Proposals are being worked up to redevelop 77 Marsh Wall.
Currently office block Sierra Quebec Bravo sits on the plot, occupying the corner of Millwall Cutting and West India South Dock.
It’s also home to street food market Canary Garden and provides access to arts venue Theatreship.
Areli Developments, together with architects Patel Taylor, are currently engaged in a public consultation on their ideas to demolish the existing building and replace it with a tower.
While plans are at an early stage, the mixed use scheme could include a blend of co-living space, an aparthotel and apartments for private rent as well as affordable housing.
The mix of tenures will allow residents to stay for any length of time, whether that be one night, two years or more”.
Occupation will, however, be on a rental basis with no mention of apartments for sale in what will likely be the latest tall tower to arrive on the strip of land south of Canary Wharf.
900 residential units to rent
The consortium says its vision includes providing 900 residential units, offering flexibility for those moving in and aimed at attracting a range of inhabitants.
Alongside the accommodation, it promises to provide leisure amenities, green spaces, a lounge, gyms, shops, cafes and bars.
Early sketches show three connected towers set on a communal plinth that will have spaces for “residents’, community and public use”.
Public space will be partially sheltered, allowing people to spill out of the building at street level without getting wet.
The developer says the plans will create a new waterside destination on Marsh Wall, provide jobs both during construction and in the future, deliver opportunities for a programme of activities including a market and community events and deliver new cafes and restaurants.
The scheme aims to create “a place for people at all stages in life – for families, couples or individuals”.
Many developers have turned away from building homes for sale in recent years in favour of build-to-rent.
The advantage is these projects are often easier to finance with the promise of steady returns.
However, they can also lead to more unstable communities with people having less security over whether they remain in a property long-term.
key details: 77 Marsh Wall consultation
The public consultation on 77 Marsh Wall ends on March 31, 2025.
Interested parties are invited to have their say on the proposals via an online survey.
You can also email your thoughts to 77marshwall@kandaconsulting.co.uk
The survey found 31% were planning to invest more in an ISA this year to mitigate changes around capital gains tax and 29% intended to do the same due to proposed new rules around inheritance tax on pensions.
“We have seen a clear shift in investor behaviour since the autumn with more people moving their savings and assets into ISAs to minimise the amount of tax they may need to pay,” said Nutmeg head of financial advice and guidance, Claire Exley.
“No-one wants to pay more tax than they need to and having the right ISA strategy can help to reduce your overall tax liability.
“The beauty of ISAs is that they can be a simple and efficient way to build a portfolio and invest towards medium and long-term goals while minimising your tax.
“Even if you don’t have new money to put into an ISA, this can be a good time to look at any ISAs you may already have and make sure they’re working hard for you.
“Whether it’s transferring to a new provider or reviewing your balance of cash and investments, a little financial admin could serve you well in the long run.”
Nutmeg’s Claire Exley – image by Nutmeg
top tips: Nutmeg’s Claire Exley on ISAs
>> Review Your Contributions
“Also check how much ISA allowance you have remaining,” said Claire.
“You don’t have to maximise the allowance for it to make a difference: the more you have invested, the more you can benefit from compounding on any potential growth and not having to pay tax on any returns.
“If you can afford it, you should aim to consistently save or invest towards your goals – a little top up now could make a sizeable difference over time.”
>> Cash And Investments?
“Consider whether you want to drip-feed future contributions,” said Claire.
“If you have money to invest but aren’t ready to put it into the markets all at once, the Nutmeg 100% cash pot feature allows you to use your 2024/25 ISA allowance by making your contribution and then ‘drip-feeding’ money into an investment pot over time.”
key details: Nutmeg
Nutmeg is owned by J.P. Morgan, which has its European headquarters in Canary Wharf.
The digital wealth manager offers stocks and shares ISAs, pensions and general investment accounts.
Your capital is at risk when investing in stocks and shares ISAs.
Tax rules are dependent on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future
Spread over two floors at the base of 30 Churchill Place, with views over the dock to Hawksmoor, it extends to some 14,500sq ft.
But it’s what founders Elliot Godfrey and Chris Ingham have put in the space that sets it apart as something entirely different for the estate.
Firstly there’s the golf – Pitch’s primary function.
The venue boasts 11 simulator bays, the first physical Trendygolf shop for apparel and accessories and a PGA Academy.
This is a place where people who are serious about clubs and handicaps can play detailed renderings of the most famous courses in the world.
But it’s more than that.
The bays also offer arcade-style games and challenges where players compete to get closest to the pin.
Its bars and restaurant offer spaces to socialise and relax for those new to golf or who prefer to do their talking on the shuffleboard table.
Then there’s the record collection…
It’s an evolution of a business Elliot and Chris first started as a concession in a gym in the City.
Pitch founders Elliot Godfrey, left, and Chris Ingham – image by Jon Massey
from friends to business partners
“We’ve known each other since we were playing as teenagers – we’re both from Luton,” said Elliot.
“We’ve always been good friends and played golf competitively as professionals.
“We went our separate ways – Chris to Austria and I fell out of love with the game for a bit, perhaps because I’d played too much when I was young.
“At that time I was more into DJ-ing and so on.”
Both missed playing in the UK, however and, with Chris back, an idea for a possible business emerged.
“We were living in east London and the only golf club you could get to was Wanstead.
“When I came back from abroad, the new indoor tech was just coming out, but there were so few facilities for people to use.
“We thought we’d try setting something up now that the digital systems had made it possible.
“We thought we wanted to make the game more sociable with people playing in groups.
“We had our original site at Citypoint in Moorgate and we did that for about two and a half years.
“It was one of those bad-luck, good-luck situations.
“It was a concession within a gym, but it was taken over and we were homeless.
“We were having a good time there, and probably would have stayed as we had a good fanbase, but it was time to get out and take the next step – to go from a small centre to something bigger.
“We took over a place in Bishopsgate, which was the first iteration of the full concept.
“Then the pandemic hit and stopped everything.
