Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place
Welcome to issue 155 of Wharf Life. There’s a avour of learning and personal development to this issue, whether it’s the study of business on the Isle Of Dogs, the creation of social enterprises in Bow, immersion in icy waters at Third Space or showcasing new avours on Wood Wharf
FILM | Time And Tide Film Screening
GIG | Cuban All Stars Present Buena Vista Led by Sambroso Noda this energetic all-star group promises an evening of romance, rhythm and percussion as Havana comes to London. Mar 4, 8.30pm, from £25, boisdale.co.uk FILM | The Fifth Element (12) Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman enjoy every inch of this brightly coloured sci- romp under the careful guidance of Luc Besson. Joyous. Mar 4, 5.30pm, £18.50, everymancinema.com
As the museum’s Secrets Of The Thames exhibition draws to a close, this is an opportunity to see it out of hours plus Paul Wyatt’s mudlark documentary. Feb 26, 6pm, from £25, londonmuseum.org.uk
Calling social entrepreneurs – Investec Beyond Business is a programme o ering up to £24,000 of funding for social enterprise ideas in partnership with the Bromley By Bow Centre
on the radar
need to know
Lovers of Taiwanese cuisine rejoice, Jubilee Place is set to welcome a branch of Kung Fu Mama, serving up noodles and bao buns. The venture is a collaboration between Chris Hsu and Noam Bar, Ottolenghi’s co-founder, ri ng on night markets kungfumama.co.uk
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Visit UEL’s Docklands Campus for an evening of ilumintated delights
Something a bit di erent is coming to Wood Wharf in the form of Kitchen Jam. O ering non-sterile guitar tuition, the business is expanding from Stratford, catering for youngsters and older string-slingers alike. Try a free session to see if it’s your vibe kitchenjam.com
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Greenwich Peninsula is all geared up to celebrate Lunar New Year complete with Lion Dances, Dragon Dances, food drink and crafts. Visit for free on February 21
doing the deals
get more for less on and around the Wharf
2-4-1
Big Easy’s Lobsterfest is running in Feb with rolls and lobsters available on a BOGOF basis (excluding Feb 8-15), MondayThursday for lunch and dinner. Terms apply bigeasy.co.uk
40%
21 subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly
Explore a Tiny Planet and the creatures that live on it at Half Moon Theatre
TRIED + TESTED
Get up to 40% o at Kiehl’s in Jubilee Place on selected products until February 28 plus mini gifts for spends of £100+. Access the o er via the Canary Wharf app kiehls.co.uk
Spicy Rice Bowl Chicken Shop chickenshop.com
Billed as “fried chicken with a slice of health” the Spicy Rice Bowl (£9.50) at Chicken Shop in Jubilee Place is not altogether disagreeable.
Firstly it’s reasonable priced and delivery comes within ve minutes of ordering on the venue’s screens where an attendent aps about busily enquiring whether everything is OK every couple of minutes.
My gripes begin when I’m upsold a £1 hot sauce. I’m a noob at the joint and have no idea whether this will be a necessary condiment or simply too much.
This Spicy Rice Bowl costs £9.50 from Chicken Shop Canary Wharf
It’s the latter. Turns out Chicken Shop really love a sauce. The slaw is doused in some kind of funky mayo. The chicken tenders (surely there’s a less vulnerable term for them?) are laced with Samurai Sauce and here I am with my day-glo pot of orange goo. Despite the rhetoric about perfection and obsession in the marketing materials, the breadcrumbs on my poultry crunch too hard in the mouth. The slaw is drowned and the sauces are suspiciously synthetic, albeit potent. The rice nearly saves the day, but better options are available.
Jon Massey
With you from the start
Our immigration team has earned its strong reputation for providing expert legal advice and practical support on a wide range of immigration issues. Trust us to help you make the right application. 020 7205 2896 kiddrapinet.co.uk
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write me
words you don’t know you need
keirful
adjective, fake, from Downing Street
Proceeding with all due care and attention up to the point of plausible deniability so that when the shit hits the Mandelfan you’re able to step away, clean and unimplicated in the wrongdoing, an innocent, upright bystander
quiddle
verb, real, from Latin
To dawdle or tri e with time by lling it with tasks of little importance in an attempt to come over as busy and in demand. Rooted in the 15th century, this term is probably due a rebirth, perhaps as the name of an AI app
CATCH THIS Lunar New Year Festival London Museum Docklands londonmuseum.org.uk
Taking place from February 21-22, the West India Quay institution is set to host a series of events in celebration of the arrival of the Year Of The Horse. The family-friendly weekend promises martial arts, lion dances, a silent disco, ribbon dance workshops, hands-on crafts and a chill-out games space. While many events are free and delivered on a drop-in basis, others are ticketed and should be booked in advance. Full details are available online.
diary dates, listings and ideas to make life in Canary Wharf sweeter..
GIG Alabama 3, Mar 12, 9pm Boisdale Of Canary Wharf boisdale.co.uk
Larry Love, Devlin Love, Harpo Strangeglove and more return to the Wharf’s most eclectic stage for a blues-soaked set of hits.
