“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.
“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.
“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.
Where have you been? This is the AFK Beach Volleyball court in Wood Wharf’s Union Square.
what’s that?
It’s a pay-as-you-play facility for anyone who fancies bashing a ball around while diving about on sand to use.
what do I need?
Court hire is for four or more people on an hourly basis and costs £15 per person – £60 minimum.
Volleyballs and guidance on the rules are provided, so players just need to turn up in kit that’s appropriate to play a game or two on the sand.
when can I book AFK Beach Volleyball?
The court is already in place and will be in Canary Wharf until August 10. 2025.
Bookings are available Tuesday-Sunday although some slots may be unavailable due to special events.
why should I play?
Isn’t it time you did some exercise?
In all seriousness, beach volleyball is a fantastic sport and an ideal way to get some fresh air.
Also, every single thwack of the ball helps raise money for AFK, a charity that helps children who are disabled or neurodiverse live more independent, fulfilling lives.
This year the court is located in Union Square in Wood Wharf – image by Canary Wharf Group
tell me more
Corporate partnerships manager at AFK, Lyn Prodger said: “It’s an amazing small charity and this event is a big shop window for us.
“We wouldn’t be speaking to the likes of JP Morgan, Barclays and Accenture without it and the support of Canary Wharf Group.
“We provide mobility equipment for disabled children and young people all round the country and we also fund the maintenance of that equipment which is vital and not something all charities do.
“It’s no good if you have a £2,000 wheelchair that’s your whole life but you can’t use it for the sake of a £200 repair.
“But it’s not just about buying some equipment and saying goodbye, it’s an ongoing dialogue and opportunity.
“We’ve also started providing work placements in London because we’re based in the capital.
“We support anything that fosters independence and wellbeing and that includes helping people into work.
“We realised quite early on that many of the young people we work with aren’t ready for employment, so we have an outreach team that supports them to help change that.
“When you’re in a special school, for example, no-one ever asks what you want to do when you leave.
“The employers we work with are like gold dust – they raise confidence and aspirations.
“What we say to them is that we’re not bringing a problem, we’re bringing an amazing group of talented young people who are ready for work.
“We also put our money where our mouth is by giving young people paid employment roles with us. Some of them help with this event and they really are amazing.”
The charity will be hosting its Corporate Championship – image by Canary Wharf Group
what’s coming up at AFK Beach Volleyball?
In addition to free access play on the court, AFK hosts a corporate tournament for businesses and there are still a couple of slots left.
Taking place on July 31, 2025, the event sees companies face off on court in a five-vs-five format with most teams entering a squad of 10 players to allow for subs.
Teams commit to fundraising £2,000 to enter.
This can simply be paid as a donation from the business and covers a full day of play, lunch and refreshments as the competition for the 2025 Corporate Championship trophy heats up on the court.
AFK corporate partnerships manager, Lyn Prodger – image by Jon Massey
who’s the team to beat?
Lyn said: “We’ve been running these events since 2009, first at Broadgate Circle in the City before moving to Canary Wharf in 2013.
“Barclays have won the most championships, but Accenture won it last year after being silver medallists in about four contests.
“They’re both coming back this year. It’s a wonderful event with plenty of dressing up. We’ve had Smurfs, Oompa-Loompas and Baywatchers over the years.
“We start from 10am and everyone gets a good day of play – then after lunch we go into the play-offs and then the finals.
“Whether it’s in the corporate championships or members of the public simply playing on the court, when I see what we’ve done here I have to pinch myself a little bit.
“We’re a small charity and realising we can do something like this is fantastic.
“It feels so good to know everyone who plays here is contributing.
“Just stepping on that sand makes a real difference in people’s lives.
“What’s really great about Canary Wharf is that we have this audience and we’re able to tell them about AFK and what it does.
“It’s a great community here and we’re working with The Island Studio to offer Pilates on the sand, with Signorelli on a deal for players who come down and, of course, with 640 East.”
The minimum booking for the court is four people – image by Canary Wharf Group
key details: AFK Beach Volleyball
AFK Beach Volleyball’s court will be in Union Square until August 10, 2025.
Court hire is for a minimum of four people and starts at £60 per hour.
All proceeds go to the charity.
The Corporate Championship is set to take place on July 31, 2025, with slots still available.
The Argentinian dancer and dance teacher suffered a slipped disc and turned to the exercise system to help her recover and strengthen her body.
