interviews Archives - Page 2 of 50

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025

Pirates exhibition in Greenwich will dispel myths and reveal realities

National Maritime Museum is set to host a major examination of buccaneer life both fictional and historic from March 29, 2025

Detail from The Bombardment Of Algiers by George Chambers - image by National Maritime Museum — Detail from The Bombardment Of Algiers by George Chambers – image by National Maritime Museum

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I loved The Great Piratical Rumbustification by New Zealand author Margaret Mahy and illustrator Quentin Blake as a kid.

The tale of retired pirate-turned-babysitter Orpheus Clinker, who descends on the unsuspecting Terrapin family with his mates for a riotous party, is clever, funny outlandish and overblown.

In some senses it’s a good metaphor for the whole topic of piracy.

We love the hyperbole in it.

Disney’s to blame, of course, for casting alcoholic rake Robert Newton to gurn his way through Treasure Island as the gravelly-voiced, one-legged Long John Silver in 1950.

It was such a popular turn he wound up getting the starring role in Blackbeard The Pirate in the film of the same name, before returning as Long John for another movie in 1952 and a miniseries.

Then you have the fierce passion and dashing acrobatic brilliance of Burt Lancaster in The Crimson Pirate, also in ‘52.

More recently there’s been the entertainment giant’s lucrative decision to employ a Keith Richards impersonator to carry a lacklustre franchise based on a theme park ride to financial success.

These glamorous portrayals are unsurprising.

Pirates have long been drawn as swashbuckling adventurers associated with lush islands, flamboyant dress and buried treasure.

But what’s the truth?

John Ryan’s cartoon Captain Pugwash first appeared in print in 1957 after 12 rejections - image by
Isabel Ryan / Estate of John Ryan — John Ryan’s cartoon Captain Pugwash first appeared in print in 1957 after 12 rejections – image by
Isabel Ryan / Estate of John Ryan

the reality of Pirates

That’s the question asked by a new major exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

Pirates promises to “deconstruct these myths and illuminate the realities” of life for the likes of Edward “Blackbeard” Teach, Anne Bonny, Mary Read and William Kidd – who ended his days at Execution Dock in Wapping and is immortalised in the name of a pub on the Thames.

Taking in stories from across the globe, the exhibition will look to the Caribbean and beyond with tales from the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and the coast of North Africa.

Visitors will be able to see nearly 200 objects including loans from the National Archives, V&A and BFI.

The exhibition will be presented in sections with the first looking at the image of pirates in fiction and considering the impact of characters such as Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow as well as Long John Silver.

This includes original illustrations from hapless cartoon pirate Captain Pugwash, by artist and writer John Ryan, who began life in a comic strip before starring in a children’s TV show.

Detail from Davy Jones’s Locker by William Lionel Wyllie – image by National Maritime Museum

dispelling the fiction

“Real Pirates” will go on to investigate tales of specific outlaws and their exploits on the high seas, inspired by A General History of the Pyrates by Captain Charles Johnson first published in 1724 as the golden age of piracy came to an end.

Then visitors will see “Global Pirates” with objects selected to showcase piracy around the world including the story of Chinese captain Shap Ng-tsai who was active in the mid-19th century.

Eventually Shap’s fleet of 27 junks was destroyed in a joint action by an Anglo-Chinese squadron under Captain John Charles Dalrymple Hay and Major General Hwáng in 1849.

There’s also a focus on Barbary piracy and the Bombardment Of Algiers in 1816, when a British-Dutch force attacked the city in an attempt to resolve the problem of naval crime in North Africa.

The action resulted in the release of 3,000 Christian captives, but came at a cost, as it was more deadly than the Battle Of Trafalgar.

While the exhibition might not rise to heights of a rumbustification, nor the need to pore through a dictionary to see which words are made up, it nevertheless promises to be a blockbuster.

Apt then that Orlando Bloom’s costume from the first Pirates Of The Caribbean flick will be on show.

The first edition of Treasure Island, which came out in 1883, featured a treasure map drawn by author Robert Louis Stevenson - image by National Maritime Museum — The first edition of Treasure Island, which came out in 1883, featured a treasure map drawn by author Robert Louis Stevenson – image by National Maritime Museum

key details: Pirates at the National Maritime Museum

Pirates is set to open at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich on March 29, 2025, and will run until January 4, 2026.

Adult tickets cost £15 and £7.50 for children. Entry for Royal Museums Greenwich members is free.

The exhibition is recommended for those aged 10+.

Find out more about the exhibition here

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February 10, 2025February 10, 2025

Pride And Prejudice set for Wilton’s shows with GSC book debut

Cast of three will play some 19 roles as Jane Austen’s classic tale of love between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy arrives in east London

Sarah Gobran, Luke Barton and April Hughes disport themselves on stage in Pride And Prejudice - image Mark Dean — Sarah Gobran, Luke Barton and April Hughes disport themselves on stage in Pride And Prejudice – image Mark Dean

Over the course of a mere two hours, Luke Barton, April Hughes and Sarah Gobran will take on 17 roles, plus significant nods to a further two as the trio perform the tale of Pride And Prejudice on stage.

Coming to Wilton’s Music Hall mid March, the Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) is touring its 2024 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel following the show’s successful debut last February and a run at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London last summer.

“It’s been one of those little gifts,” said Sarah, co-founder at GSC and one third of the multi-role cast. “I think it’s captured people’s hearts and that’s special.

“We did it first at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford and then in London – we’ll be in Ipswich this week, back to Guildford for two and then at Wilton’s before we take it on board the Cunard Queen Victoria cruise liner to Bermuda and then to an off-Broadway venue in New York.”

Tickets are already selling fast, so what’s the enduring appeal both of Austen’s story – published 225 years ago – and the company’s presentation of it?

