The Bermondsey Biscuit & Rotherhithe Docker - May 2025
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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.
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Editor Kevin Quinn
Writers Evie Flynn, Michael Holland, Debra Gosling
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Marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd
Media Partnerships Anthony Phillips
Finance Emrah Zeki
Managing Directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn
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5-10 WHAT’S ON Cricket in the park; vertical food farms; Okinawa Day in the Blue; sober raves and chess... so much on in SE1 and SE16 this summer
14-22 FOOD & DRINK Singing with your supper at Borough’s beloved Italian, Guiseppe’s; Henri’s bring French flair to Bermondsey Square; Four Quarters arcade bar expands to London Bridge; Poon’s award-winning Chinese food at Spa Terminus; and refurbishing the historic Hand & Marigold pub
26 WELLNESS Champion long jumper Matt Burton on his new Nuforma pilates studio at Surrey Quays
28 COMMUNITY London Philharmonic Orchestra members giving local concerts for a fiver, and the women’s football team that doesn’t keep score.
35-37 MEMORY LANE From the Old Kent Road to Korea,Vic Grimwood tells Michael Holland about 90 years of memories.
38 HISTORY Debra Gosling tells about life in Bermondsey after the VE Day celebrations were all over...
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Events in SE1 and SE16 this summer
SOBER RAVES
Ministry of Sound has launched a series of sober day parties catering to the ‘modern raver’.
These alcohol-free parties are set to run regularly until November over three dancefloors.
Headed up by the electronic DJ and singer DRIIA, herself a professed sober raver, she said:
“You can still love underground genres like UKG, DnB, Dubstep, Jungle, and be sober/sober-curious.
“Dancing isn’t something that should be mutually exclusive with drinking. To offer a space where music and community takes priority is important in this ever-growing sober-curious society we live in.”
You will be able to enjoy an exclusive mocktail menu created for the event, with a range of alcoholfree tipples including CBD and mushroom drinks, and Lucky Saint beer. There is also a wellness area, yoga cacao and chai social.
Tickets from £27.80
Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, SE1 For dates and tickets go to www.eventbrite.co.uk
CHESS CLUB
A little-known chess club in Rotherhithe is garnering huge attention.
Canada Water Chess Club is free to join and takes place in Canada Water Library, with no membership fee, and it’s open to everyone from beginners to grandmasters.
The club recently got a call out from one of their heroes Susan Polgar. She is a Hungarian American chess grandmaster, who became the top-ranked female chess player in the world aged just fifteen. Graham Taylor, who is now retired, founded the Canada Water Chess Club back in 2008 from a tenants’ hall on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey, and he still runs it now.
If you would like to attend, the club hold sessions from 2pm-4:30pm every Saturday in Room 6 of the Canada Water Library - just turn up. What have you got to lose... apart from a game?
CRICKET IN THE PARK
For the first time in decades, Southwark Park will host competitive league cricket matches.
The Southwark Park Cricket Club (SPCC) has welcomed the Surrey Cricket League to its refurbished Oval pitch, both the male and female teams. SPCC is a community club providing coaching and friendly league cricket for men, women and children.
Every Saturday, the Southwark Park CC First XI or Second XI will play a Surrey Cricket League match in the park.
On Sundays, juniors (U10 and U11) will have a chance to play in the Surrey Junior Cricket Championship. ECB qualified coaches provide a weekly coaching for juniors on Thursday afternoons. The programme is sponsored by British Land, so there is no cost and all kit is provided.
Plus the popular All Stars and Dynamo summer kids training will run weekly every Saturday, from May 31st - July 26th. It costs £50 per child for nine weeks of training and merchandise.
If you or your child are interested contact southwarkparckcc@gmail.com
FRINGE IN SE16
Peckham Fringe has expanded into the Canada Water Theatre for the first time.
The festival runs until June 6 and has a line-up that boasts an array of exciting and innovative shows ranging from theatre to comedy, dance and spoken word.
PRIDE AT THE PLAYHOUSE
Who is Claude Cahun? is a poignant new play coming to Southwark Playhouse Borough this Pride month.
This powerful production will bring to life the extraordinary true story of trailblazing Jewish lesbian artist Claude Cahun, who defied the Nazi regime through acts of artistic resistance on the occupied island of Jersey during the Second World War.
Born Lucy Schwob into a French Jewish family, Cahun, along with lifelong partner Marcel Moore, escaped the confines of a male-dominated surrealist art scene in Paris and relocated to Jersey. When the Nazis occupied the Channel Islands in 1940, the couple launched a bold guerrilla campaign of
subversive art to resist fascism – all the while evading the Gestapo.
This evocative production will feature immersive projection mapping, moving images, surreal masks and incredible physical theatre.
Dates: June 18 – July 12, 7.30pm (post show talk on Monday June 23)
Tickets: £24 / £19 concessions
Southwark Playhouse Borough (The Little), 77-85 Newington Causeway, SE1 southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
This year there will be performances at Canada Water theatre for the first time, an expansion from the festival’s regular spaces in Theatre Peckham’s Main Theatre and Studio 1.
Peckham Fringe was started to help break down barriers faced by creatives in showcasing their work. Two shows at Canada Water Theatre to look out for as the fringe season ends are Hatch & Scratch (June 1, 7.30pm) showcasing new writing, plus This Is Too Small (June 6-7, 7.30pm), a modern-day tail of Romeo.
Tickets at the fringe range from £5 to £15. The full Peckham programme can be found on the Theatre Peckham website at www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/peckham-fringe2025-shows-events/
HIDDEN GARDENS
Six ‘hidden’ local gardens are opening their gates this summer to the public for a programme of walks and guided tours.
The annual London Open Gardens event offers you the chance to explore 100 little-known green spaces across the capital that are hidden or normally closed. Among them is a tiny hidden garden in Bankside, nestled between the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern, which is thought to once have inspired William Shakespeare himself. Barely visible from the street, it can only be accessed via Cardinal Cap Alley - which happens to be the narrowest street in London. Inside there is a pond and fountain dating from the 1930s, while the rest of the garden has a romantic, classical feel, with vines entwining stone columns and quaint sculptures peeking out from the vibrant foliage.
Date: June 7 to 8
Tickets: £24 for adults while under-12s go free londongardenstrust.org/whatson/london-opengardens-2025
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.
Summer Specials menu now available!
HAKATA Happy Hour! 5:00pm – 7:00pm // Monday – Friday
Hakata Ramen+Bar, 177 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW // No reservations // Open 7-days // hakata.co.uk
Summer Time at the Southbank Centre
Until Sunday 31 August
Dive in for art, performance, music, free events and outdoor fun, and find a warm welcome at the Southbank Centre this summer
The Southbank Centre is the largest arts centre in the UK and one of the nation’s top five visitor attractions, showcasing world-class artists, right in the heart of Lambeth. Join us this summer with plenty of outdoor fun and free events for all ages across our 11-acre site on the River Thames. Come to splash in the fountain, relax in our Roof Garden, sample sizzling street food and soak up sun, shows and art. We’re just a short bus or train ride away!
Climb the famous yellow stairs or take the lift to the top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall and find our beloved Roof Garden; home to over 200 wild native plants, a luscious lawn, the Roof Garden Bar & Kitchen and spectacular views of the city.
There’s plenty to eat and drink across our bars, restaurants and cafes, including panoramic views from the new Seventy5th Balcony Bar. With a huge choice of global and local street food and drinks, the Southbank Centre Food Market (open Fridays to Sundays) is a must-visit. Plus, take your pick of our summer pop-ups: Chocofruit, Frank!, Jimmy’s BBQ Club, SNOG, Truffle Burger, The Thirsty Farrier and Bar Under the Bridge.
Discover exciting music, dance, art, literature and free events across our series and festivals this summer. The packed programme includes; Little Simz’ Meltdown (Thursday 12 – Sunday 22 June), with a stellar line-up of British and international artists taking to the stage;
Dive in UNTIL SUN 31 AUG
New Music Biennial (Friday 4 – Sunday 6 July) with some of the best new music being composed in the UK in a free festival; ESEA Encounters (Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 July), a showcase of incredible artistry from East and South East Asia and the diaspora; and Dance Your Way Home (Wednesday 23 July – Friday 29 August), a summer celebration of the dancefloor and all the ways that dance connects us.
At the Hayward Gallery, don’t miss the captivating, creative world of Yoshitomo Nara (Tuesday 10 June – Sunday 31 August) in the largest European retrospective of one of Japan’s most celebrated artists, featuring more than 150 works in drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and ceramics.
Explore free public art across the site, including the familyfavourite Appearing Rooms fountain by artist Jeppe Hein , or get your groove on and discover free dance events on the Riverside Terrace throughout the summer.
