Wharf Life, Nov 15-29, 2023

+ Chris Ezekiel on the need for trust in the AI market Page 16

Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

inside issue 101

Dancer Constance Devernay-Laurence is set to perform Heisei 9 at Ballet Nights in November with choreography by Jordan James Bridge to music from computer game Final Fantasy VII

David Lefebvre Sell - Amy French Urban Baristas - Snow White - Sudoku Excel - McLaren - A Season Of Culinary Discovery East London Business Summit - Crossword Finnish Church Winter Market - East River Wharf The Pier Tavern - Jovena Face Stim Lydia Hamblet - Cosy Fashion

how Ballet Nights is blazing a trail for top quality dance on the Isle Of Dogs Pages 32-33

changing the

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

Probate Support or Advice on Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney Contact Erica John-Marie to arrange a free consultation.

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EXPLORE GLOBAL FLAVOURS WITH OVER 70 DINING EXPERIENCES AT CANARY WHARF

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Blacklock, Frobisher Passage

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 IBERICA • 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 BOATHOUSE THE BREAKFAST CLUB • THE IVY • THE LOWBACK • WAGAMAMA • WAHACA • ZIZZI’S

plus many more at

canarywharf.com

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read

feast your eyes on these

what’s on

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

Across The Wharf Canary Wharf

SHOP | Black Friday Shopping Event Expect discounts at numerous stores (of up to 50% in some cases) as the pre-Christmas offers arrive.

Find full discount listings online.

Nov 22-25 , daily, canarywharf.com

Welcome to issue 101 of Wharf Life. We promise Big Brother, rats and Paul Merton are not to be found within. Instead we’ve taken a look at Excel’s extension, food on the Wharf, high-end ballet, solid Aussie coffee and local firms getting together for mutual benefit. Oh, and there’s a panto preview too – ‘tis the season...

06

Wharf Life Hacks to make your existence just a little bit sweeter

Where?

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

08

GIG | Ella And Louis Nicola Emmanuelle and Enrico Tomasso interpret the songs made famous by Fitzgerald and Armstrong at this long jazz lunch.

Dec 10 , 1pm, from £49, boisdale.co.uk

How a Jovena Face Stim can lift your visage ready for a big occasion

Where?

Short Story Stations Across Canary Wharf

READ | Afua Hirsch Visit the free story dispensers for extracts from the writer, filmmaker and journalist’s latest book – part of Canary Wharf’s Black History Month activities.

Until Nov, free, canarywharf.com

26

In a special report we look at Excel’s expansion. Set to open in less than a year the scheme boosts space at the venue by a whopping 25% and lays the groundwork for future prosperity

flash back

12

Why the Wharf is a culinary playground to explore this season

the joy of six

30 Level39-based startup WyzePay has teamed up with traders at MMy Wood Wharf to offer Wharfers who pre-pay discounts on their purchases of between 10% and 15%. Doesn’t everyone enjoy getting more for less? wyzepay.com Scan this to read our interview with WyzePay’s Anya Markitanova about the payment platform’s growth want more? @wharfwhispers

How Urban Baristas continues to expand its Aussie flat white empire

38

How Tim Campbell is set to speak at East London Business Summit

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 26

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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

£4

Another new opening has arrived on the estate. Wharf Kitchen has officially welcomed Argentinian Grill to its offering. Expect a selection of grilled beef and chicken, served in various ways with chips and sauces to dip the juicy morsels into canarywharf.com

34 Because Urban Greens, Pure and Atis aren’t quite enough to sate Wharfers insatiable lust for healthy bowls, The Salad Kitchen is set to open its doors in Jubilee Place where Godiva used to be. Expect talk of avocados and protein options in abundance thesaladkitchen.com

Get a host of discounts including wine, beer and bubbles for £4 a glass at Roka’s happy hour – Monday-Friday, 5pm-7.30pm at the Canda Square venue rokarestaurant.com

24

How the Finnish Church is getting stocked for Xmas

Find our usual puzzles page inside the paper for a change this issue

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

£100

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He’s behind you. No, he’s on Page 36. We catch up with Anthony Spargo, veteran villain and writer of Snow White, Greenwich Theatre’s panto for 2023

Join luxury health club Third Space in Canada Square and get £100 in club credit to spend at the organisation’s businesses. Offer only via Canary Wharf app canarywharf.com

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

SCAN TO MAKE A BOOKING

HAIR | BEAUTY | AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

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

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write me

LOYALTY REWARDS Tortilla Canary Wharf DLR Station Free boisdale.co.uk

words you don’t know you need

camerong noun, fake, from Old Norse subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

Sign up for Tortilla’s loyalty card scheme, scan your card in-store between 5pm-8pm and get all alcoholic drinks at the venue for £2.50 each if purchased with a meal to eat-in. Further benefits include a free burrito on your birthday. Please eat and drink responsibly for dignity’s sake

An action that flies in the face of expectation, such as appointing a person to a senior government role dealing with Europe when they managed to wreck the UK’s relationship with the EU through their own political hubris

diary dates, listings and ideas to make your Canary Wharf life sweeter...

RETURNING Winter Lights 2024 Across The Estate Free canarywharf.com

quanked verb, real, from Old English

A wonderful archaic term that means to be overcome with fatigue. Any resemblance to parties that have been in government for more than 13 years in is purely coincidental rather than Cleverly perceived

Tortilla can be found at Canary Wharf DLR station

Get those diaries out – Canary Wharf Group has announced dates and installations for the return of its enormously popular free Winter Lights festival. This year there will be 12 installations appearing alongside permanent works in the estate’s collection from 5pm-10pm daily between January 17 and 27. A full map of works to visit will be made available in January

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AY L E S B U RY

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HI GH W YCOM BE

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M A IDE N H E A D

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Excitement is building among coffee and brunch lovers on the Wharf following the arrival of hoardings promising the a new branch of Watch House. The Bermondsey-born brand is set to open in Cabot Place opposite Rockar, hopefully bringing with it a fine selection of rare and speciality coffees and a full menu of pastries and tasty snacks for Wharfers to enjoy

Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay curriculum of Office Hours, Workshops and Insights sessions. Having a trusted network to tap into is important for entrepreneurs as it can provide access to resources, knowledge and opportunities that are essential for business success.

another level

by Amy French

I

am often asked: “What are the building blocks to the success of the Level39 community?” So, here are some of the key things I’ve learnt from my time as director of Canary Wharf’s workspace and community for tech startups and scale-ups: the right environment We have spent over a decade creating the right conditions for people to work productively, grow teams, win business and expand their products and services into national and international markets.

We’ve recently refurbished our spaces, through which we’ve embedded hybrid technology to all meeting rooms and have taken advice from The Eden Project on the types and placement of greenery across our co-working spaces to bring our people closer to nature.

Research suggests that the addition of greenery within a working environment can increase productivity by up to 15% – this is hugely valuable for our members who often operate at a fast-pace and require a working environment that both aligns with their sustainability values and considers employee wellbeing. a trusted network The Level39 network is unique. Not only do we house 180 technology businesses, with over 50 nationalities represented, from a diverse range of sectors, but we also collaborate with Canary Wharf tenants, such as UCL and Kadans on events and business opportunities.

We’ve curated a network of more than 100 mentors, industry leaders, investors and corporates who provide guidance to our members through our

Level39 provides space and community at One Canada Square

more than simple

collaboration Collaboration and partnership play a vital role in the growth and scaling of businesses, providing access to new markets, resources and expertise, to name a few. We’ve seen some incredible partnerships form between our members following interactions at events, over a coffee (or 3pm cookie) and through direct introduction.

To improve the chances of success for our members, we organise meet-ups, host thematic partner events and work with industry players such as Innovate Finance, London And Partners, Money20/20 and Fintech Global, providing access to the global stage as well as cutting-edge thought leadership.

Amy French is director at Level39 in Canary Wharf – follow @Level39CW on Insta and X and @Level39CanaryWharf on LinkedIn Go to level39.co for more information about the One Canada Square-based tech community Scan this code to find out more about Level39 and the various spaces and services it offers at Canary Wharf’s One Canada Square

Thursday 30 November 2023 | London Stadium | 09:00 - 16:00

EAST LONDON’S GO-TO EVENT FOR BUSINESSES LOOKING TO GENERATE SALES AND SCALE UP

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

how a Jovena Face Stim at Third Space Spa promises instant results via dual therapy

the secret of

The Jovena Face Stim machine features a single wand that is used to both deliver radio frequency treatments and muscle stimulation

by Jon Massey

T

here’s a new beauty treatment in town. Third Space Spa in Canary Wharf’s Canada Square recently added Jovena Face Stim to its extensive range of aesthetic and wellbeing services.

