The survey found 31% were planning to invest more in an ISA this year to mitigate changes around capital gains tax and 29% intended to do the same due to proposed new rules around inheritance tax on pensions.
“We have seen a clear shift in investor behaviour since the autumn with more people moving their savings and assets into ISAs to minimise the amount of tax they may need to pay,” said Nutmeg head of financial advice and guidance, Claire Exley.
“No-one wants to pay more tax than they need to and having the right ISA strategy can help to reduce your overall tax liability.
“The beauty of ISAs is that they can be a simple and efficient way to build a portfolio and invest towards medium and long-term goals while minimising your tax.
“Even if you don’t have new money to put into an ISA, this can be a good time to look at any ISAs you may already have and make sure they’re working hard for you.
“Whether it’s transferring to a new provider or reviewing your balance of cash and investments, a little financial admin could serve you well in the long run.”
Nutmeg’s Claire Exley – image by Nutmeg
top tips: Nutmeg’s Claire Exley on ISAs
>> Review Your Contributions
“Also check how much ISA allowance you have remaining,” said Claire.
“You don’t have to maximise the allowance for it to make a difference: the more you have invested, the more you can benefit from compounding on any potential growth and not having to pay tax on any returns.
“If you can afford it, you should aim to consistently save or invest towards your goals – a little top up now could make a sizeable difference over time.”
>> Cash And Investments?
“Consider whether you want to drip-feed future contributions,” said Claire.
“If you have money to invest but aren’t ready to put it into the markets all at once, the Nutmeg 100% cash pot feature allows you to use your 2024/25 ISA allowance by making your contribution and then ‘drip-feeding’ money into an investment pot over time.”
key details: Nutmeg
Nutmeg is owned by J.P. Morgan, which has its European headquarters in Canary Wharf.
The digital wealth manager offers stocks and shares ISAs, pensions and general investment accounts.
Your capital is at risk when investing in stocks and shares ISAs.
Tax rules are dependent on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future
The opportunity to buy into Southbank Place is coming to a close.
With the rest of the central London development sold out, only a last act awaits with the forthcoming release of apartments in its final block.
Braeburn Estates, a joint venture between Qatari Diar and Canary Wharf Group, recently unveiled the first images of what that last building – Seven – will be like.
Set to complete and launch to the market in the second half of 2025, the block will house 92 homes, all facing the Thames and the north bank of the river beyond.
One, two, three and four-bedroom apartments will be available as well as penthouses.
Designed by architects Stanton Williams, the properties feature open-plan design and come with a full complement of technological features.
Interior schemes have been created by studio Albion Nord, although with prices starting at £3.85million, buyers are likely to want to put their own stamp on their surroundings.
The apartments all feature views of the river – image by Braeburn Estates
creating Seven at Southbank Place
“We’ve always been passionate about the quality of the spaces we inhabit – how important the details and materials are for our wellbeing and quality of life,” said Stanton Williams principal director, Paul Williams.
“Our aim is always to focus on those qualities of space, movement through space, how buildings unfold, how natural daylight enters, engages and transforms a building.
“These are the fundamental elements of architecture and that is the main aim of the design for Seven.”
Buyers at the building will get access to the 5.25-acre development’s 17,000sq ft private health club that comes complete with a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym, workout rooms, relaxation pods, treatment rooms and a hair and beauty studio.
“Seven provides the final opportunity to own a piece of London’s iconic skyline at Southbank Place,” said Qatari Diar chief sales and marketing officer, Richard Oakes.
“It not only presents the final chance to live here, but also provides some of the finest apartments available at this landmark development.
“There has been a fantastic response from the market during the initial off-plan sales period, with a number of sales and reservations, which we believe will only gain further momentum as we near completion.”
An artist’s impression of Seven, the final phase of Southbank Place – image by Braeburn Estates
central location
Located within easy walking distance of the Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre, the development also benefits from the transport links of nearby Waterloo station including a direct Tube link to Canary Wharf.
“The interior and exterior designs at Seven are exceptional, with large balconies offering sensational views and impressive open-plan interiors that make a real impression when walking through the door,” said Canary Wharf Group director of residential sales, Melanie Conway.
“We look forward to working towards the full launch and welcoming prospective purchasers to secure their own piece of this iconic building.”
The properties feature open-plan design and private balconies – image by Braeburn Estates
key details: Seven at Southbank Place
Homes at Southbank Place’s Seven start at £3.85million. Each faces the Thames.
The development has been built by Braeburn Estates, a joint venture between Qatari Diar and Canary Wharf Group.
It’s a cold winter’s day when I visit The Shop in Deptford and Joshua Harvey is in need of the coffee he’s sipping from a mug that celebrates tinned seafood giant John West’s Alaska Salmon.
It’s been an early morning out scouring a car boot sale for stock and he’s still warming up.
Step into the space he operates jointly with fellow owner Kane Dobrin and it’s easy to see why such worm-catching activities are necessary.
Their railway arch in Resolution Way is piled high with stuff – a carefully selected horde of audio visual tech, music, instruments and curiosities – displayed to encourage a rummage.
The thing that’s really filling the space, however is unmistakeable. It’s excitement – the thrill of finding those bargains and then passing them on.