Visit www.southbankcentre. co.uk/summer to find out more about what’s on this summer at the Southbank Centre
Photo by Cesare De Giglio
Photo by Adam Luszniak
Photo by Mike Massaro
Photo by Johnny Ladd
Surrey Quays’ vertical farm
Corner Corner, located directly opposite Canada Water tube station, is home to a brand-new food hall, venue and even an indoor vertical farm.
The multi-use space is based in the former branch of The Range at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre and is the centrepiece at the heart of the Canada Water Masterplan.
The free-to-enter venue spans over 55,000ft and the Food Hall brings together four different food vendors: Cafe by Sireli, Masa Tacos, Chick N Sours and Jou Jou Bites.
The food offering is curated by KERB, who are the team behind Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden, and the live events are brought together by Broadwick, the same people behind famous London venues, such as Printworks and The Drumsheds.
However, the pièce de résistance is the vertical farm taking centre stage as you enter the food hall. Lit up by red and blue LED lights, the farm is London’s biggest
indoor vertical farm and provides fresh produce directly to the vendors inside the Food Hall.
Harvest London are the team behind the vertical farm and we spoke to Chris Davies, Founder and CEO, about what vertical farming is and how it fits into the Corner Corner development.
Chris explains that they “grow using hydroponics and LED lights so we can put our farms in our cities.”
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil and the red and blue LED lights are the best wavelengths absorbed by the plants.
Vertical farms are not only sustainable, but they are also time efficient. Chris explained that “the UK imports between 75 and 95 percent of all its fruit and vegetables.” Alternatively, Harvest London “localise that food production so we can go from harvest to delivery in four hours.”
Chris told us: “If you compare vertical farms with traditional agriculture, we can produce up to 350 times the amount of produce in the same amount of space and we can do that with 95 percent less water, 95 percent less fertiliser and 100 percent pesticide free.”
The salads and sandwiches you eat at one of the vendors inside Corner Corner use produce from the vertical farm and the garnishes in the cocktails are also grown in this unusual way.
He summed up Harvest London’s role in the partnership as “part of a wider project at Corner Corner, bringing together food, sustainability and operators such as KERB and Broadwick.”
In the wider event space, there will be a rich programme of live music and activities, with a particular emphasis on live jazz and a rotating series of DJs. Their opening season (until 6th July 2025) is free
for all to attend.
Simon Aldred, Group Strategy Director at Broadwick Group, said that they always “engage with local councils, businesses, and creatives… whether through job creation, supporting independent talent, or bringing footfall to the surrounding neighbourhood.
“Community input also helps shape our programming, making sure it resonates with the people who live and work in the area,” he added.
Broadwick are also spearheading an initiative to support emerging talent by giving newer artists the chance to perform before and after headline sets on Friday and Saturday nights.
Chris shared that Harvest London is in the process of organising group tours for local people to see the vertical farm in action, learn more about hydroponics, and maybe even taste some of the herbs and leafy greens!
Meanwhile, for video-game lovers, Corner Corner is currently home to ‘Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue’ immersive adventure and gift shop selling exclusive merchandise.
Corner Corner’s opening follows the recent announcement of the first two retail lettings within newly built spaces at Canada Water, Sushi Revolution and The Village Tree, which will open their doors later this year.
To learn more about the new venue, visit cornercorner.com
Corner Corner, Maritime Street, London, SE16 7LL.
Evie Flynn
Okinawa Day returns to the Blue
Okinawa Day will return for its fourth year at The Blue Market Square in Bermondsey with a full schedule of activities, celebrating the unique culture of the Japanese region.
The annual, family friendly event will introduce the audience to music, dances, and food from the culturally distinct archipelago of islands in Southern Japan, that formed part of the historic Ryukyu Kingdom.
The festivities on Saturday June 28 will kick off at 11am and run throughout the day until 5pm.
The Okinawa precinct is famous for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and being the birthplace of karate.
There will be a range of performances on stage throughout the day, including elegant Ryukyu
Bermondsey Street Festival needs your help
Evie Flynn
The beloved Bermondsey Street festival is set to return on 20th September 2025, but the organisers need the help of local people.
Local businesses and people have rallied around this cherished community event in the past. This year, the organisers are actively seeking the support of volunteers to help on the day and local businesses who are interested in sponsorship opportunities.
classical music and Okinawan folk songs, with guest performers from Tokyo, and the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Amami.
Visitors can get involved with a traditional Eisa dance workshop, as well as Ryukyu Karate demonstrations – the martial art that originated in Okinawa and is now practised all over the world.
Honoring the Blue’s historic use as a street market, there will also be a selection of Okinawan dishes to try, as well as food and craft stalls.
Saturday 28th June, 11:00-17:00
The Blue Market, Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 3UQ
Admission Free
Full schedule at: https://sanshinkai.uk/okinawa-day/
Bermondsey Street Festival began as a small local festival and has grown in size and scale over the years. It has become a cornerstone of local culture, bringing a mix of food vendors, artisan crafts, live music and community displays to the iconic Bermondsey Street.
Nestled amongst the small businesses and cafes on the street, the village fete closes the summer season and opens autumn with engaging activities, including a Maypole and even a Dog Show.
The festival was rescued last year by Gena Johns of London Glassblowing and Leanne Durham, who stepped in to organise the event after the original organiser, Bill Owen, took a step back.
Under the new organisers, the festival maintains the much-loved structure with the addition of new activities and a wider variety of stalls. They have promised an expanded event this year, with new attractions and even a dedicated family area.
However, to ensure the iconic event can continue
to thrive, local volunteers are needed to ensure the smooth running in the lead-up and on the day.
Gena Johns, festival organiser, has overseen the event’s revival alongside Leanne Durham. She said: “After the incredible community response that saved our festival last year, we’re thrilled to bring it back with even more to offer
“The public showed us just how much this celebration means to the neighbourhood, and we’ve worked tirelessly and taken on public feedback to ensure this year’s festival exceeds expectations.”
There will be an emphasis this year on ensuring the festival has a family-friendly feel, with additional activities and entertainment areas for visitors of all ages.
Gena said: ““Bermondsey Street Festival is an invaluable event for businesses, makers and entrepreneurs on the street and in the area to showcase their talents – not to mention the beautiful memories it creates simply strolling the stalls.”
Those interested in contributing their time or financial support are encouraged to contact the festival: hello@bermondseystreetfestival.com
Discover the world of Italian olive oil with an immersive tasting experience together with, Chef Moreno
A guided tasting of four exceptional EVOOs from artisan producers and stories of Italy’s diverse regions.
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Group bookings available for birthdays, weddings and business gatherings.
SEAFOOD + WINE
Businesses
in London Bridge are set to vote on a plan to make the area one of the world’s great places for business
IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM LONDON BRIDGE
LONDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY
ORGANISATIONS HAVE HELPED DEVISE A PROGRAMME OF PROJECTS, SERVICES AND AMBITIOUS IDEAS WITH TEAM LONDON BRIDGE, THE LOCAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID), TO IMPLEMENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND CREATE A SAFE, SUSTAINABLE AND ENGAGING PLACE THAT WILL SET A STANDARD FOR MODERN BUSINESS DISTRICTS.
The local business community has asked Team London Bridge to focus on six key areas of support, building on the £20m+ investment in London Bridge by the BID over nearly 20 years.
The A Great Place for Business plan 2026-31, launched on April 3, outlines key work in the fields of safety, healthy streets, sustainability, promotions, and social impact, as well as celebrating the area through arts and events. It concentrates on issues that are sometimes beyond the control of a single business, their landlord or local council. This is where BIDs excel and why there are now over 330 in the UK.
If the ballot is successful, Team London Bridge will be adopting a revolutionary health-led approach, making
sure that their projects consider the well-being of 60,000 workers and everyone coming into contact with the area. Putting people and planet first, other priorities identified for the next five years include making London Bridge the place to have the safest night out in the capital as well as reaching the target of net zero for the area by 2030.
Collaborating together to fund Team London Bridge, London Bridge businesses have achieved great things together since this BID was founded in 2006, scooping 32 awards in the process. Team London Bridge contracts two additional Police officers to dedicate their time solely in the BID area, provides extra cleaning along local streets, hosts over 100 events every year, has helped 200 business switch delivery to zero-emission cargo bikes, has invested around £1m in projects led-by community groups in north Southwark, and delivered 15 brand new gardens.
As a BID, this work is business run and business funded, with every penny being put back into projects that benefit the London Bridge area.
Between April 28 and June 5 2, eligible businesses in the London Bridge BID will vote in a ballot to back the A Great Place for Business proposal and continue this trajectory towards establishing the area as one of the world’s best places to work and visit.
