“A long, long time ago, I used to work as a senior coordinator for a nursery school, so this brought back memories,” said Cllr Maium Talukdar.
Tower Hamlets Council’s deputy mayor and cabinet member for education, youth and lifelong learning, recently attended morning Story Time at a temporary pop-up children’s library at Idea Store Canary Wharf.
His visit, aside from lending a pretty decent impression of a bear to proceedings, was aimed at drawing attention to works currently underway to improve the facility.
Canary Wharf Group is spending £1.2million on its refurbishment with a further £250,000 contributed towards the project from the council.
“We’re grateful to Canary Wharf Group – it’s not just us doing this, it’s a partnership – and I’m hoping this will be a very popular facility,” said Cllr Talukdar.
“Lots of families and children will use it and it will make a huge difference to the area.
“I think what’s here is changing – 10 or 15 years ago, Canary Wharf was very different, but I think different communities are coming in now and getting involved.
“They are using the shopping centres and this Idea Store. Lots of people are benefiting from that.
“When this refurbishment is complete, I think this facility will be one of the best in Tower Hamlets – it will have everything.
“This place is for everybody – all ages – and we hope as many people as possible will come and use it.”
A Story Time session at Idea Store Canary Wharf’s temporary pop-up – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
making the changes at Idea Store Canary Wharf
The refurbishment is being undertaken by contractor Built.
The firm’s commercial lead, Thomas Howe, said: “It’s a full mechanical and electrical upgrade.
“There will be new flooring, new wall configurations, a fresh set of ceilings and it will be a much more user-friendly space.
“We’re increasing the floorspace and installing new joinery that’s more space efficient.
“We’re still awaiting the final layout, but increasing the ceiling height is a big thing for us.
“We’ll have fresh sets of data cabling, with new technology and computers for people to use.
“It’s really important to maximise the space for the kids here so they are able to enjoy stories and bang drums in a nice new environment.”
The fit-out will include new heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting, with completion expected before the end of the year.
A spokesperson for Canary Wharf Group said: “Our involvement in the refurbishment of Idea Store Canary Wharf represents our ongoing dedication to creating an inclusive neighbourhood where learning opportunities are made accessible for all.
“We’re proud to support a facility that combines traditional library services with lifelong learning opportunities in the heart of the Wharf.”
Story Time sessions are already popular on the Wharf, attracting some 10,158 visitors over the past year.
In August alone, 188 people attended Story Time Up On The Roof at Crossrail Place Roof Garden.
Idea Stores are for Tower Hamlets residents of all ages offering a wide range of services including adult learning courses, activities and events.
Cllr Maium Talukdar, Tower Hamlets Council’s deputy mayor and cabinet member for education, youth and lifelong learning – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
key details: Idea Store Canary Wharf
Idea Store Canary Wharf is currently closed for refurbishment with a limited pop-up library operating next door to the site.
Services currently being offered include Story Time for under 5s, which runs from 10.30am-11am, Monday-Saturday. Sessions are free to attend.
The refurbishments works are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Its venues across Europe all have different names and aesthetics and, while there’s variance in the menus, there’s also overlap.
It’s smart. Rather than rely on a brand like The Ivy, Strada or Prezzo – good examples, perhaps, of where chains have created the perception of quality watered down as they’ve rolled out – the mission here is to bedazzle with baubles.
Big Mamma, presumably, sits in her parlour; a shadowy figure below stairs counting the pennies.
Walk into the Canary Wharf restaurant, festooned with plants and pots outside and you’ll be greeted by a visual onslaught.
There are glossy pottery dogs, a swirly carpet that may have been deliberately mis-fitted to confuse the eye, warmly glowing chandeliers and upstairs, where we’re shown to a table, a mirrored ceiling and vintage shots of models flashing their buttocks for Italian fashion brand Fiorucci.
There’s a lot of PVC on show, complete with outfits framed to accentuate the high-legged thong-backs of the garments.
Oddly, the mildly risqué is offset by an interior filled with soft furnishings that wouldn’t look out of place in a fine dining room.
There’s linen on some tables and thick heavy curtains to deaden the acoustic, softening every sound.
Further offsetting comes with the decision to have chefs in the open kitchen wear red baseball caps – a jarring dash of MAGA against the more refined performance from the front of house staff.
Crocchette Di Vitello Tonnato, little deep-fried balls of pulled veal with capers (£15) – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
the start of the show
We haven’t booked and the gatekeeper on the door puts in a decent dramatic performance of straining to fit us in – “but just so you know, we need the table back in 90 minutes”.
Nothing says relaxed Italian dining like a ticking clock.
We’re led upstairs to the luxe hall of mirrors, which is completely empty.
It’s no real surprise. It’s 5pm and the place does fill up as time ticks on.
Initially, things start well. The service is pleasant and relaxed, although the demi-armchairs we sit in are challenging to shuffle closer or further away from the table without awkwardly grabbing them from below and bracing with all one’s might.
Our starters arrive – Crocchette Di Vitello Tonnato, little deep-fried balls of pulled veal with capers (£15) and Smoky Stracciatella, the creamy heart of burrata served in a bowl with a leaf of basil and herby oil (£9).
Smoky Stracciatella (£9) – image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey
Both are surprisingly generous but decent on the tongue.
The five bites of veal feel substantial and the fact one has fallen over and lost its caper, does nothing to lessen the rich, meaty flavour.
The cheese is equally decadent, a lake of gooey loveliness with a dominant hit of smoke in the mouth. A good start.
