just desserts and drinks thesushico.co.uk Scan this code to read our interview with The Sushi Co and discover its plans for national growth want more? @wharflifelive
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Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Buildings are set to be delivered across the Canada Water Dockside site in phases
by Jon Massey
A
rt-Invest is doing something a bit unusual – at least in the context of the ongoing regeneration of Docklands, east and south-east London. The German developer recently received outline planning permission from Southwark Council for a scheme covering the former Decathlon store (now temporary events venue Dock X) on the edge of Canada Water. But while rolling cranes onto such sites isn’t exactly out of the ordinary, the fact that it intends to build o ces, is. Art-Invest’s plans for Canada Water Dockside cover a chunk of land either side of Surrey Quays Road, including the now defunct Hawker House, adjacent to the 53 acres that developer British Land is currently engaged in regenerating. It’s a missing piece in the redevelopment of the area – a site originally earmarked for housing – that enjoys a lengthy stretch of dock edge and connects the British Land project with buildings already completed beside the Tube station. Art-Invest’s plans are for a series of three buildings housing about 1.5million sq ft of space alongside community facilities and places to eat and drink at ground floor level. The scheme also promises to bring up to 10,000 jobs to the area. “Back in 2019, there was an opportunity to get involved in this particular site, and we were very aware of what was happening in the area with British Land,” said Luka Vukotic, development director at Art-Invest. “Given that the whole area was going to change from a residential district to a proper town centre, we thought it would be quite remarkable to help with that wider vision. “What really attracted us to it was that it was already established, with existing communities all around it. As we were starting to consult with people, we realised how strong they were and how much local identity there already was. In addition, we were really attracted by the green and blue spaces of this place – its parks and its docks. “With British Land coming forward with a town centre, our scheme needed to be more than just a residential building with a boring ground floor. “We wanted to create o ce space with lower levels that everyone could use – both occupiers and local communities.” While many had questioned whether people would return to workplaces following the pandemic, Art-Invest remains
works how the future
how Art-Invest’s Canada Water Dockside scheme is set to deliver workspaces, jobs and health and wellbeing on Rotherhithe Peninsula
Building entrances will be away from the dock edge to An artist’s impressions of how Canada Water Dockside will look when completed. Art-Invest has placed a great deal of emphasis on people being able to access amenities on the ground floor, which are expected to include a food hall, a cafe, restaurant and affordable workspaces
encourage visitors to explore the development
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey
Art-Invest’s Luka Vukotic says the developer is excited by the prospect of building its scheme in Canada Water
a health hub, a bike repair shop. They told us what they thought was missing. “That allowed us to think about our buildings in a different way – instead of having a large reception area for the o ces on the ground floor, we thought it would be amazing to make that space vibrant, to create streets and squares there, before looking at what’s above.”
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Image by Jon Massey
confident that its plans have a place in the evolving way businesses and organisations operate. “A lot of existing o ces will become less attractive in the coming years for a number of reasons, some technical and some social,” said Luka. “We’re convinced we’ve got a really special location, so it’s now about how we make something really remarkable out of this opportunity. “We want to help build this new town centre and to create the o ces of the future. “What’s really helped us in this process was talking to the local community – I personally had more than 150 meetings with community stakeholders, local businesses, local residents and local groups. “We realised that people really like the idea of a town centre as a place to socialise – to have a drink and some food and to enjoy it. “So then we asked people what they wanted to see and they said they would like so many things – a food hall, restaurants, local shops, a community centre,
he next round of consultations focused on what the o ce buildings themselves might be like. “That’s when we started thinking about the urban green factor, with external space and terraces, and how we make this a car-free place, a zero-fossil fuel development,” said Luka. “It’s how we’ve begun to develop the vision of what the o ce of the future will be. “That’s very different from the old thinking, where developers created these super buildings where you can spend the entire day without leaving. “We thought it would be much nicer to deconstruct the building and ask what’s needed that’s not already there – then you can create a relatively simple development that plugs into the existing grid of facilities and amenities. “We ended up with a planning application that has been really well received by the local community. That wasn’t surprising to us because of all the work we’d done. Now we’ve got the go-ahead, the next five to seven years are going to be really exciting, where we can actually put a lot more thought into what this development is going to be like – to bring more colour to what we have already shown.” Art-Invest is working with BIG Architects on the scheme, which will have an eye firmly on sustainability, aiming to create a net-zero development entirely powered by electricity. “The o ce of the future is not the building itself, it’s the environment you’re creating,” said Luka. “Workplaces will be spaces where you come maybe three or four times a week, but not somewhere you’d come to sit at a desk for the whole day. “When it comes to the buildings, we think that the look and feel of o ce blocks needs to change – they should be more welcoming. “Our intention is also to have lots of terraces. A lot of people complain about the weather in the UK, but I think for most of the year you can actually work outside, depending how cold it is “We use the terrace quite extensively at our o ce for about eight or nine months of the year.
