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Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

inside issue 171

Why Cosy Club is a paradox worth finding out about Page 31

Greenwich Collective - The Space - Festival Of Print Maria Alexander Spa Boat - Brown’s - Songbird Dunregan - Levi Meltzer - Royal Victoria Dock Black History Month - Crosswords Sudoku - Franco Manca

raising

KSI works a deal on behalf of When You Wish Upon A Star at the annual fundraising event in Canary Wharf

the

how the BGC Group Charity Day broke records - Pages 6-9 Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, Image by Dave Benett/Getty Images for BGC Group

ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

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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Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

read

feast your eyes on these

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Various Venues Canary Wharf

LAST CHANCE | Oktoberfests You’ll need to move quick, but BrewDog, MMy Wood Wharf and Amazing Grace are all hosting Germanthemed celebrations with beer and music. Sept 17-Oct 4, times and prices vary, canarywharf.com

Welcome to issue 171 of Wharf Life. On the one hand, this paper is about indulgence and relaxation – fine tailoring, luxurious spa treatments. On the other, it’s about giving back with record-breaking revenue at BGC Group’s Charity Day and The Space launching a fundraiser. What can you do?

Don’t miss Black History Month in Canary Wharf from Oct 1-31

Where? Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

GIG | Jools Holland Master Class The venue’s patron of music reflects on his life at the piano with live music, stories, memories and moments with help from his band. Oct 21, 6pm, from £202, boisdale.co.uk

Celebrity ambassadors hit the phones as BGC donates $16million

Where? London Museum Docklands West India Quay

EARLY BIRD | Victorian Santa’s Grotto Tickets have gone on sale to see Father Christmas on West India Quay and get a gift. There’s usually high demand here, so book early to avoid missing out. Nov 20-Dec 23, daily slots, £15, londonmuseum.org.uk

An experience like no other on the water. The Maria Alexander Spa Boat has arrived at Limehouse Marina and offers private retreats, complete with massage, sauna and a hot tub

flash back

Why seeking out Songbird is well worth it, just make sure the time is right

the joy of six

13 The festive weeks are getting closer each day and we’ve put together a handy Party Season guide together to assist with planning all those meet-ups, parties and office bashes. Fortune favours the organised.. wharf-life.com Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s Party Season feature to get some festive venue ideas want more? @wharfwhispers

Catch the Festival Of Print 2026 and snag some art for your pad

How The Space is marking 30 years with a fundraising drive to support its work

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 22

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Editorial email jon.massey@wharf-life.com call 07765 076 300 Advertising email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com call 07944 000 144

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

on the radar

doing the deals

need to know

get more for less on and around the Wharf

20%

Details are scant so far, but Harbord Square looks like it’s getting a new grocery store. Hoardings for Market 22 give little away and we’ve no info on an opening date, but Wood Wharf can expect a new source of ingredients in the not too distant future... canarywharf.com

Fashion brand Belstaff is offering Wharfers 20% off for in-store purchases at its Jubilee Place store. Access via the Canary Wharf App, then visit the shop on the mall’s Level -1 canarywharf.com

26 It’s been a long road, but House Of Gods has officially opened its doors atop the undulating silver building in Eden Dock. Expect rooftop drinking and dining as well as milk and cookies delivered to rooms on demand in a hotel built for luxury houseofgodshotel.com

Catch clown Levi Meltzer’s work in progress at The Pen Theatre

We sample the delights of Cosy Club, a paradox dressed in palatial golds

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£5 28

How Philip Chalk and Wayne Carter offer fine tailoring and shirt-making with all the trimmings at the Greenwich Collective, an Aladdin’s Cave of menswear and antiques

Sign up to 640East’s loyalty scheme and get a £5 voucher to use at either its Montgomery Square or Wood Wharf locations. Access via the Canary Wharf App canarywharf.com

Blocked Ears? Muﬄed Hearing? Ear Bud User? Itching or Irritation?

TRIED + TESTED Pulled Lamb Franco Manca francomanca.co.uk

This latest offering from Franco Manca costs £14.95 and comes layered with mint, ricotta and some sort of pea cream

The promise of the eyes is everything, but I think even Franco themselves might look upon this work and despair. The new offering from this chain arrives as a competent base with dirty mounds of pulled lamb, a sorry basil leaf and a few hunks of roasted pepper casually dotted around for some colour. In contrast to the delicate lines in the marketing photos, the swirl of pea and mint cream is more an angry dollop, farted out of a squat bottle, rapidly wielded by a stressed chef tasked with quantity over quality. Loosely held together with

the melted mozzarella, it tastes considerably better than it looks, although the pickled carrot is as elusive on the tongue as it is to the eye. Quite why Franco Manca has decided to capture the flavours of a Mediterranean lamb roast and pizza-fie them isn’t especially clear but, credit where it’s due, the mint is a subtle touch. The same can’t be said for the side of garlic dip I order for £2. This tastes of rank vinegar and should probably be cited by The Hague for crimes against crusts. Try it at your peril. ★★★✩✩ Jon Massey

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

diary dates, listings and ideas to make life in Canary Wharf sweeter..

Immigration Solicitors

FOR THE KIDS Tots At The Docks London Museum Docklands londonmuseum.org.uk

With you from the start

Catch free monthly play sessions at the museum on West India Quay, suitable for under-5s and their adults. The drop-in activities run from 10.30am-3pm and are themed around the capital’s history. September 30 will be We Love London, October 28 will be Fairy Tales and November 11 will be the River Thames. Expect plenty of sensory stimulation, puppets and sequins.

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INSTALLATIONS Black History Month Canary Wharf canarywharf.com In place from October 1-31, interdisciplinary artist Jasmine Kahila of Bluprinta has designed a series of murals. Folkloriq draws on Jamaican, Caribbean and Central American styles and colours, Facin Our Dreamz takes inspiration from people working in many different professions, Blaq Excellence riffs on themes of liberation and Heartest Truth offers scenes of downfall, triumph, connection and freedom. Full location details have yet to be released, but Folkloriq and Facin Our Dreamz will be installed at North Colonnade and Upper Bank Street respectively. All are free to visit

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CANADA PL ACE & WOOD WHARF

Training

for life

H Y R O X | P E R F O R M A N C E T R A I N I N G | R E C O V E R Y | R E F O R M E R P I L AT E S

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$250m

Cash raised for good causes by the BGC Group Charity Day since its inception in 2005 BGC Group co-CEO Sean Windeatt is calling for more firms to donate to charity