GSC co-founders Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches - image Matt Pereira — GSC co-founders Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches – image Matt Pereira

the parts of Pride And Prejudice

“You’d think playing so many parts on stage wouldn’t work,” said Sarah, who adapted the book for the stage along with her fellow GSC co-founder Matt Pinches and director Abigail Pickard Price.

“But the idea came from the balls, where all these young people are constantly meeting and coupling off.

“However, in those days, you always had to have a chaperone present – people were never quite alone.

“That’s where the idea of the cast of three came from.

“It felt like an idea that might work – a circular feeling with the cast constantly swapping characters as they dance.

“Then we worked on turning it into a play and there’s something beautiful about the way it works.

“It’s a story that so many people know and we’ve been very true to the original language in the book – there are so many famous quotes and that’s because of how robustly Austen draws her characters.

“They are so clearly defined that it’s easy to dance across the ballroom, swap a bit of costume, adopt a different mannerism and suddenly become a different character.

“There’s one scene, for example, where I go from Caroline Bingley to Charlotte Lucas with scarcely a step across the stage.

“They are so different – Caroline is such a huge snob, very gregarious and very much a member of the upper class, whereas Charlotte is a modest young woman, not at all romantic, who simply seeks a marriage to someone with a comfortable home.

“It’s a real joy to be able to switch between all those characters, and you see the audience relish it.

“The book is very witty, very sharp – so there’s already so much humour in there, but having three actors play all the roles does have a comic element to it as well.

“That said, it’s about playing these roles with truth rather than sending the characters up.

“We’re in Regency costume in keeping with the setting, so it’s a nice blend of nostalgia and a story that reaches people’s hearts.

“I would like to hope it’s genuine feel-good theatre, which is true to the period but keeps things fresh.”

Sarah and April share a moment - image Mark Dean — Sarah and April share a moment – image Mark Dean

from open air to the stage

The Guildford Shakespeare Company was formed 19 years ago after Sarah came up with the idea of putting on an open air show in the gardens at Guildford Castle and asked Matt to help put on the show.

Both actors, they’ve continued producing work and expanding GSC into a registered charity that stages productions and works extensively with young people.

Matt said: “We still lead the company and are, in the old-fashioned sense, actor-managers as we still appear on stage.

“We began with a very simple mission, to create exceptional theatre in extraordinary places, often working in a site-responsive way and typically not in theatres.

“Over the last 19 years we’ve used castles, galleries, museums, quarries, lakes, West Horsey Place, where they filmed Ghosts for the BBC and even a Boeing 747.

“Wherever it is, we encourage the audience to engage with the space and its history so the shows we produce are more than just something to watch.

“Originally Pride And Prejudice was performed in a Georgian Church where audiences felt they were like guests at the various weddings that take place.

“While Wilton’s will be different, we’ll be working hard to create that same kind of feeling in east London.”

“Our shows are also our shop window, the other part of the work we do is our outreach education, which works with 24,000 people – young and old, across our region in a variety of different settings.

“A large part of that is about engaging socially excluded and least advantaged groups in our community.

“Projects range from primary after-school clubs to families with teenagers living with mental health challenges.

“We have a young carers programme and last year ran a knife-crime awareness project called Put Up Your Swords around our production of Romeo And Juliet.”

The actors all play multiple parts in the production - image Mark Dean — The actors all play multiple parts in the production – image Mark Dean

playing favourites

And who wouldn’t want an evening of fun in support of an organisation engaged in such laudable activities?

After all, Pride And Prejudice is a richly satirical comic blast and while Sarah revels in the rudeness and snobbery of playing Caroline Bingley, there’s one character she especially enjoys inhabiting.

“It’s Mrs Bennet,” she said. “She’s such a treat. Her house is always so chaotic and filled with noise.

“She’s a whirlwind, bombastic and loud, but we have to understand she also has five daughters none of whom stand to inherit their father’s house.

“She has to think about what will happen to the family should Mr Bennet die.

“She’s got to get their children married and that ambition is perfectly understandable, given the way things were.”

key details Pride And Prejudice

Pride And Prejudice is set to be performed at Wilton’s Music Hall in Wapping on March 10 and 11, 2025, at 7pm.

Standard tickets ranged from £12.50 to £27.

Find out more about the show here

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February 9, 2025February 9, 2025

Stonebond schemes offer space plus easy drive to Canary Wharf

Buyers can make savings if they purchase home at Waterbeach, Woodbanks and Wintringham about an hour by road from east London

Stonebond is urging buyers to act rapidly to beat the 2025 Stamp Duty rise

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For many Londoners, escaping the smoke is the dream.

The idea of cashing in and leaving the city behind for more space and a better quality of life is a potent temptation.

Developer Stonebond is currently urging those in a position to do so not to delay.

The company is currently marketing three schemes, one at in Hertfordshire, just up the M11 and two in Cambridgeshire about an hour from Canary Wharf by car.

Why the urgency?

Well, on April 1, 2025, Stamp Duty is set to rise both for first-time buyers and those already on the ladder, presenting a window of opportunity.

Stonebond said those purchasing their first home would be hardest hit with an extra £6,250 payable thanks to a drop in the threshold when tax becomes payable from £425,000 to £300,000 and a 5% charge for homes priced between £300,001 and £500,000.

Other buyers will see the threshold halved from £250,000 to £125,000 increasing the cost of moving home across the whole market.

However, those able to buy and move into a home before March 31, 2025, can beat the tax rises and Stonebond has properties that are all ready to go.

The developer is currently marketing homes at three locations

places to purchase with Stonebond

Closest to east London is Woodbanks, a scheme in Takeley near Bishop’s Stortford.

The development benefits from 11 acres of green space and is located a six-minute drive from the M11, offering rapid journeys into Canary Wharf.

