Wharf Life, May 1-15, 2024

Chris Ezekiel on how tech systems must be in service of their human creators Page 16

inside issue 112

Amy French - Roe - Events Venues

Ballymore - The Perfume Factory - Sudoku Wharf Life Hacks - Burger King - Van Rysel

London Blockchain Conference

The Revel Puck Circus - Crossword Urban Village Fete - The Monocle

how Leslie Nkansah is set to take over as head chef at The Space Kitchen on the Isle Of Dogs Pages 32-33 Fast, affordable,

celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk

Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk

Running on

Where?

Crossrail Place

Roof Garden Canary Wharf

GIG | Folk Lounge

Enjoy a presentation of folk songs by Indian and Bangladeshi composers from the students of Robi-Bharoti and Sanjoy Dey plus live poetry. May 25, 7.30pm, free, space.org.uk

a cinema in a station. Choose Ewan McGregor at his best. Choose Danny Boyle. Choose a sofa. Choose to watch this classic. May 28, 1.15pm, £16.55, everymancinema.com

Welcome to issue 112 of Wharf Life. We’ve a paper of funky avours, epic venues and cutting edge events for you to enjoy this fortnight, whether it’s the launch of Roe in Canary Wharf, forthcoming treats at The Space Bar or tech at the London Blockchain Conference to look forward to...

The London Blockchain Conference is set to come to Excel later this month, asking what practical applications the transformational technology can have as it develops

on the radar

We’re getting a little bit excited about the forthcoming arrival of Oasis Bar And Terrace in Canada Square. The venue opens summer 2024 and promises a new level of excitement. It’s also hiring sta , so get in touch if you’re looking for work myoasisbar.co.uk

Badiani Gelato has expanded its Canary Wharf o ering with a new site in Cabot Place at the bottom of the Tesco escalators. Expect crepes, gelato and other sweet treats. We also like that the brand has opted for Wharf Life purple instead of its trademark blue badiani1932.com need to know

French bike brand Van Rysel lands at Decathlon in Canada Water

Ballymore is building, with schemes in Royal Docks and plenty of homes still available at Riverscape and Goodluck Hope. We catch up with Brian De’ath to nd out more...

doing the deals

set sail for

on the Water with Skuna Boats

Skuna BBQ Boats can be booked for 2, or up to guests100

Virtual ceramic birdblasting bar Clays in Canary Wharf is currently o ering free shooting with any lunch package – details on the Canary Wharf App canarywharf.com

Well, actually The Ivy In The Park is o ering two courses for £19.17 as it celebrates the year the original restaurant made its debut. Check availability online ivycollection.com get more for less on and around the Wharf

The Monocle promises to transport Wilton’s audiences to France

subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

“The grill worked so well to cook our steak” Joana

write me words you don’t know you need

verb, fake, from Middle English

A total inability to make decisions, this 19th century English word is perhaps due a renaissance, especially if we’re to see more politicians prone to resyning. We just can’t decide if that rebirth should be now... subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

To quit from a position in government having wrecked your own majority, denied you’re going to leave and then do exactly that. Unfortunately it’s quite likely auld acquaintances will be forgot for those in such a position

noun, real, from Greek

Having conquered the world of acting the Homeland star turned his attention back to music with the release of Mission Creep last year. Building on a background in busking, he spent lockdown writing songs, playing guitar and singing before spending time on the festival circuit to promote the resulting album. Expect rootsy rock and jazz-tinged songs at this gig...

REVIEW

Burger King Atrium Kitchen, Cabot Place burgerking.co.uk

If there’s one thing the success of Greggs in Canary Wharf proves its that Wharfers are more than happy to eschew wholesome nutrition in favour of comfort eating and low prices. So the return of fast food giant, Burger King, to the estate should come as little surprise. Recently opened in Cabot Place’s Atrium Kitchen, ironically in the space vacated by the Lewis Hamiltonbacked plant-based outlet Neat Burger, BK is back, serving up a familiar range of patties with fries. Trying one of the rst

Whoppers o the production line – my rst BK in years – there’s a notable smokiness to the meat and a decent crunch to the salad, even if it falls way short of the promises made in the marketing shots.

But somehow, paying £6.49 feels expensive. A cheeseburger at McDonalds is wonderfully synthetic, but only costs £1.39. And haven’t things moved on? Just across the way you can get some serious noodles at Marugame Udon for £4.95, albeit a third of the calories.

If nothing will do but ground meat in a bun, at least save up and go to Black Bear Burger in Market Hall instead.

Jon Massey

The 12th whopper o the line on

Launching this May, the plantbased restaurant will host a series of two-and-a-half-hour supper clubs. Starting at 6.30pm, diners will enjoy a welcome drink and indulge in a seven-course sharing menu with a fresh theme each month. Tables are for a minimum of two people and cost £55 per head with a £30 deposit to secure a reservation

GIG

Damian Lewis Boisdale Of Canary Wharf, Cabot Place boisdale.co.uk

Burger King’s opening day in Cabot Place

● THE WHITE COMPANY

Jubilee Place

Organic Cotton Stripe Funnel Neck Jumper, £110 thewhitecompany.com

● ZARA Cabot Place

Linen-Blend Floral Print Midi Dress, £35.99 zara.com

● SANDRO

Jubilee Place

Embroidered Dress, £519 uk.sandro-paris.com

● REISS

Jubilee Place

Anna Linen Tropical Print Midi Dress, £158 reiss.com

● CHARLES TYRWHITT Canada Place

Non-Iron Stretch Lobster Print Short Sleeve Shirt, £64.96 charlestyrwhitt.com

● MOSS Canada Place

O White And Green Sun Print Cuban Collar Shirt, £59.95 moss.co.uk

● HACKETT

Cabot Place

Linen Blazer, £590 hackett.com

as the mercury rises and the sun begins to shine, Jess Maddison searches Canary Wharf’s malls for styles to dazzle on a summer’s day

Wharf - West India Quay

how recent arrival Roe promises world class food and service at Wood Wharf’ s One Park Drive

Roe Restaurant director James Robson hopes the Wood Wharf venue will host hundreds of diners each day

by Jon Massey

t’s pretty simple,” said James Robson, in answer to why the trio behind runaway central London success, Fallow, have opened a restaurant in Canary Wharf. “The view and the terrace at One Park Drive are stunning.

“You don’t get many terraces like this, with the sun catching it, from about 11am until late evening. We wanted to put a world class restaurant in a world class building.”

James is one third of a partnership that has seen much success in recent years. Together with chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft, he opened nose-to-tail restaurant Fallow in St James, just down from Piccadilly Circus in 2021 to much acclaim and popularity. Building on that success, they opened Fowl, a beak-to-feet chicken shop with a similar sustainable ethos, nearby.

But Roe is a very different animal, albeit also named for a species of deer. First of all it’s big – about double Fallow’s size and in east London rather than the city centre. It’s tucked back off Water Street and opens out above Harbour Quay Gardens Boardwalk.

There’s an open kitchen, much marble, fixtures made of rebar, golden metalwork and a 3D printed plant-based sculpture intended to recall the structure of a coral.

“It’s huge, it’s a beast – it’s one of the largest independent restaurants I’m aware of,” said James, himself no stranger to east London, having been born in Bow.

“We don’t know where the journey will go yet. It will be a fantastic place to come. We’ve got about 100 team members and I expect to end up with between 200 and 300 eventually.

“We’re aiming to cater for 400-600 customers a day, and that could end up being 1,000 to 2,000 a day. We’re very organic in our approach to things like that.”