“It’s when you’ve gone to a boot sale, it’s early in the morning and you’re getting out of your car – you’re hopeful,” said Kane.
“You never know what might show up. It works as a business – we buy stuff for less than it’s worth, going to markets every week.
“You have to pick your area, learn everything about the products in it and be able to spot them quickly.
“When the trader tells you the price you have to be able to say yes or no quickly, taking no time to think.”
The arch is filled with audio visual technology for creatives to explore – image by Jon Massey
the thrill of the chase
Joshua added: “Some of the most exciting times of my life have been finding things at boot sales or markets that are rare or valuable and really shouldn’t be there.
“But you have to watch your margins and learn everything so you can make those decisions quickly.
“You need to know that if it’s a Mini DV camera it’s probably broken, that if it’s a tape deck the belt has probably gone.
“This morning I got a rare Sony Walkman Pro – it was standard issue for BBC reporters.
“It’s funny how much good stuff does come on the circuit but you need to be there at the crack of dawn.
“You have to be the first person to see it and that can mean going round with a torch while it’s still dark.
“You also need to be prepared. Never walk through a market without a tenner in your pocket to put down as a deposit, just in case.”
The Shop is in some respects a permanent manifestation of a business the pair have been engaged in for years.
“This sort of thing was in my family a bit,” said Joshua.
“They’re car people and so, growing up in the Midlands, I was surrounded by loads and loads of stuff. You just get into it.
“I met Kane while he was at university and a lot of what we do is based on our common interests.”
The Shop is located under a railway arch in Resolution Way, Deptford – image Jon Massey
opening The Shop in Deptford
Trading initially at the markets and boot sales of Brighton before moving on to Brixton and Portobello Road, their business grew from sheds and living rooms to storage units with The Shop a natural progression.
“A lot of our stuff would suffer on the market – especially the instruments and hi-fi equipment,” said Kane.
“We always thought that if we could put it in the right context and space, then people would dig it.
“There’s a shortage of places where you can go and try things – you can go to a boot sale but often you won’t know if something works or not or how it feels.”
Joshua added: “This is the first time people have been able to come and see stuff when we’re not on a market stall. It’s a bit like having a warehouse except that people come in and stop you doing things.
“It’s awesome really – it’s so cool when someone comes in, finds something and then buys it.
“Most of the things on the shop floor, unless they’re extra special, have probably been with us for less than three months.
“We like to price things on the cheaper side to get them moving and into the right hands.
“If it’s something we’ve had forever, then it’s probably because we want to hang on to it. It’ll be rare, interesting or mean something to us.”
The Shop sells hi-fi equipment, cameras, records, guitars, effects, film, digital accessories and more – image Jon Massey
buying, selling, swapping
The Shop buys as well as sells and offers swaps and part-exchange.
While the definition of its stock is somewhat open-ended, customers will broadly find creative technologies related to capturing or generating audio, images and video.
“We like functional stuff that’s high quality and made with the user in mind,” said Joshua.
“There’s a rule of thumb with objects, that, the fewer jobs they do, the better they’re going to be at them – computers, for example, do everything but they’re pretty terrible at it.
“We chose to be in Deptford partly because there are lots of creative people here and we wanted to be close to them.
“We don’t list items online and you probably have a 50-50 chance of a response if you message us – really people have to come and see what we’ve got.”
There’s an element of sustainability to the business too.
By keeping such products in circulation, The Shop is reducing demand for new ones to be manufactured when older tech could do the job just as well, if not better, than modern equivalents.
“We used to just sell film cameras,” said Kane.
“They were in fashion but now customers are looking at older digital models again too.
“Social media has really helped with that because now so many people are posting images and everyone is looking for their own way to do that.
“With music technology, people have always wanted the old stuff.”
Joshua added: “It really led the way – as soon as much of it was invented, people wanted that specific sound and the tools to make it.
“Quality stuff holds its value – there’s always a bunch of weirdos who come out of the woodwork for it.”
key details: The Shop in Deptford
The Shop is open from 10am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday in Resolution Way, Deptford.
The owners can be contacted via email to infor@the-shop.xyz or by calling 07919 874 626.
Spread over two floors at the base of 30 Churchill Place, with views over the dock to Hawksmoor, it extends to some 14,500sq ft.
But it’s what founders Elliot Godfrey and Chris Ingham have put in the space that sets it apart as something entirely different for the estate.
Firstly there’s the golf – Pitch’s primary function.
The venue boasts 11 simulator bays, the first physical Trendygolf shop for apparel and accessories and a PGA Academy.
This is a place where people who are serious about clubs and handicaps can play detailed renderings of the most famous courses in the world.
But it’s more than that.
The bays also offer arcade-style games and challenges where players compete to get closest to the pin.
Its bars and restaurant offer spaces to socialise and relax for those new to golf or who prefer to do their talking on the shuffleboard table.
Then there’s the record collection…
It’s an evolution of a business Elliot and Chris first started as a concession in a gym in the City.
Pitch founders Elliot Godfrey, left, and Chris Ingham – image by Jon Massey
from friends to business partners
“We’ve known each other since we were playing as teenagers – we’re both from Luton,” said Elliot.