“I’ve always been interested in movement and I have a degree in musical theatre, jazz dancing, singing and acting and I trained in New York at the Broadway Dance Centre,” said Sol.
“I’ve been working as a dance teacher since I was 21 and living in London for 12 years now.
“It was when I started to do Pilates after that injury that I discovered it was wonderful, not just for me but for everyone.
“As a dancer, I train very intensively, but I don’t like the anxiety that comes with training hard in the gym.
“I found Pilates very calming and mindful – you’re connected and you train very directly in every way.
“It’s not just about being strong.
“It helps you to walk, to stand, to be flexible, to be mobile.
“It doesn’t matter what age you are, or what your fitness level is, there’s always an option for you in a class.”
Founder Sol Bouille – image by The Island Studio
founding The Island Studio
After qualifying as a Pilates instructor, Sol built up her class load until she was full time.
Then after a number of years working in studios she realised she was dispensing advice to other instructors and started thinking about starting her own business.
“I wanted to have better ambience, better music and a better space in general,” she said.
“Initially, I wasn’t a hundred per cent sure about opening my own studio, but a space became available, right next to where I live,” said Sol.
“It was spacious and airy, with beautiful natural light and, when I walked in, I knew it was for me.
“Many studios in London are underground or don’t have many windows, so I was lucky to find this place.
“It was perfect, so I started with just nine beds for Reformer Pilates.
“The classes are small and there’s so much you can work on. It’s an intimate experience, so I now have a lot more friends.”
Classes feature dynamic movements based on the classical Pilates system – image by The Island Studio
growing the business
Opened in November 2022, Sol started as the only instructor, carefully building up the business, discovering the appetite for Reformer was strong in the predominantly residential community at Hackney Wick.
After hiring more instructors, her attentions turned to the future and growing the business.
While pregnant, a walk round Wood Wharf inspired her to get in touch with Canary Wharf Group, which was seeking Tower Hamlets-based companies to expand their operations in its newest neighbourhood.
Having also expanded to Kentish Town, Sol’s third studio has opened at Brannan Street, close to Union Square, this month.
“I’ve done all that and had a baby five months ago,” she said. “But I’ve always been creative beyond dancing – with colours, design and choreography.
“I’m doing everything at The Island Studio, I’ve created the role I always wanted.
“In Canary Wharf, just as at our other branches, we are offering small group Reformer Pilates classes.
“These are dynamic, following the principles of classical Pilates but with a modern approach.
“Each class is a full body workout based on flexibility, strength and mobility.
“We plan the classes in such a way that everyone is welcome, so you don’t have to be strong or flexible, you just have to be there.
“You can train at the level you want.
“The advantage of training in a small group is that the instructors can personalise exercises and modifications to your needs – similar to what would happen in a private one-to-one session, but more affordable.”
what to expect at The Island Studio
Reformer Pilates is unquestionably having a moment with studios opening across London and group classes at gyms consistently fully booked.
The Island Studio offers Wharfers a range of ways to experience its services.
“We have packages and memberships – the more you buy, the cheaper it is,” said Sol.
“When clients enter the space they will be greeted by an instructor.
“Then they take their shoes off and find their machine – the space is very clean and airy.
“People can buy grip socks from us or use their own.
“Then it’s simple, you don’t have to remember anything – the instructor will tell clients everything they need to perform every exercise and offer modifications where needed.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
key details: The Island Studio
The Island Studio is now open in Wood Wharf’s Brannan Street.
A three-class intro offer is available for £48.
Full details of classes and packaged can be found online.
“My grandma told me recently that she wasn’t surprised I was starting this business, because I grew up with flowers all around me,” said Julia Knyazevich.
“As a child I lived with her in a little village in the mountains in Ukraine.
“She had a big garden where she’d plant lots of different flowers and I loved it.”
A major change in Julia’s life came at the age of 16 when, speaking no English, she travelled across the sea to join her mother in the UK.
Adapting to her new environment, she studied fashion buying and worked with major brands such as Dior and Tommy Hilfiger before embarking on a career with luxury lifestyle management company Quintessentially.
Now she’s decided to transform a passion into a business.
“After the pandemic, I spent time travelling, including a long period in Thailand,” said the West India Quay resident.
“I also studied floristry. It’s a discipline that’s always developing, with new trends constantly emerging and I had the idea to start a business.