Capable of anything from 250 diners to 500 depending on configuration, Roe is the result of extensive thought and planning.

“Opening Fallow was wonderful, but it was intense – it was during lockdown and it was a rush,” said James. “We had to get it open and everyone came together to make it happen.

“With this one, we’ve had time on our hands to get even more of the details right, so I feel pretty proud sitting here right now.

continued on Page 8

Image by Jon Massey

2,000

Diners Roe hopes to cater for over the course of a single day when in full flow

The team have transformed a spare concrete box, working with 30 contractors to deliver a finished restaurant. The installation includes around 16 metres of aeroponic and hydroponic vertical farm that is already being used to grow ingredients for dishes and cocktails.

“The way I put it is that we’ll have about 300 plants growing at any one time, and we’ll be producing about £1,000 to £1,500 worth of produce a month –although this wouldn’t last more than a week with us,” said James.

“What it does do is engage the team, some of whom will never have grown a vegetable in their lives. They come to work with us and this way, they get to understand those ingredients, they see things grow, they taste them straight from the vine and that does wonders for the team.

“That comes across in the business and hopefully this comes across to the customer. For me it’s about the team engaging with nature – the customers love it too.

“We’re currently growing padron peppers, lemon verbena, thyme, basil and strawberries.”

Vital, of course, to Roe’s reception will be its food, which comes with a focus on sharing dishes served with a side of sustainability. Snacks include breaded mushooms, charcuterie and oysters, while small plates feature sea bream tartare, cuttlefish fried toast and lamb ribs. These range from £4-£21 and £9-£16 respectively.

Skewers of white cabbage, venison, octopus and rare breed pork are available with prices ranging from £9-£13. Flatbreads come with either scallops, snail vindaloo or pumpkin and cost £10-£16.

Large plates include a venison and dairy cow burger, flamed siracha mussels and a baked potato, with prices from £14-£16 and there are also steaks from £26-£36 or at £11 per 100g.

Feasting options for two or more include seafood, a mixed grill or Jacob’s ladder ribs for £75, £52 or £42 respectively.

It’s fair to say that taking the guidance of the waiting staff on what and how much to order is advised.

Helmed by head chef Jon Bowring – who, like founders Will and Jack, used to work at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – the kitchen is a hive of activity at Roe.

“Flavour is a massive thing for us,” said James. “We’re not your average restaurant – it’s very intense, quality products served from Page 6

Roe is located on the ground floor of One Park Drive

Scan this code to find out more about Roe

Roe features a vast 3D-printed plant-based installation as its centrepiece, intended to recall the structure of a coral

The restaurant features multiple levels and includes a vertical farm to grow ingredients

We’re not your average restaurant. What you will not get here is the mundane –a light salad, just chicken or just beef

James Robson, Roe by a team that is relaxed, casual and happy – not pretentious in any way.

“People can expect great food. I’d really recommend people come and try us – our menu is so diverse.

“It might be vindaloo flatbread with snails, our amazing breaded mushrooms, a fantastic Sunday lunch or our take on Fruits de Mer, which is nothing like the traditional version.

“What you will not get here is the mundane, a light salad, just chicken or just beef – you will get flavour. Personally I like to order a snack, a flatbread, some skewers and our banana dessert, which is one of the best I’ve ever tried.

“For a cocktail, my favourite is the Carrot Gimlet with No. 3 Gin – which divides people. We use sand carrots for the cordial that give it a lovely flavour.”

Many of the drinks at the bar feature ingredients from Roe’s vertical farm. Its signature drinks are all priced at £12 and include a Lemon Verbena Swizzle with vodka and lime and an Apple Sour with butterfuly sorrel, Buffalo Trace, green apple and egg white.

While food, drink and interior design all contribute to success in the restaurant industry, James said the sum of those parts was the important equation to consider.

“A world-class restaurant is a combination of things,” he said. “If we can be so bold – and we’re not there yet – it’s design and it’s people. There’s the team and the customers. It’s food and drink too. All those things together lead to energy, positivity and happiness.

“I’ve seen places that just have amazing service or just have amazing food or just have amazing design fail – but I’ve never seen a restaurant with that good energy go bust.

“We’re here to give people a great experience and we’ll do all we can to do this in a timely manner. If you want to get in and out really quickly, we may not be the one for you.

continued on Page 10

Personally I like to order a snack, a flatbread, some skewers and our banana dessert, which is one of the best I’ve ever tried James Robson, Roe

from Page 9

“We work on atmosphere, on focus and on flavour. A lot of business is done at restaurants nowadays, so I would say we’re the place for a long lunch.

“We’ve engaged with the neighbours a lot, which has been nice and they’ve been supportive and come back. It feels like the start of the journey now.

“I don’t call this Canary Wharf, I call it Wood Wharf, east London. There’s a certain demographic that only know the estate for its tall financial towers, but the way it is now is that there are more £1,000 trainers and £200 T-shirts here than there are suits. It’s a wonderful environment – it’s digital lifestylers and Instagrammers – there’s a really good energy to it. I think that message is lost when you just say ‘Canary Wharf’. It’s about getting across that there are thousands of residents here – not just people working in financial services. I would say the demographic we’re after is about 80% non-financial.

“Our main business is our neighbours, followed by destinational foodies, which is why the Elizabeth Line and Jubilee line are fantastic for us.

“We’re not the norm for this area. We bring another level of energy, and hopefully a level of flavour and excitement here.”

key details

Roe is located on the ground floor of One Park Drive at Wood Wharf. It is currently open Monday-Saturday from noon-11pm and from 11.30am-11pm on Sundays.

The restaurant operates a £50 per head cancellation policy if a booking is cancelled within 48 hours of the reservation.

Roe is located a short walk from the eastern exit of Canary Wharf’s Jubilee line and Elizabeth Line stations.

Go to roerestaurant.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to find out more about Roe

Starting price for a flatbread at Roe. The snail vindaloo version costs £11

l

and

l Maitake Cornish pasty with walnut ketchup, £9

l Breaded mushrooms with kombu and garlic mayonnaise, £7

A bite at Roe: Left to right, from top:

l Snail vindaloo flatbread with mint yoghurt and coriander, £11

l Cuttlefish fried toast with pork skin, sesame and chilli jam, £11

Flamed siracha mussels with grilled sourdough, lemon

parsley, £15

another level by

Amy French

Each year, I am excited at the prospect of UK Fintech Week (UKFW) – four days of activities dedicated to spotlighting innovation in financial services. Industrywide collaboration and the growth of a sector that has been pivotal to the development of our community at Level39 in Canary Wharf.

This year, UKFW took place in April, and I’d like to share my highlights for anyone considering engaging with this initiative in the years to come.

We kicked off the week attending Innovate Finance Global Summit, the flagship event of UKFW, which this year celebrated 10 years of Innovate Finance – an independent industry body and voice of UK fintech, and long-term partner of Level39 since its launch in 2014.

The two-day conference boasted the usual mixture of founder pitches, high profile keynotes and thought-provoking sessions. The session I was most in awe of was the launch of Project Nemo.

Led by Joanne Dewar, it’s a pioneering inclusion initiative, urging the fintech industry to better serve the UK’s largest minority and accelerate efforts to cater for those with all kinds of disabilities.

Across UKFW, Level39 hosted FinTech Global for a session on “the global growth challenges for insurtechs in 2024”. This featured speakers from Anthemis Group and Sentiance, discussing the industry impact of embedded insurance, AI integration and funding.

We also welcomed the latest instalment of Pitchflix Rev, where 15 investors pitched to 120 founders.

