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
Image by Jon Massey
SHOP LUXURY WATCHES IN YOUR CANARY WHARF SHOWROOM THIS CHRISTMAS
WATCHES-OF-SWITZERLAND.CO.UK
CANADA PLACE, CANARY WHARF, E14 5AH
PARTY | NYE! One Night In Vegas
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place
of
to issue
a
TOUR | Secrets Of The Warehouse
Discover the history of the museum’s home on these 45-minute tours taking place inside and outside the building on various dates. Dress warmly... Until Dec 14, 1.30pm, £8, londonmuseum.org.uk
Ben Thompson, masquerading as the King Of Rock’n’Roll leads this night of partying, food, drink and the usual Boisdale debauchery. Dec 31, 6pm, from £169, boisdale.co.uk SEE | Entheon Alex and Allyson Grey’s immersive digital artwork promises a journey into the “realms of humanity and spirituality” through potent images. Until Dec 31, times vary, from £23, illusionaries.com
Joslin, co-founder of Level39-based Bombe
on the radar
Where once there was Pam Ban, soon Canary Wharf will get a fresh source of spiced warm drinks with Chai Guys coming soon to Crossrail Walk. Promising “probably the best chai you can buy” the store is due to launch in December chaiguys.shop
Indoor golf club Pitch is nally set to open its doors at 30 Churchill Place in January. Visitors can expect group sessions and expert-led lessons at the 14,500sq ft facility which will boast 11 golf bays, food, drinks, live music and shu eboard pitchgolf.london need to know
Chuckle along with Be Not Afraid as a set of comics send up Xmas 33
As shared ownership demand continues to grow, we take a look at One Goodmayes and West Ham Village by Latimer and Peabody – two options to put down east London roots 17
FESTIVE SELECTION
Sugar Village Snowglobe
John Lewis Canary Wharf johnlewis.com
When the weather outside is frightful, simply tip this charming sphere over and watch the tiny pastelcoloured hamlet become engulfed in a whirlwind of tiny particles.
Christmas is a time for escapism as much as anything and £25 seems a small price to pay for the power to bring an unstoppable blizzard to the tiny village folk. Will they be awed by the arrival of a profound dusting or horri ed that once again
they’re to be snowed in for yet another hour? Is it to be shovels and snow ploughs yet again or peace in the valley? Some may baulk at the hefty price tag, but this is a serious piece of kit, feels heavy in the hand and is satisfyingly substantial. It also o ers decent viscosity in the lling meaning the akes fall over a pleasantly lengthy period before more wrist action is required. It can also be used to delight kids. Buy it now at John Lewis’ Xmas shop for £25
doing the deals
get more for less on and around the Wharf
Recent Canary Wharf arrival Paris Baguette is o ering a pasty and a co ee or a tea for £6. Available 6.30am-11am to takeaway from the Jubilee Place store parisbaguette.com
Sampling the output of Ukranian family startup B.Bakery 30 subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly £19
Pay £18.95 per person at Munich Cricket Club on West India Quay over the festive season and you’ll get a seasonal sharing platter for the whole table. Pre-booking a must munichcricketclub.co.uk
MAY I HELP YOU WITH YOUR LUGGAGE?
write me words you don’t know you need
noun, fake, from Old English
The achievement of a goal with clinical, if unexpected e ciency from a reserve of hitherto untapped talent or strength. Named for Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s exacting strike against Newcastle on November 25
Just as George Bailey is about to end it all, angels reveal the impact his life has had on others to tear-jerking e ect. James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore tug on the heart strings in the festive classic, shown here as part of Everyman’s Throwback Thursday promotion. Catch it on December 17 at 5.45pm. Tickets cost £17.50 and include a drink and popcorn subscribe to our FREE Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly
A Wonderful Life (1946, U) Everyman Canary Wharf everymancinema.com
noun, real, from French
A conception of oneself as other than one is to the extent that one’s general behaviour is conditioned or dominated by those ideas. This is especially the case when one has an in ated opinion of one’s own character
Immigration Solicitors
Singer Georgina James is set to perform on Dec 5 in Jubilee Place
EVENTS
Deck The Malls Across Canary Wharf canarywharf.com
(Nov 28). All sets will run from 11.30am-2pm.
In case anyone hadn’t noticed, the Christmas season has arrived and Canary Wharf’s malls are pulling out the stops to welcome and entertain shoppers.
Carols will also be sung outside Waitrose (which has its own programme of live music over the festive season), from 5pm-7pm on Dec 16.
Our immigration team has earned its strong reputation for providing expert legal advice and practical support on a wide range of immigration issues. Trust us to help you make the right application.
Jubilee Place will see live music from the likes of Rufus Quickenden (Nov 28), Georgina James (Dec 5), Alex Hall (Dec 12 and Kitty Montague (Dec 19), while Canada Place has performances scheduled outside Waitrose from Jasmin Earl (Nov 27) and Charlotte Campbell
In addition, Jubilee Place is hosting a House Of Canary Wharf pop-up from Nov 27-Dec 22. Open from 10am-7pm, this promises a rotating line-up of beauty and fashion brands in two spaces – its walk-in wardrobe and powder room. Expect the likes of Jon Hala, Newbie, Lululemon and Kiehls to feature. A full schedule is available on Canary Wharf’s website.
GIVE GENEROUSLY
ELBA Toy Appeal 2024 Jubilee Place canarywharf.com
Canary Wharf is hosting its yearly Toy Appeal in partnership with East London Business Alliance and Big Alliance.
Members of the public are invited to donate newly bought gifts via a pop-up store in Jubilee Place. These will be wrapped and hand-delivered to local children who might otherwise have gone without a present this Christmas.
Last year volunteers received some 18,000 toys from those working or living locally or visiting the estate. These were distributed to some 117 community organisations supporting kids in east London.
“The Toy Appeal has been an annual festive event run by ELBA for as long as sta can remember,” said Smera Nadeem, head of programmes at Challenge:ELBA.
“What started as a small under the desk collection, now holds a very prominent feature within Canary Wharf’s festive program.
“Since being hosted on the estate, the average number of toys donated has almost doubled from an average of 10,000 pre-pandemic to over 17,000 in
the past three years. Over 21,000 toys were donated in 2020 alone.”
The appeal will run until December 20, with the Jubilee Place drop-o point available on Level -1 in the mall open from Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.
New toys valued between £10 and £15 are especially welcomed and should be supplied unwrapped so community organisations can see which children would bene t most from them.
“We’re delighted to be supporting the ELBA Toy Appeal for a fth year, a cause that does so much good for local families during this festive period, surprising children with some much-deserved joy,” said Jane Hollinshead, chief people o cer at Canary Wharf Group.
“Our community of workers, residents and visitors consistently supports the Toy Appeal each year, so we’re looking forward to seeing faces old and new get involved by donating this winter.” Go to elba-1.org.uk for more information about the appeal and other ways to donate
Do you have room on your Christmas list for an extra child?
subscribe to our FREE Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly
Partner and branch manager Amy Stickland is looking forward to welcoming shoppers to Canary Wharf over the festive period
embracing
John Lewis are enjoying an update as the Wharf stores step into Christmas
by Jon Massey Waitrose
While we often cover new retailers and hospitality venues opening their doors in Canary Wharf, they by no means account for all the change that’s taking place on the estate.
Waitrose and John Lewis, which has long dominated the eastern edge of Canada Square has recently undergone a freshening up. First of all Gail’s arrived beside its main entrance in the malls, kicking off a series of tweaks and refinements all aimed at serving Wharfers with what they want more efficiently.
