Wharf Life, Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023

Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

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inside issue 102

Why the waste thrown in the bins of Canary Wharf is a high priority Page 16

Disney100: The Exhibition - Scrooge Woolwich Works - Dockside Vaults Canary Wash - Horizon Of Khufu - The BeCa The Stage - Crossword - Sudoku A Season Of Culinary Discovery Natasha Maddison - Brunel Museum

why the Bank Of London And The Middle East has opted for a move to the Wharf Pages 8-11

east relocating

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

Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

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Fish Game, 14 Water Street

AMERIGO VESPUCCI • BIG EASY • BLACKLOCK • BOISDALE • CAFE BRERA • CARAVAN CHAI KI • CHIPOTLE • DISHOOM • EMILIA’S CRAFTED PASTA • FEELS LIKE JUNE FISH GAME • FRANCO MANCA • GALLIO • GAUCHO • HAWKSMOOR • HUMBLE GRAPE IPPUDO • THE LOWBACK • MALLOW • MARUGAME UDON • MMY WOOD WHARF OBICA • OYSTERIA • PATTY&BUN • PEDLER • PERGOLA ON THE WHARF • PHO • ROKA SEOUL BIRD • SIX BY NICO • STICKS’N’SUSHI • THE ALCHEMIST • THE BREAKFAST CLUB THE IVY IN THE PARK • THE LOWBACK • WAGAMAMA • WAHACA • ZIZZI’S

plus many more at

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feast your eyes on these

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Jubilee Place Canary Wharf

CHARITY | East London Christmas Toy Appeal East London Business Alliance will be collecting toys for its annual campaign. Donations will be distributed to local children in need by Dec 25.

Nov 20-Dec 15, 10am-4pm, Mon-Sat, elba-1.org.uk

Welcome to issue 102 of Wharf Life. As the festive season starts in earnest, there’s a feeling of optimism and activity on the Wharf with new companies arriving and ventures kicking off.

There are also plenty of culinary and cultural attractions to get stuck into, not least Disney100 and Woolwich Works’ festival...

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How BLME has moved from the City to fresh space on the Wharf

Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

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ENTER | The Waverton Art Prize Open to artists under the age of 40 working in 2D, the top prize is £10,000 and a place in the Waverton Gallery at Boisdale Of Canary Wharf.

Deadline Jan 31 , 1pm, £12 entry fee, waverton.co.uk Where?

Museum Of London Docklands West India Quay KIDS | Festive Family Gospel Clap and sing along to a programme of carols, nursery rhymes, soul and Motown hits as London’s CK Gospel Choir hit the mics. All ages welcome.

Dec 20, 11am, 2pm, free, museumoflondon.org.uk

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Hold a party at recently opened Dockside Vaults before Christmas and the venue will give you 50% off venue hire as Ben Gamble’s venture looks to establish itself at St Katherine Docks

flash back

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Why the Wharf is a culinary playground to explore this season

How Canary Wash aims to rethink dry cleaning for workers and locals

the joy of six

17 Third Space Spa in Canada Square has started offering Jovena Face Stim treatments to Wharfers featuring a two-part process to stimulate and exercise facial muscles. A session takes about an hour, with six recommended thirdspace.london Scan this code to find out more about the treatment and what we thought of the session and results want more? @wharfwhispers

Discover homes at The Stage and a host of basement amenities

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How Woolwich Works is running advent down with a month of events

Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 28

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Editorial email info@wharf-life.com call 07765 076 300 Advertising email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com call 07944 000 144

Our editorial team works hard to ensure all information printed in Wharf Life is truthful and accurate. Should you spot any errors that slip through the net or wish to raise any issues about the content of the publication, please get in touch and we will investigate

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

on the radar

doing the deals

get more for less on and around the Wharf

need to know

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Great to see Pedler in One Canada Square embracing a bit of history by displaying Tony Brien’s dramatic photo of the steel cap of One Canada Square being lifted into position, shot while he dangled from a crane.

No drones then... pedlercanarywharf.com

30 Yoga and fitness-wear brand Lululemon is upsizing with a forthcoming launch in Canada Place. Expect more floorspace and styles on the rail. There’s been no confirmation on an opening date yet, but as ever we’ll keep you posted lululemon.co.uk

Offers from Oysteria – get a main, pasta or risotto with a soft drink at for £11.90 from noon-3pm on weekdays. Add £3 for house wine or beer at the Canary Wharf venue oysteria.co.uk

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It wouldn’t be Christmas without Scrooge – here’s a modern take

Enjoy carols and cocktails at the Brunel Museum with this choral concert

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£26

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Find cultural touchstones galore at Disney100: The Exhibition at Excel in Royal Docks – a celebration of 100 years of output from a producer like no other

Wood Wharf restaurant Fish Game is offering a new set dinner menu with a starter and a main for £26. There’s also a set lunch option for £16, both cracking value fishgamerestaurant.co.uk

LADIES CUTS FROM £75 MENS CUTS FROM £50 + AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

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HAIR | BEAUTY | AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

JON HALA JUBILEE PLACE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON, E14 5NY 020 7719 1828 JONHALA.COM

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write me

words you don’t know you need

partheno

particle, fake, from Middle English subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

Rejoiner to the not unreasonable request of a foreign country to perhaps just talk about the possibility of repatriating some of its archaeological marvels that were ‘brought’ to this country by that nice Lord Elgin and his cash

style it

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

either/or virgule noun, real, from Latin

The proper term for a slash between two words indicating that either may be used to complete the sentence. A tragedy that this hasn’t become common parlance when referring to website addresses

M

y Christmas tree is up and has been since mid-November. Yes, I’m embracing it early this year. I have never been one of those people to deck the halls before December, but having spoken to others on the subject, my theory is that this year has been a tough one (let’s not go into it), and we need all the joy we can get.

Obviously certain things must wait until December – Advent calendars, for example. Just like the Christmas tree, this tradition has a German origin. Dating back to the early 19th century, they’ve evolved somewhat in modern times.

According to Statista.com’s 2022 survey, chocolate, cosmetics and beauty-themed Advent calendars were the most popular options among UK consumers. I feel like I deserve a treat, and these beauty Advent calendars usually contain products to a greater value than the recommended retail – so really they’re a saving. ● I’m a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury, and have been sorely tempted by Charlotte’s Lucky Chest Of Beauty Secrets. It’s described as a 12-drawer beauty Advent calendar with two full-sized beauty secrets and 10 magical makeup and skincare minis. It’s worth £225, but is selling at £160, currently at Space NK in Cabot Place. Many brands offer the 12 door options, which can either be opened on the 12 day countdown to Christmas, or from December 1 every other day.

Have you helped your loved ones to help you?

● Cult Beauty Advent Calendar 2023 is currently selling online for £200, but claims to be worth over £1,000. It’s overflowing with 39 beauty favourites, including 20 full size products.

There are appearances from the likes of Olaplex and Elemis, there’s at least a treat-a-day behind each door. Hint, day 25 gifts you seven (yes, seven) items. For the second year running, Cult Beauty has said it will donate more than £60,000 from sales of the calendar to Mental Health UK, which delivers both national and local services to help people manage their mental health. Cult is also working with More Trees to plant one tree for every calendar sold, helping to restore forests and sequestering future CO2 emissions in the process.

Health conditions can change your future and your capacity to make decisions but creating a Lasting Power of Attorney ensures you control who makes decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so.

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● In previous years, I’ve had the L’Occitane Advent Calendar, and was not disappointed. It features the brand’s most popular body, hair and skincare products for 24 days of pampering.

Made of recyclable and sustainably sourced cardboard, it is beautifully designed, with bold and joyful 1970s-inspired illustrations and pops up to reveal an olive tree – a symbol of the Provençal landscape from where L’Occitane hails. That makes it basically an attractive Christmas decoration too.

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Your options can start here.

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AY L E S B U RY

FARNHAM

HI GH W YCOM BE

Natasha Maddison @pazzanatasha on Insta LO N DO N

M A IDE N H E A D

S LO U G H

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

how Bank Of London And The Middle East has opted for space on the Wharf as it targets growth

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Years since Andrew last worked in Canary Wharf – he’s delighted there’s now a Dishoom on the estate Andrew Ball is chief executive at the Bank Of London And The Middle East, which recently relocated to 20 Churchill Place

by Jon Massey

T

here’s been much talk of late about the future direction of Canary Wharf. HSBC’s forthcoming departure, Clifford Chance’s move and Credit Suisse’s enforced purchase by UBS are all significant changes for the estate.