The session I was most in awe of was the launch of Project Nemo, a pioneering inclusion initiative

Amy French, Level39

I love this reverse pitching format as it provides founders with a forum to understand differentiated propositions and value beyond investment, with pitches from private equity, crowdfunding, venture capital and angel syndicates.

As a fitting end to the week, Level39 hosted the Department For Business And Trade’s UK Fintech Showcase, convening delegates from over 15 countries to discuss the strengths of the London fintech ecosystem.

We also looked at the growth of regional fintech hubs across the UK, and export opportunities for fast growth companies in the sector looking at international expansion.

You can read our full round-up from the week and get in touch with the Level39 team via our website.

Go to level39.co for more

Amy French is director at Level39 in Canary Wharf – follow @Level39CW on Insta and X and @Level39 on LinkedIn

Go to level39.co for more information about the One Canada Square-based tech community

Scan this code to find out more about Level39’s work and the activities of its member companies and tech startups

Level39 hosted numerous events as part of UK Fintech Week

Maximum capacity of recently relaunched events venue The Pelligon in Canary Wharf 1,000

events directory

>> Planning an event – here are some venues on the Wharf complete with capacities and contact details for you to consider...

l Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place - Max Capacity 500 boisdale.co.uk - reservations@boisdale-cw.co.uk

This lively restaurant and music venue boasts the UK’s largest whisky bar, a garden terrace, cigar lounge and library and views over Cabot Square. There are three private spaces available for hire ranging in capacity from 12-60. Full venue hire is available for 250 seated or 500 for a standing reception.

l Brera Lounge Cabot Square - max capacity 200 cafebrera.com - tasso@italika.co.uk

Located beside the fountains in Cabot Square, this venue is known for authentic Italian pizza, meticulously crafted cocktails and the soothing embrace of shisha. The venue is available for exclusive hire with a maximum capacity of 200 seated.

l Broadwick Studio Water Street - max capacity 120 broadwick.com - broadwickstudio@broadwick.com

Recently launched on the ground floor of 30 Water Street in Wood Wharf, this blank canvas space offers complete flexibility for events organisers seeking to host up to 120 people for a standing reception.

l Caravan Reuters Plaza - max capacity 150 caravanrestaurants.co.uk - events@caravantersaurants.co.uk

The all-day dining restaurant, cafe and bar has a semiprivate dining room with a capacity of 25 seated or 30 standing. The whole place can be hired for 100 seated or up to 150 standing.

l Chai Ki Crossrail Place - max capacity 110 chai-ki.com - reservations@chai-ki.com

The contemporary Indian restaurant and bar caters to groups with feasting menus and bespoke options. It boasts a mezzanine deck with a capacity of 20 seated and 25 standing, a curtain area for up to 30 diners and rear dining room hire for 90 seated or 110 standing, with its own waterside terrace.

l Clays Cabot Square - max capacity 350 clays.bar - events@clays-group.com

The only venue on the Wharf offering virtual clay pigeon shooting, this venue boasts an outdoor terrace as well as private and semi-private spaces. All packages include unlimited gameplay with an exclusive are for up to 50, semi-private space for 200 guests or whole venue hire for up to 350 standing.

There are now so many activities to choose from on the estate including Fairgame, above

action-packed entertainment

Breaking the mould when it comes to corporate occasions – for those looking to organise something a little different, why not try an adrenaline boosting activity to bring people together and capitalise on that competitive edge?

In Canary Wharf, entertainment comes in a wide variety of forms, with opportunities to come together for fairground games with a twist, go-kart racing and more.

Why not try a team event at Capital Karts, the UK’s fastest indoor go-karting track, or head to Fairgame for old-school fairground games with a new age twist?

Clays invites you to enjoy a shooting experience like no other, or try your hand in your very own version of the original TV series, The Cube London.

The Cube London

Clays

Capital Karts

Dishoom

Emilia’s

experiences

how Canary Wharf is packed with places to host events and celebrations of all kinds, from two to 1,000 guests

Canary Wharf boasts a wealth of events venues across the estate including No. 35 Mackenzie Walk, located beside Middle Dock with views across the water to Bank Street Park

Canary Wharf is built on connections – creating a community of people and organisations with opportunities to come together, grow, evolve, discuss, create ideas and make things happen.

Central to bringing people together are these event spaces and experiences, offering a variety of unique venues for every occasion.

From large team meetings and workshops to corporate parties, private dining, team bonding and more, we’ve got the space and the opportunities to showcase, engage, impress and bring people together. Crucially, we know convenience is key and, sitting just six minutes from Liverpool Street on the Elizabeth Line, Canary Wharf makes it easy for people to come together amid busy schedules and from all corners of London. Looking for the right location for your next event? Read on to find out more...

Win a team social worth £1,000 in Canary Wharf - P14

l Dishoom Water Street - max capacity 30 dishoom.com - reservations@dishoom.com

The enormously popular venue offers private hire of The Family Room at its Canary Wharf restaurant with a maximum capacity of 30 seated.

l Electric Shuffle Cabot Square - max capacity 220 electricshuffle.com - bookings@electricshuffle.com

Built around tech-enabled shuffle boards, this venue can cater for team nights out and more with two private areas for up to 50 or up to 120 standing. Ground floor exclusive hire is also available for up to 220 standing.

l Emilia’s Crafted Pasta Gerorge Street - max capacity 60 emiliaspasta.com - hello@emiliaspasta.com

This bustling trattoria on the edge of Harbour Quay Gardens in Wood Wharf offers semi-private dining for up to 30 seated and exclusive hire of the venue for up to 60 seated indoors and outdoors.

l Fairgame Fisherman’s Walk - max capacity 600 wearefairgame.com - events@wearefairgame.com

Presenting a one-of-a-kind immersive funfair experience, this venue features games, street food and bars. It also has a wealth of space available with capacities ranging in size from 35 to 220 standing. The whole of Fairgame can be hired for up to 600 standing. Packages start at £35pp.

l Feels Like June Water Street - max capacity 300 feelslikejune.com - vanessa.amato@mytribehotel.com

The all-day restaurant and cafe attached to Tribe Hotel in Wood Wharf can cater for parties of up to 220 seated or 300 standing. It aims to bring the sunny climes of California to east London.

l Hawksmoor / Hawksmoor Bar Water Street - max capacity 300 thehawksmoor.com - woodwharf@thehawksmoor.com

This floating restaurant and bar present multiple options for events. There’s The Queenie Watts private dining room for up to 20 seated, while the downstairs bar offers semi-private areas for 20-160 seated or exclusive hire for parties of 250-300. continued on Pages 14-15

There are plenty of places to unwind on the estate including fully immersive art venue Illusionaries in Crossrail Place - find out more on the next page >>

Scan this code to find out more about events venues in Canary Wharf

Advertisement Feature

The Pelligon

Wines available at Humble Grape, which offers private dining and exclusive venue

l Gaucho Westferry Circus - max capacity 120 gauchorestaurants.com - events@gauchorestaurants.com

This restaurant on the banks of the Thames can accommodate up to 40 seated on its raised dining area indoors and up to 80 seated on its riverside terrace.

l Humble Grape Mackenzie Walk - max capacity 120 humblegrape.co.uk - events@humblegrape.co.uk

Overlooking Middle Dock, this restaurant and bar boasts a range of more than 400 wines. It offers private dining for 20 seated or 25 standing, a semi-private event space for 40 seated or 50 standing or exclusive hire for 90 seated or 120 standing.

l Iberica / Iberica La Terraza Cabot Square - max capacity 170 ibericarestaurants.com - events@ibericarestaurants.com

Iberica restaurant and bar and its sister al fresco venue in Cabot Square offer event planners multiple options including private dining spaces for between 20 seated and 60 standing. The whole restaurant can seat up to 110 or host 170 standing, while the outdoor branch can handle 100 seated or up to 120 standing.

l Mallow Park Drive - max capacity 50 mallowlondon.com - events@mallowlondon.com

This 100% plant-based venue offers a first floor space for private hire with a maximum seated capacity of 50. Standing capacity is available upon request.

