Just five minutes walk from our original location, Vine Bar offers comfortable seating for larger groups. Think fire pit, cosy seats, where you can enjoy all your favourite wines by the glass or bottle with guidance from our WSET-trained team.
We take bookings and would love to host your celebration - whether it’s a private party, a relaxed evening walk-in, or picking up bottles to take home.
With group bookings and private hire available, we’ve created the space you asked forsame great selection, just more room to enjoy it.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 5pm to 11pm 1 Bermondsey Square, SE1 3UN P: 020 3872 9928 E: info@vine-bermondsey.com Insta @vineflowersandwine W: www.vine-bermondsey.com
Proudly independent journalismget in touch to support what we do and promote your local business
We created the Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker in 2018 with support from sponsors including Sellar, Grosvenor, British Land, and many other local businesses.
Our flagship weekly newspaper, the Southwark News launched in 1987 and is now London’s only independent, paid for newspaper.
We also publish the South Londoner each month, and the Greenwich and Lewisham Weekender and South London Weekly every week.
We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer.
We use 100% recovered paper from the Ortviken paper mill in Sweden, a green energy provider who use biofuel instead of oil and provide heat for 10,000 single family homes.
Editor Kevin Quinn
Writers Evie Flynn, Katherine Johnston, Michael Holland, Debra Gosling, Rebecca Healy, Matt Hasdell
Design Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen,
Marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd
Media Partnerships Anthony Phillips
Finance Emrah Zeki
Managing Directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn
PHONE 020 7231 5258
INSTAGRAM @bermondseybiscuit
5-8 WHAT’S ON Pinocchio, Punch & Judy, port history and Christmas parties
11-16 FOOD & DRINK Urban Hatch, Lang Viet, Volta at Bankside Yards, Heard in Borough and Vine Bar in Bermondsey Square
22-26 GIFT GUIDE Our locally sourced guide to South London Christmas gifts
28 PEOPLE Magnus Rodwell - painting street scenes around Bermondsey 16-33 COMMUNITY Curling in Vinegar Yards, and inside the groundbreaking Peter Layton Glassblowing
34-35 MEMORY LANE Bermondsey boy Steve Cornish on his love for the area and fight to preserve it
37 HISTORY Debra Gosling looks at the ghosts of Christmas past
The Mike Westbrook Band Sat 20 Dec, 7.30pm
A
thank you to our sponsors
We'd like to acknowledge all our sponsors and supporters for helping us bring the Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker to life.
Pinocchio, Punch & Judy, paint and sip and port history
CORNER CORNER’S CHRISTMAS LINE-UP
Corner Corner is Canada Water’s newest venue for food, music, cocktails and workshops and their lineup is gearing up for the winter months.
Local church, City Hope Church, will be leading Christmas Carols from 6:30pm on Sunday 14 December. Listen to festive music and enjoy seasonal food and drink.
For music fans, the main stage will be hosting a FREE live jazz performance from Toni Kofi, a saxophonist and flautist who leads a trio and quartet. Simply turn up on Saturday 29 November from 6-9pm.
You can also create your own Terrarium in a 90-minute, tutor-led session for £25 per person. Bring the outside inside in the form of a selfcontained ecosystem this autumn.
Tuesday 16th December from 7 - 8:30pm. For fitness lovers, there is a weekly run club, every Tuesday at 6:30pm in a no-pressure 5km look around Canada Water, ending back at Corner Corner with a 50% off Estrella. Corner Corner, Maritime St, London SE16 7LL
PEEK LONDON
Are your ears still ringing from Bermondsey carnival? The curators of the carnival dance tent return for an all day pre-christmas rave at Bermondsey Social Club, with an array of up-andcoming DJs from South East London, particularly Bermondsey, taking to the stage. It features the artists: RAFE, Gracey Grey, Ted White, DJ Izzi and Charlie Luck.
Tickets are available on Dice for £11.33 and there will also be tickets on the door.
Date: 20 December
Time: 2pm to 8pm
Venue: Bermondsey Social Club, Arch 19 Almond Road,, SE16 3LR
Tickets: On the door or £11.33 online via bermondseysocialclub.co.uk
CHRISTMAS AT BACKYARD CINEMA
Backyard cinema is famous for its themed cinema nights. The venue is transformed for the theme. The Christmas showings feature an enchanted forest to wade through, a christmassy cinema room and live musicians.
This will bring Christmas favourites: Elf, Muppets Christmas Carol, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, Love Actually, the Grinch and Nightmare before Christmas to life in a brand new way.
Date: 26 November until 31 December, day and evening slots available.
Price: adult: £26.50, child: £17.50. Child ticket prices are available for all matinee shows and evening shows are charged at adult price, regardless of age.
Pinocchio is coming to life this festive season at the iconic Globe Theatre from 29 November. The new musical follows restless maverick Gepetto, who carves a wooden puppet and together they embark on a series of adventures.
Pinocchio runs from November 29 til January 4 and tickets range from £5 to £75. Half-price seated tickets are available for under-16s at all performances.
Booking and full details: shakespearesglobe.com
COCKNEY SING ALONG AND PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW
Are you missing the good old days of a cockney sing-along? This fun event will get everyone together to sing old, beloved tunes. In addition to the sing-along, a Punch and Judy show will take place. The organisers say it will be a “right old knees-up!”.
Date: 29 November
Time: 12-5pm
Venue: Blue Market Square
Tickets: Free, kids and adults welcome, reserve a space online via bermondsey.london
Mash Paddle Brewery underneath the arches are hosting a painting class, with no painting experience required. This two-hour class is led by experienced artists and assistants. There is no need to bring any supplies, as all materials are provided so you can paint a masterpiece to bring home!
LONDON’S PORT HISTORY: SURREY DOCKS AND THE DOCKLAND
Footprints of London present walking tours across the city. This instalment, from Rob Smith, tells the story of how the Surrey Commercial Docks were transformed into a part of Docklands. You will uncover the surviving buildings from the old docks, learn how the docks once operated, and share the fascinating story of their layered history.
Date: 29 November
Time: 2-4pm
Venue: meet at Canada Water Station, Deal Porter Way, SE16 2YS
Tickets £12.50 via footprintsoflondon.com
KAPOW! CHRISTMAS PARTY
Looking for something to do in that odd bit between Christmas and New Year? Look no further than Bermondsey Social Club for Kapow’s Christmas Party, which uniquely fuses oldschool, jungle, drum n bass and hymns, with live DJs.
Date: 27 December
Time: 8pm- 2am
Venue: Bermondsey Social Club
Arch 19 Almond Road, SE16 3LR
Tickets: On the door or £11.32 online via bermondseysocialclub.co.uk
Book a reformer orientation session on every sunday
Learn the fundamentals of set up & get comfortable on the reformer
Intro offer 3 sessions for £39
Join the movement Book your first session today
@nelowellness l Email Hello@nelowellness.co.uk www.nelowellness.co.uk Cube house, 5 spa rd, Bermondsey, SE16 3GD We have a clinic in London Bridge and offer single moles checks, full body skin checks and mole mapping. Our specialist nurses will carry out an examination to identify any visually atypical mole or moles.
SOUTH BANK WINTER MARKET
On the promenade underneath Hungerford Bridge from the Royal Festival Hall to Jubilee Gardens the annual winter market brings pop up bars, lights, chalet-style food stalls and Christmas shopping to the South Bank for the entire festive season.
Date: Now until 4 Jan 2026, closed for 25 and 31 December
Time: Daily 11am to 10pm, with craft traders until 9pm.
Location: Southbank Centre
Tickets: Walk in southbank.london
FINNISH MARKET, ROTHERHITHE
Rotherhithe’s Finnish Church’s annual Finnish Christmas Fair returns with gifts, food and drink from Finland throughout the last weekend in November and 5-7 December.