While the largest luxury health club in Europe, has plenty of ways to train the body’s muscles, the spa’s new machine offers a way to work out facial muscles with the aim of tightening and toning the skin to give clients a healthier and younger appearance.

The treatment, which costs £250 per session, promises visible results after the first application, with a course of six recommended. Third Space is currently offering customers £50 off their first treatment. Those booking five sessions will get a sixth for free. what do you get for your money?

Each session lasts approximately one hour, which includes cleansing, radio frequency therapy and muscle stimulation.

scan this code to find out more about the Jovena Face Stim

tell us more “It’s a two-part facial, although you can also have them done in isolation,” said Third Space Spa therapist, Samelia Connor. “The Jovena Face Stim treatment begins with a radio frequency procedure, which tightens the skin and boosts collagen production.

In combination, you get tightening and lifting, working with your skin regime.

It gives a more youthful appearance Samelia Connor, Third Space Spa

then what happens?

“The second part is the facial stimulation,” said Samelia. “It causes contractions in the face, so it’s working the muscles to create a lifting effect for the skin. We can target the right muscles to achieve the effect.

In combination, you get tightening and lifting, which works with your existing skin regime.” what are the benefits?

“From what I’ve seen with my clients, it gives them a more youthful appearance and I feel like that’s something everyone is looking for,” said Samelia, who has been a therapist for more than seven years, relocating to the UK from the Caribbean following a hurricane. “Even if, like me, you’re in your 20s, you still want to look fresh.”

THE DETAILS Jovena Face Stim, Third Space Spa ● The cost per treatment is normally £250 per session ● Third Space Spa’s introductory offer is £50 off a first treatment ● Therapists recommend a course of six treatments for longerlasting results. The spa offers six for the price of five ● The two-stage procedure takes around an hour to complete ● Instantly visible results are promised after one session

how does it feel?

“It’s quite relaxing,” said Samelia. “When someone invests in their skin, I feel like they know the procedure will benefit them and when you see the instant results, you feel like you’re getting you money’s worth.

“For longer lasting results, I would recommend the full course of six.

It’s for men and women. Before there was a stigma about men getting treatments but now it’s seen as self care. Whoever you are, if you’re doing a presentation or appearing at an event, you want to look your very best.” ● Third Space Spa is accessible to members and non-members at Third Space in Canada Square. A first Jovena Face Stim costs £200.

Go to thirdspace.london for more information Skin in the game: Jess Maddison puts the Jovena Face Stim to the test for Wharf Life - P10

Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf + West India Quay

how Third Space Spa’s latest facial treatment feels, from the person going under the wand

60

Minutes – approximate duration of the full Jovena Face Stim treatment

Third Space Spa therapist, Samelia Connor, expertly delivers the Jovena Face Stim treatment

by Jess Maddison

I

am – in some ways – the ideal candidate to experience this treatment for a review. My body has been blessed with many things, but prominent bone structure is not one of them. I’m therefore a good guinea pig to road test a treatment that claims to produce results of lifting, sculpting and tightening after only the first session.

Before my appointment at Third Space Spa for the Jovena Face Stim, I’ve also accidentally gone out every night for a week and my skin is definitely a bit dull and dehydrated. The treatment is meant to promote a youthful appearance, so I’m giving the technology a serious challenge.

The bed is then lowered and my face is cleansed. Then it all gets a bit weird. Conductive gel is applied and a little, warm device is moved over one half of my face.

It’s like a small, friendly koala is massaging me with his tiny fingers.

This is the radio frequency treatment – the part that stimulates collagen production and, once I got used to the sensation, it was quite relaxing.

Then comes the next step and things get weirder. This is the part where the therapist stimulates the muscles in your face like a mini gym work out. It’s done with the same wand, but the koala has gone on his break.

The first jolt is definitely a shock – it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Is it an electric pulse?

Suction? It feels a little bit like an epilator.

It pulses all over one half of my face and this is where my therapist Samelia’s professionalism comes into play. While the first few applications are a bit alarming her soft, hushed tones are there and she makes me laugh.

It’s not the most comfortable I have been in my life, but by the time we get round to doing the other half of my face I’ve gotten so used to things I’ve zoned out and am thinking about something else entirely.

The session ends with the removal of the conductive gel (or whatever it is) and a soothing application of moisturiser.

Left, the treatment starts with cleansing before the machine kicks in

The results? In the mirror there stands before me someone who’s apparently had seven nights of blissful eight-hour sleep and green tea before bed.

The puffiness under my eyes is gone and it’s the same for my cheeks. My skin is glowing, hydrated, smooth and tight. But that isn’t all. The changes are subtle, but definitely there. There is, without doubt, a small part of my chin that has been sucked up into my jaw. The sides of my face are straighter and – what’s this? I can actually see an ever-so-small curve of a cheekbone.

Days later my skin feels just as smooth. I’m amazed the results are still there when I wake up.

This is definitely not a typical facial but, with effects like these, bring on more koala massage and face pulsing.

Go to thirdspace.london for more information

Scan this code to find out more about Jonvea Face Stim

Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

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food, glorious

how Canary Wharf’s Season Of Culinary Discovery is celebrating the breadth of hospitality across the estate Kake, £4.95 Marugame Udon Atrium Kitchen, Cabot Place marugame.co.uk

east meets east

Is this umami-packed little bowl of fish dashi and noodles the best value dish in Canary Wharf? At 243 calories (for the small bowl), it’s a warming, simple snack. But in a complicated world there’s a lot to be said for purity, clarity and excellence. This is traditional Japanese comfort food at its best and you’ll still get change from a fiver (at least you would if anyone actually paid in cash any more).

by Jon Massey

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

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.

I don’t think anyone would expect the sheer number of phenomenal restaurants that we have here in Canary Wharf Claire Slater, Canary Wharf Group

In support we’ve selected dishes from restaurants featured in the above categories to help spark your dining ideas with two featured in this issue of Wharf Life and two in the next.

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

Spicy King Prawn Curry, £13.95 Pho Jubilee Place phocafe.co.uk Spicy Veggie Ramen, £15 Ippudo Crossrail Walk ippudo.co.uk Wowzer, this is one hot bowl, as sizzling as the late 20th century soundtrack that plays over this evergreen Japanese ramen specialist. Think Footloose, It Wasn’t Me and Under Pressure for the ear worms and thin, glorious noodles soaked in Kakara miso paste, dashi broth and garlic oil on the tongue. There’s serious depth here with plenty of bean sprouts, kikurage mushrooms and fried tofu to top what lies beneath...

Slick and efficient, is the best way to describe a meal at Pho. The chain promises fresh and healthy Vietnamese food and delivers filling, but surprisingly light dishes to order at rapid speed. This punchy curry came served with a ridge of peanuts and a side of “broken rice” that all came together in a beautiful mess of flavours and textures in the mouth. Top tip, add some pickled chillies and garlic.

hot bowl

Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

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Dishes from Asian restaurants in Canary Wharf to get your tastebuds racing Karol Bagh Butter Chicken, £14.50 Chai Ki Crossrail Place chai-ki.com The rich colour of this dish is a clue to how this blend of tandoor-smoked chicken thigh in a spiced tomato, fenugreek and butter sauce is going to taste. Since the day it opened in Canary Wharf, Chai Ki has stood out from the crowd with its vibrant, flavourful and beautifully presented Indian cooking. Put simply, it’s unafraid to be different and all the better for it. Try this dish with a simple tandoori naan (£2.90).

Tomahawk Steak, £130 Roka Park Pavilion, Canada Square rokarestaurant.com Like this enormous, 1kg cut of flame-grilled steak, there’s no part of Roka that isn’t exceedingly well done. The Japanese sushi and robata restaurant is exquisite, right down to the

perfectly irregular ceramics it serves its exacting dishes on. This dish might seem expensive but it will easily do for three or four people prepared to tuck into pink, supple meat and unctuous, partially rendered fat. For extraordinary value, try it as part of Roka’s bottomless brunch for £51.50 per person plus a £33 supplement and indulge its outrageously good, free-flowing sushi before tucking into the beef.

Kimchi Noodle Mac And Cheese, £4.95 Seoul Bird Jubilee Place seoul-bird.co.uk Seoul Bird founder Judy Joo says: “Kimchi and cheese is a combination that is winning fans all around the world – at first bite you’ll surely swoon and taste why. The tangy and spicy notes of kimchi complement and cut through the creamy richness of the cheese, transforming a traditional combination into a fully balanced, deeply satisfying sensation.”

But don’t just take her word for it. Grab a fork and dig in yourselves. It’s £9.50 for a large....