That’s meant a remodelling in places, more space for the iconic shop floor wine bar, longer aisles with products arranged more logically for convenience, a boost to the freshly baked items on sale and an extra 11 self-service checkouts for those grabbing lunch.
Upstairs, John Lewis customers now walk straight into the store’s Christmas shop and toy department with fashion for men, women and kids brought together in the same location and puzzles and games given their own space.
There’s also a real sense that both brands are working to make a visit to the store more interactive with a packed programme of events, promotions and happenings scheduled.
Overseeing the investment and change is partner and branch manager Amy Stickland, who’s been heading the Canary Wharf operation for the last two years.
“Being in charge here is everything I imagined and more,” she said. “I’ve always loved retail. I remember going to the shops with my dad as a kid and seeing all the food on offer, getting to be a part of those choices.
“I actually did a generic degree in management with IT and Spanish and did a placement at a tech firm but my heart wasn’t really in it.
“After my final year I got a place on the Waitrose graduate scheme and I’ve just celebrated 18 years of service.”
Having managed John Lewis continued on Page 10
Community. Craft. Creativity.
Celebrate the season with festive fun, creativity and a sprinkle of nostalgia. With a Winter Carousel and Market Quarter brimming with mulled wine, bratwurst, and churros, discover the magic of Greenwich Peninsula.
Nostalgic Fun
Winter Carousel & Market Quarter (Nov – Jan)
Open daily 11am – 9pm
What 's on at NOW Gallery
Socks: e Art of Care & Repair by Celia Pym 6 December – 9 March
Festive Experiences
Workshops, Holiday Postcards, Live Music & More 7 December
from Page 8
stores in Stratford and Chelmsford as well as Waitrose in Billericay, the opportunity to work with both brands on the Wharf was too good to pass up.
“It was a brilliant opportunity,” said Amy. “The blend works well here and the teams are able to collaborate as well as work separately.
“There are challenges, of course, when you’re leading a team of 470 people, but I’m really lucky to have some amazing colleagues.
“Our model of co-ownership, where partners have a stake in the business, makes them feel connected to it – there’s a sense of responsibility there.
“The team really care about the service they’re giving because they know our success depends on it.
“In such a busy marketplace, with so many other retailers, that’s one of our big attractions, people know we really want to go the extra mile, to surprise and delight our customers.
“They come here expecting great service and because of all the other guarantees such as our ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ promise, people believe they don’t need to shop around as much.
“It’s up to us to deliver on those expectations when it comes to price and customer experience.”
Part of that operation involves ensuring the store itself is fit for purpose and that products are where customers expect to find them. This is why both Waitrose and John Lewis have spent the past few months rebalancing things in the Canary Wharf store.
“We’ve extended our physical shelf space by extending two of our aisles,” said Amy. “From a situation where we had food and non-food items mixed together, we now have the left hand side of Waitrose for things you can eat and the rear right of the store for things you can’t.
“On the left there are scratch cook and store cupboard items, breakfast options, snacks and drinks, while over the other side it’s products for laundry care and toilet tissue.
“It does take a bit of time for customers to get used to the new layout, but we hope overall that the journey and the product placement makes more sense, refreshing the shop floor and making it feel more intuitive.
“Also on the food floor, there’s a re-energising of the main payment area with an additional 11 selfscan tills with a better layout.
“We’ve preserved what we call the stunt space where brands
Waitrose and John Lewis at Canary Wharf have been undergoing a process of refreshment in recent months
our guide the Waitrose £5 Meal Deal
>> Nobody asked us, but we love value at Wharf Life and the Waitrose £5 Meal Deal is a stone cold Canary Wharf classic.
All selections are not created equal, however, so we set about trying to max out the deal by picking the most expensive items included for the main, snack and drink. Top of the list is the GLO Pulled Beef And Onion Salad offering an impressive 397 calories and 22g of protein for a list price of £4.80. Our chosen snack is the Taiko Mini Nigiri, including salmon and cucumber sushi. This costs £2.50 off the shelf and adds about 150 calories and a further 4.9g of protein to the mix.
Top that off with Jimmy’s Iced Coffee at £3 for another 148 calories and 8g of additional protein and there you have it, products worth £10.30 for £5, 695 calories and 34.9g of protein.
Protein, sushi and iced coffee, what’s not to like?
Place entrance
The combination of Waitrose and John Lewis continues to be a big draw for shoppers on the Wharf, with the addition of Gail’s offering an extra dimension to the store’s Canada
such as Heinz can come in and we saw that used quite a lot over the summer. It’s a little bit of retail theatre and we want to continue to make use of it with pop-ups and interactive give-aways – a nice moment at the start of someone’s shop.
“We’ve refreshed the wine bar, changing the orientation of some of the seating. It’s convenient and excellent value and customers love it for the people watching. It has some very loyal customers –one even told me they could write a book about it.”
In fact the whole wine section has had an overhaul with bottles grouped by whites, reds, rosé and sparkling.
More of the fine wine selection has been brought out onto the shop floor with the glassed-off area instead used for more convenient storage.
“It’s more efficient and it makes it easier for customers to shop,” said Amy. “Our fantastic wine specialist Nat will continue to host wine and cocktail tasting events to help introduce customers to our range.
“We’ll also be hosting interactive experiences every weekend in December. That will be a great opportunity for people to bring their families.”
This touches on a wider point. While the Wharf of old was very much a weekday destination, increasingly customers are shopping at the weekends with their kids.
“Canary Wharf Group has done a fantastic job in reinventing the estate,” said Amy. “We see a lot of families at the weekend now and our Saturday and Sunday trade is really growing post-Covid.
“Early on we get scratch-cooks shopping for ingredients. Then the children arrive with families often having lunch on the Wharf and then grabbing something nice for dinner.
“Even though our hours are shorter on Sunday, the shop is still busy after closing with partners dashing around to fulfil online grocery orders.
“We’re introducing a new dedicated space for our partners at the front of the store as we work with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat.”
While Saturday sees the biggest take at the tills, transaction rates during the week eclipse all others with working Wharfers attracted by one offer in particular.
“Our meal deal is one of the most popular things we sell,” said Amy.
“It’s fantastic value for £5 – you get a main such as a sandwich, a snack and a drink.
“For many customers that’s their main mission at lunchtime and the quantities we sell are phenomenal.
Co-ownership, where partners have a stake in the business makes them feel connected to it – there’s a sense of responsibility there
Amy Stickland, John Lewis Partnership
“But people visit the store for many different reasons. You get people driving into the Wharf who make use of the free parking when you spend £10 with us.
“They get two hours on weekdays – which is exclusive to Waitrose – or three at the weekend. You can even order your groceries to be ready for collection from the car park at Canada Place.
“Typically after work people are buying food for their evening or grabbing emergency purchases. It’s also a big attraction to have the John Lewis range on the upper floors.
“There’s always things we’re looking to do in future, more products we’d like to add. I’d love us to have a more compelling beauty offer and with more fashion brands opening on the Wharf we’ll definitely be looking at more men’s and women’s clothing.”
As for the more immediate future, with Christmas already in full swing with foodie treats downstairs and festive decorations in place, Amy said her team were looking forward to welcoming customers over the next month.
“We’ll be hosting a special Waitrose Christmas Customer Evening in Canary Wharf on December 12,” she said.
“We’ll be having some fantastic music and people will get the chance to taste some of our festive range too.
“It’s a free event, taking place from 5pm-7pm so there are no tickets to worry about. People can just drop-in.”
key details
Waitrose and John Lewis in Canary Wharf are located in Canada Square and are open daily.
Full details of all events at the store are available online, including links to book tickets where appropriate.