Date: Friday 28 to Sunday 30 November, Friday 5 to Sunday 7 December
Time: Friday 12pm to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 6pm
Location: 33 Albion Street, SE16 7HZ
Tickets: Walk in - but preorder bakery items to collect via tinyurl.com/ys8fhn54
FESTIVE FRIDAYS AT MALTBY STREET MARKET, LONDON BRIDGE
Christmas Markets
Maltby Street’s festive night market is back and on Fridays it will be staying open until 9:30pm. There will be street food stalls with festive specials, mulled wine and Christmas gifts from independent makers. There will also be live choirs.
Dates: Friday 28 November, 5 December, 12 December, 19 December
Time: 5:30 - 9:30pm
Location: Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby St, London SE1 3PA
Tickets: Walk in
VINEGAR YARD’S FESTIVE FLEA MARKETS, LONDON BRIDGE
A treasure trove of Christmas gifts including vintage and handmade watches and jewellery, accessories, clothes, toys, homeware and art are on offer at Vinegar Yard’s festive flea markets, with mulled wine and food on sale too.
Date: Every December weekend before Christmas, from Saturday 6 to Sunday 21st Time: 11am to 5pm each day
Location: Yingar Yard, St Thomas Street, SE1 3QU. Tickets: Walk in facebook.com/flealondon
CHRISTMAS OPEN STUDIOS AT PULLENS YARDS, WALWORTH
The beautiful and largely unknown creative district between Elephant and Castle and Kennington is opening its doors for one weekend in December in the run up to Christmas. The workshops, built in the late 1800s, are now home to artistic and creative businesses. With live music and food.
Date: Friday 5 December, and Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 December
Time: Friday, 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 6pm.
Location: Peacock Yard (SE17 3LH)
Illife Yard (SE17 3QA) & Clements Yard (SE17 3LJ)
Tickets: Walk in
WINTER AT BOROUGH MARKET, BOROUGH
Winter will be taking over Borough Market with markets offering festive produce and meals. Through the winter months, they will be featuring brassicas and white roots, apples and citrus fruits, slow-cooking meat joints and hard cheeses. They will also be running a series of celebrations, like their free-to-attend Evening of Cheese on December 10 - a cheese-themed shopping extravaganza led by their community of cheesemongers.
Tickets: Walk in - but you can get a ticket in advance via https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/an-evening-of-cheese-2025tickets-1605938789149
Katherine Johnston and Evie Flynn
Southbank Photo by Adam Luszniak
Self-storage, right round the corner
Because weekends weren’t made for storage runs — book in minutes and access anytime with Pocket.
Drummond Rd, Biscuit Factory, SE16 4DG
• Flexible booking, no long-term tie-ins
• Access any time, day or night
• 5 mins from Bermondsey tube
Bitesize
The Heard, Borough
The Heard have taken over a site next to Flat Iron Square in Borough. The burger restaurant was founded by two Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey. Heard has one goal: to take an everyday classic burger and make it exceptional through flavours, pairings and add-ons. Highlights from the menu include Jordan’s Pick (The OG) featuring jalapeño hot honey, Ogleshield cheese, white onion, secret sauce, and pickles. The Boring Burger, comes with aged Cheddar, white onion, and Heard’s secret sauce, with the option to upgrade by adding caviar.
The Heard, 1 Flat Iron Square, SE1 0AB
Winter at Corner Corner, Canada Water
This winter, the cold won’t stop you enjoying the outdoor terrace at Corner Corner, overlooking the new Boardwalk by architect Asif Khan. The space is ideal for alfresco drinks, networking, or meetings. Plus, every weekday from 3-8pm they have a ‘Sundowner Hour’ where you can enjoy a £5 medium wine, £7 negronis and 2-4-1 beers.
Corner Corner, Maritime St, London SE16 7LL
Dockley Road, Bermondsey
A new neighbourhood restaurant has opened up in Spa Terminus. Founded by chef Emily Chia, and general manager Klausia Weisz. Based in the rich production community of Spa Terminus, Emily’s mission is to showcase produce from her neighbours. She’s doing dishes like beef hot pot, banh mi terrine, mussels, and gratin dauphinoise “cacio e pepe”. Farmer Tom Jones will be supplying meat for the restaurant.
1 Dockley Road, London, SE16 3AF
Volta, Bankside Yards
Vota is the first food and drink offering to open up in one of the 14 restored Victorian railway arches at the newly developed Bankside Yards. The Milanese café and wine bar will be open from morning through to evening, serving fresh Italian pastries, ground coffee, and focaccia sandwiches. In the evening there will be a curated selection of Italian wines to enjoy alongside a range of small bites- Italian “cicchetti”. The opening also marks the moment one of the arches has been open to the public for 150 years.
Volta, 118 Southwark St, London SE1 0SW
Backstage at the Old Vic, Waterloo
The Old Vic Theatre’s new six-storey building, Backstage, is now open to the public. On the first and ground floors, there is a daytime cafe and workspace, which will serve breakfast and lunch before transforming into a vibrant bar and restaurant at night.
Backstage, 131 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UR
Lang Viet, Tower Bridge Road
A family-run Vietnamese restaurant has arrived on Tower Bridge Road, called Lang Viet. The restaurant aims to hold onto the authentic flavour of Vietnamese food, and blend tradition, freshness and creativity. The restaurant is designed open-planned, so diners are able to see into the kitchen as the food is prepared. You can expect traditional Vietnamese Pho, noodle “bun” vermicelli noodles, spring rolls and a selection of rice dishes.
Lang Viet, 151 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 3JE
Urban Hatch Food, Bermondsey Street
The Hatch has opened up in a prime spot on Bermondsey Street, offering a range of grab-and-go lunch options. They offer wraps, cookies, ice cream and of course coffee to get you through the working day. There’s vegetarian and halal options available, all paired with homemade house sauces and friendly service.
37 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3XF
H’s Cafe, Rotherhite
In a relaunch of Rotherhithe’s ‘H’s Cafe’, new owners Oliver Dunbar and Babrul Martin bring back the traditional all day breakfast at the popular cafe on Neptune Street. Their launch event was attended by the Mayor of Southwark and supporters from the local community, who were urging for support to help sustain the independent business.
Café Amisha 14 Years of Passion, Friendship & Great Food
When we first opened, Francesco and Leonardo only had a three-month business plan! Sometimes we still can’t believe how this little dream became one of the most loved Italian spots in London.
It’s all thanks to our wonderful community and our incredible staff. Every single day, we do our best to give our guests a reason to come back — again and again.
Our secret?
A warm welcome at the door, Leonardo’s fabulous dishes that make people’s dreams come true, and genuine Italian hospitality made of smiles, conversations, and a true love for food.
People often ask how we’ve managed to work together for so long. The truth? Sometimes it feels like being husband and wife — a typical Italian family! But our shared passion for hospitality is stronger than anything else.
Vine Bar and Cirque opening in Bermondsey
Evie Flynn
POPULAR BERMONDSEY STREET SPOT EXPANDS WITH A BIGGER SISTER VENUE ON BERMONDSEY SQUARE
The team behind Vine on Bermondsey Street have extended to a new wine bar on Bermondsey Square and a basement cocktail bar called Cirque, with more space to host bookings, events and walk-ins.
The charming wine shop on Bermondsey Street, often brimming with wine-lovers, has been reincarnated as a wine bar and basement space on the corner of Bermondsey Square.
Vine Bar aims to keep spirit of the original location alive, with the new addition of online bookings to secure a spot, and the opening of basement cocktail bar Cirque coming on 6 December.
Located just five minutes away from Vine on Bermondsey Street, the quintessential bar boasts comfy seats, sofas and a flickering log fire to take us into the winter months.
Run by a WSET-qualified team, Vine Bar is
ideal for both walk-ins and group bookings, the space is equipped for private parties and their new basement is currently being refurbished for more space.
With dark burgundy walls and candle-lit tables, the bar carries you from the city’s bustle into an intimate calm, evoking the quiet charm of Paris or Venice.