“But we’d been successful and got through Covid with the support of our members, opening a branch in Soho in 2022, then Dublin four months ago and now Canary Wharf.”
The venue is spread over two floors and boasts two bars – image by Pitch
growing Pitch
Manchester, Birmingham and Brighton are all expected to open too, with an international franchising model for branches in Australia, Germany and America.
“Indoor golf is exploding, because of the convenience factor and the technology is so much better, with the AI tools that are about to come,” said Chris.
“We’re in the right industry and there’s a lot of demand for it, especially as indoor golf isn’t that common here.
“We use a technology called Trackman, which is the best in the world.
“On the system you can play 350 courses and one of the beauties of it is you can finish a round in an hour.
“There are also different games you can play, such as training games, social games, where you can have some beers and bring your friends for a round.”
With its expansive hospitality offering, the latter is a key offering for Pitch, which is hoping to tempt companies in for corporate events and groups in for parties alongside the more serious golfers.
Pitch in Canary Wharf has 11 simulator bays – image by Pitch
competitive socialising at Pitch
“The technology makes golf more accessible, and that’s one of the chief things for us,” said Elliot.
“It can be quite a hard sport to get into but here you don’t need to bring clubs and you can wear whatever you want.
“I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been popular – anyone can just come down and play.
“One of the best things about this place is that you can walk in and see a group playing for fun with serious golfers in the next bay.
“Other people will just be listening to music and having some food or cocktails – it’s that mix we want in our venues.
“We do have bays with orange curtains for the more serious players, but there’s congregation in the middle – a social area where everyone comes together.
“The important thing for us is that Pitch doesn’t just offer golf.
“We’ve brought in Des McDonald of Insight hospitality to help create our menu which features Asian flavours – there are plenty of things to do if you don’t want to play golf.”
While anyone can book a bay at Pitch, the company also offers a range of membership options aimed at taking the best elements of traditional golf club membership and updating them in line with the venue’s cutting-edge tech.
The venue is ideal for large events and also has shuffleboards for guests to enjoy – image by Pitch
‘everyone’s a potential customer’
“The breadth of our offering here in Canary Wharf is ideal because everyone is a potential customer whether they’re into golf or not,” said Chris.
“We are super proud of what we’ve created here and it’s great to see it working.
“It’s taken a lot to get on the estate, there’s been a lot of planning but there are a lot of golfers in this area and for those who don’t play, we have a great bar and restaurant.
“It’s good to create a bit of dwell-time in the venue and it will be fantastic for corporate events.”
Elliot added: “Sometimes we forget to stop and assess how far we’ve come and remember that we’re actually very proud of what we’ve achieved.
“From those early days in the City a decade ago, it’s taken a long time for us to reach our final vision of what we want Pitch to be and our Canary Wharf venue is a really good representation of that.
“There isn’t an abundance of golf facilities in this part of London, but the area is changing and evolving with lots of major hospitality brands opening here now.
“It’s a blend of office workers, visitors and residents now and the estate has become much more of a destination.”
Pitch itself is one of a new breed of venues that have opened in Canary Wharf in recent years, joining the likes of Hawksmoor, Marceline, Dishoom and Mallow as visitors increasingly head to the eastern end of the estate.
With a new theatre coming, a host of openings down toward Harbord Square and established offerings such as The Cube, MMy Wood Wharf and Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, there’s no shortage of attractions.
Pitch also houses a Trendygolf store – the brand’s first bricks and mortar offering – image by Pitch
key details: Pitch
Pitch Wharf is located at 30 Churchill Place with entry via the dockside concourse.
It’s open daily although hours vary so check with the venue when planning a visit.
Care and honesty sit at the heart of Kelsey Bailey’s business – something that should come as little surprise given her career.
Born and raised in Poplar, she spent nearly a decade and a half as an NHS nurse much of it on the Royal London Hospital’s Acute Assessment Unit ward in Whitechapel.
“AAU is chaotic,” she said. “It’s where patients go while we figure out what we’re going to do with them – where they will be sent for further treatment.
“It’s a stressful environment and staff often don’t last long there, but I loved it. I was there for nine years.
“I had two kids during that time and it got to the point where I needed to start thinking about what I was going to do because of the long hours and the shift patterns.
“I moved into practice nursing in 2019 at Aberfeldy Village and went from being on my feet all day to sitting in an office.
“That felt more like organised chaos, but I had this feeling the whole time that I wanted to do something.”
KB Aesthetics London started as a side hustle in 2022, with Kelsey offering medical grade beauty treatments in rooms rented through other salons.
“It was all word-of-mouth, but I could feel the momentum,” she said.
“My husband, Ricky, could see I had some energy built up inside me that I needed to get out – I really wanted to try something.
“I knew it would be a risk and it took about six months to make the decision to leave nursing. What if it didn’t work?
“I wouldn’t have that security blanket any more. I felt conflicted, but I needed to take the risk – if I didn’t try, I’d never know.”
Kelsey’s clinic offers a full range of services from premises on South Quay – image KB Aesthetics London
taking KB Aesthetics London to the next level
Kelsey took the plunge and built her dream – a facility with multiple treatment rooms on South Quay, just over the dock from Canary Wharf.
With help from Ricky, it’s a space she’s filled with soft brushed gold, warm whites and neutral tones, drawing on her passion for design and, of course, aesthetics.
“I wanted a calm environment – coming to a clinic like this can be nerve-racking and I just wanted everything to be chilled,” said Kelsey, who lives on the Isle Of Dogs.
“I’m very relaxed in my approach and I wanted everyone to be comfortable so they are happy telling me the truth about themselves rather than telling me what they think I want to hear.
“I’ve always liked looking after people. For every single person who comes through the door, we do a free consultation, which includes a skin scan.
“It may be that their skin is actually really good and they just need some retinal rather than Botox. We always talk about a journey.
“It’s important not to pay too much attention to one thing.
“For example, a woman in her 30s might see a line and focus entirely on that.
“But if she treats her skin as a whole with a really solid regime, the individual line might well not bother her any more.
