Enter Skuna Boats and Wharf Life’s second prize draw for a chance to win an exclusive Hot Tub Boat or BBQ Boat hire experience in Canary Wharf, worth more than £300.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, Skuna Boats offer the perfect blend of luxury and excitement.
Don’t let this opportunity sail away – enter now for a chance to create lifelong memories with your loved ones..
The winner can choose from either a Hot Tub Boat experience for up to seven people lasting 75 minutes, or a BBQ Boat Experience for up to 10 people lasting 100 minutes – both worth over £300.
Booking will be by arrangement with Skuna Boats.
The winner will be selected by Wharf Life and contacted on June 26, 2024.
There is no cash alternative and the editor’s decision is final.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
“It’s pretty simple,” said James Robson, in answer to why the trio behind runaway central London success, Fallow, have opened Roe in Canary Wharf.
“The view and the terrace at One Park Drive are stunning.
“You don’t get many terraces like this, with the sun catching it, from about 11am until late evening.
“We wanted to put a world class restaurant in a world class building.”
James is one third of a partnership that has seen much success in recent years.
Together with chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft, he opened nose-to-tail restaurant Fallow in St James, just down from Piccadilly Circus in 2021 to much acclaim and popularity.
Building on that success, they opened Fowl, a beak-to-feet chicken shop with a similar sustainable ethos, nearby.
First of all, it’s big – about double Fallow’s size and in east London rather than the city centre.
It’s tucked back off Water Street and opens out above Harbour Quay Gardens’ Boardwalk.
There’s an open kitchen, much marble, fixtures made of rebar, golden metalwork and a 3D printed plant-based sculpture, intended to recall the structure of a coral.
James Robson, one of the trio behind Roe restaurant in Canary Wharf
Building big at Roe
“It’s huge, it’s a beast – it’s one of the largest independent restaurants I’m aware of,” said James, himself no stranger to east London, having been born in Bow.
“We don’t know where the journey will go yet.
“It will be a fantastic place to come.
“We’ve got about 100 team members and I expect to end up with between 200 and 300 eventually.
“We’re aiming to cater for 400-600 customers a day, and that could end up being 1,000 to 2,000 a day.
“We’re very organic in our approach to things like that.”
Capable of anything from 250 diners to 500 depending on configuration, Roe is the result of extensive thought and planning.
“Opening Fallow was wonderful, but it was intense – it was during lockdown and it was a rush,” said James.
“We had to get it open and everyone came together to make it happen.
“With this one, we’ve had time on our hands to get even more of the details right, so I feel pretty proud sitting here right now.”
Roe’s interior features a large 3D printed, plant-based sculpture intended to recall the structure of a coral
Interior features
The team have transformed a spare concrete box, working with 30 contractors to deliver a finished restaurant.
The installation includes around 16 metres of aeroponic and hydroponic vertical farm that is already being used to grow ingredients for dishes and cocktails.
“The way I put it is that we’ll have about 300 plants growing at any one time, and we’ll be producing about £1,000 to £1,500 worth of produce a month – although this wouldn’t last more than a week with us,” said James.
“What it does do is engage the team, some of whom will never have grown a vegetable in their lives.
“They come to work with us and this way, they get to understand those ingredients, they see things grow, they taste them straight from the vine and that does wonders for the team.
“That comes across in the business and hopefully this comes across to the customer. For me it’s about the team engaging with nature – the customers love it too.
“We’re currently growing padron peppers, lemon verbena, thyme, basil and strawberries.”
Maitake Cornish pasty with walnut ketchup, £9 at Roe
What’s on the menu at Roe?
Vital, of course, to Roe’s reception will be its food, which comes with a focus on sharing dishes served with a side of sustainability.
Snacks include breaded mushooms, charcuterie and oysters, while small plates feature sea bream tartare, cuttlefish fried toast and lamb ribs. These range from £4-£21 and £9-£16 respectively.
Skewers of white cabbage, venison, octopus and rare breed pork are available with prices ranging from £9-£13. Flatbreads come with either scallops, snail vindaloo or pumpkin and cost £10-£16.
Large plates include a venison and dairy cow burger, flamed siracha mussels and a baked potato, with prices from £14-£16 and there are also steaks from £26-£36 or at £11 per 100g.
Feasting options for two or more include seafood, a mixed grill or Jacob’s ladder ribs for £75, £52 or £42 respectively.
It’s fair to say that taking the guidance of the waiting staff on what and how much to order is advised.
Helmed by head chef Jon Bowring – who, like founders Will and Jack, used to work at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – the kitchen is a hive of activity at Roe.
A snail vindaloo flatbread with mint yoghurt and coriander, £11 at Roe
Full flavour
“Flavour is a massive thing for us,” said James.
“We’re not your average restaurant – it’s very intense, quality products served by a team that is relaxed, casual and happy – not pretentious in any way.
“People can expect great food. I’d really recommend people come and try us – our menu is so diverse.
“It might be vindaloo flatbread with snails, our amazing breaded mushrooms, a fantastic Sunday lunch or our take on Fruits de Mer, which is nothing like the traditional version.
“What you will not get here is the mundane, a light salad, just chicken or just beef – you will get flavour.
“Personally I like to order a snack, a flatbread, some skewers and our banana dessert, which is one of the best I’ve ever tried.
“For a cocktail, my favourite is the Carrot Gimlet with No. 3 Gin – which divides people. We use sand carrots for the cordial that give it a lovely flavour.”
Breaded mushrooms with kombu and garlic mayonnaise, £7 at Roe
Drinks, design and energy
Many of the drinks at the bar feature ingredients from Roe’s vertical farm.
Its signature drinks are all priced at £12 and include a Lemon Verbena Swizzle with vodka and lime and an Apple Sour with butterfuly sorrel, Buffalo Trace, green apple and egg white.
While food, drink and interior design all contribute to success in the restaurant industry, James said the sum of those parts was the important equation to consider.