Cirque is described as a ‘quirky and fun’ cocktail bar, which will be open until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The basement bar will feature live music, including DJ Rollo, who specialises in funk, latin, jazz and disco, plus ‘party night’ on a Saturday night and drag bingos on Sundays.
The new location is based as an “iconic green warehouse”, nestled on the corner of the historic Bermondsey Square.
Beneath the nicely paved square, which was redeveloped over a decade ago with apartments, offices, a boutique hotel, an independent cinema, a restaurant, and a window display that acts as a contemporary art gallery, lies the remains of the 11th-century Abbey.
The Abbey grounds were the original site of a market in Bermondsey, it is mentioned in the Domesday Book and beneath a glass floor in Lokma grill and bar, on the northern corner of the square, you can actually see the remains of the Abbey excavated in 2006. A Blue Plaque, voted for by readers of Southwark News – the journalists behind this magazine – proudly marks the site.
As well as wine by the glass, you can pick up bottles to take home too and there’s also a selection of good quality cigars available to buy at the bar.
At the southern end of Bermondsey Street sits Baccalà, a small independent seafood and wine restaurant run by two couples who share Turkish and Italian heritage – and a passion for fresh food, wine, and warm, hands-on service.
Baccalà opened in 2019 as the passion project of two Italian-Turkish couples, Ilanit and Fabio and Elif and Moreno. They are truly a dream team, with each individual bringing their own unique skill set and experience to the table.
Specialising in fresh seafood and Italian wines, Baccalà champions the independent spirit of Bermondsey Street by choosing quality local suppliers for their fish and vegetables, and authentic small Italian producers for their wine and olive oil.
Every detail is considered at Baccalà. The menu changes with the seasons, the wine list is curated bottle by bottle and even the olive oil shipments are timed to arrive straight after the harvest, ensuring the freshest, fruitiest flavours.
During the day, Baccalà is a bright and welcoming space for coffee or lunch and by evening, it is transformed into a low-lit oasis, loved for its fresh food and individualised service.
The food and menu is led by chef Moreno Polverini, who has just finished working on the new seasonal menu. While customer favourites like the tuna tartare remain, he makes mindful adjustments throughout the year to reflect what’s fresh and in season.
Moreno’s culinary journey has taken him from the Four Seasons Hotel in Istanbul to the close-knit community culture on Bermondsey Street. The blend of his international experience and neighbourhood understanding is felt throughout the menu. Their staple dish and namesake is Baccalà, a fried
Baccalà
HOW TWO ITALIANTURKISH COUPLES BUILT BERMONDSEY STREET’S INDEPENDENT SEAFOOD AND WINE RESTAURANT
salted cod. Moreno has swapped out the vegetables to highlight Romanesco broccoli and used mandarin for the dressing, as both have just come into season.
He said: “The quality of the food is very important to us and there’s nothing coming from the other side of the world. That’s the advantage of being in London - there’s great suppliers and producers on our doorstep.”
They offer a wide selection of fresh pasta and rice dishes, like the Chitarrine allo Scoglio (a rich shellfish casserole), pumpkin Risotto al Salto with mushrooms and truffle, and their standout Mezze Maniche Baccalà with salted cod and bottarga.
Other courses include fresh seafood dishes such as grilled prawns and calamari with marinated courgette, or monkfish cooked with wild fennel and served with broad beans.
On the hospitality side, Elif Taner Polverini runs the front of house, handling everything from bookings to service with the same warmth she brings to the dining room. She’s been in the restaurant business since she was 16, and opening her own space had always been her dream.
The sommelier is Fabio De Nicola, who is fascinated by the world of wine and sharing his knowledge. Fabio began his career as a waiter in Italy, but feeling he “needed to discover the world”, moved to New York to learn more about wine.
Here, he met his wife Ilanit Ovadya, a designer who’s responsible for the sleek interior of Baccalà and perfects the marketing operations.
With Ilanit driving the design, the team built the space from scratch using raw materials. They put in a kitchen, bar, and two floors of seating to welcome walkins upstairs and private events downstairs.
The two couples met in Istanbul and the group began enjoying their days off together and exploring the idea of working with fish and moving to London to open Baccalà.
All four of them moved to the same court in Rotherhithe. Elif looks fondly upon their set up: “We all work together at Baccalà and had kids at similar times, we have become a big family - Ilanit and I even do pilates together!”
Baccalà are well-known for their expertise in Italian wine and Fabio is truly passionate. They have around 100 wines on offer, ready to pair with your dish.
Sommelier Fabio and chef Moreno often take trips to central Italy together and just returned from Perugia in Umbria, where they went to a biodynamic winery and olive oil producer.
Fabio said: “We are always looking for independent, artisanal Italian farmers who put effort into their wine. A lot of Italian wine is not well-known outside of Italy so we wanted to bring it to London, to share the passion and let customers discover new types of wine.
“My favourite part about it is sharing knowledge. Due to our experience working with suppliers, we know how hard wine is to produce, so I love sharing the history behind the wine and the producer.”
They run daily wine tastings, with no need to book in advance. Customers can create their own selection of four wines to have with their food, whilst a sommelier guides
them through the different notes.
Baccalà also run extra virgin olive oil tastings. For £18 you can try five different olive oils, with Fabio or Moreno explaining the different notes and smells, alongside fresh bread and apples to refresh the tastebuds.
Back in 2019, the team were hit with lockdown just weeks after opening, but have maintained a loyal customer base and solidified their position as a staple on Bermondsey Street.
Fabio said: “We’ve noticed that people who live in the Bermondsey community are really part of it and they are constantly supportive when we need it. We were new back in 2019, but the community supported us a lot.”
The passion of the couples are bolstered by the help of a loyal team of waiting staff and trainee sommeliers.
Ilanit said: “Some people come with zero experience and we sponsor their wine education courses.
“Teaching someone about Italian wine is much harder than you may think. There’s twenty regions in Italy and each region has a different variety of grape. There’s also vegetables in Italy that don’t exist anywhere else, like Cavolo Nero kale.”
Baccalà is certainly tailored towards the overall experience of dining, from the smile of the staff, the thoughtful recommendations of wines and the top-tier food and drink knowledge.
As Fabio puts it: “Baccalà is not just about eating and drinking, we want customers to leave with new knowledge.”
HAKATA Ramen+Bar brings everything that ramen-ya in Japan are famous for - quality ‘comfort food’, served in a vibrant atmosphere with friendly & efficient service.
** OUR WINTER SPECIALS MENU NOW AVAILABLE **
** COCKTAIL HAPPY HOUR! **
Any* 2 cocktails for only £14.00 5:00pm – 7:00pm // Monday – Friday throughout December
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AT BACCALÀ Seafood + Wine on Bermondsey Street
Festive Group Dining for gatherings of 8 – 48 guests
Seasonal Italian seafood menus + Artisanal wines
Perfect for office parties, friends + family gatherings
Book your festive table for a memorable experience January gatherings also available for teams + friends who couldn’t celebrate in December.
The Curling Club is making a seasonal return to Vinegar Yard this winter, in its purpose-built arena located directly opposite London Bridge station.
Following last season’s success, the Curling Club is back for a second year and ready to bring an après-ski vibe to London Bridge, where you can try your hand at the unusual sport with friends or colleagues.
Vinegar Yard will be transformed, with curling lanes, festive decorations and food and drink vendors.
Curling is played on a long ice rink, where two teams slide a large granite stone down the ice towards a target, known as a ‘house’. Once all eight stones have been pushed, points are scored based on where the stones are left in relation to the target.
Don’t worry if you have never ‘curled’ before, the ice-free curling at Vinegar Yard is ideal for beginners. Members of the Curling Club team will also be on hand to provide tips and advice.
The event is suitable for all group sizes, from intimate gatherings of between 2-4 people to large corporate events. Each group is split into Red and Blue teams, with up to 10 players per rink.
Cherrie Keene, Managing Director at The Curling Club, said: “It’s fast, fun, and easy to get competitive –perfect for groups looking to challenge their friends, colleagues, or even make new friends, or connections on the ice.”