Turkey Raan Bun, £13.90 Dishoom Water Street, Wood Wharf dishoom.com How do you find Dishoom? Follow the queue. Those people are waiting outside to get a table for a reason. At this time of year, this dish could well be it. A whole turkey leg is marinated overnight before being prepared in the traditional Indian raan style – cooked slowly over a day until it basically melts. The meat is then gently pulled off the bone and piled into a warm brioche bun.

Cranberry mayo, spinach, red onions, crispy onions and a slice of brie are added to finish things off. Best enjoyed with slaw, salli crispchips and deep-fried green chillies. Order it with the house black dal for something truly indulgent to dip into...

Prefer flavours from the Americas? Turn the page for six of the best - P14

east meets east

the show stopper

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Places to find authentic tastes from across the pond in Canary Wharf >> The second strand of Canary Wharf Group’s Season Of Culinary Discovery is North, South Or Central – a grouping that could be subtitled This Is Americas (in homage to Childish Gambino). Whether it’s the full-on, bombastic cuisine of the USA with burgers and BBQ, the refined cuts of Argentina or the spice of central and South America, there’s plenty to try and experience. Here are a few places to start...

For more ideas go to canarywharf.com

Scan this code for more information about the campaign

north, south or central

Steak Bowl, £9.25 Chipotle Jubilee Place chipotle.co.uk This innocent-looking bowl of burrito ingredients (conceived, presumably for those who insanely prefer to eschew carbs) must not be underestimated. Mention to your server that you like it spicy and they will be more than happy to oblige, dressing the chunky cubes of beef in a sizzling hot sauce that’s enough to warm anyone on a winter’s day. But then what else would you expect from a chain named after a smoked chilli?

Feast Menu, £85 Gaucho Canary Riverside gauchorestaurants.com While Gaucho is unequestionably a steak specialist and there’s a fillet and a ribeye on the chain’s seasonal four-course set menu, beef is far from the only attraction.

Top billing goes to an Argentinian twist on traditions with the chimichurri butter roasted turkey. There’s also a whole grilled sea bass for fish lovers and a mushroom tagliatelle with truffle oil for those who prefer to avoid meat altogether.

whaddya got?

Rebel Without A Claus, £12.95 Patty & Bun Park Drive, Wood Wharf pattyandbun.co.uk The British burger brand has long looked to the States for its inspiration with offerings named Ari Gold and Smokey Robinson. Little surprise then that this year’s festive burger channels

James Dean. It’s a burger built aroung Ogleshield cheese, billed as “the West Country’s answer to Raclette” and promises a pungent, melting partner to the dry-aged beef patty. Italian pancetta and red currant jam are also within to add something of a pigs-in-blankets vibe with just a little sweetness on the side. Eat at a festive celebration with the team or simply on your own with rebellion in your heart.

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

Ham Hock Tacos, £35 (part of set menu) Wahaca Park Pavilion, Canada Square wahaca.co.uk You’ll have to wait until November 22 for these, but just look at them... The brand’s development chef, Leo Da Cruz says: “The Christmas Ham Hock Taco is a dish I’m really excited about. We’ve combined a familiar festive ingredient, with a whole host of flavours and spices inspired by Mexico.

“It’s topped with pink pickled onions and crispy crackling pieces. You can also dig into all these flavours and more in our sharing festive feast.”

This Christmas menu will be available until December 24, costs £35 per person and is available for parties of six or more. Flavours include the likes of smoky Sonoran hummus, golden roast cauliflower, churros with sprinkles and, of course, ham hock served with a crispy crackling crown.

Fancy a plate piled high with mashed polenta and lamb shank drizzled with a balsamic vinegar sauce? Then Californiainspired restaurant Feels Like June is the place to go. Located on the ground floor of the Tribe London Canary Wharf hotel in Wood Wharf, the venue promises a sunny welcome year-round. For Christmas, it’s offering a three-course set menu available until Christmas Day, featuring the likes of beef tartare, clam chowder and mushroom and truffle arancini to start.

Mains include the lamb, a duck breast fillet and a cauliflower steak. For dessert, there’s red velvet cake with hot fudge and chocolate sauce, gingerbread cheesecake with chantilly cream or a spiced chocolate mousse. Feeling festive yet?

Bar.B.Q Taste-O-Rama, £10 (inc drink) Big Easy Crossrail Place bigeasy.co.uk There’s something about the smell of smoke as you walk into Big Easy that, when combined with the strains of raunchy blues guitar, makes you wish you were wearin’ cowboy boots, a plaid shirt and sportin’ a stetson. The food it serves is perfect for those whose heels have bin’ hittin’ the boards, with plentiful portions of homesmoked meats. Go for the venue’s express menu, which includes a beverage such as a half pint of lager, a glass of Prosecco or a soft drink for £10. The Taste-O-Rama is top of the list and acts as a culinary tour of the food on offer. Expect a dish groaning with pulled pork, chicken, Texas hot links, pork rib, Bar.B.Q beans and house slaw with a sweet little cornbread cake at its heart. Rapidly served it’s a good ol’ lunchtime treat.

north, south or central

Festive Feast Menu, £49 Feels Like June Water Street, Wood Wharf feelslikejune.com

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Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

virtual viewpoint

by Chris Ezekiel

13

Days it took Lydia to paint her weather-inspired, abstract mural over the course of three weeks

I

t’s a year since ChatGPT exploded into the mainstream – grabbing headlines worldwide and bringing artificial intelligence into mass consciousness. The company I run, Creative Virtual, deals in conversational AI and so has been tracking and testing models – of which there are many – for over three years.

Nevertheless, when OpenAI showcased the capabilities of ChatGPT, the impact and excitement generated worldwide around large language models (LLMs) and AI, came as a bit of a surprise to many in the industry.

Working with some of the world’s largest brands, there are three key themes that dominate many of the conversations that we are having with them today. Two of these are trust and accuracy. How can a user or a business know that the answers produced by a prompt to an AI are accurate and, if they are supplying personal or commercial information, that it will be protected.

The business benefits of conversational AI are well known. Companies continue to embrace its use in a considered and cautious way.

Rightly, companies employing LLMs are focused on ensuring they continue to build trust with their customers, that they retain control over the messages, answers and interactions these models provide for customers and that they work with providers who have extensive experience.

This makes sense, given that their reputation, brand and future profitability are paramount considerations when implementing such solutions.

As with any new technology there are many organisations that want to ride the wave, but may not necessarily have the experience and understanding of the entire ecosystem yet.

There have been many examples of LLMs hallucinating – giving false, misleading or even unrelated answers to questions. For an organisation, that presents a potential problem.

At Creative Virtual, we have built controls into our platform which provide organisations with the necessary safeguards they need to protect their reputations while taking advantage of the benefits LLMs offer.

In addition to the accuracy of content, trust also comes into the equation with regard to a customer’s personal information.

Embedded data security and privacy controls for customer data are another important aspect of our business. They enable users to be confident that their information is protected as well as supporting full legislative, governance and risk compliance for our customers.

Responsible AI teams are now becoming a core part of many organisations, working closely with the customer experience and compliance divisions as well as marketing, sales, HR and customer service departments.

Excitingly, we are in the midst of an AI revolution, and the winners will be those businesses which select experienced partners and technology platforms that have transparency and control built-in.

Without these key features LLMs at present pose a significant risk to companies as the information they provide might fail to meet their customer’s needs, potentially resulting in a loss of business or damaging a firm’s reputation.

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on X

Lydia Hamblet has created Together, Basking

By The South Quay, inset, as the latest addition to the estate’s permanent art trail

how Lydia Hamblet has become the first painter to create a work for Canary Wharf ’s public art collection

by Jon Massey

L

ydia Hamblet has done something new in Canary Wharf. Her latest work, Together, Basking By The South Quay, is the first painting to be included in the estate’s permanent art trail and the only piece created on-site by an artist in the collection.

Unveiled this month, the work is a 15-metre curved mural on a wall overlooking West India South Dock and One Park Drive.

“Generally all my work comments on narratives around the weather and how they influence our emotions and memories,” said Lydia, a graduate of the Royal College Of Art who was commissioned by Canary Wharf Group after winning Clifford Chance’s Purchase Prize and putting on a successful solo show at Pictorum Gallery.

“I essentially make abstracted landscapes as a way to communicate this. Painting on-site was difficult – every element was against me, which is very fitting given the subject of my work.

“The mural took about 13 days, stretched over three weeks, to paint because some days were just torrential rain and it wasn’t possible to work. Some of my paintings are quite large scale, but before this, the largest I’d made

painting on the

was a triptych that was about four metres and this is more than three times the length of that.

“One of the hardest things was trying to imagine my work on a bigger scale, but I’ve used similar compositions and motifs that I’ve used previously – especially three-pronged heart shapes.

“These come from drawings I’ve made inspired by nature and landscapes. I like that they can be interpreted as anything.