We are strong believers that we don’t need to create a place here – there’s already a place here
what’s on
things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The Albany Deptford
Luka Vukotic, Art-Invest
“Fresh air is very important to us – Canada Water has some of the cleanest air in London and we want to create buildings with opening windows, not sealed boxes that don’t feel very human. “In the future, o ces will also be places where you might come to meet other people and to do other things in addition to work that you wouldn’t necessarily do at home. That’s why we think Canada Water has a lot to offer – you can do all sorts of activities within a 500m radius. “For example, Decathlon are our next-door neighbours and with everything the area has to offer there’s an opportunity to encourage healthy lifestyles. “When we engaged with Decathlon, we realised its vision aligns with what we’re trying to achieve in terms of healthy living, active transport, and so on. “That’s why we have a partnership with them and have set aside a £200,000 fund to encourage health and wellbeing in Canada Water over the next five years. This is a grass-roots project, supporting what’s already here. “We are strong believers that we don’t need to create a place here – there’s already a place here – we just need to see if there’s something missing or if we can help with something that’s already in existence. “I’d really like to thank everyone who’s been involved in the processes over the last couple of years – all those who have worked with our teams, but also all the stakeholders, the community and Southwark Council who will be engaging with us to make this a success. “We feel that Canada Water is going to be the start of an amazing journey in the years to come.” Art-Invest hopes to start construction in 2023 with its buildings coming in phases. Residents can expect some spaces to open by 2025 or 2026. Go to art-invest.de for more information
Scan this code for more on Canada Water Dockside
EVENT | Rebel Music This month-long celebration of Lewisham’s activist history told through its music and sound system culture, features Linton Kwesi Johnson and CURL. May 1-31, times and prices vary, thealbany.org.uk Where? Deptford Does Art Deptford
SEE | Touch Wood Canadian-born, Deptford-based sculptor Margaret Higginson is set to exhibit a series of her latest works in wood revealing the inner beauty of trees. Apr 28-May 1, daily, free to view, deptforddoesart.com Where? Brunel Museum Rotherhithe
DRINK | Midnight Apothecary The fragrant cocktail garden returns with a Spring Party on April 23 before it returns in earnest every Saturday from May 7. Expect fire and marshmallows. From Apr 23, 5pm, from £8, themidnightapothecary.co.uk
flash back
Discover the work of Kath’s Place in Deptford and how it’s so much more than just a charity shop, providing cutting-edge support through its We Care Community Hub and helping everyone it can kathduncan-equality-civilrights-network.co.uk Scan this code to read our interview with Ray BarronWoolford, co-founder of We Care Community Hub want more? @wharflifelive
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Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
6k
take a breath
by David Lefebvre Sell
how The O2 has worked quickly to repair the damage from Storm Eunice, getting good press into the bargain by Jon Massey
How do you feel when asking for help?