A successful majority YES vote would see over £11m invested back into the area over five years.
London’s
“Business Improvement Districts like Team London Bridge are vital to supporting not only local businesses, but communities and visitors. This kind of inclusive and sustainable economic growth is just what we need to deliver on the recently published London Growth Plan. I hope businesses will get behind this new proposal as we all work together to build a fairer and more prosperous London for everyone. ”
Team London Bridge Chief Executive Nadia Broccardo said,
“We sit at the heart of a flourishing local ecosystem where everyone contributes, and everyone benefits. London Bridge is more than just a place to do business — it’s a thriving community where people, ideas, and innovation come together. Our vision is to make London Bridge one of the safest, most sustainable, and engaging destinations for business and tourism in the world. Through collaboration, creativity, and a relentless focus on people and the planet, we are shaping a London Bridge that works for all.”
Businesses within the London Bridge BID will receive their ballot papers by post just after April 28. The full proposal and details of the voting process are available at http://www.teamlondonbridge.co.uk/ballot
Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber, said:
Singing with your supper
Tucked away in a basement in an alleyway off Borough High Street Giuseppe’s should be seen as hidden gem, but for anyone who grew up in this area, the restaurant is just so well-known.
It has been a mainstay of the culinary landscape, before nearby Borough Market became a worldwide attraction and the resident live singer predates karaoke.
“It’s about the whole experience at Giuseppe’s, good food, good wine and good times” explains Lisa, the director at this traditional, family run Italian business.
Lisa’s father, Giuseppe Rossi, left his small village in Fallo, Abruzzo, aged fourteen to work in the Grand Hotel in Rome. His culinary career
took him all over Italy, Germany and Jersey before bringing his traditional Italian food to the heart of South Bank.
Situated a short distance from London Bridge station on Borough High Street, the main entrance along King’s Head Yard leads you down a flight of stairs into the intimate basement space.
Lisa described Giuseppe’s as “a cosy little restaurant with traditional Italian food and hospitality. It’s a family run place and we get lots of lovely comments about our staff. Dad is often here and goes around to check on everyone, which is different from the experience you might get at chains.”
Inside the basement, think low lighting, a live singer and authentic Italian atmosphere. Last orders are not until 10:45pm and they even have a disco on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with music from various eras and genres to keep everyone dancing until 4am.
The live singer, every Wednesday to Saturday, caters for requests and Giuseppe himself sometimes sings a traditional Roman song. If you’re feeling up for it, customers are also welcome to take the mic and perform a song of their own.
Everyone is welcome at Giuseppe’s and the team welcome all occasions, from birthday parties and anniversaries to corporate business meetings.
Recently, a couple who had their first date in Giuseppe’s came back to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
With its offering of authentic Italian pizza, pasta, tiramisu and wine, the restaurant hasn’t just caught the eye of the local customers. Giuseppe’s Ristorante has been accoladed by numerous awarding bodies.
Giuseppe’s Tripadvisor reviews ranked in the top ten per cent worldwide in both 2022 and 2024, earning them the Tripadvisor Travellor’s Choice Award.
They also took home the Prestige Award three years in a row, between 2022 and 2025, praised by the judging panel, who said: “Giuseppe’s principles haven’t changed in 30 years, giving people an authentic Italian experience. It is little wonder the restaurant has become a local mainstay.”
The Luncheonette on the ground floor is a takeaway snack bar that is open from 7am to 4pm, serving hot and cold food to local workers, residents and tourists. They also offer platters for office meetings and parties.
The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday and during the half term, children eat free before 5pm with every adult meal purchased. The prices are pretty reasonable with pizza’s starting from £16.55.
Giuseppe himself says: “Please do pop in to see us, we are tucked away just over the road from Borough Market- just look for the Italian flag. A presto!”
LATEST ARRIVAL SUGGESTS HISTORIC SQUARE IS BECOMING A HUB FOR FOOD
AND ENTERTAINMENT
Bermondsey Square, originally the main quadrangle of Bermondsey Abbey, has experienced a revival in recent months and now with the latest opening of Henri’s, a new neighbourhood eatery, one might wonder if this historic space is now being reinvented as a hub for food and entertainment.
Simon Lyons, a local businessman, noticed the “iconic green warehouse building” nestled in the corner, recognising its potential for a new restaurant and a prime opportunity to breathe life back into the historic space. “The square really needed some love and affection again,” he said.
Speaking to Simon at Henri’s, which opened just eight weeks ago, there appears to be a renewed energy brewing on the square.
It is the original heart of Bermondsey, 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 see the remains of the Abbey excavated in 2006. A Blue Plaque, voted for by
readers of local paper Southwark News - from the journalists who bring you this magazine - proudly proclaims this heritage.
But despite its prominence, the square in recent years has failed to match up to the vibrant and ultra trendy Bermondsey Street right beside it.
Simon is a familiar figure in Bermondsey’s local food scene. He has run the B Street Deli on Bermondsey Street for over two decades and is also behind local favourites: Poulet, Vine, and Fleurie.
A local resident himself, Simon saw the square as the perfect spot: “Not too busy, just a space for people looking for drinks and lovely food.”
Bermondsey Square is now home to a vibrant blend of businesses: as well as hosting the famed Friday morning antiques market, the cinema has recently re-opened as London’s first LGBTQ+ picture house. The Biscuit magazine has also moved into the square.
Now, Henri’s has joined the community with a brand-new eatery and is spearheading the square’s revival, with plans afoot for regular Jazz Days on the square re-starting next month, a children
festival in August, a central location for the muchloved Bermondsey Street Festival in September and no doubt fabulous festivities for Christmas.
Henri’s is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks - think fresh food by day and a wine bar by night. Simon described the menu at his new venture as “locally sourced, fresh and seasonal”, drawing on European and Mediterranean influences with a wine list to match.
Simon envisioned Henri’s as a space where local people can gather, removed from the crowds of Bermondsey Street and Borough, whilst still welcoming to those visiting the area. Popular dishes include breakfast bruschetta, seasonal salads and evening oysters, with a generous selection of vegan options to satisfy plant-based diners.
Henri’s will also host wine and cheese nights, which were popularised at Vine, Simon’s wine bar on Bermondsey Street, where events regularly sell out. At Henri’s, guests can expect a tasting of around five cheeses paired with six wines, starting at £30 per person. These popular events see his regular suppliers and guest vineyard producers
giving demonstrations.
Henri’s opened quietly back in March after a lengthy refurbishment. The interior is stylish yet relaxed, featuring marble tables, wine lined shelves, and an original 1930s poster of Lyon, which is a subtle nod to its French roots.
The exterior is equally striking, featuring outdoor seating, table service and friendly staff. By day, you will often see people enjoying a cappuccino in the morning sun and by dusk, groups of friends gather to catch up over a glass of wine or one of Henri’s signature cocktails.
Exciting developments are also on the horizon. Simon is preparing to open a brand-new basement bar beneath Henri’s. He explained the vision for the currently unused space as “a chilled-out cocktail and wine bar, with great vibes and a place for local people to gather and have a great time together.” He’s aiming to have the bar ready for action in time for the first Jazz Days event in the square on 1st June.
Since Henri’s opened, Simon and his team have been actively engaging with residents and stakeholders to bring more local events and people to the square. The iconic Jazz Days series will be taking place on the first Sunday of each month from June through September 2-5pm, with Henri’s offering special ‘Jazz deals’ to celebrate the event. Looking ahead, Henri’s will be joining forces with Lambert Smith Hampton, who run the square, to support the debut of Bermondsey Square’s Children’s Festival on 16th August. Henri’s will throw its doors wide open to provide fresh ice cream and crepes to the youngsters enjoying the day’s activities in the square.
Henri’s is infused with French heritage and is named in honour of Simon’s uncle. “I love France,” Simon said. “I go whenever I have some time off and I always bring inspiration back.”
Simon was reared in the hospitality industry, growing up in his grandparents’ hotel in Wales under the guidance of his French grandfather. Henri’s opening signals a new chapter for Bermondsey Square, one defined by community, connection and above all, exceptional food.
Interior - 1930s’ poster is subtle nod to its French roots
Friendly waiter service at Henri’s
Interior - wine lined shelves and seasonal food
Canada Water comes to life
As we head into summer, things are really warming up at Canada Water. A new cultural hotspot is forming around Canada Dock, welcoming everyone to relax by the water, listen to live music, eat locally grown food and immerse themselves in the Minecraft experience. All this in a location overlooking the revitalised wetland habitat.