“Previously they’ve been described as crowds of people and that feels particularly appropriate for this as a public work, which is able to bring people together.

“I really enjoyed seeing all the different kinds of people who passed by while I was painting in Canary Wharf – there’s so much variety.

“The piece is super bright and I wanted to make something that’s nice, comforting and happy

because there are lots of horrible things happening in the world right now – I wanted to inject some colour into people’s lives.

“It’s been such a privilege to have painted this mural. It feels surreal to be part of the permanent connection and it will be interesting to see how the reception of it changes over time.”

Lydia’s mural joins the more than 100 works that make up Canary Wharf’s public art trail. The many sculptures and integrated architectural works comprise the largest free outdoor collection of art accessible by the public in the UK. Go to canarywharf.com

Scan this code to find out more about Lydia’s mural

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

London Ski Co Jubilee Place Ski Club Sweater, £185 londonskico.com

Cos Jubilee Place Teddy Oversized Framed Clutch, £75 cos.com

Reiss Jubilee Place Frankie Wide Brim Fedora, £68 reiss.com

there’s a chill in the air and winter is coming, so Jess Maddison has searched Canary Wharf’s malls with warmth and style in mind

Calvin Klein Underwear Cabot Place Flannel Pyjama Top, £55 calvinklein.co.uk

Levi’s Canada Place Sherpa Trucker Jacket, £185 levi.com

Reiss Jubilee Place Hybrid Quilt And Knit Zip-Through Jacket, £168 reiss.com

Mango Canada Place Fur-Effect Bethoven Coat, £119.99 mango.com

Circle Collective Jubilee Place Dickies Hayes Graphic-Print Sweatshirt, £115 circlecollective.org

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25%

the power of

Extra space Excel can offer to customers with its extension, when the facility opens its doors in 2024

how the expansion of Excel is set to bring larger events, more visitors and jobs to Royal Docks and east London

by Jon Massey

J

eremy Rees is excited – and with good reason.

It’s now less than a year until the latest extension to Excel in Royal Docks is due to open its doors for business, and the exhibition and conference centre’s CEO is buzzing with the anticipation of what it means for the UK, London and the local area.

To say live events have bounced back after the pandemic would be an understatement. Fuelled by a period of almost total shut down, when meetings were deemed illegal, the demand and desire to reconnect is at an all-time high.

“This year will be 10% busier than we’ve ever been in the history of Excel’s business,” said Jeremy. “There will be more events, more exhibitors and more visitors here than ever before – that’s a really strong catalyst for activities, innovation and ideas.

“It puts Royal Docks right at the heart of our trade agenda in the UK once again. Historically, it was an area where innovation was rife, where trade was a huge driver for the capital. hat tailed off with containerisation.

“But it’s a great example of what London does, it adapts and changes into something else – so the Royal Docks began reinventing itself as a centre of excellence and innovation.

“Transportation links improved and, over the years, pieces were put in place to remove the friction of travel to get here.

“Now, with the Elizabeth Line, we’re a very strong proposition for our customers. Excel is three minutes from Canary Wharf and 15 minutes from the West End. It’s so accessible.”

Riding the wave of that regeneration and inrastructure improvements, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), which owns Excel, has invested significant cash in e panding the venue. When the doors to the

extension open in October 2024, Excel will see its available space increase by 25% to some 125,000sq m. The new facility will connect seamlessly to the existing centre’s eastern end, with landscaping outside, including a public park.

“We’ve designed a £220million building connected to the existing one, which will genuinely delight and surprise everyone with a world-class experience,” said Jeremy. “The process of regeneration here is far from complete and that’s one of the reasons our expansion programme is so important – because it’s demand-led.

“Our customers in the corporate, association and exhibition markets – both nationally and internationally – have told us what they want. That’s the future of face-to-face events – a building that needs to be not just physically but also technologically fit for purpose and a place that’s sustainable and puts delegate health and wellbeing right at the heart of the proposition.

“The brands that are coming now care deeply about the experience and that’s something we’ve catered for really carefully.

“The expansion is a place where millions of moments will happen, where people will go away saying that their needs were fulfilled when they came to Royal Docks – whether that was for trade, fun or engagement. It will be where their preconceptions of the area, of London and of the UK, will have been shifted.

“Our vision for the future is to add significantly to where we are now and this is deeply exciting.

“From a stakeholder perspective, from ADNEC downwards, I think it shows a belief in London and the Royal Docks.

“They’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds in our buildings and the experience. That’s being reinforced by our customer base who are signing contracts now for 2024, 2025 and beyond.

We’ve got agreements in place for 2030 already.”

An artist’s impression of how the forthcoming extension to Excel will look when work is completed in October next year

Excel CEO, Jeremy Rees, says the venue’s expansion is driven by demand from its growing portfolio of customers Image by Jon Massey

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Royal Docks - Canning Town Building the future: How McLaren is working tirelessly to hit Excel’s construction deadline - P28

I think that the east of London – the Royal Docks, Canary Wharf and all the other areas – have all got very bright futures Jeremy Rees, Excel

Take a step back and Excel currently generates about £4.5billion in economic impact for the UK, attracting around 4million visitors to the Royal Docks each year y hosting roughly events. The expansion is necessary to ensure the virtuous circle of growth continues.

Jeremy said: “What our existing customers are saying is that if we can’t cater for them, they’re going to go somewhere else. There is a significant emphasis on invest ment internationally and cities are competing aggressively with each other. he difference with London is that most other cities in the world own their convention centres – here it’s privately owned, so all the investment coming through us is driving a vast ripple effect through the city.

“The economic impact is huge and costs the public purse nothing. In other cities, the events industry is asking for subsidy or support from governments whereas we are a massive contributor to the Treasury and UK PLC as a whole.

“Our investment is driven by the fact we believe there is a commercial need – it’s what our customers want. he enefit from this is also for the hotels, bars and restaurants – and so for the Exchequer as well – due to the increase in activity across these sectors.”

A

t a more immediately local level, the expansion will also enefit those living and working in Royal Docks in a variety of ways. Put simply, the larger Excel becomes, the more potential there is for success. The more successful the venue is, the bigger its economic impact will be, with greater and greater audiences coming to the area with needs to satisfy.

“From a successful exhibition perspective, it means that we’re generating more income, and that flows through to ewham where tourism and hospitality are key pillars that drive job creation,” said Jeremy.

FACTS AND FIGURES Excel’s expansion will see the following benefits created: ● 25% larger overall with 25,000sq m of additional space that can be completely taken over by a customer ● A new front door for the venue ● Improved landscaping for pedestrians and cyclists including along the dock edge ● 12,000sq m of new exhibition space ● A freshly planted pocket park ● Views across the dock from the venue

“As a business ourselves, there is no doubt we are already employing more people from the local area than ever before.

Similarly the businesses we’re supporting and working with are also employing people, so you get this multiplier effect.

“The hotels locally are running at around 85% occupancy, very largely filled y people attending events at Excel.

“We aim to make sure that, we’re working harmoniously with the residents who enefit from hospitality, bars and restaurants.

“But it’s also the reason why we’re investing in transport links, why there are, for example, 5G networks here, and that infrastructure generally is being improved, because all the activity is here.

“That’s interesting because it changes the dynamics of the ecosystem. What used to be the case is that people came in, conducted their business and then left. That’s shifting and I foresee over the ne t five or years that the dwell time here is going to be

significantly greater within the Royal Docks.

“I think that the east of London – Royal Docks, Canary Wharf and all the other areas – have all got very bright futures. There’s absolutely no doubt about it.

“With the Elizabeth Line now in place, Excel is the natural home for events for companies on the Wharf – the journey is only three minutes now. It’s incumbent on all of us in this area to set the tone, develop, grow and do it in partnership. If we can accelerate this with our investments and support from Abu Dhabi, then we’re going to do that.”

One of the other things the venue is already doing is shifting its programme.

“We’ve been planning all this since and the final pieces of the puzzle were the arrival of the Elizabeth Line, a commitment from our investors to expand and, lastly, Excel’s complete adoption of immersive events and experiences,” said Jeremy.

“We’ve got truly world-class creators, innovators, production houses and agencies who are exporting immersive experiences to other countries, where they have residencies.

“There hasn’t really been a place where they can host them here, so we’ve observed and responded to the need – and we’ve done it very quickly.

“We’ve been really keen to work with some of the best brands globally to do this, which is the reason we’ve hosted Jurassic World and Disney100. These are worldclass experiences and there will be more announced soon.

“Brands invest tens of millions in some cases and what we want is families and children to come here and be surprised and delighted y what they find so that they return again and again.”

In some senses, the countdown to the future of Excel has begun.