For smaller groups of 2-4, they offer ‘Pay and Play’, which includes 30 minutes of curling time on a private sheet and priced at £15 per person.
Their bespoke packages start from six people but they can accommodate much bigger parties, depending on needs. Prices for corporate packages start at £47.95 per person.
Their ‘House’ package provides a private area for
Curl up and try
Curling Club at Vinegar Yard
By Evie Flynn
four hours, a drink on arrival, a small plate from their street food traders, an hour of curling and a group photo to remember the day.
For those who are looking to tighten their curling skills, the ‘Curls of Wisdom’ package adds two additional drinks, a larger meal, an hour of curling with a coach, a tabletop curling game to keep and your own host, who will keep an eye on the action and score.
For refreshments in the rink, there will be plenty of
seasonal cocktails on offer.
If you’re feeling peckish, a selection of fresh street food from local vendors will be available, with refreshments delivered straight to your curling rink.
These include indulgent burgers and sides from Nanny Bill’s, tacos from Taco Bills and fluffy bao buns from Nik’s Kitchen. There will also be fresh Japanese bites from Japanese Kitchen Shop, and slices from Bad Boy Pizza.
To bring the party atmosphere, there will be live
entertainment whilst groups are playing. On peak dates, like the weekend or celebrations, there’s a live DJ who spins downstairs and sets are streamed into the mezzanine upstairs.
Once the session wraps up, guests are welcome to stay in the arena, grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere, with social spaces designed for guests to linger and catch up.
This next season will run from 5 November until 28 February and will have three mini ‘seasons’ within that time frame.
SEASONS AND OPENING TIMES:
First
Second
Third season: 28th January – 28th February 2026 Sun, Mon, Tue: closed Wed–Fri: 5 pm – 10 pm Sat: 12 noon – 10 pm
https://thecurlingclub.com/location/vinegar-yard
Christmas comes to Canada Water
The countdown to the Big Day is on, and things are feeling festive in Canada Water! With illuminations, carol singing and chances to meet the man in red and white, there’s plenty going on to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Canada Water’s lit
Take a walk around Canada Dock and check out our twinkling illuminations. You’ll find a 30ft tree at the end of Rafter Walk, plus a cluster of three trees outside Canada Water Leisure Centre. There are also four large 3D stars and, outside Dock Shed and Three Deal Porters, a meteor shower of three shooting stars.
Meet Santa in his magical workshop
Santa Claus and his friendly elves are coming to town… and they’re bringing their free Merry Magical Workshop direct from Lapland to Surrey Quays Shopping Centre! Your little ones can dress up, meet Santa and his Chief Elf Suzie Sprinkles and become Elves-In-Training in a fun and interactive Christmas workshop they’ll never forget. Visitors can…
• dress in a festive hi-vis vest and hard hat to sort piles of gifts and letters
• learn the Christmas Eve song
• play festive silly games with Santa and his elf crew
• take some fun photos
Santa will be welcoming visitors from 11am-1pm and 1:30pm-4pm between:
• Friday 5 – Sunday 7 December
• Thursday 12 – Wednesday 24 December
SEND sessions run 10am-11am on Saturday 6, Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 December
It’s free for everyone and there’s no booking required –simply drop by and join in the fun.
Christmas at Corner Corner
Breakfast or lunch with Father Christmas
Little ones can share their Christmas wishes, receive a gift from the man himself and have their photo taken. Plus, enjoy free arts and crafts activities from The Kid’s Table (11am to 3pm) and live jazz performances throughout the day to keep the festive mood going.
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December
Breakfast with Santa: 9.30am to 12pm
Lunch with Santa: 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Child ticket: £18.04 (inc. booking fee)
Adult ticket: £22.38 (inc. booking fee)
Available from eventbrite.co.uk
Carols led by City Hope Church
Bring your singing voices and join us at Corner Corner for a celebration of Christmas. Seasonal food and drink, live music and festive fun. Just turn up! Sunday 14 December, 6.30pm
Santa’s Merry Magical Workshop awaits your visit
South London Best London gift pack
Buy it from: Hop Burns & Black, 38 East Dulwich Road, SE22
The best of South London pack includes a SLBL tote bag and glass, Peckham and Deptford hot sauces and one of their favourite 10th birthday collabs and more beers from South London’s Villages and Gipsy Hill breweries.
£36.95. Free delivery to most SE London postcodes for orders over £40.
www.hopburnsblack.co.uk
The Kiln Rooms Vouchers
Buy it from: The Kiln Rooms, Copeland Park, Peckham, SE15
THE BIG SOUTH LONDON Gift Guide
Our pick of the loveliest locally sourced gifts for loved ones this Christmas
By Katherine Johnston & Jessica Khan
Jakke
Milla Distressed Denim Trench Coat, £280
Buy it from: Form SE15, Bellenden Road, Peckham
London’s own Jakke has taken a classic trench coat silhouette and updated it in a deep indigo denim with distressed detailing, giving it a fresh, modern look that you can throw effortlessly over your favourite winter knits.
www.formse15.com
London street scenes, prices vary
Buy it from: Artist Magnus Rodwell
All Magnus Rodwell’s work, including paintings, pencil drawings and limited edition colour prints, depict London’s street life – capturing the vibrancy of the capital and our best known and loved landmarks. Pencil drawings from £39, limited edition colour prints from £150. Buy online or visit his new Surrey Quays studio.
www.mrodwell.com / studio address
Perfect for anyone interested in trying their hand at ceramics, The Kiln Rooms’ courses combine top of the range communal equipment and expert technical support with a growing community of artists and makers. Valid for at least one year after purchase, vouchers are available for full courses, or credit notes towards courses or drop in sessions, with voucher holders given priority booking. From £25.
www.thekilnrooms.com
Luxury Wicker Hamper Nº1, £149
Buy it from: Baccala, Unit B3, 194 Bermondsey St, SE1 3TQ
A premium Italian gift hamper with wine, EVOO, festive candles and handmade touches.
Includes: Etna Rosso “Ciauria” | Pietro Caciorgna | Sicilia | 2024, Franciacorta Saten | Santus | Lombardia | 2023, Guglielmi EVOO, Nutcracker candle, Christmas Tree candle, Mini panettone, KnitbyTessa card.
www.baccalalondon.co.uk
Flower subscription, prices vary
Buy it from: Yolly, 118 Stanstead Road, Forest Hill, SE23
Forest Hill’s floral design studio, Yolly’s, sources flowers from the best local growers and suppliers including local allotments. Their flower subscriptions offer seasonal bunches, in two sizes, delivered straight to your door, every other week or monthly. From £55. Each bouquet is unique. They also offer gardening tools and books, candles, toiletries and pressed flowers.
www.yolly.co.uk
Ceremonial Cacao, £18
Buy it from: Oca London, 17-19 Decima Studios, SE1 4QR
A 250g bag of ceremonial-grade cacao is the ideal stocking filler for anyone into all things relaxation and wellness. Rich in antioxidants, magnesium and natural mood boosters. Ethically sourced from the Asháninka tribe in Peru from Bermondsey-based Oca yoga studio. www.ocalondon.com
Melisa
Dora Ceramics, prices vary
Buy it from: Ground floor, Rear of, 57a Dartmouth Rd, London SE23 3HN
Stormzy is a fan of Telegraph Hill-based Melisa Dora’s work. Her handthrown tableware includes 10oz handled mugs priced at £36, and tumblers ranging from £25 to £30, available in sizes from 6oz to 10oz. www.melisadora.com
The perfect flower pressing kit for any keen gardener, florist or creative with an interest in nature. This small flower press comes complete with blotting paper and card, bolts, wing nuts and washers and an instruction card with flower pressing tips. Our book, The Modern Flower Press, is packed full of entertaining stories, as well as practical guides and creative projects suitable for all ages. www.jamjaredit.co.uk
City Keeps Postcode
Bauble, £18 - £22
Buy it from: www.citykeeps.com
Painted in South East London by Daniella Currie, each City Keeps ceramic postcode bauble is a piece of London you can hold in your hand, painted, glazed and finished with care. Every piece can be made to order, celebrating the streets, memories and postcodes that shaped you.
www.citykeeps.com
A truly fabulous gift for tea lovers, prices vary
Buy it from: House of Roya, 23 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EW
Discover House of Roya’s Five Peaks premium Darjeeling teas from £11, elegant cast iron from £44 teapots and cups at £16, and for the table, handcrafted brass reindeer decorations £48. Whether you’re curating the perfect festive table or seeking a mindful gift, the collection blends luxury with kindness and tradition with modern elegance.
www.houseofroya.co.uk
Wonder Journey Joy - A simple guide to living with intention, clarity and confidence, £20
Buy it from: Online
South London self-belief mentor and creative guide Judy Andrews has penned this beautifully designed guide to living. Judy says Wonder Journey Joy will take readers on ‘a transformative journey of self-discovery’.