Hugh Grant hits the phones on behalf of the Press Justice Project

Tom Hardy closes deals during the BGC Group Charity Day

the impact of

Michael McIntyre appears on behalf of Prostate Cancer Research Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

how the BGC Group Charity Day is a call to action for companies as it achieves record-breaking revenues by Jon Massey

othing can mitigate or change the catastrophic loss felt by staff at BGC Group when planes crashing into the World Trade Centre as part of the 9/11 terrorist attacks took the lives of 658 people, employees of its the parent company, Cantor Fitzgerald. “The feeling never goes away,” said Sean Windeatt, BGC’s co-CEO. “I was on the phone to a colleague in the towers when the planes hit – it doesn’t matter that it was 25 years ago. I’m always thinking about it, but ultimately those are private, inner thoughts. “I was talking to the former president of the company, Shaun Lynn, recently about that time and remembering what happened. “But we were also saying how incredibly proud we are of what’s happened since – how the company has successfully rebuilt itself and what we’re able to do for charitable causes.” That latter achievement, especially, is extraordinary. After ensuring colleagues affected by the attacks were supported BGC launched its annual Charity Day in 2005. The financial services company invites charities’ celebrity patrons onto its trading floor to close deals on behalf of their organisations with all the revenue donated to good causes. In addition to the money, the media attention generated helps raise awareness and buzz around organisations’ activities. This year, a record-breaking $16milllion was generate in a single day, bringing the overall total to $250million since 2005. It’s a demonstration of the impact a sustained, powerful initiative can have. “We still have around 50 members of staff who were at BGC 25 years ago – that means, of the 1,500 people who work in the company, 1,450 were not working on that day,” said Sean. “However, all of them understand what we stand for, that charity is in the DNA of the business. “With what we went through at that time, we were lucky to remain in existence. The people working here now know that and I’m immensely proud of how hard they work for our Charity Day to ensure we make as much money for those organisations

as possible. It couldn’t happen without the commitment of our brokers and the generosity of our clients.” This year, BGC’s phones were staffed by the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy, Hugh Grant, Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix, Michael Mcintyre, Maro Itoje, Sir Gareth Southgate, Youtuber KSI and many, many more. Since 2005, over 1,000 charities have received funding through the initiative including more than 60 UK organisations that have received cash every year. These range from large global charities to small grassroots initiatives. However, BGC now wants other businesses to follow suit. In light of a report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which found just 27% of companies supported charities in any way and only 17% donated cash, Sean is calling on others to do more and to reap the obvious rewards. “We operate in a fiercely competitive business world and I don’t think there’s any doubt that giving to charity makes us more successful,” said Sean. “The fact we are supporting others is something that’s recognised by our clients, other businesses and our own staff. “They know we’re about more than just making money, we’re about supporting others. They choose to work with us or work harder for us as a result and we become more successful. “As our revenues rise, so does the amount we give to charity – it’s a virtuous circle. I was shocked by the statistic in the report. I understand that it’s tough for businesses, as it is for individuals, but companies that are doing well have some sort of responsibility to do some kind of charitable giving. “For the percentage to be less than a third really surprised me, especially at a time when the cost of living crisis is stopping households contributing and often making charities’ overheads rise. “What we’re trying to do in the wake of our latest charity day is to raise awareness of the impact the corporate world can have by helping to fill that gap.” This year, BGC has teamed up with philanthropist John Caudwell to call on companies to do more. CAF’s report found that if businesses donated 1% of their pre-tax profits, charities could continued on Page 8

Helen Mirren drives up prices on behalf of Denville Hall Images by Dave Benett/Getty Images for BGC Group except where stated

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from Page 7 receive nearly £5billion in additional funding – more than three times the drop in donations last year. John, the first British billionaire to sign the Giving Pledge, committing the majority of his personal fortune to good causes, took part in BGC’s Charity Day to help raise money for Caudwell Youth. He said: “BGC’s Charity Day is a fantastic initiative and a powerful example of how businesses can support charities and make a lasting difference in people’s lives. “Having founded Caudwell Youth, I have seen first hand how vital this kind of support is. “This generous donation from BGC Charity Day will fund one-to-one mentoring for young people facing mental health challenges, leaving care, or at risk of exploitation and offending. “Thanks to BGC’s support, Caudwell Youth can reach more young people with the consistent support and guidance they need to build a brighter future.” While the glitz and glam of the event itself is important, for Sean one of the most valuable and moving sides to Charity Day is seeing the granular impact of those millions of dollars. “The event has paid for wheelchairs, hospice care, medical research and community projects – real things in real lives,” he said. “On the day itself we invite charities and some of the people they help to attend and it’s a moment of great pride to watch everyone pulling together, meeting and having fun – to see how much benefit is being created. “It’s wonderful to see that energy. Then over the course of the year it doesn’t stop. We get out of the office to meet the charities – we give staff volunteering opportunities and it’s incredible to hear what our support means to these organisations. “We know from these experiences how regular funding and support is so important for charities – especially at the moment, so that’s exactly why we’re saying businesses should do more when they can. “If just 50% of the companies that currently give nothing were to contribute 1% of pre-tax profits it would make such a difference.” key details BGC Group’s Charity Day takes place every year in September with 100% of revenues generated by the firm donated to good causes. Since it started in 2005, $250million has been raised, $16million this year. Go to bgcg.com

$16m

Revenue raised by the 2026 Charity Day, a record for BGC Group

Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, helps raise cash for Martlets

Ellie Leach lends her support to When You Wish Upon A Star

KSI generates money for When You Wish Upon A Star

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

Natasha Hart is the founder and CEO of NASSA

Sir Mark Cavendish and Sir Gareth Southgate join forces to support Help For Heroes

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

case study

National All Star Skills Academy

Leigh-Anne Pinnock takes part on behalf of Oasis UK

John Caudwell, right, completes a trade for Caudwell Youth Images by Dave Benett/Getty Images for BGC Group except where stated

he National All Star Skills Academy (NASSA) is an east London charity based in Newham that uses sport as an engine to fight gang culture and knife crime, but also to act as an agent of social mobility. Centred primarily on basketball, its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign reaches thousands of school kids each year, while its training sessions and teams are vehicles to focus young minds on fitness, skill, discipline and collaborative effort. As a grassroots charity founded by Natasha Hart in 2006, the organisation has an extensive track record of effectively addressing issues in society through rapid action with programmes that deliver results. It’s quick to respond and maintains the feel of a close-knit family, despite helping and educating more than 100,000-plus young people. Last year, BGC Group decided to donate $10,000 to NASSA to support its ongoing work in east London, raised during its Charity Day. “I can’t begin to say how grateful we are to BGC for this money,” said Natasha, who remains the charity’s CEO. “We immediately decided, having identified a need locally, to use it to support a new kind of session for NASSA. I’d spoken with several mothers locally and we set up regular ball skills training for young people with conditions such as autism, Down’s Syndrome or other complex needs. “The donation covers court hire at the University Of East London, all the equipment needed and also pays for a specialist coach. “Over eight months, we were able to run 90-minute sessions once a week for young people aged eight to 18 in response to clear demand from the local community. “Just through word of mouth we had 25 families registered on our books. The

young people would come down and learn skills inspired by basketball that are appropriate for their abilities – they’d be passing, shooting and dribbling. “But they would also be plenty of free time to just have fun and run about. One of the things we noticed was that the coach was able to also teach them elements of discipline. “While there was a lot of excited running around in the early sessions, that changed – you would not believe how much progress they made. We also used some of the money to reward that by purchasing certificates and medals for participants and you could see in their eyes what that recognition meant to them.” In addition to allowing NASSA to train some of its own coaches in-house to help run the sessions, the initiative has also provided parents and carers with some respite. “Caring for a child with complex needs or a specific condition can be very intense and it can be a 24-hour job,” said Natasha. “One of the reasons for setting up these sessions was to give parents and carers a break, even if that’s just an hour where they can get a cup of tea in the UEL cafe. “At the start we set up a WhatsApp group so we could keep in contact with all the parents easily and update them. The feedback we’ve had has been amazing, especially from the young people themselves who have been asking the adults to text us to make sure they’re happening. It’s something they really look forward to and it’s fantastic to see.” Go to nassasports.org.uk for more information Scan this code to find out more about the charity’s work and the sessions it offers in east London