For more information go to waitrose.com or johnlewis.com
Scan this code for event listings at John Lewis in Canary Wharf
diary
dates what’s on at Waitrose and John Lewis in Canary Wharf
>> As the festive season gets into full swing, Waitrose and John Lewis in Canary Wharf have planned a packed programme of events to engage shoppers. Here we list just some of the happenings to watch out for over the coming weeks...
● The store will be hosting live music every Saturday and Sunday until December 22. Performances are free to watch
● The Salvation Army is set to perform outside Waitrose on the mall level in Canada Place from noon-5pm on December 14
● John Lewis will be hosting toy demonstrations on the shop’s ground oor in the toy department at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays until December 21
● The shop will also be running a series of food tastings in its Christmas shop at weekends, also at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays until December 21
● Customers will be able to post a letter to Santa in the run-up to Christmas
beside John Lewis’ main tills at ground oor level
● Visitors to the store can take part in the Elf On The Shelf Treasure Hunt, with those nding all six receiving a Merry Minis collectable and a special sticker as well as the chance to enter a prize draw for a £500 gift card
● Father Christmas will be making a very special visit to the Canary Wharf store on December 5 and 6 for Santa’s Tea Party. Tickets cost £17.50 per child plus a £1.75 booking fee and £6 per adult (includes a hot drink and a slice of cake) plus a 60p booking fee with early morning slots still available
● The store will also be running a series of talks and events for My John Lewis members including fashion masterclasses focused on versatile styles and cosy clothing for adults and children. The store will also be hosting a series of Christmas Treetorials o ering advice on decorating that festive essential Go to johnlewis.com for more information or to make a booking
Hours free parking at weekends when spending £10 or more at Canary Wharf businesses find full details at canarywharf.com
seasonal style
>> Head to Jubilee Place to discover an array of women’s clothing, from the bold colours and distinctive prints of LK Bennett to cult favourite Maje, a French brand offering trend-led and classic pieces. This is also the home of Sandro Paris, where you can find elegant, feminine evening and daywear, and BIMBA Y LOLA, known for its irreverent edge and collaborations with emerging artists.
In Canada Place, Mango’s chic collections combine materials such as silk, cashmere and leather. GANT, with its sporty, Ivy League-inspired pieces, is next door, and The Kooples, immediately recognisable for its Dandy Rock silhouettes, is opposite. Head to street level in Cabot Place for Zara – its effortlessly cool pieces will always be a hit.
>> Cabot Place is a good place to start for menswear, home to contemporary classics from chinos and gilets to knitwear and jackets at BOSS; cross-seasonal comfort in the form of slim-cut flannel shirts and herringbone overcoats at Hackett; and an entire collection of festive-inspired knits and outerwear at Polo Ralph Lauren Paul Smith is also here, stocking playful fashion from suits to jeans, plus striped socks.
Levi’s and Boggi Milano are all located in Canada Place. The latter neighbours Moss and Charles Tyrwhitt, with Hawes & Curtis
festive eats
>> There are more than 80 cafes, bars and restaurants in Canary Wharf, all of which are pulling out the culinary stops this Christmas. Getting the party started early is British restaurant and jazz venue Boisdale Of Canary Wharf, which, from November 28 until December 28, will be hosting its Sinatra Christmas Lunch. The events will see Stephen Triffitt, the world’s leading Frank Sinatra performer, bring the crooner’s timeless hits to the Boisdale stage across the festive period. On the subject of parties, Pergola Lates at Pergola On The Wharf will see a roster of top DJs and saxophonists liven things up every Friday evening from 7pm, while restaurant and late-night spot, Hovarda, enjoys the latest licence in the neighbourhood, providing good times until 2am.
As part of its Alpine Winter Wonderland festivities, The Ivy In The Park will be offering a Christmas take on its best-selling shepherd’s pie – swapping lamb for goose and turkey. Another Canary Wharf Christmas menu embracing turkey comes courtesy of No. 35 Mackenzie Walk, whose Feasting Turkey Board is served with caramelised parsnips, maple-glazed carrots, roasted herbed potatoes and pigs in blankets. Turkey not your thing? There’s a reason both Hawksmoor and Blacklock have earned a reputation for serving some of
just a stone’s throw away, which is handy if you’re after something more tailored. Here, you’ll find office-ready suits, shirts, shoes and elegant eveningwear. Finally, find the perfect smart-casual look at Jubilee Place, where you’ll find menswear heroes COS and Reiss
the best steak in the capital. Alternatively, go meat-free at Mallow, whose yuletide sharing menu has been designed to capture the essence of holiday celebrations through plant-based dishes.
how Canary Wharf is ideal for picking up presents over the festive period, whoever it is that you’re buying for...
Advertisement Feature
This time of year is all about seeing friends, exchanging gifts and setting resolutions and Canary Wharf has plenty of options to help you make the most of it all. The 320 brands on the estate are showcasing the season’s most coveted fashion and gifts –we’ve also got a wealth of dining spots where you can refuel as you tackle your holiday to-do list. Whether you’re a resident, worker or visitor, we hope you’ll join the festivities...
Scan this code to find out more about gifting and socialising on the Wharf this Christmas
win £1k gift card
>> To celebrate all our neighbourhood has to offer, one lucky person has the chance to win £1,000 to spend in Canary Wharf. Choose to spend your Gift Card with a number of selected retailers. Enjoy a meal at one of our must-visit restaurants, like Blacklock, Dishoom, Roe or Roka; an experience at Clays, Fairgame, or The Cube; or perhaps treat yourself with a visit to Townhouse Nail Salon, Ted’s Grooming Room or Toni & Guy
Scan this code for entry details and full terms and conditions. Entries close on Janaury 6, 2025
Paul Smith
Zara
No. 35 Mackenzie Walk
The Cube
>> Personalisation is always a good way to go if you’re after a truly special gift. David M Robinson allows you to create custom jewellery in Canary Wharf, choosing between metals and gemstones.
Monica Vinader’s welding studio in Jubilee Place offers 14k solid gold chains bespoke measured and welded around your wrist – a lovely thing to do with a friend or family member. Pandora offers engraving, and nothing says ‘I love you’ like a trinket from Swarovski.
For watches, there are decades of quality behind Breitling and OMEGA or, if you want to peruse a breadth of brands, Henry Richards and Watches Of Switzerland stock some of the world’s finest timepieces.
Another way to personalise your gift is monogramming – the front of one of Moleskine’s elegant leather notebooks, for example, or a Jo Malone London cologne or candle. Alternatively, treat your loved one to a bespoke Weather And Palette facial, take them for a fragrance profiling at Penhaligon’s or explore the innovative designs at Flowers & Plants, which stocks both home-grown and international blooms. The staff at wine merchant Nicolas are qualified sommeliers, so they can help you pick out the perfect bottle.
personalised gifts
>> Shop mindfully this season with brands factoring the planet’s wellbeing into their business models. For conscious consumers of skincare, there’s Rituals, which is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and Aesop, where all products are vegan and cruelty-free. The ethos at MALIN+GOETZ is ‘less but better’, and all packaging can be reused, recycled or refilled. The same is true at Kiehl’s and L’Occitane, which has a specific EcoRefill Collection. Space NK Canary Wharf, meanwhile, champions clean beauty with products free from harmful ingredients and manufactured more consciously.