Plant-based cuisine at Mallow in Wood Wharf

l No. 35 Mackenzie Walk Mackenzie Walk - max capacity 300 no35mackenziewalk.co.uk - reservations@no35mackenziewalk.co.uk

There’s a 30-seat private dining room and part-hire options available at this lively bar and restaurant on the edge of Middle Dock. Exclusive hire tops out at 90 seated or 300 for a standing reception.

l Patty & Bun Park Drive - max capacity 105 pattyandbun.co.uk - canarywharf@pattyandbun.co.uk

Expect great burgers, great service and great vibes from this venue in Wood Wharf. The restaurant can take up to 60 seated or 105 for a standing event plus 40 on its outdoor terrace.

l Pedler

One Canada Square - max capacity 120 pedlercanarywharf.com - hello@pedlercanarywharf.com

With food that celebrates produce from the British Isles this flexible venue in Canary Wharf’s most iconic building offers private dining for up to 20 seated or 30 standing on its mezzanine level. Exclusive hire capacity is up to 120 standing.

No. 35 Mackenzie Walk

There are more than 70 bars, cafés and restaurants to visit on the Wharf, giving you and your team an enviable list of options when it comes to corporate entertainment and dining. Whether you are looking for a private space or want to soak up the atmosphere, choose from experiences including wine tasting or pizza making, or instead opt for a sophisticated dinner or casual terrace perfect for team lunches.

Among the favourites are Hawksmoor Wood Wharf for waterside dining in an eco-friendly floating pavilion, plant-based perfection at Mallow, sushi and yakitori sticks from the grill along with plenty of fun at Sticks’n’Sushi and dependably stylish all-day dining at The Ivy In The Park in Canada Square.

In celebration of the many events venues now open on the estate, Canary Wharf Group is offering readers the chance to win a Team Social worth £1,000. Entrants will have the option to select from a variety of bars, restaurants or experiences, all in Canary Wharf...

Scan this code to find out more about events venues in Canary Wharf and to enter the competition by May 10

exceptional dining experiences a chance to win places to unwind

With more than 16.5 acres of parks and green space across the Wharf, there’s a multitude of experiences and locations both indoors and outdoors that can aid in supporting wellbeing.

Why not take your team on a healthboosting day out? Explore the options and find your perfect match.

Enjoy corporate experiences at Qube East’s bar and lounge, where you can record your

own team jingle or embark on a DJ masterclass, broaden the mind amid immersive art at Illusionaries, sail around the docks in a self-drive vessel with GoBoat, or get a little friendly competition going at premium indoor padel club, Padium Canary Wharf offers many venues and spaces to help you and your guests relax – it’s a place to escape the hustle and bustle, while gazing over the water or watching the sunset.

The Ivy In The Park

Sticks’n’Sushi

selected summer soirees

We all love a summer party and there are few places quite as special as Canary Wharf for making the most of those long, sunny days with outdoor entertainment, alfresco drinks and background music to set the scene for socialising and networking this season.

Watch the sunset from the spacious, southfacing, waterside terrace at No35 Mackenzie Walk or take your pick of the street food at MMy Wood Wharf and enjoy their space overlooking the water complete with garden igloos available for hire. Visit the Wharf’s newest restaurant, Roe, for their south-facing terrace and best of British fare, or do things a little differently at Electric Shuffle with pizza and cocktails over a revolutionary game of shuffleboard.

l Pergola On The Wharf Crossrail Place - max capacity 700 pergolacanarywharf.co.uk - events@incipio-group.co.uk

Billed as a botanical Eden, this massive space can take up to 700 people standing, with 200 on its terrace. It also offers private dining for 12 seated or 20 standing.

l Roka Park Pavilion - max capacity 80 rokarestaurant.com - info@rokarestaurant.com

The Japanese restaurant offers private dining in The Lounge for up to 18 people. It can also accommodate groups of up to 30 seated or 80 standing on its terrace.

l The Boathouse

Harbour Quay Gardens - max capacity 20 boathouselondon.co.uk - bookings@boathouselondon.co.uk

This floating bar and jazz club can accommodate 20 seated or standing guests at its mooring on the boardwalk at Harbour Quay Gardens.

l The Cocktail Club Cabot Square - max capacity 200 thecocktailclub.com - info@thecocktailclub.com

Expect swinging pendant lights, mixed drinks and urban decor at this Cabot Square bar, which can hold up to 200 people including its expansive terrace space.

l The Cube Charter Street - max capacity 440 bookthecube.com - groupbookings@bookthecube.com

This soon-to-open attraction offers a wealth of private spaces with capacities from 32-58 people. Exclusive hire of the gaming venue is also available for 440 total.

l The Ivy In The Park Canada Square - max capacity On Request theivy-collection.com - events@theivy-collection.com

A private dining room, terrace and first floor are all available for hire at this richly decorated venue for parties of 30-60. Exclusive hire offered on request.

l The Parlour Park Pavilion - max capacity 550 (in and out) theparlourbar.co.uk - info@theparlourbar.co.uk

Organisers can opt to hire the cocktail lounge for 38 seated or 125 standing or choose to hire the main restaurant for up to 250 standing plus 300 outdoors.

l The Pelligon Bank Street - max capacity 1,000 thepelligon.com - hello@thepelligon.com

Freshly refurbished, the East Wintergarden has become The Pelligon catering for up to 1,000 people with neutral decor and flexible facilities.

l Wahaca Park Pavilion - max capacity On Request wahaca.co.uk - canarywharf@wahaca.co.uk

Exclusive hire is available on request at this Mexican street food restaurant. It also offers a hidden terrace space that can take 40 seated or up to 125 standing.

Scan this code to find out more about events venues in Canary Wharf

MMy Wood Wharf

Padium

Electric Shuffle

GoBoat

Capital Karts

Hawksmoor

by Chris Ezekiel

Running a company that specialises in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for customer experience, I’m always looking at the balance between humans and machines in terms of helping organisations provide the best possible customer service in the most efficient and scalable way. Over the years, I’ve seen some awful examples of where organisations have gotten the human-machine balance completely wrong and a recent experience in one of the Wharf’s many food outlets left me bamboozled.

I was ordering a food bowl for lunch, which is made from various ingredients to order at the branch (not pre-packaged). The bowl I’d chosen had rice as one of those ingredients but, as grains were also available, I asked if I could make a swap in their favour. I was quite taken aback when I was told it wasn’t possible.

Assuming the only plausible explanation was because the grains were more expensive than the rice, I offered to pay the difference. However, I was told that the business was unable to change my order. The manager came and explained that the ingredients could not be altered as bowl purchases are linked to the stock reordering system – thus swapping them would disrupt the efficiency of the chain’s resupply system.

The way I would be able to have grains rather than the rice, as explained to me, was to purchase three separate bowls. This would be a much more expensive option – not very environmentally friendly – and I would have to mix the ingredients myself. Crazy.

Organisations need to design automated processes with the philosophy that the customer is the centre of the universe

This company had put in place an automated system for managing their supply chain efficiently at the expense of the customer.