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how Songbird is an animal worth tracking down for its a la carte menu even if it’s a little elusive

£14

Cost of the signature cocktails at Songbird Restaurant And Bar in Troubadour Theatre Canary Wharf

behind the

by Jon Massey

erhaps it’s a class thing, the abject terror that one day, someone will refuse us entry to a venue because we were too stupid to know access is restricted. You can feel it in hotels – that curious notion that, just because you’re not a resident, somehow the bar and restaurant might be off limits. Songbird, the restaurant and bar inside the Troubadour Theatre Canary Wharf – accessed round the back of the venue – has its work cut out for it, then. Many will simply make the assumption that it’s a place entirely focussed on feeding and watering audiences for The Hunger Game: On Stage. But they will be missing out on something of a gem, hidden away in Canary Wharf. To claim Songbird is a Jekyll and Hyde might be going too far. This place doesn’t have the imbalance of the latter in any of its offerings. But it is an eatery of two acts. First off, it delivers for the pre-theatre crowd – the tide of ticket holders that rises and falls in Wood Wharf whenever there’s a show on. With capacity for only about 10% of the venue’s seats, that’s a likely sell-out on any given day. However, Songbird has a double life, as a venue that offers an a la carte menu whenever the show-goers are busy watching the action. It’s this that Troubadour is currently keen to promote and it’s certainly justified in trumpeting the quality. We sample nibbles of Devilled Eggs (£6.50), tricked up with miso mayo and prettified with trout roe and chives. Soda Bread (£5) comes with brown butter and an almost treacle-sweetness in the mouth. A starter of Roasted Beetroot Salad (£10) gets some welcome crunch from toasted hazelnuts and a bit of sharpness from pickled golden beets. Smoked Salmon (£15) comes with more soda bread and a celeriac and Granny Smith remoulade to take the edge off the potent fumigation.

Left, the central bar at Songbird Far left, PanRoasted Cod and, below, Devilled Eggs Right, Harissa Roasted Cauliflower

Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

Make no mistake though, these are well thought-through dishes and the cooking is on point. The same is true of the mains. We over-order Pan-Roasted Cod (£27), a meaty little tower on a foundation of salt-soaked cavolo nero and fizz sauce, decorated with shining caviar. Wild Mushroom Pot Pie (£21) is a vegetable triumph with more cavolo nero and shallot butter plus a somewhat superfluous mushroom miso gravy to pour in the already saucy filling. But perhaps the star of the show is the Harissa Roasted Cauliflower (£16), a pale forest on a bed of butterbean hummus with a backdrop of bitter leaf salad and toasted almonds. Sides of Mac And Cheese (£8) and Mashed Potato (£5) were totally unnecessary, but pleasantly seasoned with whatever a garlic crumb is. Honouring east London, we opt for the St Clements Cheesecake (£9) to finish, complete with caramelised oranges to complete the rhyme on a plate. Songbird is a strong performer across the disciplines. The food is hearty and well-priced with twists of intriguing refinement.

Its cocktails are also more than capable of holding their own, with the Smoked Old Fashioned the smart purchase. For £14 this comes with a preposterous cloche to add an extra level of flavour to the sugar, bitters and bourbon. Songbird deserves to make its mark on the dining scene. The only question is whether Wharfers will be patient or savvy enough to work round the pre-theatre crowd, if they’re confident enough to walk in at all, that is. ★★★★✩

A Smoked Old Fashioned is served at Songbird

key details Songbird Restaurant is located on Cartier Circle (the roundabout on the eastern edge of Canary Wharf opposite Locke hotel). It’s open from 4.30pm-10.30pm Tuesday to Thursday, from noon10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from noon-4pm on Sundays. Check when booking which menus are available when. Go to songbirdrestaurant.com Scan this code to find out more about Songbird in Canary Wharf

Have your say on Riverside South Public drop-in event in September on infrastructure plans for Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs Images supplied by Songbird unless otherwise stated

CWG is bringing forward a planning application covering the infrastructure and public realm work, which is now being consulted on. The plans include a new platform across Westferry Road with green walkways and new places for people to visit and spend time, improving east-west connections across Canary Wharf. The platform will support future delivery of the Riverside South site and wider public realm improvements.

We value and are keen to understand the views of the local community and are hosting a drop-in event at: Alpha Grove Community Centre, Alpha Grove, E14 8LH This session oﬀers an opportunity to meet the project team, ask questions, see the plans and provide feedback: Tuesday, 29 September, 5pm to 8pm Plans have been published on the project website.

Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

For more information, visit www.riverside-south.com and use the contact form to get in touch.

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

Years since Browns Brasserie And Bar opened its doors on West India Quay. Its set lunch and early evening menu costs £21.50 for two courses

New tables, chairs and updated decor at Browns Brasserie and Bar

a sensitive

Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

how an update to Browns Brasserie And Bar is an excuse to revisit the quayside stalwart by Jon Massey

he problem when undertaking an “extensive refurbishment” of a Grade I listed warehouse bar is that you can’t really change a hell of a lot. Browns Brasserie And Bar on West India Quay is arguably the most successful restaurant on the strip. Opened in 2006, in a corner plot over the two lower levels of the preserved former sugar warehouse, it traded confidently through the Credit Crunch, did steady business over the 2010s and rode out the pandemic. On the historic strip, only The Ledger Building (a Wetherspoon’s) has put in a longer shift, so Browns must be doing something right. Whether constrained by building protections, or just sensitive to not breaking something that didn’t really need fixing, the venue update is mercifully subtle. Punters could, quite reasonably, be forgiven for not really noticing. The overall structure remains unchanged, but there are new chairs and tables, possibly better lighting and quite a lot of fake flowers round the door. The designer has gone for velvet over leather chairs and it would be churlish not to

acknowledge something of an uplift in comfort. Fundamentally, however, the offering remains much as it ever was. Uncomplicated, familiar dishes served in singular, historic surroundings. There’s always been a calm about Browns in contrast to its more bombastic neighbours. This is a place to sink into your seat and revel in the carefully restored timbers and the cast iron pillars, layered with countless coats of grey gloss. Browns remains competitively priced (another reason, perhaps for its longevity) and the staff are smiley and pleasant when we visit. Front and centre in any Wharfer’s mind is value and the brasserie is currently offering a lunch and early evening set menu from noon-6pm with two courses for £21.50 and three for £26.50. My starter of Beef Shin And Wine Ravioli is a glorious affair, pepped up with Parmesan shavings. Just enough to tickle the taste buds, this is a rich, sweet dish with the meat sparring against a pesto of sun-dried and confit tomatoes. It’s the kind of dish Browns is really good at. Flavourful and hearty – the sort of plate that takes Italy as a starting point and introduces it to the antiquarian library of a gentleman’s club.