Corner Corner is a venue with many faces. Looking for a spot to meet friends, work remotely or simply take some time to yourself? Drop in and find your spot. There’s plenty of open-plan seating and free WiFi – available whether or not you choose to grab a coffee from the Armenian café Sireli. Hungry? Check out the options on offer at the food hall, with offerings from London-based independent operators including fried chicken from legendary Chick N Sours, Taiwanese rice bowls & bao from Jou Jou’s Bites and a taste of Mexico from Masa Tacos.
The food hall is supplied with ultra-fresh herbs and salads from the on-site vertical farm. The farm is run by Harvest London, who are on a mission to get people thinking about the future of food production and how it fits into our rapidly changing cityscapes. The rows of crops, growing in nutrient-rich solution under LED lights, can be seen through the glass by people dining in the food hall. This not only makes the local produce story very real, but guarantees ultimate freshness.
Corner Corner’s music programme, curated by Broadwick (of Printworks London fame) features an eclectic mix of jazz, funk and world music, with both live acts and DJs. No tickets are needed, all are welcome to come and enjoy. Anyone living within a one-mile radius of Corner Corner can sign up for a 10% discount on food and drink at cornercorner.com.
Canada Dock
This piece of the local landscape hums with history of the working docks. Now it’s been given a new lease of life as a haven for wildlife. In partnership with London Wildlife Trust and contractors Galldris, British Land created three wetland habitats and 1km of shallow edges that provide ideal nesting
conditions for birds. People can get close to the wildlife by taking a stroll along the 170m Rafter Walk. Designed by award-winning local architect Asif Khan, the boardwalk is named for the dock workers who manoeuvred timber around the dock. It passes by the restored Deal Porters sculpture, helping to make it a celebration of both the area’s history and nature. The southern edge’s new amphitheatre-style seating is a great place to stop and enjoy the ambience, and has proved a popular spot during the recent sunny weather.
Canada Water Leisure Centre
Opening its doors to the public soon, the state-of-the-art leisure centre will feature an eight-lane swimming pool, learner pool, multi-court sports hall, world-class gym and studios for fitness, yoga and more. It will have something for everyone, and be accessible to all.
Public realm
Marker Way is opening soon as a pedestrian and cycle route linking Canada Dock to Lower Road, enabling people to get to Southwark Park more quickly. The new cut-through will also provide access to the newly created green escape at Dock Office Gardens, the leisure centre and the new restaurants (see below), forming part of a network of routes designed to help people move through the area under their own steam.
New restaurants
Also coming soon to the dock area will be new eating spots – the first to open in the new spaces being built within phase 1 of the development. Sushi Revolution, from hospitality expert and Rotherhithe resident Aidan Bryan and sushi chef Tom Blackshaw, will bring al fresco dining to the new Dock Office Gardens. The Village Tree, from the team behind local favourite The Pear Tree, will offer signature coffee perfect for the morning commute, and an evening menu to enjoy as the sun sets.
Keep up to date with what’s happening on the Canada Water development using the details below
Corner Corner viewed from Rafter Walk
Visitors to Canada Dock view the wetlands from Rafter Walk
Bitesize
Evie Flynn
Seventy5th
This brand new destination bar on Level 5 of the Royal Festival Hall has opened recently to celebrate the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary in 2026. Seventy5th is an elegant terrace bar with a balcony, offering panoramic views over the River Thames and the central London skyline.
It’s an ideal spot for pre and after show drinks and serves food all day long, run by Company of Cooks.
The bar is open Tuesday - Sunday from 10am -11pm, so you can try it out for breakfast, brunch, light dining, and drinks. There’s a range of small plates available, from antipasti sharing boards, whipped goat’s cheese and brioche, to stuffed croquettes. For drinks, the cocktail menu is extensive and prepared to order by a team of expert mixologists.
Seventy5th Balcony Bar, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XT.
Farmer J
Four Quarters
London’s first arcade bar, Four Quarters, has opened a new location, just off Southwark Bridge Road.
Farmer J is the home of trendy, fresh, and seasonal food. CEO Jonathan Recanati is an ex-City banker, and his restaurants adhere to the pledge: “If I wouldn’t feed it to my family, I wouldn’t feed it to you”.
They believe wholly in a transparent supply chain and care about where each ingredient has come from. Think local, high welfare meat and sustainably sourced fish. Rolling the menu with the seasons is their speciality and each dish is cooked fresh on-site.
Their London Bridge ‘farm’ is located under London Bridge station, at the north end of Bermondsey Street and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Not only are they a restaurant, but they are also a pantry, selling their homemade spices, sauces, and grains.
Farmer J, Unit SU49, Bermondsey St, London SE1 2TF
The Horniman at Hays
This bar will transport you back to the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s as you can play all the classic arcade games on a range of original machines. Think Tekken, Time Crisis, Outrun, Hero and many more. But the unique element is that everything is paid for in American quarters, which you can buy at the bar.
They have a huge draft line up with rotating beers from local breweries and a whole range of fun house cocktails such as ‘Yoshi Sour’, which is even coloured ‘Yoshi green’.
They don’t have their own kitchen, but have partnered with Heard across the road and with the new Spring Street Pizzeria next door.
Four Quarters London Bridge, Arch 33, 68 Union St, London, SE1 1TD
This pub on the banks of the River Thames near London Bridge has recently opened for the first time since the New Year.
It has a new and improved look with upgraded bars, seating added and private hire areas. The mezzanine level has also had a brand-new bar installed alongside red leather booth seats for a comfortable dining experience.
As well as cask ales from specialist breweries, there is a pub menu filled with their iconic pies, burgers and other ‘pub grub’.
There has also been an emphasis on restoring the historic features of the pub, which is part of the Hay’s Galleria building, a former brew-house dating back to the 17th century.
The Horniman at Hays, Hay’s Galleria, London, SE1 2HD.
Sixt33n
Sixt33n is a brand new underground vinyl and tequila bar, in the basement of BRIX in London Bridge.
The bar is classy, calm and hidden discreetly beneath the busy streets of London Bridge.
For drinks, the bar specialises in tequila and is in partnership with Patron Tequila. All the cocktails are made fresh with unique ingredients.
For food, Sixt33n has a great variety from duck wings, stuffed croquettes, oxtail tacos and loaded fries. For dessert there is one option, their muchloved baklava cheesecake.
Whilst enjoying a bespoke cocktail and fresh food, the bar plays strictly vinyl sounds with weekly DJs so you can sit back and enjoy the food with some good tunes.
Sixt333n Bar, Brix Ldn, 16 Great Guildford Street, London, SE1 0HS.
Poon’s
Evie Flynn
With a new headquarters at Spa Terminus in Bermondsey, this award-winning Chinese heritage food brand is back in London and they open their site to the public every Saturday.
Poon’s has taken a shift away from its roots as a restaurant into the wholesale business and from their new home in Bermondsey, they bring their signature sauces, freshly made wontons, wind-dried meats and Chinese fine goods to London.
Spa Terminus is a section of railway arches in Dockley Road in Bermondsey and is home to like-minded food production businesses. Amy Poon, who inherited her family’s Michelin Star culinary legacy in 2018, moved her team there last May. Amy said: “I always said I would never go into the family business and for over twenty years, I have succeeded in staying away - but maybe food is in my blood so what chance does one stand against kismet?” You can pre-order and collect their signature pork wontons every Saturday from 10am until 2pm. They are made using British meat sourced from their new Spa Terminus neighbour, Farmer Tom Jones, and the orders are sold raw to be cooked simply at home.
Amy brought the family legacy back to life after a successful corporate career in Public Relations and advertising in Japan and Singapore. She returned back to London in 2016 and hosted a series of popular Poon’s pop-ups and collaborations, such as Wontoneria in Portobello. Amy describes this new venture as her “bringing you my Chinese kitchen from the depths of my heart and my family’s heart.
“It is, at times, quite daunting and finding a home at Spa Terminus is one of the best things that has happened for us. We have been itinerant for so long –a pop-up here, residency there, working out of shared spaces and storage units. I feel immensely privileged to be in a community of such brilliant food businesses who share our values and outlook.”
Her father, Bill Poon, came to London in the 1960s but was disappointed by the quality of Chinese food. He subsequently opened the first Poon’s restaurant in Chinatown alongside his wife Cecilia in 1973.
The Poon family then opened the iconic Poon’s in Covent Garden and were awarded a Michelin Star before going international with a restaurant in Geneva and three further London locations. Poon’s restaurants caught the attention of stars such as Mick Jagger, Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra, who enjoyed what was considered real, traditional Chinese food.
Adam, the Operations Director at Poon’s, said: “Many of our customers who buy our sauces and wontons share such fond memories of visiting Poon’s restaurants. For them it stood out as something truly special, a distinctive and memorable part of London’s
Chinese food scene.”
