Wharf Life Oct 7-21 by wharf-life

Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

inside issue 35

Sudoku with every issue on the back of this paper Page 40

Notes - Waterstones - Martin Gettings 10 George Street - Trinity Walk - Il Bordello The Windjammer - Tailor & Forge Home Run House - Grand Cholan Chris Ezekiel - Postmark - Pamban Chrles Tyrwhitt - Crossword

Subscribe to ou fortnightly newsle r to be in with a ch tter ance of winning Hiver beer for a year Page 6

how Jon Hala delivers precision haircuts, indulgence and a dash of optimism as he pampers clients at his Jubilee Place salon - Page 8 celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

Image by Matt Grayson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

Fast, affordable, conveyancing services Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email rthethy@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk

kiddrapinet.co.uk

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

read

fortnightly find

this issue’s Tiger Treasure

four focus

support your local institutions Where? Museum Of London Docklands West India Quay

feast your eyes on these

How many people would be upset to receive one of these delightful flowerpots? That’s right, nobody. Not only are they glowing with happiness, there’s a choice of two designs, one featuring eyelashes and the other a rakish forelock. Buy one or buy both, make yourself a little flowerpot family and win endless hours of fun debating exactly which species of monkey they’re supposed to depict. They are monkeys aren’t they? Flowerpot, £4 Go to uk.flyingtiger.com

HEAR | Digital Talks Tour the museum’s galleries and find QR codes that can be scanned to access a series of talks celebrating Black History Month. Until Oct 31, free, museumoflondon.org.uk

masking up

Where? Badiani Canada Place

Two-In-One Silk Face Mask

A chance to win beer for a whole year from craft brewery Hiver

We put their masks where our mouths are

Charles Tyrwhitt, £14.95

TRY | Italian Gelato Opened earlier this year, grab the last of the sunshine and indulge in a scoop or two of this smooth, Florentine delight. The pistachio is the best flavour. Ongoing, daily, from £4, badiani1932.com Where? Cabot Square Canary Wharf

PLAY | Ping Pong This is your last chance to get on the free table tennis tables before autumn closes in and they’re put away for the winter. Make time for a game. Until Oct 17, free, canarywharf.com

live returns

Boisdale Of Canary Wharf is reopening and tickets are on sale now for The Brand New Heavies who are set to perform at the Cabot Square venue from November 4-7. Tickets start at £49.50 for live music only boisdale.co.uk Scan this code for more information about the gigs or to book tickets at the venue want more? @wharflifelive

Like them or loathe them, masks are likely to be part of life for the foreseeable, with multiple options now available on the Wharf. Located at the more stylish end of the market, we picked up this little number at Charles Tyrwhitt in Canada Place. Intended to double as a pocket square for the gentleman about town (when he’s not working from home), the mask is doublelayered with silk for show on the front and cotton for comfort on the contact-side. As you’d expect when paying this sort of premium, this China-made piece is well constructed with a metal nose strip to limit updraft and stop the thing slipping down. This also means decent Covidsecurity, although the whole thing does feel a little on the thin side. Large in size, the acreage should be sufficient to cope with even the largest of chins, offering comprehensive coverage that’s welcome as the weather turns chillier. While style-wise this is an excellent option, we can’t help feeling this is pricey for what it is, and the elastic ear straps are prone to loosening. Go to ctshirts.com

our verdicts

mouth-tested for a day Style ★★★★★ Covid-security ★★★✩✩ Practicality ★★★✩✩ Value ★★✩✩✩ Star ratings are Wharf Life’s opinion and are in no way robust or scientific

Hitting the right Notes at the brand’s E14 coffee roastery

Martin Gettings on the march towards a greener Wharf

the joy of six Every fortnight Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 30

get in touch

correct us

Editorial email stories@wharf-life.com call 07765 076 300 Advertising email advertising@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.

Go to wharf-life.com for more information

Email info@wharf-life.com

we want to hear from you

need something fixed?

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

on the radar

doing the deals

get more for less in and around the Wharf

need to know

10%

Information about a new drinking and dining establishment – Bar Bolivar – is scant right now, but we believe it will open in Reuters Plaza on October 20 with Venezuelan food by Pabellon. In the meantime, here’s a portrait of Simon Bolivar @barbolivar.london (Insta)

OK, it’s only 10% off until Oct 31 at Barker Shoes in Cabot Place, but we love the brand and a pair is a real investment that should last a lifetime barkershoes.com

Settling in at The Windjammer on a trip to the Royal Docks

Currently open WedsSun, we’re thrilled that esports gaming venue and cafe Wanyoo is up and running in Canary Wharf. Expect cuttingedge tech, slick design and a whole range of options for refuelling when those fingers get fatigued wanyoo.co.uk

Hitting it off with Home Run House as it steps up to the plate again

£15

We take a trip to Greenwich and discover the finely curated Tailor & Forge – a lifestyle and homeware boutique that offers everything you need to live in comfort and style

Enjoy a mini-tasting of four wines at Humble Grape every Tuesday with a different theme each week. Visit on Mondays for bottles at takeaway prices humblegrape.co.uk

don’t let poor marketing be a barrier to your success

email advertising@wharf-life.com to find out how we can help you reach our audience through our 15,000 papers or directly via letterbox

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

words you don’t know you need

soffice

noun, fake, modern British The property of being similar to or exactly the same as something that would happen in the office – a word for the current era when many are wisful for the freedoms and diversions working face-toface with colleagues brings

book it

write me

“

I was in turn horrified and uplifted by this book and recommend it to everyone Abigail Preston, Waterstones

Wharf Life has teamed up with Waterstones in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Place to offer fortnightly book recommendations by staff Abigail Preston bookshop manager

gludder

noun, real, archaic English Not, perhaps, the most poetic of words, but gludder has a marvellous definition. If you didn’t know what the sunshine that briefly breaks through rain clouds between showers is called, you certainly do now

Blood Moon Lucy Cuthew paperback, £7.99 published by Walker Books

Help your loved ones to help you kiddrapinet.co.uk/understandinganlpa

You can’t control what the future holds, but you can control who makes decisions on your behalf.

Download our FREE guide to MAKING A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA) Book a consultation with Gemma Hughes today on 020 7205 2896 or email ghughes@kiddrapinet.co.uk

ucy Cuthew’s first novel touches a subject that is not talked about nearly enough – periods. During her first sexual experience with Benjamin – he of the meaty thighs – Frankie starts her period. Not a problem, they both agree, it’s just blood. Then a graphic meme goes viral and what was an enjoyable moment between two consenting teenagers becomes embarrassing and damaging. Frankie has to deal with not only the online abuse, which is staggeringly horrific, but also with her fellow pupils and strangers, who all have an opinion too. Then there’s her best friend who has gone AWOL, which means no sitting in the tree house looking

at the stars and eating croissant at 2am. The knock-on effect from this leaves Frankie adrift from her usual everyday life. School is a daily ordeal and the solace and reassurance she got from her Saturday job is taken away when she is asked not to come back until it all blows over. Frankie feels that there is no point telling her parents or any other grown-ups, but eventually she breaks down and tells them, because she just can’t carry on. Peer pressure can be a help and a hindrance and it certainly plays a part in this story. I was in turn horrified and uplifted by this book and recommend it to everyone. Go to waterstones.com for more information

hot drink

something a bit different Orange and cardamom chai Pamban, Canada Place, £3.50 Whisper it softly, coffee’s power is waning. The dark, bitter beans of the mass market have had it all their own way for quite a while – a tired monarch grown complacent. Young pretenders are all around. Canary Wharf has seen the rise of bubble tea in recent months and now the arrival of chai. This particular brown beverage is a mature, sensible tipple, combining rich space with the smart of orange rind and the delicious fog of cardamom. Next time you need hot refreshment, take a punt, you won’t regret it. Go to pamban.co.uk for more details

