The South Londoner - July 2023

SOUTH LONDonER

across the pond

The best Gig in London Isn’t at the O2 (it’s in your home) Switch

about us

We’ve been based in the old Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey since 1994.

We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

Our flagship publication, the Southwark news launched in 1987 and is now London’s only independent, paid for newspaper.

We also publish the South London Weekly and greenwich and Lewisham Weekender every week.

We created the bermondsey biscuit and Rotherhithe docker in 2018 with support from sponsors including Sellar, Grosvenor, British Land, and many more local businesses.

We use 100% recovered paper from the Ortviken papermill in Sweden, a green energy provider who use biofuel instead of oil and provide heat for 10,000 single family homes.

www.southlondon.co.uk

editor Holly O'Mahony design Lizzy Tweedale, Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd, Sophie Ali media partnerships Anthony Phillips

finance Emrah Zeki

managing directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn

Contact us

email hello@cm-media.co.uk

phone 020 7231 5258

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Contents

6 home secretary Rooftop yoga, a wine fair, an al fresco cinema and more…

8-11 family Summer holiday special: art classes, family shows, rewilding and free fun

14-18 food & drink A trip to Battersea Rise’s charming French bistro Ploussard, plus the new openings in your ‘hood

22 locally sourced A hero shrub from Dulwich plant shop Forest, now settled in its new home

24-27 best of brixton Brixton X Harlem Festival returns for second helpings

29 local faces Josh Castola, owner of L'Atelier Du Vélo, on opening a bike shop that’s doubling up as a community hub

33 a love letter to south london Hazel Broadfoot, owner of Village Books, on making every literature graduate’s dream her reality

34-37 arts & ents Battersea Park in Concert and a new place to boule

the local line-up for your diary

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Sing with lonDon’S ‘frienDlieSt Choir’

They describe themselves as ‘London’s friendliest choir’, and they’re looking for new recruits. Sing Eazy meet once a week in choir leader Dan’s garden opposite Peckham Rye Park, and again online the following evening – where they’re joined by remote members from across the UK and Ireland. Unlike many choirs, there’s no audition process – it’s open to anyone who wants to join. There’s no backing tracks either though, so you might want to get practising your trills in advance!

Wednesdays, 12pm - 1:15pm. Thursdays online, 7:30pm. Email eazypeazymusic@gmail.com for exact address and prices.

www.eazypeazymusic.com/sing-eazy/

a CeleBration of vino

There’s been a boom in demand for independent and natural wines in recent years. Here to support our thirst for new varieties is the South London Wine Fair, which is popping up for one day only in Crystal Palace Bowl over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. There are over 100 varieties on show from 15 suppliers, and while you certainly can’t try them all, a number of food vans are also on site, meaning you can line your stomach and maximise your sipping potential. Once you’re done with the tastings, stick around for a boogie in front of the live band. Cheers to fine wine.

Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA. August 28, 12pm - 6pm. Admission: £30. www.southlondonwinefair.co.uk/

yoga with a view

Practise your downward dog and then relax into your savasana while getting a dose of vitamin D, as Yogarise returns to the Bussey Building rooftop for summer. Yes, it’s that fleeting period when we can swap our stuffy studios for fresh air and views, taking our yoga practice to higher places. Head to the Bussey Rooftop bar afterwards for your beverage of choice and don’t forget to take some pics to prove it happened.

Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. Weekends throughout July and August, 9:30am - 10:30am. Admission: £16. www.copelandpark.com/events/24090/rooftopyoga/?t=24160

oh, the Summer nightS

If you’re yet to pull up a grassy pew at Vauxhall’s summer screen, now’s your last chance: '70s classic Grease is bringing the al fresco cinema’s 2023 season to a close. Grab your leather jacket or your pink bomber, secure your curlers, and head on over for ‘Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh’ you know what.

139 Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London SE11 5HL. July 25, 7pm. Admission: FREE.

www.beinvauxhall.com/

make your own SuStainaBle CeramiCS at peCkham levelS

Need a new soap dish, a pen pot or a cereal bowl? Instead of scouring the internet, have a go at making your own at this Jesmonite and Terrazzo Workshop at Peckham Levels. Never heard of jesmonite or terrazzo? Us neither! Turns out they’re both sustainable equivalents to other materials used in ceramics, or as the workshop terms them, they’re the ‘eco-lovechild of stone and ceramic’. The class lasts two hours and you’ll walk away with your sanded and polished creation at the end.

Peckham Levels, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. August 10, 7pm - 9pm. Admission: £45. www.peckhamlevels.org/event/jesmonite-terrazzoworkshop/

a leSSon in poetry from roger roBinSon anD yomi SoDe

Two inspirational names in the literary sphere are getting together at Brixton House, and you’re invited to listen in on their conversation. Poet and T. S. Eliot Prize-winning writer Roger Robinson is discussing his latest e-poetry book On Poetry with awardwinning Nigerian-British writer Yomi Sode. Roger’s latest book is an education manual musing on the ideas and practices of writing poetry that he hopes will be useful to the next generation of poets.

Brixton House Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8GL. July 23, 6pm.

Admission: £15.

www.brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/on-poetry-anevening-with-roger-robinson-x-brixton-housepresented-by-yomi-sode/

unveiling the wallet-friendly Delights of elephant park

Discover the great deals that unlock a world of global cuisines, bottomless brunches, and wallet-friendly options all under £10, thanks to the new deals unveiled by Elephant Park at Elephant & Castle. Whether you consider yourself a bona fide foodie, constantly in search of delectable dishes, or a dedicated wellness fanatic, Elephant Park is here to cater to your desires. What better way to spend a wonderful spring day at the leafy Elephant Park and Elephant Spring, and treat yourself to great deals across an incredible range of restaurants, retailers, and beyond.

fooD anD Drink

1. Rosy Hue

Weeknight cocktail offer - Enjoy two cocktails for £14 from 4pm-7pm Monday to Friday and all night on Thursdays with delicious bites from brisket loaded chips to crispy buttermilk chilli squid. Order from here and you can enjoy bottomless tea and coffee for just £6, every weekday until 5pm. 6 Ash Ave, Elephant and Castle SE17 1GQ

2. Feed The Yak two tacos for £5 every Friday.

3. Cheeky Chicos margaritas and daiquiris for just £7 during Happy Hour. from 4pm-7pm, Monday to Friday.

4. Little Louie Scrumptious cakes or pastries with an iced coffee for £7.

5. Koi Ramen

every dish at this slurp worthy Japanese ramen eatery is less than ten pounds, including soup-less tossed noodles and grilled dumplings.