My main, alas, is not such a success. While the potato salad with horseradish creme fraiche is surprisingly glorious, the Pan-Fried Sea Bass that sits atop is missing the much anticipated crispiness. The fish is adequately cooked, but the sorry skin and too much rocket in the salad mark this out as an under-achiever. The day is saved somewhat, however, by dessert. I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, but I’m a sucker for a Bramley Apple And Rhubarb Crumble. This example is a stunner and spiced with stem ginger ice cream. It’s worth the trip over the water alone. ★★★✩✩ key details Browns Brasserie And Bar on West India Quay is open from 10am11pm, Monday to Wednesday, from 9am-11pm on Thursdays, from 9am-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from 9am-10.30pm on Sundays. Go to browns-restaurants.co.uk for more information A solid deal for a little over £25, ravioli, sea bass and a stunning apple and rhubarb crumble

Scan this code to find out more about Browns Brasserie And Bar

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Be All You Can Be

Come and Visit! Open Morning th Friday 9 October 0208 467 2195 I bickleyparkschool.co.uk

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how the Maria Alexander Spa Boat offers a tranquil escape with the finest quality treatments and privacy afloat by Jon Massey

ife on the water has its own pace. This is sometimes true for businesses as much as for those who make their home afloat. The story of the Maria Alexander Spa Boat began around three years ago. Built and fitted-out to exacting specifications, the vessel has a treatment room for two and an open-plan spa space for up to four guests. This features a sauna and a hot tub that manage to feel connected to the water outside, despite being in near seclusion. While the boat has spent around two years cruising the canals of London, its offering constantly refined and its location changing, the couple behind the venture have now found their curated craft a more permanent home at Limehouse Marina. It’s been a lengthy voyage, but there’s a sense that this is the dawn of a new chapter for the spa, which offers an experience like no other on the capital’s waterways. The boat is a joint venture between Ingrid Eriksson and Corvin Roman. The former has an extensive background in spas and the latter in insurance, teaming up on the foundation of their burgeoning relationship to create a floating haven of relaxation. The facility accommodates up to four guests and offers multiple options, but the most popular package is the two-hour Private Floating Spa Treatment for two including a 30-minute massage. “We greet customers at the entrance to the marina, take them to the boat and then show them around the spa,” said Ingrid. “Then they have a little foot soak, some organic herbal tea and simply relax for a while. “When they’re ready, we show our guests through to the massage room where we deliver a halfhour masage that’s focussed on relaxation. “Afterwards, our guests are free to use the spa facilities, take a sauna and enjoy the hot tub. They can even open the doors at the front of the boat to see out while they’re soaking.” The purpose-built spaces are designed for privacy so guests feel as though they have the whole boat to themselves – however, Corvin, Ingrid or staff can be

summoned via small brass hand bells should anything be needed. “We created something that we thought we’d enjoy ourselves,” said Corvin, who along with his partner helps deliver treatments on the Maria Alexander. “At the start, I didn’t want to get involved with a business I didn’t properly understand, so I studied massage at the City Lit. “Part of what we’re offering is that the vibe here is different to other spas. When we did our research, we couldn’t find anything else like it. This isn’t a space where you’ll find people who are just hired therapists. “Ideally we always want at least one of us to be here – we want to be talking to customers but also making sure they have space to relax. It’s about looking after people. “Visiting a spa is about slowing down – put it on the water and you have the best of both worlds. “We might now be in a marina, but you still feel the movement of the water, you hear the rain on the roof and the calls of the birds. “You can hear the bells of St Anne’s Limehouse, but once you’re inside you can close yourself off from the world.” Ingrid added: “We’ve curated the whole experience. Spas can be quite impersonal but here we wanted to create something more romantic, a calmer offering. “We tested it with friends and people in the industry to make sure we were getting the spa journey right and we believe we’ve now done that.” Built in Liverpool and craned into the water at Watford, the Maria Alexander was fitted out in Tottenham before travelling along the canals of the capital. The vessel’s sauna is wood-fired to a toasty 90ºC and its hot tub features powerful jets for various kinds of massage. Guests are supplied with oatmeal-coloured robes, matching towels and small batch UK-made cleansing products. Typical refreshments provided include tea and dried fruit, although the couple have plans to widen this offering in the future. “We’re looking into offering afternoon teas and other catering options such as light meals, depending on the package,” said Corvin. “We have the facilities on board to do this. “We usually ask groups of more than two to contact us directly to discuss their requirements so

on board for

The boat’s main spa area

Left, Corvin Roman and, right, Ingrid Eriksson, co-owners of the Maria Alexander The sauna

Dried fruits

The hot tub

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Limehouse - Wapping - Whitechapel - Tower Hill

£200 People who have been to other spas are often not sure what to expect, so it’s amazing when they tell us it’s spectacular

Cost of a two-hour private spa experience for two people on board the Maria Alexander

The spa boat is moored at Limehouse Marina

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Half Moon Theatre Limehouse

Corvin Roman, Maria Alexander Spa Boat

we can tell them what’s possible. Usually our bookings are for couples or two friends, but we do have three or four people sometimes. While we don’t allow children on board, we can accommodate babies by arrangement if needed.” Ingrid added: “It’s a complete experience focussed on relaxation. It’s perfect for couples or friends. One of the things we wanted to make sure of was that there’s no waiting around. “Sometimes when you visit a spa there can be a long period of time before they’re ready to offer your treatment. Here, because guests have the boat to themselves, we don’t have that issue.” While the core offering remains, the couple are constantly working to refine and evolve the experience, tweaking the interior design and adding extra shine to proceedings. Plans for the future include potentially partnering with local hotels and developing other spa boats to deliver different treatments. Corvin said that while running a floating spa presented a range of challenges not faced by land-based businesses, it also had many advantages and it was a pleasure to offer guests something unique. He said: “People who have been to other spas are often not sure what to expect, so it’s amazing when they tell us it’s spectacular and unlike anything they’ve tried before.” key details The Maria Alexander is located in Limehouse Marina, a few minutes on foot from Limehouse DLR and is within walking distance of Canary Wharf. The spa is only open by appointment with pre-booking essential. Go to mariaalexander.co.uk or follow @mariaalexanderspaboat for more information