Like her father, who still lives in Surrey Quays, Amy believes that using good high-quality ingredients is crucial. She began her return to Chinese cuisine by importing good quality soya sauce and realised she could use her father’s chilli oil recipe to bring authentic Chinese flavours to London. Her father’s wind-dried meats side of the business has been nonstop running since the 1970s.
Their Chilli Vinegar Dressing, Chilli Oil, Soy Sauce, and WO Sauce are now stocked in Selfridges and in 180 different stores across the country. Bermondsey stockists include: Greensmiths Deli & Grocery, NoNo Bermondsey and Natoora.
Poon’s first visited their new space in Spa Terminus in May 2024 and were moved in by June and have been making their signature sauces ever since. Their head office is based upstairs and the food production happens below.
“Monmouth Coffee and Neals Yard Dairy were both in Covent Garden in the eighties when my parents had Poon’s of Covent Garden on King Street. At Spa Terminus, our arch sits between the two and it feels like coming home – a bit like a prodigal return! Bermondsey is extremely convenient and home to so many interesting businesses, we love being here.”
You can pre-order a portion of 16 of their muchloved wontons for £20 on their website: www.poonslondon.com
Poon’s Pantry Ltd, Arch 18 Discovery Business Park, Spa Terminus, London, Se16 4RA
Amy Poon set up her HQ in the disused railway arch last year
Poon’s signature sauces
Bill and Cecilia Poon opened Poon’s and Co. at 27 Lisle Street in Chinatown
Discover the world of Italian wine with an immersive tasting experience together with, Sommelier Fabio
A guided tasting of unique wines and indigenous grape varieties from Italy’s diverse regions, paired with delicious food to bring out their best.
Book your wine tasting today! Personalise your experience.
From our guests:
“The wine list highlights small growers… they also offer tastings if you want to discover lesser-known Italian grapes.” Stefano
“We took part in the wine tasting — the wines paired beautifully with each course. Atmosphere incredible. 10/10 — absolutely recommend.”Cindy
“Food and wine were spectacular… we did a wonderful wine tasting with our meal. Really wonderful experience and will be back.”
KristaDax Villanueva
Group bookings available for birthdays, weddings and business gatherings.
SEAFOOD + WINE
Hand & Marigold
RESTORING THE HISTORIC BERMONDSEY BOOZER
Thought to be named after the women who picked marigolds on the Thames’ marshes, the Hand & Marigold first opened in 1793, and for more than two centuries was a treasured pub for Bermondsey locals until it closed after the Covid pandemic.
Fortunately, in September 2024 it was taken over by married couple Oli Carter-Esdale and Alice Hayward, who spent six months refurbishing the historic building.
Through its reopening, they wanted to celebrate its history and revitalise it as a community space open to all.
“Everything here is a labour of love,” says Oli, 32, who has always lived in South London and owns another small local pub in Wimbledon called the Trafalgar.
For Alice, who works in operations for a brewery, Bermondsey is close to her heart - she is proud to be descended from seven generations of locals, one of whom met their partner in the Hand and Marigold when they were working behind the bar.
“The tracing of the history is there, and it’s very keenly felt for her and by me as well,” says Oli.
The pub, which is in its ninth week of opening, has been decorated by Oli and Alice with a range of repurposed and found objects, all of which hold special meaning.
The panelling around the bar is Georgian and the ‘snob screens’ are Tudor. The bar top used to be an old school lab desk, and the floor’s infill reuses shavings from the V&A.
The walls are adorned with delicate fragments of history including old maps of the local area found in
Oli’s grandparents’ loft, the pub’s licence from 1899 which allowed it to open at 6am on Fridays to cater for the antiques market, and a picture of the pub from the 1960s.
On one wall, which is aptly decorated with William Morris’ marigold print, they are set to hang a huge mirror which was in the pub over 100 years ago.
“It’s new layers of old history,” says Oli. “We wanted to build something that kind of harked back to how pubs used to be.”
The process of refurbishing was very hands-on for the pair, who did the majority of work themselves. Oli handled the practical tasks like building the cellar and the bar, whilst Alice took the lead on the design front.
“I always liked the idea of reinvigorating and reopening spaces,” says Oli. “You’re losing more and more local spaces for the sake of luxury apartments
- smaller independent businesses that are more community orientated are less of an occurrence.”
Although the refurbishment was stressful, it is important to Oli and Alice that the pub retains a strong sense of independence. All the beer and cider they stock is sourced from independent or familyowned businesses across the UK, from Southwark to Scottish breweries.
“Being fully independent means that we get to showcase the best of what is around and put it at prices that encourage you to stay for one more,” Oli says.
They have a commitment of keeping their house pints at six pounds or less.
Alongside their beer, they have an extensive snack menu, which includes 12 types of crisps, pork pies, pickled onions, pickled eggs and prawn crackers.
Of vital importance for Oli and Alice is that the Hand and Marigold grows as a social space.
“Everyone is welcome, anyone can be here, anyone can spend time here,” Oli tells us.
“A pub is its people - community is vital in times like these, when things are only getting harder, and people are turning on each other.”
Already, since its reopening, the Hand and Marigold, which is the only pub with the name, has welcomed many newcomers, as well as locals who have been coming to the pub for over 40 years.
And Oli has ensured every single seat has a cushion, telling us: “I think pubs should be a place of comfort - I find a good pub should be somewhere that feels hard to leave.”
It certainly is.
Hand and Marigold, 244 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UH
Open: Mon-Thurs 54pm-11pm / Fri-Sat 1pm11pm / Sun 1pm-10pm
Emily Buckley Bunn
Oli Carter-Esdale is proud of the work he has carried out with wife Alice
The newly refinished pub
This postcard dates from around 1900 and on the right stands the Hand & Marigold pub
Athlete behind new reformer pilates studio
Evie Flynn
CHAMPION LONG JUMPER
MATT BURTON TELLS US HOW NUFORMA’S INNOVATIVE METHOD HAS TRANSFORMED FITNESS
From Bondi in Australia to Windsor in Berkshire, Nuforma Pilates have recently opened a brand-new studio in Surrey Quays.
We spoke to the Lewisham born and bred owner, Matt Burton, to explore the story behind the new studio and to understand how Nuforma’s innovative method has transformed the traditional approach to pilates and fitness.
Reformer Pilates has taken the wellness world by storm, yet this style of pilates can often look quite daunting. Unlike mat pilates, Reformer Pilates uses a moving machine to really target your core, flexibility, balance, and overall muscle tone. However, Matt Burton, the owner of the new
Nuforma Surrey Quays studio, saw the opportunity to do things differently and make Reformer Pilates accessible for all.
He said: “I could see the potential to not only improve elite athletes, but arguably more importantly, to support complete beginners. Those who are nervous of group exercise classes, those with specific needs, like injury rehabilitation, pre/ post-natal or people who are time-poor and lead busy lives.
“We genuinely have the widest range of members, from our large cohort of over 65s, to elite sportspeople, those rehabbing major injuries to super-experienced Pilates practitioners that are looking to take their practice to new levels.”
Founded by Sam Kellard, the Nuforma® machine is built on 20 years of research and represents the single largest development in Pilates equipment in over 100 years. It’s different from a traditional reformer machine as it’s slightly bigger and has a built-in touch screen to walk you step-by-step through the exercises at your own pace.
When Matt met the founder and inventor of the Nuforma, Sam Kellard, in 2023, he said he was “instantly amazed by the quality of the Nuforma and its potential to change the landscape of reformer pilates and support a much wider demographic.”
Matt approached Sam to open the first noncentrally owned Nuforma studio under the new branding. The most important factor for Matt was making reformer pilates accessible for everyone, regardless of fitness level or past experience.
Matt, a Lewisham native, has a compelling story and brings years of sporting and fitness experience
and credentials to the table.
He is a former British Champion long jumper and international athlete with a Sports Science degree from Loughborough University, which has consistently ranked number one in the world for sports-related subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Since 2015, he has been a Sports Performance Consultant, working with elite and international
athletes on injury prevention, strength, power and conditioning, and rehabilitation. This predominantly focused on footballers from internationally recognised teams, such as Crystal Palace, Charlton, Brentford and Rangers F.C. Matt’s link to Surrey Quays began in 2018, when he opened Fitness Space, a community-focused zero pressure gym, designed around 1-2-1 personal training. His local reach also extends to the restaurant space, as he is part-owner of the renowned KiliG, a Colombian and Filipino restaurant in Deptford.
Nuforma classes are also affordable and sessions can work out at as little as £8 if you’re on a regular membership. There’s also a handy trial pack, where you can try three classes for £39.
Matt told us that he is looking to expand Nuforma to a second site “whilst exploring taking over South East London and beyond.”
“We can’t wait to get more & more people training on the Nuformas and seeing how amazing they feel after a few sessions. We are confident we can replicate the unintimidating, supportive and designled environment we’ve created at Surrey Quays.”