For the giftee who loves fashion but loves the planet more, Paul Smith pieces branded with a Sun Logo are made with a minimum of 50% low-impact materials. Its Repair, Restore, Refresh service promises to repair old garments so you don’t need to buy new. There is a similar offering at GANT, which offers lifetime repairs to its jeans. Levi’s is also doing its bit to tackle the climate crisis, cumulatively saving almost 13billion litres of water as of 2020....
conscious gifting
>> As the evenings get shorter, we need to be kind to ourselves, looking after our mental and physical health. Why not treat yourself and a friend or family member to a little luxury at Third Space Spa in Canada Place? The facilities at the health club are a haven of tranquillity, offering beauty treatments, therapies and sports rehabilitation, as well as aesthetic treatments.
Alternatively, gift a premium haircut at Canary Wharf’s Adam Grooming Atelier –the recipient will come out feeling restored and looking sharp. The same can be said of Ted’s Grooming Room, a barber that shares the luxury heritage of Ted Baker, which translates into a top-notch treatment with complimentary drinks. Finally, Toni & Guy guarantees a quality cut from highly trained staff, while Jon Hala offers the latest trends in colouring and treatments.
Get the full MOT and follow a visit to a hair salon in Canary Wharf with trips to Blink Brow Bar and Townhouse – the former promises quick, pain-free treatments resulting in fabulous definition and shape, while the technicians at the latter specialise in nail art, so you can treat yourself or a loved one to some beautiful, long-lasting creations. Finally, vouchers for a reviving vitamin infusion at Get A Drip in Cabot Place certainly won’t go amiss in the New Year.
new year new you for ’25 presents for all
>> What to do on New Year’s Eve in Canary Wharf? For an evening that lives up to expectations, gather friends for dinner at brasserie Marceline, which is hosting a classic French lobster frites celebration on NYE. Roka, meanwhile, is offering special tasting menus, a DJ, and confetti at midnight, and Six By Nico will be serving one of its whimsical themed feasts.
A good evening is guaranteed at Boisdale Of Canary Wharf: the live music venue is hosting a party with the theme One Night In Vegas featuring The King himself. If New Year’s means one thing to you, and that thing is cocktails, reserve a table at The Alchemist, which serves its concoctions with a side of theatre. The bar is offering a set menu and putting on a live DJ set to usher in 2025.
Find new arrivals at GANT, right, and MALIN+GOETZ, below
Enjoy New Year’s Eve celebrations at Marceline, above, and The Alchemist, right
Third Space Spa can be found at the luxury health club in Canada Place
Jo Malone London is located in Jubilee Place
try these
manager’s picks
>> There’s a chill in the air and, with every greater numbers of people crammed together on public transport, it’s a time for sni es and temperatures.
Challenged to provide some products to help out, store manager, Johnny Burlui, whipped out Cerebro (coincidentally named the same as Professor Charles Xavier’s ctional device used for detecting mutants in the X-Men lms and comics) and set about nding some own-brand suggestions...
● H&B Manuka Honey MGO 800+
£38 for 350g
“This is really for prevention, it will give your immune system a boost and is also antibacterial,” said Johnny. “It’s important not to get the product too hot as it can destroy its e ectiveness.”
● H&B Advanced Immunity
£4.87 for 30 capsules
“These are vegetarian and should help to strengthen your body and improve your immune response,” said Johnny. “That can be a very good idea at this time of year especially.”
● H&B Plant Protein Bar
£2 for 60g - Dark Chocolate Raspberry
“It’s important to keep your energy levels up, so I’d also recommend a quick snack,” said Johnny. “People in Canary Wharf are often very health-conscious,
how Holland & Barrett has introduced more space and a greater range following a refit of its Canada Place store
by Jon Massey
You wait ages for a revamp and then loads come along at once. Tis clearly the season for investment in Canary Wharf with established brands opting for refits to lure the ever larger numbers of shoppers through their doors.
In addition to Waitrose and John Lewis, Nicolas recently finished restructuring its One Canada Square wine shop. Then there are both branches of Holland & Barrett, which have now reopened following refurbishment.
“The Canary Wharf refit is part of a £70million programme to help us better cater for customers’ needs and to refresh our brand,” said Hammad Amir, regional manger at Holland & Barrett who looks after both stores on the estate.
The brand has used recyclable steel and certified sustainable wood for its interiors as well as introducing LED lighting to help cut carbon emissions.
“We’ve already refitted about 500 stores. At Canada Place, we’ve changed the whole look and feel of the store. We’ve extended it and have introduced many new lines for customers to enjoy.
“For example, we’ve completely transformed our food range. We’re bringing in more chilled food and we’ve got an extended range of drinks too. Some of those products are made by Holland & Barrett but we stock popular brands too.
“As a business we’re currently engaged in a programme that will see the way our products are packaged and formulated to be better for the planet and for our customers.”
To that end, Holland & Barrett is introducing Plant Points in a bid to encourage shoppers to boost the variety of things they eat.
“You’re supposed to eat five portions of fruit and veg every day,” said Hammad. “Now our packaging will mention Plant Points to help people eat 30 different varieties each week. Like everything we do, it’s about promoting healthy living.”
Hammad joined the business in 2016, having previously worked in retail at Poundland.
He said: “It’s been amazing to see the change we have been through in the nine years I’ve been here.
“At Holland & Barrett our people have always been at the
centre of our attention – we invest in them.
“For example, all of our staff members are fully qualified to the equivalent of A-Level standard to advise and recommend products. When people join us, they go through an eight-week training programme on the things we sell and then there are regular monthly updates.
“What we’ve also done in the last couple of years is introduce Cerebro.
“It’s a tablet-based technology that uses AI to enhance the customer’s journey. Using that system alongside our staff members’ knowledge allows us to better advise people.
“It also allows us to check stock availability locally – so if we’ve run out of something at Canada Place we can check if it’s available at Jubilee Place and so on.”
Convenience is key, especially when it comes to time-pressed Wharfers shopping during the working week. To that end, the refit has included bringing grab-and-go options very much to the fore.
“If you look at the demographics of our customers in Canary Wharf, the majority are office-based,” said Hammad.
“The products in high demand are bars, milk-shakes, snacking and supplements. Often customers are making impulse purchases. They come down, grab a bar or a protein shake and then go back to their desks.
“One of the challenges we’ve had is that it gets really busy on the Wharf during lunchtime. We wanted to make sure we can offer a seamless journey for customers, so we’ve added a self-checkout option. But we’ve done that without sacrificing service. One of the selling points at Holland & Barrett is personal interaction. You’ll come in, be greeted by a staff member and be offered help and support if you need it.
“Now staff spend more time out on the shop floor and we’re intending to bring in things like mobile payments so people don’t even need to queue up with their purchases.”
Hammad said the drive to help people and Holland & Barrett’s ethos as health and wellbeing brand was one of the reason behind its staff retention levels.
“We have a number of people working locally who have spent between five and 10 years at the
It’s a brand we’re proud to be a part of because you know you’re working for a company that is on a mission to help customers live a better life
Hammad Amir, Holland & Barrett
business,” he said. “It’s a brand we’re proud to be part of because you know you’re working for a company that is on a mission to help customers live a better life. After studying IT, my life took a turn and I began working in retail at the age of 18. I was store manager a year later.
“The best part of retail is the human interaction – you’re able to help people and at Holland & Barrett you can make a difference in people’s lives.
“It’s great when people come back and say that our staff have been so helpful and they’ve made such a difference, and that’s amazing. In our Canary Wharf stores we’ve already had amazing feedback about the refits and the service.
“We’re constantly working to bring people more variety and options for the things they want. For example, following the refit, we’ve increased our sports range alongside the food range.
“Everything is ultimately determined by the size of the store and its customers.
“Because we’ve been able to increase the floorspace here, we’ve been able to boost the range so we have many more products than we did before.”
key details
Holland & Barrett’s Canary Wharf stores can be found in Canada Place (under One Canada Square) and Jubilee Place.