Raviolone Bicolore (£21) at Barbarella – image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey
a pizza as dry as a desert
However, things go downhill with the mains. Initially, my Raviolone Bicolore – green and yellow pasta filled with ricotta and spinach in a provola sauce and topped with sage and hazelnuts (£21) – is solid enough.
There’s a creaminess to it with a hint of lemon and plenty of crunch from the fried herbs and nuts.
But as things roll on, the dish sags – the fillings, a tad watery, become less interesting.
This challenge is nothing, however, compared to the task my companion is faced with.
Her Carpaccio Diem “pizza” (£22) comes as a toasted, crispy base topped with a load of beef carpaccio, fresh black truffle, rocket and shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano.
Despite a few dollops of truffle aioli, the slice she shared with me was arid – essentially an undressed salad on a dry flatbread – the only moisture on offer coming from the thinly sliced meat.
My companion, whose family hail from Naples, was frankly appalled.
Despite the obvious quality of the ingredients Thursday’s child on Barbarella’s Weekly Pizza menu was indeed full of woe, even if the box we were given to take it home in did have Pavarotti on it with a claim to be specialists in twerking.
Not the kind to waste decent carpaccio, we scraped off the topping and turned it into a salad the following day, complete with dressing.
The Carpaccio Diem “pizza” (£22) – image by Wharf Life / Jon Massey
Barbarella, all-in-all
Which brings me to the final verdict.
Barbarella is unquestionably fun and for £62.88 per head including wine and tip, it sits its guests in the kind of luxury they might expect when paying twice that.
It feels special and was definitely drawing the date night crowd when we visited.
It has good views over the verdant Eden Dock and there’s enough silliness to charm, even if it does feel a little forced.
But buyer beware. While there’s decent cooking on offer here pick your dishes carefully.
The one thing an Italian chain can’t get away with is poor food and there’s room for improvement if that pizza is any indication of overall quality.
★★★✩✩
key details: Barbarella
Barbarella is located on Mackenzie Walk overlooking Eden Dock in Canary Wharf on the lower ground floor of the YY London building (easily identifiable by the Revolut sign at the top of it).
Opening at the junction of West Lane and Brannan Street, the corner bar aims to become a new space for the community.
“It will have London craft beers on tap, a really good cocktail menu, organic wines and our signature smash burgers – a menu we launched at the original site about nine months ago,” said founder Daniel Bull.
“But we’ll also be doing salads because it’s important to offer healthy options.
“We don’t want to be seen as just a craft beer joint that serves dirty burgers.
“We’ll also be offering fantastic sharing platters – it will be a casual place where you can go for a drink and a bite to eat with a group of friends.
“There will also be regular live music and we’ve always been big on events – bringing the community into what we’re doing is very important and we’d love to bring things like our craft beer festival to the neighbourhood.
“We’ve really taken what we have done at London City Island up to the next level for the new site.
“It will have a premium feel to it – very warm, with high-end finishes and bespoke seating.
“But it should still feel welcoming to the community.”
Founder of The Lockdown Room, Daniel Bull – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
a place for the community
Daniel said he hoped the brand would strike a chord with residents, workers on the neighbourhood and visitors to the area alike.
“We’re hoping to offer something different to the hustle and bustle,” he said.
“I think people will travel to you if you have a good product and then, once they’ve been down, hopefully they’ll be impressed and come back as regulars.
“What we want to create is the kind of bar where the bartender knows your drink and it’s possible to find a quiet corner or chat with familiar faces.
“We’ll also be opposite the student housing, which has now been approved so that should add a different dynamic to things too.
“The idea is that The Lockdown Room should be somewhere you just want to go at the weekend or in the evenings – that’s the goal.”
While the weather is likely to be cooler when the venue opens, Daniel also plans to have outdoor tables over the warmer months, further adding to the Wood Wharf street scene.
key details: The Lockdown Room in Canary Wharf
The Lockdown Room is expected to open in November at the corner of Brannan Street and West Lane in Wood Wharf.
“It was while I was doing my MBA I had the idea,” said Daniel Bull, founder of Supershakes.
“I’d come in every morning with a Nutribullet, sit in lectures and eat it with a spoon because sometimes the mixture I’d made was so thick.
“People would laugh, but I’d sit there, gradually making my way through it and the energy and focus I’d have all day was amazing.
“On the days I didn’t do it, I’d feel the difference.
“That shake had a similar effect for me as going to the gym – you could have it for breakfast or lunch.
“It was like a meal – if you laid all the ingredients out on a plate you might not get through them, especially if you were busy.
“But having them blended was so convenient.
“That’s when I realised the goal of my business should be to make something quick and easy that people could have on the move and that would be very healthy.”
The result of that spark is Daniel’s latest business – Supershakes, set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf this autumn.
While the business’ clear focus will be on nutritious shakes and grab-and-go options, there will also be space for guests to sit and enjoy coffee and snacks from a carefully curated menu.
Supershakes founder Daniel Bull – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
passionate about Supershakes
Daniel said: “Everything has been thought through.
“This brand is something I’m really passionate about and I think there’s a gap in the market.
“At the core of what we do will be the shakes with all the healthy fats, proteins and whole foods you need.
“These will be made to order and customers can customise them with add-ons such as collagen, creatine – everything’s available.
“At the moment, I feel the UK is behind what’s happening in other countries.
“I try to go to California every year and visit all the juice bars there and see what’s happening.
“Over there, getting a juice or a shake is now like picking up a coffee.
“Supershakes is something I’ve been working on for five years now – it’s not something I’ve come up with overnight.
“People in London are cash-rich but time-poor.
“They don’t necessarily have the time to prepare shakes for themselves.