Perhaps most famous for giving The Sopranos its theme tune, the band have a long and storied back catalogue of country-tinged acid house. While the exact setlist for this intimate gig is a tightly guarded secret, audiences may well be crying out for the likes of Peace In The Valley, Mao Tse Tung Said, Ain’t Going To Goa and Hypo Full Of Love amongst many others. Whatever happens, those attending Boisdale will likely enjoy a night of spiritual and musical edi cation in a cosy,
welcoming environment with food and drink on tap. There are a multitude of ticket options starting from £35 for the show and £89 including a two-course dinner. Those who’d like to really splash out can get within feet of the performers for a starting price of £109. Expect a raucous, rebellious and lively experience that de es all expectations of an unplugged gig. Why not wear a cowboy hat...
how a dip in the ice bath at Third Space Wood Wharf delivers a multitude of health benefits
by Jon Massey
...my feet slip in first, breaking the gently shifting blue surface of the water, liquid so chilled it feels silken as I sink down into it. Muscles tensing, heart-rate climbing, my breathing quickens as my body goes into full fight or flight mode in response to the unrelenting cold. But I don’t lose it to the panic, I take deeper breaths, bringing the shock under control, then relax into the balm of the icy water, counting my inhales and my exhales. The monolithic sensation of the chill is all I can think about – sensory overload – until a few minutes later it’s time to wake and emerge from the water...
Contrast therapy and cold exposure are not new disciplines, they’ve been around since ancient times,” said Clare Walters, mind and body master trainer at Third Space.
“There has been a really rich culture of sauna and polar plunges in lots of the Scandinavian and eastern European countries and the practices in this country go back at least to Roman times with baths of different temperatures.
“However, there’s a growing recognition of their benefits in the wellness industry.”
Recently, in response to this demand, the luxury health club fitted a Brass Monkey cold plunge facility at its Wood Wharf branch, offering members who’ve heated up in its steam room and sauna, or who just feel the need for a profound full-body chill, a poolside option overlooking the dock far below.
“The brand is one of the leading providers of ice baths and they really know their stuff,” said Clare. “The products are of a really high standard with the water constantly filtered to ensure its clean and that the temperature remains stable.
“That’s important, because you need that cold shock to get the benefits. Recovery and wellness is very much something we’re prioritising in our clubs and, for me, it’s a mission to help people continued on Page 8
£8.05
Daily cost of Third Space membership covering its Canary Wharf and Wood Wharf clubs over the course of a year
GREENWICH PENINSULA
Saturday 21 February 12pm - 5pm
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with Dragon & Lion Dances, art exhibitions, vibrant markets, DJs and a feast of cultural experiences.
from Page 6
regulate their nervous systems. We have lots of ways of doing that and cold exposure is an important tool we can use.
“We offer cryotherapy at our Recovery Spa in Canary Wharf, which some people prefer. It’s much colder than the water of a plunge could ever be, but it’s a dry cold for up to three minutes and you warm up quickly afterwards. You still get the benefits, but it doesn’t feel quite as intense.
“An ice bath can feel more dramatic and, because exposure is for a longer time, there’s an aspect of building mental resilience to it as well.
“When you go into the cold, you’re experiencing something which, in large quantities, could be very bad and possibly fatal – but is very beneficial for small amounts of time.
“Doing hard things you don’t necessarily want to do can help build mental and emotional resilience. It’s similar to training really hard in the gym. When you push yourself lifting weights, for instance, you know you’ve accomplished something and you feel really good about yourself.
“There’s also a neurological aspect to cold exposure. When you plunge or do cryo, you get a huge rush of dopamine into the bloodstream – around 200% higher than your baseline rate.
“Drugs may induce that kind of change but only for a few minutes whereas, a cold water rush can last for many hours. When I do a cold plunge, I can walk around the city for hours feeling happy.
“It can be really good for regulating mental health, particularly in the winter months, when it’s grey and dark and there’s very little Vitamin D coming to us.”
Alternating between hot and cold is also widely thought to further boost these benefits with both environments having the added bonus of easing muscle pain and other physical stresses. But how best to approach the icy depths?
Clare said: “First of all I’d say you should not aim for a long period of time in the water.
“If you’re new to cold plunging, you should aim for 30 seconds plus, but definitely try to get all the way in.
“I’ve seen so many people going in, getting to knee height, saying ‘no’ and getting straight back out again. Some get straight in and then out again.
There will be benefits, because you’ll be getting into your fight or flight response, but the real benefits come if you stick to it for a little bit longer.
“Doing it gradually can be real torture, so get in swiftly, but
When I do a cold plunge, I can walk around the city for hours feeling happy. It can be really good for regulating mental health, particularly in the winter months when it’s grey and dark and there’s very little Vitamin D coming to us
Beginners are advised to start with dips of 30 seconds before building up to longer plunges for maximum health bene ts
smoothly, not in a chaotic way. Get the water to neck height if you can – over you shoulders and to the back of your neck. It will feel more intense, but you’ll be able to calm down quicker.
“The gasp reflex is what we want – your sympathetic nervous system is triggered and your stress hormones are released. The heart rate starts to speed up and you get more blood flow around the body, but the longer we’re in the cold, we want to calm ourselves down – that’s when we think about breath.
“Focus on exhaling through pursed lips, which will force you to extend your exhale and start to calm down. Once you feel that’s happening, start to take an even, slow breath – breathing in for a slow count of four and then out for the same. Hold still. You can even close your eyes if you like.
“When I’m in the cold, my mind just goes clear, I just sit there and it feels amazing.
“Some people feel their extremities get cold – that’s because your blood vessels constrict and direct the blood flow to your vital organs to keep you alive.
“Combining a plunge with the sauna is great for this because in the heat your blood vessels open up and going between the two can be really good for circulation. Hands can also be kept out of the water for those who feel the cold in them.
“Ultimately a good rule of thumb to aim for is about one minute of immersion per degree of the ice bath. At Wood Wharf it’s kept between 5ºC and 7ºC. Typically women need less time, while men tolerate the cold a bit better. Conversely the opposite is true in the sauna.
“Across a week, we say 11 minutes of cold plunging and an hour in the sauna will give you optimum benefit for both, although not in a single session.”
With the facility at Wood Wharf up and running, further change is coming to the Canary Wharf club, which is set to open a new Wellness Spa later in the year.