“We’ve always been good friends and played golf competitively as professionals.
“We went our separate ways – Chris to Austria and I fell out of love with the game for a bit, perhaps because I’d played too much when I was young.
“At that time I was more into DJ-ing and so on.”
Both missed playing in the UK, however and, with Chris back, an idea for a possible business emerged.
“We were living in east London and the only golf club you could get to was Wanstead.
“When I came back from abroad, the new indoor tech was just coming out, but there were so few facilities for people to use.
“We thought we’d try setting something up now that the digital systems had made it possible.
“We thought we wanted to make the game more sociable with people playing in groups.
“We had our original site at Citypoint in Moorgate and we did that for about two and a half years.
“It was one of those bad-luck, good-luck situations.
“It was a concession within a gym, but it was taken over and we were homeless.
“We were having a good time there, and probably would have stayed as we had a good fanbase, but it was time to get out and take the next step – to go from a small centre to something bigger.
“We took over a place in Bishopsgate, which was the first iteration of the full concept.
“Then the pandemic hit and stopped everything.
“But we’d been successful and got through Covid with the support of our members, opening a branch in Soho in 2022, then Dublin four months ago and now Canary Wharf.”
The venue is spread over two floors and boasts two bars – image by Pitch
growing Pitch
Manchester, Birmingham and Brighton are all expected to open too, with an international franchising model for branches in Australia, Germany and America.
“Indoor golf is exploding, because of the convenience factor and the technology is so much better, with the AI tools that are about to come,” said Chris.
“We’re in the right industry and there’s a lot of demand for it, especially as indoor golf isn’t that common here.
“We use a technology called Trackman, which is the best in the world.
“On the system you can play 350 courses and one of the beauties of it is you can finish a round in an hour.
“There are also different games you can play, such as training games, social games, where you can have some beers and bring your friends for a round.”
With its expansive hospitality offering, the latter is a key offering for Pitch, which is hoping to tempt companies in for corporate events and groups in for parties alongside the more serious golfers.
Pitch in Canary Wharf has 11 simulator bays – image by Pitch
competitive socialising at Pitch
“The technology makes golf more accessible, and that’s one of the chief things for us,” said Elliot.
“It can be quite a hard sport to get into but here you don’t need to bring clubs and you can wear whatever you want.
“I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been popular – anyone can just come down and play.
“One of the best things about this place is that you can walk in and see a group playing for fun with serious golfers in the next bay.
“Other people will just be listening to music and having some food or cocktails – it’s that mix we want in our venues.
“We do have bays with orange curtains for the more serious players, but there’s congregation in the middle – a social area where everyone comes together.
“The important thing for us is that Pitch doesn’t just offer golf.
“We’ve brought in Des McDonald of Insight hospitality to help create our menu which features Asian flavours – there are plenty of things to do if you don’t want to play golf.”
While anyone can book a bay at Pitch, the company also offers a range of membership options aimed at taking the best elements of traditional golf club membership and updating them in line with the venue’s cutting-edge tech.
The venue is ideal for large events and also has shuffleboards for guests to enjoy – image by Pitch
‘everyone’s a potential customer’
“The breadth of our offering here in Canary Wharf is ideal because everyone is a potential customer whether they’re into golf or not,” said Chris.
“We are super proud of what we’ve created here and it’s great to see it working.
“It’s taken a lot to get on the estate, there’s been a lot of planning but there are a lot of golfers in this area and for those who don’t play, we have a great bar and restaurant.
“It’s good to create a bit of dwell-time in the venue and it will be fantastic for corporate events.”
Elliot added: “Sometimes we forget to stop and assess how far we’ve come and remember that we’re actually very proud of what we’ve achieved.
“From those early days in the City a decade ago, it’s taken a long time for us to reach our final vision of what we want Pitch to be and our Canary Wharf venue is a really good representation of that.
“There isn’t an abundance of golf facilities in this part of London, but the area is changing and evolving with lots of major hospitality brands opening here now.
“It’s a blend of office workers, visitors and residents now and the estate has become much more of a destination.”
Pitch itself is one of a new breed of venues that have opened in Canary Wharf in recent years, joining the likes of Hawksmoor, Marceline, Dishoom and Mallow as visitors increasingly head to the eastern end of the estate.
With a new theatre coming, a host of openings down toward Harbord Square and established offerings such as The Cube, MMy Wood Wharf and Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, there’s no shortage of attractions.
Pitch also houses a Trendygolf store – the brand’s first bricks and mortar offering – image by Pitch
key details: Pitch
Pitch Wharf is located at 30 Churchill Place with entry via the dockside concourse.
It’s open daily although hours vary so check with the venue when planning a visit.
Payava is the story of courage in the face of adversity.
Valentyna Vierovkina and Olesia Lutsenko never expected to be in Royal Docks.
But when Russian tanks rolled across the border into Ukraine almost exactly three years ago, they made a decision.
“We were living in the northern part of the country, which borders Russia and Belarus,” said Olesia.
“On the third day of the most recent invasion, our city was surrounded – there were Russian tanks just 20km from our houses.
“We were bombed by Russian planes.