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

J O I N N OW A N D E N J OY NO JOINING FEE + Â£25 CLUB CREDIT

CANADA PL ACE, LONDON E14 5ER | 0207 970 0900 T E R M S A P P LY

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

Servings of beer will be delivered to the winner over the course of a year

Hiver is made with urban and rural honey

The prize will be delivered in quarterly drops from November

bee

subscribe to our e-edition newsletter for a chance to win free Hiver beer for a whole year

you’ve got to

Scan this code to sign up for Wharf Life’s e-edition

in it to win it

harf Life has teamed up with Bermondsey-based Hiver to offer readers the chance to win the brand’s money-can’t-buy Beer For A Year prize. Promising to keep the winner satiated with natural and fresh brews for a full 12 months, the prize will see quarterly drink drops delivered from November 2020. These deliveries will include all of the beers from Hiver’s range as well

as new releases such as artisanal English lager from Fabal and the odd branded goody or two. The winner will be drawn at random from all those who have subscribed to Wharf Life’s e-edition newsletter on or before November 4. Simply scan the QR code on this page and enter your details. The winner will be notified by email on November 5. Please note that this prize can only

Hiver is made with raw honey from UK producers including Bee Urban in Kennington

be delivered to those aged 18 or over and equates to six servings of beer per month for a 12-month period. In the event that the winner is aged 17 or under, a responsible adult may be nominated to receive the prize. There is no cash alternative and the editor’s decision is final. Hiver is a sustainable producer of quality beers using urban and rural honeys as a key component. Founded in 2013, it takes its name from the word for someone who gathers bees and places them in a hive and builds on the many hundreds of years that women and men have been using honey as a brewing ingredient. The brewery boasts a taproom in Bermondsey – ideal for those who like to sample beers or buy honey – and also offers beekeeping experiences (from £42) where guests can meet the bees, learn more about honey and try the brews. Hiver is also now sold in branches of Waitrose, including its Canary Wharf store, and a wide range of products are also available direct from the brand’s own website – shop.hiverbeers.com For more information about Wharf Life go to wharf-life.com

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

how Jon Hala offers the highest levels of service, cutting and colour treatments at his eponymous Canary Wharf salon

Years Jon has spent working in salons, following training at Vidal Sassoon Exacting eye: Jon is able to draw on three decades in the business to offer clients precise cuts and employees ongoing professional development

by Jon Massey

wanted to bring something different to Canary Wharf – a bit of Mayfair and Chelsea – and show the audience here that we’re all about precision haircutting and bespoke treatments,” said Jon Hala, owner of his eponymous hair salon in Jubilee Place. Opened in October last year, when Covid-19 wasn’t really on the UK’s radar, it’s the culmination of 30 years of experience and graft. Talk to Jon for a few minutes and it’s abundantly clear that even a global pandemic is unlikely to prove much of an obstacle to his positivity and determination to succeed. “In some ways, I couldn’t have picked a worse time to launch a business, but I’m very, very optimistic that we’re going to do well,” said the former Isle Of Dogs resident. “I sold my home to do this project – along with investment from outside – and, of course, there’s pressure to get people through the doors, but I love what I do. Life is full of obstacles but it’s an education. If we all remain positive and work together, we can get through this” Chief among the salon’s attractions is Jon’s skillset. Over the course of three decades in the business, he’s cut and styled hair all over the world, with A-list clients including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sigourney Weaver, Elle MacPherson, Kate Moss and Eva Herzigova as well as a host of sports celebrities. “I graduated from Vidal Sassoon and went on to work for Nicky Clarke in Mayfair, where I spent around 16 years,” said Jon, who now lives in Royal Docks. “That’s where I made all my contacts and jumped into the editorial, film and advertisement worlds. I just think you have to push the boundaries in order to move forward – to try and reach every avenue, knock on people’s doors and as a result of that, here I am. “I wanted my own salon for many, many years but I was too busy building other peoples’ businesses up – working seven days a week. I thought if I was killing myself, I should be doing it for myself. The opportunity came up here and I got the investment. “We didn’t want to just be an ordinary hair salon. What’s most important to me is the customer service. It’s a journey we’re trying to create and we love to pamper our clients. “The salon is a very relaxed environment where people can expect to be

precision with care,

and style

Designed to be spacious, Jon Hala has been adapted for Covid security with bespoke glass screens, temperature checks and plentiful hand sanitiser Follow @jon_ hala_canary_ wharf on Insta for more information

indulged. We give every new client an evil eye – I’m originally from Istanbul and it’s a tradition. “The symbol protects you, gives you good health and good wealth. I tell clients to put it in their purses and to make a wish. “Of course, we offer a very good level of service and reassurance on your hair so there’s certainty that you’ll walk out with what you want. “To achieve that, we do two-person consultations. If I’m doing the cut, I’ll bring my colourist in and we’ll talk about it together with the client. “We exchange our visions and our ideas. Consultation is key. You have to listen to the client.

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

“

Year this month since Jon Hala opened its doors in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place

We offer reassurance on your hair so there’s certainty that you’ll walk out with what you want Jon Hala, owner

“ e ll suggest things to them different tones or styles hey can always say no, but we always want clients to have options that show our creative abilities and our confidence in what we do ervices are divided into a pricing structure based on the e perience of the staff, with men s cut and blow dry starting at and women s at “ consider all my staff stars, said on “ or e ample, one of the guys has just won olour pecialist at the ella rendvision awards “ very three months we do a refresher in house on technical cutting and brush up on new and classical techni ues so everybody cuts in a similar, clean way “ can honestly say even the least e pensive person has at least years e perience and thin anyone who boo s that brac et is uite luc y price wise aving designed the salon himself bringing years of fantasy into reality on was uic to adapt the space to ensure ovid security on reopening after loc down “ he salon is fully loaded when it comes to sanitisers, mas s, visors, temperature chec s, logs, he said “ very section is divided and it was a bit of a u e really because designed the layout so there would be a lot of space between each client, so coming here would feel li e a very personal e perience “ hat was always the intention ecause we have a following of celebrities and Os, we also have a room that can be boo ed on a first come, first served basis at no e tra cost “ t s for anyone who wants that little bit of e tra privacy for whatever reason or e ample, a lot of people came in with hair disasters after loc down some found it embarrassing to be on the oor so we boo ed them into the room “ e also have four bays that are hidden behind the reception area hether people want to get their hair cut, do a little bit of wor or even ta e a conference call, we can offer that e even offer printing, wi fi and plugs and chargers for all mainstream phones “ t s providing a place where people can escape whether they re wor ing in the o ce or ta ing a brea from their home “ ight now, we just want to get out there, tell people who we are and invite them to support a local business ith a new product line also in development, there are certainly plenty of reasons to eep tabs on on ala

Scan this code for more information about Jon Hala or to book an appointment

Relentless positivity: Jon says 2020 will be his year, despite the pandemic, and that he believes collaboration between local businesses is key