This will include a hydropool, a cold plunge pool, a steam room, heated loungers as well as two different kinds of sauna. There will also be a sky garden for members to relax in. We’ll bring you more news on this major development in a future issue of
key details
The Wharf membership at Third Space includes access to both its Wood Wharf and Canary Wharf clubs and costs £245 per month.
Group and Group Plus memberships, which include access to other sites are also available.
Go to thirdspace.london for more information
how Mama Li offers Cantonese roast meats with rice, noodles and soups as it expands to open at Wood Wharf
by Jon Massey
It was while I was working in finance in the City that I had the idea,” said Catherine Hua, founder of Mama Li. “My mum has an extensive background working in Chinese restaurants and each day she would make me a packed lunch with Cantonese roast meats, rice and vegetables.
“I’d bring in food and heat it up because I didn’t really like the options around me – nowhere was offering the type of food or the quality my mum was making.
“Some of my colleagues noticed and started asking where I’d got my lunch.
“When I told them I was bringing the meals in from home, they asked whether they could get some too. That’s when I thought there might be something here.”
During the pandemic, Catherine’s mum was furloughed amid the uncertainty and the pair decided to start a business together, initially cooking takeaway orders from a small kitchen in Shoreditch.
“We named it after mum – it’s also what the chefs would call her in the kitchens that she worked in – and began with a small selection of rice, noodles and roast meats to see if people would like the food or not,” said Catherine.
“We had crispy pork, roast duck, soy chicken and our BBQ pork. We also had egg fried rice, a small selection of noodles, beansprout chow mein, Singapore noodles and a selection of other wok dishes.
“We were delivery only at that point – it was easier because we were testing an idea. Then, we opened our first store in Tower Hill about a year and half later.”
Since then, the business’ five-year journey has seen it open a second branch at London Wall in the heart of the City and now a third at Canary Wharf.
Without mum, I don’t think there would be a Mama Li. She makes sure we deliver and is constantly quality-testing
The new location recently opened its doors on Wood Wharf’s Union Square – one of a multitude of independent businesses that now call the area home thanks to a collaboration between Canary Wharf Group and Tower Hamlets Council to offer companies affordable commercial space.
In addition to Mama Li, those in search of food and drink can check out Nora, Ong Lai Kopitaim, Cafe Seek, Lockdown, Supershakes and Signorelli.
Other openings include floristry from The Flower Club, Wayne Hairdresser Salon, beauty salon
Awe London, Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa, The Island Reformer Pilates Studio and clothing repair business Omnifix.
Catherine, who recently moved to the Isle Of Dogs, said Mama Li has evolved with each opening and that the brand’s latest site was an opportunity to try something new.
“We call them stores because we were not offering a sit-down, restaurant-style table service in our first two branches,” she said. “They’re more like a cafe. Customers order at our kiosk, go to the counter, get their food, find a seat, eat and then go. Of course, they can also get their meal as takeaway. This one is a bit of an evolution where we have introduced a sit-down dining experience with table service and a bar. That enables us to deliver a more extensive menu for those who want to spend a bit more time with us.
“Over the other side, we still have the to-go elements where people can order on the screens and either have a quick bite or grab their food and head off.”
Catherine remains in tune with her busy customer base, working full-time in tech as an analyst, while also running Mama Li. Her mum continues as “the core of the business” overseeing its kitchens and operations.
“Without her, I don’t think there would be a Mama Li,” said Catherine. “She makes sure we deliver and is constantly quality-testing to make sure everything is where it needs to be and everyone is doing what they need to do.
“She’s one of my biggest supports, as I am one of hers. Then there’s our incredible team, without whom we just wouldn’t be here. It is wild to see how far we’ve come in such a short space of time. I tell people this is still the beginning, but the journey has
been incredible, the people we’ve met and worked with. I’m really grateful for the experience of building something together.”
With a growing Asian population, opening in Canary Wharf felt like a good fit for Mama Li, but the decision to open further east was soundly based on the numbers.
“I’m a data person – every choice I make has to be backed by data,” said Catherine. “I noticed a lot of our orders came from this area, so I thought, why not open a store nearer to our customers?
“We’ve had a lot of requests to open new branches, especially from this area. The opportunity for this space came up, so we thought it would be silly not to take the opportunity and run with it. It does make sense to be here and it’s a step in the right direction.
“We wanted to extend our footprint out of the City and Canary Wharf was the natural continued on Page 12
from Page 11
direction to go in, both because of our current customer base, but also the office crowd too. I’d love to open more stores across London and perhaps beyond, but we’ll see how this one goes first.”
For Catherine, opening on the Wharf is all about watching the impact Mama Li has.
She said: “I’m excited to see people coming, for them to try our food – both those who have not been to us before and are eating it for the first time and those who have been before and are coming again. I want to see what they think and then use that feedback to do even better.
“We have a menu that caters for different groups. If you’re a meat eater, then we have our signature roast meats. These are hung on our meat display for everyone to see and you can see our chefs in action as well.
“Every meat order is chopped to order, so you know you’re going to get the freshest slices. Presentation is key for us too, we always try to make our dishes look nice and appetising.
“With our range of Cantonese roast meats, customers can have one, two or three different types paired with rice and vegetables, which is a complete, wholesome meal – my go-to is duck and crispy pork. It’s very comforting.
“In Canary Wharf, we’ll also be offering a new menu with noodle soups. The broth is made in-house and simmered for 24 hours for the flavour.
“Again, customers will be able to choose to have different types of meats and vegetables paired with either more traditional thin, flat noodles or with a chewier, rounder variety.
“I started Mama Li because I wanted more people to experience the lunches my mum made for me. Having something to connect with is really important – when we were starting out, people would message us and tell us the food reminded them of home and that’s exactly what we wanted.