In others, it’s here already.

Go to excel.london for more information and event listings

Scan this code to find out more about Excel’s expansion

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Weeks is the time McLaren has been given to build Excel’s extension from start to finish, ready for opening in October next year

how main contractor McLaren has taken on the challenge of expanding Excel by 25% in less than two years

by Jon Massey

M

cLaren is the company responsible for actually building Excel’s extension. The firm which has just moved its headquarters to anary harf from the ity has seen significant growth itself in recent years increasing its turnover from around £400million to more than illion thanks to a programme of diversification that’s seen it enter a number of new markets.

“We’re a roll-your-sleeves-up usiness where everyone’s really valued said aul Heather group managing director of construction for the UK. “We’re strong on our values of eing supportive agile and proud. he difference here to other places I’ve worked is that we all come together and feel part of a team whether we’re out on a pro ect or at head office.

“It’s the team ethos finding solutions – that gets people out of bed in the morning here and that’s great to see. alk through c aren’s hurchill lace office and you’ll see exactly that – open-plan spaces and meeting rooms filled with people colla orating. It’s easy to imagine they’re all striving to solve complex problems at a firm that’s e panded into many different areas of construction.

Clear focus on agility and solutions is probably just as well ecause cel’s e tension would e a daunting task for any contractor.

Not only is the scale of the uilding vast ut everything has to e uilt without any disruption to the workings of the e isting conference and e hi ition centre not to mention the race track that has to weave through the construction site for Formula twice over the course of the project. ir o ert c lpine the firm that uilt the first two phases

With just a year to go, it’s full steam ahead.

The biggest challenge is the speed we have to work at to hit that allimportant end date Paul Heather, McLaren

of cel had een awarded the contract for ena ling works efore the venue opted to work with c aren on the main uild.

“It was a proud moment for us to become involved in such a prestigious scheme as this said aul who moved from c lpine to c aren himself in arch . “ e engaged with cel in ovem er and had our first digger in the ground in mid-January which is pretty uick. “ he team worked very hard and operations director areth ee les knew the o inside out. “ s a company c aren ultimately comes from industrial logistics. We’d pretty much cornered the market as ig industrial shed builders and had made a huge success of it constructing distribution centres for clients such as ma on across the country. That mentality is at the heart of many people who work for the usiness and because an events venue is similar in many respects we had some ideas for this pro ect that allowed us to be more competitive – to offer the client more certainty on the programme which is what the team at cel wanted.

Sustainability is also at the core of the uild with the new uilding targeting a Excellent rating. That means both its design and construction aim to minimise their impact on the environment – increasingly a factor for organisers when they’re deciding where to host their events. aul said “ sing recycled

delivering on

Image by McLaren

materials and reducing carbon emissions is very much part of the agenda. his will e one of the first ma or pro ects to use emfree masonary mortar which has no cement in it and that will reduce emissions y kg of .

“Half of the steel used is recycled and it’s been quite a challenge to find that uantity ut we’ve managed to do it.

“We’ll also be installing air source heat pumps which is a sustaina le approach to heating as well as solar panels over of the roof which should generate kw to help power the uilding. ith weeks from start to finish allowed the uild is now over halfway completed and construction continues apace. “ e’re coming up to winter so we’ve got to get the structure up ecause there’s a lot of work to e done internally said aul. “ e

Work on the expansion of Excel is well under way, with freshly-shot drone footage showing the building rapidly coming together

need the roof on the cladding on and then it will e time to get stuck into the finishes inside. “ ith ust a year to go it’s going to e full steam ahead with no rest that’s for sure.

“The biggest challenge is the speed we have to work at to hit the all-important end date.

“We’ve learned a lot from the last season ormula with the track running through the e isting cel uildings and our site so we’ll all ready for the ne t season. “ o have to stop when you want to keep going can e a frustration so there’s a challenge to keep everyone motivated ut as soon as the racing is over we’ll e going for it again.

“There have also been challenges to ensure the way we were erecting the steel fitted in with the needs of flights in and out of ondon ity irport making certain not to impinge on the

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Royal Docks - Canning Town

what’s on

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

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Kingdom Of Winter Expect an ice rink, circus, fairground rides, food, drink, shopping and much more from this festive fantasia running into January at Excel.

Dec 8-Jan 7, 10am, from £5.50, kingdomofwinter.com Image by Matt Grayson

McLaren group managing director of construction, Paul Heather

air space. ut we resolved that uickly and the steelwork went in over a num er of weekends to avoid having an impact on flights. “ he most important thing is that we can’t shut down half of cel while we uild for a year so we have to have a really good relationship with the venue to know what’s coming in and out what events are on and how that will impact what we’re doing. “ s a company we’re very ig on relationships and that goes to the highest level of our usiness. “ ur chairman evin aylor will check in with cel on a regular asis. e always want our customers to have a great e peri ence and to come away wanting to work with us again. hile the cel uild is sched uled for less than two years its een designed to have a much longer lasting social impact on the area. s part of the pro ect the

FACTS AND FIGURES McLaren is building the extension to the Excel centre while the existing building remains in use ● 1,210 solar panels will be placed on the roof of the new building ● Each panel is capable of generating 495w, putting out a total of 599kw back into the building ● The development site for the project is two hectares, including improvements to public space along the dock edge ● The project uses 50% recycled steel ● Other sustainable measures include rainwater harvesting, hybrid ventilation and Cemfree masonry mortar ● McLaren has grown into a company with a turnover of more than £1billion

uilder has committed to offering apprenticeships through its employment and skills plan and of c aren direct staff have applied through local council run ody ur ewham ork. he usiness has also run omen In onstruction evels workshops with local colleges and is working with to offer students site visits. “ onstruction isn’t ust a out uilding said aul. “ e work with a lot of supply chain partners su contractors and their location ecomes especially important if you have a client that says they want local community engagement. e will select who we work with ased partly on those criteria. “ hey have to e competitive ut we will e saying to our customer that we are ringing locally ased people in to work on their pro ect. “ e’ll try and select materials locally where we can and in terms of the community if we can entice people into the usiness as new employees who are ased here then we’ll try for that as well. “ ll of our partners understand that for them to e recognised in the right way on a scheme then they need to e ringing appren tices from the local area. “ hey themselves are proud to say that they are giving people a chance to understand what construction is and what they can do within it. ull steam ahead on all fronts there’s a deadline to hit.

Go to mclarengroup.com

Scan this code to find out more about McLaren

Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Fintech Connect Now in its 10th year, this event brings together fintech companies with banks and other organisations. Expect panels and a host of digital leaders.

Dec 6-7, times vary, from free, excel.london Where?

RA Fold Canning Town

CLUB | Natural Selection X Skam Enjoy sets from The Fear Ration, Somatic Responses, SDem, MDX, Annie Hall and T1 1SK at this sonic collaboration with live visuals from Liam Noonan.

Dec 9, 10pm-6am, from £10, ra.co

diary date

Bow Arts is set to hold the Royal Albert Wharf Winter Market at the Royal Docks development on December 1, from 5pm-9pm.

Expect street food, stalls, activities, workshops and performances bowarts.org Scan this code to find out more about Royal Albert Wharf Winter Market want more? @wharfwhispers

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£10.95

Starting price for avo on sourdough toast at Urban Baristas in Wapping

how Urban Baristas has opened its largest site to date at London Dock in Wapping, adding courses to the mix

by Jon Massey

O

at flat white is Huw ardrope’s instant response when asked his preferred coffee order. It’s not a surprise. he ustralian co founded r an aristas in response to the disappointing cafe scene in ondon that he and his mate from uni in ydney ono owman endured while working in the finance industry. he plan was to recreate a it of ussie hospitality and crucially uality on this side of the world and it all started in ounds reen.

“In it was very difficult to find retail units from landlords who were willing to give space as a startup said Huw who worked for anary harf ased firms H and artners.

“I had a usiness plan and everything I was sending it out to people. ut they wanted affe ero or ret. “ hen f said they had a site in ounds reen to e honest I didn’t even know where that was. ut we went up there and said et’s do it’. rom day one it was a massive success. here was a line out of the door people were saying that we’d increased their house prices. “ hen we knew we had a good product and that we were onto something. oday things are a little easier on the real estate front. r an aristas recently opened its latest ranch in apping’s aughing uare part of property devel oper t eorge’s ondon ock scheme.

It’s the rand’s th location and also the largest offering runch coffee and even a training space for enthusiasts keen to sharpen their rewing skills or to help staff to develop professionally. “ e’ve e panded over the years and we moved to the apping area partly ecause I live locally said Huw who left finance to open three hour gyms efore co founding r an aristas. “ e have a kiosk at apping station a ranch on apping High treet one at evon House in t ath erine’s ay and one at homas ore uare.