Homes available include The Gosfield, a four-bedroom house extending to some 1,497sq ft and on the market for £599,999.

Somewhat further out is Waterbeach, a scheme just north of Cambridge off the A10. Properties on offer include apartments offered through the Discount Market Sale scheme.

For those who’d prefer a house, The Newbury is a three-bedroom detached home with two terraces and a private garden priced at £625,000.

There’s also The Beckett, a four-bedroom townhouse with two en suites and a top floor terrace for £685,000.

Finally, Wintringham, close to St Neots, promises a “thriving new community” and a range of four-bedroom homes with prices starting at £485,000.

All three schemes have properties that are ready for buyers to move into before the end of March.

a buyer’s feedback

Waterbeach buyer Karen Wong, who recently purchased a property at the development said: “I’m thrilled to have purchased a three-bedroom home.

“From the moment I first visited, I was captivated by the peaceful, natural surroundings, and now I can’t wait to move in and start enjoying everything this incredible location has to offer.

“My new home is characterful, with a cosy and beautiful courtyard garden and two terraces, giving me the perfect spaces to take in and enjoy in the breathtaking and scenic views.

“When I learned about the tax thresholds changing, I started my property search earlier than I initially planned.

“The adjustments could potentially have cost me an additional £6,000, so I knew I needed to start looking for a new home quickly.

“The Stonebond team have been brilliant, guiding me through every step of the process and ensured I could complete ahead of the deadline, even with purchasing off-plan.

“Their support has been invaluable.”

Stonebond sales and marketing director, Annette Cole, added: “We’re pleased to be providing an unmissable opportunity to our customers, allowing them to take advantage of the savings that come with completing before the adjustments set in.”

Stonebond's schemes offer countryside living — Stonebond’s schemes offer countryside living

key details: Stonebond

Find our more about Stonebond’s developments on the company’s website or call 01245 377 299.

Find out more about the schemes here

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February 6, 2025February 6, 2025

Byblos Harbour on the Isle Of Dogs gets a lift with Kyrsten Perry’s art

East London artists collaborates with Lebanese restaurateur Aboud Grimesty to cap refurb

Artwork by Kyrsten Perry at Byblos Harbour

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Lebanese restaurant Byblos Harbour has a long history of serving up colourful, flavourful dishes on the edge of Millwall Inner Dock.

The establishment serves a cuisine described by owner Aboud Grimesty as similar “to Turkish food” thanks to 400 years of occupation by the Turks, “but more refined” from a period of French influence and control from the early 20th century.

It’s been attracting diners to the Isle Of Dogs since opening its doors in 2008.

“We had a good plan and the financial crisis hit, but things got better until Covid came,” said Aboud, who lives in Canning Town.

“However, we carry on and we’re in good shape.

“When we opened, there was no authentic restaurant serving proper Lebanese food in east London, so I thought I’d give it a try.

“It’s a varied cuisine – after the occupation by the Turks, there was huge poverty so there’s lots of vegetarian food – people had to do a lot with a little.

“The menu is compact to keep things under control – you can order a range of starters and then a main course.

“My personal favourite is the mixed grill with chicken and lamb.”

a new look for Byblos Harbour

It’s clear when I pop in to interview Aboud that his connection to his customers is paramount.

The consummate host, he’s unfailingly attentive and frequently stopping to chat to regulars and newcomers alike.

On leaving, he presses a bottle of Lebanese red into my hands, telling me the country has the best wine in the world – how does he know?

It’s where Jesus pulled his infamous party trick with the water.

This closeness with his customers and the importance of his homeland sit perfectly in explaining the reason for my visit.

The restaurant has been refurbished recently

To cap off Byblos Harbour’s refurbishment, which has included the construction of a covered, heated and sheltered terrace for diners and shisha enthusiasts, Aboud called on a regular for some assistance with the interior of the restaurant.

“I came here about six months ago, and Aboub showed me his empty walls,” said Kyrsten Perry, an artist and Isle Of Dogs resident.

“He said he wanted to celebrate Byblos – the city from which the restaurant takes its name – so I asked him what the stand-out features of the city were and we went from there.

“It’s a port that’s been operating for about 7,000 years.

“I researched the history, found out all about its connections to the Egyptians, the ancient Greeks, the Phoenicians and its Roman ruins.

“These include an amphitheatre overlooking the ocean, but there’s also a 5,000-year-old pier with many restaurants nearby, which inspired Aboud initially.

“That’s how the collaboration began.”

creating the paintings

Kyrsten set about creating a series of watercolours from images of Byblos, with the collection recently unveiled at the restaurant.

“I wanted to capture what it must have been like in Roman times,” she said.

“Initially I thought I’d do a semi-aerial view, but it didn’t look right.

“I also didn’t want to do one of those big murals.

“It was really a collaboration. I’d send Aboud images and he’d like some and not others.

“We talked extensively about how the culture of the country has affected the food, the people and the whole atmosphere.

“To me, it was something uplifting and joyous.

“There have been so many awful things happening in that part of the world, I thought it would be great to create something positive.

“Aboud supports multiculturalism – people coming together.

“It’s been a real privilege to work with him because I can see what he’s trying to do.

“He brings people together with good food, good wine and good times.”

inspired by the water

Born in Cornwall, Kyrsten was brought up in Australia before returning to the UK, gravitating to the Isle Of Dogs after a stint running a venue in Islington.

In addition to her full-time job working for a Labour MP, the former Tower Hamlets councillor is a practising artist working from a studio in Roman Road.

“During the day we deal with a lot of people who are acutely desperate and in need of support,” she said.

“The art is a good counterbalance to that.

“Some friends and I share the studio and I’m absolutely in my element when I’m painting.

“I’ve really enjoyed the process of working with Aboud – I trust him and he’s got really good taste.