T
here are many ways we might make up rules or scripts for ourselves to help us make sense of life or our place in it. Sometimes those rules might be helpful, like: “Always check there’s toilet roll before sitting down”. Other times those rules can be severely limiting, like: “I have to do everything by myself”. We make up these scripts for ourselves in response to some bad experience in the hope we can avoid similar difficulty in the future, but such defences can outlive their usefulness. Let’s take the example of: “I have to do everything by myself”. The person who has that internal belief has, no doubt, had bad experiences asking for and receiving help. Because of this they may have difficulty trusting in relationships or working with others. Unfortunately, due If you need to ask to confirmation bias, good experiences that someone for help undermine the neganotice what sorts of tive script are given less weight than bad behaviours come up. experiences that seem Do you try to apologise to support it. It only takes one bad constantly for asking? experience to make David Lefebvre Sell those doors slam shut again. This can be seen in men who have no experience of being able to talk about their feelings and actually feel heard – if that sounds like you, get yourself some better friends. If you need to ask someone for help, notice what sort of behaviours come up. Do you try to apologise constantly for asking? Or perhaps you feel like it always has to be transactional with a debt incurred. Maybe you feel like you have to amplify the needs you feel and make yourself the victim so they can play the rescuer. Or maybe you play down your needs so you don’t appear weak. Perhaps these behaviours are unnecessary and unhelpful and need to be outgrown. Everyone needs help sometimes and there shouldn’t be any shame in asking. David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf Follow @davetheyogi on Twitter and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB Scan this code for information about David’s work as a transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist
T
he holes ripped in the roof of The O2 by viscous winds instantly became the defining image of Storm Eunice as it tore across England on February 1 . In total eight out of the segments that make up the dome were damaged, leaving a gaping hole in the eighth largest building in the world. Thankfully nobody was injured at the venue and while ,000s m of roof was missing it took staff a week to reopen the majority of the venue so concerts could resume and the attractions of Entertainment Avenue could start trading again. A month after the storm, a section of outlet shopping centre Icon At The O also reopened, recently welcoming a new store from menswear brand Skopes. While the bulk of the retail destination remains closed as it is located directly under the hole, work to temporarily weatherproof the gap continues apace. Full access is expected for shoppers in early May, once the venue is watertight and any damage to the units below has been repaired. With trading already strong in the reopened section, that’s something Icon’s managing director Janine Constantin-Russell, pictured, can’t wait for. “I think we felt particularly tested because we’d opened our doors again and we were seeing such strength in our numbers after restrictions eased,” she said. “To have to stop again felt particularly trying. But there’s definitely been a sense of cameraderie about it. Our teams have been fantastic – to open up the entertainment district and the arena a week to the day after the storm happened was an amazing feat – and then to open 22 stores
What we’ve ended up with is this really discerning customer who’s enjoying shopping and spending their time and money doing that Janine Constantin-Russell, Icon At The O2
at Icon in March was even more incredible. The press that we’ve had from Storm Eunice has been kind and sympathetic and we’ve had such lovely support from our local customers who have come to have a look and have supported us by spending their money here. “In some ways it’s been an opportunity to open our door a little bit wider, to say We’re here, we’re made of sturdy stuff but these things happen’. We’ve been able to show the best we can do.” In addition to Skopes, more openings are in the pipeline with brands selling high performance sportswear and homeware expected to launch when the remaining section of the venue is back in business. “We would say that mass media attention on The O2 is such that we have never been so busy from a lettings perspective,” said Janine. “We’ve been showing potential tenants around literally in hard hats as the units we’ve got available are under the part of the Icon affected by the repair work. “Without exception, all of our businesses have seen improvement since the changes in Covid restrictions. “On average sales are up 0%- 0% on 01 and we’ve seen those numbers come through straight away. “But what we’re seeing is not necessarily a pent-up demand, it’s like a return to what people missed out on. It was fantastic to have online shopping during the pandemic and everyone’s now found a place for how they manage that – how it makes their life more convenient. “It also means people have a bit more time to spend picking up luxuries and making decisions in store – so what we’ve ended up with is this really discerning customer who’s enjoying shopping and spending their time and money doing that. “What we’ve seen is that the brands are curating their stores better to make sure they’re giving those people what they want.” Activities are also a key draw with the likes of football venue Toca Social, Boom Battle Bar, Oxygen Freejumping soon to be joined by indoor skydiving
