Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
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inside issue 33
Martin Gettings on why opting for a green energy tariff is doing your bit Page 5
Camille Walala - Creative Virtual - Karst Morden Wharf - Brunel Street Works - White + Green Capeesh - Hiver - Suzi Ruffell - Greenwich Market House Of Mass - NipNip - Puzzles The Refreshment Room
spice family, flavour and
celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness
how Mama’s Jerk delivers food and variety into the lives of hungry Wharfers Canary Wharf - Page 6
Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
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Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 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 BOOK | Common Salt Artists Sheila Ghelani and Sue Palmer perform a show to challenge our collective amnesia around colonial history and the East India Company. Oct 9, 3.15pm, 6.30pm, £18, museumoflondon.org.uk Where? Plateau Canada Square
feast your eyes on these
Ever get a hankering for a good, old fashioned localised mist? The great news is you can now carry a device capable of generating just such a cooling fog at the touch of a button. Better still, this one is themed as a watermelon. We don’t know if it impregnates the water droplets with the flavour of the fruit, but we do know that you’ll be the moist envy of your friends with this in your bag Mist Spray Fan, £3 Go to uk.flyingtiger.com
get 20% off
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OFFER | Set Menu For £20 Enjoy two courses for £20 or three for £25 plus a glass of Alsace wine as the restaurant returns to trading. Available Monday-Sunday Until Sept 30, daily, plateau-restaurant.co.uk
Martin Gettings on why the estate buys green electricity
Taking Mama’s Jerk from street food boom to Wharf Kitchen
Where? Notes Canary Wharf NipNip offers a range of service packages at its Westferry Circus shop DRINK | Locally Roasted Coffee There are lots of places to get coffee in Canary Wharf, but only one uses beans roasted in E14. Visit any of its branches to try a cup. Open daily at Crossrail Place, notescoffee.com
and in the arts
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n celebration of its opening, cycle servicing brand NipNip is offering owners a fifth off their bill for fettling their ride. The deal, which runs until September 30 covers its bronze, silver and gold packages when customers take their bikes to the Westferry Circus hub. Customers are free to
make use of the store’s blue courtesy bikes while theirs is being serviced. These can be ridden home or to the office and dropped back when ready. Director Matthew Farr said: “If there are any Wharfers who want to bring their bikes in, we’d love to see them. “We’ve got an amaz-
ing workshop with a full-on tool board. If you’re not sure whether you need a service, drop in and we’ll give your bike a free safety inspection Wharfers can access the discount by using code WHARFLIFE20% when booking. Go nipnip.co.uk for more information or to book a service
sign up here to get Wharf Life’s free fortnightly e-edition and newsletter They’re back - bike-based Shakespearians The Handlebards are all set to present a free performance of Romeo And Juliet at Westferry Circus on September 23 from 6pm. Entry will be first-come, first-served canarywharf.com Scan this code for more details about The Handlebards’ Romeo And Juliet want more? @wharflifelive
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Thoughts on the latest addition to the Wharf’s public art collection
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 14
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Canary Wharf
on the radar
doing the deals
get more for less in and around the Wharf
need to know
50%
Chai and coffee house Pam Ban has officially opened its doors in Canada Place off Crossrail Walk, opposite Chop’d. Expect plenty of flavour as it goes about its mission of injecting the soul of Asia into the Wharf’s coffee scene. Weekdays from 9am pamban.co.uk
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Humble Grape in Mackenzie Walk is continuing the Eat Out To Help Out offer from Mon-Weds in September. Wine by the bottle is half price Mon humblegrape.co.uk
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How Karst Jewellery is getting busier and busier in Limehouse
Ice cream brand Badiani has brought its wares to the Wharf, operating from a shop in Canada Place opposite Waitrose. Wharfers can expect tidily crafted gelato from a company that was founded in Florence in 1932 badiani1932.com
With a Waitrose listing there’s no better time to try Hiver
50% 40
What House Of Mass’ arrival in Royal Docks means for the local community as well as the professional dancers who will train at its studio space in the Silver Building
Did someone say summer sale? Gant in Canada Place is currently offering up to 50% off on selected items from its collections gant.co.uk
SPECIAL LUNCH OFFER A CHOICE OF PASTA, FILLED PASTA, PIZZA OR PANINI WITH A SOFT DRINK FOR 9.99 WITH A PINT OF FOSTERS OR 125ML HOUSE WINE 12.99
At Capeesh we do things differently. We are one of the finest restaurants in Canary Wharf and we serve fresh and authentic Italian food. The freshest ingredients go into every dish in our Italian restaurant to compliment the exquisite setting in which our establishment is situated. Unwind in our adjoining Lounge in absolute luxury with friends and family; the perfect spot for drinks to finish the working day.
EAT OUT TO HELP OUT
EXTENDED 15% OFF SUNDAY - THURSDAY FRIDAY & SATURDAY DJ ENTERTAINMENT
LIVE SPORTS 020 7538 1111 - events@capeesh.co.uk
@capeeshlondon - capeesh.co.uk
Address: 4 Pan Peninsula Square, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9HN - Right besides South Quay DLR Station Terms & Conditions: This offer will allow diners who eat with us, to recieve a discount of 15% on all food and soft drinks (excluding lunch deals, alcoholic drinks & mocktails) all of September 2020 Sunday - Thursday. No voucher is required to claim this offer
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Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
words you don’t know you need
alchewism noun, fictional, modern British
The selfless consumption of large quantities of discounted food, poured down one’s neck in an attempt to assist the businesses selling the stuff. Any enjoyment of the feast is completely coincidental, of course
book it
write me
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Carr perfectly captures the fleeting happiness of a summer always looking over its shoulder at winter Oli Hunt, Waterstones
Wharf Life has teamed up with Waterstones in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Place to offer fortnightly book recommendations by staff Oli Hunt senior book seller
squib
ON
noun, real, English A small firework that bursts forth in a shower of sparks rather than exploding, sometimes used in the ignition process for explosives or rockets. Obviously damp squibs fail to burn emitting little of consequence beyond metaphor
A Month In The Country by JL Carr paperback, £7.99 published by Penguin Classics
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.