The former is open from 7am-9pm on weekdays, from 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and from 11am-5pm on Sundays. The latter is open from 8am-8pm on weekdays, from 10am-7pm on Saturdays and from noon-6pm on Sundays.
Go to hollandandbarrett.com
Scan this code for more on
Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett store manager at the brand’s Canada Place branch in Canary Wharf, Johnny Burlui
Hammad Amir says working for Holland & Barrett is about helping people reach their wellness goals
wellbeing
has reopened its Canada Place branch following a re t
Holland & Barrett
The brand’s Cerebro ordering system
1916, London’s East End, where royal balls are hard to find, and even the Fairy Godmothers have joined the Red Cross
Adapted from JM Barrie’s lesser known classic A festive play for ages 8+
by
Image
Victor Huang
PAPER LOVES TREES
European forests, which provide wood for making paper, paper packaging and many other products, have been growing by 1,500 football pitches every day!
The
The Kushty at PocketSquare
PocketSquare can be found above the Hyatt Place hotel on Whitechapel Road
how PocketSquare offers a serene balcony high above the streets of Whitechapel and an East End conundrum
by Jon Massey
East London is many things. It’s the spice and avour of Whitechapel Road, The Blind Beggar pub where Ronnie Kray brutally murdered George Cornell in front of the drinkers, it’s the massive edi ce of the Royal London Hospital, the call to prayer from the East London Mosque, Colombia Road Flower Market and the shining towers of Canary Wharf and Stratford.
Perhaps most of all it’s a place of gems and the ninth oor balcony at rooftop bar PocketSquare is undoubtedly one of them. Oddly serene, given its position above the Hyatt Place hotel on Whitechapel Road between Aldgate East and Whitechapel’s Elizabeth Line station, it’s a place to hang out and drink in the city.
We’ll start with the pros. Firstly there’s the view. Even on a chilly November night, swaddled in blankets and under a heat lamp it’s worth stepping outside for a drink here. Perhaps my Wharfer bias is showing, but places that look back towards Canary Wharf earn special brownie points in this publication and wines at £8 or bottled beers for £5.50 at this altitude are a steal.
The food is unexpectedly good too, with a bar bites menu that o ers decent portions of tru ed cheesy chips and deep-fried sh
to help combat the briskness in the air.
The sta are lovely and the atmosphere pleasant enough, complete with a leather-clad DJ who’s doing her best to inject a note of party into a place that probably doesn’t need it.
There’s little getting away from the fact that this is a bar on top of a hotel, attempting a curious dance with its menu of cocktails that seems designed to appeal to tourists and customers from overseas but misses its mark.
In uences include Disney, Japan, the apiaries London isn’t really known for and Only Fools And Horses. Even Chrisp Street Market gets a mention, just up from, inevitably, Alan Turing whose East End links are pretty much nonexistent.
It’s a puzzle even the great codebreaker himself would struggle with. It’s not that the
drinks are bad as such, just confusing. The Kushty, for example – a take on a Pina Colada featuring mint lassi for £15 –would have Del Boy wondering where all the silly sweetness went. At least it looks the part.
Jon Massey
key details
PocketSquare is located on the ninth oor of the Hyatt Place hotel on Whitechapel Road and is open from 5pm-midnight MondayWednesday and 3pm-midnight Thursday-Saturday.
Go to pocketsquare.london
Scan this code to nd out more about PocketSquare
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
| Plastic Factory’s Xmas Party
STAGE | A Winter’s Tale
Expect performances from Witch Post, Skinship and more as the promoter brings the festive feels. Alternative indie meets George Michael via NIN. Dec 18, 7pm, £7.50, thegeorgetavern.london EVENT | Potted Panto
With just a few tickets left you’ll need to move swiftly to book this tale of one rat’s attempt to make it to the snowy woodland revels. Suitable for ages 2-6. Dec 21, 1pm, £8, halfmoon.org.uk
Can’t be bothered to see all the festive shows? Fortunately this one brings you seven pantos in just 80 minutes. Dick, Cinderella, Aladdin, they’re all there... Dec 4-Jan 4, times vary, from £15, wiltons.org.uk Where? The George Tavern Whitechapel Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping
back
Club Pilates has opened its doors in Wapping’s Gaughing Square, o ering a full range of equipment and classes including Reformer sessions for up to 12 people. The USA brand is rolling out big in the UK... clubpilates.uk
Scan this code to read our interview with Club Pilates’ Jada-Rae Poku to nd out more about the studio
The bar’s serene terrace
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Supernovae Presents
Where? Poplar Union Poplar
Enjoy performances from four bands at this showcase, with slots taken by Emry, Keystone, Best Band and Fresh Arms. Expect some serious guitars. Dec 13, 6pm-10pm, free, poplarunion.com
Where?
The Space Isle Of Dogs
STAGE | ...Walks Into A Bar
This show promises to explore the need in our turbulent, frantic lives to stop and enjoy the di erences between cultures through music. Dec 18-19, 8pm, from £10, space.org.uk
FILM | Mystery Screening
Where? Theatreship Isle Of Dogs
The arts venue’s free Wednesday lm showing continue where tickets need to be booked and you don’t nd out what you’re seeing until you arrive. Dec 11, 7pm, free, theatreship.co.uk
This is Emily Jo Gibbs, currently artist in residence at Trinity Buoy Wharf who will be capturing the place and its people via stitched portraits in silk organza. She’s also running workshops locally trinitybuoywharf.com
Scan this code to read our interview with Emily and nd out more about her plans for the Leamouth residency
£8.50
Cost of a fresh croissant, deeply lled with smoked salmon and cream cheese at B.Bakery
B.Bakery is housed in an Airstream-style trailer on the edge of
how B.Bakery delivers mammoth portions packed with fresh fillings that convey the passion of a family business
We love new things at Wharf Life and B.Bakery is to be congratulated on the value and quality it’s brought to the Isle Of Dogs.
Trading from an airstream-style trailer on the corner of Limeharbour and Marsh Wall, the Skylines Village pop-up comes with its own decking, outdoor seating and, at this time of year, festive decorations.
This family business, run by Vlad and Alexandra, comes to east London from Ukraine, offering a wealth of baked goods including filled croissants, buns and pizzas.
croissant to be stuffed with fish. “It’s very good,” he says. “The best place around here – they bake everything fresh and it’s very clean too, from Ukraine.” Somehow his enthusiasm is worth a hundred Google reviews as he eagerly beckons me to watch the bustling activity in the trailer.
Little wonder then that its cheery lights and reflective surfaces are already drawing lines in search of coffee and cakes. But what’s its output like?
At first glance, its menu appears on the pricey side. Sandwiches cost around £7, while deep filled croissants can be up to £8.50. However, it quickly becomes clear that B.Bakery is as much about value as anything.
Inside pots filled with pastry treats ready for the oven sit on trays covering every counter top. There’s no question of the freshness on offer here with the day’s bake all set to go in before our eyes. The only criticism I can think of is really just a business opportunity. With only croissants of impressive size on offer, the bakery might do well to consider those who don’t require such large portions.
Fill a smaller one with the same ingredients in similar proportion and the offering could easily tempt customers to greater regularity, especially at a reduced price point and perhaps paired with a coffee as a deal. Then the question becomes: “Why not salmon every day?”
Jon Massey
The croissants it serves, for example, are huge, probably three times the size of a supermarket standard.
I opt for one not so much flavoured with chocolate as overcome by it. Generously filled with what might be half a jar of Nutella, then smothered on the outside with more of the stuff it arrives crusted with nuts for a mere £5.90.