Square metres of roof were damaged by Storm Eunice
Soon to be a distant memory, workers race to cover the hole in the roof of The O2 caused by viscous winds
venue iFly, which recently won planning permission to build a facility to the north of the dome. “In other locations iFly attracts 1 0,000 visitors a year, so we’re super happy about that,” said Janine. “As for the future, we always want to think big. For example, the venue’s roof climbing experience – Up At The O – is such an exciting thing, anything we do has to e ual or top that. “It has to have that wow factor and we’re pursuing lots of lines of en uiry to make sure whatever we do will be amazing. “We uite like the idea of zip lines – we’ve seen some on the inside of venues and that would be super-cool.” Go to iconattheo2.co.uk for more information
Scan this code to find out more about Icon At The O2
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
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Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich
hole
Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
fixing the
what’s on
things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Woolwich Public Market Woolwich
EXPERIENCE | Dreamachine This promises an immersive experience like no other with strobe lighting and 360-degree audio creating visuals behind closed eyes. May 10-Jun 19, times vary, free, woolwich.works Where? The O2 Arena Peninsula
GIG | Dua Lipa Join the singer at one of two rescheduled dates under the tent as part of her Future Nostalgia tour, a record packed with dance-pop and disco. May 2-3, 6.30pm, from £72, theo2.co.uk Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich
fabric fix
repairing the roof
A
s executive vice president real estate and development at AEG Europe (the company that owns The O2), Alistair Wood is responsible for overseeing the project to repair the damage wrought by Storm Eunice. “There was nothing at all we could do on the February 18 so we reconvened the following day and the extent of the damage was quite frightening,” he said. “It was a disaster rescue situation and we had to respond very quickly, which we did, making some very good, rapid decisions. “We had to postpone two concerts in the week after the storm but we focused on making sure the UB40 show in the arena took place on February 25 because, having just come out of the pandemic, we couldn’t tolerate any further delays. “In the end the two postponed concerts by Dave took place a week after they were supposed
to happen, so phase one was a great success. Now we’ve been focusing on getting the venue waterproof and we want to be finished with that by Easter. “Initially we’ll be installing a temporary roof that will be in place for the next year or two. That’s because the material – PTFE – is quite specialised and in quite high demand so there’s about a 12-month lead time on orders. “Generally we’re pleased with how quickly we’ve been able to get going again but we’re not understating how harrowing that Saturday morning was. “The buildings at Icon aren’t designed to stand outside so our biggest challenge has been water coming into the venue. “It has rained very heavily for a couple of days and, while we have scaffolding up that supports a canopy across the buildings to achieve a degree of protection, some still gets in. “We’re now working with all our tenants to identify the damage
and refit the units where necessary and then get us fully reopened in early May. “Fortunately there was no damage to the structure that holds up the dome, so for the canopy it’s just a case of hooking the material to that and welding a waterproof seal over the top. “In the wider venue, it’s great to be coming out of the pandemic and we should be pumping out a record couple of years in the arena and that will support the hospitality and retail venues. “We’re really upbeat about how things are going and our fingers are crossed for a clear run now to allow Icon to get some momentum alongside the rest of the site. “All the current attractions are bringing their own footfall but also sharing that audience and that has always been the point of The O2. It operates as a composite destination so you can spend your whole day there.” Looking ahead, hopefully that’s the last of the holes.