In today’s highly competitive market, customer experience has become the key competitive differentiator. Similarly, people now expect choice and that companies will be flexible enough to accommodate their wishes.

Organisations need to design automated processes with the philosophy that the customer is at the centre of the universe, not the tech. There’s a lot of fear about AI taking over the world, but I think the greater risk comes from humans designing inflexible computer systems and then becoming subservient to them of their own volition.

There’s much talk about having a ‘human in the loop’ as a failsafe. But if people have no override option, this defeats the object. My lunch is a pretty innocuous example, but the consequences could be much more serious in other areas.

People must come first.

Chris says computer systems should serve consumers’ desires rather than imposing realities on them

virtual viewpoint

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square

Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual

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LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE

Notice is given that: HOPS AND CANS LTD

Has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

The premises are situated at: F69, Big Yellow Self Storage, 100 The Hwy, London E1W 2BX

The licensable Activities And Timings Are: To permit the sale of alcohol strictly o premises via online channels. There will be no direct sale of alcohol to the public within the preemies. The premise will be used to store goods for shipping and will be accessed: Monday-Sunday, 08:30-17:30hrs.

Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice to: Licensing And Safety, Environmental Health And Trading Standards, 4th Floor Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ or email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Tel: 020 7364 5008

Representations must be received no later than 22/05/2024.

The Application record and register may be viewed during normal o ce hours at the above address.

It is an o ence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum ne for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the o ence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited ne).

LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE

Notice is given that: Grandstand Events (London) Limited

Has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

The premises are situated at: The Oasis Bar and Terrace, Canary Wharf, Canada Square Park, London, E14 5AB

The licensable Activities And Timings Are: Supply of alcohol – Sun-Tue – 8.00-23.00hrs – Wed-Sat – 8.00-00.00hrs Late night refreshment – Wed-Sat – 23.00-00.00hrs Recorded music – Sun-Tue – 8.00-23.00hrs – Wed-Sat – 8.00-00.00hrs Live music – Mon-Sun – 13.00-21.00hrs

Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice to: Licensing And Safety, Environmental Health And Trading Standards, 4th Floor Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ or email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7364 5008

Representations must be received no later than 16/05/2024.

The Application record and register may be viewed during normal o ce hours at the above address.

It is an o ence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum ne for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the o ence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited ne).

Starting price of standard tickets to see The Monocle in Wapping

revealing the

frontwoman Lynn Gunn is set to play east London in support of latest album Evergreen – a blend of electronica and stadium rock. May 16, 7pm, from £41.52, troxy.co.uk

how The Monocle at Wilton’s Music Hall is set to tell all by transporting audiences to a sensual show in France

by Jon Massey

Discover the story of secretly notorious lesbian cabaret The Monocle – an underground institution in 1930s Paris.

Coming soon to Wilton’s Music Hall, the show aims to capture the atmosphere of a forbidden realm in early 20th century France.

“The air is thick, warm and wavy with secrets and sensuality – women laugh loudly, drink the night away and abandon themselves to smooth, passionate dances,”

at least according to the preview materials.

Carefully creating this feast of movement and erotic abandon is Rendez-Vous Dance, who are set to present the show at the east London venue on May 17.

Headlining will be jazz chanteuse Imogen Banks, who will guide audiences through this untold tale of transgression and intrigue.

Having trained in London,

Scan this code for more info about The Monocle

she’s toured internationally with big bands, close harmony trios and jazz orchestras, performing vintage music across the world.

Here she’s joined by a troupe of performers including Alyssa Lisle, Coralie Calfond Jemima Colin, Natassa Argyropoulou, Ruth Howard and Zara Philips.

key details

details

The Monocle will be performed at Wilton’s Music Hall on May 17 at 7.30pm. Tickets range in price from £11 to £23. Go to wiltons.org.uk for more information

Music Hall Wapping

The Monocle is set to play for one night only at Wilton’s Music Hall

how a new head chef at The Space Bar is looking forward to fuelling the local community with tasty dishes

by Jon Massey

Tere’s something brewing at The Space, steeping, infusing, intensifying. Ingredients are coming together and there’s change in the air. That’s because The Space Bar – the arts centre’s food, drink and occasional event venue – is all set to welcome a new head chef.

Leslie Nkansah became a cook “by mistake”. Unsure of what to do after leaving school in Shepherd’s Bush at 16, a careers advisor mentioned the idea of an apprenticeship.

“They said I’d get paid while orked and a ualification as well, so I went along,” said Les. “That was at Mezzo in Wardour Street, which was owned by Conran. It was one of the biggest restaurants in Europe at the time and I spent four years there under head chef John Torode.”

uffice to say, the asterchef presenter isn’t the only big name influence on eslie s rom Mezzo, he went on to work with Henry Harris of Hush and Racine fame, spent a year in Switzerland and came back to the UK to work with Gordon Ramsay, opening the York And Albany near Regent’s Park – now closed and recently occupied by squatters.

“I fell into doing a few events after that like Royal Ascot and then went back to work for John orode at mith s f mithfield, where I was head chef in 2011,” said Leslie. “I was then asked by them if I’d like to go back to Switzerland as they were opening a restaurant and I spent three years working there mainly in the ski season.

“That’s when I heard about the super yachts – people would head down from the mountains to Nice and Antibes, so I jumped on that.

“I worked on some amazing vessels – the amount of money and produce just blew me away. You can’t experience how those people live until you’re in that environment.

“I stayed out there until 2017, when I decided to come back to England – I had some savings and decided to start Black Star Kitchen. I got the name from the hanaian flag my dad s from Ghana and my mum’s half Scottish.”

Having returned to the UK, Leslie set about cooking anything

I got really excited when I saw the building and the outside space –there’s so much potential. I want to create a community hub

Leslie Nkansah, The Space Bar

and everything – including creating pop-up Ten Radius, a fine dining residency in righton where 80% of the ingredients were sourced from within 10 miles of the venue.

“Then Covid hit and put a spanner in the works for a lot of things,” he said. “After the pandemic, found at oy s iner at Trinity Buoy Wharf.

“I took that on for just over a year but unfortunately the footfall and the cost of living crisis meant my pockets weren’t deep enough to keep it going.

“That was a shame because it’s a beautiful establishment and I had a lot of ideas and plans for it.”

a move to the Island

It was also there that Leslie met ndre innegan, bar board chair at The Space, whose interest was piqued by a serving of deep-fried olives iscussions that started around Leslie doing a pop-up took a di erent turn hen a vacancy for head chef at the venue came up. Now he’s set to take over the kitchen full-time from mid May.

“We relaunched the kitchen approximately 18 months ago and we always knew that food was one of the levers we could pull to increase trade at the venue to support the work The Space does,” said Andrew.

“We’d launched brunch in October and the idea was to have pop-ups and guest chefs. Pre-Covid it was a lively spot and now we have a full-time chef again, we want to get back to that.

“Menu-wise it’s about getting re-established, attracting that foot fall and then we can experiment.”

fresh direction

Leslie added: “I got really excited when I saw the building and the outside space – there’s so much potential.

“I want to create a community hub where people can come to

Leslie Nkansah is set to take over as head chef at The Space in Westferry Road on the Isle Of Dogs this month

Minutes on the bus from Canary Wharf to The Space

Images by Jon Massey

meet up, grab a good snack and mingle.

“Everyone needs a place where they can come, no matter what their background, have good food and good drinks and enjoy the vibes – that’s my intention.