“What we’re offering is something quick and healthy as an option when you’re rushing into work or trying to get the kids off to school.
“When you look at what you’re getting in a shake it’s affordable too.
“It’s less than a cocktail in a bar – we’ve kept our prices very competitive.”
The brand will offer a wide range of healthy options at its Wood Wharf branch – image by Supershakes
one of four to launch
Daniel has four Supershakes locations set to open in the coming months, including the Canary Wharf branch with others located in Royal Docks, in the English National Ballet’s headquarters at London City Island and one on the Isle Of Dogs.
The latter will be next to The Eleventh Hour, a café he launched in 2023 on the ground floor of residential development Wardian.
“My go-to shake is called Power, which is great for the morning because it has everything you need,” said Daniel.
“But there’s lots of flexibility – you can even have coffee in them.
“We have one on the menu that includes espresso so people can double up if they’re in a rush.
“We’ve even got one that we’ve designed especially for the English National Ballet, working with their dietician to help fuel the dancers and that’s really cool.
“The shakes will be made fresh, while the juices will be ready to grab in the fridge.
“One of our selling points is that customers can be in and out in five minutes.
“We want there to be no long queues so people can make us part of their way-to-work routine.
“One of the other things we’ll be stocking is our signature acai bowls.
“They feature home-made granola, created by the pastry chef who also makes our cookies, and we’ve made sure these are packed with the best ingredients.
“That’s more important to us than making big profit margins.
“That’s what I believe in and I’m going to be eating in there every day myself.
“We’ll be open until 8pm every night, so customers can come for breakfast, lunch and perhaps after an evening gym session.
“I’ve lived in Canary Wharf for four and a half years, so I’ve seen Wood Wharf grow and develop.
“I’ve had my eye on it for a while because, knowing what’s going to be here, I believe this will be a new hub for the area.
“There’s a lot for people to discover.”
Daniel hopes grabbing a shake will become like grabbing a coffee – image by Supershakes
an emerging area
Supershakes will join a growing collection of independent businesses opening as part of a collaboration between Canary Wharf Group and Tower Hamlets Council to offer affordable commercial space to locally rooted ventures.
Recent openings have included Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa, florist The Flower Club, Wayne Hairdresser Salon, nail specialist Awe London, Reformer Pilates studio The Island and Italian bakery Signorelli.
Opening soon will be Japanese bakery Café Seek, Malaysian restaurant Ong Lai Kopitaim and Istanbul-inspired eatery Nora.
key details: Supershakes
Supershakes is set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in October.
Three and a half decades ago, no major international businesses called Canary Wharf home.
Since then, the towers built as part of the area’s regeneration from derelict, unused docklands have attracted and housed a vast range of companies and organisations.
Predicting the demise of an area is a fertile activity for the generation of column inches.
However, it’s perplexing – at best – that the confident prophets of decline failed to spot the solid foundations the Wharf’s success over the last 25 years has been built on and the growth and strengthening of that infrastructure that has taken place more recently.
In reality there has been no pause in the Canary Wharf project.
Wood Wharf continues to attract new residents and businesses and North Quay with its vertical wet labs is also in the pipeline.
The latter is particularly significant for the ongoing diversification of the estate’s tenants.
While some firms have decided to move, this might sensibly be seen as natural churn in an area that other companies are increasingly eyeing as an attractive option.
Barclays, Fitch and Morgan Stanley have all recently recommitted to the estate.
BBVA and Smartest Energy have both expanded their presence, while the likes the Bank Of London And The Middle East and McLaren Construction Group have arrived.
It’s also a time of renewal, with refurbished and reimagined spaces frequently preferred to relocation away from the Wharf.
Citibank is currently refreshing its headquarters in Canada Square, while Revolut – once a handful of employees at the estate’s tech community, Level39 – has claimed the upper levels of YY London, a freshly renovated building right outside the Jubilee line’s main entrance.
With JP Morgan outgrowing its 25 Bank Street building and taking space in Credit Suisse’s former block, recent reports suggest the banking giant is looking seriously at restarting a project to build new towers on the western edge of Canary Wharf overlooking the Thames at Westferry.
Then there are other incomers including challenger bank Zopa, Hershey’s, Hexaware, hVIVO and AviadoBio.
Did I mention Visa is also reportedly seeking space at One Canada Square?
All-in-all it’s proving to be something of a vintage year for leasing on the estate – especially given HSBC’s decision to rent some 210,000sq ft of space in Canary Wharf at 40 Bank Street making its relocation to the City in 2027 only partial.
Director, offices at Canary Wharf Group, Tarun Mathur – image by CWG
HSBC retains a Canary Wharf presence
“It’s a real endorsement of what we’ve done over the last few years,” said Tarun Mathur, director, offices at Canary Wharf Group.
“That’s not just in terms of the quality of our buildings, but also the environment and the value that HSBC clearly sees in what’s being delivered here for their employees going forward.
“It’s been a fantastic year, with over 450,000sq ft of transactions – this is the strongest 12 months we’ve had for a decade – and a lot of that has been driven by existing customers expanding as well as new entrants.
“Digital bank BBVA, for example, did a major review of where they wanted to be, which focussed on Canary Wharf vs the City for their expansion.
“For them, it was about value and amenity provision – their staff are really happy here and we’ve had an ongoing partnership with them.
“As a long-term owner of our assets, the ability to enable companies to scale here is hugely significant.”
Canary Wharf Group has seen vacancies fall to 6% across its portfolio, which includes 40 Bank Street – image by CWG
right product, right time
For Tarun, the recent leasing successes are a combination of providing the right product and doing it in the right place.