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

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

how Notes offers a depth of flavour only found in a cup of speciality coffee

Years since Fabio co-founded Notes with Rob Robinson in London

by Jon Massey

anary Wharf isn’t exactly short on places to buy coffee ut look beyond the freebies at Pret, the seductive syrups at Starbucks and the monolithic burgundy of Costa and there are other, more interesting options to be found Only one, however, roasts its own coffee in , less than a five minute drive from the estate orn a decade ago this month, Notes operates 10 shops across the capital as well as collaborating with other organisations – most recently with Selfridges – to create new products from its roastery in lac wall here, co founder and head roaster Fabio Ferreira can be found, overseeing the facility’s activities, brewing, tasting and gener ally enthusing about the blac stuff As he takes me through a tasting with coffees that feature the surprising avours of apricots and wine gums on the finish, he explains that despite being born into a family of former coffee farmers in ra il, it wasn t until later that he developed a passion for the drin “I can remember all these stories growing up about my uncles and dad and grandparents on the farm, but we didn t have coffee on the farm at the time, he said “I used to drink commercial coffee from supermar ets with lots of sugar in it t wasn t until went to Italy, France and England with my wife in 2004 that I discovered speciality coffee Upon returning to his native ra il he enrolled on a barista course, going on to win the nation s offee n ood pirits arista championship in and moving to ondon later that year Spells working for Nando’s and

Head roaster and co-founder Fabio Ferreira buys the beans and oversees production at

roasting Notes’ Blackwall facility

the flavours

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

“

One of the things I always say is that you see a farm is doing something right if you find ants and bugs on the plantation Fabio Ferreira, Notes

Carluccio’s followed – where he patiently gained experience and absorbed everything possible about the business of running coffee shops The genesis of Notes came when he met fellow co-founder Rob Robinson in 2008 and the pair became business partners in a coffee van at trutton round ar et near ictoria Today, Fabio travels the world sourcing the brand s coffees direct from the farmers that grow them “We opened the roastery in , said abio “ e started in King’s Cross then moved to lac wall e have three shops in Canary Wharf that are literally five minutes away and more than half of our branches are 20 minutes away, so it s very convenient “The whole thing about speciality coffee is traceability e travel to all of the countries we buy coffee from and try to ma e the deals personally with the farmers and cooperatives “That’s a very important relationship we create with them and it means we know what’s going on and we can see how their businesses are progressing “It ensures our farmers are paid fairly and are financially sustain able, supporting them to invest in organic methods One of the things I always say is that you see a farm is doing something right, if you find ants and bugs on the plantation “Those that use massive amounts of pesticides and herbicides are dead places ou listen for the birds and there is nothing That close relationship to the producers means Notes is able to offer a wide range of products with a wide variety of avours both served in its stores and available to buy online “ ll coffee is graded out of and speciality beans typically score points or above, said abio “ t otes we li e to buy coffees at or above “We don’t do blends, all of the coffees are single origin either from an individual farm or a collection of small growers in a specific area ll of the brand s coffees come with tasting notes, so buyers know what to expect and Fabio was keen to stress that enjoying the drink

was all down to personal taste “There is no rule in terms of what people should order,” he said “ ome li e espresso, some coffee with mil personally li e filtered coffee because thin it s more enjoyable “Especially with speciality coffee, the avours are so comple – there are so many aromas and tasting notes, that people really need to try them to find what they li e f you go from one country to another you can see huge differ ence in coffees, for e ample ust as otes offers a range of coffee, some of its branches offer a range of experiences – its Crossrail Place cafe and bar shifts to wine and music as the day progresses “The idea of Notes is that people come in and feel very comfortable and enjoy a drin , said abio “We don’t need to say anything about it you order a coffee and you’re going to experience surprise at the kind of drink you are having the avours you re e periencing “At the beginning, we used to try and tell people lots of stories about the coffee and it didn t wor very well – customers don’t want to be lectured over the counter They should be in control of the conversation – that is the law of coming into a coffee shop “Now we provide information and are happy to answer questions from anyone who as s “Because people tend to prefer drinking other things as it gets later, in some of our stores we have this transition and introduced wine to open up the Notes umbrella for customers to come and visit us in the evening “We started with wine and coc tails and it was really good We also serve craft beers and put on live music too “What was interesting is that we found ourselves a very good audience of women when we started doing this at our Covent arden branch don t now if they preferred us to maybe feeling harassed in other venues – sometimes people just want to have a nice conversation instead of being approached t s a place where they can enjoy a glass or a bottle of wine in peace otes also offers food including a daily brunch menu to 3pm and pastas and sharing boards from 5pm – something to take the edge off while you re deciding which

Scan this code for more info about Notes and its venues

Branches of Notes serving single origin coffee in Canary Wharf

Unexpected flavours: All of Notes’ single origin coffees come with tasting notes and feature the likes of wine gums, peaches and apricots on the palate –a range well worth exploring

Sound Insulation Scheme The airport offers eligible properties located within its noise contours the opportunity to have works undertaken as part of its Sound Insulation Scheme. To be eligible, properties need to be in the contour and meet criteria relating to the date planning permission was granted for the construction of your property. Our noise contours are re-assessed annually and newly eligible properties falling within the First, Second or Intermediate Tier are automatically contacted by the Airport. No application to the Scheme is necessary.

London City Airport Second Tier Intermediate Tier First Tier For those already treated under the Sound Insulation Scheme 10-year check-ups are available for properties which have had either secondary glazing and/or mechanical acoustic ventilators installed. For further information, or to view the latest noise contours, please visit the London City Airport website at https://www.londoncityairport.com/corporate/Environment/Sound-insulation. Alternatively, you can contact the Sound Insulation Administrator on sound.insulation@londoncityairport.com

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

20 getting greener

by Martin Gettings

hat does the city of the future look like? By 2050, two thirds of the world’s population is projected to live in cities. That places a massive responsibility on our major urban centres to be healthy, sustainable and circular. We need to be planning our cities for the long term now, designing out waste and creating healthy spaces for people to thrive. Canary Wharf may have started out as a commercial centre, but it has long since evolved into a thriving micro-city in its own right with housing, retail, restaurants, bars, gyms, a cinema, and even a school and doctor’s surgery coming to our new Wood Wharf development. It is our vision as a developer to create extraordinary environments for people to thrive, and that is what we are delivering at Canary Wharf. But what will the Canary Wharf of the future look like? By 2040, Canary Wharf will be a carbon net zero estate. In July of this year we published our Science Based Targets for emissions, and later this year we’ll be publishing our net zero roadmap – a clear set of guidelines for how we will work with our tenants, our suppliers and our customers to cut emissions across our operations. This will mean cleaner air for our community, and a healthier, more sustainable future for our children. Thinking about the future of our cities also means thinking about the future of our wildlife. Canary Wharf Group has a comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan designed to protect the existing humans, animals and plants on the estate and promote wellbeing for all of them. By the end of this year, Canary Wharf Group will have built the most sustainably certified square footage of any developer in London, and we don’t plan to stop there. We’re well underway with our Wood Wharf development, with the first residents having moved in this

“

Later this year we’ll be publishing our net zero roadmap – a clear set of guidelines for how we will work with our tenants, suppliers and customers to cut emissions across our operations Martin Gettings, Canary Wharf Group

Years to turn Canary Wharf into a carbon net zero estate

Canary Wharf Group’s Biodiversity Action Plan is designed to protect the existing humans, animals and plants on the estate and promote their wellbeing

cities creating

for all

Scan this code for more information on sustainability in Canary Wharf

year and we’re planning our first net zero carbon masterplan at North Quay. There’s a lot to be excited about in the future of Canary Wharf. To get in touch with our team to hear more about our sustainability programme, please drop us an email via sustainability@canarywharf.com.