KIDS | The Quest For Planet P Suitable for ages 3-11, audiences are invited to follow Ozmo and Orbi, two brave little aliens as they set off to find the perfect planet. Lasts on hour. Oct 17, 11am, 2pm, £9, halfmoon.org.uk

tried + tested

Where? Troxy Limehouse

Maria Alexander Spa Boat It’s clear from the moment of arrival at the Maria Alexander Spa Boat that this is something different. There are floating saunas in London, perhaps even boats offering spa treatments, but nothing as considered as this vessel’s offering. After slipping shoes off, enjoying a quick tour of the facilities (including an incinerating toilet), we change into our swimwear, don our robes and indulge in a foot purifying foot soak with plenty of time to sip cool water and relax. When we’re ready, we go through to the calm, relaxing treatment room where there’s just room for a massage for two. Snuggled under towels, Corvin and Ingrid come through and deliver a slow relaxing massage which leaves a warm, lingering tingle. The pressure is subtle rather than intense, enough to get the nerves firing without stressing the muscles too much. Then it’s back to the spa and

we’re left on our own to enjoy the offering. After an intense burst in the sauna, with scented water to boost the humidity, it’s time for a cold shower and then a lengthy soak in the hot tub, our bodies soothed by the potent jets as we relax. Gazing out at the other boats while gently bobbing along and then looking up to the clouds through the vessel’s skylight is a rare pleasure. At £200 for two people, the quality and attention to detail here makes the experience a steal. The boat has been finished to a very high standard – akin to the best spas one might find in high-end hotels. The fact you can find such an experience on a boat in Limehouse simply adds to the charm of the offering. Jon Massey ★★★★★ Go to mariaalexander.co.uk for more information

GIG | Sweetnotes Filipino husband and wife team Jeffrey S Bactong Jr and Charlotte Mae P Bactong, bring their show, packed with classics and covers to east London. Oct 18, 5pm, from £77.65, troxy.co.uk Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

STAGE | A Brief Case Of Crazy Inspired by the physical comedy of Mr Bean, Chaplin and Buster Keaton, this show promises slick choreography, mime, clowning and puppetry. Oct 12-14, times vary, from £10, wiltons.org.uk

catch this

The treatment space on board the Maria Alexander

Singer songwriter Oscar Browne is set to bring his riff-driven, folk adjacent ditties to The George Tavern in Whitechapel’s Commercial Road on October 3. Gig starts at 7.30pm with tickets costing £13.75 thegeorgetavern.london

Scan this code to find out more about the Maria Alexander Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

Scan this code to find out more about the show or to book tickets to see the performance want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

how The Space has set a fundraising target of £30,000 as it enters its fourth decade invigorated for a new chapter

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Theatreship Isle Of Dogs

FILM | London Breeze Film Festival Shorts Enjoy Impact Shorts, a morning programme of shorts each selected for having a deep consideration of the environment at its core. Oct 24, 10.30am-12.30pm, from £8.90, theatreship.co.uk Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Hauntings Enjoy an evening of three supernatural tales from writers EF Benson and MR James as performed by Gerard Logan, an Olivier nominee, no less... Oct 7-9, 7.30pm, £15, space.org.uk Where? Poplar Union Poplar

TRY | Black History Month Visit the east London arts and community centre for a host of activities, workshops and performances as Poplar Union marks Black History Month. Oct 7-31, various times and prices, poplarunion.com

flash back

The University Of Sunderland In London is currently recruiting students for its MNurse (Adult) programme, a pathway for graduates to become registered nurses through study at the institution’s Isle Of Dogs campus london.sunderland.ac.uk Scan this code to find out more about the course via our interview with Alwin Puthenpurakal want more? @wharfwhispers

by Jon Massey

e o cially turn this eptember,” said Matthew ameson, artistic director of The pace arts centre on the Isle f ogs. “It’s extraordinary to be the guardian and representative of an organisation like this at a point in its life when it feels like it’s grown up. We can still see the vision that its founder, Robert Richardson had for this place in the s – a multiform arts centre, a community centre and hub on the Isle f ogs for all its people regardless of religious or political persuasion. “It was to be something to expose them to all forms of art – that’s the only instruction we’ve been given and what we try to achieve.” While in-person tickets for Space 30: An Evening Of Celebration on riday, eptember rapidly sold out thanks in no small part to the promise of patron ir Ian Mckellen performing some hakespeare , the event will act as both a birthday party and the start of a wider fundraising campaign. Those keen to witness the goings-on can still tune in for the live stream with tickets starting at and profits going towards the campaign. “We’ve got a smorgasbord of acts who have all played their part in The pace’s story,” said Matthew. “Andrew Campling, a composer, conductor and pianist who was a dear friend of our founder will be playing some of his own compositions. “We’ll also have ayla Mc uarrie, the host of our new open mic comedy nights and tephen mith who has smashed the dinburgh ringe with his show ne Man Poe and found his feet at The pace. “Then ir Ian will perform some hakespeare and talk to us about the journey of turning this building from a disused church into what it is today having helped lay the ground for that project in the early s. “ epending on the levels of donations we get on the night I might be shaving my beard, my hair or even waxing my whole body. “Then, as part of pace , we’ll be unveiling all sorts of ways to donate to The pace – people can sponsor seats for or sign up to support a creative for , which allows us to bring in an artist, subsidise their practice and give them a safe place to develop and hone their craft. “It’s a project we’re very keen to do but one we just don’t have the resources for at the moment.

The Space is located in Westferry Road on the Isle Of Dogs, around 12 minutes by direct bus from Canary Wharf

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone and all the organisations that have contributed to The Space Matthew Jameson, The Space

“We also want to remind people that a donation lets us open for an evening to host a community-minded group or organisation. “This is the start of a new chapter in the life of The pace – we’re under new management, split jointly between myself and arah Read and there are exciting times ahead. “The people we’re working with are getting excited by the multiform vision, something that can be somewhere for everyone on the Island, that puts on fun, engaging, entertaining shows and events with pathos and meaning. “We want to provide people with somewhere that’s affordable, that they can come and see their first show or discover new artists.” ne of the key messages The pace is keen to amplify is its accessibility. While being nestled on the Isle f ogs, the arts centre is less than minutes’ walk from Mudchute LR and served by multiple bus routes connecting it to Canary Wharf in minutes. Walking between the estate and the venue takes less than minutes. “A lot of what we do is about getting people across the threshold,” said Matthew. “We have a beautiful building here but there’s a mystery about it – is it a church, a synagogue, a power station

“ nce people visit, it can be enough for them to fall in love with the place. We’d welcome even more people coming from Canary Wharf and we’re incredibly grateful to CW for the collaborations we’ve done with them over many years. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone and all the organisations that have contributed to The pace and who have helped us make it the place it is today. “If people haven’t visited for a while or have just wondered what this strange building is on Westferry Road, then I want to say that we’re here, we’re open and we have a broad programme for everyone. “As artistic director, one of the things I’ve most enjoyed about the role has been getting out into the community and meeting people with the aim of working more closely – with Theatreship, for example. “We always punch above our weight in terms of the performers who come here – such as our stand-up comedy nights, for example. “This is your invitation to come into The pace, see a show and discover what it is we’re doing on the Isle f ogs.” key details ull details of pace and ways to donate, including the live stream on riday, eptember , are available online. The venue has also launched a crowd funder to help its achieve its aims and to support its mission in the future. Go to space.org.uk for more information