“It’s about setting the bar lower in terms of what and how much you want to do.
“The trick with having aesthetic treatments is a light touch, which is a skill in itself. If someone has had Botox, they shouldn’t look as though they have.
“People should just be saying that they look well.
“I want people to understand that it’s not scary when you age.
“You might look in the mirror and see things that start to bother you, but it’s all right. It’s not about just getting loads of fillers.
“You can’t stop ageing, but there are things we can to do to make you feel better about yourself and those don’t have to cost a fortune and they don’t need to be invasive.
“Sometimes, if someone has a good skincare regime, all they need is the reassurance to carry on doing what they’re doing and some advice.
“Wherever possible, the natural side is the way to go.
“Our approach is holistic. I’ve known a lot of my clients for a long time.
“We’re really trying to do something different in the industry.”
Kelsey and husband Ricky have worked together to decorate the space
forging a team
Joining Kelsey on that mission are Louise Mitchell, R-Marni Aguilar and Trudi Gibson who bring a wealth of experience to the clinic.
Having grown the business largely through word-of-mouth, the plan is now to make a bigger splash and build on that solid foundation.
“It’s really down to my clients that I’ve come this far,” said Kelsey. “They’re the ones who helped give me the confidence to take that risk.
“Since we’ve put up our signs, people now know we’re here and it feels great. I’ve trained the other three on the team and we’ve really grown together.
“Before this I’d never owned a business – I’m a nurse – and starting a company on your own as a woman can be difficult.
“I wanted to do it with people who get me and that’s made it enjoyable for all of us.
“That connection means we all put more in for each other.
“As a business, we’re a bit more relaxed and that’s good for the team and clients.
“People often say it’s like a spa when they come here, which it is, but it’s built on a strong medical foundation.
“The aesthetics industry is not regulated at the moment and I always make sure people know about our medical training and the standards we set.
“Our approach is about keeping people safe – we always start with the client.
“First of all, my advice is to not spend money on things that aren’t bothering you.
“It would be wrong for me to find stuff you should be bothered about – it should never be about what I think a person needs.
“Often, following a good skincare routine will yield the best results.
“There may then come a day when you need something sorted out and then we can look at treatments and options. Then it’s about your needs.
“It’s important to keep up with what’s happening in the industry.
Kelsey wanted to create a calm, welcoming environment for her clients
“We’re not a clinic that’s machine-led – in this business it’s definitely possible to get too much stuff.
“I currently have one skincare machine – the Sofwave – which I’ve been working with for a couple of years and is non-invasive.
“I regularly attend conferences to see what’s out there and listen to the evidence and the claims.
“But for me it’s equally important to talk to people in the industry to find out what they actually do in practice.
“My clients are real people with busy lives. They don’t want there to be down time after they come for an appointment.”
Kelsey said running her own business full-time had been an opportunity for personal growth, alongside professional expansion.
“It’s been life-changing,” she said. “I never thought I’d have my own business and it’s an emotional roller-coaster.
“You have to have stamina, but I love it.
“I remember going to Canary Wharf as a kid – it’s so different now – but I really feel a part of it now and I almost can’t believe that.
“With all my family here and having grown up in the area, I feel like I’m getting the best of both worlds.”
key details: KB Aesthetics London
KB Aesthetics is located at Parker House in Admirals Way on South Quay at the top of the Isle Of Dogs.
The clinic’s full range of services is available online.
“It was quite random that I came to London – I just stuck a pin in a map, although I did have friends here too,” said Wayne Zukauskas.
Originally from Lithuania, the east London resident had spent 11 years playing professional basketball before a back injury prompted a change in career.
“The doctors said I had to stop – I could have continued my journey as a basketball coach but I wasn’t really interested if I wasn’t playing,” said Wayne.
“So I took a break for a year and three things came into my mind. Either to be a chef, a hairdresser or a DJ – I decided to try training as a stylist.
“Everyone, my friends and family, were shocked. I liked to do my own hair, but there wasn’t any particular reason for choosing that path – I just felt I wanted to do it.
“I studied for around 12 months, which was intense – you pay more money on a course that length, but it’s way quicker than going to college.
“Then I worked a little bit before moving London – it was the right place because I wanted to learn the language – then everything started to happen career-wise.
“Within a month or two, I was working – first in Notting Hill for a small independent salon and then for a bigger brand in London Bridge. I learnt a lot.
“My English got a lot better and I spent around five years there.”
But Wayne began to think about the future and, bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, he started to do some research.
“I was getting very interested in the business side of things – reading books and talking to people to find out how it all worked,” he said.
“Then, once I started getting interested in that, I began looking for opportunities.
“There was the chance to manage three salons in Zurich, but, at the last minute, I decided not to go to Switzerland.
“Instead I teamed up with a business partner here and we ran salons in Royal Wharf and Limehouse for nine years.
“When my daughter was born, I decided it was time for a break because I wanted to be there for her and running a business can be stressful.
“As a family, we had a really nice year and a half, travelled a lot with the baby – even though she won’t remember all the places she’s been.
“But I’m someone who needs challenges so we came back to London. I began talking to Canary Wharf Group about 8 Harbord Square.
“I knew it was coming – I’ve always lived in east London – in Westferry, Limehouse, next to City Airport and now close to Excel – so I’m always around Canary Wharf.”
Wayne Hairdresser Salon is set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in March 2025 – image Jon Massey
a new chapter: Wayne Hairdresser Salon
This brings us to the start of a new chapter for Wayne, as owner of one of the independent businesses that’s set to launch in Wood Wharf in the coming weeks and months.
“My idea was to create a boutique salon for this lovely area,” said Wayne.
“It will blend in with the New York style of 8 Harbord Square, with a modern look.
“We will have a dark brown, red and white colour scheme complete with a coffee bar inspired by a traditional British telephone box.
“In the future we’ll look at putting in a kids play area to keep them entertained while parents get their hair styled.
“We’ll be offering cuts for young ones too, which not every salon likes to do, but we love it.