STAGE | Superstition Mountain Part epic adventure, part family saga, Carl Grose’s dark comedy follows three Cornish brothers as they seek gold halfway round the world in Arizona. May 5-7, 7.30pm, £17.50, greenwichtheatre.org.uk
listen up
You might have missed out on Hak Baker’s performance at Meantime for Record Store Day Live on April 9, but you can still enjoy his sounds via the link below and purchase B-Side beer via the brewery’s website @hakbaker on Insta Scan this code to listen to Isle Of Dogs-born G-Folk artist Hak Baker perform his song Tom want more? @wharflifelive
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Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
2
Branches of BabaBoom when Westfield Stratford City opens its doors on April 21
how running and travel united in the mind of Eve Bugler as BabaBoom, set to open a new branch in Stratford by Jon Massey
A
little like the kebabs her company serves, there are lots of ingredients to Eve Bugler. There’s the degree in PPE from Oxford, time spent working for a Democrat in the States, a stint at McKinsey and a spell at a development bank in Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that devastated the island. Then there’s the lifelong passion for distance running culminating in selection to compete for England at ultramarathon distances, a prospect stymied by Covid cancellations and now on hold due to the fact that she’s currently pregnant. We’re here to talk about all of that, because it’s all relevant to her move into the hospitality industry and the decision to start her own business – BabaBoom – which is set to open what will technically be its third location at Westfield Stratford City in April. “When I was in Haiti working on an infrastructure project, I realised that the people having the greatest impact were the entrepreneurs,” said Eve. “I came back with the idea that I really wanted to start my own business, and I wanted to do hospitality – it’s great for social mobility. It’s the only industry where you can come in completely unskilled, and you can move up really quickly. “Because I’d worked behind a bar in Greece and in a ski chalet in France, I knew it was a really positive industry to be part of – when you’re working in hospitality it’s easy to make someone’s day.” Having returned to the UK, Eve first landed a role at Nando’s, working for the company for four years, first in London and then Johannesburg and Delhi. She
When people come down to us they will be struck by our friendliness. Then it’s about freshness and the generosity of our portions Eve Bugler, BabaBoom
move fast
get a kebab for £1 ● In celebration of its opening on Thursday, April 21, Bababoom will be offering kebabs for £1 between noon and 2pm with all proceeds going to Greenhouse Sports, a charity that supports and mentors children. ● There’s more - starting May 1, BabaBoom will be sending its Kebab Chase from its Battersea branch to its new Stratford location and back. Participants should turn up at Battersea from 11am, do the run by 4pm (proof via selfie), and get a FREE kebab for their trouble. Usually chases take place on the first Sunday of the month. Scan this for more details on the Kebab Chase
then secured investment from the hospitality giant’s then CEO, among others, to develop her own business, launching BabaBoom in Battersea in 2015. “Boom is my favourite word – it’s filled with positivity,” said Eve. “My dad has been a massive influence on me – an Irishman who came to London and someone who’s always interested in the next opportunity. Baba is the Turkish and Arabic word for father and the two together just means we’re doing things with energy. “BabaBoom is a passion project. As an elite runner and someone who’s lived around the world, I always found myself gravitating towards kebabs as the best sort of fast food. “I can’t really eat pizzas and burgers when I’m training properly, whereas kebabs are generous, protein-filled with salad, fresh bread and good Middle Eastern flavours. I thought that somebody needed to do that in the UK and make it a fast food accessible and welcoming to everybody. “Kebabs have often been
earning
BabaBoom’s extensive menu includes super green falafel, beef brisket, chicken shish and chargrilled cauliflower
that
Wharf Life Apr 13-27, 2022 wharf-life.com
39
Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick The last race Eve completed was the Paris Half Marathon in March while pregnant
Eve says her ambition for the brand is not to open dozens of branches but for each to be its own ‘happy little community’
Customers can expect to pay about £11.50 for a kebab at BabaBoom
BabaBoom founder Eve Bugler created the brand after finding herself drawn to kebabs across the world as a healthier option while training as a runner
