My Soho Times pilot (Autumn 2019)

AUTUMN 2019

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FREE

in this issue:

AN URBAN GIRL'S GUIDE TO SOHO WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

editor's note What started out in 2015 as a blog to document a collection of memoirs about living in Soho for over a decade - and general ramblings about life in the most dynamic corner of the world - has quickly turned into something much more EXCITING! Soho is undoubtedly London's most dynamic district, and as a resident living in this thriving area which uniquely attracts a diverse pool of people, I got thinking - why isn't there a tangible directory of local businesses for consumers?

In this pilot issue, I share a personal account of my daily life as an urban gal navigating through Soho (and an attempt to create a guide of some of my essential places), we review Chinese pancakes through a hatch, hear how a Soho-based artist went from being homeless and a drug addict to empowering youth through art, get a coffee fix up on Denmark Street and acknowledge Sustainable September this autumn with a visit to Reign Vintage on Berwick Street.

With the magazine launch in sight (think TIME OUT of Soho!), My Soho Times will become a means to connect businesses, brands, services and community voices directly with the wider London audience and visitors from all over the world.

We have so much more to share with you in our launch issue this Winter - the 2020 Vision of Soho's next Decade...

I look forward to having you on board this journey!

T   x Kai Lutterodt Editor in Chief MY SOHO TIMES

What's inside?

The Hole in the Wall

Art-Alive in Soho

Kokia serves us a tasty Chinese pancakes through a tiny hatch on Greek Street.

Soho-based artist and youth advocate, Lanre Olagoke shares how art saved him, and his passion to support vulnerable young people.

Soho.Live Jazz Festival

Grow - Where Training gets personal!

This autumn Soho's most musical venues will be filled with jazz, which will spill out into the Carlisle Street for its grand finale.!

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Based a stone's throw from Oxford Street, Grow is a boutique fitness studio offering 'the best in personal training.'

Soho Media Club

Find your Route

London's most diverse networking event for media professionals where Guest speakers take to the mic at each meetup to share personal stories of their careers

Santander Cycles helping everyday Londoners get around from as little as 25p a day!

This Season's Picks

Join the team

Writer & content strategist Liza Adebisi reviews her seasonal favourites coffee and vintage fashion.

We're on the look out for partnership opportunities as well as growing our small team of creatives - join us!

MY SOHO TIMES

SOMETHING FRESH COMING YOUR WAY!

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SOHO & W1 My Soho Times is a new hyper local lifestyle publication, published quarterly from Winter 2019. With Soho as the heartbeat of London in location and vibe, My Soho Times magazine aims to offer the best of Soho businesses directly into the hands of Londoners and visitors.

Our varied distribution in Soho and other parts of the notable W1 postcodes (Mayfair, Marylebone and Fitzrovia) will have a massive impact on the responses our advertisers get, and we expect to rapidly grow a very loyal readership that looks forward to our magazines arriving seasonally, as well as online.

MY SOHO TIMES

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2019 MARKS CENTREPOINT'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY. In the last 50 years, thanks to our supporters we’ve been there for thousands of homeless young people when they had nowhere else to turn. But many more still have nowhere safe to sleep tonight.

A lot has changed in those five decades.

Since starting out in a church basement in Central London in 1969, Centrepoint has grown into the UK's leading youth homeless charity. With our support, residents have been able to transform their lives by coming to Centrepoint. They explain how we helped them to change their story.

END YOUTH HOMELESSNESS FOR GOOD. A hidden crisis is unfolding across the UK. Our social support system is crumbling, leaving thousands of vulnerable young people homeless.

We can put this right and make sure every young person has a safe place to call home and the future they deserve. But we need urgent action.

Together we can change the story and end youth homelessness for good.

Find out more about Centrepoint, read the stories of residents throughout the decades, and discover how you can support the campaign to end youth homelessness, visit our website:

www.centrepoint.org.uk MY SOHO TIMES

THE HOLE IN THE WALL Just a short stride between China Town and Soho Square you'll find the Pleasant Lady - literally a 'hole in the wall' on Greek Street selling traditional Cantonese pancakes through its narrow hatch... Be warned, you could walk straight past it if you are not paying attention!