6. Tasty Jerk

Caribbean cuisine – think mouth watering jerk chicken, escovitch fish or curried goat for a tenner. All dishes are served with vegetables and rice or salad.

7. Bobo Social

Have you discovered their incredible Skin Drinks - made of cold pressed fruit and vegetables, and blended with ingestible cosmetics such as Hylauronic acid and Marine Collagen - all under £8!

Coffee Lover Rejoice

Another must-try for coffee lovers are spoilt for choice with classic coffee drinks made using buttery Monmouth espresso beans at Hana Coffee sitting pretty under the

Tree House and Hej, the coffee connoisseurs who roast their beans to perfection.

12. 400 Rabbits

Don’t miss Tenner Tuesday when a pizza and beer can be enjoyed from £10 all day long. pints of house craft beer, house wine and house cocktails for £5 Happy Hour (4pm-6pm daily),.

13. Kiki & Miumiu

independent Asian food market you’ll find a plethora of Chinese, Japanese and Korean foodstuffs. From fresh ingredients to cupboard staples.

14. Pot & Rice

Great bites from classic Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes - express lunch menu available from 12pm-4pm Monday to Friday and offers a variety of flavour packed dishes for just £9.50. Our favourite is the fried chicken with spicy mayo on steamed rice.

thingS to Do

1. SideQuest

Visit this UK’s largest gaming hub from 12pm-5pm Monday to Friday and enjoy an hour of gaming in any area with a regular bubble tea for a tenner.

3. SoLo Craft Fair

This independent gift store hosts over 60 small businesses every month with unique charming gifts, many under £10.

4. Tempo

fantastic introductory package to newcomers – 3 Tempo HIIT classes for £10, to be used across four weeks!

School’s out for summer!

Read on for inspiration on how to spend the holidays in south London…

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See SpongeBoB SquarepantS at the SouthBank Centre

It’s one of the most hyped-up kids shows of the year and it’s swimming into London’s Southbank Centre: The SpongeBob Musical brings to life Stephen Hillenburg’s cheeky TV series about the misadventures of a talking sea sponge who lives in an underwater pineapple. The cast is a hoot too: Ru-Paul’s Drag Race star Divina De Campo is playing Plankton; with the role of Squidward being alternated between Pop Idol winner Gareth Gates and Celebs Go Dating’s Tom Read Wilson. A chance for your kids to see one of their favourite characters up close.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. July 26 - August 27, performances at 2pm, 3pm & 7pm depending on date.

Admission: £22.50+ www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/performance-dance/spongebobmusical?eventId=926889

Summer Bonanza at the polka theatre

It’s all happening at Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre on August 12. The venue’s Family Fun Day is a bright, colourful celebration that’s entirely free to attend, and a chance for your little ones to get their face painted, or paint a pebble, or listen in on some storytelling, or do some colouring in, or play dress-up and more. Come along and be part of the fun.

Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, London SW19 1SB. August 12, 9:30am - 5pm.

Admission: FREE.

www.polkatheatre.com/event/summer-fun-day/

Sign them up to

tigerS rugBy CluB

If the young ones in your care are full of beans and missing their usual P.E. class, then take them along to Tigers Rugby Club. Run by community club Southwark Tigers, who have been offering free, accessible rugby sessions for almost 20 years and running a specialist schools programme for the last six, the club is open to everyone and a chance for them to make friends over the school holidays.

Southwark Tigers Rugby Club, Burgess Park, Cobourg Road, SE5 0JD. Sundays, 10am11:30am. Admission: FREE.

www.southwarktigers.com/

See mog on Stage

Another children’s hero coming to the London stage in time for the summer holidays is Judith Kerr’s fluffy, forgetful cat, Mog. She’s delighted generations of kids since she first appeared on the page in 1970, and now the immortalised fluffball is starring in her own theatre show thanks to an adaptation by theatre company The Wardrobe Ensemble. See the original tale, Mog The Forgetful Cat, come to life with songs, music and plenty of mutterings of ‘bother that cat!’ at the Old Vic Theatre.

103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB. July 11 - 29, performances at 10am, 10:30am and 1pm depending on date. Admission: £10. www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/mog

Storytime at DulwiCh piCture gallery

With six long weeks of summer holidays stretching ahead, that’s a lot of time for stories. At least in your little ones’ minds, that is. If you’re running out of character voices and you need to share the burden, whisk them over to Dulwich Picture Gallery, where professional storyteller Rosie Hudson is leading free, interactive family storytelling sessions on a weekly basis. She’ll be taking little listeners (and their wriggly-bottomed neighbours) deep into myths and tales old and new. And hey, you might even manage to sneak a browse of the gallery’s art collections while your kids are enjoying storytime.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, London SE21 7AD. Wednesdays from July 26 - August 30, 8am, 11am or 1:30pm depending on date. Admission: FREE. www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/ family-events/2023/july/collection-tales-freefamily-storytelling/ 

all out gaming at BatterSea power Station

Itching to get active? You’ll want a lot of energy in the tank for this one: The Battersea Games sees an assault course of activities pop-up both inside and outside the newly opened Power Station complex. Hoping to appeal to all tastes and ages, there’s HIIT classes, a climbing wall, a basketball court, a running track and boxing for the super fit, plus virtual reality gaming for those who know their way around a games console. Come in a group and you can get competitive over a ping pong table, or over a giant board game. Bring your pup and you can enrol them in a dog agility class. And if your energy levels aren’t quite up there but you still want to get involved, there’s calming yoga classes and the chance to sit in front of a big screen showing the all-important Wimbledon matches.

Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AL. July 1 - September 3, all day. Admission: FREE.

www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/thebattersea-games/

urBan Crazy golf – with Some natural hiStory thrown in

Who’s for a round of crazy golf? You won’t find a range classier or more educational than that outside the Horniman museum this summer. Its nine holes are themed around the museum’s star attractions, meaning your brood can putt while learning about its overstuffed walrus, alpacas and exotic butterflies. Extra points for those who know their natural history.