Scan this code to find out more about the crowd funder

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall - Leamouth

Years since The Space opened on the Isle Of Dogs. The venue has set itself a target of raising £30k by the end of the year

celebrating a place for the

Matthew Jameson may be losing a considerable quantity of hair if fundraising goes to plan Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

£11.55

Ticket price to see the show at The Pen Theatre in South Bermondsey Levi Meltzer has decided to make a show about something he knows, being a son

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The Pen Theatre South Bermondsey

COMEDY | Heathen (Work In Progress) This developing show promises jokes about magic Londoners from the award-winning comedian and theatre maker Ozzy Algar. Oct 10, 7.30pm, £11.55, thepentheatre.com Where? Corner Corner Canada Water

EVENT | Salad Days Market Perhaps a little early, but this event with 40-plus traders is selling itself on the basis that those attending can get Xmas shopping done smartly. Oct 24-25, 11am-4pm, free, cornercorner.com

trying out the

Where? The Albany Deptford

SEE | Station Artist Hussina Raja brings her immersive living room installation to The Albany. Part performance, part gathering space this work celebrates collaboration. Oct 10, 2.30pm, £12.50, thealbany.org.uk

making connections

how Your Son, Who Loves You by Levi Meltzer at The Pen Theatre promises honesty, clowning and evolution by Jon Massey

Rich, fruity, glistening hunks of beef – Plov, trading outside Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, offers solid takes on uzbek cuisine with plenty of personality. The salads might be basic but the mains certainly aren’t @plov.uk on Insta Scan this code to find out more about Plov’s food and how to get your hands on the stuff... want more? @wharfwhispers

nce reviewed as a “freakish blue, Nutella-smeared idiot-savant” theatrical clown and multidisciplinary artist Levi Meltzer is all set to bring his latest work in progress to south-east London. Your Son, Who Loves You will be unveiled to audiences at The Pen Theatre in South Bermondsey on Friday, October 23. Levi writes: “To whom it may concern, I’m working on something new, something I’m really excited about too but to make it

good I need to keep trying things out. “I’m making a show that’s personal, it’s about being a son, something I have some experience in. It’s about a lot more than that but I’ll tell you more later.” nown for his abstract, nonfiction storytelling, audiences can expect a highly visual performance following on from his creations such as Deadbeat Laureate and Mr Cardboard.

Scan this code to find out more about the show

Having won much critical acclaim for his work in the past, including being named the winner of the Audience Choice award at the Atlanta Fringe Festival, he’s one to watch. Apparently, if you seek him out he will tell you a tiny secret to take home. Recipients of such confidence are warned never to betray his trust, however. key details Your Son, Who Loves You is set to be performed at The Pen Theatre in South Bermondsey on Friday, October 23. The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £11.55. Go to thepentheatre.com for more information

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Greenwich

David would prefer

I wonder if the AI revolution will have a similar effect on people’s mental health as the industrial revolution had on individuals’ physical wellbeing

goofy robots that run funny rather than honed killing machines to wipe us all out

David Lefebre Sell

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

f you’re reading this then I suppose we haven’t all been killed by AI yet. Isn’t it darkly comic that we are living through an age where people are speculating that artificial intelligence may actually be the end of us, but we continue to blunder forwards because, well, money? Not surprising, but comic. Now, anyone who reads this will clearly see that I don’t use AI for my writing and I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I’ve never let that stop me before. I wonder if the AI revolution will have a similar effect on people’s mental health as the industrial revolution had on individuals’ physical wellbeing. If AI is doing our writing and our reading for us, and digesting difficult concepts for us, then keeping your mind sharp becomes a privileged pastime. So we will build data centres that have a massive power and water requirement, AI will build and refine itself, robots will build each other and it will all be so complicated that humans will only partly understand it. Then they will load us all into a fantasy land of the early 1990’s so they can harness us for our electrical energy, or whatever. I wonder which sci-fi apocalypse we have to look forward to? I’m hoping for a Terminator-style machines-hunting-humans future, but instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger they’re all just goofy looking robots that run funny. Or maybe they should look like Mary Shelley – credit where it’s due. Perhaps the good news is we can stop worrying if AI will take our jobs, and start brushing up on our apocalypse friendly skills? My kids moan about the two hours of longbow practice on Sundays, but they’ll appreciate it when the Muskbots start awkwardly marauding through London. I just wish I hadn’t thrown out my old DVDs, Saturday nights will be intolerable without Netflix.

David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf

anticipating the

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 Image by Pavel Danilyuk

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

£2,400

The starting price for a bespoke suit at the Greenwich Collective in Greenwich Market

how Greenwich Collective offers bespoke tailoring and shirt-making tucked into a carefully curated corner by Jon Massey

y mother was a dressmaker, who also did alterations and worked for companies,” said Philip Chalk, tailor and co-owner of the Greenwich Collective. “Until I started school at the age of five, I’d sit beside her, tinkering. “We’d make things and play with sewing machines. My family in Portugal were tailors, shirt-makers and so on, there was skill there.” Almost absent-mindedly, while we’re talking, Philip has noticed a loose button on his jacket and – without breaking conversation – cuts it off and sews it neatly back on, all without removing the garment from his shoulders. It’s a small detail, but then there’s a feeling that the Greenwich Collective is all about paying attention to those. The shop, which Philip owns with his business partner Wayne Carter, is – at first glance – a glorious melange of menswear. There are rails hung with suits and shirts, vibrant displays of ties, canes, umbrellas, socks and cuff-links. Some are for sale, some are works in progress for clients. Everywhere there are antique pieces, artworks and curios. This is no loosely connected bric-a-brac, though. Like the fine clothes created within, everything has been chosen. Philip has an extensive history in the industry, evidenced perhaps by the stacks of swatches in innumerable sample books stacked neatly along one wall, In addition to studying at the London College Of Fashion and working as a bespoke tailor, he’s spent time at Ted Baker, TM Lewin, Thomas Pink and once bought a shoe shop from David Moss (of Moss Bros) – learning a considerable amount about selling footwear in the process. His is a history of Jermyn Street, floral shirts, Soho, kosher tailoring, Docklands, Whitechapel, riotous nights out and making clothes for classical composers. Now, the shop in Greenwich