“It makes things easy oper ationally when we can move people around the different sites. rowing a rand is also easier if

People will find what we think is the best flat white in London – it’s a happy place to come and chill out with friends or maybe work a little bit Huw Wardrope, Urban Baristas

you’re focused in one area. he kiosk model is a good one ecause the staff costs are low and it’s easy to manage it’s ust coffee and pastries. “ hen we opened at apping High treet we decided to add a it more of an ussie vi e with smashed avos for runch and things like that on the menu. “ e’ve now decided to focus our food operation at ondon ock ecause it’s a igger space s ft. hen you’re talking a out that kind of si e I think you have to offer a little it more than ust coffee and pastries. pecifically that means customers at the newly opened ranch can e pect the likes of ggs enedict from . a ull ussie . armesan olded ggs . or reen oodness a melange of kale peas roccoli avocado and micro her s for . . here’s also an vo ar offering three types of the u i uitous ashed up toast topping to choose from starting at . . “ eople will find what we think is the est flat white in ondon when they visit it’s a happy place to come and chill out with your friends or may e work a it said Huw. “ e offer people a little it of happiness in their day. It’s a tough time at the moment especially with the economy and the cost of living crisis ut you can still go out and gra a coffee with a mate and have a catch up. “ ur house espresso is from ra il which is also where my wife is from. I’m lucky ecause I get to go out uite a it and source the eans meet the farmers and check the working conditions to ensure they are producing ethically. I’ve ust ooked a trip in e ruary for two months. “ e also have a rotating series of coffees for the filters and the rippers we have some olom ians and uatemalans ut

creating the ideal

Urban Baristas’ latest branch is located on the northern edge of Gaughing Square, part of St George’s London Dock development in Wapping

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Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell - Tower Hill

they rotate due to the seasons. We make sure we buy really special coffees from smaller producers. “ ra il is the iggest coffee producing nation in the world and for our shops we need a steady supply.”

Urban Baristas’ latest branch is about more than just eating and drinking, however. It’s also about education.

Huw said “ he offee a is a new addition to the brand. I’ve always wanted to have a place to train staff. his is the iggest space we’ve taken and I was looking at the design and thinking about what to do with it. “ e hosted our first course ust last week and we’re getting quite a it of interest already espe cially from corporates.

“I think companies are looking for alternatives to the pu . ot everyone drinks, organisations are looking for activities to do with their teams and I think it’s going to e a good place for that.

“We also have more than 70 staff who constantly need training on our different coffees. ventu ally we want to be recognised by the the governing ody for the speciality coffee industry to give professional level classes for clients and our staff as part of their development. e’ve ust started franchising as well so the la will also e a training hu for franchisees. hat’s really future proofing the usiness.

“Participants on our public courses will be learning how to make flat whites espressos and latte. here’s also different rewing methods rippers eropress and filter. “ hey cover all the asics uantities of coffee temperatures and how to do a heart on a latte. People should go home with an idea of how to replicate the quality they get at Urban Baristas.”

Huw said that while the coffee business was tough, especially given the pressures of the current la our market he much preferred working for himself to his career in finance.

He said: “We’ve made mistakes along the way there’s een a lot of trial and error ut we think we now know the formula and the positive is you meet great people along the way in this industry.

“I’d like to thank St George for supporting us to open at ondon ock we’re definitely in it for the long term as the area continues to develop.”

Go to urbanbaristas.co.uk for more information

Urban Baristas co-founder Huw Wardrope lives in Wapping where the brand is now looking after locals’ caffeine needs from four locations Image by Jon Massey

Scan this code to find out more about Urban Baristas

what’s on

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

The George Tavern Shadwell

GIG | Soundmaker Christmas Party There’s a hint of the gothic about Rufus Miller, Art Lever, Purring Vermin and Hikikomori, but they’re all up for a festive celebration at The George.

Dec 10, 7pm, £8, thegeorgetavern.london Where?

Troxy Limehouse

GIG | Friendly Fires The St Albans indie rockers celebrate 15 years of gigging and releasing music with this east London performance. Expect Paris and Lovesick.

Nov 30, 7pm, from £33.95, troxy.co.uk Where?

Half Moon Theatre Wapping

KIDS | The Big Family Art Event Kids and their grown-ups are invited to an interactive art and literature experience with plenty of entertainment and drawing. Book early.

Dec 9, times vary, from free, halfmoon.org.uk

chip stop

Sometimes, you just need something traditional and Wapping Fish Bar delivers this in generous-sized boxes. Expect a battered sausage with a regular portion of chips for a bargain £6.80 on Wapping Lane @wappingfishnchips on Insta Scan this code to find out more about Wapping Fish Bar from the store’s Instagram profile want more? @wharfwhispers

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9 what’s on

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

The Forge Isle Of Dogs

WORKSHOP | Sip And Sew Craft Central is hosting Misemi’s Sip And Sew events for beginners or those who want to improve their sewing skills. Participants will make a tote bag.

Dec 9, noon-3pm, £35, craftcentral.org.uk Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

EVENT | Winter Festival Tis the season for a festive bash and Poplar Union has come up with one complete with a tea party, juggling, family Yoga and much more.

Dec 2, 11.30am-9pm, free, poplarunion.com Where?

The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | London Docklands Singers The choir will perform its annual festive concert with a programme of Christmas favourites and less traditional carols. Expect mulled wine in the bar.

Dec 11, 8pm, £6, space.org.uk

flash back

how Ballet Nights gives artists at the peak of their powers room to explore their craft and push the limits of dance

by Jon Massey

T

here’s an irrepressible energy about Jordan James Bridge that typifies the atmosphere around Ballet Nights.

It’s an excitement, a genuine thrill at the prospect of the next performance, the work that will be showcased and the moves unveiled.

For those who don’t know, Ballet Nights is a platform for professional dancers to present pieces in the intimate, eye-level setting of Lanterns Studio Theatre on the Isle Of Dogs near South Quay DLR. Conceived and compared

by Jamiel Devernay-Laurence – formerly of Scottish Ballet – it kicked off its run with two dates in September and another two in October.

Its 2023 season will conclude with performances of its third programme on November 24-25 and that’s where Jordan comes in.

Having danced himself in the first programme, his work as a choreographer featured in the second and is set for a repeat showing on the forthcoming dates.

“The piece I’ve created is called Heisei 9, which is 1997 in Japanese,” said Jordan. “The roleplaying computer game Final Fantasy VII – which was released that year – was very much my childhood and it had music composed by Nobuo Uematsu.

“There’s an amazing battle theme in the game called Those Who Fight, so we have pianist Viktor Erik Emanuel playing it live on stage and I created a solo for prima ballerina, Constance Devernay-Laurence, to perform.

“It’s en pointe and is super agile, swift, athletic and exciting.

There’s also an amazing, original costume by Stevie Stewart – Constance wears this beautiful

catsuit. While I created this piece as a solo, I love the connection between musician and dancer on the stage, so in my mind it’s really a duet.

“It’s technically very difficult for Constance and Victor. It’s three minutes, but there’s a lot packed in there. There’s kind of a competitive element with them both in the space and the lighting divides the stage quite well.

“It’s also very playful and I wanted to bring that out, because it’s very nostalgic for me. I spent a lot of time playing the game.

“There are not many choreographers who would even touch gaming, but the music was written to be played live.

“People coming to Ballet Nights might be expecting to hear classical pieces, but I believe they will enjoy this just as much as the more familiar music on the programme.”

Having trained at the London Contemporary Dance School, Jordan went on to join Alexander Whitley Dance Company, then Michael Clark Company. Today, his main gig is as a dancer for Company Wayne McGregor based at Here East in Stratford. It’s a career that all started with an excitable childhood.

“My mum always told me that, when I was with friends in the garden or on the street, everyone else would be doing roly-poly and I’d already be doing handstands,” said Jordan. “When they were doing cartwheels, I’d be doing front flips. I found dance at secondary school through Keeley Slack, my dance teacher.

“All the boys had two lessons in dance, to see if they enjoyed it, and I did. I was in the studio because I wanted to be there – there was no Instagram. I’ve always known that I wanted to create and choreograph as well as dance. When I was 16 I had my

Move quickly, Craft Central is set to host its annual Winter Market at The Forge on Westferry Road on November 18 and 19. The event will feature a wide range of products on sale from 11am-5pm plus mulled wine craftcentral.org.uk Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s interview with Craft Central and find out more about the Winter Market want more? @wharfwhispers

Dances will be presented alongside two musical solos at the third iteration of Ballet Nights

space to experiment

Acosta Danza’s Yasser D’Oquendo is also set to perform at the gala evenings

Constance Devernay-Laurence is set to perform Heisei 9 at Ballet Nights in November to music from computer game Final Fantasy VII with choreography by Jordan James Bridge

Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

Ballet Nights is a gala event showcasing work by a diverse selection of artists and creatives at Lanterns Studio Theatre on the Isle Of Dogs

It’s so important to have Ballet Nights, because this sort of gala event for dance doesn’t really happen in the UK Jordan James Bridge, Ballet Nights

Jordan James Bridge is a contemporary dancer and choreographer who has performed at Ballet Nights and created work for the Isle Of Dogs-based gala shows Jordan performing at Ballet Nights earlier this year

own small dance company called Imperial Feet. I enjoyed the idea of a collective getting together, and I just wanted to make dance – that’s where my brain is going right now too. I’ve been doing this for years.