Horniman Gardens, 100 London Road, London SE23 3PQ. July 10 - September 5, 10am - 5pm. Admission: £7/£4.50 kids. www.horniman.ac.uk/event/golf/

get arty in wanDSworth

Forgot to enrol them in a holiday camp? Don’t panic! art-K in Wandsworth is hosting half day, whole day and week long art workshops for kids aged 6-16. The classes are pretty varied, covering sculpture, clay, watercolours, acrylics and mixed media over the course of a week. The students will work on their own projects, getting to take home their finished artwork at the end of the day.

art-K Wandsworth, 3 East Hill Wandsworth SW18 2QD. Week-long courses from July 24 - August 31. Half days 2 hours / full days 5 hours inc. hour’s lunch break. Admission: £59 p/d or £25.50 half day. www.portal.art-k.co.uk/public/workshops/250/212

a taSte of ShakeSpeare at the gloBe theatre

Remember Nick Bottom, the actor who gets turned into a donkey in Shakespeare’s mischievous comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Well, he’s recovered from that episode and he’s back on stage at Shakespeare’s Globe, where his merry troupe, The Mechanicals, are due to perform their latest show. Only, it’s minutes before the curtain is due to rise and everything is going wrong. Midsummer Mechanicals is an Olivier Award-nominated production and a great introduction to Shakespeare for little ones, which is returning to Shakespeare’s Globe this summer. Catch it in the theatre’s indoor atmospheric Sam Wanamaker playhouse.

21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT. July 22August 26, 11am, performances at 1:30pm & 3pm depending on date. Admission: £18 - £28. www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/ midsummer-mechanicals-2023/

turn their fingerS green

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses is holding two week long summer holiday clubs aimed at kids aged 4 - 10. A chance for them to learn about their natural surroundings and maybe even turn their fingers green, the summer school will see them explore the orchard, forage in the herb garden, hunt for minibeasts in the pond, and when the weather isn’t playing ball, they can take part in indoor arts and craft sessions, or try their hand at cooking (under supervision!) in Brockwell Barn.

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses, Brockwell Park, London SE24. July 24August 2, 10am - 3pm. Admission: £25p/d. www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk/event/ summer-holiday-club-week-1-day-1/

 ©Backdrop Productions

Bitesize

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By Holly O'Mahony

a relaunCh for market plaCe peCkham

Peckham street food hub Market Place Peckham closed earlier this year for a revamp, but now it’s back, with all new management and some exciting new traders, too. Among the 10 stalls dishing up cuisines from around the world, there’s Nigerian street food specialists Suya and Lobster; Los Tacos serving Mexican street food; Brixton favourite Baba G’s plating up their BBC Million Pound Menu-winning Indian inspired burgers; exotic-sounding Hawaiian street food from Huli Huli; Indo-Chinese from Pepper Spice; Mediterranean from Farm House Kebab; fire-cooked specials from Argentinian Grill; complex Thai plates from KraPow; and indulgent sweet treats from Dum Dum Donutterie. No frills, no fuss: just grab your dish of choice and chow down at a long, sharing table. A line-up of DJs promises to lend the foodie hub some atmosphere. Oh, and did we mention it’s dog friendly?

Market Place Peckham, Unit 10, The Aylesham Centre, Rye Lane, London SE15 5EW. Open daily, 11am - 11:30pm.

www.marketplaceuk.com/locations/peckham

wonDerlanD Dining at the roSarium

It’s been teased so many times (and tooted prematurely by this publication as a result – sorry!) that we were starting to believe it would never happen, but Wonderland-themed restaurant The Rosarium has finally opened in Waterloo, ahead of Les Enfants Terribles’ hit immersive show Alice’s Adventures Underground returning to a nearby bespoke venue this autumn. It’s a relatively fancy affair, offering a Wonderland twist on the quintessential English garden. The menu comes from executive chef Harvey Ayliffe, whose CV boasts stints at grand institutions including Bentley's in Piccadilly and The Ivy West End. A peek at the menu promises Woodland mushroom soup with truffled straws, and a ‘Queen of Hearts’ jam tart – be sure to gobble it down before the queen comes looking.

jazu liStening Bar finDS a new home

It’s been a rollercoaster of a year for listening bar Jazu, which has found a new home in the revamped Market Place Peckham after taking down the disco ball at its Camberwell pop-up late last year. It’s back, it’s ready to party and it’s inviting you to drop in for cocktails, vinyl and the occasional special event (like the recent margarita masterclass). Take your partner, your best mate or even just your pooch, and soak up some funk. Jazu, Market Peckham, 133a Rye Lane, London SE15 4BQ. Tuesday - Thursday, 8am - 11pm; Friday 8am - 12am; Saturday 9am - 12am; Sunday 9am - 6pm; Monday 9am - 6pm. www.instagram.com/jazu.bar/?hl=en

happy BirthDay peCkham peliCan!

SE15 bar, café and arts venue Peckham Pelican turns 10 this August, so drop in to show it some love, yeah? As well as a chance to try its devilishly good nachos, bagels and its very own pilsner, time your visit right and you can catch its latest popup exhibition or a night of storytelling.

The Peckham Pelican, 92 Peckham Road, London SE15 5PY. Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 11pm; Sunday 12pm - 6pm.