He said: “Firstly the building has to work – value and workplace environment are key. In the case of Zopa, which is moving to Wood Wharf’s 20 Water Street, the bank found it really appealing.
“Businesses are now thinking about their workplace, not just within the four walls, but also the micro environment and how their employees can benefit from the ecosystem of Canary Wharf.
“The blue and green spaces we have here are as good as anywhere in London and then there’s the access to local amenities. As a package, occupiers are seeing that as immensely valuable.
“The Elizabeth Line is also a game-changer.
“It creates additional capacity alongside the Jubilee line and the DLR, as well as resilience.
“There’s been a bit of a time-lag, but the real estate office market is now benefiting from it as those advantages filter up to the level where occupiers make decisions and those claims are backed up by our footfall numbers.
“In 2024, 72million people came to Canary Wharf – that’s a stratospheric increase on 2019 and it’s a figure that’s forecast to be exceeded in 2025.”
a wider appeal
Tarun said there were a number of factors that were making Canary Wharf attractive to companies at present, not least the wider regeneration of east London.
“For some businesses it’s about the fact that the capital is moving east, so there’s a large, younger pool of talent that they’re looking to target within the radius of the estate,” he said.
“It also goes back to what we’re delivering – a high quality product with the best workplace experience that meets the needs of our clients.
“There is constraint in the office market at the moment and that means organisations are having to be more open-minded about location.
“Some years ago, there was more of an insistence in some sectors that they stay as close to their existing buildings as possible.
“We’ve seen a slight shift in that this year because of supply and demand of Grade A products.
“It’s exciting for the future because our existing stock is filling up.
“Our current vacancy rate is around 6%.
“We were around 10% about 12 months ago, so it’s come down quite significantly.
“Right now, it’s all about the buildings we’re getting back and how we can reposition those products for the next-generation occupier, so that’s where our focus is and it’s really exciting.
“Then we’re looking at what we can do to integrate these towers better into the public realm than they were when they were designed 30 years ago.
“Back then occupiers wanted large, secure reception areas on the ground floor. Now they want them to be amenity rich with lots of vibrancy.
“Until you get the buildings back, there’s only so much you can do but our teams have done an amazing job activating the estate with arrivals such as the Troubadour Theatre coming later this year.
“I think in 10 years time we will see more permeability across the estate with links from building to building and a lot more engagement for workers, residents and visitors.
“The ongoing process of diversification will continue but we’ll stay true to ourselves – tapping into new markets.
“We’ll see growth in the technology sector here alongside life sciences and financial services.
“Canary Wharf is a place for everyone and we’re demonstrating that. It’s a long time since it was just a financial or business district.”
key details: commercial space available in Canary Wharf
Workspace at Canary Wharf is currently available at Level39, One Canada Square, 40 Bank Street, One Bank Street and The Columbus Building.
Pinky Chan and Emily Leung are pouring their passion for food into a dream project that will serve up cakes, savouries and beverages to Wharfers as Harbord Square in Canary Wharf buzzes with life
Café Seek founders Emily Leung, left, and Pinky Chan at their Harbord Square bakery – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The customers sipping slickly brewed matcha at Café Seek – following its forthcoming opening – might never know the powdered green tea leaves used to brew their drinks have been painstakingly selected following a field trip to Japan.
But this fact serves as a measure of the effort and attention to detail that founders Pinky Chan and Emily Leung are putting into every aspect of realising their dream project.
Set to open in the coming weeks on the south-eastern corner of Wood Wharf’s 8 Harbord Square, the Japanese bakery promises to be a tranquil haven for local workers, residents and visitors alike.
For Emily and Pinky, the café is the culmination of a passionate journey that’s been years in the making.
“I’m from Hong Kong originally and, while over there, I’d set up a platform for selling organically grown produce online,” said Emily.
“We worked with farmers on small farms to build a bridge between them and consumers.
“I came to London because my husband was moving here, so I closed down the company and moved here in 2021.
“I was quite lost for a while after that and I didn’t know what to do, but it was always my dream to open a cafe or a bakery and then I met Pinky.”
Citrus Earl Grey Chocolate Cake – image by Café Seek
the start of the Café Seek dream
The pair connected at a market at Kingston three years ago where Emily was mostly selling sweet bakes and Pinky was showcasing her Japanese-inspired breads.
“I’m also from Hong Kong, but I came over in 2018 for my masters degree,” said Wood Wharf resident Pinky.
“Then I worked in financial services in London.
“I decided I also really wanted to pursue my passion for baking, so I began to make some Japanese breads after work.
“When I met Emily, we decided we should open a bakery together, so I left the world of finance. It’s a high-pressure environment, although the income is good.
“When I was working in the industry, I kept asking myself why I wanted the money – what was it for?”
The pair quickly began working towards their dream, initially establishing a bakery from their home kitchens and selling goods online.
Pinky said: “We both love Japanese culture – Hong Kong isn’t far from Japan and the chef who first taught me to bake is Japanese.
“At first we did more traditional pastries but that was less popular here.”
Next came the French influence, with Emily and Pinky decamping to Paris for a course in traditional Gallic patisserie.
“I love French techniques – how they combine flavours and textures,” said Pinky.
“The course was very intensive – it was back to school, but the main lesson was to practise.
“We learnt all sorts of techniques, but we found the Japanese flavours are better.”
It’s this fusion that forms the blueprint for Café Seek – fine French patisserie with fillings such as purple sweet potato paste and daifuku.
Offerings include Citrus Early Grey Chocolate Cake, Mango Mochi Coconut Cake, Matcha Opera Cake alongside savoury options such as Japanese Chilli Mayo Sausage Roll and Cheesy Corn Beef Bagel.