Their Surrey Quays studio is located just minutes away from Greenland Dock and a short ten minute walk from Surrey Quays station.
For more information, visit their website: nuformapilates.co.uk/surrey-quays
Nuforma machines at the studio
Matt Burton
Transform your skin with Derma Consult Skin Specialist
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We offer expert-led dermatology and aesthetic treatments, including mole removal, acne care, and non-invasive anti-ageing solutions. Our focus is on safe, effective skin rejuvenation.
Little gem in Bermondsey
From day one, the emphasis has been on quality and freshness and the restaurant uses only high quality fresh products sourced locally – fish and meat is delivered daily from local London markets and bread and cakes are baked in the restaurant.
Unit 1 – 2 – 16 Crucifix Lane, London Bridge SE1 3JW
E: contact@dermaskinspecialist.co.uk
P: 0204 542 1773
W: www.dermaskinspecialist.co.uk/
“ We use only high quality fresh products sourced locally ”
All dishes are freshly prepared and cooked to order and served by friendly staff who will work hard to make your dining experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible. On a sunny day guests of Amisha can enjoy their food and drinks in the new outside terrace opened in 2023. With its simple and inspired cooking
ingredients creates the genuine and authentic Italian ‘Mamma style’ food.
London Philharmonic musicians bringing concerts to Bermondsey for fiver
Bermondsey Chamber Orchestra, a new ensemble resident at St. Mary Magdalen Church, are giving regular concerts for just £5.
The orchestra started with a small group of London Philharmonic musicians living locally and all proceeds going to the St. Mary Magdalen Building fund. This amazingly cheap price tag will allow locals to hear music from world-class performers in a church that is over 1,000 years old.
There has been a church on the site of St Mary’s at the junction of Bermondsey Street and Abbey Street since at least 1290. The church once formed part of Bermondsey Abbey, which was founded in the 8th century and was destroyed by Henry VIII’s reformation in the 16th century.
Bermondsey resident and Principal Second Violin in the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tania Mazzetti, 43, founded the chamber orchestra after spotting a gap in the area’s creative scene.
The women’s football team that does not keep score
Isabel Ramirez
A group of women who meet every Wednesday in Rotherhithe to play football say they don’t keep score but ‘it works’.
it was clear the group of ‘gals’ who turn up are genuinely there to enjoy themselves. The nonjudgemental atmosphere is undeniable.
She said: “We love the neighbourhood and there really is no classical music.
“Some time ago I started conducting and we were chatting, and we said it would be nice to do something together, an ensemble in Bermondsey.
“So, one day, I walked into the church and had a chat with Robin Precey, the church warden, and he was very keen for the church to be a place that is more open to the community, to arts, to music.”
The orchestra is made up of sixteen members of ten different nationalities, all who play in the major London orchestras.
The next concert is due to be announced shortly for summer Ticket: £5
St Mary Magdalen Church, Bermondsey Street, SE1 stmarysbermondsey.org.uk
Gals FC is a non-competitive recreational club for women with teams across London, Brighton and Ipswich. There are around 200 members - 70 per cent of whom have never played football before.
One of their founding teams is based in Rotherhithe at Bacon’s College Sports Centre. Since last summer, the group, made up of girls from across Southwark, has been playing every week. And no session, which consists of a warmup, drills and a game with no score, is complete without their post-game pint at the Salt Quay pub.
After hearing briefly about what the club was all about, I half expected to cringe at anyone who thought taking the competitiveness out of football was a good idea.
Especially after hearing there were no coaches or referees - just what they call ‘Vibe Protectors’ (who make sure everyone is having fun without getting too competitive).
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
On a trip down to the pitch on a Wednesday,
And there is freedom in not analysing every move.
Alicia Collymore, one of the team’s Vibe Protectors, explained: “We play but we don’t keep score because it’s essentially just some time for the girls to have some fun and have a kickabout without too much pressure.
“There’s a lot of clubs out there - but there’s not many that have a lower entry bar.
She continued: “We want girls to come in and not worry if they trip over the ball. Not worry if they can’t score, but also have a good time if they do.”
One girl, Daisy Savedra, summed it up: “It’s just a laugh isn’t it?”
Daisy, who lives in Peckham, joined last year and loves it.
“We’ve made a lot of really good friends,” she said. “It has got me really into fitness.”
To find out more about Gals FC and how to join a team near you, go to galsfc.com
Melina Block
Rehearsing at the church
They play at Bacon’s College in Rotherhithe each week
Did you know that London Bridge has a secret entrance?
Evie Flynn
IT IS HIDDEN BEHIND CENTURIES OF HISTORY AND COMES WITH A 2000-YEAROLD ROMAN SURPRISE
London Bridge has a secret entrance nestled on the north-side of the river in St. Magnus the Martyr Church and a fascinating history, subject to plagues, wars and fires.
London Bridge in some form has existed almost as long as London itself, although not as the bridge we know today.
Many don’t know that you can still see the bridge’s former pedestrian entrance nestled in the City of London, just a short walk from the bridge’s current site
The Bridge’s old pedestrian entrance - St. Magnus the Martyr Church
The old entrance to the bridge is aligned with Fish Street Hill and is built into the tower of St. Magnus the
Martyr Church on Lower Thames Street.
Turn the corner at the infamous Monument, and you are met with a charming 17th century Anglo-Catholic Church.
The church itself was founded in the 11th century but was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666. It was re-built by Christopher Wren in 1687, the same architect responsible for the iconic Monument on Pudding Lane and of course St Paul’s Cathedral.
From the 18th century, this unassuming church courtyard was where pedestrians would enter the old London Bridge.
In the courtyard, there is a large piece of timber from an old Roman wharf, which dates back to around 75 AD. This old beam was found on Fish Street Hill in 1931 and was brought to the churchyard.
If you venture inside the church, there is another nod to the bridge’s rich past. You can view a large model of the old London Bridge, created by liveryman David Aggett in 1987.
Aggett’s model shows the old bridge in great detail, with over 900 tiny people crammed onto the bridge, alongside houses, shops and chapels.
You can see a model chapel, dedicated to St. Thomas Becket, which used to stand at the centre of the bridge and marked the boundary of Southwark and the City of London.
History of London Bridge:
A river crossing around the bridge’s current site has existed since around 47 CE and it has since been destroyed, sold, and rebuilt numerous times.
It began with a timber bridge, existing for centuries before being replaced with a stone design in the 13th century.
Peter De Colechurch’s bridge (13th-19th centuries):
The first stone version of the bridge was built in 1209 by Peter De Colechurch to replace the original Roman crossing.
The building of bridges is rooted in religion and was often seen as an ‘act of piety and a commitment to God’, hence the entrance’s location right next to a church.
Colechurch himself was a priest and began the bridge’s construction work in 1176, during the reign of Henry II. The construction took thirty-three years and the delay was mainly due to costs from Richard the Lionheart’s (Richard I) war.
Henry II’s successor, King John, decreed that dwellings and shops should be erected on the bridge for rent. The bridge was officially opened to the public shortly before he signed the Magna Carta.
Bridge House was set up on the south side of the bridge during the 13th century to administer the taxes and rents the bridge raised. It became a vital centre of cross-river trade and tolls existed for crossing the bridge, passing under in a ship and fines for illegal fishing.
This enterprise became known as Bridge House Estates and at one point, in 1358, Bridge Wardens recorded 138 rent-paying shops on the bridge. The last tenancy on the bridge was in 1762 and all houses were fully cleared. Colechurch’s stone bridge lasted for around 600 years and has a rather turbulent history. Not only did it collapse on numerous occasions, it was also ravaged by plagues and fires.
In 1305, the first of many ‘enemy’ heads was displayed on the bridge, that of William Wallace, a knight who fought for Scottish Independence.
John Rennie’s Bridge (18th-20th centuries): Colechurch’s bridge was considered ‘out of fashion’ by
the 18th century, compared to the the new Westminster Bridge, and was a hindrance to boats due to its narrow arches.
A Bill for a replacement bridge was passed in 1823. This would be paid for by the City of London Corporation and the Treasury, on the condition that it was wider than the previous bridge.
The man chosen for the job was John Rennie, who was also the architect behind Waterloo and Southwark Bridge, with work beginning in 1824.
This bridge was famously sold to American millionaire Robert McCullogh and reconstructed at Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in 1971.
Today’s London Bridge:
The bridge as we know it today was designed by Lord Holford, paid for entirely by the City Bridge Foundation.
The modern-day bridge was officially opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II, but you can still see the traces of its history if you visit the chapel on the north side.
There are proposals from The London Bridge Museum & Educational trust for a dedicated Museum, which would tell the story of the bridge from Roman times to the present day.