Admission: FREE.

www.thepeckhampelican.co.uk/

look who’S arriveD at Brixton village…

Change is afoot at Brixton Village, where five new traders are moving in. And we reckon you can tick them off in a single visit if you plan your day right. So, kick things off with a trip to Irene Bakery (currently a Camberwell favourite) for a stellar pastry, a proper coffee and a loaf of sourdough for later. Next, have a browse at ethically-focussed skincare brand Shimirose, which proudly uses shea butter sourced from a women's cooperative in Northern Ghana. Ready for your first beverage of the day? Pootle over to craft brewery and taproom Friendship Adventure, the mothership of which can be found at nearby Loughborough Junction. Peckish again? We hear you! It’s time for some seriously impressive (and filling!) Nepalese food from Dalston favourite House of MoMo, which is finally offering south Londoners the chance to try its handmade momos, thalis and noodles. Got time for a final glass? Head to Jim and Tonic which, you’ve guessed it, is a craft gin brand-cum-bar run by a guy called Jim. Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PS. Open daily, 6am - 12am. Admission: FREE. www.brixtonvillage.com/

The Rosarium, Waterloo Station, London SE1 8SW. Opens May 2023. www.thisislabyrinth.com/rosarium/

Devised by SALLY COOKSON and ADAM PECK

review: ploussard: a french bistro in Battersea rise

By Holly O'Mahony

What’s the natural progression for a pair of hospitality pros after setting up a trendy fried chicken shop? Probably not opening an elegant French bistro. And yet, this is exactly what Matt Harris (once head chef at Lamberts in Balham) and Tommy Kempton have done. With their ‘dirty done proper’ burger and wings bar Other Side Fried thriving in Brixton, the duo have turned their attention to the mountainous Jura region of eastern France, opening a French small-plate restaurant, Ploussard, in Battersea Rise.

We visited on a Wednesday evening in the restaurant’s opening month, and found it wearing the warmth and bustle of a long-loved neighbourhood favourite. Almost every seat of the 34-cover site was taken by 7:30pm. By the door, a pair of musicians, propped up on stools, were playing the sorts of upbeat covers you might hear in a French jazz cafe. It’s a long, slim space, with an aisle sandwiched between booths and tables for two. Opposite the entrance, an open

kitchen operates as the restaurant’s altar. Its sermons? The soft sizzle of pans and the gentle clatter of crockery. Pink interiors lend Ploussard a feminine edge, and according to my pal – an interior designer in training –the furnishings are a nod to mid-century design.

I’ll admit, I initially regretted my choice of dinner companion as I better acquainted myself with the evening’s menu. She’s a vegetarian with a mild nut allergy, and I found myself silently bemoaning her dietary requirements as I scrolled through the dishes that either appeared to be meat-led or dusted with nuts.

Compromises were made, however I would have sooner seen her leave a little bit hungry than miss out on trying the star of the show: a lamb and anchovy crumpet speckled with chives. Arriving as a perfect round on Ploussard-branded greaseproof paper, it should have been too rich, or too salty, but it wasn’t. It was playful and inspired, and it turns out one lamb and anchovy-muddled crumpet per diner is exactly the right ratio. So, as they say (or don’t), share and be square. 

 ©Anton Rodriguez

Our waiter, the restaurant’s manager (more on him later), listed the house bread and butter among the menu’s highlights, setting some high expectations for what is typically a filler. He was right, though: the deliciously oiled sourdough focaccia came laced with sage and it took some medal-worthy restraint to stop us ordering second helpings.

What else? The barbecued cucumber was a sly winner. Cut lengthways, the hunks arrived looking like sleeping soldiers, soaked in something tangy and arranged on a pond of tahini. A plate of salty, smoky asparagus, balancing an egg yolk that begged to be popped, was another veggie highlight. There was a hearty, garlicky duck and espelette (pepper) sausage on a rustic bed of beans – perhaps the most traditionally French item on the menu – but better was a dish of pollock nestled in a crab bisque, around which swam orange girolles mushrooms, even meatier than the fish.

With the restaurant taking its name from a variety of French red grape, it’s unsurprising that wine is a focus here. Low-intervention varieties are the priority, and bottles are showcased on a shelf that runs the length of the dining room. After cheers-ing our dinner with a crisp, savoury glass of cava, I ended up double parked, keen to sip not gulp my meadow and sorrel martini (which tasted more of rosemary and came with a herb-infused dollop of oil in the middle), but reluctant to miss out on a glass of Chenin B (their term!), which had a welcome depth to it, with the meal.

In fact, so excited was I to be in the midst of what appeared to be a foodie renaissance for this previously uninspired corner of Clapham Junction, that I didn’t even notice my pal avoiding our dessert of chocolate mousse sliced through by salted caramel ice cream, flecked with burnt chocolate brownie and hazelnut. ‘All

the more for me!’ I thought, greedily, until the waitermanager Lukas – who was so on the ball, and whose infectious energy and enthusiasm was a highlight of the whole experience – swooped in and spotted the nuts. Apologising profusely to the pal whose allergy I’d all but forgotten, he brought her a separate portion and I continued with mine, a little guiltily. She didn’t leave hungry, by the way, and neither will you. Regardless of what dietary requirements you present with on arrival. Ploussard is as much about hospitality as it is good. What a welcome addition to this pocket of south-west London.

Ploussard, 97 St John's Road, London SW11 1QY. Tuesday 5pm - 10pm, Wednesday 12pm - 10pm, Thursday 12pm - 10:30pm, Friday & Saturday, 12pm - 11pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm. www.ploussardlondon.co.uk/

The damage (foR 2)

House bread and butter = £4.50

BBQ cucumber, almonds, salt & lemon = £11

Lamb and anchovy crumpet = £13

Asparagus, egg yolk & pecan = £11

Duck and espelette sausage, white beans and radish = £14

Pollock, girolles, borlotti beans and crab bisque = £26

Chocolate mousse, salted caramel ice cream and hazelnut = £9

Strawberry, burnt butter cake and cream = £9

Meadow and sorrel martini = £13

NV Cava Brut Nature x 2 = £18

Les Petits Cléments SauvignonMauzac = £8

Les Grandes Hermines Chenin Blanc = £9.50

TOTAL: £146

Food & Drink: ««««

Ambience: ««««

Value: ««««

Disabled access: YES

Disabled toilet: YES

Booking: YES

©Anton Rodriguez

LIFE & SOUL AT ELEPHANT AND CASTLE

Rewarding deals under £10 Happy hours

Deals from under £10

Bottomless brunches

LOCALLY SOURCED

Dracaena Fragrans

£175

Pot size: 31cm

Plant height: 150cm approx

Head to Frogley Road in East Dulwich for some plant sourcing and you might notice a big gap where Forest plant shop used to be. Don’t panic! It hasn’t closed down, it’s moved out of its 10-year home to a new site a three-minute walk away on North Cross Road, where it’s become a neighbour to its sister store The Fresh Flower Company.