I can only guess at the calorie count as I sink my teeth deep into the delicate pastry, shards falling away as it leaks liquid chocolate. This is an indulgence in every sense, a grand mess of a thing that’s more than enough for breakfast.
Then there’s the smoked salmon and cheese croissant. For £8.50 you get another of the monster bakes but this time completely stuffed full of capers, fish and cream cheese. It comes garnished with greenery, ribbons of cucumber and a dusting of sesame seeds and is sufficient to keep hunger locked up indefinitely for the public’s protection.
Both offerings are a physical testament to a team that obviously cares about its customers’ enjoyment of the things they are selling. This explains, perhaps, why a man in a hard hat strikes up a conversation while I’m waiting for my
serving baked
★★★★✩
key details
B.Bakery is located on the Isle Of Dogs at Skylines Village on the corner of Limeharbour and Marsh Wall. It’s open from 8am-7pm Monday-Saturday and from 8am-4pm on Sundays. At present there doesn’t seem to be a way to order online.
Find the business on Instagram @b.bakery_london for more details
Scan this code to nd out more about B.Bakery
Top, the chocolate croissant at B.Bakery comes with spread inside and out, plus a crusting of nuts
Above, the smoked salmon croissant is packed with sh, cheese and cucumber
Cost of a ticket to see Be Not Afraid in South Bermondsey £9.92
Camilla Borges will host a night of comedy at The Pen Theatre on December 18
staging something
why you’ll want to catch Be Not Afraid as comedian Camilla Borges unpacks the Christmas story live on stage
by Jon Massey
Comedian Camilla Borges, fresh from a run at Edinburgh is set to bring her latest show to The Pen Theatre in South Bermondsey. Be Not Afraid will be unveiled to audiences at the south-east London venue on December 18 at 8pm and promises to inject some BME (Big Mary Energy) into the Christmas story. Investigating important topics, such as whether your role in the nursery school nativity dictates the course of your future life and whether Joseph was the original cuck, Camilla’s show will involve
Camilla said: “It’s going to tick the box of ‘festive activity that is fun and will sustain most of our conversation for the rest of the year’ as boy this show is wild.
“It’s a comedian you’ve never heard of doing some whacky Christmas- related material, and then there will be four other comedians who are also pretty whacky but they’re really funny, maybe even funnier than the host which is pretty embarrassing.
“Then, next Christmas, you can say: ‘Remember that crazy show we saw last year? I wonder what that comedian is doing now?’.
“Well guess what everyone,
I’ll probably be doing this show again. The grind never stops and neither do I”
key details
Be Not Afraid takes place on December 18 at The Pen Theatre in South Bermondsey at 8pm. Tickets cost £9.92. Expect an hour of comedy and plenty of opportunity to enjoy the delights of the venue’s well stocked bar Go to thepentheatre.com for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about Be Not Afraid
Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
COMEDY | Bangers And Nash
Where? The Albany Deptford
Chantel Nash returns to host sets from Gbemi Oladipo, Ian Smith, Laura Lexx and Sharifa Butter y as her monthly showcases continue. Dec 13, 8pm, from £11, thealbany.org.uk
Where?
Deptford
Lounge Deptford
SKATE | Festive Youth Roller Disco
Aimed at ages 12-24, this event promises ashing lights, disco music and plenty of room to glide around. Beats will come from Heart N Soul DJs. Dec 19, 6pm, £8, thealbany.org.uk
Where? The Pen Theatre South Bermondsey
COMEDY | Al e Dundas And Friends The 24-year-old comic brings his best material, new bits, powerpoint presentations, sketches, crowdwork but probably not music to South Bermondsey. Dec 12, 7.30pm, £15, thepentheatre.com
ghting on
Asif Khan’s boardwalk across Canada Dock has o cially opened to the public as part of British Land and Australian Super’s ongoing regeneration of the area. It might not make much sense now, but will soon... canadawater.co.uk
Scan this code to nd out more about Canada Water
take a breath
by David Lefebvre Sell
Sometimes starting with the small things can deliver a big impact in relation to mental health
Oh the joys of the holiday season, with it’s mandatory sta parties, family dynamics and eye watering debt. Since I’m a cynical bastard, let’s use this as an opportunity for a little mental health MOT. So, how are you doing?
Actually take a moment to ask yourself. Almost everyone struggles with their mental health at some point in their lives and nding the intervention that helps can take a lot of searching. When someone comes to me with depression or anxiety, there are a few things that I always ask about – the low hanging fruit of mental heath treatment. Who do you have to talk to? Good listening is not as common as it should be. You might feel like no-one will understand or accept you if you open up or that, if you talk to the wrong people, they can do more harm than good. But it’s important to take the chance. Feeling seen and heard is a hell of a drug.
What do you do for exercise? Yours doesn’t have to look like someone else’s. Even the best gyms, like Third Space (shameless plug), can be intimidating or costly. But there is almost always something you can do and exercise is one of the most e ective mental health interventions.
Do you spend any time in nature? Take a walk in the park, sit on a bench, feed the squirrels and try to train them to attack your enemies...
David Lefebvre Sell
How well do you sleep? This one can be complex, but it’s worth checking if you have habits that are ruining your sleep. Good sleep hygiene involves winding down e ectively and getting into the proper state for rest. At least stop looking at your phone when you should be snoozing.
Do you spend any time in nature? I know it’s a cliché, but it feels good. Take a walk in the park, sit on a bench, feed the squirrels and try to train them to attack your enemies.
I’m not saying any of these things will help, I’m saying that they might. When you’re struggling, start with simple things. They can really make a di erence. Not the squirrels, obviously.
David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf
Follow @davetheyogi on X and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB
Scan this code for information about David’s work as a transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist
up, up and
Left, Santa takes to the air as a reminder iFLY can be booked for Christmas parties and team building sessions
Right, Wharf Life’s Jess Maddison ies free on her rst time at iFLY in The O2. High ights, where instructors whizz guests up to the top of the tube are available
how iFLY offers the chance to experience free fall in a completely safe and secure environment at The O2
There exists at The O2 an opportunity to literally step into another world. Inside iFLY, four massive jet engines – two at the top and two at the bottom – pump air through a vertical cylinder to create winds of around 170mph. The walls of the chamber might be transparent, but the conditions within are completely di erent to anything else at ground level.
It’s a place where physics no longer makes sense to one’s body, where extraordinary things are possible. It’s a complete rush for the senses, the mind and the muscles.
Apt then that the concept of indoor skydiving is a paradox. Obviously it’s not possible to fall out of a plane while in a building. But iFLY’s facilities o er the next best thing – an opportunity to experience some of the sensations of free fall without the need for an aircraft.
More than that, its ights don’t require parachutes, signi cant prep or, crucially, the massive time sink and expense of jumping out of actual planes. There’s also a comparatively tiny risk of death.
Heading down to the Greenwich Peninsula to give it a go, I’m nervous. It’s not often I’m invited to step out of my comfort zone in quite such a literal sense. Having signed a waiver and headed up stairs the rst thing I see is the wind tunnel itself – a glass tube inside which an instructor is watching a participant apparently defy gravity. There’s that paradox.
Even through the soundproo ng, the roar of the air is constant. After a quick safety brie ng, during which our instructor reveals he’s a veteran of some 250 actual sky dives, we don helmets, goggles and baggy ight suits – loose to create more drag and make the ying easier. In contrast our instructor is in a sleek, skin-tight number for maximum control and minimum drag. It’s his job to stand, impervious to the wind, and guide the paying guests into the air. Once we’re through the air lock into an antechamber, the noise makes talking impossible.
Communication is via hand signals and I’m beckoned forth for my ight.