“We’re expecting regular haircuts to be popular, as well as colour treatments such as highlights, balayage and ombre.
“I already have a client base in the area and we think we’ll mostly be serving the residential population, although workers in Canary Wharf and visitors to the area will be very welcome too.
“This will be a place that offers a luxury atmosphere and an experience to match – somewhere people will really enjoy coming.”
In fact, the salon will offer a comprehensive range of treatments and services drawing on Wayne’s 15 years in the business.
Brands the salon will be working with include Oribe, Goldwell and K18.
Wayne said: “I’ve recruited a really experienced team to deliver these services with a boutique feel.
“It’s all about quality rather than quantity. If a customer comes through the door, it has to be a good service and then, if they live locally, they will keep coming back.
“I’ve learnt a lot from my years running a business.
“With this opening, I want to take things easy, start slowly and see what happens. I hope the business will grow steadily and the team will expand.
“Then, perhaps, I’ll open more salons but we’ll see.
“What I’ve learned from running businesses is that it’s challenging and it can be an unhealthy balance.
“Before, one of my salons was very large whereas this will be more boutique – somewhere that people will feel relaxed coming to and enjoying at a slower pace.
“The plan when I first came to London was only to stay for a few years – but I’m still here because the journey is going the way I wanted it to.
“I always had the idea to move somewhere hot with a beach, but you can always go on holidays.
“In the end, wherever I go with my wife, we always end up missing London. It’s where my daughter was born and she will grow up here.
“Opening a business in Canary Wharf feels great. The look of the buildings and the people that live around here are the right fit for what I’m trying to do.”
8 Harbord Square is set to welcome several independent businesses in the near future including florist and gift shop The Flower Club and nail salon Awe London.
Drawn from east London, Canary Wharf Group is supporting them as they launch on the ground floor of the residential tower.
key details: Wayne Hairdresser Salon
Wayne Hairdresser Salon is set to open its doors on March 15, 2025, at 8 Harbord Square.
“When I was a lot younger, I had an obsession with Canary Wharf,” said Kamden Monplaisir.
“Aged nine, my mum brought me to the estate, because she’d noticed I had a major interest in numbers, money and counting – maths was always my strongest subject in school.
“I was inspired by the suits and the culture – it felt like a different world when you stepped into it.
Soon she’s set to expand her operation to 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf as one of a cohort of independent business launching in its commercial units over the coming weeks and months.
“When I was starting out, I used to work at Aquascutum in Canary Wharf, but the company went into administration,” she said.
“That’s when I moved on to Burberry.
I have a degree in international finance and I was working for their corporate finance division.
“After pursuing that for about five years, I decided I wanted to start my own business – The Esther Academy – an organisation working with young women to support, inspire and nurture them in their future endeavours.
“That continued until the pandemic hit and business died down. I already had other things going on creativity-wise and I started Awe London in 2019.
“I’m also a mum and about to be again, which is a big pride and joy of mine and just as important as my entrepreneurial life.”
The business Kamden’s running now was born out of need – a desire to offer a better service than what she’d experienced.
“I’ve always been obsessed with getting my nails done,” she said.
“But I felt disappointed by the salons I was going to compared with my expectations.
“I’d visited businesses in the West End – the prices were three times as much, but it was a different atmosphere and I wondered why that couldn’t be available in other places.
“When you go to a spa, you want to experience that ‘wow’ moment, but many nails salons in the UK were just about getting in and getting out – I wanted to change that.
“Our first branch was in South Woodford and we were there for about four years.
“It was a beautiful community to work in as a residential area.
“Then my ambitious side set me wondering how I was going to grow this business more, which had been quite difficult in such a small area.
“We were popular on social media and I noticed that a lot of my clients were coming from London for our services, so I packed up and moved to Shoreditch.
“It was a tough decision because I knew we’d lose some clients but it was a great move and many of our customers travel in to see us there.
“The new location gave us more exposure and we were able to cater for tourists, commuters and residents.
“There was a much bigger footfall and more of a lively vibe and we’ve achieved what we wanted to, which is amazing.”
As thoughts of further expansion emerged, the stars aligned to bring Kamden’s twin obsessions – Canary Wharf and creative nails – together.
It made the decision to say yes to Canary Wharf Group’s team an easy one.
“I was contacted by them while they were looking out for small east London businesses that might be interested in a second location,” she said.
“It came at the perfect time.
“I’d built the team and the infrastructure and I had just started thinking about growth and that suggestion really tapped into my love for the Wharf.
“When I was considering areas, Canary Wharf had always seemed like a dream – when I walked through the malls, I always thought it would be great to be here.
“Then, this new opportunity at 8 Harbord Square made that a bit more attainable so I pursued the opportunity and around seven months later we had the keys.”
8 Harbord Square is set to be home to a collection of independent businesses including Awe London – image by Jon Massey
the difference at Awe London
For Kamden and her team, success is all built on the customers experience – the key reason her clients keep coming back to indulge in Awe London’s extensive range of services.
“It’s about the care you get from our people,” said Kamden.
“If you come to us we’ll always aim to brighten up your day.
“At Canary Wharf, clients will come to Awe London, feel relaxed and enjoy lovely beverages – getting your nails done should never feel like a chore.
“Some customers get a treatment because they need to look their best for an event or to maintain their appearance, but here we also want them to enjoy the process.
“It is a luxury and we want people to feel they are having a good time while they are with us.
“One of the things I’ve fallen in love with about Canary Wharf as it has changed is the community aspect to the estate.
“There are opportunities to network and to meet loads of people. We’re offering a service, of course, but we also want to build our client base.
“In our businesses, we have the opportunity to build a rapport with our customers and learn about their lives.
“In some cases we see them going from their first job, the next step in their career, marriage, a new house and beyond.
“That’s really lovely.
“I’m so excited for the future and what can come from this opening.
“The exposure we got from Shoreditch was good, but this will be a new level of opportunity for us.
“This kind of project to support small businesses is unusual.