“Food-wise I’m looking at doing the same sort of thing I was doing at Fat Boy’s. There will be burgers and snacks, but I also want to play around with traditional English dishes like scotch eggs.

“I have a vegetarian one with beetroot and another where I use duck to coat the eggs. The layout at The Space is quite informal, so it will be grab-and-go – accessible dishes.”

supporting The Space

The plan is very much to make use of Leslie’s talents to build up the venue, ith dishes that fit alongside the multitude of shows and events it hosts.

Andrew said: “It will be really nice when we get this going. Our brunches have been successful and their growth has been organic – people try it once and then come back. The more people who come here for the food and drink means the more money The Space has and the more shows it can put on its stage.”

While the bar has naturally been a stop o for those coming to the Island for performances, it’s long played a dual role as a meeting point and welcoming haven for local residents. Initially Leslie’s menus will aim to serve both communities with dishes appealing to wide audiences.

However, further down the line there will hopefully be scope to experiment – an obvious step with such serious talent in the kitchen.

“I really do like to cook everything,” said Leslie. “I love good ingredients, I love playing with food and putting ingredients in which wouldn’t normally go together and seeing if they work.

“At the moment, I’m really getting into fermenting things. Of course I like cooking traditional dishes – I’ve learnt from every kitchen I’ve been in – and I think my Sunday roast is among the best in the country – although that’s yet to be proven. I also love smoking meat, brisket or even cauliflo er like s eet

board chair

the love of

flavours ith spice lots of chillies but with maple syrup. My signature dish was wood pigeon with trompet mushroom puree, caramelised shallot and tapenade. f all this orks out, defi nitely want to discuss the idea of a supper club here.”

We can’t wait...

key details

The Space is located in Westferry Road on the Isle Of Dogs and is easily reached in less than 10 minutes from Canary Wharf via the D7, 277 or 135 direct buses. Current opening hours for The Space Bar are noon-11pm Mon-Thurs, noon-midnight on Fridays, 10am-midnight on Saturdays and 10am-10.30pm on Sundays.

Go to space.org.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about The Space Bar

Watch a screening of English National Ballet’s lm of this dance classic as part of The Islander Festival – a series of events running May 1-Sept 29. May 17, 7pm, £6.13, goodluckhope.com

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see ART | Call For Entries The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2024 is open for entries with artists invited to submit work for consideration by the panel. The top prize is £8,000. Until Jun 12, free, trinitybuoywharf.com DANCE | Connecting Vibes Join choreographers Ofelia Balogun, Leroy Dias Dos Santos, Rosie Lehan and Nii Kwartey Owoo for a performance of collaborative piece In Transit May 16, 7.30pm, from £5, poplarunion.com FILM | Akram Khan’s Giselle

Bar

at The Space Andrew Finnegan says reinvigorating the food at the venue is an important source of funding for the arts centre

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of creating and publishing campaigns for businesses in Canary Wharf, Docklands and across east London email info@wharf-life.com for a quote

how Decathlon has brought some of the fastest road bikes in the world to customers at its Canada Water store

by Jon Massey

Decathlon in Canada Water is vast, a multilevel temple to sports and outdoor equipment for all kinds of activities. That the store sells bikes is nothing new. However, a major change has occurred. or the first time, the rench retailer has brought cycling products from its subsidiary Van Rysel into the store – the brand’s first presence in ondon

Since its creation in 2018, the company has been making waves. lemish for rom ille its name recalls the location of Decathlon’s worldwide headquarters, conjuring forth images of the bumpy cobbled streets used to help prove its products’ mettle.

Not, of course, that there’s much metal involved. Van Rysel’s stated mission has long been to boost road riders’ performance through the use of high-end components and carbon frames. ocated on the ground floor, Decathlon has dedicated a si eable chunk of floorspace to this mission featuring bikes, clothing, workshop space and fitting facilities as ell as racks of accessories.

It’s all aimed at drawing cyclists in, with eye-catching video displays, bright, glossy lighting and reflective blocks for the machines themselves to stand on.

Decathlon lead designer, Marc-Antoine Aubert, said “We opted for a distinct and eye-catching layout, with a centralised podium that showcases the hero Van Rysel bikes in the range.

“Behind this is the welcome desk, built from a material inspired by the famous showers of the Velodrome of Roubaix.

“Above the welcome desk is a large screen with a video playing

This expansion is not just about opening a new store – it’s about inviting people to experience the rich heritage that Van Rysel stands for Nicolas Pierron, Van Rysel

that reflects and shines on the miroir d eau or reflecting ater of the big podium – that is a tribute to two main architectural jewels of the Roubaix area, the illa avrois and the useum a Piscine of Roubaix.

“Finally, the central structure is made out of steel grating, which took inspiration from the wind tunnel where Van Rysel developed its bikes. Each aspect of the store was considered and we can’t wait to see how the public engage ith the space

It’s the bikes themselves, of course, that are the main attraction with a wealth of models released in recent years. Prices range from £999 to £5,500 for the core collections.

However, much was made at the store launch of the remarkable success currently being enjoyed by the bike used by pro team ecathlon a ondiale

The consumer version, the Van Rysel RCR Pro Replica, costs £9,000 (pricey but about £3,000 cheaper than comparable models) and has aerodynamics honed in military grade wind tunnels that has seen the machine that inspired it claim multiple professional racing victories so far this season.

Somehow its smoothed black lines fit perfectly in ecathlon s new space. Spare, economical, but rich in promise.

“We are thrilled to open our first an ysel store in ondon, said brand founder Nicolas Pierron. “This expansion is not just about opening a new store –it’s about inviting more people to experience the rich heritage and superior craftsmanship that Van Rysel stands for.

“We are excited to share our passion for cycling with the vibrant community of cyclists in ondon and look for ard to becoming an integral part of the local culture

key details

Van Rysel’s products and workshop can be found on the ground floor of ecathlon in anada Water. The store is open 9am-8pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sundays. Go to vanryselcycling.com or decathlon.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Van Rysel at Decathlon

Van Rysel can be found at Decathlon in Canada Water

Entry level price for a Van Rysel bike at Decathlon in Canada Water

A wide range of models are on show at the store

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

GIG | Alcyona Mick + Fred Thomas

Where?

Sands Films Studio Rotherhithe

The busy London-based pianist and composer is joined by multi-instrumentalist Fred for an evening concert at the south-east London lm studio. May 22, 8pm, donations, sands lms.co.uk

Where?

APT Gallery Deptford

ART | Ensemble

Available to view Thursday-Sunday, this exhibition explores audio description as a collaborative medium and communication tool for experiencing art. May 2-26, noon-5pm, free, aptstudios.org

TRY | Little Ga

Where?

Douglas Way Deptford

Cafe chain Ga has expanded once more, with a new branch on Douglas Way Deptford. Seek out ca eine and bites to satisfy at its new location. Ongoing, @ga _ldn on Insta

ash back

2024 is set to be a big year in the regeneration story of Canada Water with a new bridge, food hall and cultural space all set to open before the end of the year. Not forgetting, of course that the rst homes are on sale too canadawater.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about British Land and AustralianSuper’s plans for Canada Water

Nicolas Pierron of Van Rysel

A host of performances and workshops are included in the programme

bringing the

how Urban Village Fete is set to take over Greenwich Peninsula for a Sunday of music, crafts and revels

by Jon Massey

Once again, Greenwich Peninsula is set to kick o festival season with a vast free bash. Urban Village Fete attracts thousands of revellers with music, street food, market stalls, talks and workshops.