The directions are clear – op forward into the wind, legs out and try to relax with outstretched arms. That’s easier said than done with the relentless bu eting of the wind and the noise. But there’s a strange feeling of lift and I’m basically hovering when, quite clearly, I should be falling to the oor.
It’s like no other sensation. The instructor grasps me round the waist to start with and positions me in the rushing air, adjusting my position before gradually releasing me completely. I’m ying, even if I’m unstable and have no control or ideas about how to manoeuvre. After what seems like minutes, but is probably seconds of sensory overload, he pushes me back out of the tube and my feet hit the oor. The adrenaline is surging. I’m euphoric. I understand why people want to go back again and again to taste that strangeness.
At the end, the instructor o ers a showcase. Bobbing up and down in the tube, he e ortlessly executes ips and headstands, shooting up and down apparently at will. It’s breathtaking and a tantalising display of the pro ciency that can be achieved in this otherworldly realm.
Jon Massey
key details
iFLY’s current Black Friday deals mean an entrylevel Kick-Start experience costs £32.99 per person. The normal cost is £109.99. This includes two ights (lasting the equivalent of three real skydives), equipment hire and a ight certi cate. Numerous other packages are available including virtual reality. The most popular is currently £43.19 per person and includes photos and videos of four ights. This is normally £149.99. Go to i yworld.co.uk for more details or bookings
Scan this code to nd out more about packages and experiences at iFLY or to make a booking at its facility at The O2
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Culture Club
Boy George and co ride the wave of 1980s revivalism (Rivals, we’re looking at you) alongside support slots from Tony Hadley and Heaven 17. Pure gold. Dec 18-19, 6.30pm, from £49, theo2.co.uk
TRY | A Christmas Carol
It wouldn’t be the festive season without someone (John O’Connor in this case) faithfully recreating Dickens’ one-man reading of his classic ghost story. Dec 16, 23, times vary, £17, greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Christmas
The majority black and minority ethnic orchestra plays its home venue with a programme of carols, soulful songs and traditional tunes. Deck the halls. Dec 12, 7pm, £14, woolwich.works
back
Punchdrunk’s latest immersive experience in Woolwich has been extended into the festive season. Tickets for Viola’s Room: A Christmas Tale are on sale now, with shows available until December 23 punchdrunk.com
Scan this code to read our review of Viola’s Room and how Jess Maddison followed the light of discovery
GIG | A Chineke!
how Steve Nyman makes furniture, art and spaces designed to inspire clients and creatives
by Jon Massey
Venture to the banks of the Thames in Royal Docks and, on a patch of land close to Tate&Lyle’s North Woolwich factory, you’ll find a small forest of logs and tree stumps arranged behind a shipping container.
But this collection of offcuts isn’t a pile of unwanted timber dumped by an unscrupulous tree surgeon. It’s the raw material from which two interrelated businesses have emerged.
Steve Nyman knows the power of an image. Bitten early by the photography bug he was “obsessed with the camera” as a schoolboy, turning that passion into a successful shooting career in the fashion sector that’s taken him all over the world working with models and brands.
However, there was also an underlying desire to e plore creativity beyond the lens.
uring the pandemic, I was ust sitting there and thinking, he said. I’d always been good at sourcing locations I guess I’ve got a sense for an aesthetic and an eye for design.
I love nature and it was on a trip to Thailand that I found inspiration. There was this piece of driftwood on a beach that ust looked like a coffee table I wanted to take it home and regretted leaving it behind, although I did bring back an amazing shell.
I thought that if I could find these kinds of pieces of wood and work with them in ngland, then that’s what I’d like to do.
By chance, I met a guy with a woodworking shop at Thames ide tudios in oolwich where I was based. I approached him with some of my ideas and designs, started working in his workshop and learnt a lot from him as he turned them into a reality.
“That’s how Hidden Gems esign was born. e use pieces of natural wood that would otherwise be burnt or end up in the chipper to create pieces of furniture and sculptures. e reclaim them from tree surgeons and give them a new lease of life. It’s very sustainable because
2
Studio spaces available to hire in Royal Docks at The Factory Project through Our Urban Oasis
working with
Steve with wood for Hidden Gems in Royal Docks outside his workshop at The Factory Project
Each studio has two levels packed with Steve’s designs
The upper levels feature striking metal beams
we’re saving this material from going to waste. If it wasn’t for someone making something out of a fallen tree, it would be burned.”
idden Gems took off, with Steve’s work in demand from interior designers and a stream of direct commissions, but things haven’t ended there. In tandem with his furniture business, he’s created a fresh, innovative venture in Royal Docks that’s also proving a hit with clients.
“I live locally and I was scouting around with the idea of opening a photography studio,” said Steve, who also makes ceramic pieces. “I used to store my wood at The Silver Building which is also owned by Projekt and space at The Factory Project came up so I took it on and opened Our Urban Oasis.
“I now have two photography studio spaces that I hire out and my workshop is also here, so it’s really convenient.”
Both studios are on two levels and, in contrast to the typical blank canvas approach of many providers, Steve has kitted them out with a wide selection of pieces from Hidden Gems that clients are free to incorporate into their photoshoots, videos or other creative works. Visitors can even buy the pieces on display, should they so wish.
“A lot of these studio spaces tend to copy each other, but I trust my own tastes,” said Steve. “I think that if I like it, then there will be other people that do too.
“It’s satisfying to see people enjoying it and we’re very popular. I think people hire the spaces because they want something different. I hope they find the furniture and decor inspiring – some of the walls are natural clay. It’s a creative space where people can come and it’s organic, they can use it for whatever they want.
It can be a film set, a place to record podcasts, video content or to do fashion shoots. Everything can be moved around and we have plain backgrounds too so it can be used for e-commerce.
“There’s a kind of zen feeling about it, so I get a lot of people involved in the wellbeing sector using it.”
Steve’s pieces from Hidden Gems fill the space, with everything from sofas and chairs to dining tables and tree stumps on wheels available as props.
“A lot of them feature live edge work – where the bark has ust come off and the wood has a natural shape to it,” he said. “Each piece is truly unique. I could make a new version of a piece we’ve already done, but it will never be exactly the same because the
I always get surprises with the timber we work with because, until you get it inside and cut it, you don’t know what it’ll be like
Steve Nyman, Our Urban Oasis
wood will be different. I always get surprises with the timber we work with because, until you get it inside the workshop and start to cut it and work with it, you don’t know what it will be like. We’ll plane a piece down and it’ll be: ‘Wow, look at that,’ and there’s the inspiration.”
Our Urban Oasis enjoys a varied array of clients with people finding all kinds of uses for the space.
“It’s such a mixture,” said Steve. “We’ve had celebrities here doing shoots for magazines and we get big fashion brands as well. It’s really surprising. We get plenty of natural light and there’s a real summer vibe when the sun is streaming through the window.
“The building itself is very secure and I think people sometimes wonder what they’re coming into when they arrive at the gates because of The Factory Project’s industrial history, but it also means we’re nice and quiet.”
That’s likely to be of special benefit for ur rban asis’ forthcoming evening of Candlelit Yin Yoga And Sound Bath.
The event is set to take place on December 7 from 4pm to 6pm and will be led by Yoga and Pilates teacher Suzan Altay.
Tickets for the event, which includes home made muffins and herbal tea, cost £40 per person and are available online from learnyogalondon.com. Fitting for the fle ibility of the space, that this event offers a fresh dimension to the possibilities amid Steve’s sculptural creations.
key details
ur rban asis offers a range of studio spaces at The Factory Project in Royal Docks, decorated with pieces from Hidden Gems Design. Steve’s pieces are also available to purchase online and he remains available for interior commissions.