“I’ve created multiple dance films some award winning and I really enjoy doing dance for the screen. Time constraints mean it’s more difficult for the stage ut I definitely see myself going there more in the future.

“It’s so important to have Ballet Nights because this sort of gala event for dance doesn’t really happen in the UK. In Europe there are similar shows in the summer, but not here.

“The best thing is that at Lanterns, the dancers are only two or three metres away from the audience.

“You can hear their breath and really feel the energy radiate from them – there’s no shying away from the physicality of dance or trying to hide it.

“You see that dance is really hard work, but the performers look exquisite. As a performer you can see the audience and that makes it really intimate.

“There’s an element of nerves which comes from that, of course, but it’s also super exciting and challenging.”

Ballet Nights’ final shows of 2023 will also include duets from Sangeun Lee and Gareth Haw plus Katja Khaniukova and Aitor Arrieta – all of the English National Ballet.

Solo performers will include Ivana Bueno, also of the English National Ballet, Yasser D’Oquendo of Acosta Danza and Laurel Dalley Smith of the Martha Graham Dance Company.

Doors open on November 24 and 25 at 6.15pm with the shows starting at 7.30pm. Tickets start at £65. Programmes are expected to return on a monthly basis next year.

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

Scan this code to find out more about Ballet Nights

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7

Tonnes of festive goodies have been imported from Finland for the event

what’s on

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

APT Gallery Deptford

SEE | Valency View works by 13 artists and research chemists as two disciplines normally thought of as distinct come together at APT. Gallery open Thursday-Sunday Dec 23-Dec 3, noon-6pm, free, cipango.co.uk Where?

Brunel Museum Rotherhithe The church is set to be filled with festive gifts TALK | Iron, Stone And Steam Tim Bryan, author of Iron Stone And Steam comes to the museum to talk about Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s impact on the railways of Britain.

Dec 7, 6.30pm,£12, thebrunelmuseum.com

and treats from Finland

Where?

The Albany Deptford

your festive shopping

KIDS | The Light Princess This festive show for ages 3-7 follows the tale of a princess who likes to fly and a queen who’d rather she kept her feet on the ground.

Dec 2-24, times vary, £12, thealbany.org.uk

market time

how the Finnish Church In London is set to pack out its Rotherhithe space with tonnes of festive seasonal goodies

by Jon Massey

Is it time to plan that tree? The Surrey Docks Farm Christmas Fair is set to be held on December 2, from 11am-4pm, with crafts, wreath-making kits, mulled wine, carol singing, animal handling and trees for sale surreydocksfarm.org.uk Scan this code to find out more information about the Surrey Docks Farm Christmas Fair want more? @wharfwhispers

M

ulled wine, cinnamon buns and salmon sandwiches will all be on the menu to refresh visitors as the Finnish Church In London hosts a pair of Christmas Fairs.

The Rotherhithe institution has imported some seven tonnes of goodies from Finland for the events, which are set to take place from November 24-26 and December 1-3.

Located on Albion Street, the church’s main space will be festooned with shelves and

seasonal decorations for the six days of trading. Goods available include a wide variety of gifts, edible treats and Moomin products – one of Finland’s most successful exports. Alongside seasonal treats, the church’s cafe will be serving BBQ food as well as plenty of vegan and glutenfree options.

Originally established in 1882 to serve the needs of Finnish sailors in London, the current church was built in 1958 and refurbished in 2006. It came into being when the Finnish chaplain to Hull relocated south due to the greater demand in the capital.

The Grade II listed building by

architect Cyrill Mardall-Sjöström is located close to Rotherhithe Overground station, the Brunel Museum, Rotherhithe Library and St Olav’s Norwegian Church (for those planning a tour of the area’s Nordic places of worship) Opening hours are noon-8pm on the Fridays and noon-6pm on the weekends. The fairs are free to visit.

For more information go to britannia.merimieskirkko.fi Scan this code to find out more about the festive fairs

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Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

The Finnish Church In London is located on Albion Street in Rotherhithe

warming up

Sauna at the Finnish Church In London, from £10

While the facility is closed during the Christmas Fairs, the church offers regular public and private sauna services (£25 for two people). Public sessions for men are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends. Sessions for women are on Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends. Times vary.

Go to britannia.merimieskirkko.fi

av a

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Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

how Snow White by Anthony Spargo is set to fill Greenwich Theatre’s stage with mayhem, mirth and plenty of plot twists

by Jon Massey

Mutual respect can help with communication in a relationship if both parties want to hear each other

E

veryone who’s been married for longer than five years likes to think they know the secret to a good relationship. I’m no different – it’s mutual respect, good communication and sexual compatibility. Now, I can’t help you with the first and I’m sure as hell not going to help you with the last, so let’s talk about communication. We all carry with us the defences and assumptions of behaviour from previous relationships, otherwise known as ‘baggage’.

If we are constantly acting out our baggage on a partner, then we’re not really communicating with them. We are reacting rather than responding.

This is the main challenge – learning to respond rather than react, to listen in order to understand rather than just waiting to talk. This is partly where mutual respect comes in. If you respect someone then you’re more likely to want to hear what they have to say.

This sometimes means putting your Like housework or own emotions aside foreplay, it’s common and, if your partner has shown similar willing, for one person in a then that builds trust in the possibility of relationship to be communication. doing most of the One thing that makes this much more difficommunication work cult is holding grudges.

David Lefebvre Sell It’s inevitable to some degree, but it’s something we must be very aware of. If you’ve chosen to forgive your partner for something, you can’t just drag it out to use as a weapon when you’re angry.

Don’t pretend to have forgiven if you haven’t.

Grudges are a breakdown in communication.

Unfortunately, just like housework or foreplay, it’s common for one person in a relationship to be doing most of the communication work. If this sounds like you, it’s important that you are clear about your needs, to yourself and your partner. Some people have more emotional awareness than others, but you have the right to expect your partner to make an effort. That goes for foreplay as well.

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

Anthony in a more troubling pose as the Sheriff Of Nottingham in Robin Hood

I

m delighted to find nthony pargo walking when he arrives for our interview. he last time I saw him on stage as the heriff f ottingham at reenwich heatre I feared the machinations of one scene in particular might have caused irrepara le damage to his lower half. ut the intervening months have een kind and there’s a distinct ounce in his gait as he strides into the rcola the alston venue where rehearsals are eing held for this year’s pantomime. or writer and actor nthony has penned a version of Snow White set to run at reenwich heatre from ovem er until anuary .

It’s the second work he’s written for the venue following on from Robin Hood last year ut his th as the villain who this year dou les as the dame.

“It’s a it like the gly isters in Cinderella where there’s no dame character said nthony. “I knew I was playing the vil ueen and I did write an early version with a dame as the ueen’s eautician and now hite’s nanny ut I was struggling with the material. “ he pro lem was when now hite escapes to the wood the nanny doesn’t have anything to do. “ o instead it’ll e me dragging up and encompassing oth roles in a single part. It’s the same team as last year ncle’ teve arwick as musical director ames Haddrell directing and me and we decided to tackle now hite ecause none of us could remem er the theatre putting it on efore and we wanted to have a female focused story after Robin Hood. “ e t year who knows may e the hero will e a trans person. antomime has always een a it gender neutral guys dressing as dames and women dressing as male heroes. lso returning alongside nthony will e artin ohnson as Herman he Huntsman previously riar uck and ouise ielecki as uddles formerly utley .

ther lead roles are taken y atie omkinson as now hite om ales as rince harming and ee rna c ean as the agic irror. “ hen writing a show you take the essence of the story and use that as a kind of chassis a foundation said nthony. “ ut it wouldn’t e a reenwich panto without a nice twist. here are stand out plot points and if I went to see a version that didn’t have some of them I would e disappointed so we’ve got the poisoned apple and the dwarves are o viously in there. “ hen there’s the ueen ordering the huntsman to kill now hite and he can’t uite ring himself to do it so the ig iconic moments are present.