marginalised as a late night snack but they’re good all day. “We’re all about making really fresh kebabs with good quality ingredients and cooking over charcoal, which helps the flavour. We import a lot of our spices and flavours from the Middle East and that gives our products a fresh taste. “It’s bringing the fire to the table and I think that’s why we’ll stand out at Westfield – customers want that immediacy but also that theatre of cooking.” Having launched in Battersea, BabaBoom’s second location in Islington fell victim to the pressures of the pandemic but with restrictions receding, a fresh opening beckoned. “Westfield came along as an opportunity, and it’s great for us,” said Eve. “To have a site which is a stone’s throw from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic ark is incredibly exciting, because it fits the upbeat, energetic nature of our brand. It’s really easy to slag off kebabs, but small businesses largely run by immigrants are really successful, and I think there’s a real vibe in kebab shops – they’re a refuge, there’s a sense of fun, you chat to the people next to you. “When people come down to us they will be struck by our friendliness – we say we’re gluten-friendly, vegan-friendly, but overall we’re just friendly. “Then it’s about freshness and the generosity of our portions. Time Out said our food was as healthy as people want it to be and that’s hitting it on the nose. “We’re not here to preach or to make you eat low-calorie food. We’re here to provide really generous plates that can be really good for you. Then, if you want some curly fries, you deserve them too. We’re here to be accessible to everyone.” That extends to kebabs made with beef (a cheaper option than lamb), chicken and plenty of options for veggies and vegans. “In Middle Eastern food, the vegan thing isn’t a cop out, it’s accidental,” said Eve. “For example, our super green falafel and sweet potato hummus are entirely vegan, as is our Triple-B sauce – a fiery condiment made with Aleppo chilli. Our bread is baked fresh and all our kebabs come with slaw with apple in it, which gives it a sweet crunchiness. We’ve thought about the detail to make everything delicious.” Go to bababoom.london
Scan this code to find out more about BabaBoom
what’s on
things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Rule Zero Hackney Wick
PERFORM | Process Spoken Word Open Mic Promising some of the best performers on the spoken word scene, this night also offers anyone the chance to get on stage and have a go. Apr 26, 7pm, from £3, rulezero.co.uk Where? Stratford Picturehouse Stratford
FILM | Downton Abbey 2 Jim Carter, Imelda Staunton, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery return for the inevitable sequel as the Crawley family heads off to France. From Apr 29, times vary, £7.50, picturehouses.com Where? Hopkins Field Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park RUN | Race For Life Pretty Muddy 2022 Dash, climb, crawl and charge through a muddy obstacle course and help support Cancer Research UK with races for kids (£10) and adults. May 7, 10am, £14.99, queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk
coming up
Watch a series of six script-in-hand performances of newly commissioned works at Theatre Royal Stratford East as Burn It Down tackles urgent political issues head-on from April 19-May 5. Tickets cost £6 stratfordeast.com Scan this code to find out more about Burn It Down at Theatre Royal Sratford East or to book tickets want more? @wharflifelive
40
Wharf Life Apr 13-Apr 27, 2022 wharf-life.com
SUDOKU
Crossword - Sudoku
Very Hard
8 1 9 5 4 6 7 2 3 Sudoku 5 a7break 4 from 8 2 that 3 phone 9 1 6 Take 2 6 3 9 7 1 8 4 5 How 3 to4 play 8 6 1 2 5 7 9 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 2 such 3 that 9 8each 1 row, 6 4column and 3x3 box one7to5nine contains every number uniquely. 1 9 6 4 5 7 2 3 8 1 strategies, 7 8 5 hints 4 and 9 2tips online You6can3find at sudokuwiki.org 4 2 5 1 6 9 3 8 7 9 to 8 play 7 2 3 4 6 5 1 More
3
SUDOKU
You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection ofTo others available in apps and books at str8ts.com. This complete Sudoku, fill the board Sudoku is supplied by Syndicated Puzzles. by entering numbers 1 to 9 such
No. 1400 that each row, column and 3x3 box
8 1 9 5 4 6 7 2 3
4 1 5 5 7 4 8 2 3 9 1 6 2 6 3 9 7 1 8 4 5 For many strategies, hints and tips, 5 3 9 2 3 4 8 6 1 2 5 7 9 visit www.sudokuwiki.org 7 5 2 3 9 8 1 6 4 1 9 6 4 5 7 2 3 8 8 9 3 If you like Sudoku you’ll really like 6 3 1 7 8 5 4 9 2 ‘Str8ts’ and our other puzzles, Apps 6 4 2 5 1 6 9 3 8 7 3 and books. Visit www.str8ts.com 9 8 7 2 3 4 6 5 1 3 6 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such whether you’re beating the that each row, column and 3x3 box 8 4 containssleuth every number cryptic oruniquely. 9 7 5 For many strategies, synonym solverhints inand tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org it for quick wins, 6 9 1 5 If you like Sudoku you’ll really like ‘Str8ts’ and oursatisfy other puzzles, Apps this should 5 8 4 1 and books. Visit www.str8ts.com The solutions will be published here in the next issue.