Café Seek’s Matcha Opera Cake, with layers of matcha joconde sponge, ganache, buttercream, red bean paste and matcha chocolate – image by Café Seek
building on success in Canary Wharf
“We’re called Café Seek because we want everyone to seek their life – to find themselves,” said Emily, who also lives in east London.
“This is really the main message that we want to share with everyone.
“We’re opening in Canary Wharf because it’s the best option for us – it’s where many of our online customers are from or where they know to travel to.
“People would order from us and come here to pick up their cakes – we had some arrive from places that are quite far away such as Brighton.
“We’re so grateful when customers come all that way for products.”
Pinky added: “Canary Wharf was best for us.
“Half of the space will be our kitchen and bakery and the other half will be for the café.
“We’ll have eight seats for customers and some outside too, with our products all laid out.
“We’ll be serving authentic Japanese teas including the matcha.
“We went to Japan and found small companies to bring their products over and give to our customers to try.
“When you actually go to the places where these teas are grown, you learn more and you can also bring back that knowledge for your customers.
“We did some research before deciding to open in this area and we know there’s a large Asian community here – we’re going to be a part of that.”
In addition to serving customers online and in person, the café will also be offering catering services for parties and businesses locally.
Café Seek’s opening is part of Canary Wharf Group and Tower Hamlets Council’s project to provide affordable spaces for local companies.
Recent openings at Wood Wharf include Reformer Pilates fitness operation The Island Studio, florist The Flower Club, pet groomer Pawsome, nail art salon Awe London, Italian bakery Signorelli and Wayne Hairdresser Salon.
Forthcoming openings include Malaysian restaurant Ong Lai Kopitiam in the very near future as well as Turkish restaurant Nora in the autumn.
Creamed Sweetcorn Soft Bun – image by Café Seek
key details: Café Seek
Café Seek is set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in the coming weeks.
The Japanese bakery will sell a wide range of breads and cakes, baked fresh on the premises.
The ultimate judge of vibe in Leee John’s home is not, apparently, Leee John.
The actor, singer, songwriter and wearer of stylish hats pops up from his chair just before our interview begins in earnest to sort out Skippy, his cat.
“He jumps all over the place and he’s very inquisitive, especially with people,” said Leee.
“He’s a great judge of vibe. Animals are like that, I’ve always had them, since I was a kid.”
Born in Hackney, the performer began his own career as a child after moving to the US with his father and signing to Worldwide Records aged 11 after a successful audition.
He went on to lend his voice to the likes of The Delfonics, the Chairmen Of The Board and The Velvettes, eventually moving back to the UK as a teenager.
It was there he formed soul band Imagination – named for John Lennon’s song Imagine – with Ashley Ingram and Errol Kennedy.
Together they scored hits in 28 countries, earning four platinum discs, nine gold discs and dozens of silver discs between 1981 and 1983.
“I’d done a lot before Imagination – I’d been an actor, performed in different shows and worked as a waiter – I was learning my craft,” said Leee.
“There was a lot of preparation before I became successful and, when it was time to go on tour, I was ready.
“I knew lighting, sound, costumes – we had the look and we fitted in.”
Leee first rose to fame as the lead singer of Imagination in the early 1980s – image supplied by Leee John
Leee John and Imagination
The band put in the hard yards, visiting France, Belgium, Italy, Canada and the USA to promote and spread their music – an effort that’s stood Leee in good stead as his multifaceted career has progressed.
He saw a resurgence in popularity in the UK following his time on TV show Reborn In The USA with the likes of Tony Hadley, Dollar, Sonia and Gina G.
But in reality, Leee has continued to play shows internationally and in Britain as well as act and record during a remarkably varied stint in show business.
This has included sounds as diverse as a turn as the spirit of an abused ocean on Gorillaz’ The Lost Chord, made during lockdown in 2020 and, of course, Leee’s jazz album Feel My Soul.
“I’d done Reborn earlier that year and there’s a place called the Alhambra Studios in Rochefort where they said I should feel free to record whatever I wanted,” said Leee.
“I knew I wanted to do a jazz album and I did a dummy run, but didn’t think I was ready emotionally or vocally – I didn’t have the empathy at that time.
“I needed to do the research, so I went back in time to things I knew already like Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Satchmo, Birdland, Chet Baker and Miles Davis – who I actually met at Sadler’s Wells.
“In the end I threw all the research out of the window.
“I had John Watson, a wonderful pianist, with me and we arranged a few songs with a hip-hop flavour, but we wanted to give them a bit of jazz fusion so I took musicians from the Paris Jazz Orchestra with me and we went to Rochefort.
“I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for – a jump into the ocean – but it turned out to be a life-changing experience.
“It was partly about everything I’d learnt – I threw all of me into the sound.”
Leee says he wants the audience to dress up for his gig at Boisdale – image supplied by Leee John
Leee John at Boisdale
Billed as a “coming-of-age” record for Leee, Feel My Soul features a selection of classic jazz standards with modern arrangements alongside original songs penned and produced by the vocalist.
The album features the talents of Stephane Huchard on drums, Stephane Kerechi on bass, Noel Godard on percussion and Dave Mansell on brass as well as Watson on keyboards.
Since recording the record, Leee has performed sporadically with his jazz quartet, in addition to shows featuring Imagination’s output and other work.
“Last Sunday, I was in Avignon, playing to an arena, so I’ll be going from that to performing at Boisdale,” he said.
“Having the jazz quartet gives me diversity in my audience.