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T
his novel about refuge and renewal has the rare ability to actually confer these attributes on the reader. Tom Birkin, a shellshocked survivor of the First World War, takes a job restoring a medieval wall-painting in a Yorkshire village church, and is quickly immersed in the life of the village around him. Writing from the perspective of an old man looking back on his youth, Carr perfectly captures the fleeting happiness of
a summer always looking over its shoulder at winter – that brief time in one’s life that is over before you know it and yet leaves an indelible stamp that never loses its sheen and remains a sharp-edged and potent memory. Short enough to read in just one deeply restorative and relaxing day (provided you don’t have much else on), this is a book to consume before facing the world again. Go to waterstones.com for more details
hot spot
reopened for business The Ivy In The Park Canada Square As an increasing number of workers return to Canary Wharf, so parts of the estate that remained dormant over the summer are also opening up. The Ivy In The Park opened on September 7, with fancy infrared temperature checks on the door and social distancing for all. During its closure construction workers have been busy on-site extending the Canada Square restaurant to house a new private dining area. The Butterfly Room sits on the eastern edge of the venue’s ground floor. Diners can expect an extension of the flora and fauna decor present in the
rest of the building and a painted ceiling featuring the insects that inspired its name. The Ivy In The Park is part of The Ivy Collection of restaurants, which operates nearly 40 venues across the UK. Go to theivycanarywharf.com for more information
Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
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Canary Wharf
600m getting greener
by Martin Gettings
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ast month, the UK saw some of its highest temperatures since the 1960s. There were six consecutive days in August where temperatures in London exceeded 34°C. More and more we are seeing the impacts of climate change in real time – hurricanes, floods, extreme temperatures and forest fires are just some of those. The need for urgent climate action has never been more evident. As a property manager, one of our biggest impacts at Canary Wharf Group is the purchasing of energy. As a Group we have been buying 100% renewable electricity across all of our operations since 2012 – that amounts to more than 600million kWh. We are also signatories of RE100, the global corporate renewable energy initiative, alongside some of the world’s top companies, supporting the global transition to renewable energy across all sectors. A cornerstone of our sustainability strategy is setting specific, measurable targets. Recently we announced the approval of our Science Based Targets, becoming the first commercial district in the world to set a collective target. We know that our target of reducing emissions by 65% by 2030 is ambitious, but we are confident that by working closely with our tenants, visitors and residents we can achieve it together. Targets like this can be daunting. That’s why in 2019 Canary Wharf Group signed the Better Buildings Partnership Climate Change Commitment, committing to publishing a clear pathway outlining our plan for a transition to net zero. As part of this we are looking at ways to go beyond renewable electricity, including replacing natural gas with electricity, generating our own energy on-site, and continuing to drive energy efficiency across the portfolio. If you’re looking for ways to be more sustainable in your own life, consider signing up to a renewable
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If you’re looking for ways to be more sustainable in your own life, consider signing up to a renewable electricity tariff. You’ll be investing in a cleaner, safer and healthier future Martin Gettings, Canary Wharf Group
Kilowatt Hours of renewable electricity purchased by Canary Wharf Group since 2012
switch consider that
Canary Wharf Group plans to look at switching away from natural gas, generating its own energy on-site and further driving energy efficiency to go beyond renewable electricity
Scan this code for more information on sustainability in Canary Wharf
electricity tariff. By investing in green energy in your own home, you’ll also be investing in a cleaner, safer and healthier future. If you are a Canary Wharf tenant or local resident and you’d like to get in touch to find out more about how we’re reducing emissions, please email us via sustainability@ canarywharf.com
Martin Gettings is group head of sustainability at Canary Wharf Group Go to canarywharf.com or breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk
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Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
Canary Wharf
Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
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The number of dishes currently on the Mama’s Jerk menu at Canary Wharf
Best buy: Jerk chicken leg with plantain, salad and rice and peas from Mama’s Jerk in Jubilee Place’s Wharf Kitchen, £9
how Mama’s Jerk delivers different flavours to divert and delight those looking for a bite of the Caribbean by Jon Massey
O
rder a tray of food from Mama’s Jerk in Wharf Kitchen and you’re tasting history. The flavours infused in the meat and vegetables have a direct lineage from the hands of the woman whose portrait adorns the restaurant’s walls. Its punchy Caribbean flavours offer Wharfers a contrast to pre-packed sandwiches and salads – with dishes steeped in a long tradition. Director Adrian Luckie said: “Mama’s Jerk was set up as a legacy for my great grandmother, Mama Charlotte. “She lived in St Elizabeth in Jamaica and her style of cooking, her recipes, were passed down to my mother and then me as a chef. “I was fortunate enough to meet Mama Charlotte years ago and to cook with her. It was a surreal experience, she lived on a farm and cooked outside on a fire. There was an outside toilet, none of the luxuries. “She’d be the first one up at 5am
trail blazing a
when you’d hear the cock crowing. You’d get up and she’d already be out there starting the fire and you’d go and help her. It was just a brilliant experi-
“
Mama’s Jerk was set up as a legacy from my great grandmother, Mama Charlotte. Her style of cooking was passed down to my mother and then to me Adrian Luckie, Mama’s Jerk
ence. One of my jobs was to feed the goat every morning. What I remember is that on the day we were leaving I was walking down the road back to the house with my cousins and we just heard all these dogs barking. “Then, there’s the goat strung up with its throat slit. They’d been making me feed it up the whole time. We had curry goat and it was lovely, it tasted gorgeous.” The other key ingredient in the brand’s creation was Adrian
himself. When I was in school, I didn’t really do that well in terms of grades – I was more into sports and stuff,” he said. “I was a bit disillusioned with family breakups and stuff like that. I’m not going to say my life was full of hardship because it wasn’t. “I just didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I got to school leaving age. “I’d always been into food because of my mother, my grandmother and my great grandmother. Every Sunday, all of our family would go round to my nan’s and we’d have dinner. I’d be helping and cooking. “At a young age my mum taught us to cook – she said: ‘One day you’re going to have to look after yourself, so you may as well learn now. “When the importance of school actually dawned on me, I was like: ‘Ok, right, what am I good at and what do I enjoy?’. The answer was food. It did help that I fancied my home economics teacher as well, but I did really well at it and got into Lewisham College to train as a chef. I was there for a couple of years and while I was studying, I was working in McDonalds, just to earn some extra money. That actually taught me so much just in terms of operations. Some people knock it for food or whatever but I learnt a lot.” Adrian landed a job as a chef with seafood restaurant Bill Bentley’s, rising to head chef over a 13-year stint before moving on to cook under Michelin-starred Continued on Page 8
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Years since Adrian Luckie started serving street food at Vibe Bar in Brick Lane
from Page 6 chef Garry Hollihead at restaurant, bar and club Sugar Reef. “He taught me so much about the quality of food, presentation and commitment,” said Adrian. Mama’s Jerk itself started in Brick Lane in 2009, on the cusp of the street food boom in London. “My friend used to own Vibe Bar there and they had a massive courtyard,” said Adrian. “I used to go down there on a weekend and there was this one guy selling South African burgers – he was absolutely smashing it. “He had about 1,000 people in the courtyard to himself every weekend – I just thought I’d give it a go – so I rang up my friend and asked and they were like: ‘Yeah, cool, come down’. “So me and a friend put about £2,000 in, to buy equipment, and did it. I really wish we had a picture of our set up because it was atrocious. It was plastic folding tables, not even a proper icebox, no gazebo and it’s pissing down with rain. But we sold about £300 that weekend and I was hooked.” The business went on to expand with permanent locations in Deptford, Brixton and Canary Wharf as well as pop-ups and a healthy catering arm that, before the pandemic, was regularly servicing events. Having centralised its kitchen operations and developed a product range that had been due to launch this year, like many businesses, 2020 has become about re-establishing the brand after lockdown. “We’ve always tried to deliver Caribbean-flavoured food done a bit nicely and tailored to the grab-and-go market,” said Adrian. “When I set up the business, I wanted to try and do something that was really simple, that incorporated the jerk marinade and jerk seasoning recipes from my family and to keep everything easy. With street food, what works is if you’ve just got something really simple that tastes nice. “Due to what’s happened with Covid, we were closed for three months but managed to furlough quite a lot of the staff. nfortunately we’ve had an issue, when we’ve asked some to come back they’ve decided not to, so we have had to employ new people and train them up. “As a result, to get through this next quarter, we’ve changed the menu to keep things simple – going a bit more traditional with curried goat and oxtail and, of course, the jerk chicken because that’s the most popular. “My favourite varies, it’s the goat at the moment, but we also do this vegan beancake, which is sweet potato, coconut and jerk spices – sometimes I have it and I’m like: ‘This is amazing’. “We do vegan options because you want to have something for everyone, so we will always have jerk spiced vegan soya. “I remember one time in Brixton when we served it to this lady and she was like: ‘Oh this chicken’s lovely’.
Mama’s Jerk in Wharf Kitchen features prominent portraits of Mama Charlotte and range of dishes inspired by her recipes
Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
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Canary Wharf
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I would like to stress that Canary Wharf Group have really helped us out during this period. They’ve been really supportive of small businesses Adrian Luckie, Mama’s Jerk
Adrian says he is proud to own the only Caribbean food business operating in Canary Wharf
Jerk spiced soya with plantain, £9
She could not actually believe it wasn’t chicken – I had to show her and explain it was vegan style and she was like: ‘Oh my God’. “People can be creatures of habit – if I order an Indian, I’ll have a Tandoori mixed grill, that’s what I like. Places like the Wharf Kitchen food court allow them to try different things. “You’ve got so many varied choices, whether it’s Mama’s Jerk, vegan burgers at The Vurger Company or Greek cuisine from The Athenian. It’s great. “I would also like to stress that Canary Wharf Group have really helped us out during this period. They’ve been really supportive of small businesses – some landlords have been getting a very bad press. “They want us to get through the pandemic, to preserve that diversity and variety for those that are already here and others who are coming back to work. “There’s only so much you can do remotely – meeting other people is so important – so I hope that sooner, rather than later, more people are back in the o ces.” Having previously lived on the Isle Of Dogs for more than a decade – using the kitchen at The Ship pub in Westferry Road to scale his business while it grew – Adrian takes pride in his achievements. “When I was living here I can’t remember there being a Caribbean food business on the estate” he said. “In this current climate of diversity, the fact Mama’s Jerk is one of the few black-owned businesses to be operating in Canary Wharf is important. “A colleague pointed that out to me the other day and it kind of blind-sides you. When you’re working, you’re pretty blinkered. “But when you look at it from the outside, I’m actually quite proud, especially because the fact I’d not thought of it in that way before, hopefully means those looking at Mama’s Jerk just see the business model – that this is a really good brand, one that’s fit for the site and the Canary Wharf estate as a whole – rather than considering ethnicity. “If that’s true, then I’m super proud of what I’ve created.”