“I hope people will continue to connect with us and get that comfort from what we’re doing.”
key details
Mama Li is located on Union Square in Wood Wharf’s 3 West Lane building. Full details including menus and opening times can be found online. Go to mamali.co.uk for more information
Brightly coloured crockery stands ready for the rst customers at
The new store provides for more of a dinein experience, allowing Mama Li to o er a greater range of dishes
of a
Audiences follow a wanderer as they explore a Tiny Planet
large
how a miniature production, Tiny Planet, tells some of the biggest stories using puppets at Half Moon Theatre
by Jon Massey
Suitable for kids aged 5 and over, Tiny Planet promises big stories around a small setting.
Presented by Half A String, the production uses puppetry, live folk songs and earthly percussion to uncover the mysteries that keep its setting of a tiny globe turning.
Set on a celestial body no bigger than a house, which can literally be explored in a matter of minutes, the
show is brought to life for audiences using live camera projection.
Audiences are introduced to a wanderer and follow their journey as they discover that “the smallest things hold the biggest stories”.
Meanwhile asteroids collide around this tiny planet at the centre of its own universe and curious and wonderful new creatures evolve in its environments.
Having won numerous ve-star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival in 2024, this singular piece of puppet theatre promises families a
Limehouse - Wapping - Whitechapel
way to feel impossibly small and in nitely gigantic all at the same time.
key details
Tiny Planet is set to run at Half Moon Theatre for two performances on March 7 at 11am and 2pm. Tickets cost £9 and early booking is advised. Go to halfmoon.org.uk for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about the show
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Wildwood Daddy
Where?
The George Tavern Whitechapel
The folk act return alongside Louis Gardner, Everett and Panik Deluxe for another evening of roots and experimental music in the East End. Feb 18, 7.30pm, from £5 thegeorgetavern.london
Where? Troxy Limehouse
GIG | Bruno E Marrone
Enjoy the tunes of one of Brazil’s most successful sertanejo duos as they bring their romantic, upbeat songs to an east London audience’s ears. Mar 1, 3pm, from £70.84, troxy.co.uk
STAGE | Tiddley Pom
Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping
Enjoy the talents of Ida Barr, Tom Carradine and Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq as they perform music hall numbers for the modern dystopia Mar 11, 7pm from £10.50, wiltons.org.uk
Enjoy Gilbert And Sullivan’s sharply satirical Iolanthe at Wilton’s Music Hall as power, privilege and parliamentary democracy meet magical fairies in the corridors of power. Runs February 17-28, tickets from £7.50 wiltons.org.uk
Scan this code to nd out more about the production with main shows at 7pm and 2pm Saturday matinees
how the University Of Sunderland In London’s International Business Management programme aims to equip students with a full complement of theory and practice
by Jon Massey
When I first went to university, it was all about theory,” said Dr Alessandro Ferrazza.
“Working in industry, I’d have to ask how to transfer that theory into practice.
“The ideas sounded good in the book, but I didn’t know how to apply them in reality. What we try to do here is to break down those barriers.”
As senior lecturer and programme manager for the University Of Sunderland In London’s MSc International Business Management (IBM) course, Alessandro is perhaps perfectly placed to take on that task.
A long career in industry – interwoven with a consistent thread of study and personal development – preceded his move into academia, after he enjoyed guest lecturing at UOSiL, following completion of an MBA in business administration, management and operations there in 2017.
Going full-time in 2019, initially as an associate lecturer, Alessandro completed his doctorate in business and remains passionate – alongside the wider team –about continuing to develop the university’s IBM offering.
And, frankly, who better to teach international business? Born in Switzerland, Alessandro grew up in Rome, completing a diploma from the Institute For Hospitality Management in the Italian capital.
“I started off washing dishes in Guernsey and I hated every single minute of it,” he said. “After one week, I packed it in and walked out. They didn’t even pay me.
“My lecturer in hospitality had told me I needed to speak English, so I’d moved to the Channel Islands and, after I’d quit my first job, I walked into the hotel next door. I hardly spoke any English – I couldn’t even read the name of the place – but I said I wanted to see the manager.
“It might have been luck, but this Italian guy came out. We got chatting and he agreed to take me on. My first job was to take the dirty dishes to the kitchen, so already it was a step up. My career took off from there.”
Moving to mainland UK a couple of years later, Alessandro built his career in hotels in London and rediscovered education.
He said: “I met someone really clever, the then manager of the Cavendish Hotel, and he suggested I should go to university.
“That sounded really good and, in those days it was free, so I signed up at the Ealing College Of Higher Education, which is now West London University.
“On the first day, I sat down in the lecture room on the first floor with my pad and pen out. The lecturer came in and said: ‘Good Morning’. After that, I
couldn’t understand anything else, so I left.
“But then I took elocution lessons for a year and a half, went back and completed my degree – I was very proud of that.
“One of the things the Cavendish’s manager did was put in my head the idea of personal development.
“It’s something I tell my students. Annual reviews are really bizarre things in business. Your boss sits you down once a year and points out where you’re going wrong.
“But what I tell my students is they should go to those meetings armed with what they want. It should be a two-way conversation.
“Do you have all the training and tools to achieve what they want you to do? If the answer is yes and there are issues, perhaps the role isn’t right for you.
“But, if the answer is no, then you must ask for what you need to bring your work up to the level the firm expects.”
Having spent many years working in the hospitality sector in London, Switzerland, Italy and France, Alessandro joined catering giant Compass Group in 2001, initially as a general manager before rising through the ranks to become regional account director.
There, with contracts across England, Italy and Switzerland through his contacts, he had responsibility for more than 500 employees, with the company also sponsoring him to pursue first an MSc in strategic management and leadership and then the MBA that led him to UOSiL.