“When you’re in that creative process, trying something new, that’s really important.

“I’ve done lots of things in the past – I have two art degrees – but I’ve only really taken it seriously in the last couple of years.

“I’ve been doing the art class at the Shadwell Centre in Whitechapel and that’s how I met the friends I share the studio with.

“Something happens in that creative space which is very precious and I’ve felt that doing this project with Aboud.

“I’m certainly up for more commissions as I’ve finally got my website and Instagram sorted.

“I’m definitely looking for more opportunities to collaborate, but I’ll be doing my own thing as well.

“I really have to take my hat off to Aboud.

“Byblos Harbour is always reliable – my mum, who is originally from Streatham loves coming here with her friends when she visits from Australia.

“You know you’re getting good quality food and that it will be a fabulous day.

“Aboud has had to be creative over the years, to reinvent his restaurant but always with what the customer needs and wants in mind.

“I’ve known him for 10 years and I’ve always loved the food – having been a councillor, I know how much restaurants struggled over the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, so it’s fantastic that he’s adapted and is still delivering that quality.

Another of Kyrsten's paintings for Byblos — Another of Kyrsten’s paintings for Byblos

key details: Byblos Harbour + Kyrsten Perry

Byblos Harbour is open Monday-Saturday, from noon to 11pm and on Sundays from 1pm to 10.30pm.

Takeaway options include Deliveroo and Uber Eats for those who prefer to dine in their homes, although you’ll be missing out on the artwork.

Find more information about the restaurant here

Kyrsten Perry is a local artist working in east London and is available for commissions.

Her work, which takes inspiration from the water of the docks and the local swan population can be viewed online.

Find more information about her work here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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February 5, 2025February 5, 2025

8 Harbord Square prepares to welcome businesses to Wood Wharf

Canary Wharf building will see independent companies given space and support as neighbourhood opens up to visitors and residents

Canary Wharf Group senior retail leasing surveyor, George Chapman

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Look to the east.

Over the coming weeks and months, Harbord Square – recently connected to the rest of Wood Wharf by the opening of the snowdrop-laced gardens and benches of Union Square – will be welcoming an influx of independent businesses for Wharfers to discover.

“We knew that with this link in place, people would be able to walk down to the area from Canary Wharf and through Wood Wharf, so we’ve been looking at how we could make it a real destination,” said George Chapman, senior retail leasing surveyor at Canary Wharf Group.

“With 10 retail units, we thought we’d start with 8 Harbord Square which, I must admit, is my favourite building over there with its fully open-plan apartments.

“It’s just stunning.”

However, rather than simply open up those spaces to all-comers, George and the team decided to take a different approach.

8 Harbord Square, right, is set to be home to 10 businesses on its lower levels

an expansion of cool: 8 Harbord Square

“Wood Wharf is already really cool – you have the likes of coffee shop 640East, Dishoom, Mallow and many more,” he said.

“With 8 Harbord Square, we wanted to create a community vibe.

“There’s so much talent in Tower Hamlets, just outside Canary Wharf – we thought it would be great to bring some of that in.

“In the past, local operators might have wanted to open a business on the estate but may have been unsure how to do it.

“The larger units can seem daunting, so we’ve simplified the leases with these to get the best local companies in and help build the neighbourhood.

“We’ve partnered with Tower Hamlets and gone out to local residents and businesses and have a number of tenants lined up – we wanted best-in-class operators, with a nail bar, a hair salon, a flower shop and a juice bar coming.

“We’ve helped the operators who need it apply for alcohol licences to make the process as smooth as possible.

“I can’t wait for all the tenants to move in and start trading.”

Canary Wharf Group has worked hard to attract independent businesses to the building

a new dimension at 8 Harbord Square

The arrivals will certainly bring a new dimension to Harbord Square.

“The area is already home to a GP surgery, a convenience store, a vet and a multi-purpose sports hall, but the new street level offering will broaden its appeal and include places for Wharfers to hang out.

It’s also a part of Wood Wharf that’s set to see much residential change both in the short and medium term, with aparthotel Vertus Edit’s launch earlier this month offering extended flexible stays.

More rental homes to the south of the square are coming in the not so distant future.

With units ranging in size from 235sq ft to 786sq ft on five-year leases, the new commercial tenants at 8 Harbord Square will benefit from Canary Wharf Group’s ongoing support as more and more people visit and discover the area.

Union Square's opening now allows Wharfers to easily walk to 8 Harbord Square — Union Square’s opening now allows Wharfers to easily walk to 8 Harbord Square

scouring the borough

For George, it’s about creating a buzz to delight those living and staying locally.

To that end, the team scoured social media and hit the streets locally to find top operators that would be suitable for the project.

“There’s times where I’ve simply gone out for a coffee and found a place, then had a conversation about bringing a business to the estate,” he said.

“We’ve also had direct approaches.

“This is the first time we’ve done this as a business, but I’m of the view that if it’s successful, then we’d look to roll it out in other locations.

“I’d like to walk down to 8 Harbord Square in two years’ time and see the tenants happily trading in a place where everyone knows each other, that has a bit of an old East End feel to it and people look out for one another.

“That would be perfect.

“As other buildings welcome residents around 8 Harbord Square, there will be even more people coming to this part of the Wharf.

“If I was staying in a studio at Vertus Edit, I’d love that just downstairs there’s a buzzy salon and a juice bar with a running club.

“These amenities will help people meet each other and make for an area visitors and residents really love.

“It’s what we want – a place for the community with people walking their dogs and taking their kids to the park.

“The tenants at 8 Harbord Square will all be a part of that.”

the pull of the Wharf

The mission to bring talent into Canary Wharf – with many not realising what opportunities the area might hold for them – isn’t dissimilar to George’s own story.