For more information go to oururbanoasis.com or hiddengemsdesign.com
Scan this code to nd out more about Our Urban Oasis
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
EVENT | Vincent’s Jinglebell Christmas Keeping the tradition of music hall alive, Vincent Hayes and crew are all set for a run of festive shows and classic tunes sure to set the tinsel shimmering. Until Dec 20, times vary, from £60, bricklanemusichall.co.uk
EVENT | London International Horse Show See competitors and their mounts in driving, show jumping and dressage, plus dog agility, international displays and the London Showing Series at this event. Dec 18-22, times and prices vary, londonhorseshow.com
| Dr Banana Record connoisseur, label boss and sleight-of-hand specialist Dr Banana is set for an all-night Christmas knees-up, promising a rabbit-hole record bag. Dec 28, 11pm-6am, from £22.50, fold.london
The studios can be used as a versatile backdrop for all kinds of shoots
how Hera at Stratford Cross serves up Greek cuisine with a sophisticated twist and plenty of welcoming warmth
by Jon Massey
As I walk into Hera for the first time in Stratford I receive a warm, unabashed and vocal welcome from the staff. hile the interior of its e pansive, double height space has been filled with high end decor, it immediately manages the challenging trick of coming off as welcoming.
Its owners might be from a different part of the editerra nean, but they’ve successfully e tracted the bonhomie from a bustling Athenian taverna and transplanted it to a ground floor restaurant at tratford ross.
ocated off the main drag between estfield and the ueen lizabeth lympic ark, era has opened its doors with a weather eye on the future. It’s opposite A ast useum, which is set to become a ma or pull for visitors from and is right beside a new footbridge to the cultural and educational hub whose full complement of organisations will include the ondon ollege f ashion, BB usic tudios and adler’s ells ast. isitors and students need to eat and drink and the owners are betting era, with its views over the park to the ackney ick skyline, will be well placed to serve them.
There aren’t many options in London for elevated dining when it comes to Greek food, said tefan etrushev, the establish ment’s marketing manager. hile we look in some senses like a fine dining restaurant, we wanted to make our food and drink accessible tratford ross is a modern area and we wanted to reflect that.
The menu is Greek through and through, using seasonal ingredients with beautiful presentation on the plate.
If you’ve never really tried Greek food, we’re a great place to start because we focus on making things just that bit more special
Stefan Petrushev, Hera
ith the menu, we wanted to reflect different aspects of Greek cuisine such as seafood, vegeta bles and meat, but to make the dishes a little more intricate and sophisticated than you’d find in a casual dining setting.
or e ample, with our starter of melitzano salata, everything is made fresh. It’s about taking people’s e pectations and going beyond them with the flavours and the way the dishes look.
ne of the wonderful things about Greek cuisine is that there’s a simplicity to it you can really taste everything that goes in.
era’s menu is split into starters ranging in price from £ to £ . Beyond that, it’s essentially a small ish plates place with dishes split into old And aw, Garden, arm and ea. There’s a bone in sirloin for £ and a whole grilled sea bass for £ , but the ma ority come in between the mid teens and mid s.
The aim is to encourage sharing and sampling, with dishes arriving when ready rather than in sequence.
In the run up to our official launch, we’ve tried to think of everything, said tefan, who grew up in anning Town. It’s lovely during the day but at night it’s especially beautiful with all the lights visible through the window.
The location doesn’t seem perfect yet, but it will be. ith all of the openings at ast Bank, we’re playing the long game.
e’ll be right in the heart of it, especially with the unveiling of the new bridge, which will be the quickest way to reach the park from tratford International station.
In addition to the restaurant we will also have a winter garden which will be enclosed and fully heated in the winter and can then be opened up in the summer and that will be great.
e’re also set on making sure we don’t replicate the formality of a est nd restaurant. In terms of hospitality, we’re taking the things that work to ensure people get a professional service, but also the warmth of the Greek welcome.
e’ll have the perfect lighting and the se y groove of the music in the evening but without that intimidating atmosphere some restaurants can have.
Beyond the food, there are the drinks and era boasts an illumi nated wall filled with colourful, inviting bottles.
Grilled octopus comes with mashed fava beans
“We felt there was a space for a really nice wine and cocktail bar in Stratford,” said Stefan. “We only have our signature cocktails on the list alongside plenty of Greek wines – sparkling, white, red and orange.
“They’re so nice they can be a little dangerous to play with, especially the white.”
It’s a list designed to pair well with the dishes on offer, which feature a panoply of Greek flavours. There’s a dish of baked feta, wrapped in kataifi and bathed in a rich bath of lemon honey.
Grilled octopus comes with a thick mashed swirl of fava beans, while beef meatballs are rich with mint and jazzed up by a little pile of tzatziki.
These are dishes to dip in and out of, a less stuffy and traditional take on a series of well-known classics. Everywhere there’s honey, thyme and aubergine.
Stefan said: “If you’ve never really tried Greek food, we’re a great place to start because we focus on making things just that bit more special.
“If you’re going to a restaurant, you want to have an experience and that’s what we offer. e have an incredible space here and we want people to feel that personal touch – that this is food made by people who really care.”
key details
Hera is located on Arber Way at Stratford Cross and is within easy walking distance from Stratford International and Stratford stations. It’s open daily from 11am-11.30pm. The winter garden is set to open in due course. Go to herarestaurant.co.uk for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about Hera at Stratford Cross
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
Bask in silky smooth soul from the voice of BBC Strictly Come Dancing. Here the singer, pianist, guitarist and composer performs with a full band. Dec 15, 6.30pm, from £35.21, soulmama.co.uk
| Capeesh
After introductory sets from Hameslice and Oolong, Ben Hauke will be spinning house, techno and bruk before Layla and Mando close out the night. Dec 13, 10,30pm-3am, £8.10, theyardtheatre.co.uk
GIG | A Tribute To Paul Di’Anno Metalworks perform a tribute to Iron Maiden’s original frontman who died this year. Expect an appearance from former guitarist Tony Parsons.. Dec 7, 8.30pm, from £10, cartandhorses.london
those who missed the announcement, V&A East Storehouse is set to open its doors in May next year as the museum’s rst of two sites in Stratford. This one will be at Here East with the other launching at East Bank in 2026 vam.ac.uk/east
GIG | Tommy Blaize
CLUB
Yard Theatre Hackney Wick
Hera’s Stefan Petrushev
The main dining room and, below, the open kitchen
Feta saganaki and, right, melitzano salata and taramas at Hera
Hera boasts a cocktail bar as well as a restaurant
Sudoku
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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
beating the whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy
Cryptic Quick
Down
7, 10. Last drink on the carriageway? (3,3,3,4)
8. Destructive Sunday lunches? (6) 10. See 7 acc.
11. Departing rubbish? It’s a game! (5)
12. Food to accompany stirred teas? (4)
13. Beseeches? We hear acclaim! (5)
17. Sounds like rented the smallest (5)
18. Explosion? It’s on the up! (4)
22. An honest one is the least you can earn (5)
23. Find a spill in Europe? It’s not circular (7)
24. Golden music for seniors? (6)
25. Rub Richard up the right way! It’s a rule! (6)
1. Lower limb footwear is illegitimate (7)
2. Abandons the cause? Or faults? (7)
3. A giver of kebabs, we hear? (5)
4. They might tend cattle incompetently (7)
5. Exploiting addicts? (5)
6. A race course in hot water? (5)
9. Writes a speech on an envelope (9)
14. German cars might be a band of insects (7)
15. Introduce the weighing of differences, we hear (7)