“I love the room at Boisdale – it’s very intimate and you can get so close to the audience. That’s perfect for me.
“There are moments when I’ll come down from the stage and sing right to them.
“It’s a very charming place, very elegant, very classy.
“I want everybody who comes to the show to dress their best – jazzy, sexy, funky. I want them to make the effort.
“They’re going to be able to enjoy a wonderful DJ set from Calvin Francis of Mi-Soul Radio– he’ll be playing some cool tunes.
“Then it’s my turn. This is different to the Imagination shows.
“When I performed in Germany, I was a dot on the map in front of thousands of people.
“This is a completely different version of me and a lot of fans actually prefer the jazz shows for that reason.
“I’ll sing songs like Strange Fruit, which has a historical context, or The Thin Line, where I present different emotions when performing them.
“It gives me a chance to give something back to the audiences who have continued to support me.”
As for Leee, there’s plenty more in the pipeline including an EP featuring vocalist Elaine Delmar and a track with “an American artist” whose identity remains under wraps for the moment.
“You know what I’m using?” said Jock Kennedy, his arms a blur as a piece of black fabric is drawn repeatedly across the cap of my right shoe, buffing it to a glossy shine.
“It’s a new pair of ladies’ tights.
“That’s a trick I picked up from Kiwi George when we shared a licensed shoeshine pitch in Regent Street in the 1990s.
“He was a legend in the business – still working in his 90s and sponsored by Kiwi shoe polish – he taught me a lot and was full of stories about making money from American GIs during the Second World War who went crazy for his service.”
The founder of London Shoeshine Ltd, Jock’s own journey into footwear care began when he came down to the capital to join a friend who was working in Leadenhall Market in 1993.
Not long afterwards, he relocated to shoeshine chairs in Canary Wharf as Camille Waxer and Sir George Iacobescu sought to attract services to the estate that would rival the City and help tempt financial services firms east.
Working four chairs in the malls and numerous pop-ups at the likes of Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan, business was good.
But spend time with Glasgow-born Jock and you’ll quickly realise that amid the energy, the chat and the smiles there’s real drive.
Realising that getting people to sit down for 10-15 minutes represented more than just a chance to polish their footwear, he created London Shoeshine Events in 2010.
Clients hire Jock and his team to work on their stands at exhibitions, trade shows and expos, with visitors invited to sit in deep leather armchairs while getting their shoes cleaned or sneakers refreshed for free.
That gives the brand which has hired his services time to pitch ideas and products to potential clients and generate leads.
The business was a success with Jock and the team working events as far away as Canada and the USA as well as across Europe.
Jock is currently working in partnership with James Shoe Care to run its Cabot Place chairs – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
shoeshine as lead generation
“Everyone at an event is a delegate so the question is how you get them to keep still and pay attention,” said Jock.
“We do that and then it’s about pampering them.
“While we’re shining their shoes, other delegates are taking pictures and videos so it’s also about content creation and brand awareness for our client too.
“It gives the company a real opportunity to speak to people rather than just handing out free pens to them.”
With the pandemic leaving a significant dent in the events industry, Jock and his long-time business partner Nicky are seeking to build up their operation again.
Alongside that project, Jock has returned to Canary Wharf in partnership with James Shoe Care to run its Cabot Place shoeshine chairs while simultaneously launching a new venture.
“Sitting down and having your shoes shined isn’t for everyone,” said Jock.
“That’s why we’re launching a pick up and delivery service to clean shoes and sneakers and also repair footwear and leather items.
“People want convenience, whether it’s dropping a pair of shoes off with us or having us collect them and deliver them back, cleaned or repaired.
“We see that as our new big thing.
“We’d also be open to sponsorship of the chairs in Canary Wharf if a company would like to use them for lead generation.”
Tools of the trade – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
a passion for shoe care
At the core of the business, however, remains a passion for shoe care.
Jock uses specially made products, a wealth of specialist tools and is able to draw on more than three decades in the industry.
“Having your shoes professionally cleaned should make you feel pampered – it’s the finishing touch to an outfit,” he said.
“For leather, it’s about nourishing.
“The first thing I put on is shoe cream to moisturise it – it’s like skincare.
“Then we apply polish to bring out the shine.
“We also offer repairs and other treatments such as re-soles, re-heels, stretching, patching and dyeing.”
The new service also include sneaker deep-cleaning – image by Pexels
sneakers as well as shoes
Although Jock’s talents result in my tan Barkers coming out shinier than they’ve ever been and perfectly acceptable to my untrained eye, he spots a scratch on the left cap that might warrant further attention.
“If you bring that to us, we can put it through a machine that takes off just the very top level of the leather,” he said.
“Then it can be dyed and it will look like new.
“If you buy good quality shoes once your feet have stopped growing and have them regularly cleaned and maintained, they should last forever.
“Of course, trends in footwear change.
“It was about the year 2000 with the Dot Com boom when people started dressing down – the companies wanted to attract techie people.
“That’s where our sneaker cleaning services come in.
“They are especially relevant for local residents in and around Canary Wharf and we’d love to work with concierge services to offer it to those living in developments.
“Already our sneaker deep-cleans are very busy.
“We use a range of specialised products to clean, mosturise and protect them.
“We can even do customisations.
“We have a lot of experience and are happy to give advice on any footwear.
“The chances are that if we can’t do something ourselves then we know someone who can”
In celebration of the launch of its pick up and delivery service, London Shoeshine Ltd is offering all readers who mention Wharf Life when booking 50% off their first sneaker deep clean, making it £15 instead of £30.