“A world-class restaurant is a combination of things,” he said.
“If we can be so bold – and we’re not there yet – it’s design and it’s people.
“There’s the team and the customers. It’s food and drink too. All those things together lead to energy, positivity and happiness.
“I’ve seen places that just have amazing service or just have amazing food or just have amazing design fail – but I’ve never seen a restaurant with that good energy go bust.
Cuttlefish fried toast with pork skin, sesame and chilli jam, £11 at Roe
“We’re here to give people a great experience and we’ll do all we can to do this in a timely manner.
“If you want to get in and out really quickly, we may not be the one for you.
“We work on atmosphere, on focus and on flavour.
“A lot of business is done at restaurants nowadays, so I would say we’re the place for a long lunch.”
Raring to go
“We’ve engaged with the neighbours a lot, which has been nice and they’ve been supportive and come back,” said James
“It feels like the start of the journey now.
“I don’t call this Canary Wharf, I call it Wood Wharf, east London.
“There’s a certain demographic that only know the estate for its tall financial towers, but the way it is now is that there are more £1,000 trainers and £200 T-shirts here than there are suits.
Roe features a vertical farm, allowing staff to grow produce in the restaurant
“It’s a wonderful environment – it’s digital lifestylers and Instagrammers – there’s a really good energy to it.
“I think that message is lost when you just say ‘Canary Wharf’.
“It’s about getting across that there are thousands of residents here – not just people working in financial services.
“I would say the demographic we’re after is about 80% non-financial.
“Our main business is our neighbours, followed by destinational foodies, which is why the Elizabeth Line and Jubilee line are fantastic for us.
“We’re not the norm for this area. We bring another level of energy, and hopefully a level of flavour and excitement here.”
Roe boast many dining areas including this long, semi-private table
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Location is often put forward as the single most important thing to consider when purchasing a property.
But what does this really mean in London?
In a capital as vast and diverse as ours, crucial to a buyer’s decision will be a home’s proximity to different modes of public transport, enabling rapid access to all the city has to offer.
Here, NHG Homes is currently offering a collection of 60 homes for sale on a shared ownership basis – nothing especially remarkable in that.
However, these properties are located in a transport sweet spot.
Not only are they two minutes from North Acton Tube station, offering Central line services across the city, they’re also a little over 10 minutes’ walk from Acton Main Line Station.
A show home interior at the development
That means access to the Elizabeth Line and with it fast connectivity across the capital.
From there, it’s 12 minutes to Tottenham Court Road for Soho and Oxford Street, 21 minutes to Heathrow Airport or 25 minutes all the way over to Canary Wharf in east London.
This promises a commute for Wharfers of less than 40 minutes door-to-door – enviable compared to many other areas.
Prices for the one and two-bedroom homes start at £108,750 and £121,250 respectively for 25% based on full market values of £435,000 and £485,000.
The entry level property could be purchased with a deposit of less than £5,500.
So what can buyers expect from The Perfume Factory apartments?
NHG Homes’ properties feature open-plan layouts with wood-effect floors and mirrored fitted wardrobes.
Buyers will also get private balconies and fitted kitchens with energy fitted Bosch appliances.
These energy-efficient machines fit neatly into a wider focus on sustainability with the scheme also boasting cycle storage and communal spaces powered by the integrated solar panels.
Apartments start at £108,750 for a 25% share in a one-bedroom home
Purchasers will also enjoy access to landscaped, communal gardens on-site.
NHG Homes’ head of marketing and digital, Amie Triphook Cole, said: “North Acton is an up-and-coming part of London, which is already attracting many first-time buyers from all over the capital – including places like Canary Wharf – who are looking for a work life balance.
“The area is set to experience continued growth in the coming years, making this a great time to purchase.
“Homes at The Perfume Factory offer both comfort and practicality with high quality interiors, superb transport connections via the Elizabeth Line and Central line, and plenty of local amenities – ideal for first-time buyers looking to make the city their home.”
Local transport links might offer residents the option of rapidly travelling to multiple locations around London, but Acton has many attractions of its own too.
These include an array of local cafes, bars and restaurants such as the award-winning Stones Fish And Chips.
A little further afield, Westfield London and Ealing Broadway offer a wealth of places to eat, drink and shop.
There are also many green spaces to explore locally including North Acton playing fields, The Grand Union Canal and Pitschinger Park – home to rose gardens.
Why not look west when hunting for a way to get on the ladder?
NHG Homes is currently offering £2,000 contribution towards moving in on the first 10 homes reserved by May 31, 2024
key details
NHG Homes is currently selling one and two-bedroom properties at The Perfume Factory in North Acton on a shared ownership basis.
Prices start at £108,750 and £121,250, respectively for 25%, both available with a 5% deposit.
Service charge rates are estimated at around £3.80 per sq ft. Rent is paid on the un-owned portion of the property.
NHG Homes is currently offering £2,000 contribution towards moving in on the first 10 homes reserved by May 31, 2024
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Canary Wharf is going through a period of renewal.
Often quite quietly, buildings on the estate are being refurbished to a greater or lesser degree – taking infrastructure that’s anything up to 30-plus years old and giving it a serious rethink to meet the demands of corporate tenants today.
Hard to imagine, perhaps, but large sections of the estate were designed and conceived before the internet was a thing.
While work on the likes of 25 Cabot Square and near neighbour One Cabot Square might have gone largely unnoticed – Credit Suisse employees barely getting to enjoy the renovation before the bank’s distressed sale to UBS meant relocation to the City – other projects have been more obvious.
The scaffolding has been up on Citi’s tower for some time and those arriving in Canary Wharf via the Elizabeth Line will likely have clocked 25 North Colonnade’s transformation into Cargo – complete with Market Hall’s street food traders and bars on its lower floors.
Arguably the most prominent project on the estate so far, has been the complete stripping back and refitting of 30 South Colonnade.