Structured in ten insightful sections, it offers a blend of inspiration, context, and exercises for reflection and growth.
Buy it from: Provision, Arch 53, Ropewalk, Maltby St, London SE1 3PA
Cosy up and keep warm with this luxuriously soft merino wool hot water bottle by Beatrice Larkin. The merino fabric is Jacquard woven in Lancashire and washed and finished in Yorkshire. H40cm x W25cm
www.provisionstore.co.uk
Extract Coffee Roasters Gift
Subscription, price starting at £29.85
Buy it from: Extract Coffee, Bermondsey
An Extract Coffee Roasters Gift Subscription makes for an epic Christmas gift for any coffee lover. Send a 250g bag of Extract Coffee to someone monthly for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. We'll roast, pack and ship each renewal straight to their front door with complimentary free shipping. Choose a coffee from our full hero range, or select a Roaster's Choice option to send a different coffee every month.
www.extractcoffee.co.uk
Forget-me-not heart earrings, £40
Buy it from: Fleur de Trésor
Dangle earrings handmade with real London flowers. Available in real 18k gold plated or stainless steel.
Hypoallergenic. Waterproof. Non tarnish. Elisabeth, who studied textile design at Central St Martins and in Paris, turns real, locally picked flowers into miniature works of art you can wear.
www.fleurdetresor.com
Gift card, prices vary
Buy it from: Bermondsey Corner, 142 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TX
Bermondsey Corner’s gift cards bring you thoughtfully selected wines, artisan products, and standout coffee. Enjoyed in or taken away from cosy afternoons and special-evening glasses. It is a slice of Bermondsey Street to sip and savour. Available instore, they’re an easy way to share the taste and spirit of our neighbourhood this festive season.
www.bermondseycorner.co.uk
Hiver’s London Beekeeping and Beer Tasting , £62.50
Buy it from: Hiver Experience at Bee Urban, St Agnes Place, London, SE11 4BE
Knitwear, prices vary
Buy it from: Lowie, 18 Half Moon Lane, SE24 Herne Hill clothes shop and sustainable womenswear brand Lowie was founded by designer Bronwyn Lowenthal in 2002. Created with traditional techniques with a focus on heritage and the environment, their bright and beautiful knitwear is guaranteed to make anyone’s day. Red and pink jumper, £189. Alpaca scarf, £78.
www.ilovelowie.com
Join the team urban beekeeping in central London! Nestled in Kennington Park, a short walk from Kennington or Oval tube stations, the urban aviary is a haven for bees and people alike. The full Hiver bees to beer experience begins by learning all about bees before you head to the hives to get hands on. The beekeeper will teach you all about urban beekeeping, before you head for a tutored beer tasting with their expert host. Why not make the most of your day by heading to their Taproom afterwards? https://hiverbeers.com
SMITHFIELD MEAT MARKET
formerly the O2 mobile shop.
Magnus Rodwell
By Evie Flynn
THE ARTIST PAINTING LONDON STREET SCENES HAS A NEW SHOP IN SURREY QUAYS
Magnus Rodwell, the Bermondsey local who left his finance career in the City to follow his passion for painting London street scenes, has opened a new exhibition and shop in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre.
Magnus, a 54-year-old self-taught impressionist painter, loves to uncover the ‘urban stories’ and ‘hidden histories’ behind his subjects- the ordinary, everyday street scenes of London.
What began as capturing the streets and hidden corners of Bermondsey, where Magnus has lived since 1997, has turned into a full-time career.
Until 29 December, Magnus is proudly running a temporary solo exhibition and shop in the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, in the downstairs unit that was
The shop, coined Hidden London, opened in early October. Magnus is exhibiting and selling his original paintings, prints in all sizes, and affordable greeting cards.
Despite coming from an artistic family, Magnus’s venture into art was not straightforward and reflects his resilience, passion and ‘nothing to lose’ mentality.
After a successful career as a stockbroker on Mansell Street, just behind the Tower of London, and later with several large banks, he was made redundant in 2011.
Whilst seeking a new role, Magnus bought a set of paints, to keep him occupied whilst looking for jobs. Deep down, he knew that he was not fulfilled in his financial career and didn’t enjoy the high-stress office environment.
He said: “I started painting to keep sane and as a distraction from the job search, but it turned into a creative career. It is so different from number-crunching and being a number in a large organisation.”
In between jobs and with nothing to lose, he picked up the paintbrush and started, focusing on street scenes in his local area, Bermondsey.
Magnus turned some of his paintings into prints, which he took to art venues in Borough and gift shops on Bermondsey Street, where they quickly took off. His first solo exhibition was in the Vietnamese cafe, Caphe House, on Bermondsey Street, where there was “a real buzz” for his work,
He said: “The prints were ideal for Bermondsey Street - people love where they live and hold a deep nostalgia for the street and the area.”
Magnus shared the inspiration for Hidden London as wanting to reveal the small but fascinating stories about where we live, noting that many people “don’t
know half the stories about where they are located.”
He said: “It makes people connect with the art more. It’s not just a scene of Bermondsey Street - it’s someone saying, ‘Hey, my family used to do this or that,’ or, ‘I’ve been living here and enjoying the ambience but I know nothing about it.’”
This philosophy is what drew him to street scenes, rather than portraits or grand landscapes. He learns about the history of the area and focuses on the everyday person on the street, sharing the stories they have to tell.
He said: “I love when people can reiterate the stories behind my paintings to visitors in their home. For example, Hartley’s Jam Factory where fruit was shipped from Kent to the bustling factory on Green Walk, just off Tower Bridge Road.”
Magnus expressed a deep sense of pride for where he lives in the SE1 and SE16 area, something he is now able to showcase and share through his Surrey Quays shop.
The opportunity for the shop came after he was named a highly commended finalist in the Southwark Business Excellence Awards. Through this accolade, he met one of the heads of British Land, the organisation behind the Canada Water Development, whom he invited to his solo exhibition in Courage Yard, next to Tower Bridge.
He said: “This whole experience has taught me that dreams can come true and i just need to keep persevering. All year I have had knock-backs from venues, so I am very glad to be here.”
Describing the art, Magnus said: “I have a vibrant take on London and I use acrylic paint to give my paintings an almost child-like cartoony feel.”
“All my paintings have a nostalgic element to me, and I want to capture the memories and be a custodian
of where we live and the community - to give us a flashback for centuries to come.”
Now, his artistic lens has captured scenes from all over London. He has painted St Saviour’s Dock, Tower Bridge, Shad Thames, Snowsfields and further afield in Marylebone High Street, Paddington and Oxford Circus.
His clientele is also as diverse as his subject matter, with his paintings making it back to all corners of the country and the world.
He said: “I know my paintings resonate with people who have lived in London and then go back to their home countries and want to take a bit of London with them.
“Surrey Quays Shopping Centre will eventually be knocked down, as part of the Canada Water Master plan, but it is refreshing to see temporary units filling the space in the meantime.”
Magnus loves when his paintings sell, but says that the idea is for also enjoy his art. He welcomes anyone to his shop, whether you are looking for a new piece, or would just like to browse and learn more about his work.