Today, Alessandro continues to use his links to industry to enrich his students’ experience by inviting senior contacts including CEOs of top companies to participate in their programmes.
“It gives them hands-on knowledge,” he said. “They get to understand what it’s really like to be in an international
managerial setting, running operations remotely across the world.
“Anyone can read a book, the one thing you cannot buy is experience. What we try to do with our IBM programme is to create something tangible our students can bring with them to their careers.
“Things have changed. When I first went to university, the Government paid for the course via a grant. Now our students are customers – we need to include the element of added value, to ask ourselves what makes our programme different?
“Theory is important, but our IBM course has more of the feel of a hands-on apprenticeship. For example, we run a game simulation where students become the board of directors for a company.
“They need to make all the decisions, and those choices then determine how the organisation they’re running progresses.
“The questions for me are: ‘How do I make the books come to life? How can real businesses reflect and use what’s in the books?’.
“There needs to be a real synergy between what’s written in the books and what happens in industry.
“For example, over the years I’ve invited CEOs to come in as associate lecturers, to set the students a problem and then have them report back.
“In the latest one, they’ve been given an issue that a person is actually trying to fix in their business and, in March, he’s going to come back with the head of the global company and listen to their proposals. You can’t get any closer to being in the boardroom than that.”
With the business landscape constantly changing and evolving, UOSiL believes such links to real organisations are essential in maintaining the relevance of its courses, with Alessandro also stressing the importance of developing, honing and implementing essential skills.
“One of the reasons I made the move into education is that I want to help
I want to make sure I give students all the tools possible from the toolbox I’ve built up over my years in industry so they are well equipped for whatever they do
shape the managers of the future,” he said. “When I was in industry, I’d sometimes recruit managers who looked really good on paper, but who turned out not to be very effective on the ground.
“That wasn’t because of an inability to understand business concepts, it was because of an inability to put the theory into practice.
“That’s what I wanted to change. I’d seen lots of people who’d achieved qualifications and wanted more senior roles as a result but then failed.
“Often they didn’t understand how to deal with people. In senior management you are really only managing two things. The first is resources. The second is people. If you can’t deal with colleagues, then you’ve had it.
“You’ve got to make sure your team follows your leadership, your strengths, or they won’t do what you want them to do. In the end, the company will recognise that and you’ll be out of a job. This is why we run group exercises and encourage collaboration to equip them with those experiences.
“I’m not saying it will be easy for students embarking on our courses. It can’t be, they won’t be spoon-fed.
“But I do want to make sure I give them all the tools possible from the toolbox I’ve built up over my years in industry so that the next generation of management coming out of programmes like our MSc in IBM is going to be well equipped for whatever industry they choose to make their career in or whatever else they do in the future.”
key details
The University Of Sunderland In London offers a wide range of business-focussed courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Its MSc in International Business Management is a full-time course over one year, based at UOSiL’s Isle Of Dogs campus.
For more information go to london.sunderland.ac.uk
Scan this code to nd out more about the university’s business courses
Months the full-time MSc in International Business Management programme takes to complete at the east London university
The University Of Sunderland In London’s Dr Alessandro Ferrazza
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
TRY | Women’s Self Defence
Strength And Sisterhood invite women to join its regular Monday Taekwondo sessions designed to equip attendees with practical skills. From Mar 2, 6pm-7pm, £4, poplarunion.com
Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs
STAGE | Pews At Ten
What if Mean Girls was set in a Welsh church? What if The Plastics were three old women who live for gossiping and bickering. Find out. Mar 5-7, times vary, £12, space.org.uk Where? Poplar Union Poplar
Where? Theatreship Isle Of Dogs
season’s greetings
and
The Space on the Isle Of Dogs has launched its Spring Season with a focus on welcoming a diverse range of communities with a programme that takes in the gothic, Shakespeare and trans rights space.org.uk
Scan this code to read our interview with the venue’s artistic director and co-CEO Matthew Jameson
Price of an adult ticket to see Vikings The Immersive Experience at Dock X in Canada Water
Visitors watch a multi-surface projection as part of the experience
revealing the
how Vikings The Immersive Experience uses tech to explore ancient sagas made famous on the telly
by Jon Massey
Owing a hefty debt in terms of inspiration to History Channel series Vikings, Dock X’s latest immersive experience pop-up promises to “deepen the understanding of historical facts” as it ri s on the saga of Ragnar Lodbrok and his wife Aslaug (also known as Kraka). Employing the standard tools of multi-surface projection, replica objects, displays
and VR, the 90-minute walkthrough promises to restore Kraka’s rightful place at the centre of the story in her role as queen, prophet, mother and warrior.
Visitors can expect a scaled down Viking longship, a “forest of discovery” and a chance to explore the mythical tree Yggdrasil whose roots connect the worlds of Norse legend along the way. Via these environments, the exhibition aims to tell the tale of Kraka, Ragnar and their sons, Bjorn Ironside, Ivar The Boneless, Hvitserk and
Sigurd Snake-In-The-Eye in a completely new way
key details
Vikings The Immersive Experience opens at Dock X in Canada Water from March 12. Admission is available daily from 9am. Adult tickets cost £23. Children cost £16 Go to vikings-immersive.co.uk
Scan this code for more about the immersive experience
Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
EVENT | M Is For Menopause
Where?
Deptford Lounge Deptford
This exhibition of works by Abigail Hammond aims to facilitate engagement and conversation around a topic where open dialogue remains scarce. Mar 10-24, from 9am, free, thealbany.org.uk
TRY | Terrarium Building Workshop
Canada Water’s big green venue is inviting people to spend 90 minutes designing and building a miniature, 20cm garden in a glass. All materials provided. Mar 17, 7pm, £38.62, cornercorner.com
KIDS | Wild Play Workshops
Where?