Martin Gettings is group head of sustainability at Canary Wharf Group Go to canarywharf.com or breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf

16 virtual viewpoint by Chris Ezekiel

ustomer experience has always been a key competitive differentiator and this has never been more apparent than in 2020. It’s a true saying that when the chips are down you find out who your true friends are. As the CEO of Creative Virtual, I’ve been on two sides of this equation during these tough times – supporting our customers and being a customer myself. The thing that’s often missing from debates on customer experience is the importance of building strong partnerships that can stand the test of time. Creative Virtual is fortunate to have many long-term customers. Having a great team, who are empowered to make decisions in the best interests of the customer, is the main attribute for a long-term partnership. Being flexible, listening and supporting our customers as they face their own challenges, and taking a longer-term view, is an inherent part of our company culture. I’m always studying how other companies treat their customers. The pandemic has brought out the best, and the worst, in the customer experiences that myself or people I know have encountered. Like all of us, I’ve been truly inspired and humbled by our key workers. The dedication and positivity from staff at Canary Wharf Waitrose, for example, has been a breath of fresh air. But there are some bank and landlord experiences that I’ve heard about that have been pretty bad. Purely from a business perspective, these actions are completely counterproductive as this often leads to a loss of business. Customer experience is all about long-term relationships – and that’s never been more important than right now. When the chips are down, are you a reliable partner for your business customers?

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at West India Quay’s Cannon Workshops Follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on Twitter Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual

Years since Chris founded Creative Virtual in east London

The return of Customer Service Week amid a global pandemic has got Chris thinking about how businesses deal with one another

work in partnership

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell

four focus

support your local institutions DINE Mala Limehouse

how traditional flavours and exposed brick combine at Il Bordello in a riot of warmth

£14.95

Price of the Buffalo pizza at Il Bordello in Wapping

by Jon Massey

EAT | Mala Indian Kitchen And Bar Located right on the Thames, in the hinterland between Limehouse and Canary Wharf, this establishment promises tandoori delights for all. Open Tues-Sun, malarestaurant.com WRITE Sui Generis Limehouse

CARDS | Sui Generis Choose local stationery featuring the photography of Limehouse resident Pamela Glintenkamp. Available online and at Three Colt Gallery. Online, suigenerisstationers.com WINTER Tower Of London Wapping

SKATE | Ice Rink This Christmas will certainly be like no other, but that doesn’t mean all festive activities are off. Whizz round the ice in the shadow of this landmark. Nov 20-Jan 3, times vary, £17.20, hrp.org.uk

and in the arts

Live In Limehouse returns on October 21, from 7pm. The latest edition of the comedy night at The Star Of The East is set to feature Sarah Keyworth, Kris Davies, Tiernan Douieb and Katie Green. Tickets start at £16.76 vixleyton.co.uk Scan this code for more information about Live In Limehouse from Neon Flamingo want more? @wharflifelive

ccupying a ground oor space in one of apping s plentiful regenerated ware houses, l ordello has something of a split personality ts lofty vaulted ceilings, copper covered open itchen and acres of e posed bric wor could easily be the bac drop to some fussy fine dining establishment ut its atmosphere and food are every inch the traditional local talian ach night a crowd of regu lars ta es to its fine leather seats for the cosy business of ordering and dining, all under the stern ga e of the powerful rt eco portraits of women that adorn its walls recalling the angular lines of inter war pieces by amara e empic a hile the ju taposition of these and the venue s name is unfor tunate and somewhat dated, the service and food have nothing to do with its branding ven from behind their mas s, the parade of red waistcoat clad waiters twin le, delivering a stream of patter honed over many years he service is swift, accurate and unfailingly polite from a team that has probably forgotten more about running restaurants than most will ever now hat means whoever is putting the menus together is also completely unafraid of simply offering what wor s arlic mushrooms to start are astonishingly plentiful a whole forest oor in a dish ere they not uite so delicious, the portion would be far too much of one thing, but it very nearly isn t enough ining here is about e cess y companion s aprese salad is a plate piled high with rich red tomatoes, crowned with generous slabs of cheese e re pretty full before the mains even arrive and they too turn out to be enormous er uffalo pi a is

Scan this code for more about Il Bordello or to make a booking

rich Uncomplicated and plentiful: Garlic mushrooms cost £7.95 and arrive as a vast, filling dish of delicious, moreish flavours

so very

a sea of roc et, cherry tomatoes and more buffalo mo arella, barely contained by the crisp coastline of its base y orechiette alla pugliese is a deep dish of pasta, anchovies, and crunchy broccoli, doused in enough e tra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs to ensure a near coma after consumption ashed down with the ill advised choice of a fi y eroni or two and the result is blissful satiation ombine this with all

the little touches you d e pect in a really good neighbourhood talian the automatic armesan grater, the warmth of its staff and the unfussy production of good food and drin and it s easy to see why the place was busy when we visited ith many casual dining chains collapsing, the recipe for success is clearly with the strong avours of independents li e this, even if it costs a bit more to do it

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

tradition

four focus

support your local institutions ONLINE Poplar Union Poplar

in more ways than one

how Grand Cholan has all its bases covered, complete views over the dock, potent flavours and crisp papadums

SEE | Lisa And Luca - A Rehearsed Reading Selina Armoudon shares a work in progress followed by a question and answer session as part of Poplar Union’s Black History Month programme. Oct 28, 7pm, free (on Zoom), poplarunion.com BOOK The Gun Blackwall

CHRISTMAS | Festive Celebration With the new normal in full swing, thoughts are starting to turn to seasonal celebration. The Gun has launched its festive packages and is taking bookings. Ongoing, thegundocklands.com DINE Kinkao Isle Of Dogs

Grand Cholan is located on Turnberry Quay with direct views over the docks

by Jon Massey

angal may have moved north on the Isle Of Dogs, but the building it occupied on Turnberry Quay continues to welcome diners seeking spice and views over the water as they eat. Grand Cholan – named for the Tamil kingdom that once ruled Sri Lanka, the southern part of the Indian subcontinent and other areas of south Asia – is a light, welcoming space. The pale, understated decor proves a subtle backdrop to the romance of the water as the light dims and night arrives. ttentive staff are everywhere, welcoming, seating and serving and while tap water requires extra

prompting, everything else arrives in a timely, slick fashion. Grand Cholan’s chef isn’t afraid of potent avours hile my starter of sweet potato chat (£6.95) is pleasantly aromatic, my companion’s chilli paneer (£7.95) is deliciously hot on the tongue. Likewise, complimentary chicken tikka thighs are considerably richer in avour than the more delicate examples found in other establishments. That’s not to say the cooking at this restaurant isn’t exacting. The dishes are complex and well rounded, e emplified by my main of Cholan lamb curry (£10.95)

Scan this code for more on Grand Cholan or to book

– a murky lagoon of unctuous sauce containing delicious morsels of meat and a plethora of avours Presented alongside the old favourites of ingfisher and the kind of papadums that have been gracing the tables of restaurants in Britain since the 1980s, dining here is a delightful blend of traditions. For the cost, which is astonishingly reasonable, given the quantity and quality of dishes delivered, this is exactly the kind of place the Island needs. A restaurant with something for everyone that doesn’t try too hard, is imbued with the scent of rose petals and chilli and focuses heavily on customer service. Oh, and the Goan prawn curry is a winner. At £10.95 there’s no reason not to.