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Canary Wharf
16 virtual viewpoint by Chris Ezekiel
W
hen I was approached by the Leaders Council Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland earlier in the year about appearing on a podcast about leadership with one of my heroes – West Ham and England legend Sir Geoff Hurst – to say I was over the moon, is an understatement. I’m an avid West Ham supporter and so was very humbled. Being recognised as a successful leader is a great testament to what the whole Creative Virtual team have achieved and the market leadership position we have attained. There are lots of clichés when it comes to describing what makes for effective leadership. Single-mindedness, hard work, teamwork, passion, vision and being able to steer a company through choppy waters are all essential qualities, of course. One of the less obvious attributes that is very important to me personally is keeping fit (healthy body, healthy mind and all that). It gives me the energy to work hard. Running provides me with the space and time to contemplate – something that’s particularly important when there’s a big decision to be made. That happens quite often, so it’s good that I run frequently. Also vital is creating an open and caring culture where people watch out for each other. That stems from my working-class, East End upbringing. We spend most of our lives at work, so it’s also crucial to remember to have some fun as well. I think it’s vital to recognise that luck plays a part too – it’s essential to keep things real. Having a love of physics, I believe there’s no better way to do this than to keep in mind the words of the late Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman. He said: “The first principle is you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.”
run
Years since Chris founded Creative Virtual in east London
to lead
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
Chris says staying in shape is a vital component in his success as a leader
Scan this code to access the podcast
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Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
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Number of works installed across the capital for the London Mural Festival
Walala’s work is already filling social media as workers and visitors to Canary Wharf are seduced by the warmth of its bright primary colours
magic capturing the
Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
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Canary Wharf
irresistible colour that seeps into the eyes by Jon Massey
C
anary Wharf has a long history of acquiring and displaying public art – outside the major galleries, nowhere else in London boasts such a collection available to view for free. While these works have always been present to divert directly, as well as enriching the lives of those who work and visit the estate, on a subconscious level, the rise of the smartphone has brought with it a fresh wave of interaction. Coating the inside of Adams Plaza Bridge, Camille Walala’s installation for the London Mural Festival has become the latest permanent addition to that collection and it satisfies in both regards. While the intensive perspective of the naked structure had already graced the timelines of thousands of Instagram accounts, the bright primaries of her De Stijl-influenced work are irresistible for those who live life through the lens of their Samsung or who seek a slick photoshoot backdrop. But make no mistake, this is a serious piece of art. When the long-delayed trains of Crossrail eventually pull into the station and the bridge begins to serve its primary purpose – allowing commuters to stomp from terminal to workplace – the colourful warmth will seep into their eyes. In the morning sunshine, an invigorating wakeup call, at dusk, a more muted, soothing experience – marking the transition from work to one’s own time. In some ways I’ll miss the purity of the original structure with its sci-fi lines – a tunnel designed to shoot fighter craft into the black from a leviathan-like spaceship. But the colours take the edge off, placing things on a more welcoming, human scale. Go to canarywharf.com or londonmuralfestival.com
Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
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Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell
how one act of kindness helped Karst Jewellery find even greater sales success across the pond
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months since Limehouse based business Karst Jewellery launched in October 2019
Karst Jewellery’s Amber Rand is busier than ever post-lockdown
by Laura Enfield
S
ome people collect shells or pebbles as holiday mementos. Amber Rand’s parents loved bringing home gemstones. They even named her after one. The Limehouse resident has built a business that combines her vast knowledge of crystals, with a passion for design and an entrepreneurial spirit, also inherited from them. Launched in October 2019, Karst Jewellery imports sterling silver designs from Thailand featuring semi-precious stones such as labradorite, rainbow moonstone, peridot, rose quartz and blue topaz. Amber then spends days painstakingly hand-plating the earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings in 18ct yellow and rose gold vermeil to ensure the highest quality possible. “I have always had an a nity with gemstones and agates,” said the 29-year-old. “I grew up with them around the house and my family still collect rocks and minerals when we travel. “It’s nice to have a stone from the ground where we have been. When we bring it back it’s a memory encapsulated in an ornament. “Labradorite has always been my favourite stone. It has such an intense beauty, iridescent and shiny and reminds me of the fish we had in our tank. I guess I’m just attracted to reflective things. “My Dad had a large slab of it in his o ce that we got from the west coast and I was mesmerised by it as a child. I loved it, and it’s just continued from there.” After studying architecture in Bristol, Amber moved to London in her early 20s to pursue a career as an interior designer, working for wealthy international clients with budgets upwards of £500,000. “That really honed my sense of contemporary style and design and combining finishes,” she said. “It was kind of a larger scale version of curating jewellery. I never felt pressure from it and I guess that’s why I’m good at being self employed – I don’t let things faze me, I just see the task in hand and work through it.”
Three years ago she quit her day job to strike out on her own – a dream also born in her childhood. “Dad is a civil engineer and has his own business that my mum helps him in,” said Amber. “I have been very influenced by them and the way they live. “Even when I worked as an interior designer I knew I would do my own thing one day. “Jewellery started as a hobby with me and my sister, but when I started thinking about my future, I knew it was a passion and something I could commit to wholeheartedly. “My learning curve at work wasn’t so steep anymore and I needed a new challenge.” She had always favoured vermeil, which is silver jewellery plated in gold, and had a vast collection but struggled to find the quality she desired. “Because it is more affordable than fine jewellery I can have a larger number of pieces, but you get such varying quality through the door,” she said. “Even in the UK I was getting plating done and testing it at the Assay O ce and it was substantially less than 2.5 microns so I realised I couldn’t trust anyone else to do it.” After finding a supplier to provide the sterling silver and gemstone designs, which are all 925 hallmarked, Amber decided to do the plating herself, with a little help from her parents who let her set up a workshop in their Wiltshire home. “The plating and polishing is a lot to juggle so we have a week where we do a big batch and it’s a little conveyor belt in their annex,” she said. “It’s good fun. We love it. Dad’s engineering mind helps me get the correct output with the plating because it’s very scientific and hard to do correctly. “Our vermeil is plated at three microns instead of the standard 2.5 and is done under extremely strict conditions. “It took the longest time to get right and we did it through trial and error because there is no textbook to follow. It hinges on lots of different factors – like a science experiment – the heat in the room can make a difference to the Continued on Page 31
gem“ discovering a local
It was scary starting but we all love a challenge – it runs in our blood to try something and create stuff. We knew we would crack it if we persevered Amber Rand, Karst Jewellery
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Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell
from Page 14 output. It’s so precise and you are dealing with quite dangerous chemicals, so we have to wear lab coats, goggles, masks, it’s not very glamorous behind the scenes but it is really fun. “I do enjoy that technical side and it is where my architectural training comes in. “It was scary starting but we all love a challenge – it runs in our blood to try something and create stuff. We knew we would crack it if we persevered.” Just like the family gems hold memories of their travels, each of Amber’s jewellery collections aims to encapsulate a place in London she finds inspiring with names including Bermondsey Street, Blackheath Avenue, Canada Square and Narrow Street. “There are places in London that are sentimental to me so I have aligned that with characteristics of the jewellery,” she said. “I love living in Limehouse and sometimes pinch myself when I’m walking along the river and look back at the skyscrapers.” Prices range from £30-175 and Amber said quality will always remain the watchword for Karst. “You can’t do a product-based business without wholeheartedly backing what you sell. Like everything, it’s better when you take your time and don’t rush. A lot of love has gone into this.” The jewellery is ethically made in Thailand and Amber picks designs and curates them into collections, making tweaks to the gemstones if necessary to create the pieces. Amber said: “My question is: ‘If you are not wearing jewellery, is your outfit even really done?’. “Karst has something for any taste, if you want something a bit more out there or subdued. It’s just about having that variety because jewellery is really creative and a joyful thing in life.” Life has been a whirlwind since the business launched in October as, within its first month, orders were coming in from America. “That was really unexpected and I had to learn how to ship there so we could fulfill them,” said Amber. “It was jumping in the deep end. “That came about after makeup influencer Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo liked our earrings on Instagram (@karst_jewellery) “She got engaged and I have followed her since I was a teenager so I sent her a pair of peridot earrings to congratulate her. I
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four focus
support your local institutions VIEW Three Colt Gallery Limehouse
ART | Shaun Caton The artist is set to bring The X20 Collages exhibition to this independent Limehouse Gallery, which also serves excellent cake and coffee. Set a reminder. Oct 14-Nov 14, daily, free to view, threecoltgallery.com TRY Coppa Club Tower Bridge
Labradorite, rose quartz, and blue topaz
BOOK | A Private Igloo Enjoy the ultimate in public social distancing, trendy before it was mandatory, with a bubble on the Thames. Seal yourself in and watch the world. Open daily, times vary, coppaclub.co.uk
are used in the
GIG TROXY Limehouse
jewellery
didn’t expect anything from it, but she did a video wearing them and made a huge deal of it.” Lockdown actually provided welcome breathing space, which Amber used to have her website redesigned. Now, she is busier than ever. “The biggest challenge has been resisting the urge to outsource everything because as soon as you do that you risk weakening your vision,” she said. “So it’s about trying to do as much in-house as possible, which is really tiring. You have to have faith in yourself and your idea. “I definitely had times when I wondered if I was doing the right thing but I believe things come good if you do them with your whole heart. “I don’t really look at the competition because it’s about staying strong to what Karst is. “As long as I’m doing the best quality vermeil with the best gemstones I can find in designs that are versatile for the working woman and casual weekends then I’m happy. Those are the things that inspire me.”