You can find a full chronological history of the Bridge on their website.
Location of the old pedestrian entrance: St. Magnus the Martyr Church, Lower East Street, London, EC3R 6DN
Rennie’s Bridge c1890, looking north east. You can see Monument and the chapel of St. Magnus the Martyr church in the distance.
Pearl Yard Bermondsey
A new chapter inspired by history
Abold new chapter is beginning. Once known as The Bermondsey Project, Greystar is proud to unveil Pearl Yard Bermondsey — a name and identity inspired by the area’s rich legacy and pioneering spirit.
Built on the very site of the iconic Peek Freans biscuit factory, Pearl Yard Bermondsey sits at the heart of what used to be affectionately called “Biscuit Town.” It was here that the Pearl Biscuit — small, round, and revolutionary — was created, earning its place as “the pioneer of modern biscuit.” Peek Freans helped put Bermondsey on the map as the home of biscuit-making in Britain, and now, Pearl Yard Bermondsey is bringing the magic back. Coming soon to SE16, Pearl Yard Bermondsey will offer rental apartments within a historic setting reimagined as a world-class destination with soul. A vibrant community where you can live, eat, drink, dream and work.
BRINGING BERMONDSEY’S HISTORY TO LIFE WITH CHERRY GARDENS TRA
As part of its commitment to the local community, Greystar is proud to support Cherry Gardens TRA in developing “Bermondsey and Rotherhithe – The Sounds of its Story!”. This creative heritage project will animate the area’s history through music, storytelling, and immersive site-specific tours. Local residents will be trained in heritage skills, contribute to community-led research, and help curate a public exhibition. The tour, created in collaboration with People’s Company, will conclude at the Peek Freans museum, celebrating the legacy of “Biscuit Town.”
Two free tours will take place on 28 June at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, each finishing with a cuppa and a biscuit. Together, these initiatives honour the past while shaping an exciting new future for Bermondsey.
Follow @pearlyardbermondsey on Instagram for updates and to be the first to know when bookings go live.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM LONDON BRIDGE
LONDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY
Summer by the River returns!
LONDON BRIDGE CITY IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED RETURN OF SUMMER BY THE RIVER, A VIBRANT FESTIVAL SET TO CAPTIVATE VISITORS ALL SUMMER LONG.
From Thursday 29th May the banks of the iconic River Thames will undergo a mesmerising transformation into a riverside refuge, filled with sunshine, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences for all ages.
Witness the riverbank come alive with the buzz of summer, as golden sunsets illuminate London’s skyline. Situated in the heart of London Bridge, just next to Tower Bridge, Summer by the River invites visitors to soak up the sunshine and savour one of the season’s most unforgettable experiences. Settle in for a movie night under the stars on our massive outdoor screen, with family-friendly favourites like Moana 2, Transformers, a special sing-along screening of Wicked, and many more. Plus, enjoy an action-packed lineup of live entertainment and sports screenings, all in an open-air amphitheatre that seats up to 800 guests. Dig into some tasty food like the delicious pizza from The Glasshouse Terrace or down at The Pier with Aperol Spritz The
Urban Spoon Riverside lunch market will also run throughout the festival between 12:00 - 21:00 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. This season, we’re delighted to announce our first-ever two-story glasshouse with an outdoor terrace. It is the ultimate summer retreat, boasting panoramic views, premium drinks, and unique experiences. The Glasshouse is the ultimate summer season destination, and the perfect spot to watch your favourite sports such as Wimbledon and Formula 1. If you’re looking for a venue for your summer party, look no further as The Glasshouse
Terrace rooftop is available for large group private hire.
Just a short stroll away, discover The Pier with Aperol Spritz — a vibrant riverside bar where guests can sip refreshing Aperol Spritzes and soak in the ultimate summer vibes. With its idyllic location and laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends, enjoy a date night, or escape from the office and pretend you’re on a beach holiday.
All Summer by the River venues are primarily walk-in only, creating an easy-going atmosphere
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From Old Kent Road to Korea
Ninety-two years ago Vic Grimwood was born off the Old Kent Road, in Darwin Street, where he spent a childhood with his brother and sister and parents. Mum stayed home to bring up the family while dad worked on an uncle’s paper pitch. When Vic was old enough he started a paper round with them and that was the start of his money-earning days, writes Michael Holland.
‘I used to get seven shillings a week for that,’ Vic remembers vividly. His education came from Paragon School in the days when you stayed in one place. ‘I went when I was three,’ he says, ‘and stayed there until I left at 15.’ Vic didn’t like school - He wanted to get out to work.
Games played in the buildings with friends were Tin Can Copper and Jimmy Jimmy Knacker, a SE London favourite that involved jumping on one boy until he collapsed to the floor. But in between having fun there was a few quid to be earnt. ‘We used to get wood from the ruins, chop it into firewood and sell it for sixpence a bowl.’
Those were the days when everyone had open fires and shops sold firewood. Vic’s gang would be cheaper than the local tradesman and they had a system: ‘One
bloke used to chop it up and we’d take it round the flats to sell to the women’.
Family holidays was hop-picking in Kent. It was a way to earn extra money and it was great for kids to get out in the country.
When war came Vic got evacuated to Sussex and stayed there for two years. There was a short return home when the skies became less dangerous but when the Luftwaffe again began their bombing campaign, Vic went to Staffordshire and stayed with a mining family. ‘They were very good to me,’ he recalls. ‘I was only there a year but they cried when I came home!’
Vic remembers the Doodlebugs and rockets: ‘We used to go up on our roof to watch them,’ he says with all the excitement of a boy off to a firework display.’ ‘We used to watch our Spitfires try to intercept the Doodlebugs by tipping up the flying bomb’s wing with theirs.’
The main attraction was watching where they landed so Vic could go and collect any scrap from the bomb site and shrapnel from the missiles, and sell it.
At the war’s end the Grimwoods holidayed in various caravan sites in the South-East. After leaving school and the firewood business behind, Vic’s first job
Michael Holland
was with an electrician rewiring a house in Manor Place but that ended when the electrician ‘went off to be a copper in The Borough!’ Vic was not happy about that.
A succession of jobs in construction followed until, at 16, an uncle got him in the docks. ‘They gave me a barrow and a broom and told me clean the warehouses.’ He paused. ‘That was one pound, nineteen shillings a week.’
In the pubs on his manor - The Bricklayers Arms, The Hand & Marigold, The Horseshoe and The George, that he and his mates would use, he said: ‘We’d have a pound whip - and it lasted all night!’
One day Vic went off to Korea to do his National Service where he was placed with the Commonwealth Division and given the responsibility of loading and unloading boats with a team of Koreans who had escaped the North. ‘These refugees had nothing,’ he
says, while showing me a photo album from his time there. ‘They slept where they could.’
Vic trained them up to be good dockers, which meant everything they stole had to go through him. Hard work and little pay had taught Vic a lesson in life.
On his return, Vic went back to Cotton Wharf and became a proper docker, which he did for 28 year. ‘We were all thieves,’ he claims. ‘We’d nick anything to earn a pound note... I remember a nice earner we had once’. He licked his Rizla, lit his roll-up and proceeded to tell the tale...
A story followed of a huge amount of copper that would have been difficult to walk out the gate with: While they were unloading the barge it was on they hid some under the floorboards so that when the checker came round it appeared empty. The lighterman whose barge it was then took it over to Bow where the gang
“We used to watch our Spitfires try to intercept the Doodlebugs’... ‘We’d nick anything to earn a pound note’”
of scoundrels could safely take the contraband away to a scrap dealer. There were other stories of bars of silver going missing, mercury, and ‘gammon and bacon off the Danish boats’.
With money in his pocket Vic would enjoy Talent Nights in some of the local pubs or ‘go up the pictures’.
One night he and a mate met two girls in a pub in Blackfriars Road. That lucky meeting led to Vic marrying Betty Searle and his mate wed the other girl.
Betty was an excellent roller skater and was in the American Hell Cats roller derby team who participated at Harringay Arena in the 1950s. They even invited her back to the States but Betty declined their offer.
Vic and Betty would dance the night away at the Assembly Hall in Neptune Street but while Vic never took up roller-skating, Betty changed from C of E to
Catholic to keep Vic’s religious aunts happy and get married in a Catholic Church.
They spent much of their married life in Dover Flats, in the Old Kent Road, where they had children Victor and Christine: ‘I was earning a few bob from the docks in various ways, so our holidays were now in Spain, Italy, South of France, Corsica, Cyprus...’
In the ‘70s the London docks and wharves were closing down. One day Vic saw an advert for messengers, applied and passed the interview. ‘It was the best thing I ever done,’ he declares. ‘In the docks you never knew if you had work from one day to the next. At this job I had plenty of work. I went from messenger, to post room, to the print room and I loved it. I was still working when I was 70-odd!’