While he couldn’t see its towers directly growing up in west London, they nevertheless exerted an irresistible pull.

“I’ve been working here for nearly eight years, having started as a finance apprentice at Canary Wharf Group’s tech community, Level39,” he said.

“I did my professional qualifications there and, after about two years, joined the accountancy department.

“Then an opportunity came up to move across to the investment team and from there I was working on the retail side of the business a lot.

“I got the chance to work alongside the retail team and I thought it was something I’d love to do, so I’ve now been there about three years.

“Growing up, I was always seeing Canary Wharf in the news and I remember thinking I’d love to work among the towers one day – there was a real excitement around it.

“I had my interview for the apprenticeship and then phoned my dad who’s a black cab driver.

“He told me to go to one of the bars on the estate and soak up the energy.

“It was on a Thursday and I did exactly that. That’s when I knew I’d really like to work in Canary Wharf.

“It’s been worth crossing the line from west to east London and it’s still definitely where I want to be.

“Numbers and accountancy are very important – fine in moderation – but I get a real kick out of meeting people on a day-to-day basis in my current role. It’s a lot more personal.

“It’s such a privilege to get to know people, to find out why they get up in the morning and what makes them tick. You don’t get that same buzz from a spreadsheet.”

Full details of the businesses opening up at 8 Harbord Square will be released in due course.

However, we can reveal they will include nail specialist Awe London, hair salon Wayne Hairdresser and flower and plant retailer The Flower Club.

There will also be a hospitality offering, or two. Watch these spaces

key details: 8 Harbord Square

You’ll be able to find out more about 8 Harbord Square and the businesses that will soon call it home online.
Looking to stay locally? Vertus Edit opened this month with prices starting at £133 per night for a Little studio accommodating up to two people.
The largest, Roomy apartments, start at £183 for up to two guests.
Vertus also offers apartments for rent across Canary Wharf.

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January 27, 2025January 27, 2025

Silvertown Tunnel set to open in April with charges and changes

Wharf Life’s handy explainer on what to expect with the Blackwall Tunnel also tolled plus free bus journeys, DLR trips and a cycle shuttle

The Silvertown Tunnel is undergoing final testing and should open in April

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what’s going on?

The Silvertown Tunnel is set to open on April 7, 2025, assuming Riverlinx and TfL’s carefully laid plans come to fruition.

what’s that?

It’s a new road crossing under the Thames between Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula, named for the neighbourhood in the former where its twin bores pop up.

isn’t that the route of the Blackwall Tunnel?

Not quite. That one runs between the Peninsula and, well, Blackwall.

but there’s quite an impact on both isn’t there?

Correct. From April 7, tolls will apply for drivers in both tunnels.

This is to fund the construction of the new link and ongoing maintenance of the two crossings. It also avoids pushing drivers towards one tunnel.

go on, how much?

Charges will apply between 6am and 10pm. At peak times (6am-10am and 4pm-7pm on weekdays) cars and small vans will pay £4 for each crossing, large vans will pay £5.50 and lorries £6.50.

At weekends and from 10am-4pm and 7pm-10pm on weekdays, the charge is £1.50 per journey. There is no charge between 10pm and 6am for any vehicle.

In contrast to the Congestion Charge and the fee for the Dartford Crossing, motorcyclists and moped riders are not exempt with peak journeys charged at £2.50 and off-peak at £1.50.

how do I pay?

The best option is to sign up for TfL Auto Pay, which also administers the Congestion Charge and LEZ and ULEZ levies in the capital.

Users register their details online and can choose to pay by Direct Debit or card.

Those not using this system pay peak charges via phone or online at all times when using the tunnel.

are there any discounts?

There are. Drivers on low incomes can get 50% off if they live in the boroughs of Barking And Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest. This will be available for at least the first three years.

The link features a dedicated bus lane, with most road users charged to drive through it

what about businesses?

Small businesses and charities based in Greenwich, Newham, or Tower Hamlets can register up to three vehicles for a £1 discount per off-peak journey for at least the first year of the tunnel’s operation. This discount applies to Auto Pay only.

Vehicles with a disabled tax class, taxis licensed by TfL, Blue Badge holders and certain other exempt vehicles will be able to use the crossing for free.

what are the benefits?

TfL says the tunnel should help reduce congestion, delays and queues, help tackle pollution and improve the resilience of the road network by providing alternatives for drivers when either tunnel needs to close.

In addition to boosting road capacity, the opening of Silvertown Tunnel will provide new public transport routes.

so more buses?

Yes, at peak times, the crossings will see the number of buses rise from six to 21 per hour thanks to the introduction of Superloop SL4 between Grove Park and Canary Wharf and an extension to the 129 from Lewisham to London City Airport and Great Eastern Quay.

These join existing services on the 108 through Blackwall Tunnel.

TfL says cross river services will be free for the first year to encourage people to use public transport through the new links.

wait, free?

Yes, there’s more too.

For the first 12 months, those making journeys between Island Gardens and Cutty Sark or Woolwich Arsenal and King George V on the DLR will also find their journeys refunded as TfL works to tempt people to swap their cars for alternatives.

The discounts only apply to pay-as-you-go journeys between the stations listed, not longer trips.

anything else?

There’s good news for cyclists too.

The Silvertown Tunnel will have a Cycle Shuttle Service, free for the first year and operating for at least three years, running between Seagull Lane in Royal Docks and Millennium Way on the Peninsula.

This will run every 12 minutes every day from 6.30am to 9.30pm.

are the kids alright?

A puzzle. At the time of going to press, it looked like drivers under the age of 18 – moped riders aged 16+ and car drivers aged 17 – might have to pay the maximum peak toll for crossing through either tunnel at all times.

That’s because off-peak discounts on the charges are only available when using TfL Auto Pay, a service that says it’s only available to those aged 18 or over.

No discounts apply for payments made by phone or online, which are the only other options to make payment.

At off-peak times, that means mopeds riders and motorcyclists would pay an extra £1 per journey and car drivers an extra £2.50.

A TfL spokesperson told Wharf Life: “We are currently looking at how we can ensure that those aged 16 and 17 with a registered vehicle can access TfL Auto Pay to benefit from off-peak user charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels and will provide an update in due course.”

It said vehicles registered with TfL Auto Pay under a parent or guardian’s account would benefit from the discounts.

It has now altered its web page to clarify that only vehicles registered via an adult’s account will get the discount.

Fine for those aged 17 and under with access to a willing parent or guardian…

key details: the Silvertown Tunnel

More updates and information on the Silvertown Tunnel, which is set to open on April 7, 2025, as well as all the services that are due to come into effect once it does can be found on TfL’s website here.

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January 26, 2025January 26, 2025

SO Resi Canning Town homes still available at east London hub

With 17 apartments remaining, buyers have the chance to purchase shared ownership homes

SO Resi Canning Town is located in a bustling east London neighbourhood

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There are 17 chances left to get on the property ladder at SO Resi Canning Town.

Well over half of the shared ownership properties at the east London scheme – a collection of 37 one, two and three-bedroom homes located at the Manor Road Quarter development – have already sold.

But there’s still time to pick up a share and, with mortgage costs likely to fall if the Bank Of England cuts the base rate, the apartments are looking ever more affordable.

“SO Resi Canning Town offers a real opportunity to purchase a Zone Two apartment in 2025” said Kevin Sims, director of SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, the fifth largest housing association in the UK.

“Proposed plans from Newham Council mean the new town centre is set to be home to a new community hub, cinema, shops, office spaces, as well as brand new shared ownership homes.

“By choosing from our final 17 properties, prospective homeowners are set to gain a foothold in London’s property market alongside becoming a part of a vibrant and emerging community.”

There are 17 properties still up for sale

getting on the ladder for less

While a first-time buyer purchasing a property worth £395,000 at SO Resi Canning Town might normally expect to have to find a 10% deposit of £39,500, the government-backed shared ownership scheme means raising significantly less up front.

For a 25% share of that apartment, worth £98,750, they could secure a deal with a 5% deposit of just under £5,000, paying rent on the unowned portion of the home as well as the service charge.

Owners then have the option to increase the share of the property they own in a process called staircasing, decreasing the rent payable on a home.

SO Resi Plus offers owners the opportunity to incrementally increase their stake by 1% each year with no additional fees or valuations, a scheme that has proved so successful it is now available nationwide.

The Canning Town apartments themselves feature open-plan living areas, fully fitted kitchens with Zanussi appliances and solid timber floors.

All enjoy private balconies and feature built-in storage solutions, with living spaces ranging from 557sq ft to 971sq ft.

The area is increasingly attractive to buyers with extensive regeneration ongoing and a multitude of transport links connecting it to the rest of the capital.

key details: SO Resi Canning Town

Prices at SO Resi Canning Town start at £98,750 for a 25% share of a one-bed.

Find out more about the scheme here

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January 26, 2025January 28, 2025

The Silverton promises buyers growth as Royal Docks regenerates

Why renters who are looking to buy are increasingly looking further east in London to find value

An artist's impression of The Silverton by Fairview New Homes — An artist’s impression of The Silverton by Fairview New Homes

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Price is the driver behind first-time buyers’ appetite for Royal Docks properties according to Fairview New Homes.

The developer, which is currently marketing The Silverton in E16’s North Woolwich Road, says renters looking to buy are increasingly heading further east.

“The current climate means buyers are naturally looking for the best value for money when it comes to buying a home, especially those looking to join the property ladder,” said the company’s sales manager, Sohail Saiyed.

“While the Royal Docks is an emerging area and almost halfway through its major regeneration life cycle, it’s within easy reach of so many fantastic locations that offer everything young professionals are looking for.

Royal Docks is significantly less expensive than the area around Canary Wharf

“Therefore, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing renters from Canary Wharf, Limehouse and the Isle Of Dogs buying here, as for a like-for-like property they’re saving over 20%.

“Given the ongoing regeneration and huge investment in the Royal Docks, I would expect this trend to gather pace and as a result drive up house prices, meaning now is the best time to invest in the area.

“Due to its proximity to Canary Wharf, I would expect the area to follow a similar trajectory to the Isle Of Dogs, where house prices have risen by 82% over the last 20 years according to data from Foxtons.”

The estate agency’s numbers back up the argument.

It says the average asking price for a one-bed in the areas around Canary Wharf including Limehouse, Poplar, Blackwall and the Isle Of Dogs is £435,938.

For Royal Docks, that figure drops to £353,841 – a 19% difference and a potential saving of £82,000 for prospective buyers.

Homes come with fully fitted kitchens in open-plan living areas

The Silverton: attracting buyers

The Silverton itself is evidence of the trend.

More than a third of buyers at the scheme have come from addresses in E14 and Saiyed said that, with many working in the financial and insurance sectors not having to compromise on their lifestyles thanks to efficient transport links, it had proved popular.

By DLR via Pontoon Dock, Canary Wharf is about 20 minutes from the development or a 12-minute drive.

The scheme also enjoys direct links into the City and is within walking distance of London City Airport.

Billions of pounds are currently pouring into Royal Docks with many new homes, amenities and attractions expected to be built in the coming years.

The Silverton’s location, however, puts it within easy reach of the cafés, restaurants and shops that have already taken up residence at nearby Royal Wharf including The Windjammer pub, brunch spot Little Hudson and Korean barbecue Keonbae.

It’s a neighbourhood that is continuing to change with much more to come including a new pedestrian bridge linking the north and south sides of Royal Victoria Dock as part of The Silvertown development, a similarly named scheme nearby.

For Sohail, it’s an area primed to appeal to an active demographic of buyers.

“40% of our reservations have come from people aged 30 or under, which is a further indication of how popular this area is proving with the younger generation,” said Sohail.

“It’s a neighbourhood where we’ll see young families grow and a sense of community establish itself even more in the years to come.

“While almost half of those living in the Royal Docks are renting, nearly all of our first-time buyers are 30 or younger, demonstrating that once financially able, east London’s younger generations are clearly keen to put down roots here.”

To help them do that, Fairview is currently offering 5% mortgage contributions on selected plots up to a maximum of £25,000 on reservations made by March 31, 2025.

Terms and conditions apply.

An artist's impression of winter gardens at The Silverton — An artist’s impression of winter gardens at The Silverton

key details: The Silverton

Prices at The Silverton start at £350,000 for a one-bed.

A selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom duplexes are available.

Find out more about the development here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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January 24, 2025January 24, 2025

Greenwich Peninsula set for day of Lunar New Year celebrations

Events to mark Year Of The Snake include dragon and lion dances, craft workshops and plenty of street food from noon-4pm on February 1

Lunar New Year celebrations will come to Greenwich Peninsula on February 1, 2025

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Greenwich Peninsula is set for a day of events to mark the arrival of the Year Of The Snake on February 1, 2025.

Celebrations for Lunar New Year will run from noon-4pm with a host of free and paid-for activities scheduled.

Those attending can expect workshops, cultural performances, a paper lantern installation and dishes from Asian street food vendors in addition to offerings from Canteen Food Hall And Bar.

“We’re excited to see Greenwich Peninsula once again transform into a hub of celebration for Lunar New Year,” said Greewnich Peninsula director, Laura Flanagan.

“Our riverside neighbourhood is the perfect destination to experience art and creativity, and this year’s programme has something for everyone.

“With themes of connection, prosperity and renewal, we’re delighted to collaborate with so many talented performers, artists and experts to bring these experiences to life.”

Highlights on the programme include the return of the traditional dragon that will once again weave its way through the area as well as lion dance performances – new for 2025.

Through acrobatics, puppetry and rhythmic drumming, these spectacles aim to chase away bad fortune and welcome good luck for the year ahead.

A range of workshops and activities will be on offer

celebrating on the Peninsula

“Greenwich Peninsula boasts an unrivalled offer for anyone looking for a London less ordinary,” said Visit Greenwich chief executive, Barrie Kelly.

“Its Lunar New Year festival is just one of the brilliant cultural offerings enjoyable year-round, bringing community together through creativity.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with them and can’t wait to get involved with all the amazing events on offer.”

The area’s Lunar New Year programme is part-funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by the Greenwich Council and the Mayor Of London and in partnership with Visit Greenwich.

Activities will include workshops from Yi Crafts, offering visitors the opportunity to try bamboo weaving, Chinese knot-making, woodblock printing and paper cutting.

There will also be an opportunity to learn or master Mahjong, guided by experts from Dear Asia language school.

Its free sessions at Bureau in Design District will also cover the game’s history and explore various strategies available to players.

Greenwich Peninsula is easily accessed from across east and south-east London thanks to North Greenwich Tube station, the London Cable Car and the Uber Boat By Thames Clippers river bus service.

The area boasts a wealth of attractions including the diverse architecture and creative businesses of Design District, the restaurants, shops and venues in The O2 and plentiful parks.

Visitors will find plenty of places for refreshment and entertainment including the independent street food traders at Canteen, Firepit Art Gallery And Studios and Oxygen Active Play and Hollywood Bowl at The O2 for kids.

There’s even the opportunity to try indoor skydiving with iFly’s 170mph vertical wind tunnel, for those seeking a thrill on their trip to the area.

Visitors will be able to try woodblock printing at Greenwich Peninsula

activities for Lunar New Year at Greenwich Peninsula

As Lunar New Year approaches, here’s a run down of Greenwich Peninsula’s activities and attractions on February 1, 2025, so you can plan your visit and avoid missing out…

>> when? Noon

Brut Tea Tasting – £5

Join Brut Tea founders Joyce and Raphael for an intimate tea-tasting session showcasing four blends from the company. Book online for this session at Design District’s Salon

>> when? Noon, 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm

Chinese Knot-Making – £6

Yi Crafts will welcome visitor’s to Design District’s D4 building for a series of 30-minute interactive workshops exploring this intricate art form. Participants will create decorative ornaments. Pre-book online.

Dear Asia will be hosting two sessions of Mahjong

>> when? 12.30pm, 2.45pm

Play Mahjong – FREE (book)

Dear Asia will lead two 90-minute sessions where participants will play and learn about this ancient game. Ideal for beginners. Book a spot in advance for a game at Design District’s Bureau restaurant.

>> when? 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm

Paper Cutting – FREE (book)

Take half an hour to immerse yourself in the delicate and festive art of paper cutting with Yi Crafts workshops. Participants will create decorative pieces during the sessions. Book ahead.

>> when? 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm

Lion Dance – FREE

Perhaps the heart of the celebrations will be a pair of dances performed one after the other in Peninsula Square. First up, a dynamic lion dance will chase away bad fortune with vibrant costumes and powerful drumbeats.

>> when? 1.45pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm

Dragon Dance – FREE

After the three lion dances, a traditional dragon dance will follow with the creature winding its way through the crowds under the careful guidance of the performers. The dragon is said to bring luck, prosperity and renewal for the year ahead.

There will be lots to see and do to welcome the Year Of The Snake

>> when? 2pm, 3pm

Bamboo Coaster Weaving – £10

These two workshops by Yi Crafts will see participants discover the techniques behind this traditional practice. Participants will use sustainably sourced bamboo strips to make their own coaster. The hour-long workshops, at Design District building D4, should be booked in advance.

>> when? 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm

Woodblock Printing – FREE (book)

Also run by Yi Crafts at D4, these half-hour sessions are intended for those seeking “a creative and meaningful” Lunar New Year experience with those taking part learning traditional techniques to create their own printed works.

key details: Lunar New Year at Greenwich Peninsula

Lunar New Year celebrations at Greenwich Peninsula are set to take place on February 1, 2025, from noon-4pm.

While much of the festival is free to attend, some activities require pre-booking, while others are paid.

Find out more about the activities here

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Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

January 24, 2025January 24, 2025

Kidd Rapinet Solicitors offers immigration services in east London

Wharf Life sits down with Zahira Razaq at the firm’s Harbour Exchange branch on the Isle Of Dogs to talk justice, advice and guidance for businesses

Zahira Razaq of Kidd Rapinet Solicitors in Canary Wharf

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“I’d always been attracted to the law because of my parents’ belief in equality and justice,” said Zahira Razaq.

“I absorbed their advice about finding a career in something like finance, law or medicine – one of the professions.

“It’s very hard to get a job in the law when you’re starting out and it just so happened my first job was as a paralegal working in immigration.

“I didn’t think there was much to this particular area before that, but when I got into it, I could see the impact the work has.

“It’s about helping to change people’s lives for the better.”

It was those first experiences that set Zahira on her path, progressing in the profession to become a trainee solicitor after six months and then a solicitor.

This year will be her eighth in the legal world, having joined the immigration team at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors’ Canary Wharf branch at Harbour Exchange in August.

You don’t have to sit with her for long to understand that her passion for the work burns fiercely.

a passion for immigration

“I’m old-school when it comes to hard work – I come in first thing to do my research because I never want to be the person giving bad advice – I always go above and beyond for my clients,” said Zahira.

“It’s my responsibility to prepare for everything and to be honest.

“I’m always upfront to the point that if I don’t see any merit in a client’s case then I won’t pursue it and waste their funds.

“I understand money is hard to earn and, if someone is in a position where they are struggling to pay for legal representation, it’s essential they get the very best service possible.

“Often my job is about changing a judge’s mind after the Home Office has turned down an application by showing how a client meets the criteria on compassionate grounds.

“I think it was really seeing the effect on clients that drew me deeper into this area of the law.

“There was one man who had five kids and was the sole breadwinner for his family.

“He was doing every kind of job available just to support them.

“I referred him to the British Red Cross and food banks just to help him survive.

“We went back and forth with the Home Office for ages, but eventually I managed to get him leave to remain.

“Seeing the gratitude on the faces of his family was amazing.

“It gave him a lot of security and was a whole new start for them. I’m not sure what would have happend to them had we not succeeded.

“The satisfaction of doing things like that is what makes the job so worthwhile – you can’t really measure it.

“It’s about fighting for justice and equality.

“I hate things that are unfair with a passion.

“What I want for myself is what I want for everybody else – situations where someone’s liberty has been taken from them or they’ve been denied justice without a fair hearing really get to me.”

Kidd Rapinet Solicitors offers free phone consultations on immigration matters

services at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors

Kidd Rapinet offers a comprehensive selection of immigration services for individuals and businesses from its base on the Isle Of Dogs, apt perhaps given the area’s history as a locus of international trade.

“We’re a one-stop-shop for people or companies who want to talk about immigration in any context,” said Zahira.

“A very hot topic is compliance – not all organisations understand things like work visas and right-to-work checks but there can be substantial penalties for those in breach of the rules.

“One of the things I’m especially keen to do here is to reach out to businesses and universities – students will have the qualifications to become skilled workers, but they need the work experience to go with that.

“Businesses often hire students because they are cost effective and can be moulded to specific roles, but a failure to do the right-to-work checks could see firms liable for fines for anyone employed illegally.”

The law is crucial when it comes to immigration.

It establishes whether those who come to this country through both legal and illegal routes can legitimately stay here, for how long and what they are allowed to do while resident.

“It’s always going to be a hot political topic,” said Zahira.

“Governments tighten rules for businesses and educational organisations to bring legal migration down.

“I would advise any migrant coming to the UK, either as a student or on a work visa, to try to obtain legal advice first.

“We can talk to them about how to remain after completing their studies and advise businesses and individuals on compliance when it comes to being employed and employing those from overseas.

“You want a solicitor who knows the law and who will be willing to fight your case if that becomes necessary.

“It’s very important because migrants contribute a lot to the UK economy. Many of my clients have really well paid jobs – that’s true of students who want to remain here after studying too.

“Immigration is an ever-changing field within the law and one that’s not just about what’s in the rules and regulations, but an area that’s based on arguments from other cases that apply to individual situations.”

for those seeking advice

The team at Canary Wharf has more than 25 years of experience helping people and businsses with immigration issues.

These include those who wish to visit or stay in the UK as a partner or child, a student, an investor, an innovator or to work at or start a company.

The firm can also help with permanent residence, indefinite leave to remain, British citizenship and UK Passport applications.

“Whatever issue it is, regarding immigration, then come and talk to us,” said Zahira. “We’ll be able to tell you whether we can help with your case.”

key details: Kidd Rapinet Solicitors

Kidd Rapinet Solicitors offers a wide range of legal services through its Canary Wharf branch based at Harbour Exchange on the Isle Of Dogs.

The firm’s expertise include immigration, conveyancing, wills and probate, employment law, commercial property, family law and an extensive list of services for businesses of all sizes.

Kidd Rapinet offers free, no obligation phone consultations with lawyers on immigration matters. Call 020 7205 2115.

Find out more about the firm’s services here

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