BOOK | For Thai Cuisine Support this waterside restaurant, which offers highly spiced, flavourful food with a view across the Thames to maritime Greenwich. Open daily, times vary, kinkao.co.uk

in the arts

See Host at The Space from Oct 28-30. Written by Sam Essame, this newly created horror is performed live on Zoom and tackles themes of loneliness, redemption and the fear of getting too close. Tickets £15 space.org.uk Scan this code for more information about Host or to book tickets to see the production live want more? @wharflifelive

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Years since Edy & Bridge was established in south-east London

how fashion label Edy & Bridge adapted to the pandemic with face masks and an online push

Jenni and Michael outside their Deptford base wearing Rainbow Heart Jumper, £49 and Workwear Jacket, £89 respectively, both by Edy & Bridge

by Jon Massey

ake a stroll down Creekside in Deptford, past The Birds Nest pub, and you’ll find dy ridge tuc ed into a converted shipping container rom this base of operations, Jenni Redstone and ichael urniffe run their independent fashion brand designing, cutting, sewing and customising pieces for their pop up shops and online customers amed after their grandmothers, dith and ridget, the label was established in to produce classic everyday pieces in the using reclaimable fabrics cloth discarded by manufacturers or other fashion houses and ma ing lines with smaller uantities of material in as sustainable a way as possible, means dy ridge s pieces are often limited in number great for those concerned about seeing someone else wearing the same thing “n , we d decided to start slowly we were coming up to our s and we thought we d li e to design for our age group and see what happened – they were the people we new, the ones we could relate to said enni “ e wanted to ma e day clothes rather than glit y outfits aving first met in when trading from neighbouring pitches at pitalfields ar et, ichael and enni had fre uently collaborated over the years aving previously run a label together that appealed to younger customers into faster fashion, the intention with dy ridge was to

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

Edy & Bridge’s clothes are handmade by its owners

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

realign their activities with a customer who wanted the bright, upbeat freedom of their designs and could afford handmade, limited edition clothing. “It was when we experimented with pop-up shops in 2015 at Old Street and Marylebone stations that we found an audience in commuters who weren’t used to slightly more interesting stuff than you d find on the high street,” said Jenni, who grew up in Devon before going on to study design at Goldsmiths University in London. “They liked what we were making and wanted to buy.” Building on that success, the brand went on to years of pop-ups across the UK, including recent appearances locally at the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill and Sample Christmas market on Greenwich Peninsula.

ockdown’s arrival in March, meant a temporary free e on retail operations, however, resulting in an increased focus on online commerce and a fresh product line, initially designed to respond as positively as possible to the pandemic. “ here was the shell shoc at first, said Michael, who grew up in the capital and studied at the London College Of Fashion, going on to work for various designers, pattern cutting and making samples before striking out on his own. “Because we’re a small business there are always challenges and we just realised lockdown was the situation we had to deal with. “We weren’t going to let it bring us down – we came up with a plan and just went for it. Like most of the small businesses around here, we’re quite resilient. Being small is an advantage and you can change and adapt quickly.” Jenni said: “With Covid, we just decided to try and do something useful so we made masks – initially using off cuts of material The label set up a web page for donations to locally-based food charity FareShare, only charging postage on masks with contributions to the cause optional. “After I’d got my head around the requirements for a mask we started making them in batches,” said Michael. “We must have done 1,500 and then we ran out of material so we had to start buying it in.” Having worked out that they’d raise more for the charity (a total that currently stands at more than £2,000), they decided to start charging £5 per mask with £1 going to the cause. Patterns available include polka dots, orals and anchors as well

Scan this code for more information about Edy & Bridge or to buy pieces

made designed and

Local product: Edy & Bridge face masks are made in Deptford and cost £5 – £1 goes to FareShare as plain blue he ow of tra c that masks brought to the brand’s website has also seen Edy & Bridge renew its digital efforts, with more products now available online and a colourful feed of creations on its @edyandbridge Instagram account. Its range of T-shirts and sweatshirts embla oned with a three colour rainbow – originally designed and conceived in February in part-homage to the children’s TV series – captured buyers’ imaginations with the symbol gaining a fresh relevance over lockdown. But the brand’s focus is very much to continue making clothes that have a timeless appeal. “The jackets, skirts and basics we do aren’t fast fashion – they’re not going to go out of style,” said Jenni. “The sweatshirts with bold prints do really well and we do matching sets for kids, which are fun. We’ll be doing more of those for Christmas. “At the moment, people don’t have to dress smart, but we want them to feel good and that’s what we’re trying to do in a small way with colour and

“

We weren’t going to let Covid bring us down – we came up with a plan and just went for it. Being small is an advantage – you can adapt quickly Michael Curniffe, Edy & Bridge

brightness – we’re not afraid of that. I don’t think it’s going to be a minimal year – people will want to play with things because they can’t go out and party.” “In terms of new pieces, we’ve got some more coats for women and men coming through – keeping the same shapes but changing the fabrics,” added Michael. “I’m also going to develop a bag we first did last year made from recycled coffee bags ready for this Christmas.”

ustainability is a core part of the way Michael and Jenni design and make their products, using organic materials and sourcing fabrics in a way that also has an impact on the pieces they create. “Our garments do last,” added Michael. “They’re washable, they’re not made to wear and then discard after a week. We see people wearing them years later. We’re trying to be even more sustainable – all of our postal packaging is paper now. “As a small business, waste is essentially your bottom line, so you have to try to minimise it. “Apart from the jumpers and T-shirts, most of the pieces are limited editions because they’re made from reclaimable fabrics off cuts where other designers at big factories have ordered too much. We might only make 25 garments for each design – five in each si e so you re not going to see everyone in it.” Jenni added: “It keeps it exciting for us because it means we’re constantly seeing new things under our sewing machines. There’s only two of us – we can’t make a million products, but if we have a really good design, we can ma e it in a few different fabrics “It means shoppers need to act fast because when things are sold out, they’re gone.”

Michael and Jenni make their clothes in their Deptford studio, located in Creekside

four focus

support your local institutions SEE The Albany Deptford

KIDS | Reach For The Stars Not an S Club 7 tribute show, but a charming performance featuring puppets as Nat rockets into space for the entertainment of those aged 7-11. Oct 27-31, times vary, from £14, thealbany.org.uk EAT St Mary’s Church Rotherhithe

GIG | Memories Of The Mayflower One Voice, One Cello And A Mad Belgian present a live concert and live-streamed event inspired by the nine-week journey of The Mayflower and its impact. Oct 16, 7.15pm, £14 (to attend) tunedin.london HEAR The Albany Deptford

POETRY | Yomi Sode - In Times Of Crisis The poet and producer hosts an evening of conversation and verse as he shares new material and reflects on how we can come together. Oct 23, 7.30pm, returns onle, thealbany.org.uk

tipple treats

While the nights are getting chillier Midnight Apothecary continues to serve up botanical cocktails, beers and wines in both its garden and the terrace outside the Brunel Museum – check online for forthcoming dates themidnightapothecary.co.uk Scan this code for more information about Midnight Apothecary or to make a booking want more? @wharflifelive

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

four focus

support your local institutions MUSIC The O2 arena Peninsula

how Tailor & Forge fill their Greenwich shop with well-made, ethical and chic lifestyle products

Years since Scott Blumsom and Driss Ziani created Tailor & Forge, selling homewares and lifestyle products