When the children grew up, Vic and Betty moved to Rotherhithe in one of the new builds that replaced the old docks and wharves. It has a beautiful view of the Thames where Vic had spent a lot of his working life. In recent years Vic lost both his children and his beloved Betty. His mobility is not as good as it was but his mind is as lively as ever. He is as happy as he can be and is satisfied with a steady supply of roll-ups, old films and horse racing on the telly, and life on the busy river creating a constantly changing view outside.
Betty
Vic with Korean friend (That was in a brothel...)
After the party
Well, eighty years since VE day! In 1945 the bombings had ceased, the last bullets spent, the flames extinguished. The tears had dried up - no more terror and panic, no more darkness and despair.
Bermondsey was full of spaces: whole streets and their residents had disappeared, reduced to motes of energy that clung to the rubble. Survivors exhibited the past horrors with missing limbs, scars and nervous breakdowns. Soldiers came home to find their houses gone; the family homeless; or worse, dead. There was the big problem of unemployment – it was usual for years after to see men in civvies, missing an arm or a leg, selling matches or bootlaces from a tray. Remploy, the association that helps the disabled find work, had a branch in Tower Bridge Road where numerous war veterans found jobs in their factory making quality furniture. There was a huge rebuilding programme going on but it was hampered by rationing and a lack of materials.
A quick solution was the erection of the muchmissed prefabs. A rapidly-built little house, complete with a square of grass and a picket fence. These capsule homes offered everything the old houses had – but in miniature and with proper bathrooms! Space was limited, so ingenuity produced fold-up ironing boards that were stored in the walls and cupboards that doubled up as workspaces and food safes. However, it was now verging on the 1950s and the designs became brighter, lighter, with colourful rock n’ roll Formica surfaces. Prefabs were a big success, as they ensured the battered community stayed together. Ladies could still chat over the fence and Dad could get on with mowing his precious square of lawn. There was still room for a shed - and the family chickens too! Bermondsey was awash with these new homes, which lasted far longer than they were intended. People were happy to live in them. They are fondly remembered and it was a sad time when they disappeared beneath modern, concrete estates.
Despite this happy new world, there was still rationing to contend with and trying to make decent meals out of poor ingredients. Powdered egg was a big favourite along with condensed milk that would be eaten spread on bread (and, of course, the eternal favourite, bread and dripping). Processed foods like spam, corned beef and margarine became the staple diet. To ensure its children were not malnourished the Bermondsey Borough Council issued cod liver
oil and orange juice to infants along with a daily spoonful of malt.
For the kids the post-war years were a time for exploring, foraging and using their imagination –lack of toys from rationing and damage left them little choice. They drove the workmen mad, looking for bits of chalk, wood and shrapnel. In fact, chalk played a big part in kid’s recreation.
It was readily available in the wreckage, so youngsters would risk life and limb clambering
over the debris looking for bits for their games. However, fun as it may be, there was much danger amid the ruins still. Places that had been fenced off before being demolished were uncovering the odd bomb that had penetrated the ground, evilly lurking to claim its final victim. Whole streets had to be cleared until the UXB boys arrived to make safe some suspicious ticking lump of metal. These devices still turn up eighty years on and, as the whole of Bermondsey is redeveloped, more will probably appear. Then there was the issue of tetanus as shrapnel cut deep and gravel took the skin off youngsters’ knees.
The boys played at being soldiers or cowboys, while their sisters built houses and shops. The lads went on ‘sorties’ searching out old wood to make their own scooters. The best ones were adorned with beer bottle tops to decorate the central steering pillar. Normally they would be either red or blue (light and bitter) but if there was some foreign beer available it meant a prestigious gold one for embellishment – a bit of Bermondsey flash!
There was also the pleasure of running up the steep side of an old air raid shelter, crouching on your haunches and sliding down it again. Made of a mixture of concrete and shale, it was a rough surface >
- so the boys in their short trousers scuffed their legs and the girls returned home with tattered drawers! The bombsites were a source of education, especially nature studies, as wild plants had run amok. Any spot that had been devoured by fire suddenly sprouted bright pink spears of rosebay willowherb, nicknamed fireweed. In the tangle were also bindweed and buddleia, playing host to all sorts of insects and small furry creatures. This was punctuated with bright yellow dandelions: (‘wet the beds’). The dandelions, with their ‘hairy’ heads, nicknamed ‘clocks’ had little kids blowing them away on the breeze with lungs-full of air. In fact, the whole scene was a sort of cockney Arthur Rackham picture with roaming, tousle-haired children. There were many insects of wonder: grasshoppers particularly, along with snails and slugs. One keen-eyed schoolboy identified a Camberwell Beauty there -butterflies instead of fighter planes! Something miraculous was emerging from the mayhem of war. Yet it was bitter sweet. Local lad Fred Low lived in New Place, off Keeton’s Road. In the 1950s. He recalls: “I was friendly with the son of the school’s caretaker and I recall that only half the school was in use after the war, as the other half had been bombed. The remaining part was still a school until around1959, then pulled down a few years later. The bombed-out part of the school was a great place to play during the school holidays. Just before it closed the caretaker’s son, Colin, and myself found a trap door in the old part but could not lift it up, so we asked his two older brothers to help us. They got it open, went down with a torch but would not let us have a look, as they found some human remains from the air raid which had been lying there for about sixteen years. The police came and we were told not to go in there anymore.”
When Mary Grainger returned from evacuation the builders were patching up the family house: “they had a big pile of sand that we played in. The spaces from the bombed houses became our playground – it was weird looking up and seeing
people’s wallpaper and shelves still on the walls. Later, food parcels started to arrive from Australia. I went to Snowsfields where all the kids were invited up in assembly to pick something from this bounty. I picked a tin of greengage jam. I think it was a brand called IXL and I was so pleased with it. We were given the names of children in Australia and we wrote thank you notes and kept them as pen friends.”
Vivienne Stow from Clements Road loved the bombsites: “We all played on them - they didn’t fence them off and they were somehow fun. You didn’t even think about it all falling in on you. You would find all sorts of things like small pieces of china and broken toys and all these lovely pink flowers used to grow on them. I used to pick those and take them home for my mum. They were dangerous though – no health and safety then. There were quite a few prefabs at the top of Clements road. They were lovely, the only people that had bathrooms in those days and the envy of all!”
Dave from Galleywall Road enjoyed playing in a bombed out site on Lynton Road, unaware it had been his family’s wrecked shop: “There was a site there that we called ‘the tank’ – between Anchor street and Ambrose street. Today’s health and safety wouldn’t have allowed us anywhere near it! It was full of stagnant pools of water, but was great for games of cowboys where you could lie in wait in the weed-covered hideouts and ‘shoot’ one another! It attracted a variety of butterflies and we would try to catch them and put them in a jam jar with a few leaves before taking them home! We would squeeze the bindweed flowers from their pods and say ‘granny, granny pop out of bed’! We climbed over all the bricks, rubble and broken glass, completely unaware of what it used to be or how it got there.” Dave’s best mate John elaborates: We played cowboys round the smelly dams. One was where the Palace cinema used to be on the corner of Ambrose Street and the Blue and the other was on
the corner of Anchor Street and Lynton Road.” The Willett family home in Bevington Street had been reduced to a pile of rubble by a landmine. Eventually the council deemed the property beyond repair and down it came. For a good few years they had to live in cramped conditions, camped out with relatives on the Arnold Estate. When they finally settled in their fabulous new-build, a pre-fab, Alice Willett set to work turning a virtual cube of hardboard into a proper home. Suddenly there were blooms of red, white and purple phlox springing from the ground, accompanied by a vegetable patch and chickens. Life began again, in Ambrose Street! Alice went on to win the Bermondsey Borough Council Best Garden prize many times, but once the Willetts were re-housed properly on the St Saviour’s Estate, her prize blooms sadly disappeared beneath yet another new development. No more
garden and no more chickens - perhaps the prefabs should have remained! Still, Alice had been terrified by the war and now she had peace of mind in her safe new flat. Her son John says: “I only remember mum saying she never thought she’d ever survive the bombing and when we walked down Jamaica Road past Bevington Street she’d say “that tree was in our garden”. Another thing I remember was when she was evacuated to York, pregnant with me. She said she was in the cinema up there, and when they showed the newsreel of the bombing in London, people behind were saying they didn’t believe it was true - and she’d just come from it all! As a ‘peace baby’ I was lucky, I had the garden in the prefab as my playground and not many other kids round my way had this privilege. But I had to earn my pocket money, two shillings, by cutting the lawn. Happy days!”