Supported by property developer Knight Dragon, which is currently engaged in an extensive regeneration of the area, this year’s event is set to begin at 11am on May 19.

The music stages will feature a full line-up of DJs with headline slots from Gilles Peterson and Jamz Supernova rounding things o .

BBC London’s Robert Elms will host a series of creative conversations at Design District, promising the thoughts of some of the capital’s “most compelling minds”, while elsewhere The Incredibly Clever Canine Circus pledges to teach

old dogs and their owners some new tricks.

There will also be an alternative Olympics, a full programme of craft workshops and plenty of independent traders plying their wares.

As usual, a succession of street food traders and bars will keep festival-goers refreshed, which might increase participation at The Charity Shop DJ Collective’s dance oor where revellers pick the tunes.

key details

Urban Village Fete is set to take place on Greenwich Peninsula on May 19 from 11am until late. Events are free to attend and access is easiest via North Greenwich station via Tube or bus.

Go to greenwichpeninsula.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Urban Village Fete

Jamz Supernova will headline the Urban Village Fete

The Incredibly Clever Canine Circus will be on hand to teach old dogs new tricks

Activities will take place across Greenwich Peninsula, including many at Design District

- Peninsula - Woolwich

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

COMEDY | Eleanor Conway: Talk Dirty To Me

The comic takes on the pleasure gap, asking how far along we are in the ght for gender equality when women do most domestic work and orgasm least. May 24, 7pm, £16, woolwich.works

COMEDY | Pints And Punchlines

Enjoy an evening of stand-up in the theatre bar, hosted by David Thomas and featuring Caroline McEvoy, Leah Davis and Daniel McKeon. May 20, 8pm, £8, greenwichtheatre.org.uk

COMEDY | Al e Moore: A Face For Radio

The copper turned Radio 4 star and stand-up re ects on his failure to break into TV as he runs through a life of steelworking, policing and performance. May 25, 7.30pm, £19, blackheathhalls.com

Blackheath Halls recently celebrated the completion of a long-term project to update the inside and outside of the venue and is now in ne shape to host a wide range of artists and performers blackheathhalls.com

Scan this code to nd our more about Trinity Laban’s venue and discover full events listings

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

The Tereza Joanne Boat

King George V Dock

EVENT | May I Have This Dance Party into the small hours aboard this Royal Docks stalwart with entertainment from Swaby Irie, DJ Claudius, New Attraction Sound and Chairman OTB. May 25,10pm-4am, from £15, royaldocks.london

Where?

Excel

Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | MCM Comic Con

Expect some cosplay sights on the Liz Line and DLR as the non-speci c fandom festival returns to Royal Docks. As usual, there’s a ton of content and merch. May 24-26, times vary, from £21, mcmcomiccon.com

FILM | Appropriate Behaviour

how May’s London Blockchain Conference at Excel is laser focused on practical applications of the tech

by Jon Massey

Blockchain is one of those technologies that can be daunting in its vastness. First conceived in the early 1990s, not much happened until 2009, when Bitcoin arrived and its profile rose as the system under pinning that and other cryptocur rencies. Then there was the mostly art focused e plosion and crash of the non fungible tokens or market.

But quietly in the background – while the hype has raged –bright minds have been carefully considering what blockchain might most functionally and profitably be used for no and in the future. What applications does an immutable, secure ledger for practically any kind of data, protected by encryption and distributed across a network of computers, actually have?

Where?

Good Hotel

Royal Victoria Dock

Part of Queer Film Club, this movie follows Shirin as she tries and fails to be both perfect Persian daughter and politically correct bisexual Brooklynite. May 31, 7pm-11pm, free, socialconvention.org

and retreats in the UK and abroad with a clear focus on physical and professional

- nd out more online dat-adventures.com

with

and Julian online at wharf-life.com and

It’s that question which lies at the heart of the forthcoming London Blockchain Conference –a gathering of e perts, companies and individuals.

et to be held at cel from ay , the event e pects to attract more than 5,000 delegates in person who will be able to listen to more than 150 speakers and do ens of cutting edge e hibitors working in the sector.

“Its purpose is to move the needle forward on enterprises and governments adopting blockchain technology, said le tein, conference director. “What we want to do is cut through a lot of the conversations, which tend to be about cryptocurrencies.

“The event is about how useful the technology can be and its impact, looking holistically across di erent industries and government – we want to bring everyone together to move those discussions forward and educate people.

“We’ve held conferences around the world on this topic but last year e made the decision to find a home in London. It makes sense because it s a hub for fintech, finance and regulation, all of which are very important for the technology.

“That’s why we’ve based it here and renamed it the London Blockchain conference. We want it to be the main event for busi nesses in Europe, and eventually globally, which will show people the practical applications of the

technology – people who want to get together and talk about problems and solutions to them.

“This is the event for people with questions about blockchain to find ans ers perhaps you re the person who has been tasked with looking into a solution for your company or you’re a CEO or founder who would like to know more.

“The event is an amazing opportunity to be at the forefront of the technology and to meet people from startups, scaleups, investors and big companies.”

One of those individuals will be Richard Baker, founder and CEO at conference sponsor oken ovate. He’s an electronics and telecommunications engineer by background and a self confessed lover of lo level engineering good products and good systems, as he puts it.

“As a technologist, I always look at things through that lens,” said ichard s an e hibitor of applications on blockchain I think the conference is at the heart of what London has always been really e cellent at curating the many faces of financial service o erings both nationally and internationally.

“Tokenovate specialises in derivative trading – we’ve built the ne t generation life cycle engine.

“It’s a platform for how derivatives are getting tokenised, e pressed as smart contracts and e ecuting their life cycle events on a blockchain.

“There is no doubt in my mind of the journey that’s under way in financial services not ust in London, but globally. We’re seeing something in the order of trillion of assets e pected to be tokenised in the ne t five to years – land, property, commercial real estate, bonds and more.

“This is probably one of the most e citing financial services transformations we have seen in 40 years – a real overhaul – and the economics that go with it as we adopt this new way of e pressing value and building products. This conference touches on a lot of those really important characteristics.

“In my humble opinion, blockchain has been one of the slowest technologies to come to market. It’s been more than 15 years and there has been a lot of misdirection with the journey of cryptocurrencies – but now we’re seeing businesses and organisa

Days the London Blockchain Conference will be in place at Excel in the Royal Docks

forging

>> There’s a wealth of potential topics, but what can delegates expect from the event at Excel in May?

“We’ve got seven content-led tracks across three stages, our visionary stage, our big keynote stage and our inside stage – meant for panel-led discussions,” said Alex.

“There’s also our spotlight stage out on the exhibition oor, so there’s great variation in what’s on o er. We’ll have session on the regulatory side of things, blockchain and AI plus blockchain and the Internet Of Things.

“We’ll be looking at business cases and opportunities to innovate in all of these areas.”

In addition to Richard, con rmed speakers include representatives from Channel 4, nChain, Business Kitz, Ayre Ventures, BSV Blockchain, Project Babbage, Gate2Chain and Family O ce Venture Capital.

Find full listings, booking information and more details at londonblockchain.net

Richard Baker, founder and CEO at Tokenovate, will be speaking and exhibiting at the event

tions around the world look at it as an infrastructure technology, really focusing on its utility value. That’s what this conference is about.”

Both Alex and Richard agree that the potential for the technology is huge, making discussion of its implications and regulation essential.

“It’s fantastic to have people like Richard at the forefront to push the boundaries of what this technology can do,” said Alex.

“There are so many sectors that can be touched by blockchain, such as supply chains and healthcare as well as local and national government. There are so many opportunities and we want people to be able to see how blockchain can be a part of their digital transformation.

“The point of the technology is to make things quicker, cheaper and better. What blockchain gives you in terms of its scalability, speed and stability will eventually change the world.

“It will become the plumbing that everyone expects to be in place and relies on to do business. In 10 years we’ll talk about it in less depth because it will be there.”

Richard added: “As a technologist, I often think in terms of 100 years. We’re only 30 or 40 years into a meaningful part of the digital age. Built into Tim BernersLee’s World Wide Web protocol is the fact that the internet was conceived as a medium of exchange for data but not money.

“There has always been a gap for the right financial system to be plugged in and that’s part of the journey we’re on in society.

What we want to do is cut through a lot of the conversations, which tend to be about cryptocurrencies

Alex Stein, conference director

London Blockchain Conference director

Alex

Stein says he can’t wait to bring people face-to-face at the event

“Crypto has been a use case for the technology – it’s animated how smart contracts work, tokenising things and what a modern marketplace could look like and it’s certainly accelerated G20 regulators looking at blockchain and asking how it will apply to traditional instruments.

“I also echo what Alex says, that as a society we’re increasingly looking for provenance. In food, for example, using blockchain as an immutable, time-stamped record keeper, you could know when something was pulled out of the ground, when it was shipped, what the weather conditions were like and who the farmer was.

“I’m sorry to say this but we do live in a world where trust is being increasingly re-sought. We have a lot of disinformation and immutable record keeping is one mechanism we can use to help us re-establish that trust. I think it has an important role to play.”

The conference is pitched at all levels with the aim of including as many organisations as possible, so there’s very much a place for

There has always been a gap for the right nancial system to be plugged into the internet and that’s part of the journey we’re on Richard Baker, Tokenovate

those whose understanding of the technology is rudimentary.

“On day one in the morning, we host a session called Blockchain 101,” said Alex. “We also have a session on what a smart contract is and so on.

“We’re located two minutes and 57 seconds from Canary Wharf or 14 minutes from Tottenham Court Road – there’s a whole expo floor and so much content and networking to get involved with.

“I just love bringing people together, out of the office, for face-to-face conversations. There will also be a fantastic, informal drinks reception on the first night, which will be really lively.

“Having lived through the pandemic, when conferences were digital, it’s great to be hosting live events.

“Before the Elizabeth Line was in place, Excel used to feel a little out of the way but now it’s so well connected to the rest of London. Our event will take place in its dedicated conference centre, which is perfect for the kind of programme we’re hosting – although we’re certainly looking to the future and will perhaps one day occupy one of its halls.”

Anyone interested in exhibiting at the London Blockchain Conference or participating in its event can find full listings and information online.

key details

The London Blockchain Conference is set to take place at Excel in Royal Docks over three days from May 21-23. Excel is easily accessed via Custom House station on the Elizabeth Line (less than three minutes from Canary Wharf) or Prince Regent DLR.

Networking tickets for the event cost £49, while three-day delegate passes are £399. VIP access costs £799. Group discounts are available for those buying three or more conference passes.

For more information about the east London event go to londonblockchain.net

Scan this for more about the London Blockchain Conference

Images by Jon Massey

Puck Circus

Nine daredevils will perform in The Nose Dive Assembly, which is the nal instalment in The Revel Puck Circus’ Risk Trilogy

how The Revel Puck Circus is set for a host of daredevil stunts under a big top at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park...

by Jon Massey

Are you ready for spectacle? The Revel Puck Circus is set to première the nal instalment of its Risk Trilogy under a big top at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Perilously named, The Nose Dive Assembly: Birds Of A Feather will feature nine daredevils including high wire walkers, teeterboarders, performers on specially conceived apparatus and the only female Wheel Of Death duo in the UK.

All together, audiences can expect a playful production of large-scale contemporary circus acts as Revel Puck puts on its most ambitious show to date.

Promising collective jubilation inside the tent, the big top will also be surrounded by a pop-up circus village replete with popcorn, candy oss, hot dogs

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

(with vegan and gluten-free options) and a full bar. In addition to its touring company of 22, the show will provide employment for ushers and bar sta , all paid the London Living Wage as well as opportunities for shadowing and mentoring for young people during the run.

key details

Scan this code to nd out more about The Revel Puck Circus and its latest show in Stratford employment or

The Nose Dive Assembly is set to run at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from May 16-June 2. Show times vary, with performances lasting two hours. Adult tickets cost £24 with children under 15 and concessions costing £17. Preview shows cost £12. A number of tickets will also be made available at £2 for local people who couldn’t otherwise a ord them. Go to revelpuckcircus.com for more information or to book tickets for a performance

Previous shows have included a range of breathtaking acts that make up a colourful spectacle

Head to the east London district for a range of free workshops for London Craft Week delivered in partnership with UAL, V&A and Black Girl Knit Club. May 14-18, times vary, free, queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

GIG | Black Spiders + Nasty Ratz The She eld rockers are back together following the positive reception for recent release Black Spiders, here supported by a band from Prague May 26, 7pm, from £10, cartandhorses.london

GIG | Halloumi Tunes

Expect a set packed with cheese as the Britain’s Got Talent contestants play a special last-hour-of-the-day performance in the casino’s Terrace Bar. May 25, 11pm-midnight, free, aspersstratford.co.uk

see it

Scan this code to nd out more about Multiple Casualty Incident at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick EVENT | Cross The Line

Multiple Casualty Incident is set to run at The Yard Theatre until June 8, focusing on the lives of trainee aid workers, their relationships and what happens when reality becomes a nightmare. Tickets start at £10 theyardtheatre.co.uk

Inset images by Michael Lynch

Sudoku

How to play

To complete Sudoku, ll the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

More to play

You can nd more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca

Notes

crossword

Cryptic

Take a break from that phone Across 7. Equally formed team changes shape (13)

8. Puts the farm equipment together (8)

9. Suitable encounter? (4)

10. Pranks for hors d’oeuvres? (6)

12. Professor dined. Give generously! (6) 14. Picturesque cunning? (6)

16. Samuel’s cooking utensil can be rowed (6)

18. A tasty agenda? (4) on s tune ou ll find it’s sub-atomic! (8)

22. They make green tracks for London (13)

Down

1. Do you recall Jarvis’ friend as she broadcasts her name? (8)

2. Hit movie makes al fresco dining (6)

3. Make up phrases? There’s money in it! (4)

4. What dose of pies should be mixed to make a TV season? (8)

5. Frequent parkland? (6)

6. A cutting game? (4)

11. Finely spindled? It’s a mix-up (8)

13. Recruits for the railway? (8) uicy profits

17. Spoil the booze for a profit

19. Back in time? It’s a send o

21. Until the United Nations arrives? (4)

beating the whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy

Save (6)

Courageous (6)

Fine (4)

Fishing gear (4)

Stroud; 12 Intone;

Ends;

Marketed;

Dynamo;

Halo;

Dynamite;

Quaint;

Stag;

Didactic;

Newsreel; 15 Rescue; 17 Daring; 19 Nice; 21 Nets.

Across: 7 Metamorphosis; 8 Combines; 9 Meet; 10 Capers; 12 Donate; 14 Artful; 16 Sampan; 18 Menu; 20 Neutrons; 22 District Lines.

Down: 1 Debonair; 2 Barbie; 3 Coin; 4 Episodes; 5 Common; 6 Dice; 11 Splendid; 13 Trainees; 15 Fruits; 17 Margin; 19 Emit; 21 Unto.