COMEDY | Big Stand Up Night Like comedy? Speak Polish? Then this twicedelayed event is for you. Giggle and guffaw at Lotek, Ruciński, Zola and Leja, Covid permitting. Oct 11, 5pm, £30.80, troxy.co.uk
book early
We’re telegraphing this one early and, with capacity likely reduced due to social distancing, booking soon may be of benefit – the London Craft Beer Festival is set for Tobacco Dock on November 27-28, tickets £53 londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk Scan this code for more information about the festival or to make a booking want more? @wharflifelive
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15%
Discount Capeesh is currently offering on food and soft drinks SundayThursday in September. Terms apply
Jamie serves a Porn Star Martini at Capeesh, complete with passion fruit and a shot of Prosecco on
how being alive to its customer base and delivering on taste has seen a strong return to trading for Capeesh
the side, price £10
by Jon Massey
M
ustafa Topkaya is understandably proud. At the time of writing, the restaurant he runs on the Isle Of Dogs with his son Jamie is bobbing inside the top 100 eateries in London out of nearly 17,000 venues listed. That puts it at number 28 out of more than 2,000 serving Italian cuisine. Located next to South Quay DLR station at the bottom of the Pan Peninsula development, Capeesh is already back operating at about 80% of the restaurant business it might have expected had the pandemic not arrived. In a climate that has seen big high street chains fall to the ravages of Covid, Mustafa believes the difference lies in the clarity of his restaurant’s offering and the team’s willingness to rapidly adapt to the needs and desires of its customers. “With the big chains, somebody sits in an o ce and plays with figures,” he said. “They work out what’s cheap to produce and expensive to sell. “We don’t go by these criteria. We go by what’s popular, what people like and we are quick to change. “We don’t have to write to head o ce to get a decision made. I’m here, my son Jamie and our manager Sercan. We have our ears to the ground – we know what customers want and what’s happening. “If there are any complaints or dissatisfaction, we take action then and there. “When we took over this place, there was hardly any restaurant business. Now, thankfully we’re busy. “But we don’t take things for granted. People are not stupid, they notice the good quality wine and food and what they are paying for it. “We don’t compromise foodwise and we don’t compromise
on drinks but we are reasonably priced. We are in the region of £25-£30 per head for a bottle of wine and dinner. “After all, that’s what you go to a restaurant for – the quality of the dishes. You also get to eat food that you would never normally cook at home, like seafood. It’s very rare to find a good, authentic Italian restaurant. We’re not doing nouvelle cuisine, we serve traditional pizza and pasta and present it in the best way possible. “For me, the simple question is: ‘If someone eats this dish, would they order it again?’. We all have different expectations and tastes but generally, we take great care in sourcing our ingredients and with what we produce – we’re making the food as good as it can be.” The venue’s ground floor restaurant reopened on July 4, following on the heels of the takeaway business, which is also building solidly after a break during lockdown. “Right now, no-one matches our pizza,” said Mustafa. “Of course, we are dependent to some extent on the service provided by delivery drivers, but we have invested in the Rolls Royce of pizza ovens. “Unlike traditional designs where the chef has to turn the pizza, this has a revolving stone base that ensures the heat is distributed evenly. I think it’s the best, but that’s always in the eye of the beholder, of course.”
W
hile the venue’s SkyBar remains closed for the time being, Capeesh has also tailored its offering to appeal to different audiences as social distancing and working from home continue to affect the business landscape. “We’ve decided at weekends that we’re going to continue a flavour of the SkyBar in our lounge,” said Mustafa. “We’re lucky because we have the space, not only to allow for social distancing, but also that, as a good-size venue we can utilize the areas we have. “In central London, other restaurants have done similar
Scan this code for more information about Capeesh
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Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall
“
For me, the simple question is: ‘If someone eats this dish, would they order it again?’ We take great care with what we produce
four focus
support your local institutions HEAL Blue Eye Osteopathy Isle Of Dogs
Mustafa Topkaya, Capeesh
plate Shellfish delight: Capeesh’s Spaghetti Mare, £15, is packed with flavour
success
on the
and in the mouth
The team: Manager Sercan Tozge, left, Mustafa and Jamie Topkaya things – converting part of their space into a club at certain times. “For local residents, that means we can offer somewhere to go out, have some food, a drink and then some music. They don’t have to travel to the West End or Shoreditch and they can walk home at the end of the night. “That’s one of the ways we’ve been able to adapt. Another is that we will be showing sports. We’re now registered with Sky Sports and BT Sports and we’ve invested in a couple of big screens so we’ll be able to show the football and other sports. “It means we can convert part of the venue into a sports bar and I think people will like that.”
aving benefited from the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme, Capeesh has decided to offer a 15 discount on food and soft drinks every SundayThursday in September as an added incentive to visit. Mustafa said: “We’re not back to 1 of where we were yet. I think the Government actually came up with a lot of smart moves – out of the worst situation they made the best decision with Eat Out To Help Out as it’s helped us quite a lot. “Really, from the start of the year, things were fairly slow because people were already aware of the virus and then we had to close the doors completely in March.
“When we reopened in July the first few days were fairly good because people were fed up with isolation and loneliness and wanted to go out. Then Eat Out To Help Out was smart because either we could have kept most of the staff on furlough or called them to come and work. That’s what we did when things became busier. “I think whoever came up with the idea was smart because the Government was then no longer paying for our employees on furlough, but 1 per head for dinner instead. “And, although VAT has been cut to 5 for dining out, that’s still better than nothing – obviously if you’re not trading, you’re not paying any VAT. Not having to pay business rates was also helpful.” Not everyone has been as keen to offer the business assistance, however. Mustafa said: “Our landlords didn’t come up with any help at all. There’s been nothing. It’s really not an easy decision to keep a business closed because you’re still paying for a lot of things – your rent, gas and electricity as well as insurance. We had a policy that covered closure but the insurance companies are not helping either right now. They’re saying that Covid-1 is not something that they are able to help with. “I was insured and, as far as I was aware, that covered all risks, but the insurance companies are arguing otherwise. We’ll have to wait and see what happens there.” ● With more people returning to o ces as children return to school and businesses continue to emerge from the depths of lockdown, the engine of growth as the economy gets back on track will be businesses like Capeesh. While the closure of some chains is lamentable – Carluccio’s, for example – the pandemic has simply accelerated a process that was already underway where centralised big business had been caught napping by lithe, better uality offerings at local level. There’s clearly room in that market for quality and simplicity with its finger on the pulse. Booking a table at Capeesh now is both showing timely support and an a rmation of that creed.