“It really wasn’t pleasant and we decided to leave – we both have daughters who are 10 years old and it was for their safety.
“That was our priority. Valentyna left first with friends and we stayed in touch. I followed a little later.”
Both women were bakers in Ukraine and had successful businesses which the war forced them to leave behind.
Examples of Payava’s signature printed biscuits – image Jon Massey
They’d long been friends and supporters of each other, while serving different sectors of the market.
So when Valentyna decided she wanted to do more with her time in the UK than just work as an employee in a bakery, further collaboration was a natural next step.
Payava means “existence” in Ukrainian – but spelt to honour its three owners, Pavlo and Yana Kovalenko and Valentyna.
With Olesia in the role of head baker – bringing with her a wealth of expertise in cakes and desserts – the team was complete.
“My first thought in all this was to bring my daughter to safety,” said Valentyna.
“Then, a year after coming to the UK, I decided to go back to the Ukraine to see what was left of the business I’d invested 11 years of my life creating.
“I’d still been paying to rent the industrial space for the bakery despite the fighting but the building had been bombed and there had been looting.
“Nevertheless, I managed to get inside and salvage some of the equipment, which I brought back to the UK to help start Payava.
“It was difficult to find premises, but we found a unit at Expressway.”
Payava is based at Unit 53 in Expressway – image Jon Massey
rebuilding with Payava
Having sunk savings into the startup, Pavlo and the team worked tirelessly to bring the space up to Valentyna’s exacting standards.
Today it’s a light and functional bakery, all stainless steel with wood and marble counter tops, ready and waiting to produce sweet treats for customers.
“The main focus of our business is printed biscuits,” said Olesia. “These are Valentyna’s speciality. We have the technology – special food grade printers that work with edible inks – to put any design, picture or text on these biscuits.
“Customers can order just one, a box or 100 online. In fact in Ukraine, Valentyna’s biggest order was for 140,000.
“Companies can put logos on them or people can use then as business cards, with QR codes that can be scanned.
“We already have sign-off that these have a shelf life of three months and we’re currently awaiting a decision from the lab on six months.
“They’re tasty, they look fantastic and they don’t need any kind of special storage so they’re easy to order and keep for when they’re needed.
“We can make these with a traditional sugar biscuit, but we’ve found our Ukrainian recipe is also very popular with English customers.
“This is a honey biscuit with a touch of spice – cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger – but it’s delicate. It’s soft and mild. We use honey and spices not only for taste, but also it ensures a long shelf life.
“Children love them and we did some samples for people when we launched it.
“We’ve had amazing feedback on the new recipe – the cookies themselves are soft, while the icing is quite crunchy, which is a special texture in the mouth.
“The spice is there, but it’s not a crazy, strong taste.”
The bakery produces a range of cakes and other sweet treats
building up the business
Despite the years of experience behind it, as a startup, Payava faces the tough trading conditions experienced by new businesses.
“In Ukraine, we’d been established for more than 10 years,” said Valentyna.
“Here we’ve been open for six months so it’s tough.
“We’ve been knocking on doors but it’s hard to get clients because we’re still a new business, although we have been very successful within the Ukranian community.
“We never planned any of this, but we’ve had to adapt and we’re ready.
“Before all this, I was looking at expanding into Europe and I would love the business to grow here, to take on more employees and to make that happen.”
It’s perhaps that resilient drive that shines through here. Valentyna and the team seem clear.
It’s not enough for Payava to simply exist – it needs to thrive too, which explains the bakery’s plans to further use its space for cookery classes, children’s parties and to introduce a small shop so customers can order its more perishable goods through the likes of Uber Eats.
While it’s not born of a situation of the owners’ choosing, Expressway could well end up being the starting point for sweet success.
And if that involves the likes of Olesia’s honey cake, richly layered with plums and cream, becoming a more common sight on British tables, then it’s only to be welcomed.
this article features translation from Natasha Hart of NASSA
key details: Payava
Payava sells a wide range of baked goods from its Royal Docks base at Expressway including bespoke printed biscuits, cakes, cookies, brownies and desserts online.
The bakery is open weekdays from 9am-6pm and from 11am-6pm.
Contact via WhatsApp to +44 7443 440 137 or email info@payava.co.uk for enquiries.
Care and honesty sit at the heart of Kelsey Bailey’s business – something that should come as little surprise given her career.
Born and raised in Poplar, she spent nearly a decade and a half as an NHS nurse much of it on the Royal London Hospital’s Acute Assessment Unit ward in Whitechapel.
“AAU is chaotic,” she said. “It’s where patients go while we figure out what we’re going to do with them – where they will be sent for further treatment.
“It’s a stressful environment and staff often don’t last long there, but I loved it. I was there for nine years.
“I had two kids during that time and it got to the point where I needed to start thinking about what I was going to do because of the long hours and the shift patterns.
“I moved into practice nursing in 2019 at Aberfeldy Village and went from being on my feet all day to sitting in an office.
“That felt more like organised chaos, but I had this feeling the whole time that I wanted to do something.”
KB Aesthetics London started as a side hustle in 2022, with Kelsey offering medical grade beauty treatments in rooms rented through other salons.