The building now features entrances on two different levels for easier access – seen here in CGI
One of the original Canary Wharf buildings completed in 1991, for years its orange share price ticker greeted commuters arriving on the Jubilee line while it was home to Thompson Reuters.
It was bought by Quadrant Estates and Oaktree Capital Management in 2019 and, with the completion of the project to update it, one of the most recognisable buildings in Canary Wharf is now ready to embark on a fresh adventure.
Renamed YY London after its distinctive cladding, reportedly its top four floors are set to become home to the UK’s most valuable fintech company, Revolut.
The biggest success to come out of Canary Wharf Group’s Level39 will not have landed far from its One Canada Square origins.
But what will its staff and other future tenants be getting from this reinvented chunk of real estate?
“It’s a people-centred design, which will know where occupants are and will respond to them,” said Yohance Harper, partner at Quadrant.
“From the community point of view, the downstairs reception lets you link into a space where you can have coffee, be comfortable and come and sit, away from the office.
The building offers a range of floorplates with various finishes available
“It also gives you planned interaction with other floors and colleagues, which is always great.
“The LED display as you come in is inspired by the Reuters news ticker, but also connects to the water, nature and the weather outside – so visitors will always have a varied experience.
“The systems have all been designed to tie together to make the building a really comfortable environment to work in.
“People are coming back to the office now and they want a Grade A space – this building addresses that really well.”
A tour reveals an attractive package for firms considering a move. Underfoot there are floors tiled in outsize terrazzo, a living tree in the multi-level reception area and access in direct from the Tube exit for the first time.
The building’s curious central void has been filled in housing lifts and lobbies with sustainable walnut flooring and a central staircase that’s been deliberately exposed and lit to encourage people to walk between levels rather than take the lifts.
In fact, there’s a focus on wellness throughout with antibacterial bannisters, UV filtration systems and plenty of cycle storage that comes complete with changing facilities and showers.
Nearly all floors also have outdoor space, with a communal event space and terrace on the roof that will host wellness classes from Third Space once a quarter.
Tristram Gethin of Quadrant Estates
Gone are the small square windows and white marble cladding of the original design.
YY is all about big, bold glazing, plants draping down its exterior and bathing in healthy light inside and out despite being at work.
“We had a year before the lease expired when we bought the building to work out a scheme for it,” said Tristram Gethin, founding partner at Quadrant.
“We brought in architects Buckley Gray Yeoman who have done some stunning refurbishment work and they came up with what you see today.
“We took off the top two floors and added three new ones, relocating the core services into what had been the atrium.
“Outside space was a key requirement and we’ve added that on every level except the 12th floor and also added an incredible terrace on the top.
“Today we have a 415,000sq ft building ranged over 14 levels and we’re extremely proud of the space we’ve created – it’s fantastic.
The top four floors of the building will reportedly house challenger bank Revolut
“It’s a complete change of design and feel for a building in Canary Wharf and it’s been really well received by everyone whether that’s workers in the offices or residents.”
With two restaurants and a cafe also set to take space in the building, those lamenting the loss of All Bar One and The Slug And Lettuce have plenty to look forward to.
While the identity of the future hospitality offerings remains under wraps, there’s recognition that adding to the mix on the estate is all part of what makes it an increasingly attractive proposition for companies.
“In the City, we’ve seen a huge take-up and the supply of Grade A office space is limited,” said Tristram.
“Canary Wharf still offers very good value for money compared with the West End where you’re looking of rents at £120-£200 per sq ft.
“In the City, new Grade A office space is going to have to be £85-£100 and so a new development here makes sense.
Most floors have outdoor space including one with a vast wraparound terrace
“For us, the rents are around £55-£65 – exceptionally good value.
“YY London is slap-bang in the middle of Canary Wharf with the DLR and the Jubilee stations so close – it couldn’t be more central.
“The Elizabeth Line is only a two-minute walk away.
“I’m a great believer in the Wharf. A mixed-use destination is much more attractive to people coming in and that’s what it’s become.
“There are more people here now than ever before and it’s continuing to grow all the time.
“It’s quite a young population living here too, which is also good.
“I think the Wharf has been reinventing itself and many people have not been so aware of that.
“Some remember only the estate as it was 15 or 20 years ago and see a very changed place when they visit now.
“I think Canary Wharf Group is doing a fantastic job promoting the area, but that needs to continue so that people become more aware of what it has to offer.”
One of those attractions is sustainability – something the YY London project has at its heart. It’s an all electric building and benefits from being a refurbishment rather than a completely new venture.
Yohance Harper of Quadrant Estates
Yohance said: “We’ve reused and maintained a lot of the main structure by really going into great detail with the design team.
“Buildings are one of the major contributors to carbon emissions around the world and that’s helped us reduce our impact on the environment.
“Then our tenants’ presence inside will be key.
“YY London responds to that in every way whether it’s the lights in the lifts to the air temperature and lighting in a meeting room that’s been booked.
“All these things help the building to be more efficient in terms of energy.
“We feel all this is a very solid statement in the next step of development in this area and it’s going to be very exciting to see what else it inspires.”
All electric, YY London is targeting an impressive array of sustainability measures including BREEAM Outstanding with reduced water consumption, smart systems, low energy lighting, central heat pumps and a great deal more.
With Canary Wharf Group’s initiative to bring a wealth of biodiversity to Middle Dock in partnership with the Eden Project, right outside YY, there are, perhaps, no greener locations to admire the coming flora and fauna.
But make no mistake, Quadrant and Oaktree’s scheme is certainly not austere or uncomfortable.
From its richly planted roof terrace to the numerous partnerships it intends to enter into with local businesses, life at YY London should be rich, from dry cleaning to getting your bike fixed.
This place has it all.
The top floor of YY London features communal spaces including an outdoor terrace
key details
Space at YY London is available now, with tours available to interested parties.
Floorplates of 30,000sq ft or more are available on levels one through nine at present.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Having served the Canary Wharf estate for 21 years, the East Wintergarden is no more.