VISIT | Glenn Sontag Glenn can help with a wide range of ailments in both humans and animals. He treats two-legged patients at the Docklands Medical Centre. Online booking, blue-eye.co.uk ONLINE Poplar Union Poplar
VIEW | Pop-Talks Live Less burning than pop-tarts, fewer music questions than Pop Master, this series of live interviews spans a range of cultural topics including canals and crisis. Weds, from Sept 9, times vary, free, @poplarunion (Insta) DINE Old Fire Station Restaurant Isle Of Dogs
BOOK | For Dinner Find well-priced comfort food at this gem of a place at the bottom of the Island. Pictured is the lamb beyti – essentially a hot wrap with sauces. Open daily, times vary, theoldfirestation.co
in the arts
One-woman show That Was All sees Jennie Eggleton star in a production about families, memory and how to make sense out of the unspoken. Socially distanced performances are at The Space from Oct 6-10, tickets £14 space.org.uk Scan this code for full details, including Covidsecure measures and show times want more? @wharflifelive
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bee putting the
7
Years since Hannah Rhodes founded Hiver in Bermondsey to make honey beers
A participant inspects a frame, freshly extracted from a hive at Bee Urban during a Hiver Urban Beekeeping Experience in Kennington
in Bermondsey
how Hiver combines the flavours of London’s flowers and trees with crisp new branding to make a buzz by Jon Massey
L
ike honeybees, sometimes you have to travel a bit to get to the root of the nectar. Bermondsey-based brewer Hiver’s Blonde Beer is now available at Waitrose (including the Canary Wharf branch) at the introductory rate of £2 per 330ml bottle. In contrast to the vast majority of craft ales available, however, the liquid created by founder Hannah Rhodes and her team under the railway arches in Stanworth Street relies on insects for its flavour. And that’s how I ended up in Kennington Park, having followed the waggledance to Bee Urban – one of the apiaries that Hiver gets its honey from. There, safely socially distanced and zipped into protective suits it’s possible to inspect the hives with beekeeper Barnaby Shaw, learn a bit about the importance of the insects themselves, their behaviour and the role they play in the health of plant life and, of course, taste both honeys and beers with appropriately matched nibbles – all for £42. But before we talk about that, let’s hear a little more about the brew. the beer Hannah’s passion for the drinks industry began after she moved to London from her native Hull and discovered free Tuesday night tastings at The Hide Bar in Bermondsey. One of these provided her first encounter with Meantime beers from Greenwich – a company she
went on to work for, dealing with sales, logistics and brand. “I’d gone on to work for another drinks brand, but my heart was definitely in beer and I really wanted to start something of my own,” she said. “I’m also a real fan of sustainable produce and that was my link into urban honey and beekeeping. “I’d been on a course with a guy called Steve Benbow, who runs The London Honey Company in Bermondsey, a few doors down from where our tap room now is. “It was the most excited I’d been about an ingredient since I’d tried some of the things that go into Meantime. I wondered whether you could brew with it. “Bees forage within three miles of the hive. If you talk to an independent beekeeper, they can tell you the trees and plants that their honey comes from. “As a product, honey is a raw, natural sugar with a strong flavour and aroma. In brewing, we want our yeast to eat natural sugar that it then converts into alcohol. “So you have provenance and this lovely link to the land too. “Urban beekeepers tend to be very involved with their local communities and rural beekepers with the local farmers. “Bees pollinate more than 30% of the food that we eat that’s grown in this country. They’re a really important part of our lives. “The question was: ‘Could I start a beer brand that was about a little bit more than just a great tasting drink?’.” The result was Hiver – named for those who traditionally collected
Hiver’s Blonde Beer and, left, its new-look bottle
Bee Urban’s Barnaby Shaw
Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
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Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey
Right and above, tastings at Bee Urban involve nibbles and a chance to explore the ingredients in Hiver’s
Hiver founder Hannah Rhodes
bees and housed them in hives – a craft beer brewery founded in 2013. Hannah said : “Honey beers have been brewed for hundreds and hundreds of years. Prior to the 1400s hops had not been introduced to beer in the UK and people added lots of honey to help the product last a little bit longer. “Traditionally the father of the bride at a wedding would be responsible for brewing as much honey beer as possible for the couple to drink while they got to know each other during the lunar month after the wedding, which is the origin of the word honeymoon. “So there’s a long history of brewing with honey. It adds a real depth of flavour and it invigorates the yeast, converting more of the malt sugars to alcohol than you would get otherwise. Crucially, we ferment the honey so you get that dry crisp characters in our beers – we’re not adding it for sweetness. “We’re not hop-heavy but you still get that prickle down the edge of your tongue.” Hiver is set for a brand overhaul at the start of October that will see its labels updated with a bold, vintage feel across its range of Blonde, Amber and IPA beers. The beers are brewed with honeys from urban and rural beekeepers – the Blonde blending Kent apple blossom, Kennington urban and Yorkshire heather, for example. “We started with lots of bottles of beer and a business card seven years ago and we’re really proud of what we’ve built. “We’ve won awards and the distribution we now have is great. We started with places like The Dorchester and Fortnum And Mason, growing to include M&S and Ocado as well as Sainsbury’s and now Waitrose. “It’s always a really proud moment to see the beer on the shelf. Originally we started off working with restaurants so the design was aimed at looking great on the table. Our new look and feel is designed to be something that will really jump off the shelf as we look to grow our listings. It’s all about getting people to try the beer for the first time.” the experience Book in for the Hiver Experience at Bee Urban and you can expect a warm socially distanced welcome to its garden and apiary. The facility is packed with healthy plants and tons of nooks and crannies that solitary bees can inhabit. After suiting up, it’s time for a
“
The question was: ‘Could I start a beer brand that was about a little bit more than just a great tasting drink?’