But, quite apart from the flourishing retail and hospitality scene that has seen a deluge of openings in recent years, the direction of travel in the office market is far from one-way. Areas of London evolve continually. Companies’ requirements change over time, generating a constant churn of relocations.

The City is packed with wine bars and hotels in buildings that once held banks, vacated by the businesses they were built for. It’s a natural process as firms grow, merge or close.

Whatever the Wharf looks like in 20 years’ time, for now, it’s continuing to attract companies.

Growing construction firm McLaren is delighted with its light and airy space at 20 Churchill Place, having got significantly more square footage for its budget than alternative locations in the City. Digital challenger bank Revolut, currently based at Westferry Circus, is also apparently eyeing a chunk of YY London in Reuters Plaza by the Tube station rather than moving out as it navigates its ongoing expansion.

Also new to the estate is the Bank Of London And The Middle East (BLME), which recently moved into space in the same building as McLaren.

“Our decision was driven by value for money but also by different ways of working,” said Andrew Ball, chief executive at BLME. “We had an opportunity to come out of our existing lease and as well as it making financial sense, we wanted to improve the space we use.

“In addition to BLME, we have a fintech company that sits under our licence and delivers technology for our fintech bank Nomo.

Obviously that’s a different way of working to traditional banking – software engineers, for continued on Page 10

move making the

Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

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from Page 8 example, need collaboration space rather than separate offices. While I do have a small office for private discussions with shareholders and so on, we’ve made the rest open space.

“There are phone booths for people to have private calls, but the design allows for hybrid working and gives people flexibility for the time that they are in the office.

“It’s a space they can really use rather than cramming into little meeting rooms. It’s possible to get stuck in an office environment which you’ve always been used to having, with the same desk layout. Here we’re coming to something we can actually use.

“The executive management used to have their own offices, but now they are sitting amongst people, whether it’s with the payment team, the tech guys around the corner or the customer service team.

“Now people are finding out things about the organisation, just by sitting somewhere different with different people.

“We have a desk booking system and nobody gets the same desk, unless they have a role where they have to be in the same place every day, such as IT.”

B

LME employs around 250 people, with space in its offices for 90, meaning staff rotate in and out depending on need.

Andrew said the bank had ambitious growth plans and would hopefully be looking for more space in three years.

“We’ve grown quite a lot as we have come out of the pandemic,” he said. “We launched Nomo completely remotely during Covid – a digital bank for clients in the Middle East, who want a British bank account. In that way we saw what was doable.

“You have to offer flexibility if you want to attract the best staff.

But, if you’re a graduate, starting your career, then sitting with someone, talking to them and finding out what they do is vital.

“When people do come into the office – and we’ve had a lot of new staff starting in the last year – they actually welcome the fact that they can meet people in person.

“This is a very different environment to what we had over in Cannon Street – our plan is to live in it, figure out what works and what doesn’t and then adapt working styles accordingly.

“On Wednesdays, for example, our fintech compant takes over the office so they can get that engagement and rapport going, otherwise it will be to the detri-

250

BLME and Nomo staff who will use Canary Wharf as their primary base Ever-changing, Canary Wharf continues to evolve and attract new businesses to its office spaces

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Canary Wharf + West India Quay

ment of corporate culture. We like to be very open – so people know each other. We’re not about working unseen on the 50th floor – a lot of what we do is driven by relationships, whether internally or with our clients.”

W

hat BLME does is a little different to most of the other financial institutions on the Wharf. Both the firm and Nomo are Sharia’a compliant institutions, offering Islamic banking and financial services to customer in the UK and the Middle East.

“There are lots of debates about what Islamic finance is,” said Andrew, who has a long history of working in the Gulf. “BLME is the first Islamic institution I’ve worked for – prior to this role, all my experience was with conventional banks.

“In essence, Islamic finance is very open and transparent. For many clients it’s a different way of working. In essence, it’s a contract between two different parties, with a notion of shared risk.

“Everybody goes into a transaction knowing what they’re going to pay, what the bank’s obligations are and what the client’s obligations are – that makes it very transparent. If it isn’t in a document, we can’t do it and we can’t charge you for it.

“What’s in the contract is key. There are no hidden fees or agreements. It’s very clear – we’re a very simple business.

“Once an organisation has got its head around the paperwork, they can see it’s a better way of doing business. We had a firm that did one development with us who initially found it difficult. But now we’re their go-to bank because they saw the advantages.

“We handle real estate finance, whether it’s developments, investment properties or big buy-to-let portfolios. We also offer private banking, which may be around property, and then we have our digital bank, which is focussed on affluent customers who want to operate in the UK. “Perhaps they have children studying here, or they are investing here or looking to buy here. We don’t do things we don’t understand and we’re pretty cautious as an organisation and we see UK regulation as an asset – people want to know their money is safe. We don’t finance things which have anything to do with tobacco, defence or arms – anything that wouldn’t comply with Sharia’a law.”

That also means BLME essentially doesn’t pay or collect interest on money – customers instead get a portion of the profits on shared investments – a

I was filled with a sense of trepidation, coming back to the Wharf, having worked here 20 years ago, but I’ve been more than pleasantly surprised Andrew Ball, BLME

system the Bank Of England now supports through its Alternative Liquidity Fund.

“That levels the playing field to a certain extent because it means we can get a return on our surplus liquidity,” said Andrew. “Our future very much lies in the Gulf, which is where our clients are.

“You can divide our bank into two –we have pure UK-based clients who invest, build and rent UK property and then we have clients based in the Gulf who are investing in the UK. “I think that part of our competitive advantage is that BLME was conceived to bridge that gap in terms of inward investment. Then we believe what we offer through Nomo is a world-first, where a client can sit in their armchair in Kuwait and open an account in eight minutes – that’s unheard of because dealing with UK banks is usually a long process.”

For Greenwich resident Andrew, the return to the Wharf was not without some personal anxiety.

“I was filled with a sense of trepidation, coming back to the this area, having worked here at Citibank 20 years ago – but I’ve been more than pleasantly surprised and the feedback we’ve got from the teams has been brilliant,” he said. “People were worried what it was going to do for their commute, that Canary Wharf is a soulless place where you can’t get a decent sandwich with no restaurants, but it’s not like that at all.

“From a business perspective it’s certainly value for money – and there’s a real buzz around the place. The atmosphere here, even at the weekend is great – people are coming to Canary Wharf as a destination.

“Dishoom is one of my favourite restaurants and now there’s a branch a stone’s throw away. When you think what it was like 20 years ago, it’s fantastic.”

Go to blme.com or nomobank.com for more information

Andrew says the feedback from staff on the move to Canary Wharf has been very positive Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

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more, glorious

Arroz Negro, £19 Iberica North Colonnade ibericarestaurants.com Always a leader, Iberica’s innovative Spanish cooking under chef director Nacho Manzano is a treat. For the festive period, the restaurant is serving up a sharing dish of black ink rice, complete with fresh squid and prawns. Diners can expect a touch of garlic aioli to top off this tapas, served in a paella pan.

how Canary Wharf’s Season Of Culinary Discovery is continuing to shine a spotlight on places to dine locally

by Jon Massey

Burnt Aubergine Borek, £19 Mallow Water Street mallowlondon.com

from farm to fork

Plant-based powerhouse Mallow consistently serves up some of the most beautiful, complex food on the Wharf and this tight coil of filo pastry is no exception.

It comes on a bed of bulgur wheat, muhammara, dates and spices plus green tabbouleh, baba ganoush cream, sour cherry molasses and ezme...

Feasting Menu, £55 Caravan Reuters Plaza caravanandco.com

C

anary Wharf’s food scene is unquestionably the best it’s ever been. Gone are the days of underwhelming Pizza Express lunches. The estate in 2023 is host to myriad dining options spanning cuisines from across the globe.

In celebration, Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has unveiled its Season Of Culinary Discovery campaign, aimed at shining a spotlight on venues all over the estate at a time of year when – more than any other – people want to get together, break bread and celebrate.

It’s an open invitation to explore, taste, experiment and discover new flavours and venues – something Wharf Life is proud to get involved with.

“The reason we’re doing this is to reflect the diversity of the restaurants and cuisines we have on the estate,” said

We wanted to show how people can sample flavours from across the world without having to leave the Wharf Claire Slater, Canary Wharf Group

Claire Slater, retail marketing manager at CWG. “ We wanted to show how people can sample flavours from across the world without ever having to leave the Wharf.