To celebrate the move, we’re throwing our locally sourced spotlight onto one of Forest’s showstopper plants: Dracaena Fragrans. It’s surprisingly easy to care for and relatively low maintenance for a houseplant that will instantly make a room look classy and exotic. Its preference is for bright, indirect light, but it can tolerate shade. A little humidity could go a long way too.

www.freshflower.co.uk

Streatham salon revolutionising sustainability in the hair industry

Instreatham Business Improvement District (BID) is proud of the independent businesses in Streatham that are considering the environmental impact they have on their community. Here, BID Operations Lead, Angus Goldsmith talks to Zac Challenger about his motivation for making Streatham more sustainable.

What’s the Green Salon Collective (GSC) all about?

GSC is a recycling company that allows us to dispose of our waste with a zero-carbon footprint. They safely recycle and reuse all our waste from everyday use in the salon, turning it into usable products. One of their major projects involves turning hair into ‘hair booms’ which cleans waterways and absorbs oil spills in the ocean.

How did the decision that you wanted to be part of it come about?

We were looking at more environmentally sustainable ways to be able to do business and we came across the GSC – we found that it really fitted our personal ethos and business model. We’re making the transition to carbon neutrality in the salon at the moment, becoming more aware that we need zero-carbon products in general.

How does it affect how you conduct your business?

It doesn’t! It was really easy to set up. We now have bins for hair foils and colour tubes, towels and all the general products we use. It doesn’t create any extra work for us, other than packaging the waste and contacting the company for collection.

It sounds like a great scheme – how is it funded?

When we provide a service to a client, they can opt in for a ‘Green fee’. This is a small contribution that covers the collection costs. We don’t make a profit from this, and any funds left over go into projects that support Streatham and the local area, any green spaces in the area that need regenerating ; the reception from our clients has been fantastic!

So, do you do anything else in the salon to contribute to your zero-carbon goal?

Yes. We’re using a new range of products called So-Pure from KEUNE. They’re cruelty-free, recyclable, vegan, zero-carbon and, of course, amazing quality! We also give people the option to refill their hair-care product containers for a lesser charge than if they were to buy the products directly from shops. We’ve recently commissioned a large ‘Snakes and Ladders’ game set from local environmental sustainability specialist, Paula Owen from Green Gumption. This game educates individuals on environmentally beneficial actions (ladders) and common unsustainable practices (snakes) of personal water and energy consumption. We have donated it to InStreatham and look forward to seeing people have fun with it at Streatham’s future events!

Zac & Co are based on in The High Parade, five minutes down from Streatham Hill station, offering boutique hairdressing, massages and an extensive menu of beauty treatments. Zacandco.co.uk

More information at instreatham.com or @instreatham

At InStreatham, we're thrilled to receive the 'Snakes and Ladders' game as it serves as a powerful tool to raise awareness in the community. One of our key areas of work is empowering businesses to embrace sustainable alternatives and we are pleased that Zac and Co have set a remarkable precedent for the hair salon industry. With a firm focus on community engagement, they are not only transforming their own business but also inspiring others to embrace a greener future.

Going the Extra Mile: InStreatham manager, Louise Abbotts receiving the ‘Snakes and Ladders' game donated by Zac Challenger (Zac & Co) and Paula Owen from Green Gumption.

In 2021, Brixton Business Improvement District (Brixton BID) forged a partnership with its equivalent organisation in the New York City neighbourhood of Harlem.

It was a first-of-its-kind ‘twinning’, recognising the similarities between two communities that live seas apart, but share similar values, a racial makeup representing various parts of the African diaspora, and a hunger for more equality. In 2022, Brixton Bid threw a festival celebrating this new partnership, and now the Brixton X Harlem festival is being revived for 2023, running from August 16 - 20.

The South Londoner spoke to Jessica Dyer, Culture Manager at Brixton Bid, to find out more about the 2023 lineup…

Holly O’Mahony: How did the twinning between Brixton and Harlem first come about?

Jessical Dyer: The two BIDs were forged out of almost identical principles and values such as equality, togetherness and social justice. Their mission reflects this: to improve the quality of life for residents of their respective communities by improving the economic health and well-being of the business community, and by creating programs that reflect the vibrancy and history of the people and the neighbourhood.

HOM: This is the second Brixton X Harlem Festival. What made you decide to raise awareness about this partnership through a festival?

JD: The first festival, in 2022, was made possible by funding awarded to Brixton BID from Lambeth Council, which allowed us to bring the twinning to life through a five-day festival across Brixton. The festival celebrated and amplified the twinning, building on the shared projects already underway between the two BIDs. The festival programme explored the deep cultural and historical similarities between the two communities, and introduced this historic twinning to our community here in Brixton.

HOM: Does an equivalent festival run in Harlem then?

JD: There is not currently a festival in Harlem, but representatives from Harlem were able to join us at last year's festival including Barbara Askins, President and CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District in Upper Manhattan (Harlem).

HOM: What would you say is the main unifying trait shared between Brixton and Harlem?

JD: New York City’s Harlem and London’s Brixton share a similar history, plus both are epicentres for social justice, and in recent years, both have experienced a rapid socio-economic transformation. From the historic movement of people, which has created two diverse communities, to the music influences of jazz and hiphop, to the energy of the streets – with dominoes being played on the pavement both sides of the pond – the two places are bonded by the soul.

HOM: Tell us about some of the events running

‘a bond acRoSS The pond’: Brixton x harlem gears up for 2023 festival

―

By Holly O'Mahony

as part of the 2023 festival. What can visitors look forward to?

JD: Our programme is co-created with local businesses and runs around five key themes: Arts & Culture, Business & Industry, Heritage, Food & Drink and Music. We are working with the Handson Family's Cyndi Anafo again to curate the music programme, which this year includes a screening of The View from The other Side: J Dilla A European Remembrance Screening at Brixton House Theatre. Elsewhere, you’ll find: Sundown Boogie at Ton of Brix; Theo Mizú & Banda at Hootananny; Mr Bread vs E Double D – A Block Party DJ Set at Brixton Courtyard; a night with Brixton Street Wear at the Brixton Brewery Taproom; photography exhibitions; markets and more!

HOM: So plenty happening then! Beyond the music, is there a highlight event or speaker to look out for in the 2023 line-up?