You can find London Shoeshine in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Place mall – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
key details: London Shoeshine
London Shoeshine Ltd offers a range of services including shoeshines at the chairs on the lower level of Cabot Place in Canary Wharf.
The business has also just launched pick up and delivery to offices and home addresses for shines and repairs on leather shoes (from £10) and sneaker cleaning (from £20).
The company can also clean and restore most leather and fabric items. Prices for all repairs are quoted on request.
Call or message Jock on 07863 122 289 for more information, to make a booking or get a quote.
“I‘m originally from Ukraine and I first came to London 14 years ago to study A-Levels,” said Valeriia Istratova.
“My first degree is in fashion management and I have masters degrees in marketing and psychology.
“Somehow I’ve ended up opening a pet grooming salon.”
Having spent time working in marketing and operations across a range of sectors including wealth management, IT and at paper product giant Kimberly-Clark, Valeriia had long had a desire to start her own business.
“I just hadn’t found an idea,” said the Canary Wharf resident.
“It was during a holiday over New Year that I was thinking about what to do – perhaps a beauty salon or an Italian coffee shop – but I wasn’t sure because of the competition in the market.
“That’s when I realised I needed to open a grooming salon.”
a fresh direction
In the end, Vincent Van Der Fluff – Valeriia’s three-year-old Pomeranian – turned out to be the inspiration for her venture.
“When I first arrived in London, my college was in Greenwich so I got to know this area,” said Valeriia.
“Then my university was in central London so I wanted to move there but a friend was living near Canary Wharf and invited me to come and look round.
“I fell in love with it. England has beautiful little houses but personally I like skyscrapers with nice views, modern facilities and the infrastructure.
“My husband and I were some of the first residents in Wood Wharf and, because the building is pet friendly, it was finally the moment to get a dog.
“There are lots of people living here around my age who perhaps don’t have kids yet or who have decided not to, but they do have dogs.
“With Vinnie, I couldn’t find the right level of grooming service locally so I was taking him to South Kensington – driving him across central London for two hours, waiting for three and then travelling back.
“I needed to take the whole day off and he finds the car stressful, so in some ways it was crazy.”
Pawsome includes an area for pups to relax in between treatments – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
creating Pawsome
However, it was those experiences that sparked the genesis of Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa and Valeriia sprang into action.
First she put a business plan together after coming back from holiday and drew on her project management skills to work her way to opening.
“I knew there were lots of dogs living in Canary Wharf and around the local area and we worked out how many might come and what the demand might be,” she said.
“Then I started to look for a space, initially in South Quay, but there was nothing suitable.
“It was when I took Vinnie to the vet in Harbord Square that I noticed this building was now finished and that the commercial units on the ground floor were available.
“I contacted the agent and we prepared a presentation for Canary Wharf Group, which took place in April.
“A week later they approved my application and we started to set the business up.”
Pawsome is one of a group of independent businesses to open in Wood Wharf as part of a joint project between Canary Wharf Group and Tower Hamlets Council to provide affordable commercial space to local enterprises.
Ventures launched so far include Wayne Hairdresser Salon, florist The Flower Club, nail bar Awe London, Reformer Pilates at The Island Studio and Italian bakery Signorelli.
Malaysian restaurant Ong Lai Kopitiam and Japanese bakery Cafe Seek are set to join Pawsome and the rest soon.
Dog groomer Nancy Salt trims Pomeranian Rich at Pawsome – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
offering quality at Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa
Key for Valeriia in setting up the business was the quality of offering.
“We’re offering a premium experience for pups,” she said. “The atmosphere is specifically curated for them including the music, the scents and the flavours.
“We will only ever have a maximum of three dogs in the salon at one time – this isn’t a factory approach.
“We have a special playpen for them to relax in between treatments with toys, food, water and beds for them to sleep in.”
Pawsome is also a boutique selling everything from specially curated canine fashions to wine, beer and perfume for pups.
There’s a welcoming area with velvety sofas for their humans to relax on too, although clients are asked to leave the salon during treatments so their four-legged charges remain focused on the experience.
Pawsome also sells a range of pup accessories including clothing, treats and refreshments – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
the benefit of a Canary Wharf base
“There was nowhere for me to wait in South Kensington and I often ended up sitting in the car, but there’s so much in Canary Wharf,” said Valeriia.
“Here there are restaurants, cafés and also parks to take a walk in while their pup is with us.
“We offer three core packages that take between an hour and a half and three hours.
“Naturally Pawsome includes a bath and shampoo, nail trimming and a blow dry, Bubbles, Brushes And Bliss includes all of the above plus a full body haircut and styling according to the breed and Fur Season Spa adds on a full ‘pawdicure’ and a blueberry and banana facial.
“We also provide little goody bags for every client and a complimentary accessory depending on your pup’s character.”
Package prices start at £70 and bookings are now being taken online.
“It’s so exciting to have opened,” said Valeriia. “I always wanted something of my own and I love animals.
“I had a cat as a child in Ukraine and then a chihuahua.
“When I was a kid, I always said I’d open an animal shelter because stray animals are a big problem over there. I was always bringing puppies and kittens home to feed them.
“Getting Vinnie has changed my life and what I wanted to create was a service here in Canary Wharf that is as good as the one offered in central London salons.
“It’s important to me that both the owners and the pups feel a sense of calm and that they are getting a service they feel is on a par with human spas.”
As for quality control, we’re reliably informed that Vinne (officially Pawsome’s CFO or chief fluff officer) has personally tested and approved all the treatments on offer.
Vincent Van Der Fluff, Pawsome CFO, relaxes on a sofa – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
key details: Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa
Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa is located in East Lane on the west side of 8 Harbord Square in Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf.