“It was all word-of-mouth, but I could feel the momentum,” she said.
“My husband, Ricky, could see I had some energy built up inside me that I needed to get out – I really wanted to try something.
“I knew it would be a risk and it took about six months to make the decision to leave nursing. What if it didn’t work?
“I wouldn’t have that security blanket any more. I felt conflicted, but I needed to take the risk – if I didn’t try, I’d never know.”
Kelsey’s clinic offers a full range of services from premises on South Quay – image KB Aesthetics London
taking KB Aesthetics London to the next level
Kelsey took the plunge and built her dream – a facility with multiple treatment rooms on South Quay, just over the dock from Canary Wharf.
With help from Ricky, it’s a space she’s filled with soft brushed gold, warm whites and neutral tones, drawing on her passion for design and, of course, aesthetics.
“I wanted a calm environment – coming to a clinic like this can be nerve-racking and I just wanted everything to be chilled,” said Kelsey, who lives on the Isle Of Dogs.
“I’m very relaxed in my approach and I wanted everyone to be comfortable so they are happy telling me the truth about themselves rather than telling me what they think I want to hear.
“I’ve always liked looking after people. For every single person who comes through the door, we do a free consultation, which includes a skin scan.
“It may be that their skin is actually really good and they just need some retinal rather than Botox. We always talk about a journey.
“It’s important not to pay too much attention to one thing.
“For example, a woman in her 30s might see a line and focus entirely on that.
“But if she treats her skin as a whole with a really solid regime, the individual line might well not bother her any more.
“It’s about setting the bar lower in terms of what and how much you want to do.
“The trick with having aesthetic treatments is a light touch, which is a skill in itself. If someone has had Botox, they shouldn’t look as though they have.
“People should just be saying that they look well.
“I want people to understand that it’s not scary when you age.
“You might look in the mirror and see things that start to bother you, but it’s all right. It’s not about just getting loads of fillers.
“You can’t stop ageing, but there are things we can to do to make you feel better about yourself and those don’t have to cost a fortune and they don’t need to be invasive.
“Sometimes, if someone has a good skincare regime, all they need is the reassurance to carry on doing what they’re doing and some advice.
“Wherever possible, the natural side is the way to go.
“Our approach is holistic. I’ve known a lot of my clients for a long time.
“We’re really trying to do something different in the industry.”
Kelsey and husband Ricky have worked together to decorate the space
forging a team
Joining Kelsey on that mission are Louise Mitchell, R-Marni Aguilar and Trudi Gibson who bring a wealth of experience to the clinic.
Having grown the business largely through word-of-mouth, the plan is now to make a bigger splash and build on that solid foundation.
“It’s really down to my clients that I’ve come this far,” said Kelsey. “They’re the ones who helped give me the confidence to take that risk.
“Since we’ve put up our signs, people now know we’re here and it feels great. I’ve trained the other three on the team and we’ve really grown together.
“Before this I’d never owned a business – I’m a nurse – and starting a company on your own as a woman can be difficult.
“I wanted to do it with people who get me and that’s made it enjoyable for all of us.
“That connection means we all put more in for each other.
“As a business, we’re a bit more relaxed and that’s good for the team and clients.
“People often say it’s like a spa when they come here, which it is, but it’s built on a strong medical foundation.
“The aesthetics industry is not regulated at the moment and I always make sure people know about our medical training and the standards we set.
“Our approach is about keeping people safe – we always start with the client.
“First of all, my advice is to not spend money on things that aren’t bothering you.
“It would be wrong for me to find stuff you should be bothered about – it should never be about what I think a person needs.
“Often, following a good skincare routine will yield the best results.
“There may then come a day when you need something sorted out and then we can look at treatments and options. Then it’s about your needs.
“It’s important to keep up with what’s happening in the industry.
Kelsey wanted to create a calm, welcoming environment for her clients
“We’re not a clinic that’s machine-led – in this business it’s definitely possible to get too much stuff.
“I currently have one skincare machine – the Sofwave – which I’ve been working with for a couple of years and is non-invasive.
“I regularly attend conferences to see what’s out there and listen to the evidence and the claims.
“But for me it’s equally important to talk to people in the industry to find out what they actually do in practice.
“My clients are real people with busy lives. They don’t want there to be down time after they come for an appointment.”
Kelsey said running her own business full-time had been an opportunity for personal growth, alongside professional expansion.
“It’s been life-changing,” she said. “I never thought I’d have my own business and it’s an emotional roller-coaster.
“You have to have stamina, but I love it.
“I remember going to Canary Wharf as a kid – it’s so different now – but I really feel a part of it now and I almost can’t believe that.
“With all my family here and having grown up in the area, I feel like I’m getting the best of both worlds.”
key details: KB Aesthetics London
KB Aesthetics is located at Parker House in Admirals Way on South Quay at the top of the Isle Of Dogs.
The clinic’s full range of services is available online.
“It was quite random that I came to London – I just stuck a pin in a map, although I did have friends here too,” said Wayne Zukauskas.
Originally from Lithuania, the east London resident had spent 11 years playing professional basketball before a back injury prompted a change in career.
“The doctors said I had to stop – I could have continued my journey as a basketball coach but I wasn’t really interested if I wasn’t playing,” said Wayne.
“So I took a break for a year and three things came into my mind. Either to be a chef, a hairdresser or a DJ – I decided to try training as a stylist.
“Everyone, my friends and family, were shocked. I liked to do my own hair, but there wasn’t any particular reason for choosing that path – I just felt I wanted to do it.
“I studied for around 12 months, which was intense – you pay more money on a course that length, but it’s way quicker than going to college.
“Then I worked a little bit before moving London – it was the right place because I wanted to learn the language – then everything started to happen career-wise.
“Within a month or two, I was working – first in Notting Hill for a small independent salon and then for a bigger brand in London Bridge. I learnt a lot.
“My English got a lot better and I spent around five years there.”
But Wayne began to think about the future and, bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, he started to do some research.
“I was getting very interested in the business side of things – reading books and talking to people to find out how it all worked,” he said.
“Then, once I started getting interested in that, I began looking for opportunities.
“There was the chance to manage three salons in Zurich, but, at the last minute, I decided not to go to Switzerland.
“Instead I teamed up with a business partner here and we ran salons in Royal Wharf and Limehouse for nine years.
“When my daughter was born, I decided it was time for a break because I wanted to be there for her and running a business can be stressful.
“As a family, we had a really nice year and a half, travelled a lot with the baby – even though she won’t remember all the places she’s been.
“But I’m someone who needs challenges so we came back to London. I began talking to Canary Wharf Group about 8 Harbord Square.
“I knew it was coming – I’ve always lived in east London – in Westferry, Limehouse, next to City Airport and now close to Excel – so I’m always around Canary Wharf.”
Wayne Hairdresser Salon is set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in March 2025 – image Jon Massey
a new chapter: Wayne Hairdresser Salon
This brings us to the start of a new chapter for Wayne, as owner of one of the independent businesses that’s set to launch in Wood Wharf in the coming weeks and months.
“My idea was to create a boutique salon for this lovely area,” said Wayne.
“It will blend in with the New York style of 8 Harbord Square, with a modern look.
“We will have a dark brown, red and white colour scheme complete with a coffee bar inspired by a traditional British telephone box.
“In the future we’ll look at putting in a kids play area to keep them entertained while parents get their hair styled.
“We’ll be offering cuts for young ones too, which not every salon likes to do, but we love it.
“We’re expecting regular haircuts to be popular, as well as colour treatments such as highlights, balayage and ombre.
“I already have a client base in the area and we think we’ll mostly be serving the residential population, although workers in Canary Wharf and visitors to the area will be very welcome too.
“This will be a place that offers a luxury atmosphere and an experience to match – somewhere people will really enjoy coming.”
In fact, the salon will offer a comprehensive range of treatments and services drawing on Wayne’s 15 years in the business.
Brands the salon will be working with include Oribe, Goldwell and K18.
Wayne said: “I’ve recruited a really experienced team to deliver these services with a boutique feel.
“It’s all about quality rather than quantity. If a customer comes through the door, it has to be a good service and then, if they live locally, they will keep coming back.
“I’ve learnt a lot from my years running a business.
“With this opening, I want to take things easy, start slowly and see what happens. I hope the business will grow steadily and the team will expand.
“Then, perhaps, I’ll open more salons but we’ll see.
“What I’ve learned from running businesses is that it’s challenging and it can be an unhealthy balance.
“Before, one of my salons was very large whereas this will be more boutique – somewhere that people will feel relaxed coming to and enjoying at a slower pace.
“The plan when I first came to London was only to stay for a few years – but I’m still here because the journey is going the way I wanted it to.
“I always had the idea to move somewhere hot with a beach, but you can always go on holidays.
“In the end, wherever I go with my wife, we always end up missing London. It’s where my daughter was born and she will grow up here.
“Opening a business in Canary Wharf feels great. The look of the buildings and the people that live around here are the right fit for what I’m trying to do.”
8 Harbord Square is set to welcome several independent businesses in the near future including florist and gift shop The Flower Club and nail salon Awe London.
Drawn from east London, Canary Wharf Group is supporting them as they launch on the ground floor of the residential tower.
key details: Wayne Hairdresser Salon
Wayne Hairdresser Salon is set to open its doors on March 15, 2025, at 8 Harbord Square.
“When I was a lot younger, I had an obsession with Canary Wharf,” said Kamden Monplaisir.
“Aged nine, my mum brought me to the estate, because she’d noticed I had a major interest in numbers, money and counting – maths was always my strongest subject in school.
“I was inspired by the suits and the culture – it felt like a different world when you stepped into it.
Soon she’s set to expand her operation to 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf as one of a cohort of independent business launching in its commercial units over the coming weeks and months.
“When I was starting out, I used to work at Aquascutum in Canary Wharf, but the company went into administration,” she said.
“That’s when I moved on to Burberry.
I have a degree in international finance and I was working for their corporate finance division.
“After pursuing that for about five years, I decided I wanted to start my own business – The Esther Academy – an organisation working with young women to support, inspire and nurture them in their future endeavours.
“That continued until the pandemic hit and business died down. I already had other things going on creativity-wise and I started Awe London in 2019.
“I’m also a mum and about to be again, which is a big pride and joy of mine and just as important as my entrepreneurial life.”
The business Kamden’s running now was born out of need – a desire to offer a better service than what she’d experienced.
“I’ve always been obsessed with getting my nails done,” she said.
“But I felt disappointed by the salons I was going to compared with my expectations.
“I’d visited businesses in the West End – the prices were three times as much, but it was a different atmosphere and I wondered why that couldn’t be available in other places.
“When you go to a spa, you want to experience that ‘wow’ moment, but many nails salons in the UK were just about getting in and getting out – I wanted to change that.
“Our first branch was in South Woodford and we were there for about four years.
“It was a beautiful community to work in as a residential area.
“Then my ambitious side set me wondering how I was going to grow this business more, which had been quite difficult in such a small area.
“We were popular on social media and I noticed that a lot of my clients were coming from London for our services, so I packed up and moved to Shoreditch.
“It was a tough decision because I knew we’d lose some clients but it was a great move and many of our customers travel in to see us there.
“The new location gave us more exposure and we were able to cater for tourists, commuters and residents.
“There was a much bigger footfall and more of a lively vibe and we’ve achieved what we wanted to, which is amazing.”
As thoughts of further expansion emerged, the stars aligned to bring Kamden’s twin obsessions – Canary Wharf and creative nails – together.
It made the decision to say yes to Canary Wharf Group’s team an easy one.
“I was contacted by them while they were looking out for small east London businesses that might be interested in a second location,” she said.
“It came at the perfect time.
“I’d built the team and the infrastructure and I had just started thinking about growth and that suggestion really tapped into my love for the Wharf.
“When I was considering areas, Canary Wharf had always seemed like a dream – when I walked through the malls, I always thought it would be great to be here.
“Then, this new opportunity at 8 Harbord Square made that a bit more attainable so I pursued the opportunity and around seven months later we had the keys.”
8 Harbord Square is set to be home to a collection of independent businesses including Awe London – image by Jon Massey
the difference at Awe London
For Kamden and her team, success is all built on the customers experience – the key reason her clients keep coming back to indulge in Awe London’s extensive range of services.
“It’s about the care you get from our people,” said Kamden.
“If you come to us we’ll always aim to brighten up your day.
“At Canary Wharf, clients will come to Awe London, feel relaxed and enjoy lovely beverages – getting your nails done should never feel like a chore.
“Some customers get a treatment because they need to look their best for an event or to maintain their appearance, but here we also want them to enjoy the process.
“It is a luxury and we want people to feel they are having a good time while they are with us.
“One of the things I’ve fallen in love with about Canary Wharf as it has changed is the community aspect to the estate.
“There are opportunities to network and to meet loads of people. We’re offering a service, of course, but we also want to build our client base.
“In our businesses, we have the opportunity to build a rapport with our customers and learn about their lives.
“In some cases we see them going from their first job, the next step in their career, marriage, a new house and beyond.
“That’s really lovely.
“I’m so excited for the future and what can come from this opening.
“The exposure we got from Shoreditch was good, but this will be a new level of opportunity for us.
“This kind of project to support small businesses is unusual.
“It’s tough for small companies to break through but being in an area alongside big brands and having the chance is great and I’m so grateful for it.
“We’re really looking forward to opening.”
While Awe London’s Canary Wharf branch will be an extension of Kamden’s brand, she said the new nail salon had been designed to have its own personality to reflect the area it would be operating in.
“I like each salon to look like and represent a bit of the place it’s in, so none of them are exactly the same,” she said.
“You’ll know it’s an Awe London salon, but I wanted the contemporary feel of Harbord Square to be present when people walk in.
“I saw the brickwork, the appearance of the apartments upstairs and thought: ‘this is me – modern, contemporary, with an industrial feel, but also with a bit of plush velvet, beautiful smells, flowers and the feminine touch.”
As for further expansion, Kamden has big plans and a model she feels is ready to grow.
“There can be a bit of apprehension when you expand – we’ll have double the number of staff with this opening, but I’m not afraid,” she said.
“We’ve built really strong infrastructure in the business and I’m excited to work with new people.
“Running businesses isn’t how I thought it would be at all.
“I hoped I’d become rich, go on holiday every other month – all glitz and glamour.
“I didn’t understand the magnitude of it or the hard work you need to do.
“But I’ve got a great support system in place, a great family and I’m a woman of faith.
“That all helps manage the stress.
“I take time out for myself – you have to believe in balance if you don’t want it to completely take over your life.
“If I could go back with some advice I’d tell myself to relax – to remember that I was built to do this and that I can get over any hurdle that comes my way and to have faith that the plans I’ve made will work out.
“In the future, I’d love to expand Awe London globally and partner up with people all over the world. You have to have passion to grow a boutique nail salon.
Housing association Poplar HARCA is currently marketing a selection of 96 shared ownership properties on the west bank of the River Lea in east London.
The apartments form part of the wider Poplar Riverside development, which is currently under construction by Berkeley Homes and will eventually see 2,800 residences built on the site of a former gasworks.
Plans for the 20-acre site include a new one-hectare park with green spaces, play areas and extensive landscaping, commercial space for businesses and amenities, a freshly cleared riverside walk and a secondary school.
Poplar HARCA’s collection of one and two-bedroom apartments are spread across three buildings at the development.
Prospective buyers can expect open-plan living areas, fully fitted kitchens with Bosch appliances, rainfall showers in the bathrooms, underfloor heating, fitted window coverings and private outdoor spaces.
The apartments feature open-plan design – image by Simon Taylor / simontaylorphoto.com
facilities at Poplar Riverside
But Poplar Riverside offers buyers more besides what’s in their own property.
Residents will enjoy access to The Riverside Club, with planned facilities including a 20m swimming pool, jacuzzi and spa, a lounge area, co-working spaces, a games room and a private cinema.
“There are many reasons why buyers should consider looking to secure an apartment at east London’s Poplar Riverside,” said Helen Mason, head of sales and marketing at Poplar HARCA.
“The developer, Berkeley Homes Group, is an award-winning company with 40 years of experience and a proven history of delivering exceptional places for people to live, work and enjoy, with sustainability in mind.
“Poplar HARCA is an award-winning Housing Association in east London, helping to create a place where people, communities and business grow and thrive.
“Our sales team takes pride in making shared ownership simple and straight forward with our staff on hand throughout your journey to make it stress-free.
“Being a shared owner is one of the most flexible ways on the market to make your home your own.”
Location is of key importance to buyers and Poplar Riverside’s situation places it at the heart of widespread local regeneration.
It’s well located for East India DLR station as well as the Jubilee Line, DLR and bus services at Canning Town.
Canary Wharf is less than 30 minutes’ walk or a 10-minute bike ride.
Just across the Lea, ecological regeneration project Cody Dock is working to understand and boost local wildlife.
There are plans for three bridges in the area to increase connection across the water and shorten travel times to public transport stops.
Prices for shared ownership properties start at £105,000 for a 25% share of a one-bed based on a full market value of £420,000.
Two-beds start at £117,500 based on a full value of £470,000.
Assuming buyers purchase with a 95% mortgage that could mean 5% deposits on those properties of £5,250 and £5,875 respectively.
Poplar HARCA is offering one and two-bedroom properties at Poplar Riverside – image by Simon Taylor / simontaylorphoto.com
key details: Poplar Riverside
Poplar HARCA has two show flats for prospective buyers to view in two blocks at Poplar Riverside. For more information or to register your interest, email
sales.enquiries@poplarharca.co.uk or call 020 7538 6460.
Royal Albert Wharf, sat proudly on the Thames at the eastern end of the Royal Docks, offers prospective buyers a multitude of options.
Part of a 15-year regeneration project that has seen 1,500 residential properties built in the area, NHG Homes’ scheme is an established community, connected to the capital thanks to its proximity to Gallions Reach DLR.
For the housing association, which is marketing apartments for both private sale and shared ownership at the development, it’s all about flexibility.
“Royal Albert Wharf has come into its own in the past few years as a flourishing hub in the Royal Docks, which celebrates community, culture and the rich history of the area,” said Diana Alam, director of sales and marketing at NHG Homes.
“With homes available for sale and via shared ownership, buyers can explore this unique opportunity to own a home of their own in a way that suits their budget.
“We encourage those interested in buying to take advantage of our Stamp Duty incentive before April 1, 2025, and start their home ownership journey at this fantastic development today.”
take advantage of an offer
NHG Homes is currently offering to contribute up to £25,000 towards stamp duty costs on selected homes for private sale.
Buyers must reserve properties before the end of March, 2025, to qualify for the incentive.
This option is suitable for buyers with larger deposits – £17,325 and up – who wish to avoid the rise in stamp duty that’s due to come in on April 1, 2025.
The development is located on the eastern edge of Royal Docks – image by Tidyworks
choosing to share
Buyers can also choose to purchase shared ownership properties at Royal Albert Wharf.
The minimum deposit required for an entry level property at the development would be £4,157 assuming they can secure a 95% mortgage on a 25% share in the apartment.
Buyers can then increase their stake in the property over time through staircasing until they own their home outright.
No stamp duty is payable under the scheme until their share reaches 80%, further increasing the affordability of this route.
what’s on offer?
With the recent cut in interest rates, either route to home ownership will become less expensive as lenders reduce rates on their own deals.
Apartments at Royal Albert Wharf feature open-plan design and private balconies or terraces.
The wider development boasts a concierge service, a residents’ workspace and a lounge with an on-site car club and cycle storage also available.
Parking is also offered and comes as standard with three-bedroom homes.
Local amenities include a nursery, the Well Bean Co Cafe beside dock edge, a children’s play area, a convenience store and Cafe Spice Namaste – a restaurant by noted chef Cyrus Todiwala.
The DLR provides direct connections to the Elizabeth Line at Custom House and Canary Wharf.
key details: Royal Albert Wharf
Shared ownership apartments at Royal Albert Wharf start at £83,125 for a 25% of a one-bed, based on a full market value of £332,500.
Homes for private sale start at £346,500 for a one-bed and £527,500 for a two-bed. Stamp duty incentives are available on selected homes.