The Albany Deptford
These outdoor sessions for the under 5s and their grown-ups o er kids the chance to get their hands muddy in the fresh air and hunt for mini beasts. From Mar 4, from 10.30am, £12, thealbany.org.uk
On March 4, The Brunel Museum is set to host Engineering Is A Joke, an evening of stand-up hosted by comedian, science communicator, photographer and trainer, Steve Cross. Night runs from 6pm-9pm, tickets from £5 thebrunelmuseum.com
Scan this code to nd out more about the comic presentation or to book tickets
take a breath
by David Lefebvre Sell
There’s been a lot in the online spaces lately about the falling birth rate in the UK and what can be done to help those poor, lonely incels pass on their genes. Even though they’d probably make terrible dads and worse husbands.
This might sound bad, because I’ve got two kids, but I totally understand why someone might not want to have children.
Free time, disposable income and spontaneous sex are de nitely things worth missing. But you do get them back, eventually. Well, sort of.
One wonderful experience in parenthood is the moments of pride you feel. You might think you’ve experienced pride before, but when your kid does something brave, or shows a talent or even cracks a good joke – that pride is a Class A drug.
That’s why parents are so insu erable, we’re all addicted to that shit. Also, I do believe you just can’t properly understand your parents until you have kids of your own.
One wonderful experience in parenthood is the moments of pride you feel. It’s a Class A drug
David Lefebvre Sell
Obviously some parents are terrible and it is best to go no contact as soon as possible. But it turns out that not screwing up as a parent is really hard, and children are frequently so annoying.
They will push buttons that you never even knew you had, all the time, for decades. Imagine dragging your ass home from an awful day and having to talk to a crying seven-year-old about death for an hour before you both can sleep. I’d like to see that trial on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here
Another ironic twist is if you are a pretty good parent, they take out all their vitriol on you, because they feel safe enough to be real.
Parenthood is full of rupture and repair, and it’s usually the kid who is doing the rupturing. And you will fear sometimes that you are raising a little asshole, and it’s all your fault. And yet, I love every minute of it.
David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf
Follow @davetheyogi on X and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB
Scan this code for information about David’s work as a transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist
how Greenwich Peninsula is set to celebrate the arrival of the Year Of The Horse with a day of spectacle
by Jon Massey
Greenwich Peninsula is set to celebrate Lunar New Year this month with a Saturday of spectacular performances. On February 21, visitors to Peninsula Square will be treated to dragon dances and lion dances to usher in the Year Of The Horse.
Also in place at Design District from noon-5pm will be The Eternal Market. Curated by Eastern Margins, this will showcase east and south-east Asian food, arts and crafts featuring independent makers, artists and designers selling hand-crafted goods, prints, ceramics and more.
A selection of street food traders will also be serving up Asian dishes such as handmade dumplings, sizzling noodles, grilled skewers and sweet treats.
Laura Flanagan, director at Greenwich Peninsula, said: “Over the past three years, our Lunar New Year celebrations have become a well-established part of the Peninsula’s programme and a regular fixture in London’s events calendar.
“The celebrations offer an opportunity to bring our diverse audience together to enjoy live performances, food and creative experiences across the neighbourhood.
“We have engaged many of our local businesses from Canteen Food Hall And Bar to our riverside art gallery Firepit and residents and visitors are encouraged to explore and enjoy the whole Peninsula during the festivities.”
don’t miss it
Lion Dances, combining movement, percussion and acrobatics will take place at 2.30pm and 3.30pm on the day.
Each lion embodies good fortune and protection, intended as “a vibrant symbol of strength, unity and celebration”.
Dragon Dances will take place at 3pm and 4pm. These colourful performances feature rhythmic drumming and sweeping movements, symbolising “strength, prosperity and the promise of a bright year ahead”. All dances last approximately 15 minutes and are suitable for all ages.
go deeper
In addition to the central perfor-
The celebrations o er an opportunity to bring our diverse audience together to enjoy live performances, food and creative experiences
Laura Flanagan, Greenwich Peninsula enter the
mances, Loose.fm DJs will be playing tracks throughout the festivities at Canteen Terrace and Barton Yard in Design District, with a set of contemporary sounds and global rhythms promised to help mark the occasion.
Firepit Art Gallery And Studio at Upper Riverside is also joining in, hosting The Splendours Of Henan exhibition.
Free to view from February 17 until March 14, this special exhibition in honour of the Year Of The Horse features ancient craft techniques, textiles and contemporary works from China’s Henan province.
A number of Lunar New Year craft workshops are also set to take place during the celebrations with full details available online. Each activity costs £5.
need refreshment?
Greenwich Peninsula also boasts an extensive food trail, with plenty of Asian flavours available from businesses locally.
As well as the global offerings at Canteen, Kiki And MiuMiu Market offers Asian groceries, baked treats and bubble tea, while Eat Fan serves up a wide range of Chinese dishes.
key details
Lunar New Year festivities are set to take place from noon-5pm at various locations on the Peninsula.