If you're particular about what goes into

Normally served as a street food

your food, and how it's cooked, you'll

breakfast item in China, Jian bing is

probably find it satisfying to watch your

made up

choice of Jian bing - Chinese pancake

brushed with sauce, cracked egg, and

wrap, being cooked right in front of you.

filled with herbs, vegetables, meat,

On our visit, we were served by Kokia

(optional), and a crispy won ton skin for

who charmed us with her effortless art

added crunch. The menu displayed on a

of putting our order together. The

mural outside is simple; veg, chicken,

meticulous one-handed egg crack is one

pork, or lamb. Conveniently card-only.

which comes with either years of

Perhaps inconveniently no seating or

practice - or just practice from serving a

cutlery... This is food for the go - great

lot of hungry customers.

for lunch breaks or your weekend stroll

It was a

performance, with its foundation being

through Soho.

the rice flour batter smothered on the hot flat pan, layered with ingredients.

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of a thin savoury crepe

By Kai Lutterodt @mysohotimes Photos by Shade O.Thompson @shadedidthat

Pleasant Lady Jian bing Trading Stall 23 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4DZ

MY SOHO TIMES

Inspired by second generation restaurateur Umut Özkanca’s Istanbul heritage, Ruya offers Londoners a taste of sophisticated, contemporary dishes from the various Anatolian regions, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. With Chef Patron Colin Clague – formerly of Zuma and Caprice Holdings – at the helm, diners can experience a menu featuring an array of Anatolian classics with a contemporary and fresh twist. Highlights include 24 hour slow cooked short rib with Turkish chili BBQ glaze and spiced Konya chickpea puree; Zeytinyağli ahtapot (marinated & grilled octopus with black eyed beans and apple vinaigrette) and Two cheese pide from the Black Sea with slow cooked egg. Özkanca hopes to highlight the diversity and quality of Anatolian cuisine, a cuisine steeped in a rich and colourful history, as he expands the restaurant, lounge and bar concept on a global scale.

30 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1, 020-3848 6710. Open Mon-Sat, noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm.

The bar is open all day from 12:00pm until 1:00am Monday-Saturday and until 12.30am on Sunday.

MY SOHO TIMES

"I have been homeless myself, at one point I was a drug addict... It was art which saved me. That's what I have and that's what I'm giving to these young people." - Lanre Olagoke

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Photos by Kai Lutterodt @mysohotimes

ART-ALIVE VISION IN SOHO

BY KAI LUTTERODT

It might seem that art and homelessness have an unlikely connection, until you meet Lanre Olagoke founder of Art-Alive Arts Trust. Once homeless himself, the artist and youth advocate used his talent to get through his toughest times. A powerful testimony that art holds much more value than just a price tag.

I first met Lanre last year when my wondering eye curiously peered through the window of a pop-up art exhibition on Broadwick Street, in what was formerly a long-standing pharmacy. I was curious about its new occupants, yet as with most traditional art exhibitions, weary about walking in without an extended invite. However Lanre and a group of young artists exhibiting must have sensed my hesitation, and it wasn't long before I was being ushered in and given a tour of their colourful works. As a young person of colour myself, it was refreshing to see such a space being opened up to young creatives from diverse backgrounds. One thing that Soho doesn't lack is a diversity of talent, however the downside is in the lack of representation and opportunity for those who don't 'fit' social norms to be included. Art-Alive is helping to change this.

Founded in 1991 and set-up as a registered charity in 2001, in the past 20 years Art-Alive has worked with over 10,000 youth who are marginalised; "those who are homeless, have been on the street, drug addicts, ex-offenders, young offenders - you name it, anything to do with young people who are vulnerable." Lanre explains in his artist overalls resembling an abstract painting.

Art-Alive works closely with Centrepoint, a youth homeless charity of which Prince William has been a patron of since 2005.

Working collaboratively, Lanre tells me that he's seen a lot of changes. "It's important to find out the root cause of young people's issues - a lot of times we don't listen. No young person wants to be addicted to drugs, no young person wants to be homeless. Once we start listening, and offer follow up support, change comes."

"I have been homeless myself, at one point I was a drug addict... I went through a lot of pain and rejection." Lanre reveals of his past, "it was art which saved me. That's what I have, and that's what I'm giving to these young people."

Having previously worked from a studio on Greek Street for many years, the new Art-Alive studio is still just a stone's throw away, maintaining a Soho connection. I accepted an invite to meet Lanre at his Carnaby studio to get a deeper understanding of his artistry, and where his passion for supporting some of the UK's most vulnerable people stems from.

Lanre advocates for young people to have an artistic channel to express and release cooped up frustrations from everyday life.

"What I had was my paint and brush. The canvas became my victim. The brush became my weapon. Instead of that brush being a knife, I beat the canvas with strokes" Lanre expressed with a sharp swoop of a gesture towards a canvas. "Every pain I had inside was going on that canvas - and guess what? The canvas can take it! That's how art became my salvation."

"What I had was my paint and brush.

The canvas became my victim..."

Find out more about Art-Alive Arts Trust and how you can support, email info@artalive.org.uk MY SOHO TIMES

POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor

AN URBAN GIRL'S GUIDE TO SOHO

By Kai Lutterodt @travelmakerkai Photos by Barima Owusu-Nyantekyi WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

@barima.co

It’s almost 16 years since I've called Soho home (I can see you squinting at my photo trying to work out my age - a lady never tells)! Whenever I mention that I live in Soho, the first response is usually "wow!" followed by a weary "what exactly do you do?", followed by the main question which gets me every time; "can you recommend... in Soho?" Truth be told, for the longest time, I haven't made the most of the vastitude that Soho offers. I've been a gal who sticks to what she knows - that also includes going to the same place(s) - even for dates.

In recent years however, especially with the creation of My Soho Times, I made a conscious effort to get out of my comfort zone and explore more of Soho... There's still a whole lot more for me to discover, but these are a few of my favs in my daily routine...

As much as I count my blessings for the opportunity to live in such a dynamic area of London, taking care of my mental and physical wellbeing is paramount to my survival. So, when possible, I start or end my day with a hot yoga session run by MoreYoga at Marshall Street Gym. If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then Gail's Bakery almond croissant works a treat coupled with a oat milk cappuccino and a seat by the window to people-watch (when I should really be getting some work done!). Another fav local to people watch from has to be Bar Italia where you can regularly spot soho-ites like the dapper fashionista George Skeggs aka Soho George (pictured left).

Lunch is usually a take away salad and/or pizza slice at Princi during the week. Weekends I'll set a lunch date to catch up with a friend or two at Busaba... any excuse to order a portion of their Thai calamari - I proclaim it the best in town (I challenge you to find better!).

Come evenings I'm a home buddy... Or really let loose! For the purposes not sounding like a bore, let's go with the latter. Bar Salsa! is where it's at for my weekday cardio on the dance floor Mon-Weds. I've had many a Thursday night (into early morning) with my LGBT+ posse at G-A-Y followed by at trip out of Soho down to Heaven. If it's a date night (you know what they say, you have to kiss many frogs before you find your prince charming!) then Chotto-Matte is en route to my heart with their Japanese and Peruvian fusion cuisine. Hoppers takes me back to my visit to Sri Lanka (travel stories are always a great icebreaker for dates!) My favourite place for seafood ramen is - hands down, Tonkotsu (pictured below). Pho on Wardour St is my goto for a light healthy dinner. And if I'm really counting my coins welcome to the life of a freelancer(!) - a sushi dinner at Itsu does it where it's half price 30mins before closing... that's cheaper than a bag-a-chips!

d   T !

"It's important for me to establish a foundation in Soho - I want to connect with Soho's past and future!"

Discover Soho's history, search 'The Soho Society' and 'Soho Museum'

    T  d!   y    

MY SOHO TIMES

Aqua Kyoto Entrance 30 Argyll St, W1F 7EB

Bar Italia 22 Frith St, Soho, W1D 4RF

Barrio Soho 6 Poland St, Soho, W1F 8PS

Bar Soho 23-25 Old Compton St, Soho, W1D 5JL

Bar Salsa!

96 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0JG

Billionaire Boys Club 36 Marshall St, Soho, W1F 7EY

Busaba 106-110 Wardour St, Soho W1F 0TR

Cafe Boheme 13 Old Compton St, Soho, W1D 5JQ

Carnaby Street Soho W1F 9PS

Cerviche Soho 17 Frith St, Soho, W1D 4RG

China Town 10 Wardour St, W1D 6BZ

Chipotle Mexican Grill 181-185 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 8ZA

1. Chotto Matte 11- 13 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4RB

C.P. Company 34 Marshall St, Soho, London W1F 7EU

Dean Street Townhouse 69 - 71 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3SE

Dirty Bones 14 Denman St, Soho, London W1D 7HJ

Duke’s Cupboard 14 Ingestre Pl, Soho, London W1F 0JQ

Dean Street Express 34 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 4PR

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SO

Dean Street Townhouse

69 - 71 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3SE

Dirty Bones 14 Denman St, Soho, London W1D 7HJ

Duke’s Cupboard 14 Ingestre Pl, Soho, London W1F 0JQ

Flat White 17 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PT

Franco Manca 51 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 8SJ

French House 49 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 5BG

Gail's Bakery 128 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 8ZL

Gandys 120 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 0TU

G-A-Y 30 Old Compton St, Soho, W1D 4UR

Gopal’s of Soho 12 Bateman St, Soho, London W1D 4AH

Hoppers 49 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4SG

Humming Bird Bakery 12 Bateman St, Soho, London W1D 4AH

Joe and The Juice 46 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 4QD

John Snow 39 Broadwick St, Soho, W1F 9QJ

Joyce's Jerk Joint 189 Wardour St, Soho, London W1F 8ZD

HO Kingly Court

Kingly Ct, Soho, London W1B 5PW

Lina Stores 18 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 0SH

Marshall Street Gym/Spa 15 Marshall St, Soho, London W1F 7EL

MoreYoga 15 Marshall St, Soho, London W1F 7EL

MAOZ 43 Old Compton St, Soho, W1D 6HG

Mildreds Soho 45 Lexington St, Soho, London W1F 9AN

Misan Textiles 52 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 8SL

My Place Soho 21 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PZ

Obica 19-20 Poland St, Soho, W1F 8QF

Pleasant Lady 1. 23 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4DZ

Pierre Victoire 5 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3RQ

Pho 163-165 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 8WN

Pizza Pilgrims 11 Dean St, Soho, W1D 3RP

POAN 37 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QZ

Princi 135 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 0UT

Ronnie Scott’s 47 Frith St, Soho, W1D 4HT

Raeburn 3 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RE (until Feb 2020)

Snowflake Gelato 102 Wardour St, Soho, London W1F 0TP

Soho Radio 22c Great Windmill St, Soho, W1D 7LD

Soho Recovery Centre 123 Charing Cross Rd, Soho, WC2H 0EW

Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3NE

Soho Fitness Lab 9-12 St Anne's Ct, Soho, W1F 0BB

Soho NHS Walk-in Centre 1 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 3HZ

Sounds Of The Universe 7 Broadwick St, Soho, London W1F 0DA

Tonkotsu Soho 63 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 4QG

The Breakfast Club 33 D'Arblay St, Soho, London W1F 8EU

The Nadler Soho 10 Carlisle St, Soho, W1D 3BR

The Nelly Dean 89 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3SU

The London Salon • Soho 5 Carlisle St, Soho, W1D 3BJ

The Soho Hotel 4 Richmond Mews, Soho, London W1D 3DH

Wacky Baraber 9-12 Saint Anne's Court, London W1F 0BB

Wahaca 80 Wardour St, London

WeWork Soho Square 21 Soho Square, Soho, London W1D 3QP

  T   MY SOHO TIMES

SOHO x TALKS Soho x Talks (Soho Times Talks) events will engage creative professionals from the local area through panel discussions, workshops and masterclasses in partnership with local businesses offering a space for these events to take place.

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Through Soho x Talks, partner businesses will connect with diverse audiences, invite the community into their venues and provide a hub for inspiration through the sharing of human stories. Interested in hosting a Soho x Talks event in your venue?

Contact Kai info@mysohotimes.co.uk

Clockwise from top: Cherise Adams-Burnet; Ashley Henry; George Hudson; Bluey Robinson

Driven by his passion for jazz and blues music, four years ago, Soho resident George Hudson founded a live music venue in the heart of central London’s most vibrant community, The Piano Bar Soho. While the neighbourhood was already the national nucleus of jazz music, the intimate venue held its own, against some of long-standing behemoths and world-famous classics.

A year later with Nathan Britton as the Musical Director, the pair founded Soho.Live Studios, with a venue expansion that now accommodates a label and recording studios, which has aimed at developing ‘jazzers’, and nurturing talent in this musical genre.

Their first festival venture is taking place this September with the launch of Soho.Live Jazz Week, and will see the legendary jazz clubs of Soho come together, showcasing more than 250 artists, across 45 ticketed shows, in over 15 venues.

Soho.Live’s array of artists include the talented and soulful Bluey Robinson, who fronts The Fedz, the genre-bending Ashley Henry, whose brew of influences include jazz, grime, hip hop and punk, the winning ensemble that comprises members of Kansas Smitty’s House Band, jazz and soul songstress, Billie Black and Soho’s notorious trumpeter Andy Davies.

Soho.Live Jazz Week will be a window inside these exciting times for the genre and its audiences.

Venues taking part in this year’s Soho.Live Jazz Week include: The Piano Bar Soho, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Spice of Life, 100 Wardour Street, L’Escargot Club, Ain’t Nothing But the Blues, Quo Vadis Members Club, The Court Club, Bills Restaurant Soho, Hotel Cafe Royal, Japes Restaurant, My Place, Yamaha Music London and Soho Theatre.

Soho Jazz Week runs from 12-14 September For tickets visit www.soho.live/jazzweek MY SOHO TIMES

THIS SEASONAL'S PICKS That Café on Denmark Street…

Hugging the edge of Soho is Denmark Street, renowned and much loved for its music and guitar shops. But for less musical mortals like me, it is also the geographical connection between two different and coexisting Soho realities: the hectic business hub Centre St. Giles and

the

vivacious

theatre

centric

Charing Cross Road.

Fernandez and Wells, at number 1-3, is the exact spot where these two realities meet; it is where Soho workers, artists and visitors find their caffeine, a meet up spot and free Wi-Fi powered by great coffee (as the same Café phrases it once you get connection) …

Oh and did I mention? They are open 'till late for those who like a good glass of wine to compliment a delicious morceau de cheese!

Fernandes & Wells 1-3 Denmark Street, WC2H 8LP www.fernandezandwells.com WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Writer & Content Strategist Liza Adebisi reviews her seasonal picks this autumn- coffee fix and sustainable fashion!

SUSTAINABLE SEPTEMBER

Let Vintage Reign! …and at last we have it! A campaign for sustainable fashion: Oxfam, media, businesses and shoppers together are agreed: the trend this months shall be less consumerism and more responsibility… and may I add, more style too!

Whilst serious concerns are rising on working conditions in the factories that make cheap clothes for the high street,

here is now the additional awareness of the

impact clothing industries may have on nature and our ecosystem (Cotton growing, for instance, is responsible for the usage of 22.5% of the world's insecticides and 10% of the world's pesticides, chemicals which can be dangerous for the environment and harmful to the farmers who grow it, according to the Ethical Fashion Forum).

So, when preparing the autumn/winter wardrobe, this September, let’s find a different way for staying stylish and devour less of the world’s precious resources.

For my chic and sustainable look this autumn, I am checking out Reign: a little hidden gem on Berwick Street, selling carefully selected garments ranging from the 1940s to the 1990s. David, the co-owner, tells me that the shop is currently ready for the Autumn/Winter season and very much keeping in vogue with the latest trends; in his words: “…whilst fashion always takes from the past, this year we are stocking on flared hems and A-line skirts echoing that cool 70’s look that the main fashion houses are now re-launching”.

So why not look at their website and give your apparel a dose of sustainable originality? As Albert (photographed) explains “If you buy Vintage it’s a lot easier to curate your own individual style!”.

Words by Liza Adebisi @liza_mine108 Photos by Kai Lutterodt @mysohotimes

Reign Vintage 12 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PN www.reignvintage.com

MY SOHO TIMES

PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS OPENS ITS DOORS IN SOHO

Summer 2019 POAN opened it's doors in Soho Square with its first stand alone store in London. George Ghon shares the inspiration behind this season's collection.

The current cruise collection turns to Salzburg, Austria, where the Sound of Music was made, which tells the story of a former nun whose love takes unexpected turns. From god it deviates towards the motherly love of children, first, to transform into a romantic venture only later.

POAN takes a fashion spin on the story, and portrays the couple with the kids as modern love story. Yet, it keeps a sensitivity for the original context, with all-over prints from porcelain objets trouvés, dipping the family in fest of décor and colour.

HIS & HERS

It’s a playful act, often with a marginal component of seriousness involved.

POAN likes games, the stories they contain, and includes a set of play-cards in the collection. A sporty, athletic look comports that friendly male rivalry that often comes along with competitions. But there are also floral all-over prints, inviting to dream, and to contemplate the complex relationship of friends, foes, and loved ones.

Soho Square, London W1D 2QN www.poan.com WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

All you need to know about Soho Media Club: London’s most diverse networking club for media professionals Underpinned by monthly meetups in a secret Soho location, the club brings together passionate people with stories to share. "You never know where your next inspiring moment will come from and that’s the beauty of Soho Media Club" co-founder, Tom Witkowski.

Since its launch in July 2019, members network Soho Media Club has attracted a membership of over 300 media professionals from production, post-production and distribution and has successfully ran two dynamic meetups in Soho. Set up by friends Jaisica Lapsiwala and Tomasz Witokowski, Soho Media Club is turning networking in the media industry on its head. My Soho Times explores what the network is about and how it is different...

Collaboration and diversity are part of the Club’s DNA Jaisica and Tom share 3 key beliefs: Collaboration, Inclusion and everyone having a voice. They saw an opportunity to create a club for those in the media community who share these beliefs, and want to make the whole industry better. Anyone can join the network, regardless of their seniority, position or status. The only criteria is that you have to be an active media professional; whether that is in film, tv, digital or music. The network is designed to advocate collaboration, inclusion and diversity across the

media

production,

post-production

and

distribution

community. Once qualified as a member, EVERYONE receives an invite to the Club’s monthly Soho meetups.

MY SOHO TIMES

Passionate speakers with stories to share Guest speakers take to the mic at each meetup to share personal stories of their careers. This summer’s events took place at the Warner Bros. facility on Dean Street and the Dropbox bar in Broadwick Street in July and August respectively. The meetups attracted a hugely diverse mix of guests including large corporates such as Netflix, BBC and Disney to mid-sized production companies

and

independent

producers,

editors

and

cinematographers who came together for a dynamic evening of exchanging ideas and making new connections in a very democratic environment.

July’s meetup speakers included Olivier award-winning theatre director and playwright Jessica Swale; Senior Colourist at Goldcrest, Jet Omoshebi and Nick Roberts, ADR Mixer who gave honest and candid opinion on challenges they have faced, including the topic of gender diversity.

The August event welcomed guest speakers: Josh Wilson, Managing Director, Wilson Worldwide Productions; Zeb Achonu, TV

&

Film

Editor;

Tania

Freimuth,

Award

winning

Cinematographer and Andy Wilson, Principal Media, Dropbox to share their stories and experiences of working in TV & film. The collective shared powerful stories on a range of topics from the struggles of financing, to rebuilding your network and flexible working patterns. However, it was the exchange of opinion around the virtues of mentoring which dominated the conversation and captured the audience's attention.

The Soho Media Club wants to make a difference!

Co-founder, Jaisica Lapsiwala explains ‘The ability to be agile and think laterally gives you a massive edge over everyone else... We exist to create diversity of thought, drive that horizontal thinking and encourage people to take a creative approach to tackling problems in our industry.’

To find out more, and join the Club visit www.sohomediaclub.com WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Personal Training

The key benefit of working with a PT is that they can personalise your workout and nutrition plan according to your specific goals and individual needs.

Central location

ACHIEVE YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS GOALS WITH PERSONALISED COACHING New to fitness and don’t know where to start?

Regular gym-goer but not seeing any progress?

Preparing for an event or ready to get back into fitness post-baby?

Whatever your reason for considering Personal Training, it has a lot to offer. As well as benefiting from your trainer’s expertise when it comes to your workout and nutrition plan, you can make sure you’re doing exercises in the correct way to both achieve your goal and reduce your risk of injury.

Based a stone's throw from Oxford Street, Grow is a boutique fitness studio offering the best in Personal Training. Run by four passionate coaches, the whole team is dedicated to transforming lives by helping people to become their happiest and healthiest selves through fitness and nutrition. Founder Brett says, “Our focus is to educate our clients to become stronger, better, fitter and healthier. We cater for complete beginners all the way through to professional athletes - putting their goals at the heart of every single session”.

Based in Soho? Check out our boutique studio on Rathbone Place for the most personalised approach London has to offer.

Grow - where training gets personal

If you’re interested in learning more about what we do and how the team can help you to achieve your health and fitness goals, claim your free initial consultation with one of our trainers by emailing hello@growfitness.co.uk MY SOHO TIMES

SOHO handed to you on a PLATE WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

"The Life Goddess aims to bring the best of Greece in the heart of London!"

In Greek tradition and culture cultivating, preparing and sharing food is a ritual. The journey of the senses starts from motherearth and finishes at a feast on a table where all the family, friends and companions share the same nourishment and enjoy the sublime result of their efforts. For Greeks preparing a meal for someone is the ultimate token of respect, gratitude, friendship and love.

TLG aspires to introduce the superior quality, wealth and diversity of Greek products to gastronomy enthusiasts and familiarise them with the exquisite balance, simplicity and excellence of the Greek food culture that is beginning to re-conquer its rightful place in the world gastronomical map. Our philosophy is that good quality sustenance is the epitome of a healthy and happy life!

Kingly Court, Soho, London W1B 5PW info@thelifegoddess.com

MY SOHO TIMES

FIND YOUR ROUTE.

Whether for fun or for work, Santander cycle hire is here to help you get around London more easily.

Getting Out and About With 8 docking stations in Soho, and plenty more in neighbouring areas, Santander Cycles offers all the convenience and fun of cycling in London without any of the hassle of owning your own bike. Whether seasoned cyclist, or you bike on a ad hoc basis, it’s easy to hire a cycle from one of more than 700 docking stations across the capital.

The cost effectiveness of the bike hire scheme is perhaps its biggest appeal to everyday users.

For just £2 you can take as many 30min trips within 24hrs, making it ideal for short trips.

Longer journeys cost £2 for each extra 30 minutes or less however.

Frequent users can pay even less by simply registering for yearly bike access for £90. That works out at just 25p per day, plus any ride charges for journeys over 30 minutes.

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"It's easy to use with lots of docking stations"

How much does it cost?

1. HireYou pay £2 to access the bikes for 24 hours.

2. RideYou can make as many journeys as you like. If your journey is less than 30 minutes, you won't pay more. If it's longer than 30 minutes, you pay £2 for every 30 minutes.

3. ReturnYou can return the bike at any time, as long as it's within 24 hours. You could be charged up to £300 if you damage the bike or don't return it.

Get your bike quicker - Become a member.

If you become a member you get your own key so you can

Photos by Shade O. Thompson | @shadedidthat Cyclist: Ella

hire a bike quickly. You can use the bikes for 24 hours from just £2, or get a discount to use the bikes all year round for £90 (25p a day).If you're a student and studying in London, you can get 25% off yearly membership.

The Santander Cycles App For more info visit www.santandercycles.co.uk/london

MY SOHO TIMES

Sip & unwind Since the creation of vermouth in Turin in 1786, Aperitivo has been an essential part of Italian culture and an indispensable start to the evening. We have paired up with Martini to bring this ritual to 68 and Boston every day from 4pm-6pm.

Select a carefully crafted drink from our Aperitivo list and any Small Plate from our menu for only ÂŁ8. The perfect warm up before a night out or a refined way to wind down after work. Saluti!

Our new fantastic 5at5 upstairs in Boston. Between 5pm and 6pm you can get a selected Cocktail for only ÂŁ5! Kick back with a Cuba Libre or a Kir Royale. Ease into the week with an Espresso Martini or a Negroni. Or simply have the perfect post work wind down with a Perfect Lady

5 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4DD www.68andboston.com WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

JOIN THE TEAM!

We're looking for diverse talent to help us showcase the best of Soho!

Whether your creative flair - if Soho's part of your lifestyle we'd love to have you onboard the My Soho Times team! From bloggers, to photographers, videographers to social media enthusiasts, reviewers to illustrators - this is your platform to showcase London's most dynamic district! info@mysohotimes.co.uk

MY SOHO TIMES

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ISSUE 1

Showcasing the creative vision of Soho from key developers, we'll explore how Soho's past intertwined with the present will help us reimagine the next decade of London's former red light district.

To partner, sponsor or advertise with us please email Kai at info@mysohotimes.co.uk MY SOHO TIMES

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