four focus
support your local institutions BUY Forest London Deptford
Hannah Rhodes, Hiver
short introduction to beekeeping from Barnaby, who runs through what we’re likely to see, the smoker and hive tool and a bit about the insects themselves. He’s a compelling orator despite the fresh rain that’s falling on the roof of the covered outdoor area where we congregate, explaining that the UK has more than 150 species of bee, including around 30 kinds of bumblebee, and that there’s only really one true honey bee in the British Isles. “They’re advanced social bees that live in relatively large collectives with several thousand remaining alive during the winter, feeding off stored honey,” he said. “The majority of the population will be infertile female worker bees. They do all the roles in the collective including looking after the young, grooming, cleaning and feeding the queen – the only fertile female.” The hive tour itself involves the inspection of several frames to see how the bees inhabit the squat wooden boxes. Participants get to see what the bees have created at different levels of the hive and even hold the frames to get up close to the bees. On our visit, Barnaby’s able to locate and show us the queen and even spots a second one – an unusual situation that potentially puts the whole hive at risk and so will have to be dealt with later. Then it’s back to the main building to sip some Hiver and taste some honey. where to get it While Hiver is widely available online and in stores, probably the best place to taste its range of beers is the tap room in Bermondsey. Located on the Beer Mile at the top of Maltby Street Market, the li uid flows from 11am on Saturdays and Sundays. Alternatively a selection of its beers can be ordered direct from its website. For more about Hiver, go to hiverbeers.com. For more on Bee Urban, go to beeurban.org.uk
Scan this code for more details about booking the experience
GREEN | House Plants Pop in or order online from this fast-moving house plant business run by a mother and her daughters. Expect advice, tips and plenty of greenery. Open Tues-Sun, times vary, forest.london TRY The Mayflower Rotherhithe
PUB | Grab A Drink Billed as the oldest pub on the Thames, this extraordinary venue offers charm and ornaments in abundance, not to mention the cheese. Open daily, mayflowerpub.co.uk SUPPORT Surrey Docks Farm Rotherhithe
SHOP | Fresh Produce The farm has moved its shop online with fruit and veg grown on its land from seed available to order. Produce is uploaded when it becomes available. Collections 11am-11.30am, surreydocksfarm.org.uk
and in the arts
Back for a new season, Meet Me At The Albany has taken to the internet as Meet Me On The Radio offering sonic journeys through Lewisham, conversation, provocation and garden sounds every Tuesday, 11.30am-noon thealbany.org.uk Scan this code for more information about The Albany’s Meet Me On The Radio project want more? @wharflifelive
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£40
Ticket price for the gigs, which includes a guided climb over The O2 and a mocktail
four focus
support your local institutions TRY Archery Fit Greenwich
roof raising the
ACTIVITY | Shoot Some Arrows Whether beginner or serious archer, there’s no better time to brush up on a few survival skills. Fortunately this club has everything you need. Open daily, from £30 for beginners, archeryfit.com ONLINE Royal Museums Greenwich Greenwich
how Up At The O2 is set to deliver comedy on high as Suzi Ruffell signs on for six gigs in three days on top of the tent
FESTIVAL | Heritage Open Days Visitors are invited to curate their own online tour of the stores and conservation studios and explore the secrets of the museums’ collections. Sept 14-19, daily, free, rmg.co.uk EAT Teriyaki Ya Greenwich
Visitors will have to first
MARKET | Teriyaki Ya Find deep, rich flavours brought together in fine pan-Asian style at this Greenwich Market stall or simply order some crispy, fresh tempura veg. Thurs-Sun, from 10am, @teriyakiyauk on Twitter
and in the arts
Greenwich Theatre is set to welcome Rock’n’Roll Politics With Steve Richards to its stage on September 26 at 7.30pm as the presenter and commentator takes the audience behind the scenes at Westminster greenwichtheatre.org.uk To book tickets, which cost £15, scan this code and journey to Greenwich Theatre’s website want more? @wharflifelive
climb up to the top of the dome before kicking back and listening to Suzi’s material
by Jon Massey
W
hile there’s not much in the way of shows taking place inside The O2 at present, for obvious reasons, those with a penchant for comedy may wish to turn their attention to the venue’s roof. Up At The O2 – an attraction that allows visitors to climb over the dome – will be teaming up with comedian Suzi uffell that will see her perform a trio of dates on top of the tent. The material featured will be exclusive and presented with a backdrop of 360-degree views over London. Known for her appearances on the likes of The Jonathan Ross Show, Live At The Apollo and The Last Leg, Suzi will perform sets at 7pm and 7.30pm on September 19, 26 and October 3
to those brave enough to make the climb. Billed, predictably as Stand Up At The O2, tickets cost £40 per person and include the full guided climbing experience and a mocktail to sip during the gig. Champagne upgrades will also be available. “We are really excited about the launch of Stand Up At The O2, and our attraction is the perfect location for guests to feel safe and at ease in the spacious, open air whilst enjoying a hilarious evening of comedy,” said Dan Hurst, head of attractions for Up At The O2. “We’re also thrilled to be collaborating with Suzi on this event and it’s a great chance for comedy fans to come, see and laugh along as she performs her material.” Suzi said: “The O2 is such an iconic venue for comedy so I’m very excited to be playing on the roof – I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.” A range of Covid-secure measures have been introduced at Up At The O2
including plastic screening, and hand sanitiser units. Visitors are required to wear their own clothing, suitable for the climb as full body climb suits will not be available. Climb shoes can be provided. Staff will wear face coverings and gloves although these are not mandatory for participants While The O2 remains closed for events in line with Government guidance, its Icon Outlet centre is trading and backstage tours of the venue are available until the end of September. These sessions include access to dressing rooms, VIP hospitality areas as well as a chance to set foot in the vastness of the arena itself.
Scan this code to book Stand Up At The O2 with Suzi Ruffell
Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
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Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich
Climbs at Up At The O2 can be booked online
last call
Greenwich Comedy Festival
S
ocial distancing hasn’t put off Londoners seeking laughter with gigs at Greenwich Comedy Festival selling rapidly. While some dates – including Suzi Ruffell’s performance – have sold out, others are still available. At the time of going to press, seats were on sale for Josh Widdicombe, Sindhu Vee, Lou Sanders and John Robins at 7.45pm on Thursday, September 24 and Henning Wehn, Reginald D Hunter, Nina Conti and Stephen K Amos on Saturday, September 26 at 3.15pm. Seats for the gigs will be arranged in pairs in plots set at least a metre from other audience members and one-way systems will operate. Scan this code to make a booking at the festival
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discover this
Allan Gonsalves runs London Orgone in Greenwich Market, specialising in orgone energy jewellery and striking design pieces for the home and garden. He said: “We make unusual items including furniture out of reclaimed materials such as car parts. The shop’s main theme is orgone – a layering of inorganic and organic materials, which is used all around the world to soften electromagnetic fields.” Top right, Orgone heart, amethyst and rose quartz, £70
scan this code for more info
bright colours and flavours are the order of the day at Emmanuel La Gona’s stall Latin Bros. he said: “We do Latin American fusion food – burritos, tacos and Cuban sandwiches. Everything is fresh – made on the spot. Our pork burrito is very popular – we slow cook the meat for 12-13 hours.”
scan this code for more info
Tailor & Forge, founded by Scott Blumsom and Driss Ziani, brings together homeware and gifts under one roof in its Greenwich Market store
catch Tasnim Mandy at the Greenwich outpost of Turnips as she and other members of the team serve the good stuff. she said: “We do fresh juices and cheese toasties. This is an extension of the Borough Market business, using surplus produce from the shop there and our wholesale business as ingredients.”
Scott, right, said: “Tailor & Forge is an independent, family-run curated boutique. We specialise in furniture, kitchenware and retail products – everything you need for your home.” Knitted bear, £34.95, from Tailor & Forge
scan this code for more info
find it on the
design by Massey Maddison Ltd 2020
Emmanuel is originally from Venezuela and came to the Uk 17 years go. He has been running Latin Bros for six years
curated in style
FULLY JUICED
Prices vary, the orange and mango costs £2.50 per cup
LATIN FLAVOURS
scan this code for more info
MARKET now, more than ever, is the time to support local businesses. this spread is dedicated to the stallholders at Greenwich Market who provide the community with an extraordinary range of products and services every week the market is currently open Thurs - Sun 10am - 4.30pm
scan this code for more info
fly fry
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Hot stuff: Tommy serves a range of street food from his stall, including the chicken burger, bottom right, which costs £7.50 and comes with either Buffalo, Chuckling Zing or Mum’s sauces
DAMN FINE BREW scan this code for more info
for fried chicken, it has to be a stop at Chuckling Wings. run by Tommy Nguyen this stall offers free range meat in the form of burgers, boneless thighs and, of course wings. Tommy said: “If you want to try great fried chicken, come to Greenwich Market. For our burger, we use a brioche bun, add some lettuce, fried onions, pickled cabbage and sauces made to our own secret recipes.”
stop by Ideal Espresso, run by Jonathan Oldham for some seriously good coffee.
he said: “Our whole philosophy is one of trying to make the best cup of coffee that we can we firmly believe that everything else will look after itself. We try to make each cup to the very best of our ability. We use beans from ission offee Works, which owns the Mousetail cafes, serving their house blend on a daily basis.”
suck on some slab
Natalie Walker is all about the sweet stuff selling Doreen’s Jamaican Handmade Rum Cakes.
find Patch Hyde, wielding giant implements and feeding visitors to The Fudge Patch indecent quantities of free vegan fudge as he spreads his sugary, gospel laced with hemp milk.
she said: “Traditionally known as black cake, ours is made with Wray & Nephew Superproof rum. We do lots of other desserts too. It was my mum’s recipe and my sister, Jackie Christian, and I named the business for her.”
he said: “Vegan fudge tastes so much better don t believe us ome into our sho and we ll let you try every flavour free of charge. We’ll put our fudge where your mouth is.”