JD: We will once again be hosting The Brixton X Harlem Bridge back at the Black Cultural Archives Courtyard on Saturday August 19, from 12pm – 7pm. The Bridge is a one-day festival of hip-hop culture taking over unused public spaces and creating unity. The Bridge is a family event that culminates in London’s friendliest social dance party. So expect a community day featuring DJS, MCs, dancers and more.

HOM: What are your hopes for the partnership between the two neighbourhoods going forward?

JD: As we continue to build on our twinning, we are looking to grow relationships, work on business-tobusiness networking across the pond and continue to learn from each other. The festival has been a fantastic success and an exciting way to celebrate the twinning, while bringing our common threads to life across Brixton. We know that there will be many more ways to collaborate with Harlem's 125th Street in the future –watch this space!

Brixton X Harlem is running at venues across Brixton. August 16 - 20, times vary depending on event. Admission: FREE. For more information, visit www.brixtonxharlem.com/ or www.instagram. com/brixtonbid/?hl=en

Photographs ©Jacob Hill

THE BRIXTON X HARLEM FESTIVAL IS BACK!

Wednesday 16 - Sunday 20 August

ow jn Bank’s

JN Bank UK, a digital bank with a Brixton branch that’s part of the Jamaica National group, operates on a mission to ‘enrich lives and build communities’. If this sounds worthy coming from a financial corporation, then take a moment to think about the context in which the JN Group was founded.

Formed around 150 years ago, Jamaica National was originally a coming together of the island nation’s early building societies, the first of which was born in the vestry of a church shortly after the emancipation of slavery.

“People were free, but they didn’t have any assets, or savings, or any source of income,” explains Paulette Simpson CBE, Deputy CEO of JN Bank and an executive for the JN Group in charge of corporate affairs. Those early building societies – one in each of Jamaica’s 14 parishes – were an opportunity for communities to save money collectively to achieve financial independence, in order to eventually buy homes.

The subsequent amalgamation of these building societies under the Jamaica National umbrella saw the company grow and spawn new offshoots in the UK, USA, Canada and The Cayman Islands, under the JN Group, which today is one of the country’s leading financial conglomerates.

While JN Bank UK, Britain’s first Caribbean owned digital bank, only launched in 2019, many Brixton locals will have already been familiar with the branding: the company’s remittance arm, JN Money, has been running on Brixton Road for around 34 years, it was set up to help the Windrush Generation manage their finances between the UK and Jamaica. The service allows its customers to quickly and safely transfer the funds needed to support relatives and friends;

build homes; pay bills including school fees; or transfer their British pensions back to Jamaica if they were choosing to retire there.

“Banks here don’t always understand the needs of people of Caribbean roots,” Paulette stresses. This has become increasingly apparent in the last 20 years, with British banks severing their business relationships with certain countries, over fears of money laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing. In addition, island nations in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, have been unfairly caught up in this, and it’s become increasingly difficult for British citizens with Caribbean roots to move their money between the countries as a result.

Knowing something must be done to help their customers, JN Group stated the case for a UKbased JN Bank, and its application was granted by the Bank of England in 2019.

It should have been a moment of celebration for the many people who would now be able to deal with their finances with an institution that understood their needs, and a way of acquiring new customers for JN Group. An official launch event was due to raise awareness about the new bank in April 2020, but then the Covid-19 pandemic happened, and all events were postponed. JN Bank UK eventually had a soft launch later that year, but having opened without much hubbub, there’s a high chance many wouldbe customers still aren’t aware of it.

While many people who use JN Bank UK have some links to Jamaicas – from heritage ties or a desire to buy property there it’s not exclusive to Jamaican or Jamaican-British customers. Anyone can use the bank.

A big pull in south London is the physical branch it operates on Brixton Road. JN Bank

UK is a digital bank, primarily, but it operates a solo branch, in part to offer peace of mind and ease for customers, who prefer to do their banking in person. “Older people and people in vulnerable situations may not be comfortable doing their transactions online and so we have a team to assist them,” Paulette reasons.

But while the bank helps people with their finances by day, by night it operates as a community hub, running a programme of free events and engagement activities.

“Although we’re digital, we wanted to make sure we maintain our very deep contacts we’ve built with the community over 34 years,” says Paulette. “We’re only three years old but we’re breaking through and letting people know we’re there in the community for them.”

Events so far have included workshops to empower and inspire young people coming from vulnerable situations; a monthly support group for men living with prostate cancer; a quarterly charity programme where customers can nominate a charity to support; a wine tasting

evening; book launches and a motivational talk from Baroness Floella Benjamin. They also hosted The First Lady of Sierra Leone who is an advocate for women facing domestic abuse.

It’s not stopping there, either. While JN Bank UK began to by supporting personal banking through savings and loans,, we recognise that there are a number of hungry young creatives and entrepreneurs looking for a boost to get their business or projects going., One of it’s plan is therefore to move into business lending : offering loans to support small to medium businesses. “Larger banks have ignored that section of the community for some time and over time we intend to fill that gap,” Paulette comments

The tides, it seems, are changing for personal finance banking, and JN Bank is steering its boat into the future.

JN Bank, 410 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AW. Monday - Friday, 10am - 3pm. www.portaljnbank.co.uk/

h

Brixton branch became a hub for the whole community

longstanding local opticians opens in bigger and better store

SPECSAVERS IN Peckham has opened its new doors after relocating to a brand-new store.

Specsavers Peckham has moved a stone’s throw away from their original site at The Aylesham Centre to the old HSBC in Rye Lane.

Equipment at the new store boasts the latest technology available for spotting eye problems early and preventing the deterioration of sight. The store includes an Optical Coherence Technology (OCT) machine, usually found in hospital eye departments, which produces a highly detailed structural scan of the eye.

The store employs 20 team members, including store manager Sadiq Kabiri, optical director Pratik Patel and retail director Shirin Askari - who have 60 years’ experience between them.

Sadiq Kabira says: ‘We can’t wait to welcome customers to our bigger and better store. It’s a great location, and we’re excited to continue caring for our loyal customers, as well as welcoming new ones.

‘We’re thrilled to be investing in the community and helping future generations maintain their good eye health.

‘We will be there for all eye care and audiology needs, playing our part in relieving some of the strain on our partners in the NHS.’

The new store has six clinical eye test rooms, covering NHS, private, minor eye conditions and contact lens appointments.