All performances are free to attend and easily accessed from nearby North Greenwich station, the IFS Cloud Cable Car or Uber Boat By Thames Clippers’ pier. Go to greenwichpeneinsula.co.uk or follow @greenwich.peninsula on Instagram for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about the festivities
All Lunar New Year performances are free to attend on February 21
This year’s
two
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Dave The musician and songwriter brings his The Boy Who Played The Harp tour to The O2 for four dates in March. Expect rap, storytelling and introspection. Mar 6-7, 10-11, 6.30pm, from £55, theo2.co.uk
GIG | Ozan Baysal: Tel Ve Ten Enjoy Anatolian strings and stories at this album launch party as the London-based saz player showcases his latest work in the Knight Gallery. Mar 13, 7.30pm, £13.50, woolwich.works
| Hospital30
Enjoy a healing session of drum and bass as the label delivers sets from the likes of Dynamite MC, Lens, Degs, Hoax and Fred V. Mar 14, 2pm-11pm, from £30, magazinelondon.co.uk
Luminarium: Myriad is coming to Woolwich Works, with visitors invited to explore its colourful, in ated spaces. Catch it between April 2-6, with tickets costing £8 per person for daily access between noon and 4pm woolwich.works
Scan this code to read our interview with Architects Of Air’s Alan Parkinson about his latest creation
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PUBLIC NOTICES SPECIAL TREATMENT LICENCES
LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS SPECIAL TREATMENT LICENCES
Notice is given that: Zoe Kuszny
Has applied to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for: Provision of non-surgical aesthetic and skin treatments including Medical-Grade Facials, Hydrafacial Treatments, Professional Skin Treatments (including Medik8 facials), Microneedling, Chemical Peels, Skin Boosters, Laser Treatments, Botulinum Toxin Treatments and Dermal Filler Treatments.
Licence(s) for the premises: Studio D006, Block D, Hackney Wick, Tradestars, Aspext, 345-407, 411-415 Wick Lane, London, E3 2JG
Anyone wishing to oppose the application must give notice in writing to the Service Manager Of Regulatory Services (Commercial), Communities Directorate, 4th Floor Tower Hamlets Town Hall 160 Whitechapel Road London E1 1BJ WITHIN THREE WEEKS specifying the grounds of opposition. Persons objecting to the grant of a licence must be prepared to attend in person at a hearing before a Committee of the Council.
PUBLIC NOTICES PREMISES LICENCE
LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
Notice is given that: Fresh Feast Hospitality Limited
Has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003
The premises are situated at: Fresh Feast Restaurant, 44 Artillery Lane, London, E1 7LS
The licensable Activities And Timings Are: Supply Of Alcohol 12:00-22:00, Sunday to Thursday 12:00-22:00, Friday to Saturday
Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice to: The Licensing Section, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ or email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Tel: 020 7364 5008
Representations must be received no later than 03/03/2026.
The Application Record and Register may be viewed between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday during normal o ce hours at the above address.
It is an o ence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum ne for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the o ence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited ne).
LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
Notice is given that: Chinese Gourmet
Has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003
The premises are situated at: Chinese Gourmet, Units G11 and G12 Harbour Exchange Square, Isle Of Dogs, London, E14 9GE
The licensable Activities And Timings Are: The sale of alcohol on and o the premises Monday to Sunday, 11:00-22:30
Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice to: The Licensing Section, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ or email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Tel: 020 7364 5008
Representations must be received no later than 09/03/2026.
The Application Record and Register may be viewed between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday during normal o ce hours at the above address.
It is an o ence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum ne for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the o ence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited ne).
LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
Notice is given that: Dzrt Canary Wharf
Has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003
The premises are situated at: Dzrt Canary Wharf, 53 Skylines Village, Limeharbour, London, E14 9TS
The licensable Activities And Timings Are: Allow late night refreshments NOT alcohol sales between the hours of Sunday - Thursday, 17:00-01:00 Friday - Saturday, 17:00-02:00
Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice to: The Licensing Section, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ or email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Tel: 020 7364 5008
Representations must be received no later than 10/03/2026.
The Application Record and Register may be viewed between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday during normal o ce hours at the above address.
It is an o ence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum ne for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the o ence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited ne).
LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
Notice is given that: Oriental Cuisine Limited
Has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003
The premises are situated at: Oriental Cuisine Limited T/A Greens n Grains, 37 Brick Lane, London E1 6PU
The licensable Activities And Timings Are: Provision of Late Night Refreshment (sale of hot food/hot drink) Hours: Monday to Sunday from 23:00 hours to 05:00 Hours
Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice to: The Licensing Section, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ or email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Tel: 020 7364 5008
Representations must be received no later than 27/02/2026.
The Application Record and Register may be viewed between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday during normal o ce hours at the above address.
It is an o ence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum ne for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the o ence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited ne).
Number of shows, artists and installations for visitors to UEL After Dark Festival to enjoy
Acts such as Gorilla Circus and UK African Acrobats are set to entertain the crowds at UEL
how UEL After Dark Festival is all geared up to ll the university’s Docklands Campus with illuminations
by Jon Massey
what’s happening?
UEL’s After Dark Festival is set to return to the university’s Docklands Campus on February 26.
tell me more
Free to visit, the site is transformed for three hours of installations and performances from 5pm-8pm.
This year, the theme is The Four Elements: Fire, Water, Air And Earth. Visitors can expect illuminated sculptures, aerial theatre, re shows and hands-on experiences suitable for all ages.
do I need a ticket? No, but those planning
on attending are asked to register on the university’s website.
what will I see?
Among the attractions will be Unfurl by Air Giants, a series of robotic plants that “create a dreamlike garden”, Osadia, an interactive hair-sculpting performance that promises to “transform participants into glowing artworks” and Xena Flame, an illuminated hulahoop performance “followed by a dynamic, inclusive workshop”.
and there’s more?
At least seven other installations or performances as well as local street food pop-ups.