Well, not exactly. The exaggerated steel and glass barrel vault of the events venue’s roof will continue to preside over functions – but new operator Broadwick has given the place a makeover.
The Pelligon – renamed for the building’s architect, Cesar Pelli – has seen its original interior replaced with a more functional, blank canvas – leaving clients free to dress and adapt the space to their needs.
Gone is the zig-zag marble floor, the warm brown panelling, the glass balustrades and Cesar’s trademark stainless steel.
Instead Broadwick has gone for white cladding and a practical dark rubber underfoot with a lighting rig tastefully sprayed in unobtrusive matte black.
“Canary Wharf Group is quite keen on developing culture on the estate and, now we’ve moved our office to Wood Wharf and launched Broadwick Studio underneath, this looked like a good opportunity to bring the East Wintergarden into the 21st century,” said Simon Tracey, group CEO at Broadwick, during a sneak peek of the venue this month.
“We’ve gone for a very simple palette, trying to make it as neutral and hybrid as possible, that is our strategy.
The interior of the venue has been given a neutral makeover with new spiral staircases so guests can easily access the mezzanine level – image Spaces And Stories
“You could do literally anything in this space and we’ve installed state-of-the-art production facilities to make that as easy as possible.
“What we try to do is to imagine making events simple for organisers – so The Pelligon has got great access and is a totally blank canvas space, allowing brands to put their stamp on the place – it’s very exciting.
“We’ve done three things to the building itself.
“We’ve simplified the colour scheme and brought it up to date.
“We’ve improved the flow of the venue – the mezzanine used only to be accessible from outside the main hall, so we’ve put in two staircases and we’re also now using the front doors as the front doors.
“Then finally, we’ve updated the back of house facilities including extending the kitchen facilities, which were previously too small to cater for the kind of events people wanted to do here.
“We’ve given it everything it needs to operate as a modern day venue with a vibrant feel.”
Following its rebirth as The Pelligon, Wharfers can expect a number of public events as well as private affairs – delivering a bit of a cultural boost to the southern edge of the estate.
“The original East Wintergarden was designed as a utility space for Canary Wharf, but I think even they would say it’s a fantastic location in need of updating,” said Simon.
The mezzanine level can now be accessed from the main hall – image Spaces And Stories
“What they were interested in, when talking to us, was preserving it as an amazing space for conferences and weddings, but also attracting brand experiences and launches.
“We’ll also be working to our skill-set in terms of music and consumer-led awards ceremonies, jazz festivals and gigs.
“Now the space is more of a blank canvas – it opens it up and Canary Wharf is turning into a place where people don’t just come to work, but also to visit, to live and play.
“We’re very much part of that journey.
“Because of the type of business Broadwick is, when people come to our offices, they are routinely amazed by what Canary Wharf has become.
“From a predominantly financial business district, it’s changed into something entirely different and a thriving residential area.
“People need culture and – Broadwick believes that and Canary Wharf Group believes it. Collectively we can bring that to the estate.”
Located minutes from the main Jubilee line exit and a short walk from Canary Wharf’s Elizabeth Line station, The Pelligon is well placed for incoming audiences as well as local businesses who may wish to use the waterside venue for their own events.
It’s a venue Broadwick is keen to see thrive, having relocated its operation to the Wharf while British Land works on updating Printworks London at Canada Water – part of a 12-year regeneration of 53 acres on the other side of the river.
But the completion of that project – expected in 2027 – won’t see Broadwick abandon the Wharf.
“We will be moving our entertainment team back there, because it will once again become a big venue – but we’ll be retaining staff here,” said Simon.
“We have a lot of venues across east London and there seem to be a lot of opportunities in this part of the capital.
“Broadwick has its heritage in festivals and we’re still in that world, but those events can be very up and down.
“One wet date and it takes the business a couple of years to recover.
“What running venues does is enable you both to control the weather and to finesse what it is you’re doing in those places every single week.
“With annual festivals you have a debrief, you learn things, but it takes an entire year to put them into practice.
“With a venue, we can sit down right away and analyse what went well and what didn’t. Did we have enough bars?
“Were there enough toilets? What was the customer experience like?
“Were the staffing numbers right? What was the feedback on socials?
The Pelligon dressed for an event – image Spaces And Stories
“We’re fanatical about that process and we can react immediately.
“What’s most important for Broadwick is creating amazing experiences for people and running venues allows us to do that better.
“We’re also a property development company at heart.
“We’ll look at opportunities, develop spaces, turn them into events and leisure venues – then put our own content in and take them to market.
“We’re always interested in talking to as many people as possible because we’re not big enough on our own to activate all our venues.
“Fortunately there’s a whole world of brands, corporates, film and TV companies who we love to work with.
“Our model is to build these spaces and develop them so they are as good as they can be. Then we’ll back them by using them ourselves and work with other people as well.”
Into that mix drops The Pelligon.
But what will Broadwick’s clients do with it?
key details
The Pelligon is now available for event bookings including conferences, brand launches, performances and weddings.
The venue can accommodate up to 1,000 guests depending on the set-up and extends to some 900sq m of space.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
One of the criticisms levelled at regenerated parts of London is that they can lack atmosphere.
Crisply manicured parks might look great as the promise of “public realm” is dangled before planning officials.
But the Isle Of Dogs is littered with odd chunks of land that don’t really do anything. Perhaps there’s a tiny kids playground, a few benches, a fountain or a sculpture.
So it was with a paved area of dockside waterfront on the corner adjacent to Sierra Quebec Bravo (a rebrand from the rather unimaginative South Quay Building) and South Quay Plaza’s Hampton Tower.
Despite its impressive views over West India South Dock towards Canary Wharf and Wood Wharf, this neatly finished open space had no obvious function – other than as a thoroughfare for pedestrians enjoying a waterside walk east, before diverting down to Marsh Wall to cross the Millwall Cutting bridge.
Canary Garden’s Oscar Tang
Enter Canary Garden founder Oscar Tang, local resident and entrepreneur.
“My wife Nadine and I live in one of the towers at South Quay Plaza and one of the things we’ve observed is that people have started to move in after the pandemic and the demographic is ever-changing,” he said.
“There are younger people from every corner of the world coming to the Island, but we’ve also found there are not many activities going on.
“The developers have built this infrastructure for a high density of residents, but not necessarily the amenities – there’s not much feeling of community.
“That’s why we thought it would be good to do something.”
Thus Canary Garden was born, a project to inject some life into an underused patch of land that’s just about to get into its stride.
Part cafe, part farm shop, part florist and part street food market, Oscar’s vision has arrived in the form of a series of greenhouse-like structures and wooden kiosks that will offer an array of attractions.
“We thought this place was really under-used and it could be much more fun – that’s where it all started,” he said.
“During Christmas we started to test out a few things to see what the neighbourhood was interested in and what people wanted.
“The immediate local area can be awfully boring at weekends – even the Pret is closed on Saturday and Sunday or after 4pm or 5pm on weekdays.
“We wanted to make this somewhere people could bring their family for a chilled out session and to enjoy a bit of sunshine, hopefully.
Florafind sells bouquets and offers floristry workshops
“We often go out to the countryside for a bit of freshness, a change of mood from the concrete city.
“That’s what we wanted to create here at Canary Garden.
“It’s based on wooden structures because we really wanted to build this as a reflection of nature.
“One of the disadvantages of living in an apartment in a city is that you don’t have a back yard and nowhere outdoors to spend time.
“At Hampton Tower there are 56 storeys, 2,000 people living on-site, but there is not much around the area – why not create something like a backyard?
“The idea is not too complicated.”
Already in place is a cafe, with indoor seating spread through three greenhouse-like structures.
Also up and running is Florafind, a florist offering bouquets and workshops.
Then there are a series of pine food kiosks which, from this month, will offer an array of culinary delights.
“We will have five food traders in total,” said Oscar.
“We’ve picked them from all across London and have tried to create a theme – at the moment the focus will be on oriental dishes.
“Each will celebrate a different cooking technique or niche dish.
“The first has a focus on the marination of ingredients, for example.
“The second will serve a particular type of noodles from the Chinese city of Suzhou, which is close to Shanghai.
“It’s a very traditional soup dish with one kind of noodle, two kinds of base, three kinds of topping.
Richly flavoured vegetarian noodles from Lu at Canary Garden
“The third will be Hong Kong street food, cooked by a lovely couple who graduated a few years ago and started their own business to bring the younger generation’s understanding of the cuisine there over to the UK.
“Then, the fourth will be a halal barbecue – who doesn’t like that over the summer with a bit of drink?
“Finally, we will also have a rotating trailer spot, where we’ll have guest traders when we sense there is a seasonal thing people might want.
“The next will be serving Malaysian cuisine with laksa on offer.”
With matcha brownies at the cafe, already a firm favourite, readers could be forgiven for thinking that Canary Garden is simply a food hall with great views and plenty of outdoor space.
But Oscar’s vision for the site is wider.
“We also intend to host other workshops and events including afternoon teas,” said Oscar.
“We’re already in touch with other organisers to see what we can include.
“That might include calligraphy, watercolour painting and aromatherapy.
“We’re also looking at theoretical beekeeping without the insects.
“We’re also working in partnership with the Wutian Martial Art Institute, which is based around the corner, so when the weather is warmer their kids can come and enjoy the outdoor space and do some activities.”
While separate entities, recent arrival Theatreship and forthcoming arrival Artship, will be neighbours to Canary Garden – something Oscar believes fits well with what it offers.
“We have collaborated and for me, I call it toothbrush and toothpaste – two things that go together very well,” he said. “It works perfectly for their audiences.”
key details
Canary Garden’s cafe is currently open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am-5.30pm. Food stalls are open from noon-8pm.
Group workshops at Florafind take place on Saturdays and Wednesdays and cost £90 per person for two hours.
Times vary and refreshments are included. Children’s workshops are available too and start at £55.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Kricket is set to try something different in Canary Wharf.
Over recent years, the estate’s restaurant and bar scene has flourished thanks to a torrent of new arrivals.
The likes of Dishoom, Hawksmoor, Mallow and Oysteria have built on the solid foundations laid by Amerigo Vespucci, Roka and Boisdale Of Canary Wharf to transform the estate into a compelling culinary destination.
However, even with a wealth of destinations to choose from, finding food after 10pm can be challenging.
While some venues are open until midnight and a few don’t close until 2am, they are the exception rather than the rule.
But Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell feel this corner of London is now right for a venue that cooks into the small hours.
“We’ve got a late licence on the site so we can open to 2am, which is great for our bar, Soma, but we’re also going to use that for our restaurant, Kricket, and do the full service until late, on the nights that demand it – Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” said Rik, who co-founded the business with university friend Will in Brixton.
“It’s a selling point and I think we can get a following going for it.”
Bhel puri at Kricket
Will, who works as the business’ executive chef, added: “We took a lot of our team over to Mumbai in January this year – many have been with us for five years or more – as we wanted to show them the city we were inspired by.
“There’s a lot of late-night eating there and we thought it would be great to recreate that vibe – Mumbai really is a 24-hour city, even if London isn’t.”
There’s something fitting, perhaps, in the arrival of a cutting-edge brand in Docklands that started life in a shipping container in Brixton.
Those metal oblongs were themselves a transformative force for shipping – their introduction one of the factors that left the docks obsolete, clearing the way for Canary Wharf to emerge.
“We started Kricket in 2015,” said Will, who went straight to work in a London kitchen after university in Newcastle, before moving over to India.
“I cooked the food and Rik served the customers.
“It was like a foray into the darkness – we didn’t really know what we were doing until we opened – then we learnt as we went along.
“From there, we opened in Soho in January 2016.”
A Junoon cocktail at the restaurant
Rik, for his part, had always wanted to work in hospitality but spent time at Deloitte in corporate finance before joining forces with Will.
Their Soho venture was a success and Kricket now operates three sites – a restaurant under railway arches in Brixton and another in White City.
“Having been in India, we wanted to showcase what we’d seen there,” said Will.
“When I was first over there, I was running a European restaurant – but I was always more interested in what I wasn’t cooking.
“In London at the time, there were high-end Indian fine dining establishments and curry houses with very little in between.
“It was about waiting for an opportunity and that was the container.”
Rik added: “We were young – in our mid-20s – and naiveté was bliss.
“We did 50 covers on our first night – mostly friends and family – but we had no kitchen porter and no bar.
“A lot of time we would get out of trouble because Will’s food is so good.
“We had a lot of fun, just focused on the food and service and worked really hard doing 90-100 hour weeks.
“It was an important part of the journey, but you couldn’t pay me to go back there now.”
Pandhi pork curry
The buzz the duo created won them recognition and a shot at Soho, attracting a line of diners with an open kitchen and counter service.
“Eventually they took on the space next door, opening basement bar Soma at least partly to lucratively lubricate those waiting in the queue.
It’s this combination that will inform their forthcoming Canary Wharf branch – tentatively expected to open in July, 2024, at Frobisher Passage under the DLR.
“The site was in a very unassuming building, quite un-Canary Wharf, but Rik said we must go and see it,” said Will.
“Neither of us had been to Canary Wharf for about 10 years, and we’d assumed that it wasn’t really where we wanted to be.
“But when we went over there, we were really surprised by how much it had changed.
“It’s a full seven-day operation with an established community – lots of committed residents, people visiting and staying locally.
“You can get to our Soho branch near Piccadilly Circus via the Elizabeth Line in less than half an hour.”
So what can people expect from the new venue when it opens its doors?
“Kricket is our interpretation of Indian food,” said Rik. “It’s such a varied cuisine – there’s so much to learn and to eat.
“Our menus are constantly changing and we showcase local ingredients in dishes that are designed to be shared, just as they are in India.”
Will added: “We’ve designed the restaurant so people can come on their own, as a couple or with eight or 10 people for a feast.
Mussels Goan chorio and other assorted dishes
“We have dishes from £2-£45 so it’s accessible.
“The most expensive one is really a big showcase of a plate.
“We’ve always had open kitchens, which is unusual for an Indian restaurant and it’s how we like to eat – up at the counter.
“Then there will be Soma, which will have a different feel and its own entrance.
“If Kricket is a bustling market-like place, then Soma is the quiet little sister – a little broody and underground.
“In Canary Wharf it will be India and beyond with a definite Japanese influence and elements from across Asia.
“Our Soho bar was formerly a Japanese gentleman’s club so we’ve taken inspiration from that in the classic style of the drinks. High quality and reasonably priced.”
While the last time Will and Rik ate together at Kricket they had the steak with garlic bread, when asked for guidance, Will was clear.
“Start with the tomato rasam pani puri (£2) and then have the bhel puri (£7.50),” he said.
“The first is an explosion in your mouth and the second has been on the menu since day one.”
Anyone else salivating?
key details
Kricket and Soma are set to open in Canary Wharf’s Frobisher Passage in July, 2024.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
The organisations have come together to create a pop-up trail of 25 sculptures, celebrating and raising awareness of the charity’s work.
Inspired by a London-based guide dog called Theia, each of the canine statues has been decorated by a different artist, forming a route that takes visitors across Canary Wharf as well as to West India Quay and Canary Garden.
“The Paws On The Wharf trail features sculptures scattered all over this area with a total distance of about 5km,” said Guide Dogs CEO, Andrew Lennox, at the launch event.
“We’ve only just launched and we’re already seeing such great engagement and involvement with the public.
“People who see these sculptures are appreciating the art, but also learning more about the impact Guide Dogs has on people’s lives every single day and the artists behind the creations.
The sculptures can be found at West India Quay as well as in Canary Wharf and Canary Garden on South Quay
“We had Theia at the launch, who is a dog sponsored by one of our amazing partners Citi, which is also supporting the trail.”
Jackson Mendosa, chief of staff to Citi’s UK CEO, added: “Two things that make this trail stand out are accessibility and inclusivity, which are also concepts we believe we embrace as a firm through our staff and our business.
“Guide Dogs was our charity partner between 2020 and 2022, with Theia the result of that relationship – but it was also the start of this initiative.
“Paws On The Wharf’s first sculpture is just outside Citi’s offices and I’d like to thank everyone involved in the trail – it’s really something phenomenal.”
Key among those involved are, of course, the artists.
Sian Healey and Uri
Sian Healey created Guide Dog Adventures for the trail, which can be found near the eastern exit from Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Station.
She said: “I’m from Cardiff and I’ve been visually impaired since I was a child, due to a form of albinism that affects my eyes, hair and skin.
“I lose melanin slowly over time.
“I’ve always needed extra support and help throughout my life, whether that was with education or mobility and, eventually I applied for a guide dog, which now gives me independence.
“I had my first guide dog 15 years ago when my children were young and that opened up my world considerably.
“I had been pretty independent before when I was on my own – using my cane and hiding my disability as much as possible.
“But with young children you can no longer do that because you could be putting them in danger.
Sian’s postcard of London
“Once I had children, I had to accept how poor my vision was – how potentially dangerous simple tasks like walking across a road could be – and I had to reach out and accept help, because it was affecting my mental health too.”
Having donated artwork to Guide Dogs as a way of giving something back to the charity, Sian was invited to contribute a piece to the trail.
She said: “I submitted a few ideas which were developed and eventually accepted.
“Then, one day, Wild In Art delivered a big statue of a guide dog to my home and I was left with the paints.
“Uri – my current guide dog – didn’t like him at all.
“We had to cover the sculpture with a duvet most of the time. Uri wouldn’t go near him, even while I was working.
“I wanted my piece to be about being a guide dog owner and, of the 25, mine is probably the most realistic-looking.
“He’s in a traditional harness and has a nose that’s the same colour as Uri’s.
“Then I thought about what these dogs do for us and how I could depict that.
Sian’s postcard from Northern Ireland
“The main thing is to do with travel – getting out and about and doing things.
“So I thought of postcards of different places people had been with their guide dogs.
“The organisers wanted it to reflect all parts of the UK, so I have views from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.
“I also wanted it to reflect the diversity of what the charity offers, so there are different dogs on there – labradors, retrievers and a shepherd – with a variety of owners.
“I’ve always painted and drawn, although I did stop for a while.
“It started picking up again when I had my first guide dog, who helped me to get to art classes and build my confidence up.
“It’s something I’ve always loved doing, and my artwork is different from other people’s because of the way I see – it’s very blurry and abstract at times, because that’s the way my world is.
“I have no depth vision, so that’s why my paintings are a bit flat but very bright.
“I have to wear dark glasses and hats all the time because the light burns my eyes and I have no colouring in the back of them.
Sian’s postcard from Wales
“In certain lights I can’t see anything at all, but in other lights I can see quite well up to my nose.
“My sight is constantly changing and it’s not something I can depend on.
“It’s quite a buzz to have a piece included in the trail.
“I hope Paws On The Wharf helps people understand that visual impairment is a spectrum, not just one thing and that this trail helps raise awareness.”
Following the trail, the sculptures are set to be auctioned off to raise money for Guide Dogs.
Prices will start at £2,000. Those interested in attending should in the first instance email pawsonthewharf@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.
Guide Dog Adventures by Sian Healey can be found outside the east exit of the Elizabeth Line station at Canary Wharf
key details
The Paws On The Wharf trail starts in Jubilee Park and is available to follow from now until May 17, 2024.
Visitors can tour the sculptures at their leisure using either a digital or printed map.
A limited number of free, bookable, 90-minute multi-sensory tours – with priority spaces for people with sight loss and the option to request a sighted guide – will also be held on various dates during the trail’s run.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Trained at Vidal Sassoon, she comes from a family of hairdressers and has spent more than a decade honing her skills.
When Jon Hala opened his salon in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place, she was a natural choice for his team and currently works for the business as a senior art director.
“Initially I fell into the industry,” she said.
“I originally thought I didn’t want to follow everyone else in my family into it, but as soon as I tried it, that was me done.
“I’m a hairdresser and I absolutely love it.
“My nan had a salon in east London and I’ve got aunts and uncles who all followed in the family tradition.”
Ellie specialises in cutting hair, which makes her the ideal person to talk about shorter styles, which are becoming increasingly popular among her female clients, just as men experiment with slightly longer locks.
“To do my job, you need good fundamental training, lots of practice and to have a passion for it,” said Ellie.
“It’s as much about dealing with people as it is their hair, having that confidence to know what will suit the shape of someone’s face.
“Men, especially, look for guidance – they like someone to tell them what complements their face shape, the texture of their hair and their lifestyle.
“At Jon Hala London I cut a lot of men’s hair and I’m happy to be direct if that’s what the client wants – I can tell them what is going to work and why.
“It’s why I’ve built up a lot of loyal clients who come back again and again.
“One thing is you don’t necessarily want to follow the trends – do a short back and sides or get the clippers out and shave everything off.
Jon Hala London is located in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place
“Men often want something that’s easy to care for and style, that suits them and doesn’t need a lot doing to it.
“At the salon, customers will find great people who have been in the industry for a long time, so they know how to cut hair to suit an individual.
“We go deeper than simply looking at clients, we explore their lifestyle, job and how that relates to their hair.
“It’s tailored haircuts for individuals.
“Everyone is different and everyone has different hair. Our training actually starts with bone structure so you can understand why a person’s hair does what it does.”
Ellie said the effect of the various lockdowns had left men open to experimenting with different styles, having (in some cases) seen their hair grow out for the first time in years.
“Some of them discovered they had looks they’d never really seen before, like amazing curls,” she said.
“Many more of my clients are trying longer hair or mid-length styles rather than opting for that close-clipped look.
“Lockdown did good things for male hair, it allowed people to see what they had naturally.
“Some might be a bit daunted to walk into somewhere like Jon Hala, but I’d encourage them to just come and have a chat.
“If you don’t know what you want or you’re looking for a change, book a consultation and we can give you that advice.”
The technical expertise that Ellie has accrued over the years is equally applicable to women’s hair, an area that post-pandemic has seen an almost reciprocal effect.
With many having gone long over the previous couple of years, a fashion for shorter styles is emerging.
“For a while no-one was really cutting their hair,” said Ellie.
“So now people have become bored with that and have decided to try new things. There are lots of bobs and pixie cuts already this year.
“It’s the same with men and women. The important thing about these styles is they have to suit the individual’s face.
Men are currently experimenting with longer styles
“Men tend to have squarer faces so the hair needs to reflect those shapes.
“Women are often more rounded, so you want a style that’s softer or more feminine.
“The one thing I would say when it comes to short hair is the better the haircut, the longer it will last.
“At Jon Hala, we cut the hair so that it will keep its shape as it grows out.
“That means it can last three, four or even five months.
“It’s about knowing the tricks and techniques.
“For example, with male clients I might take a little more off the back and sides because I know they will grow out more quickly than the hair on top.
“That’s the difference when you come to a salon like this – you’re getting a tailored, high quality, technical cut.”
In addition to the cut, appointments at Jon Hala include advice and tips on caring for and styling a client’s hair.
“We have a wide variety of products and I’ll always go through what I’m using with a client and why,” said Ellie.
“We can always suggest what will work well for people and offer advice on what they’re already using.
“Everyone at the salon is trained, so when someone comes here they can tap into all of that expertise.
Women are exploring shorter, more technical styles
“When a client comes to see me, I want them to feel comfortable, special and like they’re the only person in the salon.
“It’s both that experience and the quality of the haircut that we focus on.
“We want people to leave thinking that they will tell their friends and relatives about their visit so they can come and see us too.
“I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by Canary Wharf.
“From an outsider’s point of view, I think people associate it with business and offices.
“While I grew up in east London as a kid and then moved out, I’d had no experience of working here before Jon, who I’ve known forever, asked me to join his team.
“It’s not what I expected at all. I’ve worked all over London including salons in Mayfair, but this really is people-wise the nicest area I’ve ever experienced.
“I have the loveliest clients, really interesting people, and it’s a very mixed area.
“We have clients of all ages coming to the salon and you end up befriending lots of people.”
need to know
Jon Hala London is located in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place. Ladies cut and blow-dry starts at £75, while men’s start at £50.
The salon offers a comprehensive range of hair and beauty treatments and is open for appointments from Monday to Saturday.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
“We are seriously under-represented in London,” said Paul Devin, Kiko Milano’s managing director for the UK and Ireland.
“Before we opened in Canary Wharf, we had branches in Regent Street, Covent Garden and in the two Westfield shopping centres.
“But a brand with our potential customer base should have significantly more sites in the capital and at key locations around the UK and Ireland.
“Canary Wharf is very interesting for us – the demographic of the consumer here is very aligned to Kiko Milano and what’s fascinating is the consumer profile has evolved while the area continues to go through a really exciting evolution.
“It’s not the Wharf of old with Monday-Friday city workers.
“Now it’s a vibrant place seven days a week and we want to be where those customers are.”
The Jubilee Place opening this month was the first in Kiko’s ambitious plan to go from 27 stores in the UK to 100 over the next four years.
It’s also an opportunity for the brand to trial a more compact store with a smaller footprint and see consumers’ reactions to that.
“When visiting our store, people will find quite a disruptive take on the beauty industry,” said Paul.
“If you’re a customer in that market, you’re often sent down one of two paths.
“The first is a self-select environment where there might be great brands but there’s no service.
“You might take a product to the till and try it on, there might be some testers or there might not.
“Alternatively there’s the prestige environment.
Kiko Milano’s Canary Wharf store is located in Cabot Place mall
“There you have that counter element which, for some consumers, is fantastic, but for others is a little bit formal – it can be a bit of a barrier as it’s not so relaxed.
“What Kiko Milano offers in all of its branches is a bright, relaxed atmosphere with music in the background and beauty advisers who are trained to help customers.
“There are product areas where you can test and play too, so you get the best of both worlds.
“You get prestige quality products at an accessible price point, with unbelievable quality.
“If you want a five or 10-minute makeover, you can have one free of charge, and we’ll talk about the products used.
“Then you can choose to buy or come back another time – or not – it makes no difference to the way we treat people. Nobody else is doing beauty in this way.
“Approximately 98% of our products are made in Italy, which is important because that’s where the best in the world are manufactured.
“In that region, we have access to the same creative minds and the same factories that are used by prestige quality brands.
“We put our own spin and innovation into the mix and offer our products to consumers at a far more affordable price.
“It’s a sweet spot for us, because we’re both the brand and the retailer so you don’t have that margin on the price – the customer doesn’t have to pay a mark-up and we can offer amazing quality for less.”
Founded in Milan, Kiko has been trading for 26 years with a mission to “surprise and delight consumers” with its stores.
Paul said it had been a pioneer, introducing attractions such as video walls and in-store music as it aimed to bring the feel of clothes shopping to the beauty and skincare market.
“Today we have 1,100 stores globally in 65 countries, including market-leading positions in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Middle East,” he said.
“Then we’ve got opportunities where we are looking to seriously accelerate the brand in the UK and Ireland, Germany, the US and Asia.
“It’s our ambition to reach more than 2,000. The momentum is there.”
The growth in bricks and mortar stores reflects Kiko’s approach to expanding its brand online both for exposure and sales.
“We have a strategy of unified commerce,” said Paul.
“I don’t think there’s a consumer today, whether they’re in the automotive industry, fashion, beauty or footwear, who is not using digital devices for research and to purchase products.
“But our stores are an integral part of that.
“If someone in Canary Wharf comes into Kiko Milano and has a great experience then I’m delighted.
“If they go on to purchase a product online, via click-and-collect or from the shop, then that’s great.
“What we’re obsessed with is a customer-centric approach – if we’re able to combine online and offline, then that helps us climb further up the hierarchy. It’s a complementary approach.
“When customers go into our stores they will meet one of our fantastic beauty advisers, who wear what we call a brush belt ready to demonstrate key products and applications.
“They are all qualified beauticians, are ready to offer makeovers and are equipped with bespoke iPhones that can be used for all transactions or even to order products to stores or to other locations.
“Our heritage is in physical stores and that will always be at the forefront of what we do – we want to invest in that experience, whether it’s in a compact branch like Canary Wharf or our new flagship in Covent Garden.”
The store carries an extensive range of products
With beauty and skincare firmly at the core of Kiko’s offer – best sellers include its Skin Trainer Opitcal Corrector and 3D Hydra Lipgloss – big plans are afoot to extend the brand’s range.
Paul said: “We’re currently working to articulate our new position, which is: ‘Art, beauty, joy’.
“We’ll be doing so many things to get that message out there over the coming months and it’s the first time the UK will have a heavyweight media campaign from us.
“We’ll open 13 stores in the next eight months and refurbish another three, so that’s key.
“Then we’re also working on a lot of product categories and we’ll be launching a haircare range followed by sun care and then fragrances in the fourth quarter.
“With Kiko there’s a new collection every four weeks and we have some great collaborations coming up including one with Bridgerton, which captures the essence of the new series.”
Clearly one to watch…
THREE WHARF LIFE PICKS
Jess Maddison has scoured the store to find a trio of products for shoppers to look out for…
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