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MORE THAN A TOT
tasting the finest selling scotch eggs, sausage rolls and face masks (from 1 Emma Taylor can be found holding the fort at Finest Fayre for her friend Nikki O’Kane she said: “We’ve got stalls across London. The main thing is that people know we’re here in Greenwich. We sell a variety of scotch eggs the classic the black udding the chori o and a breakfast recipe with Cumberland sausage, wild mushrooms and bacon. Salad boxes cost £7.”
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Fudge comes in many flavours, this rum and raisin iteration can be acquired for £10 for three slices via the internet
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a must in Greenwich is the taste of the plump, delicious shellfish from Oyster Brothers. harvested fresh at Mersea Island in Essex by Jacek Kolasinski, these can be enjoyed at his stall on their own (from £2) or with a glass of fi for 12.
scan this code for more info
he said: “We were established five years ago. We harvest them ourselves every day except Sunday, purify them and bring them to the market to sell.”
fresh today
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6
The age Daniela was when she first began dancing Daniela Neugebauer is the founder and artistic director of House Of Mass in Royal Docks
“
I want people who come here to stay curious, to feel their potential and the joy of dance and, of course, share it with me
Daniela Neugebauer, House Of Mass
in
moving
Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
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Royal Docks - Canning Town
how House Of Mass aims to enrich Royal Docks through a blend of dance, movement, tuition and cultural collaboration
four focus
support your local institutions
by Jon Massey
T
he arrival of cultural institutions in Royal Docks is key to the area’s growth and regeneration. The English National Ballet’s relocation to London City Island, just across the River Lea from Canning Town, is already drawing a fresh crowd of creative people to a part of the capital previously unknown to them to work and, in some cases, live. Similarly, not-for-profit movement and dance studio House Of Mass is doing the same in West Silvertown. Its o cial launch party saw its home – The Silver Building – filled with the lithe and powerful bodies of dancers and those that had come to see them and the new space. There was colour, life and conversation against the Brutalist backdrop of the former brewery. The studio, a joint venture between artistic director Daniela Neugebauer and Projekt – which manages the workspace and cultural centre that houses it – first opened in January before the pandemic forced it to temporarily shut. reshly reopened, it will offer daily classes for professional dancers as well as beginners’ ballet sessions on Monday evenings and creative classes with teachers from contemporary dance company Rambert. Daniela is originally from Switzerland and began dancing at the age of six, going on to train professionally and dance in Germany, Holland and Portugal. She spent the last 10 years in London working with choreographer Wayne McGregor and then at the Paris Opera Ballet. She created House Of Mass after stepping back from performance. “I’d always done my own work, and, during my career, I experienced periods without having access to a studio,” she said. “I always feel that having a space is fundamental, so I started to put my antennae out. “Through some friends I found out there was the possibility of having a space at The Silver Building and that
they would be willing to help me as a startup. I think, for Projekt, it was an interesting idea to have a dance space in the building and so, from both sides, it just made sense to do it. “I also liked championing other people, being part of a creative community. Collaboration is a 100% focus point, especially across disciplines. “House Of Mass provides classes for professionals at the highest level taught by UK-based and international teachers as well as sessions that are open to all. “The other half of it is the creative side, which is providing a platform for up-and-coming as well as established choreographers so they have a space and somewhere they can collaborate with, for example visual artists, photographers, architects and scientists, all under the banner of House Of Mass. “The creative classes will be really interesting because they’re not based on a skill set, they are a discourse, a way of thinking that applies logic and imagination and aren’t dependent on your movement vocabulary. “There will be some clear guidance and some clear set tasks that allow people to use their imaginations. “I want people to participate and interact, shifting focus between learning, brewing and sharing.”
P
laying a part in the lives of people in the local area is also a key focus for Daniela, who has choreographed multiple community projects for the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Architettura. “It’s very important for me that House Of Mass sits within Royal Docks and that both the classes and the creative side really resonate with the nearer and wider community,” she said. “Practising creativity is again crucial. It’s something that should be accessible to anyone. “We won’t just sit in an insular little field. We wish to connect with the people here. “We are doing physical classes – for the moment, numbers are limited but
House Of Mass is based at The Silver Building, a former brewery that is home to a range of creative and artistic organisations in West Silvertown
Scan this code for more information about House Of Mass we will see how things develop and hopefully we can increase this when it’s safe to do so. “We’re also planning to hold classes for kids on Saturday mornings as well as Yoga on Fridays.” Above all, quality will be the watchword as the studio grows and develops. “It’s a fine line,” said Daniela. “On the one hand I want to be totally open to all and, on the other, I feel that I really want to stand for quality so that the people can really trust in the studio, joining a top-notch class, no matter what level they are at. “I’ve got a really nice example of what I mean. There was an amazing teacher who taught beginners sessions – he’s now working for English National Ballet. “Even as professionals we would go to his classes because he would focus on the simple things and sometimes they are the hardest. “He taught properly, with a lot of expertise and knowledge and so it made sense for anyone at any level to join the sessions. That’s what I want to offer. “I want people who come here to stay curious, to feel their potential and the joy of dance and, of course, share it with me. I believe in movement, it’s important to all of us and I’m passionate about it. “As a performer, as a choreographer and now as a studio founder and artistic director, while I always want to show everyone how great this thing is, even though not everybody will love it. That’s my aspiration. “I’ve been very lucky to find this space – I love it and the energy that’s in it. It feels to me that it has a calmness, a concentration, but at the same time it’s also very exciting and you can feel the potential. “There’s absolutely a pull to the east for the arts. It’s where the affordable spaces are and it’s a very interesting area. I’m inspired by the kind of rawness around us. I find it liberating, actually – it creates a kind of freedom. “While all these spaces will be developed shortly, there’s this kind of inbetween space, so it’s an interesting time. “Right now, it’s somewhere to make really creative work and spend lovely evenings doing that. “It has this quiet excitement as though it could turn into a really wonderful jam session – when dancers and creatives come together – it feels like House Of Mass.”
SHOW Excel Royal Victoria Dock
EVENT | National Wedding Show Marking a return to live consumer shows at Excel, this is a one-stop-shop for those organising weddings or simply looking for ideas. Oct 17-18, 10am, from £25, nationalweddingshow.co.uk ONLINE Goodluck Hope, London City Island Canning Town
EVENT | Unity Arts Festival A weekend of workshops, performances and exhibitions awaits as local artists and enterprises engage in a range of activities in Leamouth. Sept 19-20, booking required, unity.london EAT Corniche Royal Victoria Dock
FOOD | Munch By The Docks Find food stalls aplenty from Wednesday-Sunday offering the likes of Brazilian BBQ, Filipino, hog roast and coffee to peckish passers-by. Until Sept 27, 10am-10pm, streetfoodmarkets.co.uk
and in the arts
Watch out for the Join The Docks 2020 programme, set to be announced soon. Supported by the Royal Docks Team, this arts and cultural event is set to run from September 15-December 15 across the area royaldocks.london Sign Up for the Royal Docks Team’s newsletter to get full listings for the festival want more? @wharflifelive
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Advertising Directory
find our advertisers’ messages here Third Space print Wrap, Pages 7, 11 online thirdspace.london Kidd Rapinet print Pages 1, 4, 30 online kiddrapinet.co.uk Capeesh print Page 3 online capeesh.co.uk My London Home print Pages 15, 22, 23 online mylondonhome.com Landmark Estates print Pages 24, 25 online lmlondon.com Alex Neil print Pages 26, 27 online alexneil.com Mould Now print Page 28 online mouldnow.co.uk JG Chatham print Page 29 online kitchenerbarracks.com
be part of the Canary Wharf conversation To advertise in Wharf Life call 07944 000 144 or email advertising@wharf-life.com
Wharf Life is published by Massey Maddison Limited and printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge. Copyright Massey Maddison Limited 2020
Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
43
Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick
explore a place to
why the The Refreshment Room is a hidden treasure complete with chandeliers, vinyl and some potent spirits
four focus
support your local institutions VISIT Barge East Hackney Wick
PUN | Get 50% Off At Floating Restaurant Barge East has launched East Out To Help Out, with half-price food Monday-Wednesday in September in its gardens and on its terrace. Jump aboard. Open daily, bargeeast.com TRY Four Quarters East Here East
PLAY | Games, Eat Food, Drink The second branch of this vintage arcade bar offers pixels, pizza and a selection of video game-themed cocktails. Limited capacity so booking is best. Open daily, times vary, geocities.fourquartersbar.co.uk CINEMA @Thedrivein Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The Refreshment Room can be found off Stratford Broadway, filled with rum and positive vibes
by Mary Tadpole
T
he Refreshment Room – described on its website as “the only Rum Bar in Stratford” – is accessed via a small doorway off Broadway and you’d be forgiven for missing it. But cross its threshold and you’ll discover a whole other world – one where vinyl decorates the walls and “Cool Runnings” and “Positive Vibrations” are picked out in brightly coloured neon. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, reggae plays and, inexplicably, two Range Rover seats serve as bar stools for its guests. The menu offers a standard selection of cocktails at the very reasonable price of £8. I order a Dark And Stormy from the “Jam Jar” section and
am surprised and delighted to be brought a hurricane glass with a kitsch paper pineapple. The rum sets off the spiciness of the ginger beer perfectly, but this is just a warm up. While the menu features all of the usual rum suspects – Havana, The Kraken and Sailor Jerry’s, I opt to try something different. As my chief experience of this spirit is drawn from Bacardi Breezers, I seek help from owner Daniel Downes who serves up a selection. The first, named Amaz-In, costs £4.50 a shot and turns out to be a chocolate Liqueur, produced
Scan this code for more on The Refreshment Room
using a combination of Grenadian chocolate and rum. It’s delicious. Next comes Santa Teresa 1796, the most expensive at £6 a shot, but filled with rich and warming notes of vanilla and honey. Then it’s Wray and Nephew – an over proof rum at £5 a shot – that taste-wise reminds me of tequila and my companion of Limoncello. It’s possible the 63% alcohol content has befuddled us a little bit. The Refreshment Room has been in its location for some 20 years in various forms including club, restaurant and bar. It’s even got a sizeable garden with giant deckchairs at the back. A hidden treasure, it provides an invaluable education, especially for those like me who have a lot to learn about rum. For more information go to refreshmentroom-stratford.com
WATCH | Six Days Of Movies Watch classics, take part in caraoke (yes, that’s a thing now), silent car disco and see comedians. Just drive in, pay up and park up. Listings online Sept 16-21, £35, queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk
in the arts
Stratford extravaganza Roof East is hosting a series of comedy gigs from September 13-17 featuring the likes of Simon Amstell, Ed Gamble, Milton Jones and Sara Pascoe. Prices for deck chairs and times vary roofeast.com Scan this code for more information about Rooftop Comedy Experiences at Roof East or to book want more? @wharflifelive
44
Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2020 wharf-life.com
SUDOKU
Crossword - Sudoku
Previous solution - asy
3 5 9 2 8 7 1 4 6 Sudoku 4 a8break 1 from 9 3 that 6 phone 5 2 7 Take 2 7 6 4 1 5 9 8 3 How 7 to4 play 3 8 6 9 2 5 1 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 5 such 7 2 4 row, 3 8column and 3x3 box one6 to9nine that1each contains every number uniquely. 1 2 8 3 5 4 7 6 9 1 find 4 strategies, 5 9 3 hints 6 and 7 2tips online You8can at sudokuwiki.org 5 6 2 1 7 8 3 9 4 9 to 3 play 7 6 4 2 8 1 5 More
4 1
8 3 2 1 5 7
6 2 4 9 7 3
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. 934 that each row, column and 3x3 box
Very Hard
7
8 9 4 6 If you like Sudoku you’ll really like ‘Str8ts’ and our other puzzles, Apps 8 and books. Visit www.str8ts.com 5 beating7the 2 1 3 4 8
5 3 2 5
3
crossword The solutions will be published here in the next issue.
1.
8. 9. 10. 11. 14. 15. 16. 18. 20. 21. 24. 25. 26. 27.
One in the artillery as ordered (9) Puts away in great style (4) Put in for one stripe, perhaps (9) Approximate length of an informal adieu (2,4) Employing a piece of dubious ingenuity (5) Equipment for the ascent? (3-2) One is unlikely to hear oneself so described (4) Old transport making an elegant come-back (5) Mark of the devil? (4) It is in the tax (5) Bird came out of the pines (5) Inferior type of bangle (6) Watch and see how long the music takes (9) To turn to something fragrant (4) Communist crossword compiler’s dog? (3,6)
Notes
2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 11. 12. 13. 17. 19. 22. 23. 24.
He supplies people with the latest information (9) Exercises lithe cats become involved in (9) A step up the ladder (4) Turn aside for inspiration (5) Add a couple of pages then finish Various acts in the play (4) It holds Peter up as unsuitable (5) It’s the custom to give us time (5) Good breeding quality (9) It may come from a friend, but also from a foe in fact (9) Half a quarter (5) Gets down to making a proposal? (6) It may be used for coats of many colours (5) Loud anger and passion (4) Port area (4)
4 8 9 3 6 5 7 1 2
7 5 3 8 2 1 9 4 6
9 7 1 2 8 3 6 5 4
6 3 2 5 4 9 8 7 1
5 4 8 6 1 7 2 9 3
To complete Sudoku, fill the board
Quick Across 3. 8. 9. 10. 11. 14. 15. 16. 18. 20. 21. 24. 25. 26. 27.
Pierce (9) Above (4) Lawyer (9) Fit time (6) Offspring 5 Viper (5) Prong (4) Clothe (5) Yearn (4) Commerce (5) Seize (5) Account (6) Deliverer (9) Win (4) Fabulous (9)
Down 1. . 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 11. 12. 13. 17. 19. 22. 23. 24.
olice O cer rofitable Dash (4) Soil (5) Outcome (6) Pour (4) Plank (5) Inexpensive (5) Disclaimer (9) Contrite (9) Guide (5) Mourn (6) Remain (5) Broad (4) Bellow (4)
Across: 3 Penetrate; 8 Over; 9 Barrister; 10 Season; 11 Child; 14 Adder; 15 Tine; 16 Dress; 18 Long; 20 Trade; 21 Grasp; 24 Report; 25 Liberator; 26 Gain; 27 Legendary. Down: 1 Constable; 2 Rewarding; 4 Elan; 5 Earth; 6 Result; 7 Teem; 9 Board ; 11 Cheap; 12 Disavowal; 13 Repentant; 17 Steer; 19 Grieve; 22 Stand; 23 Wide; 24 Roar.
3.
1 2 6 7 9 4 5 3 8
Cryptic Solution
Down
2 9 5 1 3 8 4 6 7
Across: 3 Ordinance; 8 Eats; 9 Interpose; 10 So long; 11 Using; 14 Get-up; 15 Deaf; 16 Trams; 18 Nick; 20 Tithe; 21 Snipe; 24 Anklet; 25 Timepiece; 26 Otto; 27 Red setter. Down: 1 Newsagent; 2 Athletics; 4 Rung; 5 Ideas; 6 Append; 7 Cast; 9 Inapt; 11 Usage; 12 Gentility; 13 Affection; 17 Stone; 19 Kneels; 22 Paint; 23 Fire; 24 Acre.
Across
1
3 6 4 9 7 2 1 8 5
by entering numbers 1 to 9 such whether you’re that each row, column and 3x3 box 9 contains every number cryptic sleuth oruniquely. 6 8synonym For many strategies, solverhints inand tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org 7 6it forIf you quick wins, like Sudoku you’ll really like and oursatisfy other puzzles, Apps should 3 this ‘Str8ts’ and books. Visit www.str8ts.com
The solutions will be published here in the next issue.
Cryptic
8 1 7 4 5 6 3 2 9
4
contains every number uniquely. Notes
For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org
last issue’s solution
Previous - Tough Aug 26-Sept solution 9
© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles
2 1 5 3 4
© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles
1 2 9 3 6 9
edium
Quick Solution
No. 93
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