“While travelling, I’d organised a big birthday party for my husband in Italy – I was looking for a company to help with that, but I couldn’t find one so I decided to do it myself.
“I really enjoyed the process of finding all the decorations and flowers for the long tables and creating the event.
“My husband suggested I should start my own business, so I have.”
The Flower Club is set to open this spring in Canary Wharf – image by The Flower Club
Her brand is inspired not only by the flowers in her grandma’s garden, but also by one of her favourite places in London.
“I absolutely love Petersham Nurseries in Richmond,” said Julia, who moved to the Canary Wharf area in May.
“When I visit the nurseries, I never want to leave. It’s not for everyone because some people prefer classic bouquets to the more unusual arrangements and installations they create.
“For The Flower Club – a name inspired by Thai cafe The Coffee Club I used to visit while living there – my preference is to use a technique that involves positioning flowers in a bouquet to reflect the way they grow in the wild.
“The aim is to create something that looks natural rather than artificial and it’s better for the flowers because they last longer.
“When I do arrangements I like mixing flowers with fruit or vegetables. It might sound crazy to some people, but it’s something different.
“I also get a lot of inspiration from the Cotswolds. I love visiting the area every few months and looking in the flower shops.
“My aim for Canary Wharf is to bring something similar here.”
Julia has been inspired by her grandmother’s garden and the work of Petersham Nurseries – image by The Flower Club
building a dream with The Flower Club
Julia is starting small – working with one other florist and freelancers – but dreaming big.
Ultimately, her idea is to foster a community around her business by hosting workshops under the umbrella of The Flower Club.
“I know this is just opening one little shop, but I have made a business plan,” said Julia.
“I know it’s a big dream, but I’m working hard on the branding. We’re starting slowly, but I want to build that community and eventually teach other florists.
“I have an unusual style of floristry and I’d love to set up a franchise model, not just in the UK but in other countries too.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It’s been a journey getting to this point, but we’re almost there.
“Starting your own business lets you feel a kind of freedom compared with working for a company, but you also have to work on all aspects of the operation.
“It’s stressful because you feel like you want to control everything, but to be successful you need to do that work and be aware of every part of the business.”
One of the key drivers for The Flower Club is a mission to lessen the environmental impact of floristry.
“I try to source flowers direct from growers,” said Julia.
“There’s a wonderful farm in Surrey that I’m planning to work with this spring and summer and there’s another in Cornwall – it’s a long way, but they specialise in wild flowers, which I love.
“It’s better from a sustainability perspective to buy from UK growers because the flowers don’t travel so far and they don’t have to use chemicals to keep them fresh.
“It’s hard to say no to plastic wrapping completely, but The Flower Club is trying to minimise its use. I mainly use craft and tissue papers and biodegradeable products for my bouquets.
“For example, I use string to tie the stems together that’s made from natural materials.
“All of the bags we use in the shop will be paper too and the interior will be mostly decorated with wood and reclaimed furniture.
“It’s a small workspace, but it’s enough and it’s better to start from the ground up rather than take big risks.
“I’ve planned the layout and have made it as comfortable as possible both for workers and our customers.
“Having studied floristry, I know how to use the space professionally and it should be sufficient for our needs.
“I also want to use social media to educate people who want to know more about sourcing and also caring for flowers.
“It’s important to know how to treat the arrangements and all of my orders will have cards on how to properly care for the flowers.”
Prospective customers can find out more online – image by The Flower Club
opening The Flower Club at 8 Harbord Square
While the 8 Harbord Square shop will sell fresh cut flowers and gifts, there will be two further strands to Julia’s business that emerge when she’s up and running.
“I’ll be hosting workshops for people to participate in, especially around events in the calendar,” she said.
“That might be wreath making at Christmas, for example, or creating Easter displays.
“We’ll also have a service for events, which I have a lot of experience doing.
“Clients who want something special for their tables will be able to order flower arrangements, but also tableware and decorations.
“We will be here to explore ideas and designs to make things really special.
“There are lots of options – I’m a big fan of Murano glass, for example – and we can work in private homes, private dining rooms or in restaurants depending on a client’s needs.”
key details: The Flower Club
The Flower Club is set to open soon on the ground floor of 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf.
Visit the business’ website for updates or follow @theflowerclub_ldn on Insta.
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 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.