“I don’t think anyone would expect the sheer number of phenomenal restaurants that we have here. Until you come and you visit, you won’t be aware of the depth – I think people really are spoilt for choice.

“Also, because it’s a holiday season we wanted to remind

people that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re celebrating with a significant other, your family, your work colleagues or a group of friends, there’s somewhere that caters for every taste and every kind of occasion.”

To that end, CWG is showcasing restaurants on the estate in four categories – When East Meets East, North, South Or Central, Frosty Days And Sizzling Dishes and From Farm To Fork.

In support we’ve selected dishes from restaurants featured in the last two categories to help spark your dining ideas with two featured in this issue of Wharf Life and two in the last (find it online).

For more ideas go to canarywharf.com Scan this code for more information about the campaign

Pork Belly + Sprouts, £13 Humble Grape Mackenzie Walk humblegrape.co.uk

Caravan is packed with festive cheer this year with a feasting menu filled with luxurious dishes with a European flavour.

It’s a fair bet that there will be some competition round the table when the confit duck leg with braised cavolo nero, white beans and salsa verde makes an appearance. Knives and forks at the ready.

Sprouts are proudly star ingredients at Humble Grape with this dish only available at its Canary Wharf restaurant. In addition to the main veg, there’s cranberry sauce and bacon to further lift things. Also on offer during the festive season is a small plate for £8 that brings whipped goats cheese together with crispy sprouts, pickled cranberries and candied chestnuts for a blend of sweet and sour on the tongue.

try these Left, pork belly and, above, whipped goats cheese with sprouts

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Dishes from European restaurants in Canary Wharf to get your mouths watering Pappardelle Con Ragu D’Agnello, £20 Obica West Wintergarden obica.com

Nduja Mediterranean Pizza, £17.50 Gallio Cabot Place (Atrium Kitchen) gallio.uk

sensational pizzas Black Truffle Pizza, £35 Cafe Brera Cabot Square cafebrera.com Christmas can be a time of indulgence and having a whole pizza generously coated in fior di latte, mozzarella, truffle paste and shavings of black truffle definitely qualifies. It’s worth noting,

There’s something tempting about the copper and turquoise hues of this Med-focused restaurant. Its pizzas eschew the neapolitan sourdough crusts that have become ubiquitous in recent years in favour of a denser base, here topped with honey and soft charcuterie.

though, that Cafe Brera hasn’t become one of the most enduringly successful brands on the Wharf by stinting on ingredients. It also offers a Parma pizza for £15.90 that comes heavily topped with parma ham, san marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, rocket leaves and shards of parmesan. Expect to walk away filled with rich flavours and already planning a return visit.

Panettone + Rum And Raisin Gelato, £7.50 Emilia’s Crafted Pasta George Street emiliaspasta.com Available throughout December, this rich, sweet dessert features panettone soaked in custard, toasted in butter and served with silky smooth gelato. Finished with spiced sugar, it’s a blend of hot and cold, crisp and fluffy from this popular Italian restaurant that demands a glass of sweet Moscato on the side. The Wood Wharf venue has proved popular since opening its doors, drawing workers and local residents alike with its uncomplicated offering of eight pasta dishes in an unfussy, cosy environment. Diners can expect to pay less than £17 for a bowl, with pasta made fresh on-site each day. There’s also a bar menu to explore.

Christmas Menu, £25.95 Zizzi Cabot Place (Atrium Kitchen) zizzi.co.uk Customers visiting Zizzi restaurants, including the Canary Wharf branch, can indulge in three courses for under £26 with options including the Festive Formaggio And Prosciutto Pizza, pictured below. Expect meatballs, shiitake mushrooms and free range eggs to arrive on a truffle-infused white base.

Fancy trying some of the best produce the British Isles have to offer? - P14

frosty days and sizzling dishes

Obica’s festive specials are all about fusion and this dish is no exception, mixing the classic pairing of lamb and mint with thick ribbons of egg pasta. If you fancy an even bigger twist, there’s rolled turkey with prosciutto, smoked mozzarella, sage stuffing, trimmings and gravy. A singular festive creation.

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Places to sample British and sustainable food across the Canary Wharf estate Roast Fillet Of Sea Trout, £28 Boisdale Cabot Place boisdale.co.uk Served up with sage and pumpkin seed pesto, butternut squash, chard and cold pressed olive oil, this handsome piece of fish is a fitting crown for one of Boisdale’s oxblood red-bordered plates. The Scottish restaurant, jazz venue, whisky Mecca, cigar library and oyster bar has more than a few strings to its bow – so many, in fact, that it’s easy to overlook the food. This is a place of rich, bold flavours. The fish is often smoked, the haggis soused in liquor and the menu shot through with whisky matches to help ease the dining. This brightly coloured dish is just one of the options on a Christmas set menu that offers three courses for £59.50 and features silky Jerusalem artichoke soup alongside the inevitable festive classics. Just don’t forget a noggin or two as a chaser...

>> The final strand of Canary Wharf Group’s Season Of Culinary Discovery is From Farm To Fork – a selection that celebrates produce from the UK, cooking styles originating here and businesses operating locally that put the environment front and centre with everything they do. Expect some of the finest ingredients prepared to very high standards For more ideas go to canarywharf.com

Scan this code for more information about the campaign

White Chocolate Cheesecake, £6.50 Blacklock Frobisher Passage (under the DLR) theblacklock.com

from farm to fork

There’s something of the speakeasy about Blacklock, with its dark wood furniture, leather banquettes and screened windows. While chops and plentiful portions are what this place is known for, don’t visit without trying its classic white chocolate cheesecake, doled out table side in astonishing quantities...

Baked Halloumi Fondue, £11.90 The Lebanese Table MMy Wood Wharf, Wood Wharf mercatometropolitano.com All of the traders at MMy Wood Wharf must adhere to strict sustainability guidelines that conform to Mercato Metropolitano’s vision for good food that doesn’t harm the planet. This melange of cheeses with flat bread is a great example of how doing the right thing needn’t be a compromise on taste and texture

zingy flavours Christmas Feast, from £45 Pedler One Canada Square pedlercanarywharf.com Pedler has come up with some of our favourite things for its seasonal offering this year. Its menus start at £45 for two courses, £55 for three with bubbles, coffee and mince pies or £65 to

add 1/2 a bottle of wine per guest. Tipsy or not, there are some serious flavours at play here to enjoy. Our picks are St Ives Smoked Salmon to start with sourdough and capers, followed by a zingy Beetroot Tarte tatin for mains with feta, rocket and tomato salsa. Then to finish, it has to be the Bailey’s And Vanilla Creme Brulee, topped off with icing sugar-dusted raspberries. Expect a warm welcome throughout the colder months...

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Goose And Turkey Shepherd’s Pie, £55 (part of set menu) The Ivy In The Park Canada Square ivycollection.com

get hooked

Part of The Ivy In The Park’s seasonal set menu, this dish suggests the shepherd may have decided to branch out from their traditional diet in favour of more extravagant produce to celebrate Christmas.

Eschewing lamb in favour of confit goose and turkey as a filling, the mash-topped pie comes served in a high-sided dish complete with pigs in blankets. Suffice to say, the swineherd and poulterers may well be livid. Fortunately, The Ivy has plenty of foliage behind which to hide and remains one of the most beautifully kitted out interiors on the Wharf.

Not a bad place to lie low at all.

Cornish Monkfish, £29 Fish Game Water Street fishgamerestaurant.co.uk Right on the cutting edge of Canary Wharf’s food scene, Matt Colk’s seafood and game-dominated menu presents fiery cooking and vibrant combinations of British ingredients. The cooking is precise and skilled, typified by this simple dish that marries meaty, succulent fish with rosemary, lemon and smoked Maldon sea salt. It even comes with a big knife to slice up the surprisingly delicate fillet. This is a venue that’s not afraid to try new things and comes complete with a chilli tasting menu and an agave bar packed with South American spirits. Go for the £16, two-course lunch menu, just to start the addiction off gently...

A festive experience at Hawksmoor is really all about the beef and the company. The Water Street restaurant boasts a private dining room where revellers can indulge in sirloin, rump, prime rib, T-bone, porterhouse and chateaubriand across a selection of two or threecourse set menus ranging from £62 to £98. The floating venue (complete with The Lowback bar beneath) may feature an opulent art deco interior, but at heart is about the simplicity of presenting high quality meat to the very best effect. Oh, and don’t forget to round things off with the sticky toffee pudding and clotted cream, it’s ace.