Cryptic Across
Down
1.
1.
I come blest with some mixture to eat (10) 7. A sail by any other name (5) 8. I capture my heart in the Netherlands (7) 10 & 13. Face a stinging problem (5,3,6) 11. Don’t consume a cheat without adding audio visual help for this unpleasant term (4) 15. Tool to shape lies in Switzerland? (6) 17. A singular messed up Christmas (4) 1 . An ample leaflet about hydrogen (8) 21. Seek any confused Americans (7) 22. Fishing on the bend? (5) 23. Tessa messes up a test of the gents’ toilet (10)
Mar 30-Apr 13 Previous solution - Tough
3
crossword The solutions will be published here in the next issue.
last issue’s solution
Very Hard
contains every number uniquely. Notes © 2020 Syndicated Puzzles
4 1 5 9 2 5 3 8 9 3 6 3 3 6 8 4 9 7 5 6 9 1 5 5 8 4 1
Previous solution - Tough
© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles
No. 1400
Quick Across 1. 7. 8. 10. 11. 13. 15. 17. 18. 21. 22. 23.
Crockery from the Orient? (5) 2. Lady with fur gets her letters wrong (8) 3 & 19. Perceive the illumination to understand (3,3,5) 4. My letter sounds like I’m grateful to be in debt? (4) 5. These trees are not a particular chestnut, we find 6. Spoil the liquor with a friend on the edge (10) 9. A romantic epistolary fan (4,6) 12. The hips team get confused at sea (8) 14. A decade of insects live here (7) 16. Permits to go by Spain? (6) 20. Only a lake (4)
Aircraft with rotors (10) Water bird (5) Card game (7) Put in new dwelling (8) Wagon (4) Annoy (6) Deep ravine (6) Wander (4) Aspirants (8) Precious gem (7) Reason (5) Sharp intelligence (10)
Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 9. 1 . 14. 16. 19. 20.
Severe (5) Relax lazily (8) Travelled by bike (6) Small horse (4) Extreme pleasure (7) Farm animal (10) Surprised (10) Clinging shellfish Library attendees (7) Walk in water (6) Sad songs? (5) Pasta sauce (4)
Set by Everden
Across:1 Comestible; 7 Alias; 8 Enthral; 10&13 Grasp the nettle; 11 Chav; 15 Chisel; 17 Lone; 18 Pamphlet; 21 Yankees; 22 Angle; 23 Assessment. Down: 1 China; 2 Misspelt; 3&19 See the light; 4 Iota; 5 Larches; 6 Marginally; 9 Love-letter; 12 Shipmate; 14 Tenants; 16 Passes; 20 Mere.
Cryptic Solution Across:1 Helicopter; 7 Heron; 8 Canasta; 10 Rehoused; 11 Cart; 13 Harass; 15 Canyon; 17 Roam; 18 Wannabes; 21 Emerald; 22 Cause; 23 Astuteness. Down: 1 Harsh; 2 Languish; 3 Cycled; 4 Pony; 5 Ecstasy; 6 Shirehorse; 9 Astonished; 12 Barnacle; 14 Readers; 16 Paddle; 19 Blues; 20 Ragu.
Quick Solution
Notes