Founders Scott Blumsom, left, and Driss Ziani run Tailor & Forge’s boutique in Greenwich Market

by Jon Massey

GIG | Squeeze The arena returns to live music with this test event at 25% capacity. Tickets on general sale from 10am on October 9, so be quick to bag a space. Dec 5, 7.30pm, £15, theo2.co.uk SEE National Maritime Museum Greenwich

FILM | Black Women Making Waves Black History Walks’ Tony Warner talks about black women’s contribution to maritime history before a screening of short film Surf Girls Of Jamaica. Oct 29, 7pm, free (register online), rmg.co.uk COMEDY Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

LAUGH | Richard Stott - Right Hand Man Expect heart-wrenching stuff as the stand-up with Poland Syndrome takes an unflinching look at body image, mental health and being disabled. Nov 1, 8pm, £15, greenwichtheatre.org.uk

live and online

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark are set to present a live show and streamed experience from Indigo at The O2 on October 24 at 9pm in support of their crew. Tickets start at £10, with 1,000 Zoom spots and 200 seats theo2.co.uk For more information on You Me & OMD, scan this code - bookings can be made online want more? @wharflifelive

ehind the russet brick and glass facade of a building in Greenwich Market’s Durnford Street lives Tailor & Forge. Visitors to the lifestyle and homeware boutique, can expect warm welcomes and a plethora of curated products, carefully selected by co-founders Scott Blumsom and Driss Ziana. The couple, whose daughter Leila also works in the store, launched the brand five years ago online, moving into bricks and mortar three years ago. “I’ve always been in business development, sales and marketing – that kind of area and Driss’ previous career was in design,” said Scott. “We were very much in the stereotypical city rat race but we weren’t enjoying it – the fast pace, the stress – and we thought: ‘What can we do that’s more enjoyable, more personal and something we have more control over?’. “That’s when the idea of Tailor & Forge came about. We originally started online because we very much felt there were either cheap, mass-market products in the homeware arena or very design-led, expensive pieces out there. There wasn’t much in the middle, so that’s where we thought Tailor & Forge needed to be pitched – making products accessible that are affordable and sustainably sourced. “We’re not fans of buy-it-cheap, replace-it-often. We think people should be buying good quality at reasonable prices. “My parents are still the same – their view is that you buy something, spend a good amount of money on it and it’ll last you for a long time. There used to be a lot more of that – a good example might be a dining table. People would spend a lot of money but it would last and you’d pass it down through the family line. “Buying cheap furniture that doesn’t last isn’t very good for the planet e wanted to fill that gap in the middle of the market.” To that end, their shop is packed with furniture, homewares, ornaments, clothing and neon lights as well as stationery and lifestyle

Shop online at Tailor & Forge before Nov 30 and get 10% off with discount code WHARFLIFE - one use allowed per customer

care selected with great

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

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

“

We have quite a mixed style. A Tailor & Forge piece is something that’s practical, well-made, ethical, function and looks good. Scott Blumsom, Tailor & Forge

products that come together as an expression of the brand’s aesthetic. “A Tailor & Forge piece is something that’s practical, wellmade, ethical, functional and looks good,” said Scott. “We have quite a mi ed style hen we first opened, we called ourselves Nordic-Boho chic. At the moment there are some 1980s throwback pieces in there too, inspired by Stranger Things. “We throw in some industrial style pieces, some mid-century modern pieces and we try and avoid zoning so it’s all mixed together so it ows “There are key areas of the shop where we keep the layout broadly the same but change the pieces. For example, there will always be a sofa in the area near the front of the shop. Me and Driss are usually on the same wavelength and where we don’t share an opinion, we might take a bit of a chance and see how it does. Then there’s a little bit of a competition to see whether those pieces sell.” Driss and Scott picked Greenwich for their store because it “ticked a lot of our boxes”. Scott said: “We were familiar with the area because of the various landmarks, we came and did a bit of a recce to get a feel for the buzz and the vibe and to see what properties might be available. We found Durnford Street in the market and just fell in love with the building. “Just by luck it had the kind of layout we wanted inside – something circular – and it was available. We thought it was a good area with a tourist base and a strong village feel. It’s a really nice community and it’s great to be part of it. There are loads of locals, many of whom we can now call friends.” While arranging the photos for this piece, a lady pops in with her dachshund to exchange friendly pleasantries with the owners. “People can expect a big smile when they come in and a really good level of customer service,” said Scott. “We try to say hello and goodbye to as many people who come into the shop as possible. We really do want to know how they are and how we can help them. “We genuinely get excited when customers come in having just

Tailor & Forge is packed with ornaments, furniture and ceramics and its Sam Round Shelf Mirror, pictured above, is priced at £110 Scan this code for more information on Tailor & Forge moved into a new place – we love having those conversations. “We change the shop quite often and do two big re-works every year in spring and autumn, refreshing the walls and replacing the larger pieces of furniture. “As a small independent retailer, that’s quite a lot of work, but doing it twice a year gives the products time to settle in. If it was too often, I don’t think customers could keep up. We’ve noticed, especially recently, that purchases are a lot more considered. “That’s where our loyalty kicks in. We’re finding people are coming back to us, having fallen in love with the brand and they’re buying key pieces to brighten up their homes.” While Tailor & Forge is doing its bit in

the pandemic by selling tasteful face masks, the shop remains a glorious exploration of the joys of living well. “Right now in the collection, I really like the neon signs,” said cott “ hey re a bit different for us, pushing the boundaries, but they work and they’re selling really well. They provide a bit of fun, colour and brightness in people’s homes, especially when they’re spending a lot more time there because of Covid. In terms of lifestyle we stock, and are big fans of, the Meraki range – its candles and its bath and body products. I’m a bit obsessed with it. “Looking ahead, Christmas is going to be full of fun. We’re going very elegant – with some lovely decorations and great stylish home decor pieces. We’ll also have some awesome pre-lit real Christmas trees for sale. “We’re looking forward to it being busy – the market is Covid-secure and everyone is working really hard to make it as welcoming and safe as possible.”

Ishiri Print Cushion £39.95, Tailor & Forge

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Royal Docks - Canning Town

With views over the Thames and nautical notes in the design, there are plenty of snug spots to find at The Windjammer in Royal Wharf “For women, I think hospitality is a great industry to work in. It really built my confidence and it’s quite empowering. When customers leave happy, I just feel really fulfilled by that “I knew running The Windjammer would be a big challenge but I’m glad I took the opportunity “We’ve been trading well since we reopened and the pub’s been really well received by the residents. We are the only pub in the area and they were pretty disappointed when we had to close, but they’re very pleased now we’re open again.”

amed for the term that describes a big, multi-masted sailing ship, the pub offers classic food and a wide selection of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails in the shadow of the Thames Barrier. “We’ve got a great selection of Fuller’s and guest beers in rotation,” said Hannah. “There’s London Pride on cask and Frontier, which is a wonderful craft beer from the brewery but we’re also hosting the likes of Siren and Beavertown Nanobot. “We have a great selection of cocktails, which are very popular and a gin-based menu. “The bar manager is really passionate about gin cocktails and we’re doing some infusions including a rose petal gin that I’m sure will be a hit. “Personally, I’m a wine girl – I like a good full-bodied red or a Gavi in the summer. I also like the Espresso Martini – I’m a mum, I need the coffee “On the food front, we very much serve pub classics including fish and chips with rontier batter “We also have a really great chicken burger, which is made with buttermilk and served with bacon jam. We have a kids menu because we have a lot of kids coming in and a great Sunday roast, which is very popular, with vegan options and rotating the meats. “Most people do come in to dine – there aren’t many options locally so this is where they come to eat out. We have a real mix of people walking through the doors – older couples, young people – and I really like that. “It’s much more relaxed than the City pubs I’ve worked in – people are here to unwind in the evening or at the weekend. “I like to cater for everyone. Being a mum, for example, I know what young families need from a venue – good quality healthy food

“

We want people to have a great experience with their friends and family – something memorable that makes them want to come back

four focus

support your local institutions VISIT Thames Barrier Park Pontoon Dock

Hannah Joseph, The Windjammer

and entertainment for the kids. We’d love to reach out and pull people in from all over Docklands as well – anyone on the DLR line can get to us via Pontoon Dock.” With closing times now limited to 10pm, Covid security is something the pub takes extremely seriously annah s staff aim to maintain vigilance without ruining their customers’ time at the pub. “When people come here we want them to feel safe – we’re following all the guidelines and keeping on top of things as they change,” said the Leytonstone resident. “It’s a safe environment, but that doesn’t impact on the friendly atmosphere. “We want people to have a great, enjoyable experience with their friends and family – something memorable that makes them want to come back again soon. “Having the outdoor area was amazing over the summer – people were really making the most of it after being cooped up. “We’ve got a great space, which will soon be getting a roof and heating installed so people can continue to use it as the weather changes. “I’m really pleased we can provide a place for people to catch up in person, whether that’s inside or outside. “I love the design of the pub. It’s something I’ve had quite a lot of input into and when you’ve worked on something since the beginning, it’s like your baby and you get to see it develop. “As a manager, you face all sorts of different challenges wherever you’re working. The main one is ensuring the staff and customers are happy. “Creating a good working environment is essential. You get a lot of different personalities and people of different ages wor ing in this industry, so making sure you can get everyone working towards the same goal is essential. “Keeping the camaraderie and community with colleagues is important – you have to all look after one another. “Being adaptable and reassuring everyone is key at the moment. I just try to make everyone’s time at The Windjammer as enjoyable as possible customers and staff

OUTSIDE | Go For A Walk While the current wet weather may not be conducive to going outside, this gem is well worth a visit year-round. One of London’s greatest open spaces. Open daily, free, london.gov.uk DRINK The Oiler Bar Royal Docks

BOARD | Indoor Space The Royal Docks’ most popular bar on a boat has opened up its undercover seating with strict social distancing in place. Try the locally brewed Husk IPA. Ongoing, no bookings, oilerbar.com APPLY Tate & Lyle Royal Docks

FUND | The Lyle’s Local Fund Not-for-profit organisations can apply to Tate & Lyle’s £50,000 community fund for grants to support projects that help Newham residents. Deadline Oct 30, newham.gov.uk

and in the arts

Artistic resident of The Silver Building Floating Concrete is set to abandon a series of its Egoman figures at a secret location over the course of the next month – look out for them and Instagram them if you find one @floatingconcrete on Insta Scan this code for more information about the work of Floating Concrete in Royal Docks want more? @wharflifelive

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Royal Docks - Canning Town

“

We want people to have a great experience with their friends and family – something memorable that makes them want to come back

four focus

support your local institutions VISIT Thames Barrier Park Pontoon Dock

Hannah Joseph, The Windjammer

and in the arts

Artistic resident of The Silver Building Floating Concrete is set to abandon a series of its Egoman figures at secret locations over the course of the next month – look out for them and Instagram them if you find one @floatingconcrete on Insta Scan this code for more information about the work of Floating Concrete in Royal Docks want more? @wharflifelive

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Weeks after opening the Stratford venue had to shut its doors due to lockdown

by Laura Enfield

merican entrepreneur JP Teti thought he had hit it out the park with his idea to open an interactive baseball bar in Stratford. But the Philadelphia-born businessman wasn’t prepared for the biggest curveball ever – Covid-19. Home Run House had been years in the planning. A lifelong baseball fan, JP’s dream was to bring America’s favourite pastime to the heart of London and create a brand that could be taken worldwide. “Summers are baseball in America,” said the 41-year-old. “Field Of Dreams isn’t really an exaggeration. It’s an emotional thing for Americans.” He had already made the leap into hospitality from the corporate world, leaving a job as head of enterprise technology for Xerox Middle East And Africa to launch Passyunk Avenue in Fitzrovia in 2018 – a bar and restaurant serving up a slice of Philadelphia culture. “There’s quite a big appetite for American food in London but it was never done that well, “ said , who uit his high ying job upon realising he wanted to create something memorable. “It was always distilled down to broad generalisations and I never recognised it as anything I grew up with. I wanted to do it in a really authentic, immersive way.” While opening a second assyun venue in estfield in December 2018, he saw an opportunity to take another chance. “I noticed a large retail space opposite was vacant and knew if it was full it would mean thousands more feet in this area, which would benefit everyone e convinced estfield to lease him the 6,000sq ft unit and wooed Major League Baseball and Budweiser to come on board as brand partners. “I knew the league was running games and trying to develop its brand here and saw a good opportunity for people to experience baseball as the social experience it is in America, “ he said. “It would give them a chance to engage with people on a full-time basis more than the hit-and-run at the games.”

“

We’ve managed to weather the first phase of the disruption, but surviving the recovery is going to be more of a challenge JP Teti, Home Run House

The batting cages all feature tracking technology and screens, so players can imagine they are in a real Major League stadium

curveball hitting the Covid

why the founder of Home Run House isn’t ready to throw in the towel on his modern day field of dreams

JP Teti founded Home Run House in 2020 at Westfield

The father-of-two said it was easier than expected to persuade them. “I think my concept scratched an itch for them about how to make this brand, that clearly people are interested in this country, more accessible,” he said. “It was really very fortuitous because I was proposing something they were looking for and it all came together at the right time. “They saw this as an opportunity to retailise baseball without them having to run all over the world staging games.” It cost £250,000 to get the site up and running. Specialist software developed with HitTrax was installed in four batting cages to

allow customers to play virtual games at all 30 major league stadiums or finesse their batting technique using a tracking system. Cage prices were set from £1.50 a minute to hire and instructors were prepped to be on hand to provide free pointers he bar was fitted with screens to show feeds from five baseball games and stoc ed with American beers and snacks. Discounts were organised to encourage customers to visit the neighbouring Passyunk and sample its menu of cheesesteaks, speciality sandwiches, nachos and drinks. Everything was good to go and JP had 12 months to prove it could work. But then lockdown hit.