is something of a labour of love – the display window for an operation employing around 29 people. “I’ve always loved the retail side of the business and at this stage I’m bored with the idea of purely trying to make money,” said Philip. “We offer the best alterations, we’re the best tailors in the country and possibly the best shirt-makers in the world. “I do the tailoring and Wayne does the shirts. It’s hard, but we enjoy it – I’ve run lots of different kinds of businesses and it’s about wanting to do something you’re interested in. “Our pieces are bespoke and made the way our customers like, generally with our stamp on them. Everything is considered, every detail.” Prices at Greenwich Collective start at around £2,400 for a bespoke two-piece suit and £275 for a shirt. Customers can choose from a wide range of fabrics and styles with details to meet every requirement. “People come into the shop, we sit down, have a drink and see what’s doable,” said Philip. “We often talk finance as early as possible to understand what can be done. “They say no-one knows you as well as your doctor or your tailor and it’s so true. “As for the latter, they should be asking what a customer wants a suit for? “Is it for a career, are they looking for promotion, to get noticed? Is it for a date, just to look cool or will they be dancing in it or travelling? “When it’s for a wedding there’s a lot to consider – the shirt, tie, socks and the shoes. I tend to do masculine tailoring, I dress clients to glide. “Most people want to look like James Bond or Cary Grant, so that’s what we try to achieve. “I generally put my clients in better cloth than you’d expect for the price. We have dozens of swatch books from all kinds of factories, but there are a few suppliers I advise people to deal with over the others because they offer high quality that’s great value. “I’d rather put people in a really good suit so they feel at their best. If you went to Savile

Philip Chalk is the co-owner of Greenwich Collective

in every stitch

The shop is located in Greenwich Market

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

We offer the best alterations, we’re the best tailors in the country and possibly the best shirt-makers in the world

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The O2 Peninsula

Philip Chalk, Greenwich Collective

Row, you might find yourself paying £10,000 for a suit made from the same cloth. So long as we cover our costs and our risk, we’re happy to offer the prices we do.” Greenwich Collective has been trading for close to five years, but has a timeless feel about it. As we’re chatting, Philip is constantly waving to people through the window, pointing out artists and singers that he knows. It’s clear there’s connection and community here, which is part of the attraction. “We get involved with stuff – the Greenwich Historical Society, pub crawls, the other traders on the market,” he said. “I enjoy it. Everything in the shop is for sale, but it’s not. Some things I can’t part with. I have a lot of stuff and I enjoy it – I must have 20,000 pairs of cuff-links, 8,000 ties. “I go to a lot of auctions and buy things – old surveyor’s sticks, tripods, antiques – I take pleasure in them. Some things we sell are new, others are old. I’m passionate about vintage clothing too. “A great thing to do is to buy a vintage piece for the quality and then have us alter it to fit. “Sometimes it’s equally hard to part with the clothes we make. If you’ve spent 200 hours making something, it can be hard to say goodbye to it, but you know the customer will take real pleasure in it.” key details Greenwich Collective is located in Nelson Arcade at the southern end of Greenwich Market. Drop into the shop or call ahead to book an appointment for more details. Greenwich Market is easily accessible from Canary Wharf via the DLR to Cutty Sark and a short walk. Alternatively visitors can take the Uber Boat By Thames Clippers or walk via the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Call 020 3795 4328 or email gc@thegreenwichcollective.uk for more information Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

GIG | The Pussycat Dolls Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts bring their PCD Forever tour to London as the criticism of others’ girlfriends continues. Oct 4, 6pm, from £79, theo2,co.uk Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

STAGE | The Seafarer Conor McPherson’s piece is billed as a blackly funny, haunting tale of a family and friendship steeped in whisky and stirred by regret. Sláinte. Sept 28, 7.30pm, £33.50, greenwichtheatre.org.uk Where? Woolwich Works Woolwich

EVENT | The ADHD + Women Summit 2026 This day of talks and workshops is centred on the female experience of ADHD and increasing awareness and knowledge of and about the related issues. Oct 17, 10am, £48.60, woolwich.works

dazzling show

Visit the ZWO Astronomy Photographer Of The Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, which is on show now. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £6 for kids with viewing available from 10am-5pm rmg.co.uk Scan this code to find out more details about the exhibition or to book tickets online want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Royal Docks - Canning Town

5,000

Homes being delivered at Arada’s Thameside West scheme

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Brick Lane Music Hall Silvertown

KIDS | Story Time With Mama G Suitable for ages 4-11, this event sees the Britain’s Got Talent finalist reading stories and delivering dance and giggles galore in three shows. Oct 15, from 10am, £5, bricklanemusichall.co.uk

An artist’s impression of how improvements to Royal Victoria Dock could look

working up the

Where? Excel London Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | UK Black Business Week And Show 2026 This six-day programme of events brings black entrepreneurs, professionals and allies across multiple sectors together to network. Oct 13-17, from 9am daily, registration, excel.london Where? The Cause Silvertown

how Royal Docks regeneration is kicking up a gear with a pair of projects moving forward in the western half by Jon Massey

CLUB | Gray DJ Nick Gray presents Antisocial Sound London in the city of his birth. Expect relentless energy and a blend of contemporary and classic jungle. Oct 9, 10pm-4am, £23, supportthecause.co.uk

flash back

The Boat House is currently hosting its first exhibition at Cody Dock – Common Threads, by Remiiya Badru. To find out more about its singular construction, we sat down with designer and fabricator Nick Runeckles codydock.org.uk Scan this code to read our interview with Nick and find out how an historic boat became a heritage pavilion want more? @wharfwhispers

Thameside West

he passage of development in Royal Docks may not have always run smoothly, but two projects in the area’s western half look to be gathering pace. Firstly, Royal Docks Waterways recently announced it had appointed consultants to help come up with plans for floating homes in the area. The nine-month feasibility study will explore design options and a business case for house boats on Royal Victoria Dock. Led by Haptic Architects and Gort Scott, with Stace and Oakridge responsible for the business case, the consortium’s work will involved two rounds of public engagement in October and early 2027 as it develops the plans. Royal Docks Waterways is also set to separately decide on a preferred bidder to build and run a floating wellness facility offering water-based activities on the dock. Alongside a floating park, these elements comprise a plan to transform 12 hectares of water into publicly accessible space and residential moorings. Scott Grady, director of Haptic

Architects, said: “This is a genuinely unique commission, and we’re excited to be taking it forward with Royal Docks Waterways, the Royal Docks Team, and an exceptional group of consultants. “Royal Victoria Dock is a remarkable place with a long and layered history that we are building on. “Our job is to bring new life to the water here thoughtfully, with proper care for the dock, its heritage, and its community, designing a place that enables more people to access and enjoy the benefits of being near London’s waterways.”