Kebab from Six By Nico’s Street Food

Street Food, £48 (plus £35pp for the matching wines) Six By Nico Chancellor Passage sixbynico.co.uk Trying to feature a specific dish at Six By Nico is almost impossible as its menu of six courses changes every six weeks. Currently, the Canary Wharf branch is serving Street Food, a selection of dishes “meticulously crafted to pay homage to a diverse array of global flavours and iconic culinary staples that have originated from local street food vendors”.

Diners can expect Gochujang Pork Steamed Bun, Samosa, Kebab, Taco, Satay and Coffee to arrive when visiting before December 17. There’s also the option to go for some snacks (croquettes) and a cocktail aperitif if you wish to go all-in.

from farm to fork

Steaks, from £62 (part of set menu) Hawksmoor Water Street thehawksmoor.com

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

0

No waste has been sent to landfill from the areas of the estate managed by Canary Wharf Group for more than a decade

getting greener

A tour of the waste facilities

by Sophie Goddard

during Recycle Week

P

icture this – you finish your lunch at work, holding an empty box and suddenly you’re faced with a mind-boggling array of choices.

Can the lid be recycled? Is the box compostable? Do you need to separate the various components into separate bins? It’s a recycling puzzle, and you’re not alone.

We at Canary Wharf Group (CWG) understand the confusion that surrounds recycling but we also know how important it is to recycle effectively.

That’s why during Recycle Week in October we held a series of activities, highlighting the importance of recycling and encouraging people to get involved and to dispose of their waste in the right way.

We held educational sessions in the CWG’s offices, highlighting the most common mistakes people make when using our bins. We also revamped our signs to simplify the process.

Waste and materials are a big focus for Canary Wharf and we have the opportunity to tackle these areas and effectively implement a waste hierarchy that sets out the priority We have already sent areas for managing materials zero waste to landfill and rubbish.

We have already sent zero from our managed waste to landfill from our managed areas for more areas for more than than a decade, but we know a decade, but we still we still have more to do.

Our goal is to tackle have more to do waste at its source, making Sophie Goddard, Canary Wharf Group the most of our resources efficiently, and rethinking how we use what we already have.

Our commitment does not end with Recycle Week. We invite everyone to explore our detailed Circular Economy Action Plan which sets out how we are going to tackle this over the coming years.

We also recently released our Sustainability Update, which contains further detail.

We look forward to continuing our focus in this area and, alongside our programme of activities, we are already committed to supporting Recycle Week again next year.

Sophie Goddard is director of sustainability at Canary Wharf Group and can be contacted via sustainability@canarywharf.com Go to canarywharf.com or breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk Scan this code for more information on sustainability in Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf waste sits sorted and ready New signs for

for collection on

bins in the malls

the estate

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

how Canary Wash was founded to help time-poor Wharfers with their dry cleaning

5

Years since Ali and his family relocated to the UK from Jordan to establish a healthcare planning and supplies business There are easier ways to clean your clothes than jumping in the dock

by Jon Massey

A

li Khalil works in Canary Wharf. Around five years ago, his family relocated from Jordan to the UK with the aim of establishing a global business – building on the work of its Middle Eastern company, International Technical Sources For Industrial Equipment.

Thus United Medical Hospital Systems was born, moving to Canary Wharf after a brief period in Swiss Cottage. Based first at One Canada Square and now in 25 Cabot Square, the company offers a range of services including hospital design, planning and the supply of equipment, especially related to medical gas systems.

“After more than 20 years in Jordan, working in the Middle East, we had the know-how, as my father likes to say,” said Ali, who heads business development for the company. “So we thought about coming to the UK to create a worldwide operation and we’ve more or less been based on the Wharf the whole time. We’ve mostly been working in exports around the world.

“We wanted a base that was close to where we were living on the Isle Of Dogs. As a family, you need somewhere that’s quieter where there’s not always something going on 24 hours a day and we found this place near the Wharf.

“You have the water, the sky at night and you can get everything here with lots of facilities for the same price as a place in Swiss Cottage that has fewer amenities.”

However, this isn’t an article about the family’s medical business. It’s about a problem Ali identified while working on the Wharf.

“To be honest, I think we’re struggling here with dry cleaning,” he said. “It’s a very big business area, there are lots of people in the towers and every time you want to do dry cleaning, you wind up queueing for a long time just to drop off your clothes.

“That’s a waste of your lunch hour that day. It’s your break, you deserve it. So we thought: ‘why not create and offer a service to continued on Page 26

laundry

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from Page 25 all the people working and living locally?’.”

The solution he came up with was to start a business. Canary Wash is an app-based laundry and dry cleaning firm that collects dirty clothes and delivers them back to customers on the Wharf or the Isle Of Dogs.

“The app we’ve created is live and we’re competitively priced,” said Ali. “We’ll collect your dry cleaning and laundry, do it for you and then bring it back for the same price as you would pay if you went into a shop, queued there, dropped off your clothes and then went back another day to pick them up via the same process.

“We picked the name Canary Wash, because this is where we are operating, with a logo that features the towers. We started two months ago with Canary Wharf and then added the Isle Of Dogs. We’re expecting it mostly to serve businesses and residential addresses in the area.

“We offer dry cleaning, washing, ironing – and washing and ironing together. For example, customers can send pieces just for ironing or bulky items just for washing, such as duvets or blankets.

“Of course, we deal with all kinds of delicate clothes that can’t be washed at home.

“People always need dry cleaning – with delicates you just can’t risk it. I lost one shirt that way myself. I put it in the washing machine at home and it shrunk. When I put it on it was really tight – I’d been exercising in the gym, but not enough to get quite so big.”

T

he process has been designed to be simple.

Customers download the Canary Wash app, itemise which pieces of clothing they are sending and which service they require. Then they pick a two-hour time slot for collection.

A driver arrives to collect the laundry, the order is checked, cleaned and then returned 48 hours later.

“When you make an order via the app, you will select which services you want and then we’ll know what to expect when we get the order,” said Ali, who coaches kids’ football in his spare time.

“Before we wash, we confirm the order against what has been supplied and that we know exactly what we’re doing with each item of clothing.

“If we get a piece we’re not expecting or that doesn’t fit with the order, then we contact the customer via the app to tell

48

Hours – time Canary Wash promises to pick-up, clean and deliver laundry in to its customers

Canary Wash offers washing, ironing and dry cleaning services via its app

Dissatisfied with the experience of dropping off and picking up dry cleaning, Ali Khalil set up Canary Wash to offer Wharfers and local residents app-based laundry services

Ali and the team carried out extensive research before creating the business

Items can be sent for ironing via the collection service

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

We’ve visited lots of businesses and seen how it could be done before designing our service where we’ve merged what we learnt Ali Khalil, Canary Wash

them that their order needs to be adjusted. We send all the relevant details.

“For example, if an order is for two pieces and there’s a third included, then we’ll ask whether it’s for dry cleaning, ironing or washing and, once confirmed, then we can proceed.

“For me, this business is a new challenge. There have been a lot of things to learn. Obviously, when you’re getting into something new you want to do as much research as possible, so we’ve been doing that.

“We’ve visited lots of businesses and seen how it could be done before designing our service where we’ve tried to merge everything we learnt.

“Our aim is to deliver the best possible quality for the customer.

People in this area mostly care about the quality of the service and the time more than anything else – so those are the two things we’ve focused on.

“We’ve been live for two months now and it’s been going well, but we’re looking to reach more and more people to take this as big as we can.

“We have the capacity and we’re excited for that to happen and then to expand further.

“Our plan is to roll this out to other business areas such as Liverpool Street, where people need their time to be saved through our collection and delivery service.

“We aim to collect, clean and deliver a customer’s order back to them within 48 hours. That includes extra time built-in, so we can easily achieve that goal and not disappoint anybody.”

To give readers an idea of pricing, Canary Wash offers suits and dresses dry cleaned for £16.50 and £12.99 respectively. Comparative prices from retail dry cleaners on the Wharf are from £21 and £15 for the same pieces. The app offers free pick-up and delivery on orders over £5.

Go to canarywash.com for more information or to download the app

Scan this code to find out more about Canary Wash

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450

Maximum capacity of Dockside Vaults which can be used to host a wide range of events

how Dockside Vaults is injecting fresh life into a space tucked beneath a sizeable chunk of St Katherine Docks

by Jon Massey

T

he legacy of global trade has left its mark across east London in vast spaces created to handle the wealth of cargo that once flowed up the Thames. There were huge docks to safely berth the ships, wharves to unload them and warehouses to store and protect the goods and commodities.

The ongoing regeneration of Docklands has seen this infrastructure repurposed in myriad ways – as housing, accommodation for yachts, bars, hotels, restaurants, watersports centres and many more.

With many of the spaces being of a significant size and well connected to the rest of London, several have been reimagined as events venues.

The latest of these to launch is Dockside Vaults, a 10,000sq ft underground space beneath Ivory House in St Kathernine Docks.

Built in 1852, the building is the only original warehouse still standing in the area and is today filled with residential apartments and restaurants at ground level.

Apt, perhaps, that its brick vaulted basement, which was once used to store imported barrels of wine is once again being used for hospitality and entertaining, having been the site of a Henry VIII-themed Medieval banqueting experience for decades.

“Funnily enough they were doing an immersive show long before the likes of Secret Cinema and those theatre concepts,” said Ben Gamble. “The banqueting started in the 1970s with a fine dining, silver service dinner – but by the time it closed it certainly wasn’t that. It had become a tourist trap – all you could eat and drink for £30.”

The space, however, was what interested Ben. Having initially locked on to a career as a fighter pilot with the RAF, a shortage of training places prompted a rethink and he fell into the events industry after landing a job with the London Film Museum, having hawked his CV around the capital in search of gainful employment.

After establishing it as a venue for corporate shindigs at County Hall on the banks of the Thames, he left to start his own events business shortly after its relocation to Covent Garden.

Now it’s 10,000sq ft of premium event space with 150-year-old exposed brickwork. The idea is that everything is plug-into and play Ben Gamble, Dockside Vaults

“Having been involved with the owners to launch that and at a point I was just about to be earning good money, I handed in my resignation to start by own business,” he said.

“During my time at the museum I’d met a lot of events companies and had realised they were the ones with the big clients, big budgets.

“It seemed, as venue finders, all they would do is come round with the client and talk about the blooming obvious, which of course is not how it is at all.

“But I’d built up enough contacts, spoken to a few of them and told them I was thinking of doing my own thing. I asked them if they would trust me to find their venues.

“So that was the initial idea – it seemed like there was a gap in the market. I realised that everyone had been everywhere, so there was a need for a company that specialised in finding venues that had never been used before.

“So that’s what I did for seven years and then the pandemic shut down the industry.”

His company, Shout About London, worked across the capital often as a pioneer at venues such as Southwark Cathedral, the Archbishop Of Canterbury’s private library and at the Leadenhall Building, making a point of aiming to be the first company to bring clients into a space.

Gradually the business shifted to representing venues for longer periods of time and working with well-known institutions such as the V&A to create events around new exhibitions or attractions.

The evolution continued as Ben’s firm shifted into creative production and wound up managing several venues exclusively in the run-up to Covid.

“I actually signed a lease with a nightclub in January 2020 in London Fields, which was bad timing for me – it’s no

going underground

Dockside Vaults is located under the only original warehouse building left in St Katherine Docks, whose cellars were once used to store barrels of wine

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell - Tower Hill

offer

50% off venue hire ● Dockside Vaults is offering Wharf Life readers 50% off venue hire for events of 50 to 450 people that are booked and held before the end of 2023 – perfect for last-minute festive celebrations. The venue still has some availability before Christmas. T&Cs apply Go to docksidevaults.com for more information or to book

Ben Gamble is the owner of Dockside Vaults in St Katherine Docks’ Ivory House – an events venue that operates as a blank canvas for clients and organisers to fill

longer there,” he said. “Then the pandemic happened, so I went to UCL and did an MBA for two years. With hindsight, it was a perfect use of my time as I’ve been able to employ that knowledge in my new events and venue consultancy Nylon Pie, and now Dockside.”

The 450-capacity venue opened in September and features 10 alcoves all joined by an expansive central concourse, which can be used for events with 50 guests or more.

“I first saw the venue when I started Nylon Pie and I really liked the space,” said Ben. “It was still full of mediaeval gear for the banquets so it needed emptying and modernising. Now it’s 10,000sq ft of premium event space with 150-year-old exposed brickwork.

“Tower Hill is synonymous with the old and the new – you have the Tower Of London and Tower Bridge with The Shard in the background.

“We’re from the same period as Tobacco Dock but we’ve got large TVs at the end of each of our alcoves and lighting where the colours can be changed at the touch of a button.

“Having great audio and visual tech is important and we have in-house microphones if people want to do speeches, too.

“The idea is that everything is plug-in and play. Of course, if you’ve got a big budget, we can do projection mapping on the brickwork and go all out – but if you don’t, we can operate on a minimum spend basis at the bar.

“We’re a cashless venue, but we’re also the largest venue in London to take payment in Bitcoin. So far we’ve done about 20 events including screenings of things like the Rugby World Cup – we had 450 South Africans here for the final “First and foremost we’re a corporate events space, however, and we’ve worked with Identify – one of the best events management companies in the UK – on a two-day conference.

“That showed a good use of the space, for smaller immersive events with 150 to 200 people.

“The alcoves can be used as breakout spaces and can easily be given a personal touch with branding, signs or logos.

“We’re also keen to be a part of the local community – not a closed door – and we’d love people to get in touch.”

Go to docksidevaults.com for more information

Scan this code to find out more about Dockside Vaults

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

The George Tavern Shadwell

GIG | A Woman Becomes A Wolf When She... ...Learns How To Scream – Singer-songwriter Scarlette Woolfe promises to dip gig-goers into a world of dreamlike euphoria in Shadwell.

Dec 17, 7pm, £7.50, thegeorgetavern.london Where?

Troxy Limehouse

GIG | Cirque Du Soul Spend NYE at Troxy with an immersive club night featuring the talents of Sammy Virji and Flowdan amongst others. Last year sold out fast.

Dec 31, 9pm, £62, troxy.co.uk Where?

Half Moon Theatre Wapping

KIDS | Can Bears Ski? Based on Raymond Antrobus’ book of the same name, this puppet show from Pied Piper Theatre aims to answer that age-old question...

Dec 16, 11am, 2pm, £7, halfmoon.org.uk

flash back

How Urban Baristas continues to expand its Wapping operation by opening its biggest ever branch at London Dock’s Gaughing Square.

Expect brunch, a training lab and a really good Aussie-accented flat white urbanbaristas.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about Urban Baristas in Wharf Life’s interview with co-founder Huw Wardrope want more? @wharfwhispers

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3 what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Poplar Union Isle Of Dogs

WORKSHOP | Flax Exchange Poplar Union will be hosting Craft Central, with artist Shane Waltener leading a session for participants to process flax fibres, spin, dye, weave, sing and move.

Dec 13, 3pm-5pm, free, craftcentral.org.uk Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

EVENT | Winter Solstice Soundbath This session, which comes with a side of self-guided reflection promises to immerse participants in the warmth of vibration from various instruments.

Dec 17, 5pm, £15, poplarunion.com Where?

The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Band For Life Christmas Show Enjoy a selection of songs from pop to rock, alongside some festive classics as the Bow-based performers take to The Space’s stage.

Dec 16, 2pm, from £5 (donation), space.org.uk

book early

Is it too soon to start thinking about New Year’s Eve? Arguably one of the best views over London to see in 2024 will be from Bokan on the top three floors of the Novotel.

Packages range from £130pp to £240pp bokanlondon.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about festive and NYE options with Bokan or to make a booking want more? @wharfwhispers

Performances of Scrooge are set to take place at The Space from December 13-16

Scrooge is co-written by its star, Joe Facer, who takes on the role of the famous miser

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

Image by Deborah Jaffe

back soon

Ballet Nights at Lanterns Studio Theatre

B to come how Scrooge aims to bring a fresh, modern take on Dickens’ most frequently staged classic

by Jon Massey

F

resh takes on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol are nothing new. At this time of year theatres frequently turn to the tale of cruelty, humbug and redemption as a safe bet to pull in the crowds over the festive season. The character of Ebenezer Scrooge has been brought to stage and screen countless times – often exploring the comic possibilities of the role with the likes of Jim Carrey, Bill Murray and Michael Caine (opposite the Muppets), taking on the mantle of the old miser.

Scrooge, a production set to run at The Space on the Isle Of Dogs from December 13-16, is something different.

Director and co-writer Ewa Emini’s adaptation promises a fusion of physical theatre and multimedia effects with a single performer exploring Ebenezer’s psyche, his lack of self reflection and society’s part in the creation of his persona.

The production stars co-writer and actor Joe Facer who takes on the lead role with voice work from various performers to accompany his efforts.

The duo describe the performance as an “avantgarde theatrical endeavour, established by two passionate working-class artists who have taken on the roles of both creators and producers”.

Audiences can expect experimental lighting and plenty of movement choreographed by Ewa and realised by Joe. Shows start at 7.30pm with live streaming available.

Tickets for opening night cost £12 or £16 for other performances.

Go to space.org.uk for more information

allet Nights concluded its first season with two blistering performances last weekend.

Few, perhaps, would guess that the Lanterns Studio Theatre on the Isle Of Dogs, nestled beside the residential blocks of Millharbour, has been transformed into an emerging hotbed of physical performance.

The strength of the format is in its variety.

Short, exacting flurries of dance feature both contemporary and classical styles and are presented on Lanterns’ vast stage with dramatic, minimal lighting to great effect.

The night I visited, we were treated first to a barrage of notes from house pianist Viktor Erik Emanuel followed by nine presentations of breathtaking quality, neatly bisected by an interval. With such a consistent and varied programme, picking favourites is tricky, but just standing out were a powerful turn from Cuban dancer Yasser D’Oquendo, a videogame crossover from Constance Devernay-Laurence and classical, graceful perfection from Katja Khaniukova and Aitor Arrieta Coca. Sublime.

Ballet Nights founder Jamiel Devernay-Laurence is fond of describing dancers as “setting stages on fire”. Suffice to say, Millwall Fire Station on Westferry Road will need to be on high alert next year. ● Ballet Nights is set to return in February with a fresh programme of performances.

Go to balletnights.com Jon Massey

Constance Devernay-Laurence and Viktor Erik Emanuel in videogame-inspired Heisei 9 Scan this code to find out more about Ballet Nights on the Isle Of Dogs at Lanterns Studio Theatre

Join the Craft Central community on the Isle of Dogs!

397 Westferry rd E14 3AE Creative

studios & desks available

Scan this code to find out more about Scrooge at The Space on the Isle Of Dogs or to make a booking for one of the three performances

+44 (0)207 538 0819 info@craftcentral.org.uk www.craftcentral.org.uk

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C A L D E R ’ S W H A R F, 4 S A U N D E R S N E S S ROA D, I S L E O F D O G S , E 1 4 3 P S

DOCKLANDSSETTLEMENTS.ORG.UK

● The Dockland Settlements aims to provide support to local communities who live close to our centres in Newham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.

44Saunders SaundersNess NessRoad, Road,Isle IsleofofDogs, Dogs,E14 E143PS 3PS www.docklandsettlements.org.uk www.docklandsettlements.org.uk

● As a charity we provide sporting, social, recreational and educational activities as well as low cost playcare to help parents go back to work or remain in work.

● The Calder’s Wharf centre opened its doors on the Isle of Dogs in January 2020. It hosts playcare services and its halls are home to a variety of activities for the community including sporting, social, recreational and educational activities. The centre also has a spa room which is used for massages and beauty related activities. Its halls are also available for hire.

D IS COVE R E VE RY T H IN G

’’

AT C ALD E R’ S W Hand AR F H AS TO O F F ER *Activities for young, old everyone *Activities for young, old and everyonein-between in-between *Holiday and *Holiday and after-school after-schoolclub clubthat thatruns runsallallyear yearround round

*Halls *Halls to tohire hirefor forparties partiesand andsports sports

EMAIL emma.reed@docklandsettlements.org.uk CALL 020 3519 4470

● ACTIVITIES for young, old and everyone in-between ● HOLIDAY and after school club that runs all year round ● HALLS to hire for parties and sports

scan code for info

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

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Carol concerts by the St Martin’s Voices are set to take place at the Brunel Museum on December 21 - tickets £15

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Finnish Church Rotherhithe

GIG | The Lemon + Paice Band Expect rootsy folk and warm performances from singer-songwriters Neil Lemon and Angie Paice as they bring their quartet to Rotherhithe.

Dec 14, 6.30pm, £15, tunedin.london Where?

Phantom Peak Rotherhithe

EVENT | Christmas At The Peak The fully immersive mystery town experience has launched its Beast Of Winter season, with fresh adventures to explore. Expect platypuses in droves.

Booking into Jan, times + prices vary, phantompeak.com

The performances will take place in the museum’s tunnel shaft

Where?

Matchstick Piehouse Deptford

singing the

TRY | Queer Pottery Class Join Megan Elliott, founder of Clay Wild, for a festive, traditional hand-building session of ceramic creation, suitable for potters of all levels.

Dec 11, 6pm, £30, matchsticktheatre.com

how the Brunel Museum’s tunnel shaft is set to ring loud with festive cheer and rousing song on Dec 21

by Jon Massey

M

ore “below, below”, than “merrily on high”, the Brunel Museum’s expansive tunnel shaft is set to be the venue for a pair of festive concerts on December 21. St Martin’s Voices – a vocal ensemble based at St Martin-In-The-Fields – will twice fill Marc Brunel’s vast cylinder with 45-minute performances at 6pm and 8pm.

Audiences can expect

multiple favourites that promise to leave those attending “full of the joys of the season”. The choir frequently features on radio and has toured the USA and South Africa in recent years.

Of course, if harking the heralds and foregrounding the holly over the ivy isn’t enough to get you merry, The Midnight Apothecary will also be serving seasonal cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks around its firepits at the venue from 5pm until 10pm.

That way visitors can indulge in a wholly different sort of spirit with both Deluxe Hot Rum and Whisky Toddies on the menu.

Tickets for these concerts are likely to sell quickly, so early booking is advised.

Expect to pay £15 for entry.

Go to thebrunelmuseum.com Scan this code to find out more about the concert

be quick

If you’re quick off the mark, there’s still just about time to visit The Finnish Church In London’s Christmas Fair in Rotherhithe. The event runs from December 1-3 at the Albion Street institution. Entry is free britannia.merimierkirkko.fi Scan this code to find out more information about The Finnish Church’s Christmas Fair want more? @wharfwhispers

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11

Festive ideas for your December diaries at Woolwich Works

how Woolwich Works is set for a month of seasonal programming and activities to take us up to Christmas

by Jon Massey

W We’re Going On A Bear Hunt from Dec 1-2

oolwich Works is set to host a festive celebration with events and workshops taking place in December. The venue’s 24 Days Of Christmas festival includes a series of ticketed and free activities with the whole campus decorated with trees, ribbons and evergreen foliage. Here are some dates for your diaries: Santa’s Grotto Visitors’ Book Cafe Fri-Sat-Sun, Dec 1-22, times vary, from £12 (18 months+) Somehow Father Christmas has found time in his busy schedule to sit around in Woolwich for a selection of dates in December.

Suitable for kids over 18 months, basic tickets include a gift and a photo. Add £5 more and kids get a bauble while their attendant adult gets a glass of mulled wine. Book swiftly for this one.

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Fireworks Factory Dec 1-2, times vary, adults £17, kids £15 (3+)

Festive Yoga on Dec 3

Based on Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s picture book, this stage adaptation set to Benji Bower’s lively score promises plenty of swishy swashy grass and squelchy mud. Expect plenty of audience participation and a splishy splashy river as the gang track down a bear.

Festive Yoga Fireworks Factory Dec 3, 11.15am, from £20, (18+)

Showstoppers Xmas Kids Show Fireworks Factory Dec 9-10, times vary, £17, (5+)

Bring your own mat and prepare to throw some seasonal poses as Disco Yoga takes over Woolwich Works’ main space. Ticket price includes a cocktail or mocktail to help with recovery. Perhaps Downward Facing Log (yule) and Christmas Tree pose will feature...

This hour-long improvised musical promises to let kids in the audience steer the direction of the show, challenging performers to make sense of their suggestions and create something worth watching.

A Choral Cocktail Stonecutters Studio Dec 3, 6pm, from £17.50, (all ages) This concert by close harmony group Out Of The Shadows boasts an eclectic mix of genres alongside some Christmassy favourites.

Expect Alanis Morrisette, Joni Mitchell and tunes from The Greatest Showman to make an appearance.