For one of Magnus’s pieces, you can expect to pay around £150 to £180 for a colour print, while pencil drawings are cheaper, starting at £39 for an unframed piece. Greetings cards are £2.99 online or £2 in the shop.
If you do head down to his shop, quote ‘Bermondsey Biscuit’ for 15% off your chosen print.
Hidden London by M.Rodwell, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Rd, London SE16 7LL
Tuesday – Wednesday: 12 noon till 6pm
Thursday – Saturday: 11am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 4pm www.mrodwell.com
Peter Layton Glassblowing
INSIDE THE BERMONDSEY STREET GLASSBLOWING STUDIO THAT TRANSFORMED BRITISH GLASS ART
Peter Layton Glassblowing, a handmade glass-art studio and gallery on Bermondsey Street, is filled with dazzling glass-blown treasures and even a working hot shop, where you can watch the pieces take shape in real time.
Approaching their 50-year anniversary, London Glassblowing has become a leading force in UK glass art since founder Peter Layton, now 88, introduced the craft from America in 1968.
Despite its flat reception in the UK art scene, Peter established London Glassblowing in 1976. They were originally based in an old towage works on the Thames in Rotherhithe, a relic from when Rotherhithe was a bustling commercial dock, and later in Leathermarket Gardens.
The team then settled in their home on Bermondsey Street 16 years ago and have since nurtured some of the world’s leading glass artists, selling their artistic creations and providing a studio space known as a ‘hot shop’ for them to work at the back of the shop.
The team at London Glassblowing aim to bridge the gap between an artist and a customer through allowing visitors to witness the glass-blowing first-hand at the back of the studio.
Historically, secrets of traditional glassblowing were handed down from father to son behind closed doors. Peter scrapped this approach and created a collaborative space and the first ‘open house’ on the glassblowing scene.
During opening hours, customers can watch the molten glass enter the furnace on a hollow blowpipe, before being shaped and cooled on a steel table.
Once the piece is finished in the hot shop, it is taken to the cold shop for cutting, grinding and polishing, making the pieces ready for the shelves and ultimately someone’s home.
The Bermondsey Street studio has roots across the pond, where Peter was teaching ceramics at the University of Iowa in the late 1960s. He participated in a workshop on the emerging American studio glass movement, which was taking the ‘swinging sixties’ by storm.
Despite specialising in ceramics, the discipline immediately captured Peter’s attention. He said: “I was seduced by the immediacy of the material, and the spontaneity and risk-taking required by the process. Here was a medium where quick wit and spontaneity were vital, where every aspect of the process was an adventure.”
However, Peter faced resistance when he returned to Britain to share his new-found love for blowing hot glass. Glassblowing remains a comparatively young art form, especially when set against more traditional disciplines like painting, sculpture or pottery.
Many British galleries in the 1970s feared that glass required specialist lighting their clients didn’t possess in their homes. Opening a glass studio in this period was therefore a risky endeavour and Peter funded his venture by part-time teaching ceramics in various art colleges in London.
But the studios were a roaring success, and Peter still works with glass in South London 50 years later. Throughout his career, he has created commissioned works for the National Gallery, Tate Modern and the Royal Academy of Art.
Peter is currently in the process of handing over the running of the shop to his daughter, Sophie, and her husband, Tim, ahead of his 90th birthday in 2027.
Sophie has built a successful artistic career of her own, studying at Camberwell School of Art and earning a degree in Fine Art Printmaking from the University of Brighton in 2009.
She is represented by Eames Fine Art Gallery, one of London Glassblowing’s Bermondsey Street neighbours, and her work often depicts scenes of London Bridge and Bermondsey.
It’s unique for a gallery to have a working studio and hot shop at the back of the shop, where the public can watch the glassblowing. Sophie said: “The life blood of this company is the studio and the community of glass artists who come and use the hot shop.
She described the studio as having a ‘cyclical nature’, with the artists working in the hot shop and then their items being sold in the gallery once completed.
In 2025, it has become increasingly hard for retail units to operate, yet Sophie and the Gallery Director Gena Johns remain highly optimistic about the thriving Bermondsey Street.
Sophie said: “To be a retail outlet you need to be extraordinary. To be able to watch a craft happening in central London is extremely niche, with customers developing an emotional attachment to a piece.
“There is a long way to go with glass as it is a young material, however, it is also functional. We all have glass in our homes and having people appreciate it as art is exciting.”
“For us to still be here is a testament,” Gena added. “Don’t be scared to come in and see how we work, we are always changing with a new exhibition every month.”
Sophie, Gena and the team are ready to welcome anyone into the gallery, whether they are looking for
a new piece of art, or if they are intrigued about how glassblowing works.
Sat at the heart of Bermondsey Street, Sophie said customers often “stumble across us” whilst they are browsing the food and drink spots. London Glassblowing also benefits from the artistic spirit of the White Cube Gallery and the Fashion and textile Museum opposite.
Sophie said 2026 is being referred to as the “golden year”, as London Glassblowing is celebrating their 50-year anniversary next year and will be holding a yearlong celebration of exhibitions and events.
Marking a start to the celebrations, Christmas is coming to the gallery between 14 November and 23 December, which will feature collections by Peter Layton, Tim Rawlinson and will showcase the muchloved Heirloom Christmas baubles.
As a tradition, some customers return every year to choose a signed glass-blown bauble for their collection. This year, they will be in golden colours and a special 50th year golden box.
This will culminate in a landmark anniversary exhibition in June 2026 to celebrate the gallery’s legacy and showcase prominent artists who have passed through its doors.
London Glassblowing will also continue its extensive work experience programmes and institutions, where they nurture artists at the beginning of their career.
In 2027, the celebration continues, as Peter Layton turns 90, which will make him one of the oldest glassblowers in the world.
If you are searching for a Christmas gift, smaller items in the shop start from £19, such as perfume bottles and Christmas baubles.
https://londonglassblowing.co.uk
London Glassblowing, 62-66 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3UD
Come together for a magical Winter at the Southbank Centre with spectacular shows, luminous art, cracking activities, a wondrous Winter Market and more festive treats making spirits bright this winter.
This year’s Winter season offers holiday fun for all to enjoy the festive magic of London in winter.
Be wowed by spectacular shows – there’s a magical musical stage adaptation of Top Hat, the return of family favourite Bluey’s Big Play, the chance to join TV’s favourite doctors in Operation Ouch: Quest for the Jurassic Fart! and the hilarious Sh!t Theatre: EVITA TOO
Enjoy live music spanning classical music, Christmas carols and festive favourites.
At the Hayward Gallery, experience the Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES exhibition with vibrant, large-scale images that centre the
human experience and reflect the duo’s motto, ‘Art for All’. Highlighting new pictures created since the start of the millennium, the exhibition has been featured in Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Time Out and Stylist as one of the top art exhibitions to see in Autumn 2025.
There’s cracking free activities and
family fun for all ages, including the Winter Light outdoor art exhibition, the Koestler Arts: Night Owls and Abstractions exhibition, dances, ceilidhs, crafting, music and New Year’s celebrations.
The popular Winter Market returns, lining the riverside with pop-up bars, street food stalls and independent craft traders. Keep your belly merry with plates of festive burgers and fondue fries, duck wraps, spicy chicken boxes and Nepalese spiced dumplings. Round it all off with sweet treats like churros and indulgent cookies. Ward off the cold by cradling a mulled wine or hot chocolate while you browse for gifts, jewellery and decorations made by independent creatives. Under the bridge you’ll find Wunder Bar, a festive sing-a-long bar with a Bavarian twist. Opposite the Queen Elizabeth Hall, right on the river, Fire & Fromage are back with cheesy indulgence, warming drinks and cosy riverside vibes.
Plus, for the first time, the beloved Queen Elizabeth Roof Garden will be open throughout the winter months, transforming into a destination for mulled wine and warming drinks, nestled above the bustle of central London.