Meanwhile, away from the dock on the banks of the river, developer Arada looks to be accelerating its plans for a 5,000-home scheme. The company has hired a team of design and engineering specialists to help deliver Thameside West with the aim of starting construction in 2028. Firms engaged include Gnesler, Arup and Planit. It has also confirmed that a new DLR station serving the area will be delivered in the first phase and is working with TfL to make this happen. ou can find out more about these projects online. Go to royaldocks.london for further information

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Stratford - Mile End - Bow - Hackney Wick

how Cosy Club deserves to make a success of its new Westfield Stratford City restaurant

£7.95

Price of the Monkey Bread at Cosy Club in Westfield Stratford City

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Sadler’s Wells East Stratford

by Jon Massey

here’s a bit of a trend in the restaurant world for style over substance – the kind of place you visit and immediately start to suspect that considerably more attention has been paid to the soft furnishings than the dishes being unhappily bodged from dubious ingredients by uncaring hands in hidden kitchens. On arrival, there are plenty of warning signs at Cosy Club’s new Westfield Stratford City branch. That they’ve taken this doubleheight palace of a place – airy, spacious and drenched in every kind of gold imaginable – makes a curious mockery of the brand. It’s large, more grand ballroom than snug hideaway. But it’s also charming, it works. The brief might easily have been Trump Tower meets Aladdin’s Cave (only extra), however the result is a warm, inviting, twinkly space that confounds its dimensions to deliver a degree of intimacy for diners. There’s velvet, parquet flooring and plenty of posh burgundy in the toilets (albeit with only one bottle of soap between three tiny sinks). Crucially all of this fantastical nonsense is just muted enough to be a backdrop to what really matters – the food and drink. It’s wise to be wary of chains. Often corners are cut and quality suffers, but Cosy Club – despite nearly 40 sites across the UK – presents well when we visit to sample the offering at its launch party. The first food to arrive is the Monkey Bread (£7.95) – a tear-and-share collaboration with Baker Tom in Cornwall. It’s a miso-glazed triumph and, arguably, the dish of the night. If ever cosiness were to be represented by baked goods, then this would be it, liberally dipped in either oil and vinegar or clotted cream. It’s soft, salty and naughty, the kind of nibble that deserves its own cult following. The rest of the menu doesn’t quite reach these heights, but is nevertheless competent cooking

DANCE | Far From Home Alleyne Dance presents a narrative dance production that explores immigration and the consequences of the search for “a better life”. Expect dynamism. Sept 24-26, 7.30pm, from £19, sadlerswells.com Where? The Yard Theatre Hackney Wick Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

STAGE | The Radical Wedding Engine Part of the theatre’s Live Drafts season, this early-stage show invites audiences to be a part of the party as five friends marry each other. Time to RSVP. Oct 9, 5pm, from £12.50, theyardtheatre.co.uk

reassuring

at reasonable prices. Unsurprisingly, the menu is packed with comfort food. The Mozzarella And Gran Levanto Cheese Arancini (also £7.95) are a decent size and texture with a hearty flavour. They’re a good starting point to the meal proper and the smoky relish sits well alongside the richness of the cheese. Another solid choice is the Buttermilk Chicken Milanese (£18.95), which sensibly comes with fries (or a green salad). The meat arrives moist, breaded and with a plentiful dusting of cheese. The fried egg on top has spent a little too long under a heat lamp, leaving the yolk to go a little harder than it might be, but otherwise this is a good, balanced plate of food. Rounding things off, we opt for the Dark Chocolate Mousse (£6.75), which comes in a little glass bowl topped off with clotted cream ice cream and

honeycomb. This feels like an indulgence, with shavings of dark chocolate all over – a fitting end to a good meal in luxurious surroundings with smooth service. If Cosy Club can maintain these levels of presentation, cooking and delivery, it deserves a bright future and your custom. ★★★★ key details Cosy Club Westfield Stratford City is to be found in The Gallery at The Loft on the upper levels of the shopping centre. It’s open Sunday to Tuesday from 9am-11pm and from Wednesday to Saturday from 9am-midnight. Go to cosyclub.co.uk for more information Scan this code to find out more about Cosy Club

Where? Stratford East Stratford

GIG | Stratford East Singers You’ll need to be quick as tickets are selling fast, but catch the theatre’s very own community choir for a gig spanning garage, musicals and r’n’b. Oct 17, 7.30pm, £16.50, stratfordeast.com

move fast

If you’re picking this paper up on the first day of publication, you’re in luck. There’s still time to attend the last late at V&A East Museum’s on September 24 with the venue open until 10pm. DJs perform 6pm-9.30pm vam.ac.uk Scan this code to find out more about the late openings or to explore what the museum has to offer want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Sept 23-Oct 7, 2026 wharf-life.com

Crossword - Sudoku

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone How to play To complete Sudoku, fill 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 find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca last issue’s solution Sept 9-23

Notes

crossword beating the

Cryptic

Down

2. 3.

Sometimes this is repeated (3,3,5) 9. Hit the leather to make it brown (3) 10. Theatre performance switched to open air (9) 11. Lawyer of no stature? (5) 13. Set clock is afraid (7) 14. Approach to east London river is flexible . ust the ussex village for a fight 18. Recover an ointment for historic period, almost (7) 19. Confused? Perform the thing in silence . idden anagram is to be admired (9) 21. Criticise the cookware? (3) 22. Intrepid approach to Christmas build-up (11)

Across

1. By custom (11) 9. Girl’s name (3) 10. Performance (9) 11. Dreadful (5) . tealing . Remains . emands 18. Flat-topped mountain (7) 19. Someone who fails (5) 20. Safe (9) 21. Curve (3) 22. Flowers (11)

Admit to possession (3) A reversed idiot is above the rest of us (5) 4. Bird follows Scots river to play music 5. Old Spanish car? (7) . urround a stupid mother who’s conversational (9) 7. Iris in the stables needs these to stay steady (11) 8. An advert in tent is accidental, we find 12. An ideal is edited to be perfect (9) . A cad emerges here as a scholar (7) . Musical group meeting in autumn 19. Historical period sounds like a munched girl 21. Italian musical word for more? (3)

Down

Set by Everden

2. Move quickly (3) 3. Live (5) . xercises 5. To do with vision (7) . rinks before dinner . sing wrong word 8. Keen to do 10 across (11) 12. Delicate work (9) 15. Win all the cash (5,2) 17. New name for Bombay 19. 81 (5) 21. Objective (3)

Across: 1 Now And Again; 9 Tan; 10 Operation; 11 Brief; 13 Alarmed; 14 Leeway; 16 Battle; 18 Salvage; 19 Tacit; 20 Respected; 21 Pan; 22 Adventurous. Down: 2 Own; 3 Aloof; 4 Deejay; 5 Granada; 6 Idiomatic; 7 Stabilisers; 8 Inadvertent; 12 Idealised; 15 Academe; 17 Septet; 19 Tudor; 21 Piu.

Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Traditional; 9 Ann; 10 Enactment; 11 Awful; 13 Nicking; 14 Relics; 16 Claims; 18 Plateau; 19 Loser; 20 Strongbox; 21 Arc; 22 Delphiniums (11). Down: 2 Run; 3 Dwell; 4 Trains; 5 Optical; 6 Aperitifs; 7 Malapropism; 8 Stagestruck; 12 Fillagree; 15 Clean Up; 17 Mumbai; 19 LXXXI; 21 Aim.

Notes

Quick

Quick Solution

Across

whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy