Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26

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inside issue 41

Chris Ezekiel on why pausing gives the planet some relief Page 6

Perfect Waxing - GoBoat - Martin Gettings The Ship - Natak - Harbour Central Icon Outlet At The O2 - Silverspace - Lick&Mix Puzzles - Kidd Rapinet Solicitors - Matt Colk Natasha Maddison - Berkeley Homes Bloom Clinic - David Lefevbre Sell

why Bar Bolivar, along with all the other bars and restaurants in Canary Wharf, can’t wait to welcome indoor guests Pages 8-9

within what lies

celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

Image by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

Fast, affordable, conveyancing services Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk

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read

feast your eyes on these

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

Across the estate Canary Wharf

VISIT | Summer Family Festival While full details have yet to be announced we’re getting excited as Canary Wharf unveils plans for three months of activities for all to enjoy.

May 29-Aug 28, canarywharf.com

Welcome to the May issue of Wharf Life. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information about events featured, but please check with the organisers as things can change quickly as lockdown comes to an end. Keep supporting local businesses

06

taste

GoBoat set to launch craft for hire from Wood Wharf

Hash Brown & Guac Bao, £5.45 MamaLan, Reuters Plaza

Where?

Bank Street Park Canary Wharf

PLAY | Bank Street Basketball British Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori is set to create a 3x3 basketball court in the park – the centrepiece to a summer of sport and activities.

From May 21, canarywharf.com Where?

Canada Square Canary Wharf

POP-UP | Terrace Top-floor restaurant Plateau has unveiled a summer terrace at ground level with space for up to 60 guests. The pop-up will be in place until August 30.

Daily, noon-10pm, plateau-restaurant.co.uk

book it

As restrictions lift, Boisdale Of Canary Wharf is planning a packed schedule of gigs by the likes of Rebecca Ferguson, Alexander O’Neal, The Brand New Heavies, Boney M, Gabrielle and its patron of music Jools Holland boisdale.co.uk Scan this code for Boisdale Of Canary Wharf’s full gig listings or to make a booking on its terrace want more? @wharflifelive

A quick pit-stop at newly arrived kiosk MamaLan in Canary Wharf yielded something of a culinary surprise – a soft spongy bao stuffed not with meat or tofu, but hash browns.

Foolishly I refused chopsticks as the generous portion of filling – combining the potato cakes with fresh guacamole, chilli and coriander – proved messy to eat with hands alone – an intriguing fusion of flavours in a bun.

This was a real find – if MamaLan was open earlier, I’d have it for breakfast at least once a week.

Go to mamalan.co.uk Jon Massey

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How Perfect Waxing has expanded its services with a Wharf branch

Chopsticks are advised, as the generous filling tends to spill out of the soft, spongy bun

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fortnightly find

this issue’s Tiger Treasure

With non-essential shops reopening – Flying Tiger being pretty much the least essential in Canary Wharf – we couldn’t resist popping in to see the quite astonishing number of hand sanitiser dispensers on offer. Better still though is this rainbow banjo perfect for sitting and strumming outdoors in the sunshine, just as soon as the weather gets into gear and things heat up a little Banjo, £10 Go to uk.flyingtiger.com

Martin Gettings reflects on a marbellous image of the Earth

the joy of six Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 29

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Canary Wharf

on the radar

doing the deals

get more for less in and around the Wharf

need to know

20%

Brace yourselves – the space formerly known as Giant Robot is set to become Pergola On The Wharf from June 2 with room for 700 guests, food from Mac And Wild’s Nick Wyborn and a space strewn with verdant flora, vines and ferns. Save the date pergolacanarywharf.co.uk

Jones Bootmaker in Canada Place is offering a fifth off standard prices for its latest collection – naturally T&Cs apply. Check before purchase jonesbootmaker.com

34 While there are many openings on land at Canary Wharf, the water is also getting busy.

At Wood Wharf a pair of floating restaurants has arrived – one to be occupied by The London Project, which currently operates in Dubai thelondonproject.com

30

As shoppers return to Icon Outlet at The O2 we meet its MD

Dr Rita Nandi on why she’s launched The Bloom Clinic

retail

36

How photographers Michael Stuart-Daley and Calvin Mlilo created all-inclusive studio business Silverspace in Royal Docks after spotting a gap in the market

Still the best quality wine offer on the Wharf – Humble Grape offers all bottles in its shop at retail prices to drink-in when out drinking on a Monday humblegrape.co.uk

Funding Criteria Applications are open to charities and not-for-profit organisations.

To qualify your project needs to fit within the following categories: Building stronger, safer and healthier communities Creating more sustainable and greener communities Raising aspirations of East Londoners

£75,000 To support local charities and organisations that represent inclusive and diverse communities across East London.

Eligibility See below the eligible locations: Barking & Dagenham | Bexley | Epping Forest District Council | Greenwich | Hackney | Havering | Newham | Lambeth | Lewisham | Redbridge | Southwark | Tower Hamlets | Waltham Forest

Creating pathways into employment

Apply Now To apply, please fill out the application form on our website: www.londoncityairport.com/corporate/responsible-growth/community-fund The Fund has awarded grants to nearly 70 local charities and not for profit organisations in the local area, distributing more than £200k worth of funding since its launch in May 2019.

Contact us for more information: Community.Fund@londoncityairport.com For Terms and Conditions and submission deadlines, please visit our website.

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Canary Wharf

style it

write me

words you don’t know you need

hairven

noun, fake, from High German The explosion of joy at getting a booking in a salon to have the results of that ill-conceived self cut sorted out by a professional barber or hairdresser, so you can finally go out in public as lockdown restrictions ease

Above, Adam and, below, London Grace, are waiting to welcome Wharfers

tacenda noun, real, from Latin

Things better left unsaid in public or to be passed over in silence.

This term should be borne in mind especially by staff in salons witnessing the unexpected consequences of lockdown on the heads of their customers

W

ith salons, barbershops, spas and mobile beauty services open again, it’s finally time for us to indulge in their services and feel like ourselves once more – urgent both if you’re a consumer like me and to support a sector that’s had a tough time during the pandemic. For those who want to look their best, I’ve compiled a list of Canary Wharf’s best options – all operating with strict Covid-security – whether you’re getting ready for that long-anticipated social occasion or preparing to head back into the office. ● The first stop has to be hair – I’m so over using a re-touching spray on those greys. Fortunately contemporary salon Jon Hala in Jubilee Place sounds so tempting with its aromatic scented candles, private treatment space and cups of herbal tea. Jon himself has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry tending to the heads of A-list celebrity clients such as Kate Moss and Elle McPherson. A cut and blow dry starts at £50, but more complex services are offered including Hair Botox – a deep conditioning treatment designed to make hair more luscious and full, using collagen complex technology.

Go to jonhala.com ● Men can visit one of the two branches of Adam Grooming Atelier barber shops in Cabot Place or Canary Wharf Tube station to tidy up shaggy lockdown locks. Services start at £35 for a haircut. The brand’s Face Time treatment, with a hot towel, foam-up, wet shave or beard trim, ear flame, cooling balm and a soothing massage costs £30.

Go to adamgroomingatelier.com

Help your loved ones to help you kiddrapinet.co.uk/understandinganlpa

You can’t control what the future holds, but you can control who makes decisions on your behalf.

Download our FREE guide to MAKING A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA) Book a consultation with Tatiana Zenia today on 020 7925 0303 or email tzenia@kiddrapinet.co.uk

● Next up it’s eyebrows. BBB London (which stands for Blink Brow Bar) has a store in Canary Wharf. Having started with one threading chair at Fenwick in New Bond Street nearly 15 years ago, the brand now claims to complete a brow shape at its branches every 60 seconds. There’s a whole host of eyebrow treatments on offer at the North Colonnade salon, from threading and waxing to microblading and brow lamination. Prices start at £6.

Go to bbb-london ● Now for the nails. Founded in 2015, London Grace combines a nail bar, cocktail bar and coffee shop. Grab a friend and treat yourselves to an Aperol Spritz and a buff and polish. Its Canary Wharf branch is located in Canada Place Mall with prices starting from £12 for a Slap Dash manicure. As an add-on service the brand offers a £5 mini hand or foot massage too – heavenly.

Go to londongrace.co.uk ● If you still aren’t feeling pampered enough, check yourself in for something special. Located overlooking Canada Square, Third Space Spa is open to both members and non-members of the club and boasts a wide range of services. Its treatments include everything from manicures and pedicures to acupuncture, facials, dermal fillers, massage, waxing, reflexology and more. Treatment prices start at £15 for gel nail application.

Third Space members enjoy discounts on all services.

Go to thirdspace.london Natasha Maddison @pazzanatasha on Insta

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Republic A State of Independence for an Independent State of Mind Calling all local retailers!

Independent & local operators wanted for final five Retail /Restaurant / Leisure units (800 to 10,000 sq ft).

Office occupiers include Digital Media, International Telecoms, Co-working, Universities & Start-ups.

Contact Steven Stedman: steven.stedman@cbre.com Jake Stace: jake@cfcommercial.co.uk Laurence Jones: Laurence@trilogyproperty.com www.republic.london

Preferred uses include: Bike Shops, Barbers, Hairdressers, Craft Breweries/Distilleries, Florists, Tattoo Shops, Medical, Recording Studios & all others considered.

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virtual viewpoint

by Chris Ezekiel

Mph – speed the GoBoats are limited to by design so customers feel relaxed

by Jon Massey

I As thick air pollution decreased, the Himalayas became visible in the Punjab

I

magine waking up one morning in a place you’ve lived for 30 years and being able to see a view of the Himalayan mountain range, some 200km to the north, for the first time. This is what happened to Anshul Chopra in Jalandhar in the Indian state of Punjab on April 3, 2020.

As a deadly virus swept around the world, much in our lives was put on pause. Cleaner air and fewer humans roaming around the planet meant nature could flourish in ways that it hasn’t been able to for decades.

The statistics are staggering. Global traffic noise reduced by up to 70%, which meant birdsong was clearer and helped with mating.

Within days of lockdown Los Angeles experienced its best air As the virus subsides, quality for 40 years.

Across China the a fitting legacy would levels of toxic gases in be to use our creativity the atmosphere halved.

With no cruise ships and technology to find and nobody on the beaches, creatures better ways to share such as sea turtles and our planet humpback whales Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual flourished.

During the breeding season, African penguins in Cape Town heading out to sea to fish early in the morning, would usually have had to wait until sunset before returning to their chicks as the beaches would be crowded with people. But not in the past year, which has meant more fishing trips and more chicks.

Technology has enabled us to carry on running our lives and many businesses in a way not possible during previous pandemics.

As the virus subsides and we get back to our busy lives, a fitting legacy would be to use our creativity and technology to find better ways to share our planet with the wonderful natural diversity that is Earth.

Even pausing our lives for a week every year would be a great way to do something for nature and give us time to experience our wonderful lands.

“

Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at West India Quay’s Cannon Workshops Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on Twitter

n addition to being the first day when hospitality venues can welcome guests back inside, May 17 is the date a new attraction is about to set sail in Canary Wharf. A quartet of low-slung sleek grey GoBoats has already arrived in West India South Dock in preparation for the launch, which will see the company renting the craft from a base at Wood Wharf.

Inspired by an enjoyable time on the water during a stag-do in Denmark, co-owners Grant Sweeney and Julian Wootton gave up decade-long careers in management consultancy to start their own business from scratch.

Founded in 2017, GoBoat already has operations on the Regent’s Canal at Paddington and on the non-tidal Thames in Kingston.

Grant said: “We’re an eco-friendly, self-drive boat hire business. Our boats are made from predominantly recycled materials and are powered by electric engines. We’re all about getting people onto the waterways of the UK and allowing them to have a fun time with their friends and family.

“Canary Wharf will be our third location and we’re super-excited about being here – we can’t wait to open and to get people onto these wonderful waters in Docklands.”

Initially the company will operate four boats, eventually rising to eight. GoBoats seat up to eight people and are available to explore the West India Docks and Blackwall Basin, with visitors booking either one, two or three hours for £89, £129 or £169 respectively.

“The experience is all about social interaction,” said Grant.

“We view our boats as a platform to enjoy the city – it’s about giving our customers a different perspective on a part of London that they might already know but haven’t seen from the water.

“Each boat has a designated captain and they are responsible for steering. Customers go straight out on the water after a relatively short handover where they learn how to drive and steer.

“Typically our customers bring a

Customers will be able to explore the waters of the West India Docks and Blackwall Basin via the GoBoats

water “ Canary Wharf will be our third location and we’re super-excited about being here – we can’t wait to get people onto these wonderful waters Grant Sweeney, GoBoat

take to the

how GoBoat is set to hire out craft for a tranquil cruise among the Wharf’s towers

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

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Canary Wharf

boat is deliberate, because we want people to be calm and relax and talk to one another.

They’re limited to 4mph by design for a reason.

“It’s also why the boats have been designed with the picnic table in the centre, so that guests sit around the table opposite one another, and it encourages conversation, rather than looking forward and not talking to each other or using their phones.”

S

Image by GoBoat

picnic down. They are allowed to have a couple of alcoholic drinks, but no more than that and the captain remains sober.

“Essentially, it’s a fun, social experience and I think there’s a real demand for that now as we, hopefully, come out of the pandemic. Being outdoors, it’s quite a safe environment and it provides happy memories for our customers.

“I hope anyone who takes a journey with us feels relaxed. A number of studies have shown that being on the water is good for people’s mental health.

“We see it all the time – as soon as our customers get on the boat, there’s a different vibe – almost like a sigh of relief.

“When boats pass each other, everyone waves. You wouldn’t do that on a footpath or in a car, but on the water it’s different.

“Everything about our business has been designed to complement that, so the slow pace of life on the

ustainability was a key consideration when Grant and Julian set up the business and they’re always looking for ways to make their operation more environmentally friendly.

Grant said: “About 80% of each boat is made from recycled plastic bottles and the wood that is used for the picnic tables in the centre of the boats is from sustainable sources.

“The engines are electric, so there’s no environmental pollution and no noise pollution as they cruise over the water.

“We are a very environmentally friendly business and, in terms of the customer experience, the lack of noise from the engine encourages conversation.

“We are very proud of our green credentials and we want to carry that forward and try to improve that at every opportunity. We are currently looking at ways to reduce the amount of plastic that our customers leave on the boats, for example.”

That’s no small task considering the success of the business so far, which in four years has taken the owners somewhat by surprise.

“We didn’t anticipate that it would get so big, so quickly and become so popular,” said Grant.

“We estimate that we had about 100,000 customers last year across both of our sites. We’re really proud of our team for achieving that.

“We’re not sure how many we’ll get in Canary Wharf initially, but we think it will be a sizeable number.”

Elena Istode will be running things on the ground as GoBoat location manager for Canary Wharf.

She said: “I started in 2019 with the company as a crew member and then came back for a second season as a supervisor.

“Sailing a GoBoat is very safe, although we will recommend everyone wears a life jacket just in case as the water is deep and quite cold. Everything around here is very well managed, so there’s very little danger.

“We can’t wait to welcome our first customers and the most

Images by Illyas Ayub – find more of his work at illyasayub.com or via @ilyasayubphoto on Insta

GoBoat location manager for Canary Wharf Elena Istode will be running the operation on the estate Scan this code for more information about GoBoat important thing is that we’ll be selling ice cream from Hackney gelato.”

Other refreshments will also be available at GoBoat’s kiosk and the firm is currently on the hunt for more locally-based food and beverage partners to extend its offering to customers.

Grant added: “We’re really excited to be in this environment.

We had conversations back in 2018 with Canary Wharf Group and, at every step of the way, we’ve had really positive support from them – it’s been a joy really.

“We feel the water in Docklands needs more animation and it has always been our ambition to come here. We think it’s such a stunning part of London’s waterways and it just seems so obvious to us to do this. The landscape here is unparalleled – it gives you that urban experience, which you don’t get at our other two sites. Each one of them is quite a different experience.”

Go to goboat.co.uk for more

Grant Sweeney says people would struggle to find many experiences available in London for £10-£15 per head, the cost of a GoBoat split eight ways per hour

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8

legal matters

by Tatiana Zenina

Years since Jake and Marco founded MJMK, which produces music events and runs bars and restaurants

how Bar Bolivar brings a fusion of Havana and Venezuela to the Wharf’s drinking and dining scene

The bar occupies the unit left vacant by the demise of the Carluccio’s chain

by Jon Massey

I

Tatiana says the pandemic means people of all ages should consider arranging LPAs

A

lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a document that enables you to appoint others to make decisions on your behalf, should you become unable. There are two types – one covering health and welfare and another covering property and financial affairs.

The pandemic has had a devastating effect on many families – it has also made people realise that it is important to take steps to manage their affairs and finances, irrespective of your age.

LPAs are often recommended for older people, especially with illnesses such as dementia.

However, Covid-19 has shown how important it is to take such steps irrespective of age.

LPAs can assist for short periods of time as well. For example, if you are in hospital (an unplanned surgery Though it is or similar) and are unable to deal with possible to submit your finances, you can the LPA forms ask your designated attorneys to manage yourself, it is certain tasks for you.

Over the years, the advisable to seek LPA application process legal advice has been revised to Tatiana Zenina, Kidd Rapinet make their creation and registration easier.

However, the consequences of your decisions may not always be appreciated until it is too late and it is crucial to understand the implications. This is especially important with the health LPA. Though it is possible to submit the forms yourself, it is advisable to seek legal advice.

This should give you full knowledge of your circumstances and an appreciation of details that may seem small or irrelevant, an understanding of which options are best for you and suggestions to protect your interests and ensure your specific wishes are followed.

The process should also provide advice on what to do should your circumstances change after registering your powers of attorney and how to amend them as well as the correct preparation of documentation to ensure any application is not rejected.

“

Tatiana Zenina is a private client solicitor at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors, based at Harbour Exchange on the Isle Of Dogs. She’s available on 020 7205 2115 Scan this code to find out how Kidd Rapinet can advise you on LPAs or on a range of other personal and financial affairs

Inside green fronds, warm colours and plenty of rum await from May 17

Bar Bolivar’s interior has been created by design agency Bearded Kitten, which has done work for Google, Twitch, Amazon and Disney Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

n many ways Bar Bolivar represents something of a homecoming for MJMK co-founder and joint managing director Jake Kasumov. The pop-up, which arrived in Canary Wharf just before the November lockdown, fills the space in Reuters Plaza left vacant by the demise of Carluccio’s.

But it also draws two things together – Jake’s childhood, growing up in Havana as the child of a diplomat, and his first job at Lehman Brothers in Bank Street.

Following Jake’s redundancy from the latter, a victim of its collapse during the 2008 credit crunch, he met fellow co-founder and MD Marco Mendes, a relationship that went from friendship to business empire.

The duo started out organising electronic music events, incorporating their company in 2013, before moving into bars at Pop Brixton in 2015 and then restaurants in 2018 with Casa Do Frango at London Bridge, serving Portuguese cuisine – a re ection of Marco’s heritage.

A second Casa followed in Shoreditch and a Mexican – Kol – in Marylebone, at about the same time as Bar Bolivar arrived and the UK ground to a halt for a month.

Back open for terrace bookings, the plan to further ease lockdown restrictions on May 17 and then June 21 should see their latest opening finally able to reach its potential, having been booked to capacity on April 12. That, perhaps, is early recognition that Jake and Marco are trying to bring something a little bit different to the Wharf.

“The idea behind Bar Bolivar is something we’ve been thinking about for a few years,” said Jake.

“I only spent five or six years living in Cuba, but I went back every summer and every holiday until I was about 22 – so I got to experience the old-school Havana, in the 1990s and 2000s.

“What really fascinated me was the eating and drinking culture.

Going to a few bars in that city is one of the best experiences – the barmen pour the cocktails with their eyes closed – the best Mojitos you’ve ever had.

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Canary Wharf

“

We’d love to be unencumbered by Covid and see Bar Bolivar stretch its legs. It will really come into its own when it gets really busy Marco Mendes, MJMK

fun Jake Kasumov, right, and Marco Mendes have opened Bar Bolivar in Canary Wharf’s Reuters Plaza

convivial

Currently only Bar Bolivar’s terrace is open

“Despite the economic di culties they’re facing, the Cubans are very happy and very positive and that can be seen in the way they approach going out and drinking – it’s very convivial, everyone drinks and smokes cigars, and that’s what we’re trying to recreate here.

“The name ‘Bolivar’ comes from the very famous cigars, Cuban staples named for Simon Bolivar the liberator of Venezuela and South America from the Spanish.

“So Bar Bolivar is an ode to the relationship between Cuba and Venezuela.”

To that end, the space has been tricked out by “fun designer” Bearded Kitten, complete with waving fronds of greenery, a bar made from battered suitcases and an indoor fountain to relax around, all daubed with colours intended to recall the faded grandeur of Havana nightlife.

Flavours of Venezuela come from a partnership with street food brand Pabellon in its first bricks and mortar incarnation, providing tostones, grilled cheese and sweet potato tempura at about £6 a pop to help soak up the rum.

“Canary Wharf is a great place

– the governance, the modes of communication, the structure.

I’m eternally grateful for that but it’s such a pleasure to work for ourselves – deciding what we do on a daily basis.

“The only thing I miss is wearing a good suit – I don’t get the opportunity so often now.”

Having pledged to create a convivial atmosphere, fuelled by a playlist over owing with the sounds of Cuban musicians, all that remains is for restrictions to relax further.

Marco said: “We’d love to be unencumbered by Covid, and see it stretch its legs. It will really come into its own when it gets really busy, as it deserves to be.

“At the moment it’s being very well received. People really enjoy the music and the drinks and the food, and that’s fantastic, but I think that being successful will be when we’re able to invite and host the number of people who deserve to be in the venue at one time. to open a bar That’s when you’ll feel like this,” said an atmosphere which Concierge keys Marco. “I think we’ve been conceptuit’s a positive alising in our minds.” ready for tables message that Jake added: “We we’re open and able to trade. We built these two beautiful bars feel the concept will work well because we were expecting people here purely because it’s something to come and order there. a bit different – a breath of fresh “Nobody could have predicted air. This is part of Jake’s backthe second wave to the extent that ground – you can feel his nostalgia it’s hit us. We expected it to be for the Cuban bars in it and that’s a place where people would be what gives it authenticity.” standing and drinking, from my While a sentimental passion for time on Canary Wharf, rather than the past comes across clearly in the sitting down, but we shall have to way Jake talks about Bar Bolivar, bide our time. as well as the way he stretches out “Our main idea was to create a on its velvet upholstery, the whole place where you’d want to stay. If thing is underpinned by MJMK’s you work on the Wharf, it would keenly edged operation. be somewhere your friends would “Success is driven by our want to come and join you at. If corporate backgrounds,” said you live locally, it would be a place Jake. “Each of us had worked for to spend some time – not just a big companies, so when we set place you go for one drink before ours up we had an understanding you head home. of how a business should work “Right now, as with our other sites, we’re trying to survive, as all hospitality businesses are.

Scan this code “We just hope that guests will for more info continue to come out and have a about Bar good time, safely.”

Bolivar Go to barbolivar.co.uk for bookings and details of special offers

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Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

how Perfect Waxing promises a professional, attentive and hygienic service on the Wharf

20

Years since Andreea moved to the UK from Romania. She founded Perfect Waxing in 2014

Andreea Ungureanu recently expanded her business, opening a branch in Canary Wharf’s One Canada Square

by Jon Massey

T

here’s an entrepreneurial streak running through Andreea Ungureanu.

She arrived in the UK from Romania two decades ago, having decided to take a two-year break from her medical studies to earn some money before returning home.

“Everyone used to do that, then go back to Romania and live a happy life,” she said. “But that’s not the case any more.

“After two years, I realised this country offered me so many opportunities that I didn’t want to go back. It’s not because I don’t love my country, but there is corruption there.

“I look at my colleagues who finished medical school and they’re not happy – if you don’t know someone in a hospital or have connections then it is very, very hard – sometimes you have to pay. But here, that’s not the case.”

Andreea started out cleaning rooms in five-star hotels, moving on to private houses with an agency. Slowly she built her client base and struck out on her own, founding and growing a successful cleaning business.

“It enabled me to make enough money, but I wanted something else – I didn’t see myself cleaning for the rest of my life,” she said.

“It’s a job that I respect, but I wanted something else. Then, one day, I had to cover one of my staff. It was a terrible day when everything was upside down, so I took out my phone and called up a waxing training school. They had a vacancy 10 days later, so I just booked it and that was the start.”

Having enjoyed the course,

“

I always say that, once you have waxing done – once you step off the bed – you’re going to feel like a butterfly

wax on, wax off

Andreea Ungureanu, Perfect Waxing Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

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Canary Wharf

Andreea knew this was the direction she wanted to go in, founding Perfect Waxing in 2014.

Starting out offering treatments in her bedroom, she’s since grown the business steadily, moving into a salon environment and recently expanding with a branch in Canary Wharf’s One Canada Square.

She said: “I believe in constantly investing in the business – every year I do a course. Just like a doctor, you always have to learn something new because things are progressing so fast.

“As a result I’m fully qualified in beauty with further qualifications in waxing. I could do beauty treatments and massage, but it’s not my calling – my thing is waxing.

“Perfect Waxing specialises in ladies’ waxing, but we do also offer services for men. We use a range of products and offer vegan waxing too.

“The first thing that happens when a client comes for a session is that I establish what they would like to happen. If people haven’t had waxing before, we will have a consultation to establish whether it’s suitable for them medically.

“Lots of people come and say they’ve heard waxing can be painful. I will never promise customers pain-free waxing, it’s a lie. But from my experience, the way I distract my clients can help to reduce discomfort.

“Aftercare is also something that’s very important to me – I always remind my clients what they should and shouldn’t be doing and ask them to get in touch with me if they have any issues.

“I have a lot of knowledge in this area and, after more than six years, I’ve very skilled. I don’t like to say that I’m the best, of course, because there are lots of ama ing people.”

Hygiene is also key for Andreea, who operates a strict “no double-dipping” policy across her

Andreea wears full PPE to wax clients in Canary Wharf

A wide range of services, including forearm waxing, are available for women and men at Perfect Waxing in Canary Wharf

business, meaning wax will never have been in contact with anyone but the client she’s working on.

She said Perfect Waxing promised a clean, professional service tailored to the client’s needs and that she would always try to accommodate requests.

“For example, we offer waxing for pregnant ladies,” said Andreea.

“Lots of salons don’t do that as they’re not insured to cover it. ou have to allow more time, but there is a demand and it’s something women can get here.

“I always say that, once you have waxing done – once you step off the bed – you’re going to feel like a butter y. It’s hard to explain – you feel light, more confident and good with yourself, which we all sometimes need to feel.

“Self-confidence can lead to benefits in lots of areas. aving a waxing treatment can feel rather like when you’ve had a great haircut, or a full facial or a good massage.”

Andreea has also launched Perfect Waxing Academy, offering online and in-person courses for people who would like to follow her into the profession. Full details of these and the services offered by Perfect Waxing can be found online.

Go to perfectwaxing.uk

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Canary Wharf

Image NASA

48

Years since The Blue Marble was taken using a 70mm Hasselblad camera on board Apollo 17

getting greener

by Martin Gettings

I

’m writing this on Earth Day – April 22, 2021 – and you’ve guessed it, I’m talking about, what else but our Earth? The Earth. Specifically, a very famous picture of our planet.

Please take a moment to look at this amazing image, our home as a species.

The picture, called The Blue Marble, was taken in December 1972 by the Apollo 17 Astronauts on their journey from the Earth to the Moon, and is a rare single shot image, taken by one person, showing the full sphere of the planet in a single frame.

It’s also rare because the whole globe is almost fully illuminated, due to a near perfect alignment with the Sun, the camera and its subject.

The southern hemisphere is prominent in the image, where it is the height of summer – we can see this because it is getting all the sunlight.

Almost all of Antarctica, Africa, Madagascar and Saudi Arabia are clearly visible.

The northern hemisphere is in mid-winter.

I hope you enjoy looking at this picture and are inspired by it as much as I am. Let’s make every day Earth Day at Canary Wharf Martin Gettings, Canary Wharf Group

The names of our seasons and months are merely a human invention to make sense of the natural cycle of weather patterns that occur throughout the year and to subdivide it into four chunks. That 12 month period marks one complete revolution, or orbit of the Earth around the Sun. We all know there are 365 days in a year, with a day taking 24 hours for one spin of the Earth on its axis. If you look closely at this picture, you can actually see it.

This axis is the pole around which the Earth spins and is marked as an imaginary line between the north and south poles.

As the planet spins, its access tilts – one of the factors that gives us our seasons and the various climatic

The image is generally credited with the launch of environmentalism and widespread public interest in saving the planet

sense

zones that encourage and harbour all life on earth.

At the time of year this picture was taken, this pole is leaning away from the Sun, making the South Pole clearly visible at the bottom of the image, while the North Pole remains obsucred.

Looking at this picture and thinking about the physicality of the poles, the orbits and the seasons really helped me visualise this cosmic choreography, much more effectively than a textbook.

It’s this picture that got me interested in looking upwards at the stars and around me at our natural world. It has had the same effect on a lot of people and it, along with a few others taken in the 20th century – Earthrise 1968 and Pale Blue Dot 1990 – are generally credited with the launch of environmentalism and widespread public interest in saving the planet.

But it is The Blue Marble of Earth, taken by a NASA astronaut, that is believed to be the most widely distributed and reproduced image on earth.

It gave us the rare opportunity to glimpse in one picture, our Earth and has greatly helped us to understand that it is unique, beautiful, finite, and fragile.

I hope you enjoy looking at this picture and are inspired by it as much as I am. Let’s make every day Earth Day at Canary Wharf.

Email sustainability@ canarywharf.com to contact me about any aspect of sustainability on the estate

getting a

of perspective

Martin Gettings is director – sustainability at Canary Wharf Group Go to canarywharf.com or breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk Scan this code for more on sustainability in Canary Wharf

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

29

Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell

how Natak delivers drama in all the right ways as it pulls in the customers and seduces them with flavour and style

four focus

support your local institutions Left, the bath of spice that is Mumbai Keema Pau at Natak, below

Where?

Tower Of London Wapping

VISIT | Tower Of London As restrictions ease, the Beefeaters and co are preparing to open the Tower to visitors from Weds-Sun from mid May. Go without the tourists.

From May 19, hrp.org.uk

spiced richly

and rewarding

by Jon Massey

N

atak might translate as “drama”, but the Narrow Street restaurant that takes it as its name suffers none of the negative associations that the English term has accrued in recent years.

Rather it serves up the best – as cultures smashing together on the plate, just as fusion on the stage often yields interesting and innovative results.

Visiting on a sunny Saturday we’re greeted in relaxed fashion, seated outside (there is a pandemic on, in case you hadn’t heard) and offered a pretty extensive brunch menu. The drinks and dishes on offer are a welcome twist to expectations – while avocado and baked beans are present, they come stuffed into a paratha instead of smashed on toast or whipped into shape with spices instead of poured from a turquoise tin.

So, even though Ve Deshi Nashta sounds suspiciously like a Full

Uttappam for £5.90 English that might be pepped up by what looks like a standard Bloody Mary, there’s plenty here for the adventurous.

And that’s an attitude that will be richly rewarded. Uttappam (£5.90) turns out to be a pancake of lentils and rice, jewelled with tomato, onions and coriander.

It’s zingy in the mouth and gone in seconds. Even better and, lets make no mistake, incredible value, is the Mumbai Keema Pau (£9.50) – a steaming pot of minced lamb and peas served with a brace of well-buttered brioches so diners can create their own, searingly spicy rolls. It even comes with a fried egg on top, both keeping the meat toasty and adding an extra

layer of luxury when the yolk is split and ows down to mix with the sauce.

This is warm, fiery comfort food that’s simply served by welcoming cheery staff. It’s little wonder that, by the time we leave, the terrace is all but full.

The punters may have been drawn by the sun, the gentle sound of water playing in the fountain at the centre of The Mosaic Building’s elevated square, but they (and I) will be back for the food.

It’s a delight to find a restaurant unafraid to play with ingredients with such skill and success. Why not fill a dosa with Pancetta Ok, so the mango lassi is unremarkable and takes a bit too long to arrive, but that’s just a poorly angled sliver of diamante in this glittering tiara of a performance.

Go to nataklondon.com

Scan this code for more about Natak or to see its menus

Where?

The Star Of The East Limehouse

BOOK | Pub With its secret garden already open, staff at this Limehouse linchpin can’t wait to welcome guests back into the building proper on May 17.

Daily, thestaroftheeast.co.uk Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

STAGE | Scaramouche Jones Tickets are on sale as Justin Butcher takes the title role of a 100-year-old clown to reveal the ecstasies and tragedies beneath his seven white masks.

Jun 15-26, various times, from £22.50, wiltons.org.uk

escape the crypt

Support Limehouse-based business Crystal Dagger Games with an order for its recently released tabletop game Crypt Of Chaos – suitable for one or two players capable of staring death in the face without fear crystaldagger.com Scan this code to visit Crystal Dagger’s website use code WHARF to get free P&P on any orders want more? @wharflifelive

30

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

riverside recipes

by Matt Colk

I

n celebration of the reopening of The Gun’s outdoor space on April 28 – earlier than its planned return to business, which was set for May 17 – here’s a recipe from head chef Matt Colk that’s every bit as hearty, warm and welcoming as the pub itself. A timeless marriage of pork and apple...

14

Years Dr Nandi has spent working in the NHS including A&E before choosing to specialise in general practice

Dr Rita Nandi has opened The Bloom Cinic, offering aesthetic treatments and wellness services on the Isle Of Dogs

Matt’s pan-fried pork chop with sausage potato cake, caramelised apples and mustard sauce Ingredients (per portion) 280g pork chop 100g potato 100g sausage meat 5g chopped parsley 5g salt 4g pepper 50g sugar 50g butter 80g double cream 1 apple 15g wholegrain mustard vegetable oil cress for finishing Method Bake the potatoes at 180ºC until they are soft, then scrape the potato out of the skins.

Once cool, add the sausage meat, parsley and half the salt and pepper. Mould into a round, flat patty, then bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

Peel the apple and cut it into seven segments.

Heat the sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan until it begins to caramelise. Slowly add the soft butter and cream but be careful to avoid letting the mixture bubble. Simmer for five minutes, add the apple segments and leave to one side.

Pan fry the pork chop in the vegetable oil until it’s golden on each side and then place it fat side down (standing it up in the pan) on a low heat until it’s crispy.

Depending on the thickness of the meat finish in the oven for three to five minutes then let it rest for five minutes. Remove the pork chop, add the mustard to the juices in the pan with the apple to make the sauce and serve immediately.

An ideal garnish is some fresh cress.

Matt Colk is head chef at The Gun in Coldharbour, Blackwall. Owned and operated by Fuller’s, it offers dining, drinking and relaxation by the Thames Go to thegundocklands.com or follow the @thegundocklands on Instagram and Twitter The Gun is taking bookings for its outdoor space now – scan this code to go directly to the right page. We did the Googling for you...

● Dr Nandi launched The Bloom clinic with husband Vivien Blossier as managing director.

He said: “The key is that what we’re offering is non-surgical, reversible and that Rita is a fully qualified doctor.

“We want to make sure The Bloom Clinic truly lives up to its name – that it really helps clients and makes

their lives better. We will prove the concept that way and then look at whether we want to expand the business.

“Canary Wharf is a great market – Rita did some research and found there were a lot of people in the area in need of the holistic approach we provide. They work long hours and don’t have time to really think about their health and their needs as a person. We can help them bloom.”

Images by Holly Cant – find more of her work at hollycant.com or via @hollycantphoto on Insta

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

31

Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

feel to look and

the way you want

how The Bloom Clinic offers a holistic approach to aesthetics and wellness

by Jon Massey

T

ime, care and attention to detail are the three things that stand out in a conversation with Dr Rita Nandi – apposite, given the nature of her new venture.

Having spent 14 years working in the NHS – the last six as a GP – she’s launched The Bloom Cinic on the Isle Of Dogs, specialising in non-surgical medical aesthetics and wellness.

“Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to work in medicine – as a child I used to play doctor in roleplay with my friends and family,” said Dr Nandi.

“I started to contemplate aesthetics back at medical school – a GP I was shadowing at the time was doing treatments privately.

“That piqued my interest – it planted the seed in my head and as I’ve gone through the ageing process, I’ve started to look at having treatments myself.

“Seeing the befores and afters, I was amazed at what could be achieved non-surgically and that the effects of the treatments could be reversed if desired – I have my procedures booked with the doctor I usually see in a couple of months. I also spoke to colleagues who were doing them and they said it was great in terms of owning your own business, but also for getting to spend as much time with your clients as they need.

“What’s really frustrated me, working as a GP is that the time constraint of 10 minutes to see a patient – that just kills me.”

After making the decision to launch

Scan this code to visit The Bloom Clinic’s website for more info

her clinic, Dr Nandi set about training in January 2020.

She said: “I’m all about safety – the oath we take as doctors is to do no harm so, for me, it was really important to get as much practical education as possible. I decided to do a Level 7 diploma – equivalent to a Masters – in injectables and a Level 4 in cosmetic dermatology with Harley Academy, as a foundation for my practice, and I’ve also completed numerous courses with Derma Medical and Cosmetic Courses, meaning I’ve trained with the top three leading organisations in the field.

“I’ve hand-picked the training so that I am able to run this clinic really well and, above all, safely.”

W

hile the list of treatments offered

by Dr Nandi at The Bloom Clinic is too long to reproduce in full here, services include injecting botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers as well as microneedling, facials and chemical peels.

“I see the confidence that aesthetic treatments can bring about in people’s lives – they can have a life-changing effect,” said Dr andi. “As they walk out of the clinic, they’re ready to face the world.

“It’s like wearing a red lipstick.

They feel so powerful – it changes their outlook on the day, on life.

“Aesthetic treatments are great for people who feel fine but look at themselves in the mirror and think: ‘I look so exhausted, so tired’.

“Some people might think these treatments are a little bit superficial, but it’s like wearing makeup – whether that’s younger clients looking to enhance their lips, cheekbones or jawlines, or rejuvenation to reverse the signs of ageing.

“There’s a little bit of risk involved, but we counsel our clients thoroughly

on the possible side effects. I’m there 24-hours a day for my clients. We have emergency drugs ready at the clinic in the unlikely event we need to deal with an allergic reaction.

“None of my patients have had issues – and these are very rare – but if someone does, they can contact me and I can see them at the clinic if necessary. I live in Leyton so it only takes me 20 minutes to get there – and we’re fully equipped to deal with any problems.”

After making an enquiry, prospective clients can expect Dr Nandi to contact them for a chat about what they’d like to achieve and their health, to establish whether there’s anything that might rule out a particular treatment.

Following initial screening, clients are invited for a consultation either in-clinic or via video chat, when a full medical and aesthetic history is taken.

“Then I’ll tell them about the treatments we offer and can advise them on which would be appropriate, if they’re still unsure,” said Dr Nandi.

“These procedures are not taken lightly. According to research by Glowday – a platform where clients can find medically qualified aesthetic practitioners – the average person takes 18 months to decide whether to have an aesthetic treatment from the point of coming across it to the point of sitting there in the treatment chair.

“Normally clients do loads of research, they’ll speak to the practitioner and assess their options before going ahead.”

While aesthetic treatments are at the core of what The Bloom Clinic offers, its ethos is to go above and beyond to provide its clients with access to a wider range of services.

“In order to achieve true wellness people want to deal with their fitness, their nutrition and their mindset as well,” said Dr Nandi.

“So we’ve taken a holistic approach, working in partnership with experts in a range of areas.”

These include life coaches Maggie Edwards and Hans Schumann, Isle Of Dogs-based personal training studio Delta Fitness and online nutritional clinic CityDietitians.

“After we’ve spoken to our clients about what they want to achieve and they’ve told me they want to work on a particular area, then I’ll tell them about our partners,” said Dr Nandi, who will continue to work as an NHS GP, part-time.

“Anybody who is having treatment at our clinic will then get 10 off our partner’s services.

“Also, £1 from every single treatment The Bloom Clinic performs goes to the Trussell Trust, which operates about two thirds of the food banks in the UK.” The Bloom Clinic is located within easy walking distance of the Canary Wharf estate and South Quay DLR at Skylines Village.

Go to thebloomclinic.co.uk for more information about the clinic’s treatments and services

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

ONLINE | Jali Bakary Konteh Hear the Poplar resident, musician, historian and Kora player’s Great Gambian Griot project with Pa Bobo Jobarteh on the African harp.

May 28, 7.30pm, free, poplarunion.com Where?

Republic East India

VISIT | Salento Open for al fresco drinking and dining, this Italian bar and restaurant boasts an extensive terrace. Indoor dining should be permitted from May 17.

Open daily, salentolondon.co.uk Where?

The Space Isle Of Dogs

VISIT | The Space Bar The Isle Of Dogs arts centre has announced the reopening of its bar and restaurant outside, with indoor delights coming in the near future.

Ongoing, contact for opening times, space.org.uk

for the children

Pop in to Carmen’s Family Coffee House at Chrisp Street Market for food, drink, toys and – when it’s able to open fully in May – a kid’s play area. Conceived and created by Poplar local Sophia Bayram, it’s ideal for parents follow @carmensfamilycoffeehouse on Insta Visit Carmen’s Instagram page by scanning this code to keep up with all the latest from the cafe want more? @wharflifelive

32

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Advertising Directory - Classified

find our advertisers’ messages here Kidd Rapinet print Pages 1, 4, 18 online kiddrapinet.co.uk London City Airport print Page 3 online londoncityairport.com Republic print Page 5 online republic.london Hatching Dragons print Page 7 online hatching-dragons.com Creative Virtual print Page 11 online creativevirtual.com My London Home print Pages 13, 20, 21 online mylondonhome.com Alex Neil print Page 19 online alexneil.com Landmark Estates print Pages 22, 23 online lmlondon.com

be part of the Canary Wharf conversation To advertise in Wharf Life call 07944 000 144 or email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com

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by Iliffe Print Cambridge. Copyright Massey Maddison Limited 2021

leafleting and publication distribution quotes via urbanfox@wharf-life.com

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33

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

how a visit to The Ship for a simple drink in the open air is a welcome sign of things many in society will welcome

four focus

support your local institutions Island in the madness: The Ship is a great place to mark the easing of restrictions

Where?

The Albany Deptford

BOOK | An Evening For Ed Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook returns to his roots to raise cash for the Ed Renshaw Music Award, which helps aspiring musicians.

Oct 23 (on sale now), 7.30pm, £25, thealbany.org.uk Where?

London Bubble Rotherhithe

refuge finding a

by Jon Massey

A

s potential venues go for breaking the lockdown, The Ship in Rotherhithe is more or less perfect. Occupying an island in a quiet residential area, it’s the kind of place that might well have (had The Winchester not been available) made a decent refuge from the sorts of zombies battled by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in Shaun Of The Dead. It’s a pool of tranquillity as the rest of the world rushes by.

Visiting just after the easing of lockdown restrictions, it proved the ideal venue to become reacquainted with draught beer.

But more than that, the visit was a reminder of the simple pleasure of sitting in the fresh air and enjoying the company of others in a public place with tables.

That meant overhearing conversations that didn’t feature anyone we lived with – certain evidence that there was life beyond the four walls of home – in addition

The bar inside to the inexpressible joy of people watching.

Even as May 17th – and the possibility of being let back inside with individuals beyond one’s immediate bubble looms – it’s places like The Ship that will play a vital, if subconscious, role in helping us unwind some of the anxiety that a year of social distancing has generated.

Obviously, nobody should be careless – if this really is to be the end, now is no time to go trampling over the rules like an undead soul on the hunt for brains, rambling in crazed bloodlust over an ornamental owerbed.

But society is waking up and, for that to work, we need to normalise

being in each other’s company again – taking the appropriate precautions, but also making sure barriers to contact are taken down where they are no longer justified.

Hopefully, the vaccination programme is doing its job and will keep hospitalisations and deaths to a minimum.

My visit to The Ship was a small taste of the start of that freedom, featuring a pint of bitter served by a student studying psychology – or so I thought I overheard him telling someone else.

That in itself felt a bit like a fragment of the past. Given the year the hospitality and further education sectors have faced, come indoor opening, don’t we owe it to them to carefully support businesses and their employees with a drink or two?

Go to rampubcompany.co.uk

Scan this code for more about The Ship and its offering

ONLINE | South London Stories: The Monologues See work from seven young theatre makers, presented as seven films and available for free on the London Bubble Theatre website.

Ongoing, free to stream, londonbubble.org.uk Where?

The Albany Deptford

STAGE | Cece’s Speakeasy This immersive evening of poetry and music takes a trip to 2031 when coffee may be a thing of the past and chocolate could go the same way.

Jun 30-Jul 3, 7.30pm, £TBC, thealbany.org.uk

axes fixed

Tucked away in Rotherhithe, Deptford John Armitage is fully equipped to tackle any kind of guitar that needs some care and attention at Guitar Hospital – one of two workshops he operates to cater for musicians’ needs guitarhospital.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about Guitar Hospital and the wide range of services it offers want more? @wharflifelive

34

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

70%

Maximum price discount found in stores in Icon Outlet at The O2

Janine says reopening Icon to the local community is like welcoming family back

David suggests watching a sunrise with no phone

E

very human being, at some point in their lives, has the experience that their own mind is not their friend. Anger, anxiety and self criticism can all be amplified by the thinking traps that we get ourselves into.

But how do we get out of them? Mindfulness meditation is frequently suggested by overwhelmed mental health services and employers, who see it as a cheap alternative to actually fixing toxic work environments – and it does frequently help, but only if you actually practise it.

Many, many books, apps and podcasts extol its virtues and benefits and give excellent instruction.

I’m just going to give you a gentle reminder and a little inspiration to remember to do it.

The first thing to do is just stop. Yes, right now.

Stop. Just check in with yourself. What are you feeling? Go through your senses. What can you feel, hear and If you’re catastrophically taste? bored, how does that What are you feeling emotionally? How do feel? Just be curious you experience that?

If you’re angry about about the things you something, how does take for granted. Give that feel? If you’re catastrophically bored, yourself time to stop how does that feel?

David Lefebvre Sell Just be curious about the things you take for granted. Give yourself time to stop.

If your thoughts are part of the problem, remember that, just because you have a thought, doesn’t mean you have to believe it.

Our thinking is conditioned to some degree by our experiences and upbringing. No child is born racist – they have been conditioned to think that way. No child is born liking nu-metal – they just haven’t been exposed to better music.

The practice of mindfulness, over time, can give us the ability to stop and be curious about how we are reacting to events. It is the ability to stop that gives us the power to choose to act rather than react.

So put away the phone, watch a sunrise without taking pictures.

Notice the scents of spring around you. Stop and check in with yourself. Just stop.

Icon includes a number of big brands including Adidas and Calvin Klein as well as recent arrivals Next and Lacoste

David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf Follow @davetheyogi on Twitter and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB Scan this code for more on David’s work as a psychotherapist and details of his online Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga classes

Images by James Perrin – find more of his work at jamesperrin.com or via @millerjamesperrin on Insta

People can even expect more new signings over the next weeks and months through the year Janine Constantin-Russell Icon Outlet at The O2

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

35

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

welcome ready to

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

Greenwich Market Greenwich

how Icon Outlet is welcoming back shoppers as restrictions lift and The O2 embarks on its journey to normal operation

by Jon Massey

T

he O2 is set to host its first large live audience in the arena for more than a year on May 11, when ,000 people will watch the Brit Awards 2021. The show forms part of the Government’s Events Research Programme to investigate how large scale indoor performances can take place without the need for social distancing as restrictions are relaxed across the UK – a welcome move for those in the industry eager for a return to something approximating normality.

By then, another section of Greenwich Peninsula’s most striking landmark will have been operating for more than a month.

Opened in 2018, Icon Outlet at The O2 was conceived as a way to give something extra to those visiting the world’s most successful entertainment venue for a show. Its other job was to create a constant ow of shoppers through the dome on eventless days, helping the various food and leisure businesses already within to thrive.

Despite the pandemic, Icon has continued to grow and develop over the past year and, having reopened its doors on April 12 with a host of Covid-secure measures in place, is already welcoming ocks of visitors.

Managing director Janine Constantin-Russell said: “It’s beyond exciting to reopen. We’ve had such an opportunity during the pandemic to engage with the local community– to home in on our local customer, who they are and what their interests are – so April 12 felt like we were opening the doors to family.

“We’re into our third year now as part of The O2 family so, while it possibly felt a little unusual that we opened a shopping centre here, now it makes sense, because the venue really has everything that everybody enjoys doing.

“It’s all under one roof, whether it’s going to a show, bowling all afternoon, eating or shopping.

“Before lockdown, people maybe thought of shopping not so much as a place for recreational pleasure, but now we realise that we’re treating ourselves by going out, having been stuck inside ordering things online

that we don’t really want or need. At Icon all of our stores have prices that are up to 70 off. As you walk around it’s so beautifully curated – the shops are lovely.”

Icon features brands such as Adidas, Calvin Klein, Levi’s, ike, Ted Baker and Tommy ilfiger as well as recent openings from ext and Lacoste.

“People can expect even more new signings over the next weeks and months through the year,” said Janine.

“We’ve also got new restaurants and five new businesses opening in the entertainment district, including Toca Social in July, which will be a great place to meet, play football, eat and drink.

“Because we’re an independent outlet the processes to go through to sign off a new store are really rapid – we have a lot of autonomy and a clear vision of what the shopping needs to look like.

“With our empty units, we’ve created white boxes with finished oors meaning, once everything’s been signed, we can open a unit in seven days.”

Janine, who has a background working for the likes of Liberty Of London and Selfridges, added: “I’ve always believed in bricks and mortar shopping.

“I think there’s a massive place for e-commerce in society but the

Glittering return: Shoppers are greeted by disco balls as they enter Icon Outlet at The O2

pandemic has probably taught us that we have the room for both digital and physical shopping in our lives.

“It really saddens me when people say the high street’s dead – it just shows that the shopper’s not being enticed or wowed by it. We, as retailers, need to work harder to make sure consumers get what they deserve – a great experience, wonderful products and a warm welcome.

“I hope that retailers look at this as an opportunity to do their best. We have a hard-working, great community here and it’s a close community – we like to think that we deliver for people here.”

Part of that offering is for Icon to host a range of shops, some providing less traditional products. Already up and running again, for example is the Selfie Factory, which lets customers snap themselves against a range of backdrops.

Janine said: “As a destination, there really is nowhere else that does everything that we do. We’re looking forward to the return of Dining In The Sky and my wishlist might also include ip-wiring, bungee jumping or those wind tunnels that allow you to y, but people will have to watch this space.

“For now we have the shops and some takeaway food options. Then we’ll have the restaurants from May 17, a bit more entertainment in June and then, hopefully the return of events at the arena through the summer. Our focus will be on delivering to our fans and our consumers as we continue to open up.”

Speaking of which, dome-climbing attraction Up At The O2 – which allows participants to scale the roof of the venue before inching down the far side – has also reopened. On Thursdays, from May 20-June 17 it will be hosting a series of rooftop Thursday Lates live acoustic gigs from 7pm with tickets starting at £ 7.

Icon outlet is open 10am-6pm Sun-Fri and until 7pm on Saturdays.

Go to iconattheo2.co.uk or theo2.co.uk/up-at-the-o2 for more

Scan this code to find out what Icon Outlet currently offers

OPEN | Visit The Stalls And Stores Greenwich Market is now fully open, seven days a week. It’s packed with independent businesses offering a wide range of products and food. Visit.

Open daily, 10am-5.30pm, greenwichmarket.london Where?

Boulangerie Jade Woolwich

EAT | Dine In From May 17, this bakery and cafe will be able to reopen for guests inside – expect a range of breakfast options including a full English.

Daily, boulangeriejade.com Where?

Royal Museums Greenwich Greenwich

GREENWICH | Visit A Museum As lockdown eases, the attractions that make up Royal Museums Greenwich are preparing to welcome visitors back indoors. Why not support?

From May 17, rmg.co.uk

open for business

Following on from opening its terrace, Young’s is preparing to open the inside parts of its latest Greenwich pub – Enderby House – from May 17. Located on the Thames it offers views over the water and a menu of seafood enderbyhousepub.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about Enderby House or to make an indoor booking for May 17 want more? @wharflifelive

36

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

3

Studios currently available through Silverspace in Royal Docks and Elephant And Castle

by Jon Massey

four focus

support your local institutions Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

BOOK | Formula E The electronic counterpart to Formula One has announced replacement dates after the British leg of its season was cancelled in 2020. Thrills, spills.

Jul 24-25, register for ticket info, fiaformulae.com Where?

Royal Wharf Royal Docks

SHOP | Farmers Market Pop over to Corinthian Square to find a selection of stalls offering food and goods to purchase. Expect a range of produce and a warm welcome from traders.

Second Sunday monthly, 10am-3pm, aceeventsltd.co.uk Where?

The Silver Building Royal Docks

BOOK | Pasta Slut X The Little Sauce Expect carbs and cocktails as the pair team up again for an event packed with pasta and powered with booze. Tickets released May 3.

May 29, probs noon-6pm, @therealpastaslut on Insta

industrial inspiration

Find out more about The Factory Project as the team behind The Silver Building work to transform a series of unused warehouses at Tate & Lyle in North Woolwich into spaces for creative businesses thisisprojekt.com To find our more about The Factory Project or Projekt’s other London schemes, scan this code want more? @wharflifelive

B

oth Calvin Mlilo and Michael Stuart-Daley want me to see Studio A. Our interview has come to an end just as their clients vacate the space. So the two photographers who founded Silverspace Studios together at The Silver Building in Royal Docks in 2018, can finally take me into the 400sq ft room where it all began.

Knowing that their studio hire business has since swelled to include a second nearly 700sq ft facility and office space just across the corridor, as well as an 800sq ft space in Elephant And Castle, I ask them how walking into the smallest room in their portfolio feels. A pause, then a quiet discussion about how to put their answer into words.

“I feel proud,” said Calvin. “It was a challenge when we first came in. You’d look at it and ask: ‘What the hell have we got Calvin says clients often transform Silverspace’s studios to meet their needs

ourselves into? Can we do this?’.

Now, when you look at it, how this very room has trickled over into Studio B, Studio C and the office – it’s growth and growth.

It’s our favourite room.”

“This is the baby,” added Michael. “You’d wake up with a smile on your face knowing you were going into work for yourself, for your business.

“It was just us – we had to put our all into it and we have done that. Now this is us – full time.

“Pride is the key word. I remember the day we got the keys. It feels like it was yesterday.

It’s been a lovely journey so far.”

“I love it when people book this space,” said Calvin. “For us it’s the beginning of everything.

“I love the potential of it. Your brain starts to work as soon as you step through the door.”

This spare white box with

natural light flooding through windows along one side – framed by the bare brutalist concrete of the building – is a physical embodiment of Silverspace’s roots – the foundation of a project that has been 12 years in the making.

Both Calvin and Michael grew up in Newham, meeting while studying photography at the University Of East London.

“At that time, we had the university studio and we could use that quite frequently,” said Calvin. “But after finishing university, you had to finance yourself.

“You’d get that bang in the face of needing £100 to book a studio – then there might be another £50 for equipment on top. It’s silly – being charged for using clips, clamps or a stand. It doesn’t help young creatives believe in the journey that they’re going through. It’s discouraging – spending £30-£40 on little things that you need for the shoot.”

“How many times have we been to a studio and it’s another £10 just to use a polyboard to bounce some light off?” said Michael.

“You’d feel like you’re being fleeced.”

T

he solution was Silverspace – a place both photographers could use for their own projects, but also that others would be able to hire at an all-inclusive price with equipment and facilities folded into the basic price.

“That frustration, that hardship is where the business came from,” said Calvin. “We wanted to make a space for us to create in and then realised that there were a lot of people going through the same hardships we were – young people trying to get into the

Providing affordable space that doesn’t break the bank, where you can come in and get things done is essentially giving back for us

creative industries. We started small – turning an office space into Studio A. “It had high ceilings – which work for photography – big windows, natural light, which you can work with, as well as using lighting. We turned it into a space so people could create portraits or shoot fashion.

“Then, when we outgrew that, it was about asking: ‘Can we go bigger?’. That’s how we’ve expanded – organically.”

Michael and Calvin were among the first tenants to take up residence at The Silver Building – a former building transformed for temporary commercial use by Projekt.

For the pair, who both still live in Newham, their business is also a way of encouraging the next generation.

“Providing affordable space that doesn’t break the bank, where you can come in and get things done, is essentially giving back for us,” said Michael.

“Through our years of studying at UEL, going through the stages of our careers, there have been a lot of opportunities where we’ve been given chances.

“Silverspace was, predominantly a space in the beginning for us to create. Once we realised other people needed it, we opened it up.

“Demand has gone through the roof. Getting the keys, on April Fool’s Day 2018 was the beginning of the journey. Over that three years it’s been an amazing experience – seeing the business grow, seeing how we’ve grown.

“Being a freelance photographer is completely different from running a business.

“We’d had experience as studio managers elsewhere, so we knew how to do one or two things, but now we deal with every aspect of the business.

“If I could go back, I’d tell myself to ‘just keep doing what you’re doing’. That’s what has

Michael Stuart-Daley, Silverspace

Silverspace offers a range of studios that can be used for still photography and video shoots, recently hosting the likes of grime MC Chip and Nigerian-British artist Burna Boy

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

37

Royal Docks - Canning Town

got us here. As photographers we were fortunate to be able to invest in ourselves – to buy equipment and get the things we needed to apply ourselves properly in the trade.

“For example, the Profoto lights we have now are the same ones we had when we started.”

C how two photographers opened up Silverspace Studios to meet the needs of creatives on a shoot

alvin added: “It’s important not to doubt yourself too much, to run your own race. On a personal level I was guilty of that – looking at people who’d been running studios for a long time and trying to put myself on that level.

“You just have to put the work in, apply yourself, do the hours and you’ll get the results. It’s also important not to over-think things. If you worry things are expensive you’ll never buy them – you just have to do it and trust that business investments will recoup the outlay.

“Working as photographers was our market research for the studios – asking ourselves: ‘What would we want?’.

“So we created a space for us, by us and, at the same time realised a lot of other young people could benefit from that.

“People are often surprised when everything’s included.

That’s the reaction we get quite a lot – it’s a specific service we provide and people come back for that.

“We help out as well and I don’t know another studio that does that. Why not?

We’re in the office anyway.”

Michael said: “If a group of us are in and

someone needs advice, they’re tapping into a good 35 years of collective photographic experience. If someone shows us a reference picture, we can set the light up for them. People come back for that service.”

Calvin added: “If you have someone who’s starting out, that makes such a difference.”

Completely committed to their craft, the pair admit to spending 70-80% of the time they should have been studying in class at UEL, experimenting in its studio, Michael says the team are always on hand to offer advice and help clients set up at Silverspace and are keen that more people should get behind the lens and do the same.

Michael, who has also tutored students at the university, said: “We were taught there were no mistakes in photography – if you made a mistake, then own it.

“So, if there are newbies coming into the studio, we’re there to give them a hand, to help calm their nerves so they can get the results they want whether that’s as a hobbyist or as someone embarking on a creative career.

“It is expensive equipment that we supply, but it’s there to do a job and, so long as it’s set up properly and safely, you don’t have to worry about it.”

Go to condrycalvinmlilo.com, michaelstuartdaley.com and silverspacestudios.com for more information Scan this code to find out more about what Silverspace offers

spaces shooting

Michael and Calvin hope to keep growing by opening more studios and expanding into location houses

Images by Matt Grayson (after Harry Borden) – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

38

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

by Jon Massey

C

reativity runs deep with Mareli Pelzer. The South African, who lives and cooks on Fish Island, originally trained as an actor, but segued into producing to generate work for herself and her friends in the profession.

She relocated to London in 2010 when her husband was offered a job in the city, the couple taking a leap to a different country with their three-year-old daughter and two suitcases.

But, while still producing and directing over Skype for her company Pit Productions, Mareli nurtured a new passion.

She said: “When we moved here I was in awe at the bounty that London has in terms of food and produce – I literally taught myself to cook. I think the creativity that comes with it – and the freedom – is just enormous.

“I started with a very simple course in baking and fondants – how to decorate cakes – and then did some things at my daughter’s school.

“One day there was an event there – like a promises auction – so I said I would cook a meal for four, and the bidding just went through the roof.

“Directly afterwards, people who didn’t win the bid asked me if I could do it for them privately. I said: ‘Of course’.”

That experience in 2015 was the birth of Mareli’s supper club – The Tastery – which evolved into a catering business. By 2020 she was handling parties with up to 300 guests for clients including Pringle Of Scotland and the London Legacy Development Corporation.

“Then Covid hit big time,” said Mareli, who’d sold her production company to friends in 2017. “By

60

The number of neighbours Mareli currently cooks curry for on a Friday at her Fish Island home

Mareli uses spent grain from a local brewery in some of her recipes, above

how Lick&Mix emerged from a conversation with a neighbour during lockdown

care treats to show you

Doggy birthday cakes from Lick&Mix cost £25 and feature peanut butter icing as well as cinnamon, carrot, apple and banana

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

39

Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick Mareli’s recipes have been designed for humans who want their dogs to eat more healthily and like to snap and share April of last year I was completely oored. In lockdown I just decided that, as I cooked for my family every Friday anyway, I might as well ask the neighbours if anyone was interested in a curry – 6 people said: es’. So I did it and a year on, I’m still doing it – now I’m up to 60 people who collect it from my front door.

“It’s been so much more than food, having those small conversations with people who just didn’t get out at all – especially during the hard lockdowns.

“They give meaning to my weeks and meaning to a lot of other people – it’s so cool. Some people get the curry every Friday. It’s quite interesting how I’ve met more neighbours during lockdown than I did in the previous five years.”

I

t was from one of those small conversations – a neighbour asking Mareli to cook a healthy meal for her poorly dog Maya, as well as the curry – that her latest venture arose. Diving deep into the subject of canine nutrition, she found people were struggling to find healthy food for their four-legged companions with one local even ordering from Canada to ensure quality.

“Then, when Barkney Wick – a community centre for dogs and humans with a plant-based cafe and daycare facilities – said it was opening its doors locally, I offered to do the catering by making some snacks,” said Mareli “I said, because everything I’d made was plant-based, that the people could try them too and, by the end of the event, all the humans were standing with platefuls of the treats in their hands. It made me realise – wow – people share automatically with their dogs.

It comes very naturally.

“I thought: The thing here is there’s a gap in the market for really high quality, wellmade plant-based treats’. Why would you feed your dog something that you wouldn’t eat yourself So I approached the recipes from a chef’s perspective, so that everything that I make for the dogs tastes really good to humans too. And it’s been such a wild ride.”

Mareli’s brand – Lick Mix – currently sells a range of treats such as pi a bones, peanut butter pyramids and choco peanut oat bars as well as doggy birthday cakes, all of which can be shared by the human counterparts to her canine customers.

Amid widespread interest in her products she’s recently got the keys to her first commercial kitchen with the aim of expanding her handmade operation to cope with demand and innovate further.

“It needs scaling up,” she said. “The interest in it is huge – it’s much bigger than I anticipated. Once I started getting into it, I did the research and found that 60 of people who had an animal before lockdown now have another one. Over Christmas, searches for puppies were up 6 0 and, if you look around where we are, there are just dogs everywhere.

“I know that some of the dog food companies are running low on food.

A lot of dogs get a raw diet, but they don’t get enough fibre.

“My neighbour loves his dog and he gets food from Canada, just because he wants to know what’s in it. My recipes have five ingredients or fewer in every product – no sugar, no salt and some of them are gluten-free.”

Mareli’s latest creation is Pup Snacks, made using spent grain supplied by nearby East London Brewing Company – a completely edible by-product from the beers it makes.

She said: “A lot of the starches get extracted in the brewing process, so what you’re left with is about 70 fibre and 20 protein – the grain at its best. The taste and texture of it is incredibly good and healthy. “ ormally it would be animal food, used for biofuel or made into compost – it’s actually a massive problem in London, so at the moment they even pay people to take the grain away, but it’s just beautiful food. I’m calling some of the snacks I’ve made with it beer bones’ and my dream is to get them into pubs so when people have a beer they buy one for their dog or themselves.”

Wharf Life is, after extensive tasting,

I thought: ‘There’s a gap in the market for high quality, well-made, plant-based treats’. Why would you feed your dog something you wouldn’t eat yourself?

four focus

support your local institutions where?

Roof East Stratford

Mareli Pelzer, Lick&Mix

happy to confirm the pup snacks are not only fit for human consumption, but they’re dangerously moreish.

And that bodes well not only for the health of humans and dogs, but also the planet. While Mareli isn’t vegan or vegetarian, she’s found herself eating less meat recently.

“I hope that Lick Mix will expand people’s minds,” she said. “For example, there’s no reason why a dog can’t eat more healthily and plantbased foods can be part of that.

“Some dogs get very little or no fruit and veg in their diets and that’s quite shocking – they don’t get nearly enough fibre. The great thing about some of these foods is they’re hard and chewy and that’s good for a dog’s teeth. I haven’t yet seen a dog who won’t eat plant-based treats and the snap and share idea has a nice ring to it. The whole concept of consuming less meat and buying more locally is great. I know there are some dogs who are totally vegan. I don’t think that’s necessary – I think of Lick Mix as accidentally vegan. Being plantbased is such a clean idea – it also means the products have a longer shelf life and are easy to pack and transport.

“What’s ying at the moment are the doggy birthday cakes – they’re carrot, banana, apple and cinnamon with peanut butter icing and they’re perfectly OK to share with your dog.”

Go to lickandmix.com

Scan this code for more about Lick&Mix or to order online

SCREEN | Rooftop Film Club Expect a season of the usual suspects when movie showings return atop the shopping centre – think Jurassic Park, Pretty Woman, Grease. You know...

From May 18, £15.95, times vary, rooftopfilmclub.com where?

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stratford

RUN | 10K Series The regular race series around the park returns with appropriate social distancing and a range of dates. A friendly meet open to over-15s.

From May 1, from 9am, £24, theraceorganiser.com where?

BBC Radio 3 Theatre Royal Stratford East

RADIO | Welcome To Iran It may be a little over a year since the live show was cancelled due to Covid but Stratford East artistic director Nadia Fall brings her play to the airwaves.

May 23, 7.30pm, listen via BBC Sounds

watch list

Lick&Mix’s plant-based treats can be eaten by humans and dogs Rebecca Buckle’s digital lecture Hysterical!

A Hilarious History Of Hysteria is now available to view for free, hosted online by Theatre Royal Stratford East. Expect a wry investigation of 2,500 years of labelling stratfordeast.com

Images by Matt Grayson – find more of his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta

Scan this code to watch Rebecca’s Hysterical! in all of its digital glory on Stratford East’s website want more? @wharflifelive

40

Wharf Life Apr 28-May 26, 2021 wharf-life.com

SUDOKU

Crossword - Sudoku

Easy

7

5 8 3 1 7 4 6 2 9 Sudoku 1 a9break 4 from 6 5 that 2 phone 8 3 7 Take 7 6 2 3 9 8 5 1 4 How 6 to4 play 7 2 8 3 9 5 1 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 such 4 6 7 row, 8 2column and 3x3 box one9 to3nine that5each contains every number uniquely.

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5

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SUDOKU

You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection ofTo others available in apps and books at str8ts.com. This complete Sudoku, fill the board Sudoku is supplied by Syndicated Puzzles. by entering numbers 1 to 9 such

No. 939 that each row, column and 3x3 box

9

contains every number uniquely.

Notes © 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

7 6

7

Easy

2

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

7 6

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Western characters who uphold the law (8) Sort of party involved in the longest agenda (4) Make painful progress, lacking backbone (4) The kind of slip that upsets a friend about the middle of January (8) It’s sought by a newspaper company involved in bribe (5) Man to man contest of course (7) Ceremonial symbol for the typists and clerks! (5,2,6) Pear tree destroyed by automatic gun (8) Fuel container required for military vehicle (4) Is interrupting a requirement for cordial? (7) Agenda (5) Language used in the Quarter Sessions (4) Smartening up one’s clothes is urgent (8)

Notes

3.

4.

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16.

17.

Is this carried out by the locksmith? (7) A rebuke about uncorrected copy (7) He hasn’t been charged before (5,8) Oil change required after journey to the North African port (7) Italian seafarers - see one wrecked near the tip of Gibraltar (7) To cause a postponement is to disconcert (3,3) It’s certain about man being upset by family title (7) One surrounded by fruit is a candidate for the job (7) Contrives to fix games of snooker (6) Gets to the bottom of liquid measures (7) A collection of cutlery required for the restaurant (7)

7 5 9 8 6 1 4 3 2

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Hold back (8) Unhearing (4) Notion (4) Estimate (8) Wash (5) Frugal (7) Institution (13) Hemp (8) Near (4) Deductively (1,6) Drive (5) Cultivate (4) High explosive (8)

Down 2.

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Across: 1 Restrain; 5 Deaf; 9 Idea; 10 Appraise; 11 Bathe; 12 Sparing; 13 Establishment; 18 Cannabis; 19 Nigh; 20 A priori; 21 Impel; 22 Till; 23 Dynamite.

Down: 2 Endways; 3 Trachea; 4 Impossibility; 6 Edifice; 7 Freight; 8 Preach; 13 Enchant; 14 Tendril; 15 Beacon; 16 Minimum; 17 Neglect.

1.

1 6 3 2 4 9 5 8 7

Cryptic Solution

Down

3 4 2 7 1 5 9 6 8

Across: 1 Sheriffs; 5 Stag; 9 Limp; 10 Freudian; 11 Scoop; 12 Twosome; 13 Staff of office; 18 Repeater; 19 Tank; 20 Aniseed; 21 Women; 22 Erse; 23 Pressing.

Down: 2 Haircut; 3 Reproof; 4 First offender; 6 Tripoli; 7 Genoese; 8 Put off; 13 Surname; 14 Applies; 15 Frames; 16 Fathoms; 17 Canteen.

Across

8 9 6 4 3 2 7 1 5

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If you like Sudoku you’ll really like ‘Str8ts’ and our other puzzles, Apps and books. Visit www.str8ts.com

The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

Cryptic

5 1 7 6 9 8 3 2 4

5

crossword The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

last issue’s solution

Previous Mar 17-31 solution - Very Hard

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

9

Previous solution - Very Hard

Quick Solution

No. 939