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick

“Shutting down six weeks after opening, after six months wor ing at out to take the concept from idea to reality was less than ideal,” said the Putney resident. “Just bringing together the major stakeholders and getting the legal relationships agreed was an enormous feat. “But there are some things that we can’t control and we can’t obsess about them. Everyone in our industry has the same set of challenges right now.” Home Run House survived the “potential cash crisis” by furloughing all its staff and developing a range of DIY kits, delivering ballpark food experiences to people’s homes. The venue reopened on August 15 and JP is now battling to make sure it does not strike out.

until spring 2021 Capacity has at the earliest.” been reduced “We’ve from 200 to 75 managed to to comply with weather the social distancing first phase of regulations the disruption, and groups are but surviving the limited to six. recovery is going to Several co-promoFood from be more of a challenge. tional events with “The sooner consumers Major League Baseball and Passyunk, feel safe venturing out, the Budweiser have also been below better for businesses like put on hold for the time ours, but this won’t happen being. until they have confidence that “In what is fundamentally their exposure to the virus is being a venue for social interaction, competently managed and, to we’ve had to limit the interaction, date, they do not.” which makes the experience far e praised estfield for its more controlled than we ever support throughout the crisis. intended,” said JP. “They know there is a lot of “Nonetheless, it is pain, but rightly understand that still a really special the only way through this situation place to hang out is for the burdens to be shared and given the mix for us to support each other in the of immersive best ways possible,” he said. activities we’ve “Similarly, Major League incorporated Baseball could not have been more into the design supportive of us during this time.” and unique food He is in discussions about and beverages on extending his lease and said he offer was keen to have another go at With revenue making a success of Home Run. at less than half of He added: “The best is yet to forecast, he hopes the come for this concept and we play offs will give business will keep at it until we realise its a boost and is working to create potential.” a buzz leading up to the World Meanwhile he is pursuing an Series. “aggressive expansion strategy” “ nfortunately, estfield with Passyunk, with funding and Stratford City is still rather quiet, plans in place to open a venue relative to where it should be at in London Bridge and at another this time of year,” he said. London location. He remains “It’s understandable, given the confident that his field of dreams current levels of concern amongst can still come true. the population in general about “We want to spread across the virus, that major retail centres London and maybe the continent will be slower to recover. and demonstrate Americana isn’t “We saw some uptick in sales what people think,” said JP. “It can during the Eat Out To Help Out be niche, interesting – something scheme in August, but, since then, you haven’t considered before.” revenue seems to have settled in below our August numbers and we’re expecting it to stay around Scan this these levels at least until the end of code for more this year and perhaps into the start information on of 2021. Home Run House “We’re not forecasting a return to more normal revenue levels

four focus

support your local institutions SHOP John Lewis Westfield Stratford City

BUY | Personal Styling Services Get up to an hour of free advice from John Lewis’ team of personal shoppers whether you’re looking for a perfect pair of jeans or a wardrobe update. Open daily, 10am-6pm, free, johnlewis.com THRILL ArcelorMittal Orbit Stratford

EXPERIENCE | Ride The Slide Fancy zipping down the world’s tallest and longest tube slide? Then you’ll need at least £10.75 and availability before October 31 to do it. Fri-Mon, 11am-3pm, queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk LISTEN Theatre Royal Stratford East Stratford

AUDIO | 846 Re:Play Hear monologues by young east London artists responding to the theatre’s production of 846, commissioned in light of George Floyd’s murder. Nov 11, 6pm, free (online), newhamblackhistory.org

in the arts

There’s still time to catch Somewhere I Live – celebrating the work of artists from Newham and Tower Hamlets with an exhibition in the calming surroundings of Cody Dock. The works will be in place until October 16 codydock.org.uk Scan this code for more information about the exhibition or to book free tickets to attend want more? @wharflifelive

Wharf Life Oct 7-21, 2020 wharf-life.com

SUDOKU

Crossword - Sudoku

Tough

2 1

3 8 9 7 9 2 5 9 8

7 4 3 2 4 8 7 5 2 5

SUDOKU

You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection ofTo others available in apps and books at str8ts.com. This complete Sudoku, fill the board Sudoku is supplied by Syndicated Puzzles. by entering numbers 1 to 9 such

No. 932 that each row, column and 3x3 box

3 7

9 8

Medium

1 4 For many strategies, 2 hints 9 and tips, 1 visit www.sudokuwiki.org 3 2 1 If you like Sudoku you’ll really like ‘Str8ts’ and our other 6 puzzles, Apps 5 3 and books. Visit www.str8ts.com 9 4 beating 8 3the 2 1 5 9 7

crossword The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

11. 12. 13. 15. 17. 18. 20. 22. 23.

How one is caught holding no black cards? (3-6) owery greeting from islanders (3) his may come between neighbours (6,5) Still, such people can’t be! (7) Get in fresh colour (5) Work hard with an advertising jingle (6) Loved to see the dreadnought wrecked! (6) An animal arrived and left shortly afterwards (5) A fabulous horseman (7) An engagement, in the main (5,6) From the West on foot? (3) Oppose an insect repellent (9)

Notes

Time spent in bitter argument (3) 3. A light abreast of the vessel (5) 4. Failing desert (6) 5. Indeed it’s not distinguished (7) 6. To tell the truth, one may ma e it , e won t loo you in the eye when you you speak to him (3-6) 10. A redeeming feature of a kidnapping (6,5) 11. Abuse an awkward seed-box (9) t s finished everywhere , hat most fish have to be weighed on (6) 19. Gets close in linear size (5) eonard brie y comes in silently

9 1 6 3 5 8 4 2 7

2 9 4 8 7 3 5 1 6

8 3 1 6 2 5 9 7 4

7 6 5 9 1 4 3 8 2

1 5 9 2 4 7 6 3 8

4 2 8 5 3 6 7 9 1

6 7 3 1 8 9 2 4 5

6 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such whether you’re each row, column and 3x3 box 2 that containssleuth every number cryptic oruniquely. 4synonym For many strategies, solverhints inand tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org 7it forIf you quick wins, like Sudoku you’ll really like and oursatisfy other puzzles, Apps should 3this ‘Str8ts’ and books. Visit www.str8ts.com

Quick Across 1. 8. 9. 11. 12. 13. 15. 17. 18. 20. 22. 23.

Strengthen (9) Wrath (3) Dedication (11) Seraphic (7) Mistake (5) Deduction (6) Pelted (6) Boredom (5) Intricate (7) Recognize (11) Loiter (3) Opposing (9)

Down 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 11. 14. 16. 19. 21.

Before (3) eadly Diminish (6) Factor (7) Discontented (11) Heretical (9) agrancy Pleasant (9) Philosopher (7) From side to side (6) Breakwaters (5) Trap (3)

Across: 1 Reinforce; 8 Ire; 9 Devotedness; 11 Angelic; 12 Error; 13 Rebate; 15 Stoned; 17 Ennui; 18 Complex; 20 Acknowledge; 22 Lag; 23 Resisting. Down: 2 Ere; 3 Fatal; 4 Reduce; 5 Element; 6 Disgruntled; 7 Heterodox; 10 Vagabondage; 11 Agreeable; 14 Thinker; 16 Across; 19 Moles; 21 Gin.

Down

5 8 7 4 9 2 1 6 3

Cryptic Solution

Across

3 4 2 7 6 1 8 5 9

Across: 1 Red-handed; 8 Lei; 9 Garden fence; 11 Dynamic; 12 Tinge; 13 Slogan; 15 Adored; 17 Camel; 18 Centaur; 20 Naval battle; 22 Toe; 23 Resistant. Down: 2 Era; 3 Abeam; 4 Defect; 5 Denoted; 6 Clean breast; 7 Lip-reader; 10 Ransom money; 11 Desecrate; 14 All over; 16 Scales; 19 Nears; 21 Len.

Cryptic

last issue’s solution

Previous solution - Easy Sept 23-Oct 7

1 7 2 8 9 3 4 5 6 Sudoku 5 a8break 9 from 4 2 that 6 phone 1 3 7 Take 4 3 6 5 7 1 9 8 2 How 9 to6 play 5 2 8 4 7 1 3 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 4 such 1 5 6 row, 9 8column and 3x3 box one3 to2nine that7each contains every number uniquely. 8 1 7 3 6 9 2 4 5 5 find 1 strategies, 7 4 8 hints 3 and 6 9tips online You2can at sudokuwiki.org 6 4 8 9 3 2 5 7 1 7 to 9 play 3 6 1 5 8 2 4 More

Previous solution - Medium

Quick Solution

No. 929