The Big Woolwich Festive Bash Visitors’ Book Cafe Dec 8, 7pm, free, (all ages) Expect festive cocktails, Christmas bangers, Drag Santa and a DJ spinning tunes until late as the venue lets its hair down in celebration of the people of Woolwich.

There’s no need to book, but capacity is limited so arrive early.

Works’ venues

Live At The Works Fireworks Factory Dec 2, 7pm, from £21.50, (18+) Comics Fern Brady, Rhys James, Vittorio Angelone, Olga Koch and Andrew Mensah will be on the bill for this showcase of jokes.

A Merry Baby Broadway Christmas Stonecutters Studio Dec 17, 3.30pm, £10.50, (all ages) Get ready to sing your heart out and dance merrily to beloved holiday tunes from classic West nd musicals and British films, all brought to life by West End vocalists. A 45-minute festive blast for all the family – ideal for those aged 0-8.

End of Term Party Fireworks Factory / Cafe Dec 22, 7pm, free, (all ages)

“I am delighted to be leading Woolwich Works into the festive season this year,” said Nick Williams, recently appointed director of Woolwich Works. “We wanted to present a programme which brings people together and excites and entertains in equal measure. It’s a great opportunity to showcase local talent, introduce many more people to our fantastic venue and sing the praises of South East London.”

Go to woolwich.works for more

Berkeley Homes, Woolwich Works and the GCDA present a free seasonal festival complete with crafts, street food, Santa, live music, face painting and kids activities. The Chrismas tree lights will be switched on at 5pm.

End Of Term

Expect cabaret and a three-course meal as performers keep the diners entertained. A glass of bubbles is included in the ticket price. Eat, drink and be merry.

DJ Skylarkin will be on the decks for a festive party to close out the year. Expect plenty of reggae, ska, hip hop and jungle as an antidote to Wham and Mariah Carey.

Winter Festival Artillery Square Dec 2, noon-6pm, free, (all ages)

Party at Woolwich

Feast!

Stonecutters and Ropekeepers Dec 14-16, 7pm, £60, (18+)

Feast! features a three-course meal and cabaret performances

Scan this code to find out more about Woolwich Works

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

Santa’s Grotto will be open for business

what’s on

on Fridays, Saturdays and

things to do, places to go, people to see

Sundays in December at Woolwich Works

Where?

Indigo At The O2 Greenwich Peninsula

GIG | Björn Again Just one look and you can barely tell the difference, it might be a while off but early booking is advised to catch this Australian ABBA tribute at The O2.

Dec 15, 7pm, from £41, theo2.co.uk Where?

The O2 Arena Peninsula

EVENT | Disney On Ice: 100 Years Of Wonder Tying in neatly with Disney100 at Excel, this showcase features skating versions of all your favourite characters from the last century of output.

Dec 21-31, times vary, from £42, theo2.co.uk Where?

Old Royal Naval College Greenwich

KIDS | The Elves And The Magic Bear Head to the Admiral’s House for a festive show featuring elves, forgotten festive mail, Mrs Claus and, of course, a magical bear to help sort everything out.

Dec 9-21, various times, £14, ornc.org

flash back

we you a merry Xmas

Anthony Spargo has once again penned a blisteringly silly panto for the festive season. Snow White promises a poisoned apple, an Evil Queen and plenty of dwarves thrown in from Nov 23-Jan 7 greenwichtheatre.org.uk Scan this code to find out more about Snow White at Greenwich Theatre or to book seats for a performance want more? @wharfwhispers

36

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

10 how Disney100 provides a glittering selection of touchstones in the minds of all those who see the exhibition

Themed galleries look at different aspects of Disney’s output including films, animation, parks and its history

The first gallery tells the story of how Walt Disney worked to establish the company

by Jon Massey

I

n a world where people’s experiences and cultural references are increasingly di use, Disney100: The Exhibition prompts a conversation pretty much anyone can participate in. The question: “What’s your favourite Disney movie?” is one that, perhaps, unites more people globally under the umbrella of a single producer than any other.

Its answers are frequently generational, surprising and in some cases contested – can Marvel and Star Wars really be counted when so much of the original development of those brands happened before they were brought into the fold?

But almost invariably, it’s a question that’s met with fondness and warmth – often a connection to a childhood remembered or time spent with one’s own children hat, of course, is before we even consider the output, the theme parks and the theatre shows.

With such resonance in the public mind, curating an e hibition that celebrates the output of The Walt Disney Company to mark its centenary, is a mammoth undertaking. ittle wonder, perhaps, that this creative titan has risen to that challenge with characteristic zeal resulting in Disney100: The Exhibition running at Excel in Royal Docks until January 21.

“Selecting the exhibits was probably the biggest challenge we had because Disney has an embarrassment of riches in terms of the assets we can show, said atthew dams, manager, exhibitions for the Walt Disney Archives. “We’ve had 100 years and we have so many di erent business units now which have all contributed to isney’s success, so it was really di cult “The great thing about Disney is, because it’s been around for so long, I can’t think of another

There are meaningful moments for baby boomers all the way up to the children of today and everyone in between Matthew Adams, Disney

company that has left such an indelible mark on people’s lives.

“There are meaningful moments for baby boomers all the way up to the children of today and everyone in between.

“I think about all the films I watched as a kid including all the movies like Hocus Pocus that came out in the 1990s. I was also a big fan of Sword In The Stone – those are two that really resonated with me when I saw props from the movies, so I can imagine how other people will feel.

“I often joke with people that the archives are the keepers of their childhood memories – but I also really mean it.

“Many are unique and we have both a domestic version of the exhibition in the US and an international touring collection, so deciding what would be in each was challenging.” ith the e ception of the first gallery – which tells the story of how Walt set up the company and created his first animations including the pioneering Steamboat Willie with its synchronised soundtrack – the exhibition is not arranged chronologically.

Instead its nine galleries are thematic, each looking at a di erent aspect of the company’s operations.

“That really helped us narrow down what we were going to put on show, said atthew, who started o his career in theatre before going on to work at 20th Century Fox in themed entertain-

a little magic in our

Props, exhibits and interactive displays abound at Disney100

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37

Royal Docks - Canning Town

Exhibits include concept models and artwork for some of the most well known characters in the world

Many exhibits on show are one-of-a-kind

The gift shop has plenty of merchandise on offer

Disney’s Matthew Adams says he hopes the exhibition will leave visitors inspired and full of hope for the future

ment and joining Disney when it bought his previous employer. “ verything after the first gallery is based on the philosophy of Walt Disney – whether that’s storytelling, creating believable characters, adventure and discovery and so on, which helped us decide what to include.

“Then we were only selecting exhibits that were in service to that story of each gallery. For example, everything in the music gallery helps tell the story of how important the music and sound e ects are in isney films “One thing that Disney is really well known for and comes into clear view when you’re in the exhibition, is the attention to detail with everything the company does.

“For instance there’s a display about creating the sound e ects and you would never think those noises were made in the way they were – the minds that came up with those ideas were pretty astounding.

“Another example is when you’re looking at the costumes for The Lion King stage show and the level of detail that goes into them, which audiences would never even see at a distance.

“It’s those things that make the isney di erence In he Illusion Of Life gallery, we talk about all these individual characters and what makes them seem real.

“There are the minute personality details, which may seem obscure and unimportant, but combine to create the e ect of a living, breathing character. To me, seeing those things is a ‘wow moment’.

“In the exhibition, you really get a sense that everyone, from Walt Disney up to the people who work for the company today, has been really passionate about the work and our history, our legacy, and the stories we continue to tell today. These people really believe in it and really love it.

“They realise what they are doing has made a huge impact on their lives and makes a real impact on other people’s lives – that’s why being part of the exhibition is really something special for me.”

T

hat Disney100: The Exhibition is in the UK is apt. Walt and the company he built has had a long association with Britain Its first live action film, 19 0’s Treasure Island, was shot in Cornwall and Buckinghamshire with Robert Newton creating a host of immortal pirate tropes as the wild-eyed, one-legged Long John Silver. Walt also traced his roots to the village of Norton Disney in Lincolnshire, visiting during filming and cementing the link by

placing his family’s coat of arms above the archway to the company’s famous castle.

“This started something that was consistent with many of the company’s most famous stories like Mary Poppins and Bedknobs And Broomsticks, which feature in the exhibition,” said Matthew. “ here’s a definite a nity with London and the UK. I hope that seeing the exhibition will reignite people’s passion and love for isney films, parks and everything else we produce.

“There’s so much content out there these days – it’s over-saturated – but it’s really nice spending an hour or two going back and looking at those touchstone moments in our lives, saying: ‘I remember this being really important in my life’ and remembering.

“An exhibition spanning 100 years is a really huge moment that will only come once in our lifetimes, so we want everyone to feel inspired and happy when they leave, and hopeful about the future.”

Spare a thought, then, for the next generation who will likely have more than double the archive to draw on when 200 years have passed.

“The collection is huge and already spans multiple buildings and locations,” said Matthew.

“We have buildings that are dedicated to our three-dimensional assets, others that are dedicated to our photo collection – it is a pretty enormous operational undertaking. We rely on the actual creators and the production teams of those films or park attractions to tell us what’s important to keep.

“Similarly, with park attractions, when they are changed or updated, we ask what the fans’ most popular items are and which are worth keeping.

“We wish we could keep everything, but that’s just not possible when we have a finite amount of space and, with the advent of Disney+, output has increased significantly Fortunately, thanks to the acquisition of ucasfilm in 01 , there is potentially a solution. That deal means it now owns the warehouse from Indiana ones flick Raiders Of The Lost Ark – plenty of room for another century of stu ● Tickets for Disney100: The Exhibition start at £21 for MondayThursday dates.

Go to disney100exhibit.com for more information or to book tickets

Scan this code to find out more about Disney100

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Cafe Spice Namaste Royal Albert Wharf

EVENT | Sip, Stamp And Savour Join artist Disha Trivedi for a block printing workshop at Cyrus Todiwala’s restaurant for a festive session of crafting and gastronomic exploration.

Dec 16, 11.30am-3pm, £95, eventbrite.co.uk Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | The London International Horse Show Delight in dressage, show jumping and driving as the equestrian extravaganza returns to Excel. There will be dog agility classes this year too...

Dec 13-18, times vary, from £27.75, excel.london Where?

RA Fold Canning Town

CLUB | Unfold NYE / NYD This 24-hour party promises a day’s worth of techno and industrial sounds at the Star Lane venue with two rooms of sonic experimentation to enjoy.

Dec 31, noon-noon, £20, ra.co

flash back

Excel is set to expand by 25% with its new building scheduled to open in October 2024.

You can find Wharf Life’s special report on the plans, progress and impact online, featuring an in-depth interview with CEO Jeremy Rees excel.london Scan this code to find out more about Excel’s expansion online at wharf-life.com want more? @wharfwhispers

38

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

Advertising Directory - Classified

be part of the Canary Wharf conversation To advertise in Wharf Life call 07944 000 144 or email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com

HOMEWARE

unique luxury items for your home

07769 701 044 Wharf Life is published by Massey Maddison Limited and printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge. Copyright Massey Maddison Limited 2021 In regard to advertising material submitted by third parties and printed in Wharf Life, each individual advertiser is solely responsible for the content of such material Massey Maddison Limited accepts no responsibility for the content of advertising material, including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

39

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

£20

Book by Nov 30 for a £20 ticket, discounted from the standard price of £45 for the 45-minute Horizon Of Khufu experience

stepping

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where?

Cart And Horses Stratford

how Horizon Of Khufu promises to take people into the Great Pyramid Of Giza via virtual reality goggles

by Jon Massey

S

tratford is more frequently associated with geezers than Giza, but a new immersive experience promises to change all that – for the next couple of months at least.

Currently booking into January, Horizon Of Khufu sees participants don virtual reality goggles for a 45-minute, free roaming trip to the Great Pyramid and its

environs. Visitors can move about within a dedicated 1,000sq ft arena during the experience.

The session promises families the opportunity to explore areas of the monument normally closed to the public and also to travel 4,500 years back in time to attend the funeral of King Khufu.

Designed in partnership with Peter Der Manuelian, professor of Egyptology and his team at Harvard University’s Giza Project, the

experience aims to ensure everything visitors see is based on architectural, scientific and historical data.

Tickets for the 45-minute sessions normally cost £45 but can be booked for £20 before November 30, if you’re quick.

Go to horizonkheops.com Scan this code for more info on Horizon Of Khufu

GIG | Metal Heart See 2024 in to a soundtrack of metal anthems from Metallica, Judas Priest, Skid Row and more, performed by an all-star band. Hard and heavy.

Dec 31, 7pm, £TBC, cartandhorses.london Where?

Stratford Picturehouse Stratford

FILM | Tampopo The cinema’s Festive Feast season continues as an eponymous widow is guided by culinary ronin and a trucker while striving to save her noodle stall.

Dec 15, 12.30pm, £8, picturehouses.com Where?

The Yard Hackney Wick

Horizon Of Khufu promises to take visitors into parts of the Great Pyramid that are usually off limits to the public

STAGE | Saturnalia Promising a modern-day extravaganza of abundance and liberation, the cabaret musical resurrects Roman revelry and rebellion, apparently. A wild, festive time.

Dec 15-16, 7.30pm, from £18, theyardtheatre.co.uk

timely reminder

Jack And The Beanstalk at Theatre Royal Stratford East is now into its run and will be a corker, if previous festive shows are any guide. Expect plenty of Splatford gags and a decidedly milky dame. From £10 stratfordeast.co.uk Scan this code to book tickets for the pantomime, running until Jan 6 or for more info about the performances want more? @wharfwhispers

40

Wharf Life Nov 29-Dec 13, 2023 wharf-life.com

Crossword - Sudoku

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone How to play To complete Sudoku, fill 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 find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca last issue’s solution Nov 15-29

Notes

crossword beating the

Cryptic Across

Down

1.

4.

1.

See 9 across Look askance as the quins quit (6) 9, 1. Make a play for the Italian businessman (3,8,2,6) 10. Splice the clips to overshadow? (7) 11. This play makes a joke of everything (5) 12. Jumbled words with a sharp edge (5) 14. It’s perfect when I distribute the cards (5) 18. Protective clothing for the stage? (5) 19. Confused, I’m painting the big drums (7) 21. Here’s one I made earlier? (13) 22. Stop messing up the sides! (6) 23. See, it’s all in the mind! (6)

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

Quick Across

1, 4. Nursery rhyme (6,6) 9. 1960s youthful protesters (5.5.3) 10. Thumb action (7) 11. Chaucer’s cleric (5) 12. Church tax (5) 14. Comic (5) 18. Frighten (5) 19. Potato dumplings (7) 21. Futility (13) 22. Guard (6) 23. Stoppage (6)

Upset, ‘e voted to prevent it (6) 2. Angry labourers get on with the sewing (13) 3. Dodgy individual stirs up the pancake (5) 5. Drank in the green square (7) 6. Large tactic in the universe? (13) 7. Sticky end for one who couldn’t do it (6) on a prison o cer 13. Athletic tracks for aeroplanes? (7) 15. Listened in on phone calls and knocked (6) 16. Sounds like you look at the step (5) 17. Trick with a fraudulent violin (6) 20. Makes fun of the exams? (5)

Down 1.

2.

3.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Card suit (6) Enlarging (13) Played with (5) Unsettle (7) German breads (13) Over there (6) Message confirmation 13. Pet (7) 15. University grounds (6) 16. Concur (5) 17. Huts (6) 20. Beginning (5) Set by Everden

Across: 1 See 9 Across; 4 Squint; 9, 1 The Merchant Of Venice; 10 Eclipse; 11 Farce; 12 Sword; 14 Ideal; 18 Apron; 19 Timpani; 21 Prefabricated; 22 Desist; 23 Psyche.

Down: 1 Vetoed; 2 Needleworkers; 3 Creep; 5 Quaffed; 6 Intergalactic; 7 Toffee; 8 Screw; 13 Runways; 15 Tapped; 16 Stare; 17 Fiddle; 20 Mocks.

Cryptic Solution Across: 1, 4 Humpty Dumpty; 9 Angry Young Men; 10 Twiddle; 11 Reeve; 12 Tithe; 14 Beano; 18 Alarm; 19 Gnocchi; 21 Pointlessness; 22 Sentry; 23 Stasis.

Down: 1 Hearts; 2 Magnification; 3 Toyed; 5 Unnerve; 6 Pumpernickels; 7 Yonder; 8 Roger; 13 Hamster; 15 Campus; 16 Agree; 17 Kiosks; 22 Onset.

Quick Solution

Notes