Our top pick from the remainder is Unity by Gorilla
Circus, known for their death-defying aerial performances. Audiences should expect poetry, sound and “an illuminated spectacle” as the troop use their bodies to tell community stories
key details
UEL’s After Dark Festival is set to take place on February 26 from 5pm-8pm. Entry is free, although those attending are asked to register. Go to uel.ac.uk for more information or to register attendance
Scan this code to nd out more about the festival
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
TRY | Upholstery Taster Workshops
The ELFI is running a series of monthly one-day sessions, o ering beginners the chance to try their hand at upholstery. All materials included. From Feb 24, 6pm-7.45pm, £25, royaldocks.london
Excel London
Royal Victoria Dock
EVENT | The Baby Show
Billed as the event that has everything adults need “from bump to baby and beyond”. Expect products, shows, exhibitors and lots of buggies. Mar 6-8, 9.30am, £18, thebabyshow.co.uk
CLUB | Boudica x Gegen
Enjoy an evening of techno complete with acts from Berlin in a line-up that includes Boyca, David Asko, Jeneva, Lo-Low and Samantha Togni. Mar 6 , 11pm-9am, £31.10, ra.co
ash back
Sad Meli Georgian Gastronomy And Wine in Royal Docks near Gallions Reach is an example of what drive and ambition can achieve. O ering authentic avours and products from Georgia, try this restaurant and bar now... sadmeli.square.site
Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s interview with Sad Meli’s Beka Kereselidze online at
how
Investec Beyond Business supports social enterprises through funding, mentorship and connection via its programme, in partnership with east London’s Bromley By Bow Centre
by Jon Massey
For the last 14 years, financial services firm Investec Bank has been fostering social entrepreneurship in east London. Run in partnership with the Bromley By Bow Centre, its Investec Beyond Business (IBB) programme has seen scores of businesses created with the aim of solving social problems.
These operations have a collective turnover of nearly £10million since the initiative was started in 2011 and support some 430 jobs.
Now entering its 15th year, individuals and organisations are encouraged to submit their applications by March 15 for up to £24,000 of funding each. Ideas must have a clear social purpose and support communities in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest, Islington or Barking And Dagenham
“We are typically looking for entry-level startups, which are no more than two years old, that will generate profit and reinvest this money in what they’re doing,” said Amitava Guha, enterprise team leader at the Bromley By Bow Centre.
“You don’t have to have a registered company – you might have identified an issue and want to start something to help address it. We can work with that.
“For 2026, I think we really want to elevate this programme, to support big ideas. People often opt for the safe route, but I think you can’t really become a successful entrepreneur if you don’t take risks. You have to have determination.”
This is an area in which Amit is well versed. Having founded and led digital consultancy Magicframe in India from 2006 to 2020, his own journey has been steeped in business development. Having relocated to the UK and exited that company, he’s recently spent
They can be small ideas that start in east London but have the potential to spread. We really like ideas that get people to think di erently.
Amitava Guha, Bromley By Bow Centre
time coaching, mentoring and advising others on how to turn their ideas into viable operations.
“I joined the Bromley By Bow Centre in 2024 to take care of the IBB programme,” he said. “Last year we received 148 applications, long-listed 30 and then shortlisted 10 to present their ideas to the Investec panel, Dragon’s Den-style.
“Each year, we try to fund four or five enterprises. What’s essential is that, if you are called to make that presentation, you can explain your idea well so we can understand what you want to do because, ultimately, it will be you driving this change.
“Many of the ideas that are submitted have been quite good, quite interesting, but I think we can go further. We’d love to see some interesting thoughts coming out of Canary Wharf, for example.
“One of the important things to consider is that, while we understand people often come from a social action background, social action is not social enterprise. These ideas have to work as businesses.”
One of last year’s winners was Round Retail, a charitable resale platform for branded items where sellers get a third of the sale price and the balance goes to local charities and to fund expansion.
Feeling Social and TrailFam also won funding, providing mental health first aid training to organisaitons and offering trail running programmes to young people, respectively.
While Bamboo Bicycle Club is already an established business in Canning Town, the panel decided to fund its project to work with parents serving custodial sentences to build bikes for their kids to help maintain a tangible connection with their children.
Amit said: “We made an exception for this company because it was such a good idea. It was quite emotional for us and the programme has gone really well.
“It’s a good example of exactly the kind of projects IBB wants to fund. They can be small ideas that start in east London but have the potential to spread everywhere.
“We really like ideas that get people to think differently. They don’t need to be absolutely radical or outside the box and it can be something that needs some development.
“One of the key things for us is that the £24,000 is seed funding, to support the person or the organisation the idea has come from. We don’t restrict how that money is
spent, but we do have quarterly meetings with the winner and produce a report. We’re also on hand to mentor and support them and many previous winners also participate in the programme in this way. That’s a process that continues beyond the first year.”
With 50 applications already received, the 2026 programme of funding is set to begin in May, after shorlisting and interviews in April. Issues typically addressed by applicants include social enterprises working in youth unemployment, social isolation and loneliness, mental health and wellbeing, community cohesion, the rehabilitation of ex-offenders, food insecurity and environmental sustainability.
Those applying – and IBB especially welcomes applications from under-represented founders – are expected to demonstrate how their idea would benefit at
Above, James Marr of Bamboo Bicycle Club was among the founders funded through IBB in 2025, helping parents serving prison sentences create bikes for their kids
least one of the six boroughs it operates across. Amit said one area of focus he would like to see tackled was the pervasive effect of social media on both the young and old.
“I think there are a lot of problems around attention and interaction,” he said. “Through social media and AI, we’re in danger of creating generations of people who have no idea what they’re talking about and can’t articulate their ideas when they go for an interview, for example.
“I worry these technologies are damaging our ability to think independently and I’d love to hear ideas around what can be done to address this.”
key details
Applicants to the Investec Beyond Business programme are invited to submit their ideas to the programme by March 15. You can find full details on the Bromley By Bow Centre website.
Go to bbbc.org.uk/ibb for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about Investec Beyond Business
Sudoku
How to play
To complete Sudoku, ll the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.
More to play
You can nd more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca
