Luxury health and fitness brand Third Space has generously donated a 12-month group membership to help raise funds for Newham-based charity the National All Star Skills Academy (NASSA).
NASSA was founded by Natasha Hart MBE in 2005 to offer competitive basketball coaching to young people in east London – a safe haven to play sport away from the lure of anti-social behaviour, alcohol, drugs and crime.
The Arsenal FC shirt, signed by the Premier League-winning team – image supplied by NASSA
Its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign, founded by Natasha’s son, Anthony Okereafor, in response to the death of two of his friends in knife attacks, works in partnership with the Met to steer children and youths away from gang culture and carrying weapons.
Since its launch in 2008, it has reached more than 100,000 young people, an essential part of the battle against knife crime. It’s working.
The most recent figures from the Newham Safety Partnership showed that both injuries from blades and violence against young people had fallen locally.
NASSA relies on grants, donations and volunteers to fund and run its activities.
By bidding for this prize, you’ll be contributing to that vital work.
The Arsenal FC shirt, signed by Declan Rice – image supplied by NASSA
The labels on the bottles of wine Vagabond makes itself come decorated with ink sketches of a fox.
As to why, Christobell Giles said the species was a good fit for the brand – curious, adventurous and able to thrive in unexpected places.
“It’s also an animal that’s come from the countryside into the city and flourished, which is similar to what we’re doing with our new urban winery in Canada Water – taking grapes grown in the UK and turning them into wonderful wines in London,” she said.
The facility is the brand’s second winemaking site in the capital, but it’s on a bigger scale than the Battersea Power Station operation and, along with a forthcoming return to Canary Wharf, feels part of a newly energised expansion.
Originally conceived as a wine shop in 2010, the business evolved into a series of bar and tasting venues with self-serve machines enabling guests to sample an extensive range of bottles in small measures or by the glass.
The pandemic wasn’t kind to the operation, however, and the company collapsed into administration in 2024, battling debts built up over Covid and rising costs.
It appointed Christobell – who’d joined Vagabond in 2023 as operations director – to the role of managing director to oversee the chain’s growth.
Vagabond managing directo, Christobell Giles – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
bitten by the hospitality bug
“I have to pinch myself sometimes,” she said. “I studied law at Birmingham University, specialising in French law.
“I did a year in Bordeaux – I didn’t even like wine before I went, but the students there said they would get me into it and it was amazing.
“You could jump on a train for €5 and take the free tram around the vineyards – a day out in one of the best wine regions in the world.
“That’s where it started for me.”
Bitten by the hospitality bug, she joined Mitchells And Butlers and spent 20 years in the sector working with brands such as Megan’s and Wagamama.
“I loved operations – being out and about and seeing people,” she said.
“It was a constant change of scenery and always new problems to deal with.
“At its heart, Vagabond has always been about connecting people to wine.
“Just as offering food was a natural evolution of what it was doing to start with, the next step was asking whether we should be bringing the production closer to our customers so they can see how what they are drinking is made.
“London has been a wine trading centre for centuries, so allowing people to touch the process, to see it in the city, felt natural.
“Vagabond started making wine in 2017 but, in the last couple of years, we found we were running out of what we were bottling and selling.
“That’s why we started looking for a new site.
Vagabond winemaker, José Quintana – image by Saltwick Media
“José Quintana, our winemaker, and I had this vision of a beautiful, bright, airy space with big windows – somewhere with a warehouse feel that was still at the heart of a community.
“We imagined people coming down from their flats and buying bottles of wine to take away, or maybe coming to enjoy a rosé made in London on the benches outside.
“This was before we even started looking – we were making the space up in our heads.
“We were working with British Land at Broadgate in Liverpool Street and were invited to take a look at Canada Water.
“When we saw the space in the Dock Shed building, it was everything.
“It had high ceilings, we could put a mezzanine in where people could sit and see the wine being made.
“There was space for a big wine tasting table and plenty of room for all the equipment – it was exactly what we wanted.”
Launched in December, the 6,000sq ft venue is hitting its stride, realising the potential of its 100-tonne cellar, extensive winemaking facilities and its drinking and dining spaces.
It offers more than 100 wines by the glass as well as a menu of nibbles, sharing plates and platters of cheese, charcuterie or both.
The winery itself offers tours, tastings and masterclasses (some of which also feature cheese) and is available to hire for parties, celebrations and even weddings.
The urban winery boasts a wide range of equipment and facilities – image by Saltwick Media
extending production
“Expanding our operation here feels like the right step,” said Christobell.
“We’re going to be doing some really cool stuff over the next 12 months.
“This September will be the first harvest we’ll process here since we moved in.
“We’re also experimenting with how we make wine, because we want to be at the forefront of urban vinification.
“We already have a beautiful concrete egg, which gets lots of attention, and José has his mind set on bringing in all sorts of other vessels – clay, or a barrel with a glass lid so people can see the wine fermenting – to help us show how English grapes are turned into wine and to find out how they respond to different methods.
“Our general rule for sourcing grapes is that they are grown within two hours of London and we’ve worked with vineyards in Oxfordshire, Kent, Sussex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
“The nice thing about not having our own is that we can source different areas of the country and decide what wines we want to make – we’re not limited to one particular soil type.
“Hopefully we’ll be making lots of award-winning wines here for many years to come.
“We sell all of our wines through our bars and our website, so producing in London works on a business level for us, but we think it’s so important to be able to present the grape-to-glass journey for people in the place that they live.
“My favourite is our Solena (£35 per bottle online) – it’s a really interesting orange wine that’s made from Ortega grapes using a system where you blend newer wine with older vintages to get the taste you want.”
Vagabond’s bars offer an extensive range of wines by the glass via self-serve machines – image by Saltwick Media
expanding the brand
Vagabond closed its Cabot Square bar in 2024, but the brand is set to return to Canary Wharf with a new branch in Water Street later this year.
The new opening will be located in the unit recently vacated by Mildred’s and will feature two floors of wine machines and plenty of outdoor seating.
Wharfers will be able to purchase and enjoy wines made just one Tube stop away when the venue is fully up and running.
Immerse LDN is set to welcome its latest exhibition, House Of Dreamers, in June 2026.
Created by designers Elena and Giulia Sella, the attraction invites visitors to explore a series of 16 immersive installations, spread across 27,000sq ft of space.
The exhibition comes to London with an AI-based update, after being seen by more than 2million people in four European cities.
Guests of all ages are promised “an emotional journey into the world of dreams” via a blend of design, colour and technology.
New for London, visitors are invited to interact with “AI-powered moments” throughout the exhibition using House Of Dreamers’ DreamBand wearable devices, designed to personalise each experience in real time, meaning no two trips to the attraction are alike.
Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the exhibition – image supplied by House Of Dreamers
from Europe to London
“London represents a strategic milestone for House Of Dreamers and a key step in its international expansion,” said Andrea Cecchi, CEO of Postology, the exhibition’s producer.
“After Milan, Rome, Madrid and Paris, we chose London because it is one of the world’s leading creative capitals, where innovation, entertainment and international business converge and shape the future of immersive experiences.
“To bring this vision to life, we chose Immerse LDN at Excel London – the capital’s newest immersive entertainment district and the UK’s largest destination dedicated to such entertainment.
“Its international positioning made it the ideal partner to host House Of Dreamers on a global stage.”
The attraction features AI technology designed to personalise visitors’ experiences – image supplied by House Of Dreamers
building on a legacy
Immerse LDN is the UK’s largest immersive entertainment district and occupies space along Excel London’s extensive waterfront overlooking the Royal Docks.
Extending to some 160,000sq ft, it features multiple venue spaces that have welcomed more than 1.7million visitors since launch.
Previous attractions have included Jurassic World: The Exhibition, The Friends Experience: The One In London, Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition and The Formula 1 Exhibition.
“We’re thrilled to welcome another internationally acclaimed experience to Immerse LDN and to be collaborating with the visionary team at House of Dreamers,” said Damian Norman, director at Immerse LDN.
“In its short time since opening, Immerse LDN has brought more than 10 innovative immersive experiences to the capital, all showcasing London’s credentials as a global hub for immersive entertainment and activations.”
The exhibition will be in east London from June until September – image supplied by House Of Dreamers
key details: House Of Dreamers
House Of Dreamers is set to open at Immerse LDN on June 26, 2026.
Ticket prices for the exhibition start at £15.90 and dates through to the end of September are available.
The attraction will be open daily from 10am on weekdays and from 9am at weekends.
Released under the name Waterside, the apartments are already proving popular with buyers with 11 reserving properties over the launch weekend.
One, two and three-bedroom homes are currently available through the scheme, with prices starting at £82,125 for a 25% share in a one-bed.
Buyers can expect balconies and larger properties that are both dual aspect and feature views over either the London skyline or Southmere Lake.
Kitchens come with integrated Bosch appliances and white units, while bathrooms are clad in grey porcelain with black hardware and white sanitaryware.
Peabody says shared ownership properties can be secured with a deposit of as little as £8,312 with projected monthly outgoings of £1,175.
The properties feature private balconies – image supplied by Peabody New Homes
a tranquil focus
“We are excited to have launched our new Shared Ownership collection at Southmere, designed to make aspirational waterside living more accessible to prospective homebuyers,” said Raquel Soares, assistant director of sales strategy, intelligence and compliance at Peabody New Homes.
“With Southmere Lake providing a tranquil focus for the area, our Waterside collection at Southmere places buyers at the heart of this growing neighbourhood.
“Close to exciting new amenities, exceptional transport links and extensive greenery, Southmere delivers the benefits of buying in one of the capital’s most dynamic regeneration areas.
“We encourage potential buyers to register their interest as soon as possible to be among the first to find out more.”
Abbey Wood is still near the beginning of a massive regeneration project that will see the area completely transformed.
A show home interior at Waterside in Peabody’s Southmere scheme – image supplied by Peabody New Homes
connections to Southmere
The arrival of the Elizabeth Line places it within 12 minutes of Canary Wharf. The area also benefits from rail services and a DLR extension to North Thamesmead has been proposed, to further boost connectivity.
Right now, however, new local amenities have already come on stream.
Part of the Southmere scheme, Cygnet Square hosts monthly markets and events while residents are also able to access The Nest Library And Community Space.
The Lakeside Centre, also on the lake, hosts artists studios operated by charity Bow Arts and the Thamesmead Social Cafe.
The area has a striking amount of green space to explore, extending to some 240 acres with Thamesmead home to a further four lakes and at least 7km of canals as well as a river path along the Thames.
key details: Southmere
Pricing for homes in the shared ownership collection at Southmere start at £83,125 for a 25% stake in a one-bedroom apartment, based on a full market value of £332,500
The collaborative promise of East Bank has been long in the making.
But now the wait is over.
V&A East, Sadler’s Wells East, UCL East, BBC Music Studios and the London College Of Fashion have all come together for the first time publicly to play their parts in The Music Is Black Festival in east London.
Essentially a creative response to V&A East Museum’s first exhibition – The Music Is Black: A British Story – the programme includes four weekends of live gigs and performances as well as film screenings, talks, digital elements and exhibitions.
The aim is to reflect the breadth and depth of the impact made by black music in the UK.
East Bank director Tamsin Ace – image by Christian Cassiel
collaborating on The Music Is Black Festival
“Each of these five institutions have pivoted to respond to this theme and, layered on top of that, we have our programme of four live weekends – one each month,” said Tamsin Ace, director at East Bank.
“For example, the BBC has created The Music Is Black digital hub across TV, radio, iPlayer, Sounds and online to celebrate some of the key genres, personalities, scenes and compositions that define the last 125 years of black music in the UK.
“They’ve also created amazing educational resources through BBC Bitesize for secondary schools to use.
“It’s all been developed in collaboration with V&A East Museum.
“UCL East have organised a series of talks looking at black British visual culture, fashion – all kinds of different things – throughout the season.
“The London College Of Fashion is also hosting an amazing exhibition looking at sound system culture and designer identity.
“Then the four live weekends will bring people down to East Bank to celebrate the artists and musicians through free public performances.
“For these we’ve worked with an amazing curator, Gillian Jackson, and for each event we’ll have three stages – two right on the East Bank waterfront, with the Sadler’s Wells East public dance floor making up the third.
“The idea is we’ve got intergenerational dances, workshops and specially commissioned choreographed pieces, with live music, DJs and MCs.
“That’s the format we’ll follow for each of the weekends.”
The festival is inspired by the V&A East Museum’s The Music Is Black: A British Story exhibition – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The Music Is Ours
The live programme kicks off on June 13 and 14 with The Music Is Ours, featuring acts curated by Footsie, of grime collective the Newham Generals, on the Saturday and saxophonist and Soul Mama restaurant owner, YolanDa Brown, the day after.
Performers will include the likes of King Original, Tailor Jae, Nicole Blakk, My Runway Group, Acantha Lang and Melodees From Heaven.
Tamsin said: “We’re kicking off with a real block party, a celebration of east London’s huge contribution to black music.”
Sadler’s Wells East will feature Garage X Grime Reload curated by Kloe Dean on the first day with Breakin’ Convention taking over the dance floor on the Sunday for exhibition battles.
Power And Respect – image by Flashpop
Power And Respect
Black women and non-binary people take centre stage on July 11 and 12 with Jamz Supernova on curatorial duties for the first day with Yaazmin Lacey and Tyson handling the second.
At Sadler’s Wells East, Jade Hackett’s Let Love Be Your Rock will showcase original group work set to lovers rock and reggae on the Saturday, followed by DJs L’attise Rhoden and Glade Marie the day after.
“This will have a different flavour and feel to it,” said Tamsin. “We hope people will come to all four of the weekends, but others may just pick one to attend.
“One of the things we’re really excited about is building that kind of recognition, that people will start getting to know that the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a place where you can just turn up and bump into culture and creativity. We’re building that into a regular rhythm of free programming.
“We also know that people are hungry for moments of congregation and celebration and being in a joyful environment, and that’s what these free weekends will create.
Queer Frequencies – image by Leo Patriz
Queer Frequencies
Bringing together the queer collectives and communities that shape the rich tapestry of London’s queer scene, August 22 and 23 will be curated by Shy One, Donnie Sunshine, Mark-Ashley Dupé, Joel Mignott and Zinzi Minott.
Sadler’s Wells East will be blending dance with poetry and sound art alongside a pre-carnival party from Faggamuffin Bloc Party.
“This weekend is all about focussing on the huge contribution that queer creators have made to the scene, delivering a different vibe and energy,” said Tamsin.
Black To The Future – image by Atlantide Phototravel
Black To The Future
“This is all about showcasing people who are really pushing the dial, bringing together different ideas and genres to mix things up,” said Tamsin.
“We don’t know what the music of the future is, but these are some of the people who are imagining what it might be.
“What’s exciting about it is that there are people right now, in their studios and bedrooms, in their youth centres and their schools, creating sounds we have not even heard yet.
“That’s what east London has done so brilliantly over so many decades.”
Taking place on September 12 and 13, the final live weekend features curation from Flohio, The Blues Project and Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe.
It’s hoped that the festival will form something of a blueprint for future years with East Bank’s members continuing to collaborate.
“It feels like a significant moment for the project,” said Tamsin.
“It’s amazing to see the momentum and we’re supporting 20 jobs for east Londoners to help deliver the festival programme.
“The ambition is to build a corps of freelancers that East Bank can tap into and invest in – a pipeline of local creative talent and that’s so important.”
key details: The Music Is Black Festival
The Music Is Black Festival runs from June 13 until Sept 13, 2026, and includes four free weekends of music.
“Back in the day, access to venues and pubs was key for me in learning how to do what I do,” said Glenn Tilbrook, co-founder of Squeeze, who is set to play a gig in support of Theatreship on the Isle Of Dogs later this month.
“I wasn’t taught by anybody. I started out playing with Jools Holland in pubs in east and south-east London as well.
“We did that for a couple of years and it taught us a lot about communicating with people – there’s no real substitute for that experience.
“That’s where we got our training – how we got ourselves together to move on and climb the ladder.
“It’s why you need these spaces to do that work in – they’re so important, not just for musicians, but for people to come and access performances – for it not to be all about money.”
Glenn is set to perform on board Theatreship – image by Theatreship
playing the festival
Glenn is set to perform alongside his son Leon at the venue as part of the Music Venue Trust’s Everywhere At Once festival, which will see more than 1,200 gigs take place from June 26-28, 2026, nationwide.
Thousands of artists are set to participate with the likes of Fatboy Slim, Becky Hill, Tinie Tempah, The Divine Comedy, Rizzle Kicks and many more all performing.
Glenn, who has fond memories of performing early in his career at The Waterman’s Arms – just down the Isle Of Dogs from Theatreship – is scheduled to perform on the Sunday evening.
“I’ll be playing with Leon, who has joined Squeeze,” said Glenn.
“He’s 23 now and a great musician.
“We’ll be playing a selection of his songs and mine – we’ve just finished a short tour, so we’re well-versed in performing together and we’re sounding great.
“I first went to Theatreship about two months ago and I was so impressed by what they’ve done with the space – the atmosphere is great and it has a lovely bar at the back.
“I think it’s important for people to recognise what venues like this bring to an area.
“They’re quirky, but they work so well.
“Theatreship is clearly a place people will come and be surprised by what you can do on a ship.
“Squeeze have played on boats – we did a cruise gig last year, which was interesting.
“We were only on board for one day between Florida and The Bahamas, where we got off.
“It was a small stage, but it seemed like there were thousands of people in the audience.”
Glenn and squeeze will also be performing at The O2 Arena later this year – image supplied by MVT
how Glenn Tilbrook co-founded Squeeze
Born in Woolwich, Glenn grew up in Docklands, forming Squeeze after meeting Chris Difford via an advert posted in a shop window. Jools Holland also joined.
The band first found fame in the 1970s with albums such as Cool For Cats and Argybargy, with Glenn and Chris continuing their partnership to this day.
“Squeeze is having a bit of a moment in the sunshine and we’re relishing that,” said Glenn.
“We’ve got an album called Trixies out at the moment, which is a set of songs that Chris and I wrote when I was 16 and he was 19 in 1974.
“At the same time we did an album of new songs that will be coming out next year. I’m keen to prove that our chops are still intact and we’re still growing.
“The old songs really sound like they were written in 1974, and the influences in the songs were in the three years leading up to 1974.
“When you’re 16, you don’t have a lot of history, so we were listening to contemporary music at the time and that’s what we were absorbing.
“Now I’ve had a lifetime of going to see lots of different acts and I’m thrilled by it even now.
“I love the journey – it’s never-ending, it’s fantastic.
“Who would have thought that at this stage in our career more people would be coming to see us than ever?
“It feels really great and we’re a really tight, professional band – we sound fantastic.
“The reaction we get from audiences now is unlike anything we ever had, even from the beginning of our career.
“We were really exciting when we started out and we’re really exciting now, at the other end of my life.
“It’s wonderful to play locally. I have my studio just yards from the Thames in Charlton.
“I’ve always been around Greenwich, it’s where I grew up and I love it.
“I remember that there was a tradition among the people who worked in the dock and on the ships to sound the ship’s horn at midnight on New Year’s Eve, and it was a really thrilling noise.
“I also love what’s happened to Canary Wharf, which I can remember before anything was built, and I’m amazed at it – it’s a brilliant place.
“It was a big vision to develop that, and it’s ongoing – a really exciting place to be.
“What’s important is that it isn’t just on a monetary level.
“What places like Theatreship do is so good for people’s souls. I don’t think it’s too much to say that.
“It’s a place that brings people together, it’s so enriching.”
Inigo Lapwood, project director of Theatreship and Artship – image Matt Grayson
how Glenn Tilbrook is supporting Theatreship
Inigo Lapwood, Theatreship director said: “We’re so thrilled to be working with MVT for their Everywhere At Once festival.
“At the moment we’re sadly all too accustomed to hearing about grassroots music venues when they’re under threat of closing.
“We’ve lost almost a third of them nationwide over the last three years alone.
“The trust has worked tirelessly to try to stem that tide.
“At Theatreship we’ve been hugely grateful for that work – they’ve been instrumental in our own ongoing battles to stay afloat.
“Everywhere At Once is a great counterpoint to this narrative of loss – a nationwide celebration of the spaces that remain.
“We really appreciate this timely reminder that we’re not alone, that the UK is filled with passionate grassroots music venues showcasing incredible work, and that brilliant, inventive artists like Glenn can be found in them.
“Since opening Theatreship, we’ve been consistently amazed by the sheer depth of musical talent in London.
“From the upper decks of the ship you can see The O2 where Glenn will be playing later this year, but we’re absolutely certain that he won’t be the only artist currently performing on the grassroots music circuit who’ll be headlining stadium gigs in short order.”
key details: Glenn Tilbrook and Squeeze
Glenn And Leon Tilbrook are set to play Theatreship on June 28 at 7pm. Tickets cost £33, although the gig has now sold out.
Whole Foods Market may be owned by Amazon and have opened its doors in the Wood Wharf unit formerly known as Amazon Fresh, but it’s a very different kind of offering.
Gone are the smart price labels and the till-free shopping experiment, replaced by nearly 3,000 carefully selected product lines with an emphasis on natural and organic groceries.
The store also boasts the Wharf’s first at-checkout fridges, tempting shoppers to cold beverages at the point of payment.
Perhaps the biggest contrast here, though, is in the people.
Even amid the chaos of opening, there’s good humour and positivity – a feeling that everyone present is genuinely happy to be there.
It’s an ethos embodied by Jade Hoai, the brand’s executive leader of purchasing for its UK stores.
Beyond the job title, she might just as well be known as chief enthusiast as she guides me around the new store, pointing out her many favourites on the shelves.
Jade Hoai, Whole Foods Market’s executive leader of purchasing for its UK stores – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
growth and heading overseas
“For me, it started 25 years ago,” she said.
“I was working for the US Government’s Department Of Justice in Washington DC – a great job – and I had my afternoons, evenings and weekends free.
“I was already a regular Whole Foods customer and so I decided to take a part-time job as a cashier for the staff discount.
“I just loved the product, the ethos of the company and the people I met here so much.
“Having a job where I get to help nourish the people on our planet is fulfilling – it’s been a joy to see it grow.
“When I started, we had 180 stores.
“Now we have 500 in the US – it’s been quite an expansion and I was very lucky to have great mentors and leaders who believed in me.
“When we had the chance to open a branch in the UK, I had the opportunity to come over for a couple of years.
“Then I got an extension and, 19 years later, I’m here talking about the opening of our Wood Wharf store.”
The store is located on Water Street – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
“Here, we have a 9,000sq ft store that is going to be a centre for the community,” said Jade.
“People can pop in, get a snack, a salad or do their full shop.
“We have an amazing choice of products, but we also stock the essentials such as pet food and loo roll.
“At its heart, the store is like a foodie playground for adults where people can come in and discover something they didn’t know about or had never tried before.
“Our aim, ultimately, is to bring joy – that a visit isn’t a grocery shop or a chore, but something that our customers look forward to, whether that’s browsing our selection or talking to our team members.
“We’ve always wanted to be in Canary Wharf, so when this opportunity presented itself, we jumped at it.
“We think it’s a great community and it’s our customer – the people here are really conscious about what they’re eating and spending their money on and that’s their health and wellbeing.
“I think it’s an understatement to say we’re absolutely delighted to be here.”
Whole Foods Market in Canary Wharf carries nearly 3,000 different product lines including essential ingredients – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
finding products for Whole Foods Market
Jade’s role in the business is a crucial one in Whole Foods Market’s operation.
She oversees merchandising, marketing and supply chains for the business – in essence holding responsibility for what’s going on the shelves, ensuring it gets there and then telling people why it matters.
“My teams have a lot of impact – working with new brands, finding new products, working with existing lines and growing their sales,” she said.
“The marketing team does a great job of telling our stories – talking about who we are and what we’re trying to do.
“With the supply chain, we oversee the journey from the farmer who grows the food to the person who puts it in the packaging, then how it arrives at our distribution centres and our stores.
“There are so many people connected to that process and what we try to do is to make sure that they are respected and celebrated.
“We recognise how amazing it is that we can grow food that nourishes ourselves and is also good for our planet.
“One of my favourite products, for example, is our 365 Whole Foods Market Hot Smoked Salmon, which we’re producing.
“The fish is farmed, but I believe the quality is the best because we’re very strict and conscientious about the welfare of the animals and what goes into the feed they eat.
“I like to enjoy it with a little salad with capers, tomatoes and lemon juice – it’s delicious.”
The Canary Wharf store is also targeting workers on the estate looking for grab-and-go options and hot food at lunchtimes.
The store offers a wide range of produce including wines, pasta cheese – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
something for lunch
“Something that’s new for this branch is our Pinsa Romana concept. These are Roman pizza-style slices that are customisable and made to order.
“Customers will chose their base, toppings and then we’ll cook it and they can enjoy it hot on our terrace. People can also take them away to cook at home.”
The idea that Wharfers living locally will interact with the store is also key to its operation.
“This is really vital for us,” said Jade. “We want people to come in to talk to us.
“Our staff are there and will happily sit with customers and discuss the relative merits of pearl barley and wholegrain rice.
“We really believe in what we’re doing.
“I’m definitely a culture warrior within the company.
“As soon as people start with us they can take a course to understand the history of the brand and its values.
“It’s also really important to reflect the community in what we stock. We’ve tested and tried every single thing on our shelves.
“We’re very lucky, because brands find us. Also, every quarter, we have a pitch day that’s open to anyone.
“People apply, come along and tell us why they think we should stock their products.
“Some come with a concept, or a package design, others with finished products.
“In the end, nothing makes it to our customers unless we’ve tried it and we can say that it’s really good.”
key details: Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market is located on Water Street in Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf.
The store is open from 7am-10pm on weekdays, from 8am to 10pm on Saturdays and from 11am-5pm on Sundays.
West India Quay company offers cooking and cruising on its BBQ Boats, relaxed exploration on its Hot Tub Boats and contrast therapy aboard its Sauna Boats
As the weather warms up, Skuna is gearing up for barbecue season with its BBQ Boats at West India Quay in Canary Wharf – image supplied by Skuna
Summer party season is rapidly approaching as the weather warms and Wharfers turn their thoughts to socialising in the sunshine.
Whether organising a full-blown corporate event or something smaller, the key to success is often opting for a memorable venue – a place that offers an experience like no other.
Operating from West India Quay, Skuna does exactly that.
First there are its BBQ Boats, offering gentle cruising on the waters of the dock for up to 10 diners.
These come complete with a central grill where guests can cook their own ingredients or indulge in a range of packages.
Then there are the Hot Tub Boats, craft filled with heated fresh water that can be sailed widely in the canals and basins that make up the West India Dock complex.
Finally, there are three Sauna Boats offering communal or private contrast therapy with spaces heated by wood-fired stoves and cold plunges on the roof of the main vessel.
All are available for hire in a multitude of ways, with Skuna even offering parties the opportunity to combine experiences across its extensive fleet.
Each vessel can take up to 10 passengers with a maximum of 100 across the BBQ Boat fleet – image supplied by Skuna
cooking together
“It’s National Barbecue Week at the end of May and in celebration, we’re launching a whole array of new food packages for our BBQ Boats,” said Stuart “Tommo” Thomson, Skuna’s founder.
“These include the British Barbecue with hot dogs, beefburgers and a variety of sides such as potato salad and slaw all prepared in-house.
“Then there’s the Mediterranean package with incredible wraps, lamb, garnishes, dips, grilled aubergine and a halloumi hot dog.
“We’ll also be introducing our Surf And Turf, with tuna steaks, king prawns, chicken and sirloin steaks.
“We have 10 boats so we can have 100 people on the water at any one time.
“Across the whole business, we can accommodate about 160 guests for a multi-boat event including hot tubs and saunas.
“Barbecue is a great way to cook together and also a wonderful way to collaborate making it perfect for corporate events.”
Skuna’s Hot Tub Boats have become a familiar sight in Canary Wharf’s waterways – image supplied by Skuna
an immersive experience
Skuna is now in its eighth year hiring vessels in the waters around Canary Wharf having started with its hot tub boats – a familiar sight in the area.
Tommo said: “They’re still my favourite experience – they really put a smile on people’s faces.
“This will be our fifth season with the BBQ Boats and they’re growing and growing in popularity.
“We love large group bookings and we’ve had companies hire the whole fleet for summer parties in the past – it’s the ideal summer activity where people can combine, socialising, sailing, dining and drinking in one.
“Sauna Boat is our latest offering. Designed in Scandinavia, they have large glass walls so people can enjoy the heat while looking out over the dock. It’s really relaxing.
“We have one large one and two smaller ones that can accommodate up to six people each.”
The business also offers contrast therapies aboard its Sauna Boats – image supplied by Skuna
for individual or group hire
All of Skuna’s boats can be hired individually or booked in blocks to accommodate larger parties, events or celebrations including birthdays, anniversaries and even weddings.
“During the colder months, the business converts its BBQ Boats into Igloo Boats and serves fondues.
“We’re currently looking at expanding our existing fleet and we’re always on the lookout for new water-based experiences we can bring to our customers,” said Tommo.
“For me, the more that happens on the water, the more interesting Canary Wharf becomes as a place to visit, have fun and entertain.”
There are cold plunge facilities on the sauna’s roof – image supplied by Skuna
One of the key elements of Wharf Wellness is bringing people together to share experiences, knowledge and skills.
Dr Pippa Wood is a Canary Wharf-based personal trainer at Third Space and a practising psychologist – one of a number of experts set to take part in a panel discussion as part of the festival at 6pm on June 23, 2026 at Sea Lanes Canary Wharf.
Entitled Wellness Or Performance? Are We Driving Ourselves Into Exhaustion? the public event will consider changing attitudes to exercise and activity.
The other panellists will be Poppy Delbridge, founder of Rapid Tapping, Ross Gilbert, managing director of Sea Lanes, Zanna Van Dijk a content creator and author of Strong and host Adrienne Adhami of the Power Hour Podcast.
“Earlier on in my career, people would come to me with more aesthetic-focused goals – they wanted to get leaner and build more muscle,” said Pippa.
“Now, what I’m seeing with the majority of my PT clients is that they want to train for longevity, general health and wellbeing.
“They might be looking to address lower back pain, knee pain or low energy levels.
“They’re mindful of what may occur in the future, so they’re looking at exercise from a preventative standpoint – it’s a welcome change.”
Pippa grew up in Leeds and dabbled in dancing but “wasn’t very sporty”.
She started going to the gym as a teenager and found she really enjoyed it, experimenting with different classes and feeling good.
She’d also train with her rugby-playing dad every Saturday.
Third Space’s two clubs in Canary Wharf offer a wide range of facilities and classes at all levels of intensity – image by Third Space
discovering the gym
She said: “He was born in Australia and has always been active, so I followed that model and eventually got there.
“Exercise became a really big part of my life – it was energising and left me feeling ready to study.”
After qualifying as a trainer, studying psychology in London and completing her PhD in resilience and mental wellbeing in Leeds, she relocated to Australia.
Taking in Sydney and the Gold Coast “over five or six years” she engaged in further clinical training as a psychologist and worked in private practice before moving back to the UK.
In London she’s reinvigorated her role as a trainer alongside her work in mental health, separately but with each discipline informing the other.
“As a psychologist, I often see people in a clinical setting for treatment of anxiety and depression,” she said.
“When people incorporate more movement in their lives, the therapeutic benefits are very evident, especially when they set themselves relevant and achievable goals.
“From a physiological perspective, even 15 minutes of activity can do so much for the brain.
“It pumps more oxygenated blood, delivering dopamine, serotonin and endorphins to make us feel great.
“My background in psychology and my PhD have been super helpful in my career, whether it’s treating clients or on the gym floor.
“What I found in the research is that training harder isn’t always better, from a mental health perspective.
“Training smarter and being in tune with your body is key.
“We found more significant improvements in mental health with low to moderate exercise.
“Setting yourself goals and running a marathon and achieving that can be beneficial too, but a hard regime and a structured approach isn’t always beneficial for the way you feel.”
For Wharf Wellness, Third Space is teaming up with Friday Night Lates to offer special evening classes on June 24 – image supplied by Canary Wharf Group
pursuing fitness through enjoyment
“The whole ethos of Third Space is it’s about training for life,” added Pippa.
“That includes the social aspect as well as enjoying the exercise.
“It’s good to do things because we want to, not because we feel we have to.
“That really is super important.
“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to work at Third Space.
“My partner had brought me over to Canary Wharf and I just fell in love with the place.
“At the two clubs, people will experience very warm and welcoming spaces that offer a wide variety of classes to meet an incredible range of needs.
“The advice I give people is to keep an open mind and try different things to see what you like.
“Enjoying yourself is vital and it will help give you the confidence to navigate the equipment on gym floor.
“The feel is supportive – we’re all part of the same community working towards the same goal.”
key details: Wharf Wellness
Wellness Or Performance? Are We Driving Ourselves Into Exhaustion? is set to take place on June 23, 2026, at 6pm at Sea Lanes Canary Wharf.
Finding genuinely stirring locations for business events or celebrations can be challenging in the capital.
Take the South Western Railway service to Barnes, a few stops from Waterloo, however, and you’ll be close to more than 100 acres of habitat quite unlike anywhere else in the city.
The Wildfowl And Wetlands Trust’s London Wetland Centre opened its doors in 2000 – a sprawling site based round four disused Victorian reservoirs that’s home to hides, boardwalks, reed beds, ponds, large stretches of open water and plenty of vegetation.
The complex at its entrance includes a wide range of facilities including rooms for corporate hire suitable for 20 to 150 delegates.
Spaces include the Water’s Edge Room for large theatre-style set-ups and H20, a 90-delegate meeting room equipped with smart screens and a covered decking area with views over the site.
The surroundings are, of course, the main attraction.
The centre is a sprawling complex arranged around a series of disused reservoirs – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The centre is perhaps the only place in London where those attending corporate events can combine business with an opportunity to discover a breathtaking array of wildlife.
The site is not a zoo.
While some animals are looked after at the centre – including a charming, boisterous pair of otters – the majority are free to come and go as they please.
Walking around the site’s extensive network of footpaths, this makes for the constant and genuine thrill of the potential for a wild encounter.
The air is often thick with the calls of chiff-chaff, blue tit, crow, Egyptian goose, reed warbler, magpie and greylag goose.
On a recent visit to the site, my companion and I were astonished to come over a bridge and find ourselves a few feet from an almost completely motionless grey heron semi-camouflaged amongst the reeds.
The encounter lasted several minutes before the great bird took to its wings and flew a couple of leisurely circles around us before heading off over a hedge.
A grey heron at the London Wetland Centre – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
a place to visit for leisure and business
The centre can also be visited on a more casual basis with day tickets starting at £17.10 for adults and £11.12 for children.
In addition to spotting a wide range of species of bird – think swifts darting over the waters to gobble up insects on the wing, swans preening and oyster catchers rearing chicks – there are plenty of activities to get involved with.
Pathways on the site include bouncing rope bridges and elevated walkways.
There’s also a picnic spot with percussion instruments, pond dipping, a well-stocked cafe and a gift shop.
Visitors can also attend daily talks on the centre’s two resident otters – Tod and Honey – and watch them being fed, while learning about this remarkable apex predator.
Fond of diving: A white-headed duck with a striking blue bill, spotted in Barnes – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The glass-fronted enclosure offers plenty of space for the audience to see and capture the animals’ playful movements as they scurry about, swim and roll in the dirt.
Everywhere there’s information, facts to absorb about the white headed duck (which has an iridescent blue bill) who loves to dive, for example.
Then there’s the water boatman who is the loudest animal relative to its size in the world.
Hides come fully equipped with bird guides and one is always staffed by a volunteer who’s ready with a telescope to help visitors get the most from the experience.
There’s a wealth of information to absorb, probably too much for a single visit, which is why many choose to become members at the centre.
This costs £54 a year for adults and includes unlimited access to WWT’s 10 sites.
The shrine marking the location of the fatal accident that killed Marc Bolan is near Barnes station – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
visit Marc Bolan’s shrine
>> T-Rex lead singer and guitarist Marc Bolan has a deep connection to Barnes, having recorded elements of Prophets, Seers And Sages: The Angels Of The Ages at Olympic Studios there.
Tragically, the star also lost his life after the car he was travelling in left Gipsy Lane and crashed into a tree in 1977.
Today the site of the accident is marked with a shrine decorated by fans with statues, white swans and memorials to other members of the band who have since passed away.
It is located a few minutes walk south from Barnes station
Visit between 8am-10pm
key details: SWR Business Direct
SWR Business Direct is free to use and allows companies to book, plan and manage business travel across the whole of Britain.
There are no hidden fees or charges and no booking fees on tickets purchased via the service.
Joe says SWR Business Direct works on a fee-free model to help promote rail travel to businesses – image supplied by SWR
on track with SWR’s Joe Thurgood
Q
Many ticketing platforms charge fees for their services when I’m booking rail tickets.
How is SWR Business Direct different and how can it operate without charging them?
A
If you’ve ever booked a train ticket online, you’ve probably felt that little sting of annoyance when you get to the checkout page and see a booking fee tacked onto the price.
It feels like paying extra just for the privilege of buying the ticket.
This happens because most third-party platforms are middlemen – they have to charge those fees to stay in business and cover their overheads.
With SWR Business Direct, the most common questions I get are: “What’s the catch? How can they offer a full corporate booking suite for the entire National Rail network without charging a single penny in fees?”
The answer is actually pretty simple, once you look behind the curtain.
SWR is a train operating company, not just a middleman.
Our Business Direct tool isn’t built on skimming a couple of pounds off your transaction, it’s built on getting people onto trains and then supporting them after they have purchased the tickets.
By providing a high-quality, fee-free platform, we remove the barriers for businesses to choose rail over road or air.
It’s essentially a value-added service that keeps corporate clients loyal to rail.
SWR Business Direct also operates under a National Rail Contract with the Government.
Our goal is to incentivise railway travel by making it more efficient and accessible for everyone.
By offering tools like carbon reporting and automated expenses at no cost, we can help businesses meet their own sustainability goals while fulfilling their mission to modernise how we all travel.
There is no quick win by adding on a booking fee – the aim is to be your long-term partner in transit.
It’s a win-win where you get the same prices you’d find at the station kiosk alongside the heavy-duty reporting companies need.