The business is open on weekdays from 10am-7pm, on Saturdays from 10am-6pm and on Sundays from noon-6pm.
“I want Malaysians, Singaporeans and south-east Asians to feel at home here and for people who have never tried Malaysian food before to have a really great experience,” said Robert Ngo, co-founder and director of Ong Lai Kopitian – set to open its doors at Harbord Square in Wood Wharf soon.
“I knew I didn’t want a simple place with four walls and a kitchen where we would just cook food.
“We’ve spent a long time and a lot of money and effort on the fit-out.
“I believe restaurants are really important, not just places to eat, but places to hang out at – somewhere for the community.”
Ong Lai is joining a rapidly emerging part of Canary Wharf based around independent businesses.
Already Italian bakery Signorelli is drawing Wharfers down to Union Square, with another new restaurant – Nora – coming later this year.
There’s also Wayne Hairdresser Salon, floristry from The Flower Club and beauty services from Awe London as well as recent arrival The Island Studio offering Reformer Pilates classes.
So what does Ong Lai bring to the mix?
Well, firstly, kopitiam means coffee shop, so there will be plenty of robusta-based brews on offer with beans imported from Malaysia.
But there’s also the food and hospitality, something that’s in Robert’s blood.
Robert Ngo of Ong Lai Kopitiam outside his soon-to-open restaurant – image by Jon Massey
a journey into food
“I’m a first generation Chinese immigrant child – I was born in Hackney and raised in Leyton,” he said.
“When I was five, my dad opened up his first restaurant and, at his peak, he had about four takeaways – I was already in the kitchen from a very young age.
“By the time I was seven I was washing dishes, even though I was only as tall as the sink, so I was always around my parents doing business in the food and beverage environment and my dad was always getting me ready to take over the operation after my studies.
“But being young and naïve, I told him I had other ideas.”
After realising aerospace engineering wasn’t for him, Robert embarked on the lengthy training necessary to qualify as an architect.
But then the Credit Crunch dealt a double blow.
The family business suffered a serious financial hit and Robert took a break from his studies to work as an architect’s assistant.
By the time he returned to education part-time, he realised the recession had damaged the industry to an extent that made finishing his training financially unattractive.
Instead, after a brief flirtation with estate agency, he went back into architecture working his way up in computer aided design to run a team of five people, rounding off the first decade of his career.
“I’d always been creative but that working environment wasn’t,” he said.
“People were coming in, doing the hours and getting paid silly amounts, but the environment was quite toxic. I needed a different outlet.
“I came home everyday hating my life and myself.
“My wife, Mel, got the worst of it – hearing me complaining.
“She said I should quit my job and start my own food business.
“The lowest point of entry was street food so I went all-in and spent about £7,000 getting a van and gazebos – I did everything properly, buying all the right equipment and created a decent brand.
“That’s how it all started.”
The restaurant will offer plenty of vegan options, including Kolo Mee with tofu and okra – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam
Eat Lah and blue rice
Co-founded with his wife, Eat Lah began serving Nasi Kerabu, a dish built around vibrant blue rice flavoured with herbs and spices that originated in Mel’s native Kelantan in Malaysia.
Following a steep learning curve that has included street food markets as well as spells at Boxpark in Croydon and Canteen at Design District, the brand now operates around a professional prep kitchen, allowing it to trade at multiple locations as well as at events.
It’s a regular at Canary Wharf’s Thursday pop-up Lunch Markets, for example.
Positive feedback from customers on the quality of the food, plus a desire to offer something more complex than street food setups can has driven the couple to establish Ong Lai.
Menu experiments in Croydon and, more recently, at a pop-up in Canning Town, proved the viability of the concept and Robert and Mel began searching for a space in 2024.
The restaurant will serve kopi – coffee – specially imported from Malaysia – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam
opening Ong Lai Kopitiam
“We looked all over, but mainly in east London and then we were approached by an agent for Canary Wharf Group who was looking for independent businesses for Wood Wharf,” said Robert.
“We wanted somewhere that we could build the new concept from the ground up.
“Ong Lai means: ‘Prosperous fortune come my way’, but it also translates as ‘pineapple’ in Chinese. At New Year they have big pineapples as decorations, so we’ve used the fruit in our branding.
“The reason we created that name is that Malaysians and Singaporeans know what it means – it’s an inside joke.
“For people who don’t know, it’s a good conversation starter.
“The design is based on a traditional kopitiam with interior design by a Malaysian agency.
“Ong Lai is about being creative,” said Robert.
“Doing festivals, markets and office catering, Eat Lah always revolves around the blue rice, but we’ll be doing much more than that in the restaurant.
“We will be doing an elevated version of it as well as Kolo Mee – noodles flavoured with soy sauce and shallot oil, Hainanese Chicken Chop and Malaysian Fried Chicken Wings.
“We’ll also be serving really good pork.
“The name shows we’re leaning more towards the country’s Chinese food – we didn’t want to be a Malaysian restaurant that tries to do everything.
“But this will be somewhere people can come in for an Egg Tart or Kaya Toast with a coffee.
“The beverage side of Malaysian cuisine is not that celebrated over here, so we really wanted to do that.
“We’ll be serving the Kopi black with sugar or with condensed or evaporated milk as well as Teh Tarik.
“These are wonderful flavours that I drink every day when I’m visiting Malaysia.”
Hainanese Chicken Chop will be available at the restaurant – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam
key details: Ong Lai Kopitiam
Ong Lai Kopitiam is set to open soon at Harbord Square in Wood Wharf.
The restaurant will seat up to 30 diners and will be open daily.