There is also an audiology clinical room, providing a service for NHS and private hearing aids customers.

Located at 47 Rye Lane, London SE15 5ET, Specsavers Peckham is open from 9.00am until 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am until 5.00pm Saturday, and 10.00am until 5.00pm on Sunday.

For more information or to book an appointment visit: www.specsavers.co.uk/ stores/peckham or call 020 3993 3673.

BALLET AT CENTRAL

josh Castola, owner of new bike shop l'atelier Du vélo, on getting the wheels of east Dulwich turning

―

By Holly O'Mahony

It was a long standing love of cycling that propelled (or peddled, really) Josh Castola into opening East Dulwich’s new bike shop, L'Atelier Du Vélo.

A cycling enthusiast for as long as he can remember, Josh had spent the last decade working in all areas of the industry: fixing bikes in workshops, manufacturing them, managing shop floors and holding several roles in professional racing. He’d worked in independent shops as well as the big chains like Condor before turning his attention to opening up a bike shop of his own on Lordship Lane.

For Josh, running his own shop was an opportunity to pump more passion into bike repairs, and also stronger ethics than he’d witnessed elsewhere in the industry. In his own words, it’s about “making sure we’re more environmentally focused, community focused and welcoming to our neighbours, and providing a really high quality of work rather than sending bikes out in not as good condition as they could be,” he explains, when we speak one month into the shop’s opening.

How’s he finding it so far? “It’s been a big learning

curve!,” he laughs. “I’ve managed businesses before, but there’s a huge amount I've learned in terms of leases to the property and communicating with the local council.”

Settling in has been relatively smooth, though. “In terms of spreading the word, I’ve never been strong at promotional stuff, so I’m hugely grateful to the community of East Dulwich for helping spread the word for me.”

While the business’s name is a nod to France –the epicentre of cycling culture and home to the sport’s most famous race, the Tour de France – its focus is on serving the East Dulwich community, which Josh describes as “very active”.

L'Atelier Du Vélo’s opening in SE22 is no coincidence. “There’s a lot of cycling heritage around here: whether it’s the [Herne Hill] Velodrome or the long-standing cycling clubs, there’s a history of old races.”

But it’s not really the racing cyclists Josh is keen to focus on. “We want to provide a service to the commuters and the people who have a bike in 

the shed they want to bring back to life,” he insists. “With the Covid lockdowns, there was a huge uptake [in cycling] for obvious reasons. We’ve had people coming in and saying they haven’t ridden a bike since they were a kid but they want to get back into it as it seems to be the better way to get around.”

So, how does he plan to engage with south London’s less serious cyclists? “We’re running classes in the evenings just to teach people how to repair bikes.” Far from worrying that teaching cyclists his skillset will mean they no longer need his services, Josh is an advocate for everyone being comfortable tinkering with their bike. “The reality is tools are so expensive people aren’t going to invest in them. We’ll

teach as much or as little as people want to learn. It’s more about empowering people and making them comfortable using their bikes,” he reasons. “If they have an incident on the road, having a knowledge of how stuff works will maybe help them know what to do instead of having to call a taxi or jump on a train.”

He’ll be running guided cycles too. “We’d like to organise group bike rides to show nice routes out of London to Surrey and Kent,” he says. “The idea is not to be taking super keen, fast cyclists out, but to show people who are relatively new to cycling how to cycle safely as a group.”

The plan is also to make the shop something of a community hub. “We’re trying to make the shop very welcoming, so we offer free coffee and then beers on the weekend. We’ve always got the live sport on TV, screening the big races like the Tour de France.”

Drop in with the kids, and there’s a corner with comics and colouring books to keep them busy

while you get your bike fixed. And there’s plans for a community garden coming soon. “We’re going to set up loads of planters so anyone who is keen to grow their own vegetables, we can allocate them a planter."

Unable to use the garden for business purposes, Josh will be offering plots on the allotment free of charge, so long as gardeners carry out their own maintenance.

“If we can help people make new connections, get to know each other and feel comfortable to just pop by, then great,” Josh says.

He and his colleague Matthew, whom he describes as integral to the business, are enjoying exploring the offering at their fellow local businesses. “We’re spoiled in this corner of East Dulwich, especially on Lordship Lane. It’s nice to see lots of independent shops like the DIY shops nearby…One business that’s been really kind to us is a cafe called Spinach that makes really tasty salads and coffees.”

What advice would he give to nervous cyclists, intimidated by the high-speed, lycra-wearing tribes tearing along the cycle lanes in central London?

“It’s all about baby steps when you’re new to cycling in the city. The key thing is planning out your route. Try and find quieter roads rather than main roads,” Josh advises. “Make sure you’re well prepared in terms of having the appropriate lights and the right helmet. Having the right clothing makes cycling so much more pleasant,” he adds, listing waterproof clothing and padded shorts as among the essentials for added comfort.

Finally, “make sure you’re as visible as possible: as uncool as High Vis clothing is, it pays dividends in terms of safety.”

L'Atelier Du Vélo, 205 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HB. Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm; Saturday 9am - 6pm; Sunday 10am - 5pm. www.latelier.cc/

“it's all about baby steps when you're new to cycling in the city. the key thing is planning out your route.

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a love letter to south london

―

As told to Holly O'Mahony

Running a neighbourhood bookshop has been the pipe dream for generations of literature students.

But after graduating and working in several bookstores, including a stint working as a director at Waterstones, Hazel Broadfoot managed to make the dream her reality. Here, the owner of Village Books shares her journey to acquiring the bookshop, what a typical week involves and her favourite local haunts.

Village Books has quite a history! How did you come to be in charge of it?

Village Books has been in business since 1925 when it opened as The Gallery Bookshop and lending library. I bought it in 1996. I’d been in bookselling since I graduated and was working as a director at Waterstones. I missed shop floor bookselling, and left with a friend and fellow director, intending to set up a small chain of bookshops. A friend tipped us off that this shop was for sale and introduced us to the then owner. We bought it and fell in love with it. Julian, my business partner, retired several years ago

What do you love most about running a bookshop in Dulwich?