“It’s tough for small companies to break through but being in an area alongside big brands and having the chance is great and I’m so grateful for it.
“We’re really looking forward to opening.”
While Awe London’s Canary Wharf branch will be an extension of Kamden’s brand, she said the new nail salon had been designed to have its own personality to reflect the area it would be operating in.
“I like each salon to look like and represent a bit of the place it’s in, so none of them are exactly the same,” she said.
“You’ll know it’s an Awe London salon, but I wanted the contemporary feel of Harbord Square to be present when people walk in.
“I saw the brickwork, the appearance of the apartments upstairs and thought: ‘this is me – modern, contemporary, with an industrial feel, but also with a bit of plush velvet, beautiful smells, flowers and the feminine touch.”
As for further expansion, Kamden has big plans and a model she feels is ready to grow.
“There can be a bit of apprehension when you expand – we’ll have double the number of staff with this opening, but I’m not afraid,” she said.
“We’ve built really strong infrastructure in the business and I’m excited to work with new people.
“Running businesses isn’t how I thought it would be at all.
“I hoped I’d become rich, go on holiday every other month – all glitz and glamour.
“I didn’t understand the magnitude of it or the hard work you need to do.
“But I’ve got a great support system in place, a great family and I’m a woman of faith.
“That all helps manage the stress.
“I take time out for myself – you have to believe in balance if you don’t want it to completely take over your life.
“If I could go back with some advice I’d tell myself to relax – to remember that I was built to do this and that I can get over any hurdle that comes my way and to have faith that the plans I’ve made will work out.
“In the future, I’d love to expand Awe London globally and partner up with people all over the world. You have to have passion to grow a boutique nail salon.
That’s where Thaisa Uchoas first contacted personal trainer, Ilona Drob, with the idea that their fledgling businesses might collaborate.
She also wanted to book some gym sessions.
“I was going through some issues with my body at the time, feeling it was not mine any more and I wanted to get back into fitness,” said Thaisa, who started a massage therapy business in 2022.
“I signed up for a programme with Ilona, which really helped me get back into shape.
“It was during those gym sessions in March 2023 that we got talking about how running a business on your own was like.
“We were sharing our thoughts about how lonely it can be and wondering if there were other women locally who might want to help each other in the same way we were.
“We’d started sharing clients and supporting one another, so we thought it might be possible to create a community.”
Before starting their businesses, both women had worked in corporate roles in the recruitment sector.
Ilona, originally from Poland, had supported herself through university in London before forging a career at a “fantastic female-led company”.
She said: “I really enjoyed that, but my goal was to have my own business.
“My parents had always told me from an early age that, if I wanted to get ahead, I’d need autonomy – to be in charge of my own destiny.
“They always encouraged me to pursue my studies and try things on my own.
“My dad was a small business owner and my mum worked at a hospital doing day and night shifts, for many years.
“She had four kids, so it was really hard.
“She was the one who told me to continue to study and put myself out there, so I wouldn’t have the same fate as her.
“That’s what sparked the desire in me to take charge of my career.”
Ilona is founder of Your Vegan Trainer and co-founder of both BeThriving Wellness and Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
giving up the day job
Having long had a passion for health and fitness, Ilona left her job to become a personal trainer at Gymbox in December 2018, simultaneously founding Your Vegan Trainer to deliver exercise programmes and plant-based nutrition for private clients.
“I’d had a few health problems and I wanted to heal – I did a lot of research around nutrition to get myself stronger,” she said.
“I’d been working very long hours in recruitment. I loved the buzz, but it had an impact on my wellbeing.
“I went on a course and decided to take a chance, say goodbye to my salary and start my business.
“It was scary at first, but it was worth taking the risk.”
She’s since gone on to co-found a second company with Raffaela Kestel, inspired by working in the gym with people in corporate careers.
“I was seeing how amazing people are when they’re in the gym, but hearing that they were not fulfilled and happy in the office.
“So we decided to see how we could change this through consultancy, by installing a culture of health and wellbeing within organisations so it’s at the forefront of what they do.
“That means the employees are very well looked after, happy and fulfilled, which is one of the most important things a company can do for its sustainability and to make it an attractive place to work.”
Thaisa is founder of The Massage Space and co-founder of both Her Sanctuary and Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
a journey to wellness
Thaisa’s journey to business ownership was also through personal experience.
Coming to the UK from Brazil aged eight, she’d grown up in Hertfordshire, studied in Birmingham and moved to London “working crazy hours” in recruitment.
“I always felt I needed to do something different,” she said.
“I wanted a job where I would have more impact working with people on a more personal level and I decided I wanted to make people feel better – but didn’t know how.
“In 2020 me and my partner were starting a family – we were going through IVF and there was lots to think about.
“I went on maternity leave and that’s when I was having some health issues and started seeing an amazing massage therapist who helped me through my pregnancy – she was my inspiration.
“Those sessions made me feel so good and I decided to retrain.
“I was still in my job, but I wasn’t fulfilled, so I handed in my notice in December 2022 to take massage therapy seriously.
“I took on clients, initially working from home. Then I met Ilona.”
starting Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
In addition to supporting each other, the two entrepreneurs decided to see what appetite might be out there for other women in business to network in the local area – Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs was born.
“We felt there was a real need to connect with others after the pandemic,” said Ilona.
“That’s what made us look to see if there were others like ourselves who were feeling like that.
“We created a Facebook group – in the beginning it was five of us having a coffee.
“After a few weeks we started to become more active on that page and more people started joining.”
Thaisa added: “Then we thought about a monthly meet-up and we started doing that in October 2023 in a corner of the bar at the Marriott West India Quay because it was free and the staff are lovely.
“I think there were 12 of us including Michelle, who’s now an ambassador for the group.”
Since then things have grown.
The group’s monthly meet-ups have grown to an average of 85 attendees, now hosted at Republic next to East India DLR station.
The events are ticketed with entry starting at £5, with the February gathering starting at 6pm for welcome drinks and introductions.
As well as the networking, events typically feature a guest speaker who shares their entrepreneurial journey – the highs, the lows and any tips they want to pass on.
The February session also features a prize draw with various benefits available to win before things wrap up at 9pm.
telling the story of Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
“Our aim right now is for more people to know about our network,” said Ilona.
“We’d love to think that every aspiring female entrepreneur locally would want to come to us to meet other people who have done it, so they can start sooner and get their business off the ground.
“It’s about tapping into people who do have a dream, even those who have the idea as a side hustle.
“For us, it’s about creating an ecosystem where everyone who comes to one of our meetings will find value.
“Absolutely any kind of business is welcome.
“We’re also aspiring to boost diversity and inclusion, so we want people with differing backgrounds to be included.
“There is so much to learn from people with different businesses from our own.
“Even though we’ve grown, it’s still about women coming together to collaborate – we now have a team of nine ambassadors to help organise what we do.
“It’s about women checking us out and actually getting support with what they want to do.
“We are a friendly group – people are so accessible.
“We’ve found there are so many powerful women who have had successful careers in the corporate world coming into entrepreneurship and finding they have no-one to turn to for advice.
“It’s so important to have people to bounce ideas off.”
As one of the original attendees, Isle Of Dogs-based businesswoman and senior leader, coach and mentor at Tropic Skincare, Michelle Buchan, has become one of the group’s ambassadors.
“A friend said I should go – my background is in the corporate world and I’ve often felt men dominate the conversation in that setting,” she said. “You often come up against egos. A group of women produce a different atmosphere – more supportive and collaborative.
“It’s a different kind of networking. There may be a lot of women sitting at home thinking they’ve got an idea, a scheme, but that it’s only them struggling with those problems.
“This group really wants to help them through those struggles because we know it’s easy to feel isolated.”
making space for women
Thaisa, who recently started offering massage therapy services at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, said: “We wanted to create a space for women and for them to have a voice in this area.
“It’s about education, co-working and networking and it’s really worked.
“Initially we ran it for free but we needed it to cover its costs which is why we now charge a fee to attend.
“This is because it takes time and effort for us to organise the network, to sustain it and to grow the group.”
Thaisa is also now a serial entrepreneur, herself, having co-founded Her Sanctuary with founder of E14YogaCoach Sharon Osu.
She added: “One of the most important things about this group is for our members to collaborate with each other and to get work out of it.
“I’ve collaborated with Ilona, of course, and it’s important that this is a part of it.
“We know it’s not always simple to make sales or to find clients.
“That’s why we ask a key speaker to share their story each month.
“It’s good for people to see that the journey isn’t always easy and for them to hear that in language that they can understand.”
key details: Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs is open to women who have started their own business or are hoping to do so.
The group is not restricted geographically, despite its name, and welcomes women from across Canary Wharf, east London and beyond.
The group holds regular monthly meet-ups with the next set to take place at Republic on February 28, 2025, from 6pm-9pm. Tickets start at £5.
Premium memberships, which include full access to CWFE’s regular monthly events are also available.
Over the coming weeks and months, Harbord Square – recently connected to the rest of Wood Wharf by the opening of the snowdrop-laced gardens and benches of Union Square – will be welcoming an influx of independent businesses for Wharfers to discover.
“We knew that with this link in place, people would be able to walk down to the area from Canary Wharf and through Wood Wharf, so we’ve been looking at how we could make it a real destination,” said George Chapman, senior retail leasing surveyor at Canary Wharf Group.
“With 10 retail units, we thought we’d start with 8 Harbord Square which, I must admit, is my favourite building over there with its fully open-plan apartments.
“It’s just stunning.”
However, rather than simply open up those spaces to all-comers, George and the team decided to take a different approach.
8 Harbord Square, right, is set to be home to 10 businesses on its lower levels
an expansion of cool: 8 Harbord Square
“Wood Wharf is already really cool – you have the likes of coffee shop 640East, Dishoom, Mallow and many more,” he said.
“With 8 Harbord Square, we wanted to create a community vibe.
“There’s so much talent in Tower Hamlets, just outside Canary Wharf – we thought it would be great to bring some of that in.
“In the past, local operators might have wanted to open a business on the estate but may have been unsure how to do it.
“The larger units can seem daunting, so we’ve simplified the leases with these to get the best local companies in and help build the neighbourhood.
“We’ve partnered with Tower Hamlets and gone out to local residents and businesses and have a number of tenants lined up – we wanted best-in-class operators, with a nail bar, a hair salon, a flower shop and a juice bar coming.
“We’ve helped the operators who need it apply for alcohol licences to make the process as smooth as possible.
“I can’t wait for all the tenants to move in and start trading.”
Canary Wharf Group has worked hard to attract independent businesses to the building
a new dimension at 8 Harbord Square
The arrivals will certainly bring a new dimension to Harbord Square.
“The area is already home to a GP surgery, a convenience store, a vet and a multi-purpose sports hall, but the new street level offering will broaden its appeal and include places for Wharfers to hang out.
It’s also a part of Wood Wharf that’s set to see much residential change both in the short and medium term, with aparthotel Vertus Edit’s launch earlier this month offering extended flexible stays.
More rental homes to the south of the square are coming in the not so distant future.
With units ranging in size from 235sq ft to 786sq ft on five-year leases, the new commercial tenants at 8 Harbord Square will benefit from Canary Wharf Group’s ongoing support as more and more people visit and discover the area.
Union Square’s opening now allows Wharfers to easily walk to 8 Harbord Square
scouring the borough
For George, it’s about creating a buzz to delight those living and staying locally.
To that end, the team scoured social media and hit the streets locally to find top operators that would be suitable for the project.
“There’s times where I’ve simply gone out for a coffee and found a place, then had a conversation about bringing a business to the estate,” he said.
“We’ve also had direct approaches.
“This is the first time we’ve done this as a business, but I’m of the view that if it’s successful, then we’d look to roll it out in other locations.
“I’d like to walk down to 8 Harbord Square in two years’ time and see the tenants happily trading in a place where everyone knows each other, that has a bit of an old East End feel to it and people look out for one another.
“That would be perfect.
“As other buildings welcome residents around 8 Harbord Square, there will be even more people coming to this part of the Wharf.
“If I was staying in a studio at Vertus Edit, I’d love that just downstairs there’s a buzzy salon and a juice bar with a running club.
“These amenities will help people meet each other and make for an area visitors and residents really love.
“It’s what we want – a place for the community with people walking their dogs and taking their kids to the park.
“The tenants at 8 Harbord Square will all be a part of that.”
the pull of the Wharf
The mission to bring talent into Canary Wharf – with many not realising what opportunities the area might hold for them – isn’t dissimilar to George’s own story.
While he couldn’t see its towers directly growing up in west London, they nevertheless exerted an irresistible pull.
“I’ve been working here for nearly eight years, having started as a finance apprentice at Canary Wharf Group’s tech community, Level39,” he said.
“I did my professional qualifications there and, after about two years, joined the accountancy department.
“Then an opportunity came up to move across to the investment team and from there I was working on the retail side of the business a lot.
“I got the chance to work alongside the retail team and I thought it was something I’d love to do, so I’ve now been there about three years.
“Growing up, I was always seeing Canary Wharf in the news and I remember thinking I’d love to work among the towers one day – there was a real excitement around it.
“I had my interview for the apprenticeship and then phoned my dad who’s a black cab driver.
“He told me to go to one of the bars on the estate and soak up the energy.
“It was on a Thursday and I did exactly that. That’s when I knew I’d really like to work in Canary Wharf.
“It’s been worth crossing the line from west to east London and it’s still definitely where I want to be.
“Numbers and accountancy are very important – fine in moderation – but I get a real kick out of meeting people on a day-to-day basis in my current role. It’s a lot more personal.
“It’s such a privilege to get to know people, to find out why they get up in the morning and what makes them tick. You don’t get that same buzz from a spreadsheet.”
Full details of the businesses opening up at 8 Harbord Square will be released in due course.
However, we can reveal they will include nail specialist Awe London, hair salon Wayne Hairdresser and flower and plant retailer The Flower Club.
There will also be a hospitality offering, or two. Watch these spaces
“I’d always been attracted to the law because of my parents’ belief in equality and justice,” said Zahira Razaq.
“I absorbed their advice about finding a career in something like finance, law or medicine – one of the professions.
“It’s very hard to get a job in the law when you’re starting out and it just so happened my first job was as a paralegal working in immigration.
“I didn’t think there was much to this particular area before that, but when I got into it, I could see the impact the work has.
“It’s about helping to change people’s lives for the better.”
It was those first experiences that set Zahira on her path, progressing in the profession to become a trainee solicitor after six months and then a solicitor.
This year will be her eighth in the legal world, having joined the immigration team at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors’ Canary Wharf branch at Harbour Exchange in August.
You don’t have to sit with her for long to understand that her passion for the work burns fiercely.
Zahira discovered a passion for immigration law early in her career
a passion for immigration
“I’m old-school when it comes to hard work – I come in first thing to do my research because I never want to be the person giving bad advice – I always go above and beyond for my clients,” said Zahira.
“It’s my responsibility to prepare for everything and to be honest.
“I’m always upfront to the point that if I don’t see any merit in a client’s case then I won’t pursue it and waste their funds.
“I understand money is hard to earn and, if someone is in a position where they are struggling to pay for legal representation, it’s essential they get the very best service possible.
“Often my job is about changing a judge’s mind after the Home Office has turned down an application by showing how a client meets the criteria on compassionate grounds.
“I think it was really seeing the effect on clients that drew me deeper into this area of the law.
“There was one man who had five kids and was the sole breadwinner for his family.
“He was doing every kind of job available just to support them.
“I referred him to the British Red Cross and food banks just to help him survive.
“We went back and forth with the Home Office for ages, but eventually I managed to get him leave to remain.
“Seeing the gratitude on the faces of his family was amazing.
“It gave him a lot of security and was a whole new start for them. I’m not sure what would have happend to them had we not succeeded.
“The satisfaction of doing things like that is what makes the job so worthwhile – you can’t really measure it.
“It’s about fighting for justice and equality.
“I hate things that are unfair with a passion.
“What I want for myself is what I want for everybody else – situations where someone’s liberty has been taken from them or they’ve been denied justice without a fair hearing really get to me.”
Kidd Rapinet Solicitors offers free phone consultations on immigration matters
services at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors
Kidd Rapinet offers a comprehensive selection of immigration services for individuals and businesses from its base on the Isle Of Dogs, apt perhaps given the area’s history as a locus of international trade.
“We’re a one-stop-shop for people or companies who want to talk about immigration in any context,” said Zahira.
“A very hot topic is compliance – not all organisations understand things like work visas and right-to-work checks but there can be substantial penalties for those in breach of the rules.
“One of the things I’m especially keen to do here is to reach out to businesses and universities – students will have the qualifications to become skilled workers, but they need the work experience to go with that.
“Businesses often hire students because they are cost effective and can be moulded to specific roles, but a failure to do the right-to-work checks could see firms liable for fines for anyone employed illegally.”
The law is crucial when it comes to immigration.
It establishes whether those who come to this country through both legal and illegal routes can legitimately stay here, for how long and what they are allowed to do while resident.
“It’s always going to be a hot political topic,” said Zahira.
“Governments tighten rules for businesses and educational organisations to bring legal migration down.
“I would advise any migrant coming to the UK, either as a student or on a work visa, to try to obtain legal advice first.
“We can talk to them about how to remain after completing their studies and advise businesses and individuals on compliance when it comes to being employed and employing those from overseas.
“You want a solicitor who knows the law and who will be willing to fight your case if that becomes necessary.
“It’s very important because migrants contribute a lot to the UK economy. Many of my clients have really well paid jobs – that’s true of students who want to remain here after studying too.
“Immigration is an ever-changing field within the law and one that’s not just about what’s in the rules and regulations, but an area that’s based on arguments from other cases that apply to individual situations.”
for those seeking advice
The team at Canary Wharf has more than 25 years of experience helping people and businsses with immigration issues.
These include those who wish to visit or stay in the UK as a partner or child, a student, an investor, an innovator or to work at or start a company.
The firm can also help with permanent residence, indefinite leave to remain, British citizenship and UK Passport applications.
“Whatever issue it is, regarding immigration, then come and talk to us,” said Zahira. “We’ll be able to tell you whether we can help with your case.”
The firm’s expertise include immigration, conveyancing, wills and probate, employment law, commercial property, family law and an extensive list of services for businesses of all sizes.
Kidd Rapinet offers free, no obligation phone consultations with lawyers on immigration matters. Call 020 7205 2115.
Quite where hotels stop and aparthotels start is itself a matter for lengthy debate – and not one that’s necessary to explore here.
Suffice to say, Vertus Edit’s 378 studios and its extensive guest facilities offer those seeking brief or medium-term stays on the Wharf a fresh option designed to satisfy a wide range of needs.
“That’s why this isn’t just a hotel,” said Isabel Landaeta, general manager of aparthotels at Vertus.
“Guests get a bit more space and a fully functional kitchen – they can stay a couple of nights or for a longer period.
“We’ve got a co-working space, lounges, a gym, meeting rooms and outdoor roof terraces – there’s a lot of space for people to explore across the two buildings outside of their studios.
“You have all the amenities you need including a 24-hour reception service and weekly housekeeping.
“Vertus has already made a name for itself in the neighbourhood with a reputation for service, so for Vertus Edit, it was about adapting that for people with different needs – those wanting a shorter stay or more flexibility.
“For example, someone might not want to sign a lease on a rental apartment, but they might want to live here for six months.”
Vertus’ Isabel Landaeter
Vertus Edit: a home-from-home
Vertus Edit offers four studio sizes for guests, the Little, Cosy, Comfy and Roomy, ranging from 200sq ft to 301sq ft in size.
All come fully furnished with an en-suite bathroom, towels, toiletries, a kitchen equipped with cookware, utensils, crockery, glassware and cutlery, a TV and super fast Wi-fi.
While no room service is available, there is a 24-hour self-service pantry for guests to access as well as Canary Wharf’s myriad hospitality and shopping options a few minutes’ walk from West Lane via Union Square.
Vertus Edit will obviously cater for people visiting the area for business, perhaps on secondment at a London office from overseas or in town to seal a deal, but it’s been structured as more than that.
“We’re aiming to appeal to people who might not have considered staying in Canary Wharf before,” said Isabel.
“Of course we’ll be accommodating corporate clients and offering discounts for longer stays, but we will also be there for people visiting for conferences at Excel, gigs at The O2, those coming to see ABBA Voyage or Mamma Mia The Party and even people running the London Marathon.
“This isn’t just about Monday-to-Friday. We think we’ll appeal to people taking a longer period of time to visit London as tourists because of our transport links.”
Vertus Edit is dog friendly with puppy packs costing £50 available to guests
flexible and local
To that end, Vertus Edit reflects the current reality of Canary Wharf – an estate that each day taps deeper into east London and the areas that surround it, increasingly blending its existing aesthetic with local flavours.
Each room features artwork from East London Printmakers – about 1,200 handmade prints in total by 10 artists. Guests can even purchase works from the collective if they wish.
Key toiletries in the studios have been sourced locally too, from Kankan, a business founded by women in Hackney that’s laser-focused on sustainability and minimising its negative impact on the environment.
“That’s something we’re really serious about,’ said Isabel. “For our towel service, we’re using Oxwash, established by Dr Kyle Grant-Talbot.
“He’s a former NASA and SpaceX engineer who has created a laundry process that saves water and carbon and prevents almost all microplastics entering the environment.”
In edition to its green credentials, Vertus Edit’s spaces are intended for broad appeal.
Much use is made of texture, colour and luxuriant wallpapers in the communal areas, with lush furnishings and vibrant art adorning the spaces.
Meeting rooms will be available for hire to both guests and other individuals and organisations, with a truly open and flexible approach to the facilities on offer.
It’s all part of creating a malleable, functional addition to the estate.
The red brick edifice of 3 West Lane, one of two Vertus Edit buildings at Wood Wharf
the next logical step
“The evolution of why people live and stay in Canary Wharf started with private residential homes and Vertus’ rental offerings,” said Isabel.
“Vertus Edit is the logical next step – if you’re looking for greater flexibility, then this would be the product for you.
“We expect there to be some overlap, naturally, as people come for a couple of months and then decide to rent an apartment.
“It works the other way too. For people living in Canary Wharf’s towers, this acts as an extension of their homes when, for example, a relative wants to stay locally for a couple of weeks or longer.
“If you’re renting a studio flat, for instance, this provides the space to accommodate them and residents know they can trust the service because it’s from Vertus.
“We also have plans to run events for guests who are staying here and we’ll be on hand to tell them all about Canary Wharf and east London.
“Those staying for a few months may well become friends with the team and other inhabitants, but we want the feel to be about the neighbourhood rather than forced community.
“Personally I’m most excited about people on the estate getting to understand what an aparthotel is and what it feels like.
“In addition to what we’re offering, we also have 12 commercial spaces on the ground floor between our two buildings and I think the businesses that take these will add so much to the neighbourhood along with what’s coming on the ground floor of 8 Harbord Square.
“Since Union Square opened, I’ve been really surprised by how many people are already walking past us.
“I’ve also been lucky enough to see some of the plans for what’s going to open here and it’s going to be really exciting.”
Vertus Edit studios feature artwork from East London Printmakers
ket details: Vertus Edit
Vertus Edit is open from February 2025 with prices starting at £117.14 per night for a Little studio accommodating up to two people.
The largest Roomy apartments start at £160.12 per night, also for up to two guests.