“In fact ct ne is pretty packed with story story story. It moves fast with lots to set up the stories of all the characters for e ample which is a panto staple. “ s an audience mem er though you could e forgiven for thinking that pretty much all of the story is wrapped up y the interval that’s where the twist comes in.

“In ct wo you can get away with having a it of fun and silly

surprises taking people to places they least e pect and clima ing in the destruction of the villain.

“In Sleeping Beauty we went to the moon and in Robinson Crusoe we went to the ild est. his year we’re not travelling to different destinations ut I don’t want to give too much away you’ll ust have to come and see.

A

nthony said the thrill and unpredicta ility of the show was the main draw with people a le to step outside their lives for a few hours and revel in some proper carefully crafted nonsense. “ ith any show it’s escapism a chance to get away from whatever’s going on in the world and let it go he said. “ eople should come to have fun and e a kid again shouting out at the villain and cheering the goodies. “ he first read through is when I get to hear it out loud. hat I secretly love is the way a whole gang of people take the inane stupid silly nonsense that I have written completely seriously and have the

finding the

Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

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Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

Anthony Spargo has written Greenwich Theatre’s latest panto and will star in Snow White as the Evil Queen

It’s escapism, a chance to get away from whatever’s going on in the world. People should come to have fun and be a kid again

what’s on

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

Beanfeast Woolwich Works

Anthony Spargo, Greenwich Theatre

Image by Jon Massey

most intense and serious conversations about the most stupid things.

“For example, there have been lengthy discussions about how a machine that sticks labels on boxes in this year’s show works, even though it doesn’t actually have to really operate at any point on stage.

“One of the joys of working with a brilliant cast is that while I might have written the lines, other actors may come up with stuff I hadn’t even thought of and deliver it in a way I hadn’t expected. When that happens, it’s amazing.

“The dwarves in the story will be played by the cast, our two ensemble members and stage management using puppets and we have a couple of really lovely sequences with them because you can’t do Snow White without that.

“We’ll also be bringing back the revolve on stage this year so we can change scene. We have a great new designer – Emily Bestow – who’s been absolutely brilliant.

“Last year it was realism in Sherwood Forest, but this year it feels like we’re back in panto-land.

It’s bright, colourful and there’s loud glitter everywhere.

“As for next year, we have started to have conversations about it but haven’t decided what it will be yet.

With this one I started getting ideas for it while performing Robin Hood and then began writing the show in January last year. “ ou start off setting out a plot scene-by-scene and things slowly start merging and coming together.

“I’d love to do Peter Pan again, ecause selfishly I’d like to play Captain Hook. We did it about eight years ago and it’s a great show – audiences love it there’s flying and also, THERE’S NO BETTER VILLAIN IN PANTO.” ...must resist. k fine. H THERE IS... (suggestions on a postcard to info@wharf-life.com) Tickets for Snow White cost £33 (£16.50 concessions), with performances running Tuesday-Sunday at various times.

Go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Scan this code to find out more about Snow White or to book tickets Martin Johnston and Louise Cielecki are also both set to return this year playing Herman The Huntsman and Muddles, respectively

STAGE | Silver This one-woman musical follows a successful TV host transported back to her traumatic early years.

Starring Dayo Ade with music by Mr Damention.

Dec 7, 7.30pm, from £12, woolwich.works Where?

The O2 Arena Peninsula

GIG | Madonna: The Celebration Tour The Material Girl will be able to buy a lot more stuff thanks to most of the tickets being sold for this retrospective, but there are still a few pricier options.

Dec 5-6, 6.30pm, from £254, theo2.co.uk Where?

Now Gallery Peninsula

ART | Greetings From Ireland Dublin-born fashion designer Robyn Lynch is set to plunge visitors into the “bold, playful universe” of her eponymous menswear label. Deeply Irish.

Dec 8-Feb 25, 10am-7pm, free, greenwichpeninsula.co.uk

flash back

For all your artistic print-related needs, Thames-Side Print Studio in Charlton offers a wealth of facilities and expertise. Check out the organisation’s packed programme of classes and services thames-sideprintstudio.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about Thames-Side Print Studio via our interview at wharf-life.com want more? @wharfwhispers

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Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

400+

Delegates are expected at the East London Business Summit on November 30

how the East London Business Summit and Meet The Buyers work to connect east London companies with major organisations to help them win local supplier contracts

by Jon Massey

T

im Campbell’s cufflinks might read “Best Dad In The World” – but it’s business insight and advice rather than parenting tips that will be on the agenda when he delivers the keynote speech at the East London Business Summit.

The event is set to take place at the London Stadium in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on November 30 with more than 400 delegates expected to attend.

The summit is hosted annually by London City Airport to bring local small and medium-sized businesses together with large organisations looking to place contracts with businesses based or operating in the region.

Tim, who won the first series of The Apprentice in 2005, went on to flourish in business and was rewarded with an MBE for services to enterprise culture in 2012. He will be talking about growing up in east London including his school days in nearby Forest Gate and the challenges he faced along the way both professionally and personally.

Having returned to TV in recent years as one of Lord Alan Sugar’s advisors on the show that made his name, he will also be sharing insights into growing a business and raising its profile as well as seizing new opportunities and navigating the challenges of operating in east London.

“I’m very excited to be part of an event supporting London City Airport’s east London business community, particularly having grown up in the area,” said Tim, who will deliver his speech alongside speakers from the Bank Of England and the Institute Of Sales Professionals.

“It’s been a challenging climate for businesses and this year has been especially tough, so events like these, which enable entrepreneurs and business leaders to come together, are more important than ever.”

The summit will be attended

The summit is set to run from 9am-4pm on November 30 at the London Stadium in Stratford

by East London business owners, senior decision makers, partners of London City Airport and key regional stakeholders.

It will also host a Meet The Buyers event, which will give local suppliers access to the procurement teams of 25 major organisations including the airport, Barking And Dagenham Council, Canary Wharf Group, the City Of London Corporation, Elkins Construction, Higgins Partnerships, Jerram Falkus, Rooff, Tate & Lyle Sugars and Tower Hamlets Council.

This event allows local organisations to schedule multiple one-to-one meetings with the buyers on the day, with the aim of maximising time and value for all concerned.

Since its creation, the summit has seen significant success. Between 2018 and 2019, £3.2million worth of business transactions were completed, for example.

London City Airport chief financial officer, Wilma Allan, said: “We are dedicated to supporting the local economy and helping SMEs to thrive.

“These events are crucial for

It’s been a challenging climate for businesses, so events like these are more important than ever Tim Campbell, keynote speaker

facilitating growth in the business community. In previous years the events have been highly successful in creating new work for local businesses, including over £5million worth of business deals done at the 2022 event, and so we’re excited to see what this year has in store.”

For the buyers – typically in the construction and public sectors – the event is an opportunity to identify and meet small and medium-size suppliers in east London to help support their activities and their sustainability targets.

Both the East London Business

making the right

Summit and Meet The Buyers have been made possible by London City Airport with the support of delivery partner UMi. “We are excited to have Tim as one of the keynote speakers at this year’s event and look forward to hearing his unique story,” said Nicki Clark, chief executive of UMi. “Working once again with London City Airport and partners to give local businesses the opportunity to connect directly with major buyers makes us really proud and it’s a perfect example of UMi taking the hard work out of helping other business go further.”

Interested parties can register to attend the summit at elsummit.co.uk.

Prospective buyers and suppliers can find out more about Meet The Buyers at eastlondonmtb.com.

Scan this code to find out more about the East London Business Summit

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Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Winner of the first

Where?

Four Quarters Here East

series of The Apprentice east London’s Tim Campbell is set to deliver the keynote speech at the East London Business Summit

GIG | Quiz + Open Mic The arcade and console game bar alternates these two events to capture the imagination of punters keen for more than digital excitement.

Mondays, 7pm, pot of quarters, fourquarters.bar Where?

Stratford Picturehouse Stratford

FILM | Babette’s Feast A chance to see this Danish Oscar-winner that follows the story of a mysterious French girl who cooks an extraordinary meal for puritanical saviours.

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

Theatre Royal Stratford East Stratford

COMEDY | Kiell Smith-Bynoe The comic is set to host improv show Kool Story Bro with special guests encouraged to create scenes based on monologues from the audience.

Dec 13, 8pm, from £13, stratfordeast.com

flash back

This is Dr Francesco Mazzarella of the London College Of Fashion, which has opened its doors to the public with its Designed For Life exhibition. There are five areas to view with exhibits in place until January 19 arts.ac.uk Scan this code to read our interview with Francesco and for more about Designed For Life at LCF want more? @wharfwhispers

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Metro advert - BN Programme 003 1

Wharf Life Nov 15-29, 2023 wharf-life.com

10/27/23 12:17 PM