I love that we’re a real part of the community: we know our customers, their kids, their dogs. We see the kids grow up; one of our early regulars is now a professor with kids of his own. I love finding the right book for a reader – something they love that they wouldn’t have found without us. And I love that every day is different. Also my shop is dog friendly! We keep a big tub of dog treats behind the till and have lots of canine visitors every day.

What does a typical week in south London involve for you?

It’s typically busy! My shop is open seven days a week so there’s always something to do. Bookselling is less cerebral than most people think. We spend a lot of time unpacking, repacking and delivering books. A recent week involved an evening event we hosted with Rev Richard Coles for his new novel, taking four different authors to meet 800 children in local schools, and supporting author events at the Velofete, which is a cycling festival at Herne Hill Velodrome. That’s all on top of the normal stuff of finding and recommending books for our regular customers.

What are your favourite south London eateries?

In Dulwich I like the deli and cafe Romeo Jones for lunch or coffee with friends. And any number of places in Borough Market – a trip there on a Friday is a real treat.

Where do you shop for clothes and homeware in south London?

I’m a huge fan of The Dulwich Trader in West Dulwich. They stock great clothes and shoes from interesting and less well known labels. Their selection of homeware is really stylish and usually great value for money. They’re my go-to for gift shopping.

And your favourite south London landmark?

I love Dulwich College. Its frontage is glorious and with its surrounding of playing fields and trees, I always think it looks like something out of Brideshead Revisited. I love how it looks in different seasons, especially on the rare occasion we get snow in winter.

Have any fellow local businesses been a help or inspiration to your vision for Village Books?

My vision for the bookshop is very simple: good stock, good staff, good service. I learned that from Tim Waterstone [founder of the Waterstones chain]. But there is a group of businesses in Dulwich Village that work together to benefit the whole community.

Along with Southwark Council and the Dulwich Festival, we organise traditional Christmas trees for the village. Pre-pandemic we ran a family Christmas fun day and we’re hoping to reinstate that this year

What’s the one place, thing or activity south of the river that everyone should try at least once?

Oh, that’s hard, there are so many! For a family with kids it’s got to be a visit to the Horniman Museum with a picnic in the grounds. I also love the Dulwich Picture Gallery. It’s a beautiful building and its main collection is terrific, and on a very accessible scale. The grounds are a gorgeous space for a picnic with lots of unusual and interesting trees. And of course, I love to walk in Dulwich Park – the neighbourhood is known as ‘leafy Dulwich’ for a reason!

Village Books, 1D Calton Avenue, London SE21 7DE. Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5:30pm; Sunday 11am - 5pm. www.village-books.co.uk/

Battersea Park in Concert brings three nights of music to SW11 and each event is a little bit different. Kicking off on Saturday August 26, audiences are being treated to ‘A Night at the Musicals’, with leading West End stars singing famous show tunes, supported by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. On Sunday 27, it’s over to the Proms, which leaves its home at the Royal Albert Hall to bring a special concert to Battersea Park. Finally, on Monday 28, 90s pop icon Gabrielle is headlining an evening of soul and jazz. Musical fans will be thoroughly spoiled on Saturday evening, when vocalists Abbie Osmon, Alex Gaumond, Bradley Jaden and Kelly Mathieson perform hits from musicals old and new. Audiences will be transported back to the golden era with renditions of tracks from West Side Story and Oklahoma!. Then, have your leather jacket or some sunglasses ready to sing along to favourites from Grease and We Will Rock You. If leading numbers from Phantom of the Opera and Cats leave you feeling wistful, don’t worry, some ABBA

Bank holiday bonanza in Battersea park

through the lens of Mamma Mia! will soon perk your spirits.

Is classical music more your thing? Book for the following night, when the 60-piece Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Pete Harrison, are performing timeless, spiritrousing pieces by the likes of Elgar, Vivaldi, Brahms, Holst and more, with the concert culminating in a finale of fireworks.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since her breakthrough hit ‘Dreams’ put Gabrielle on the music map, but she’s coming to Battersea Park to remind us that they ‘really do come true’ on Monday 28. She’ll no doubt be performing her other chart-toppers too, including ‘Out of Reach’ and ‘Sunshine’, as well as newer material from her 2021 album Do It Again. Supporting Gabrielle is reggae, jazz and soul singer YolanDa Brown, and jazz collective The Ronnie Scott’s all stars.

The concert series is the first to run in the park in over a decade and it’s open to visitors of all ages, with children under four going free. Unlike many

London festivals, which have strict rules prohibiting bringing in food and drink, audience members are invited to bring a picnic including glass bottles, but there will also be plenty of food and drink available on site, including hampers from the The Luxury Picnic Co, if you’d rather outsource your spread to the professionals.

Want to secure a tip-top view? Opt for a ‘Golden

Circle Seat’ ticket when booking, and you’ll find yourself sat in the heart of the action.

Battersea Park in Concert is being held in Battersea Park, Battersea Park Road, London SW11 4NJ. August 26 - 28, 4:30pm - 10:15pm.

Admission: £43.10/concessions available.

www.batterseaparkinconcert.com/ 

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Bowled over at waterloo

There’s been a renewed interest in the French sport boules, at least in London. Traditionally played in quaint town squares, this side of the Channel the game has been given a boozy rebrand and added to a list of activities (see also darts, shuffleboard and axe throwing) found in what you could call ‘adult playgrounds’ to liven up some day drinking. After all, it’s a refreshing alternative to spending the afternoon in a pub, right?

Now, a three-month pop-up at Waterloo, Jack and Boule, is putting boules centre stage. Teams of 2-6 players can book one of eight boules courts for a 55-minute game, while enjoying food and drink around their play. If it takes off, there’s the potential for the venue to become permanent.

So how do you play? You start by throwing a small wooden target ball called the jack as far down the gravelly court as you can. Then players take turns to throw metal balls called boules towards the jack, aiming to get as close to it as possible.

As with many adult playgrounds, the food and drink is as much a part of a session at Jack and Boule as the game itself. Tuck into hand-pressed burgers from Nanny Bills with a side of croquettes, or some Mexican fodder from Rico Burrito, and wash down your dish of choice with a cocktail (they serve all the classics), a glass of wine or a craft beer.

As they (should) say: let the good times bowl.

Jack and Boule, 101 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP. Open daily, 11am - 11pm.

Admission: £25+. www.jackandboule.com/