Bluey’s Big Play Top Hat
Winter at the Southbank Centre
Photo by Johan Persson
Photo by Courtesy of Dressing Room 5
Countdown
Photo by Alice Boagey Installation view of Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES. Courtesy of the Hayward Gallery. Photo by Mark Blower.
Named after “The Pearl”, the first biscuit baked on the original Peek Freans factory site, the new neighbourhood celebrates Bermondsey’s industrial heritage while looking to the future. When complete, Pearl Yard Bermondsey will provide 1,600 new homes with residents due to move into the next phase from January 2026. The scheme has been brought forward in close collaboration with the London Borough of Southwark, transforming one of the area’s most significant regeneration opportunities.
As part of the wider regeneration, Greystar is delivering 35% affordable housing, a new secondary school, affordable workspace and highquality public realm, in line with Southwark’s policy ambitions. The scheme will also provide around 150,000 sq ft of non-residential space, designed to complement the thriving mix of independent businesses within The BlueBermondsey’s historic marketplace and high street - and to activate new ground-floor uses that strengthen connections with the existing community.
At a time when housing delivery across London has fallen to historic lows, Pearl Yard Bermondsey demonstrates how private capital working alongside local government can unlock stalled sites and accelerate regeneration. Anchored by
Creating places that quietly make life better
rental housing, the project shows how this tenure can act as a catalyst for placemaking - enabling community facilities, green space, affordable homes and neighbourhood amenities to be delivered together from the outset.
Tom Lord, Senior Director – UK Operations, Greystar, said: “We always begin from the inside out. Pearl Yard Bermondsey has been designed by thinking carefully about how people will actually live in these homes - how they use space, connect with their community and balance work and wellbeing. It’s not just about buildings but about creating places that quietly make life better. With the backing of our global expertise and the support of dedicated onsite teams, residents here will experience a new standard of rental living tailored to Londoners.”
Pearl Yard Bermondsey’s SE16 location places residents’ minutes from the Jubilee line and moments from Southwark Park, with Bermondsey’s cafés, markets and creative businesses on its doorstep. Managed by Greystar’s onsite team, the community offers consistency, service and security setting a new benchmark in London’s rental market.
Book a Tour Today
Tours are now open for those who want to be among the first to see inside. Pearl Yard Bermondsey is set to become a new landmark in SE16 - a place where history and modern living meet.
Get in touch!
Find out more, share your ideas or book a tour by visiting:
W: www.pearlyardbermondsey.com
P: 020 3987 5558
E: hello@pearlyardbermondsey.com
Greystar is a real estate agent and developer with nearly 30 years’ experience investing, delivering, and managing rental housing. We are responsible for delivering over 4000 residential units across the UK and have a strong track record of investing in the community and delivering long-term value for residents.
Bermondsey and proud
Michael Holland
Steve Cornish spent the first half of his life on the Dickens Estate; it was where his deep love for Bermondsey flourished. The second half was spent Downtown when he moved there after Surrey Docks closed; it was there he became a campaigner against developers with big money who wouldn’t be seen dead in SE16 years ago.
Mum, Margaret, done many jobs: ‘Shuttleworths for a long time, then dinner lady in St Michael’s School’. Harry, his father, was a self-employed roofer.
At Riverside, Steve’s first school, he remembers liking ‘English, sport and History’.
Playing out meant ‘Tin Tan Tommy and those sort of games, but to be honest it was all about being daredevils - The river was hundred yards away so we’d get into the warehouses and onto the roof and swing on the cranes and get on the barges.’
The wharves featured a lot in Steve’s growing up. ‘I always made sure I didn’t go home with Thames mud on me shoes cos the old man would know I’d been on the river...’
His Uncle Tommy also lived on the Dickens Estate with wife Flo. They were on the new part and it wasn’t long before Steve’s family moved into Tupman House. His mum cried when she see her brand new ‘proper kitchen’ and indoor bathroom.
At 11, Steve went to Paragon School. ‘We had a good PE teacher, Mr Roper... There was always competitions and I love competition - It brings the best out in me.’
Steve was an ‘average’ schoolboy but excelled at metalwork. The teacher would allow him to do his own thing and still has the cannon he designed and made there. This skill would serve him well.
Sport has been a ‘massive’ part of Steve’s life; ‘Most of my friends are through football and playing for some of the best local teams: ‘The Dickens Estate team were fantastic! We went unbeaten for two years!’
On leaving school, Steve found work at Christians Wharf where his mate was the boss and paid him £10 a week. ‘I’d never had so much money; a tenner! I didn’t know what to do with it, and this was when beer was one and ninepence a pint!’
But Steve had signed up for a Pipe Fitter/Welder apprenticeship, which was about to start soon but meant a drop in wages to almost half of what he had grown used to. ‘I’ll never forget what my dad said: “Do this apprenticeship and you’ll have a job for life, but your mates will always be on a tenner.”’ Steve took that advice. With money in his pocket Steve would use local pubs like the Becket, The Fort, The Fleece, The Fellmongers...
It was when out with mates that he met Christine, his future wife. They got married in St James’s Church and a flat in Pickwick House - just four doors away from the flat he was born in.
By the early 80s The Cornishes were happy with life but Christine would say, ‘We don’t even own the door knobs in this flat’. One day she heard new houses were up sale in the old docks and sent Steve down there. All he could see was a Portakabin on a muddy wasteland, which he made his way to and found that house plots would be sold in the morning. He slept there in the car and was 6th in the queue to put down his £100 deposit and wait for the house to be built. They moved in a few months later.
The late ‘80s recession killed off his industry and after 24 years at the same company Steve had to find his own work - ‘I had a mortgage to pay!’ The next job came by chance when he went to the Jobcentre. That very day a vacancy had come up that required someone with all the skills Steve had - Thomson Reuters in Canary Wharf needed a Maintenance Engineer.
Steve got an interview and was pleased to find the interviewer was ‘one of us’. He noticed a West Ham
badge on the man’s coat so when the work questions were done, Steve let on he was a West Ham fan. He wasn’t, but he got a second interview and got the job. Steve stayed there 22 years until he retired and it wasn’t the only time he has used cunning to get what he wants.
As Bermondsey became trendy the developers hovered. The area changed fast and not always for the better. As Chairman of Friends of Russia Dock Woodlands for 25 years, he is ‘very proud of keeping developers away from our 35 acres of woods’.
But it hasn’t been easy. He didn’t like it when they wanted to build a 15-storey block on the duck pond. The Downtown Defence Campaign was formed to fight developers who told Steve ‘they’d crush him like a beetle’. The group took them to the Royal Courts of Justice where Steve spoke in front of four Law Lords... The duck pond now has kingfishers enjoying it and the 15-storey building became just four floors. ‘We pulled all the local campaign groups together to form Green Connections. It’s to ensure developers fulfil their own green ambitions and not just put a few plants in a pot!’
For the past seven years he has been secretary of the Surrey Docks Angling Club. The club has just negotiated
“I’m very proud of my daughter and of keeping developers away from our 35 acres of woods”
with developers for: new decking for the angling pontoon, access for disabled anglers, the dock restocked with fish, and Decathlon will sponsor matches for the younger anglers.
And just as he pretended to support West Ham to get a job, Steve twice impersonated a Health & Safety Office in order to get on to building works where he suspected foul play was taking place. Once in he would ask where the workers’ hard hats were, why there were trip hazards and rubbish in doorways as fire hazards. In the panic created he would take photos of the suspected destruction of listed buildings’ features and fittings to use as evidence against developers trying to turn Bermondsey pubs into flats. Two pubs were saved.
The Albert McKenzie VC Statue in Tower Bridge Road was also very special to Steve. Stansfeld Oxford and Bermondsey Club members began raising funds, which
brought all of Bermondsey together to raise enough to have the statue built by Kevin Boys the Rotherhithe blacksmith.. Steve’s metalwork and welding background meant he was recruited into creating the rifle part of the sculpture. ‘Albert McKenzie was a Bermondsey boxing champion who became a war hero,’ he says proudly.
In retirement, Steve fills his day caring for his fatherin-law and forever campaigning to keep Bermondsey from over-development.
He loves Bermondsey people: ‘The banter can be wicked, but funny,’ he laughs with a wry smile.
His favourite place is the Dickens Estate and visits for nostalgic reasons regularly.
Sadly, Christine died in 2024 and now there is just daughter Victoria, a dentist whom he is very proud of. ‘She has been fantastic with what we’re going through.’ Victoria lives close by in a flat overlooking the Woodlands. Steve still lives in the house built on a muddy Docklands wasteland and has no plans to move.
Steve and Christine at their 1977 wedding
Steve’s Mum ( Margaret) Steven and his Sister Susan - Brother Harry - Dad Harry
Albert McKenzie Statue
The ghosts Of Christmas past
By Debra Gosling
Iam so thankful for the internet but oh my, has it changed our shopping habits! The markets down The Blue, Tower Bridge Road and East Street are just shadows of their former glory. It’s all very well sitting with an iPad having the pick of the world’s goods at your fingertips but it kind of takes the magic away from Christmas. It used to be an experience that wakened the senses, lifted the spirit.
The shops used to be packed with customers buying cards and wrapping paper, streamers, tinsel and paper hats. There was always lots of parties at home, so stocks had to be built up for when the family descended to eat, drink and be merry (or have a fight, depending on what kind background you came from...) Choosing gifts was a delight as people looked through elegant bow-fronted windows at the goods on offer. Tower Bridge Road had some beautiful Edwardian shop fronts,
Tower Bridge Road had some beautiful Edwardian shop fronts, some of which are still there, but hidden behind the detritus of modern life
some of which are still there but hidden behind the detritus of modern life. A lot of The Blue’s very elegant shopping facades were lost during the Second World War.
But oh, the stalls! Lit up on a dark afternoon displaying all manner of goodies. Many of the goods on offer were nestled in foil that reflected the coloured fairy lights, giving everything that magic feeling. There was a certain kind of energy as people shuffled around inspecting what was on offer while the stall holders busied themselves re-stocking the display. Everybody wanted the best for their Christmas table, so besides the unfortunate turkey the fishmongers tempted with sides of salmon and pints of prawns. Dewhurst’s would sell out of sausages and sides of beef. Plenty of fruit and veg was essential and the stalls would be packed high with only the best from Borough Market of Covent Garden.
Not so long ago there were still hot chestnut stalls - nibbling on these little powerhouses of goodness gave us a bit of energy before we all struggled home with oranges, potatoes, pineapples, walnuts and apples.
Of course, someone had to carry home the tree too - and the bright red poinsettia. Flo Weller in The Blue could supply everything you need from her flower stall, which would be turned into an alpine garden for the season. The invigorating smell of fresh pine trees is the smell of Christmas!
Unlike today, kids weren’t inundated with presents and had to be happy with what they got. As recent as the 1940s many children were poverty-stricken with hand-me-down clothes and old, mended shoes. Their thin Christmas stockings
would hold a tangerine wrapped in foil, walnuts, sweets and an apple. Girls would get a rag doll or a ludo card and dice while boys received a pop-gun or a catapult to terrorise the street with on Boxing Day. Sometimes if they were really lucky they’d get a football, but more often than not had to be content with a football bladder; this was just the inside bit that they’d inflate and kick around.
Many went to church while others went to that other sacred place: the pub. Of course, some overdid the Christmas cheer, ending up sampling the delights of the police canteen as they sobered up in the cells!
Up until the 1930s charity always descended upon Bermondsey to ensure that those light of pocket had a special time. At the Dock Offices in Lower Road the Docks Police entertained two hundred deprived kids. The children were given a huge spread, which was hungrily devoured, before being entertained with a pantomime where they sung their little hearts out. Afterwards, a dock constable dressed up as Santa Claus and distributed not just sweets and toys but also boots and socks to the ragged little waifs in his charge. Not one went home empty-handed. In the late 1940s Bermondsey kids were treated to a Christmas entertainment at Grange Road baths. Boards were put over the swimming pool and the place was decorated with balloons and streamers. More pantomimes were put on and hundreds of kids risked a soaking as they stamped their feet to songs and competitions.
It’s a great shame that all of this has gone - but never mind, deck your halls with boughs of holly and get out your Slade record. It’s Chriiiistmassss!
Tower Bridge’s new food hall is open with thirteen new food stalls to try
Anew food hall, Tower Bridge Collective (TBC), opened next to Tower Bridge in October with thirteen street-food vendors offering dishes from all over the world.
TBC, run by Blend Family, is spread over two floors next to Tower Bridge and offers a space where independent food companies can bring faceto-face service to the SE1 community.
After opening in October, all thirteen vendors have received five-star ratings from customers, with accolades pouring in for their friendly service and diverse menus.
The line-up of food at TBC is undoubtedly
diverse - Korean food from Clapping Seoul, Thai flavours from Mae Thai and traditional East African dishes from House of Habesha.
The hall is also home to Lakshmi’s Indian Kitchen, which grew from a small market stall in Hackney and now brings 20 years of experience cooking soulful food rooted in family traditions.
Baity, established in 2018 by chef Ali Yousef, brings Palestinian flavours to South London from roots in Didsbury in Manchester. Known for its hand-whipped hummus which takes 72 hours to make, Ali’s food is described as a ‘love letter to Palestinian cuisine’.
If you are craving something sweet, Chocolate Bar by Bullion are well-placed to share their chocolate expertise with visitors.
You can build your own chocolate drink, choosing from classic or unusual bases, and pair it with a sweet treat, chosen from their selection of freshly-baked brownies and cookies.
Plus, it’s not just food on offer. TBC’s bars are open late to offer a range of beers and ales on tap, alongside traditional wines and signature cocktails. Their heartfelt ‘Cocktails for Good’ initiative means you can enjoy a drink while knowing all proceeds go towards a charity partner.
If you are a remote worker, from 8:00 - 17:00
every Monday to Friday you can pay just £6 for unlimited tea and coffee all day. In the venue there is fast Wi-Fi, comfy chairs and charger points to provide a welcoming ‘WFH’ environment.
Alongside the food offering, TBC will be hosting a programme of community-led events, from workshops to community pop-ups, like craft and cooking events.
Dogs are welcome in the hall, and on 13 December from 10:30 - 13:30, you can gear up for a festive dog biscuit decorating workshop. Led by Woof and Whisk, the free event welcomes dogs (and of course their owners!) for some seasonal fun.
The following day from 10:00 - 12:30, join a free Christmas craft club for children, led by guests from Artburst. Children will be shown how to make a realistic and non-edible ‘plate’ of festive food using craft supplies, equipped with glittery dumplings and pom-pom puddings.
Kids can also perfect their culinary skills in TBC’s free Collective Cooking Club workshops, designed to ‘get kids in the kitchen’.
On Sunday 21 December, from 10:00 - 12:00, the focus will be on the viral Yorkshire pudding Wraps, which have taken social media by storm. See what they are all about and make a wrap and
gravy dip and enjoy tasting it afterwards, in a teacher-led workshop.
The team at TBC are now gearing up for the festive season and the top ratings across all street food providers has solidified their new home in the competitive SE1 food space. Food providers are working hard to build on their successful debut and are looking forward to introducing seasonal menus to the hall.
Alongside their new Tower Bridge location, Blend Family also have three other food halls in Cambridge, Sheffield and Salford Quays in Manchester.
They have been recognised at the British Street Food Awards this year and their strong ethos - to turn hospitality spaces into cultural spacesremains at the heart of their new Tower Bridge venue.
TBC is open from 8:00 - 23:00 Monday to Saturday (food served until 9.30pm Monday to Wednesday and until 10pm Thursday to Saturday), and from 8am - 10.30pm on Sundays (food until 9.30pm).
Tower Bridge Collective, 1 Horselydown Ln, London SE1 2LJ
