Docklands Archives - Wharf Life

March 23, 2025

The Flower Club prepares launch at Wood Wharf’s Harbord Square

Selling cut flowers, plants and gifts, the Canary Wharf shop will also offer workshops and guidance

Florist and founder of The Flower Club, Julia Knyazevich - image by Jon Massey — Florist and founder of The Flower Club, Julia Knyazevich – image by Jon Massey

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“My grandma told me recently that she wasn’t surprised I was starting this business, because I grew up with flowers all around me,” said Julia Knyazevich.

“As a child I lived with her in a little village in the mountains in Ukraine.

“She had a big garden where she’d plant lots of different flowers and I loved it.”

A major change in Julia’s life came at the age of 16 when, speaking no English, she travelled across the sea to join her mother in the UK.

Adapting to her new environment, she studied fashion buying and worked with major brands such as Dior and Tommy Hilfiger before embarking on a career with luxury lifestyle management company Quintessentially.

Now she’s decided to transform a passion into a business.

“After the pandemic, I spent time travelling, including a long period in Thailand,” said the West India Quay resident.

“I also studied floristry. It’s a discipline that’s always developing, with new trends constantly emerging and I had the idea to start a business.

“While travelling, I’d organised a big birthday party for my husband in Italy – I was looking for a company to help with that, but I couldn’t find one so I decided to do it myself.

“I really enjoyed the process of finding all the decorations and flowers for the long tables and creating the event.

“My husband suggested I should start my own business, so I have.”

The Flower Club is set to open this spring in Canary Wharf - image by The Flower Club — The Flower Club is set to open this spring in Canary Wharf – image by The Flower Club

a clutch of independent businesses

The Flower Club is one of a clutch of independent businesses that are opening at 8 Harbord Square over the coming weeks.

Wayne Hairdresser Salon opened its doors this month, with nail bar Awe London also coming soon.

Julia’s venture will sell fresh cut flowers and decorative items as well as some plants.

Her brand is inspired not only by the flowers in her grandma’s garden, but also by one of her favourite places in London.

“I absolutely love Petersham Nurseries in Richmond,” said Julia, who moved to the Canary Wharf area in May.

“When I visit the nurseries, I never want to leave. It’s not for everyone because some people prefer classic bouquets to the more unusual arrangements and installations they create.

“For The Flower Club – a name inspired by Thai cafe The Coffee Club I used to visit while living there – my preference is to use a technique that involves positioning flowers in a bouquet to reflect the way they grow in the wild.

“The aim is to create something that looks natural rather than artificial and it’s better for the flowers because they last longer.

“When I do arrangements I like mixing flowers with fruit or vegetables. It might sound crazy to some people, but it’s something different.

“I also get a lot of inspiration from the Cotswolds. I love visiting the area every few months and looking in the flower shops.

“My aim for Canary Wharf is to bring something similar here.”

Julia has been inspired by her grandmother's garden and the work of Petersham Nurseries - image by The Flower Club — Julia has been inspired by her grandmother’s garden and the work of Petersham Nurseries – image by The Flower Club

building a dream with The Flower Club

Julia is starting small – working with one other florist and freelancers – but dreaming big.

Ultimately, her idea is to foster a community around her business by hosting workshops under the umbrella of The Flower Club.

“I know this is just opening one little shop, but I have made a business plan,” said Julia.

“I know it’s a big dream, but I’m working hard on the branding. We’re starting slowly, but I want to build that community and eventually teach other florists.

“I have an unusual style of floristry and I’d love to set up a franchise model, not just in the UK but in other countries too.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It’s been a journey getting to this point, but we’re almost there.

“Starting your own business lets you feel a kind of freedom compared with working for a company, but you also have to work on all aspects of the operation.

“It’s stressful because you feel like you want to control everything, but to be successful you need to do that work and be aware of every part of the business.”

One of the key drivers for The Flower Club is a mission to lessen the environmental impact of floristry.

“I try to source flowers direct from growers,” said Julia.

“There’s a wonderful farm in Surrey that I’m planning to work with this spring and summer and there’s another in Cornwall – it’s a long way, but they specialise in wild flowers, which I love.

“It’s better from a sustainability perspective to buy from UK growers because the flowers don’t travel so far and they don’t have to use chemicals to keep them fresh.

“It’s hard to say no to plastic wrapping completely, but The Flower Club is trying to minimise its use. I mainly use craft and tissue papers and biodegradeable products for my bouquets.

“For example, I use string to tie the stems together that’s made from natural materials.

“All of the bags we use in the shop will be paper too and the interior will be mostly decorated with wood and reclaimed furniture.

“It’s a small workspace, but it’s enough and it’s better to start from the ground up rather than take big risks.

“I’ve planned the layout and have made it as comfortable as possible both for workers and our customers.

“Having studied floristry, I know how to use the space professionally and it should be sufficient for our needs.

“I also want to use social media to educate people who want to know more about sourcing and also caring for flowers.

“It’s important to know how to treat the arrangements and all of my orders will have cards on how to properly care for the flowers.”

Prospective customers can find out more online - image by The Flower Club — Prospective customers can find out more online – image by The Flower Club

opening The Flower Club at 8 Harbord Square

While the 8 Harbord Square shop will sell fresh cut flowers and gifts, there will be two further strands to Julia’s business that emerge when she’s up and running.

“I’ll be hosting workshops for people to participate in, especially around events in the calendar,” she said.

“That might be wreath making at Christmas, for example, or creating Easter displays.

“We’ll also have a service for events, which I have a lot of experience doing.

“Clients who want something special for their tables will be able to order flower arrangements, but also tableware and decorations.

“We will be here to explore ideas and designs to make things really special.

“There are lots of options – I’m a big fan of Murano glass, for example – and we can work in private homes, private dining rooms or in restaurants depending on a client’s needs.”

key details: The Flower Club

The Flower Club is set to open soon on the ground floor of 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf.

Visit the business’ website for updates or follow @theflowerclub_ldn on Insta.

Find out more about the shop here

This article is sponsored by Canary Wharf Group

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March 23, 2025March 23, 2025

Din Tai Fung serves up Xiao Long Bao in Canary Wharf restaurant

Taiwanese global chain opens its fourth branch at Crossrail Place in Chai Ki’s former unit

Bao Bao stands resplendent outside Din Tai Fung in Canary Wharf - image by Rebecca Hope — Bao Bao stands resplendent outside Din Tai Fung in Canary Wharf – image by Rebecca Hope

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As I’m sat chatting to Zeta Leung, one of the staff at recently opened Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung is wrestling the venue’s cheerful dumpling-headed mascot through its doors and out onto the street in time for opening.

To be honest, I can empathise with Bao Bao, the character’s name and a tribute to the signature dish on the menu.

I’m inside the restaurant surrounded by friendly stone lions, warm bamboo and gentle lighting and I don’t want to leave either.

Din Tai Fung is a big brand.

It boasts more than 160 restaurants worldwide, but its Canary Wharf branch in Crossrail Place is only its fourth in Europe, all of which are in London.

It’s also operating at a level beyond most chain venues.

Its first Hong Kong branch won a Michelin star in 2010 among many other awards and its food is served in the USA, Australia and across Asia including Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

Its story, however, began in Xinyi Road in Taipei, Taiwan.

Din Tai Fung has opened its doors at Crossrail Place - image by Rebecca Hope — Din Tai Fung has opened its doors at Crossrail Place – image by Rebecca Hope

decades of heritage

“The business dates all the way back to 1958,” said Zeta, marketing manager at Din Tai Fung UK.

“Mr Bing-Yi Yang originally sold cooking oil with his wife, but by the 1970s the industry had changed and they weren’t doing too well.

“They decided to innovate by opening a little dumpling shop in part of their premises, using the oil in their dishes.

“Word got out and the obsession with the dumplings they were crafting began. Din Tai Fung became famous in Taiwan and the brand expanded globally in the 1990s, first to Japan.”

Din Tai Fung's original restaurant in Taiwan - image by Din Tai Fung Taiwan — Din Tai Fung’s original restaurant in Taiwan – image by Din Tai Fung Taiwan

Zeta, who grew up in Hong Kong and has spent the last five years working in the UK hospitality industry, remembers visiting the original branch in Taipei at the age of 10 and has long been a fan of its food.

“I was amazed how consistent the quality was everywhere I went,” she said.

“I’ve always loved the brand – there’s a lot of story to be told and that’s why I wanted to come and work for Din Tai Fung.

“I believe in the company and its potential to grow in the UK and Europe – it’s unique.”

Zeta Leung, marketing manager at Din Tai Fung UK - image by Jon Massey — Zeta Leung, marketing manager at Din Tai Fung UK – image by Jon Massey

bringing Din Tai Fung to the UK

The company opened its first restaurant in the UK in Covent Garden in 2018 before expanding to Tottenham Court Road and Selfridge’s.

“Canary Wharf was a no-brainer because we know that we’re very much loved by the Asian community and it’s very much at the heart of that,” said Zeta.

“Then you have the office workers and the people living on the estate, which is a more recent development.

“It feels like the right time to be here with people returning to the office and we thought it was the perfect opportunity to open a neighbourhood restaurant when this space became available.”

Located in the unit formerly occupied by Chai Ki, Din Tai Fung’s interior manages to blend functional minimalism with warm welcoming touches.

There’s much use of bamboo and terracotta for texture, while stone lions watch on with benevolent expressions.

There’s a small bar area next to the entrance and a private dining space on a mezzanine above alongside the main restaurant.

“So we wanted a warm vibe for the Canary Wharf location – almost as though you’re walking in to somebody’s home – so we’re using the dark oranges of the tiles and natural materials to create that,” said Zeta.

“It’s a place where people can come for a light lunch or as the light fades somewhere that feels really cosy.

“Just as we do in all our restaurants, we’ve made sure guests can see our dumplings being made before they are served, which adds some theatre to dining here.”

Chefs at Din Tai Fung, hard at work making Xiao Long Bao dumplings - image by Jon Massey — Chefs at Din Tai Fung, hard at work making Xiao Long Bao dumplings – image by Jon Massey

Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is known for these Xiao Long Bao, presented at the table in the bamboo steamers they are cooked in.

“It’s a very specific type of soup dumpling,” said Zeta.

“Once you steam it, the juices from the filling are contained in the wrapper.

“To eat them properly, guests dip the dumpling in the sauce provided – soy sauce, vinegar and ginger – and place it on their spoon, poke a small hole in it to release the broth and then enjoy the whole thing in one bite.

“Sometimes it takes a few goes to get right, but that’s part of the enjoyment.”

Din Tai Fung isn’t just about dumplings, however.

The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes for diners to choose from.

“There are more than 70 different items on the menu, separated into different categories,” said Zeta.

“We also have a large selection of cool appetisers such as cucumber with chilli sauce – it’s absolutely delicious.

“Our oriental salad is amazing too, with a rainbow of colours and everything is hand-cut.

“Our food is generally quite light and refreshing on the palate, different from some other Chinese restaurants.

“As a global brand, customers expect our dishes to taste the same in every single restaurant, so we set stringent standards to maintain that.

“For example, our rice and some other ingredients are imported from Taiwan, but we also source premium produce locally.”

A wide range of dishes is on offer at the restaurant - image by Din Tai Fung UK — A wide range of dishes is on offer at the restaurant – image by Din Tai Fung UK

sweating the small stuff

“It’s about attention to detail,” said Zeta. “Our fried rice is very popular among workers for take-away, such as a pork chop on egg-fried rice, where we use premium eggs.

“It sounds like an easy dish to make, but it’s all about timing and temperature – when to add the spring onions to the oil.

“It needs to be just right to get the scent of them evenly spread through the whole dish.

“It’s the same with everything we do as a brand.

“Take our drinks, for instance. Our staff are skilled in using simple ingredients to create signature cocktails – we’ve launched Din, Tai and Fung, which are the top sellers.

“Last year we also launched our very own lager in collaboration with a local brewer.

“We had a whole team of people involved in choosing the right hops and we designed the labelling and bottling in-house – the team visited the brewery to see the whole production process.

“We try to keep things simple, but it’s also what our customers want, staying true to the brand. Then, if you want to be extravagant, we have an incredible wine list too.

“We serve our food sharing-style and we also offer tasting menus and masterclass experiences where chefs demonstrate how the food is made.”

Full details of the restaurant, menu and events can be found on the restaurant’s website or by following @din-tai-fung-uk on Instagram.

The restaurant features bamboo in its interior design – image by Rebecca Hope

key details: Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung’s Canary Wharf branch can be found at Crossrail Place.

The restaurant is open from noon-10.15pm on weekdays, 11am-10.15pm on Saturdays and 11am-9.15pm on Sundays.

A serving of 10 Pork Xiao Long Bao costs £18.50.

Find out more about the restaurant here

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March 21, 2025March 21, 2025

Cody Dock gears up for Spring Forward event to launch The Barn

Visitors’ centre at ecological regeneration project beside the River Lea will be complete for April 12 event as the weather warms

Spring forward will see the official launch of The Barn - image by Jon Massey — Spring forward will see the official launch of The Barn – image by Jon Massey

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April 12, 2025, is set to be a momentous day at Cody Dock.

From 1pm-7pm, the east London ecological regeneration project will host its Spring Forward event – but things are going to be a bit different this year.

While the rolling bridge will be ceremonially upended, plants will be sold, workshops hosted and performances staged, there’s a wider triumph to celebrate.

Specifically, the Cody Dock visitors’ centre will be unveiled in its finished form.

Now named The Barn, the team has been working hard to install windows, doors, walls and ceilings, as well as raising the land outside the structure, ready for the event.

For those attending, it will be the first opportunity to explore the finished space – an amenity which will serve as the focus for the site, a public lodestone for those passing through.

Cody Dock heritage programme manager Bella Quirin - image by Jon Massey — Cody Dock heritage programme manager Bella Quirin – image by Jon Massey

getting ready for the launch

“It’s a wonderful event, celebrating the arrival of spring and the world shaking itself back to life with a real focus on ecology,” said Bella Quirin, heritage programme manager at Cody Dock.

“Spring Forward is all about helping people to reconnect with nature after the colder weather.

“Among the highlights will be Tails Of Migration, a really interesting workshop run by our education team.

“Lots of species return to the UK from warmer habitats at this time and it’s all about showcasing those journeys and getting people to interact with them.

“The idea is that participants will also think about their own journeys and the places they have lived before, whether those are across large distances or relatively small ones.

“From that, we’ll be able to capture people’s oral histories as part of our ongoing heritage work.”

The Cody Dock scheme is complex in its scope and events such as Spring Forward offer visitors an opportunity to get to grips with some of the many projects under its umbrella.

There’s its role as a place of work and study, with artists resident in its studios and collaborations with academics to study and respond to the local area a regular feature of its operations.

Then there’s its commitment to supporting and studying local wildlife as well as stewardship of the tidal Lea.

It’s a place for innovation and experimentation as much as conservation.

Local history is another major thread running through its fabric with Spring Forward visitors able to view progress on work to restore the Frederick Kitchen, probably the last boat to be built by the Thames Ironworks at the mouth of the Lea.

This craft will eventually be used as the roof of a heritage pavilion, which will host a succession of exhibitions about the history of the local area.

Flowers bloom at Cody Dock - image by Jon Massey — Flowers bloom at Cody Dock – image by Jon Massey

connecting to history at Cody Dock

“That’s set to open next spring and it will be a fantastic space,” said Bella.

“It will have glass walls, so visitors will be instantly connected to the water, even when they’re inside.”

The April event will also include a chance to view Cabinet Of Curiosity No. 1, the first of three artist commissions exploring local history.

The work focuses on the Thames Ironworks and includes verse from William McGonagall recalling the calamitous launch of the battleship Albion that saw more than 30 people lose their lives when a stage collapsed into the water.

It’s just one of the many ways that Cody Dock is seeking to nurture connections between past and present as its regeneration of the 2.5 acre site continues.

“One of the things about Cody Dock – especially The Barn – is that we really want people to feel there’s collective ownership of our spaces as well as them being an attraction,” said Bella.

“The visitors’ centre will be such a dynamic space.

“It will work for our school visits, our ecology team if they’re hosting workshops, but also as a place for performances.

“There will be a full lighting system and we feel that there’s already a really strong vision emerging for it. It will act as a beacon for the whole project – somewhere people can come together.”

While the building itself has been used at previous events, hosting musical performances, dances and a sonic excursion along the Lea with visitors’ feet immersed in sand, the addition of sealed windows and doors will allow for greater flexibility.

There are plans for regular film screenings, with directors invited to participate in Q&A sessions, although full details have yet to be revealed.

seeking a food and drink partner

Another major change will be the completion of The Barn’s kitchen, which will provide cafe and dining facilities for the site.

Cody Dock is currently inviting applications for a partner to run this part of its operation.

The aim is to both generate income for the project and Gasworks Dock Partnership – the charity overseeing it – and to draw more visitors to the site.

GDP is hoping to attract a partner that aligns with its charitable aims, prioritising recruitment of local staff, paying the London Living Wage and using ethically sourced ingredients.

“The cafe will very much be central to our operation in many ways,” said Simon Myers, CEO of GDP.

“They will be most likely to come into contact with people passing through, so it’s really important that their aspirations and aims chime with our objectives.

“We’re about place-making and greater community cohesion so we need to be somewhere that’s really welcoming to everyone.

“We’re also an environmental organisation, so produce that’s served here needs to be sustainably sourced and, hopefully, the food and drink on offer will also reflect the diversity found in the local population.”

key details: Spring Forward at Cody Dock

Spring Forward is set to take place at Cody Dock on April 12, 2025, from 1pm-7pm. The event is free to attend, spots can be reserved digitally.

Cody Dock is easily reached on foot from Star Lane DLR station via Cody Road and South Crescent.

You can find out more about the many projects and initiatives based there online.

Find out more about Spring Forward here

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March 11, 2025March 11, 2025

Nutmeg owned by JP Morgan highlights the benefits of ISAs

Nutmeg’s head of financial advice and guidance, Claire Exley, offers her tips for investing as the financial year comes to a close on April 5, 2025

Wealth manager Nutmeg is highlighting the benefits of ISAs - image by I-Wei Huang — Wealth manager Nutmeg is highlighting the benefits of ISAs – image by I-Wei Huang

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Are you missing out on tax-free savings and investments?

A recent survey of UK investors found more than a third hadn’t started using their ISA for this financial year.

The poll, conducted by Opinium in January, showed only one in five had invested the full £20,000 allowance.

It showed women (24%) were more likely than men (18%) to have invested the full amount.

Under the current rules, each year UK savers can invest this amount or less in an ISA product and pay no tax on the interest, growth or returns.

The allowance resets each year on April 6, 2025, rather than rolling over.

Nutmeg – a digital wealth manager and ISA provider owned by J.P. Morgan – said changes to personal taxation in the Autumn Budget were driving investors behaviour.

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 — 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

Find out more about the wealth manager here

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March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

The Shop in Deptford sells audio visual technology to creative types

The SE8 business from Joshua Harvey and Kane Dobrin offers guitars, synths, vinyl, hi-fi, cameras, effects, film and vintage electronics for sale

Owners of The Shop in Deptford, Joshua Harvey, left, and Kane Dobrin - image by Jon Massey — Owners of The Shop in Deptford, Joshua Harvey, left, and Kane Dobrin – image by Jon Massey

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It’s a cold winter’s day when I visit The Shop in Deptford and Joshua Harvey is in need of the coffee he’s sipping from a mug that celebrates tinned seafood giant John West’s Alaska Salmon.

It’s been an early morning out scouring a car boot sale for stock and he’s still warming up.

Step into the space he operates jointly with fellow owner Kane Dobrin and it’s easy to see why such worm-catching activities are necessary.

Their railway arch in Resolution Way is piled high with stuff – a carefully selected horde of audio visual tech, music, instruments and curiosities – displayed to encourage a rummage.

The thing that’s really filling the space, however is unmistakeable. It’s excitement – the thrill of finding those bargains and then passing them on.

“It’s when you’ve gone to a boot sale, it’s early in the morning and you’re getting out of your car – you’re hopeful,” said Kane.

“You never know what might show up. It works as a business – we buy stuff for less than it’s worth, going to markets every week.

“You have to pick your area, learn everything about the products in it and be able to spot them quickly.

“When the trader tells you the price you have to be able to say yes or no quickly, taking no time to think.”

The arch is filled with audio visual technology for creatives to explore - image by Jon Massey — The arch is filled with audio visual technology for creatives to explore – image by Jon Massey

the thrill of the chase

Joshua added: “Some of the most exciting times of my life have been finding things at boot sales or markets that are rare or valuable and really shouldn’t be there.

“But you have to watch your margins and learn everything so you can make those decisions quickly.

“You need to know that if it’s a Mini DV camera it’s probably broken, that if it’s a tape deck the belt has probably gone.

“This morning I got a rare Sony Walkman Pro – it was standard issue for BBC reporters.

“It’s funny how much good stuff does come on the circuit but you need to be there at the crack of dawn.

“You have to be the first person to see it and that can mean going round with a torch while it’s still dark.

“You also need to be prepared. Never walk through a market without a tenner in your pocket to put down as a deposit, just in case.”

The Shop is in some respects a permanent manifestation of a business the pair have been engaged in for years.

“This sort of thing was in my family a bit,” said Joshua.

“They’re car people and so, growing up in the Midlands, I was surrounded by loads and loads of stuff. You just get into it.

“I met Kane while he was at university and a lot of what we do is based on our common interests.”

The Shop is located under a railway arch in Resolution Way, Deptford – image Jon Massey

opening The Shop in Deptford

Trading initially at the markets and boot sales of Brighton before moving on to Brixton and Portobello Road, their business grew from sheds and living rooms to storage units with The Shop a natural progression.

“A lot of our stuff would suffer on the market – especially the instruments and hi-fi equipment,” said Kane.

“We always thought that if we could put it in the right context and space, then people would dig it.

“There’s a shortage of places where you can go and try things – you can go to a boot sale but often you won’t know if something works or not or how it feels.”

Joshua added: “This is the first time people have been able to come and see stuff when we’re not on a market stall. It’s a bit like having a warehouse except that people come in and stop you doing things.

“It’s awesome really – it’s so cool when someone comes in, finds something and then buys it.

“Most of the things on the shop floor, unless they’re extra special, have probably been with us for less than three months.

“We like to price things on the cheaper side to get them moving and into the right hands.

“If it’s something we’ve had forever, then it’s probably because we want to hang on to it. It’ll be rare, interesting or mean something to us.”

The Shop sells hi-fi equipment, cameras, records, guitars, effects, film, digital accessories and more - image Jon Massey — The Shop sells hi-fi equipment, cameras, records, guitars, effects, film, digital accessories and more – image Jon Massey

buying, selling, swapping

The Shop buys as well as sells and offers swaps and part-exchange.

While the definition of its stock is somewhat open-ended, customers will broadly find creative technologies related to capturing or generating audio, images and video.

“We like functional stuff that’s high quality and made with the user in mind,” said Joshua.

“There’s a rule of thumb with objects, that, the fewer jobs they do, the better they’re going to be at them – computers, for example, do everything but they’re pretty terrible at it.

“We chose to be in Deptford partly because there are lots of creative people here and we wanted to be close to them.

“We don’t list items online and you probably have a 50-50 chance of a response if you message us – really people have to come and see what we’ve got.”

There’s an element of sustainability to the business too.

By keeping such products in circulation, The Shop is reducing demand for new ones to be manufactured when older tech could do the job just as well, if not better, than modern equivalents.

“We used to just sell film cameras,” said Kane.

“They were in fashion but now customers are looking at older digital models again too.

“Social media has really helped with that because now so many people are posting images and everyone is looking for their own way to do that.

“With music technology, people have always wanted the old stuff.”

Joshua added: “It really led the way – as soon as much of it was invented, people wanted that specific sound and the tools to make it.

“Quality stuff holds its value – there’s always a bunch of weirdos who come out of the woodwork for it.”

key details: The Shop in Deptford

The Shop is open from 10am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday in Resolution Way, Deptford.

The owners can be contacted via email to infor@the-shop.xyz or by calling 07919 874 626.

Find out more about the business on Instagram

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March 7, 2025March 7, 2025

Pitch opens golf, hospitality and retail venue in Canary Wharf

Founders Elliot Godfrey and Chris Ingham talk simulators, Trendygolf and why they’ve expanded to east London with their latest launch

Pitch's Canary Wharf venue is located at 30 Churchill Place — Pitch’s Canary Wharf venue is located at 30 Churchill Place – image by Jon Massey

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Pitch’s Canary Wharf opening is a serious statement of intent.

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 Jon Massey — 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 Pitch — 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 Pitch — 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.

Packages start from £35 for a Pitch.social membership with full details available here.

The venue is ideal for large events and also has shuffleboards for guests to enjoy - image Pitch — 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.

Group bookings of bays start at £56 per hour.

Walk-ins are welcome in the bar and restaurant.

Find out more about the venue here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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March 6, 2025March 6, 2025

Payava seeks to serve clients and companies with baked goods

Ukrainian bakery in Royal Docks’ Expressway offers printed biscuits and a full range of cakes and desserts as staff look to rebuild their lives

From left, Payava’s Olesia Lutsenko, Pavlo Kovalenko and Valentyna Vierovkina at the Royal Docks bakery - image Jon Massey — From left, Payava’s Olesia Lutsenko, Pavlo Kovalenko and Valentyna Vierovkina at the Royal Docks bakery – image Jon Massey

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Payava is the story of courage in the face of adversity.

Valentyna Vierovkina and Olesia Lutsenko never expected to be in Royal Docks.

But when Russian tanks rolled across the border into Ukraine almost exactly three years ago, they made a decision.

“We were living in the northern part of the country, which borders Russia and Belarus,” said Olesia.

“On the third day of the most recent invasion, our city was surrounded – there were Russian tanks just 20km from our houses.

“We were bombed by Russian planes.

“It really wasn’t pleasant and we decided to leave – we both have daughters who are 10 years old and it was for their safety.

“That was our priority. Valentyna left first with friends and we stayed in touch. I followed a little later.”

Both women were bakers in Ukraine and had successful businesses which the war forced them to leave behind.

Examples of Payava's signature printed biscuits - image Jon Massey — Examples of Payava’s signature printed biscuits – image Jon Massey

They’d long been friends and supporters of each other, while serving different sectors of the market.

So when Valentyna decided she wanted to do more with her time in the UK than just work as an employee in a bakery, further collaboration was a natural next step.

Payava means “existence” in Ukrainian – but spelt to honour its three owners, Pavlo and Yana Kovalenko and Valentyna.

With Olesia in the role of head baker – bringing with her a wealth of expertise in cakes and desserts – the team was complete.

“My first thought in all this was to bring my daughter to safety,” said Valentyna.

“Then, a year after coming to the UK, I decided to go back to the Ukraine to see what was left of the business I’d invested 11 years of my life creating.

“I’d still been paying to rent the industrial space for the bakery despite the fighting but the building had been bombed and there had been looting.

“Nevertheless, I managed to get inside and salvage some of the equipment, which I brought back to the UK to help start Payava.

“It was difficult to find premises, but we found a unit at Expressway.”

Payava is based at Unit 53 in Expressway - image Jon Massey — Payava is based at Unit 53 in Expressway – image Jon Massey

rebuilding with Payava

Having sunk savings into the startup, Pavlo and the team worked tirelessly to bring the space up to Valentyna’s exacting standards.

Today it’s a light and functional bakery, all stainless steel with wood and marble counter tops, ready and waiting to produce sweet treats for customers.

“The main focus of our business is printed biscuits,” said Olesia. “These are Valentyna’s speciality. We have the technology – special food grade printers that work with edible inks – to put any design, picture or text on these biscuits.

“Customers can order just one, a box or 100 online. In fact in Ukraine, Valentyna’s biggest order was for 140,000.

“Companies can put logos on them or people can use then as business cards, with QR codes that can be scanned.

“We already have sign-off that these have a shelf life of three months and we’re currently awaiting a decision from the lab on six months.

“They’re tasty, they look fantastic and they don’t need any kind of special storage so they’re easy to order and keep for when they’re needed.

“We can make these with a traditional sugar biscuit, but we’ve found our Ukrainian recipe is also very popular with English customers.

“This is a honey biscuit with a touch of spice – cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger – but it’s delicate. It’s soft and mild. We use honey and spices not only for taste, but also it ensures a long shelf life.

“Children love them and we did some samples for people when we launched it.

“We’ve had amazing feedback on the new recipe – the cookies themselves are soft, while the icing is quite crunchy, which is a special texture in the mouth.

“The spice is there, but it’s not a crazy, strong taste.”

The bakery produces a range of cakes and other sweet treats

building up the business

Despite the years of experience behind it, as a startup, Payava faces the tough trading conditions experienced by new businesses.

“In Ukraine, we’d been established for more than 10 years,” said Valentyna.

“Here we’ve been open for six months so it’s tough.

“We’ve been knocking on doors but it’s hard to get clients because we’re still a new business, although we have been very successful within the Ukranian community.

“We never planned any of this, but we’ve had to adapt and we’re ready.

“Before all this, I was looking at expanding into Europe and I would love the business to grow here, to take on more employees and to make that happen.”

It’s perhaps that resilient drive that shines through here. Valentyna and the team seem clear.

It’s not enough for Payava to simply exist – it needs to thrive too, which explains the bakery’s plans to further use its space for cookery classes, children’s parties and to introduce a small shop so customers can order its more perishable goods through the likes of Uber Eats.

While it’s not born of a situation of the owners’ choosing, Expressway could well end up being the starting point for sweet success.

And if that involves the likes of Olesia’s honey cake, richly layered with plums and cream, becoming a more common sight on British tables, then it’s only to be welcomed.

this article features translation from Natasha Hart of NASSA

key details: Payava

Payava sells a wide range of baked goods from its Royal Docks base at Expressway including bespoke printed biscuits, cakes, cookies, brownies and desserts online.

The bakery is open weekdays from 9am-6pm and from 11am-6pm.

Contact via WhatsApp to +44 7443 440 137 or email info@payava.co.uk for enquiries.

Find out more about the bakery’s range or order online here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025

Wayne Hairdresser Salon set for Canary Wharf opening in March

Wayne Zukauskas is among a clutch of independent business owners to bring their activities to 8 Harbord Square at Wood Wharf

Wayne Zukauskas of Wayne Hairdresser Salon, soon to open in Canary Wharf - image Jon Massey — Wayne Zukauskas of Wayne Hairdresser Salon, soon to open in Canary Wharf – image Jon Massey

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“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.”

An example of Wayne's work - image @waynehairdresser on Instagram — An example of Wayne’s work – image @waynehairdresser on Instagram

the drive of an entrepreneur

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 — 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.

Wayne Hairdresser Salon will open on March 15, 2025, offering a full complement of services for men and women as well as haircuts for children.

“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.

The salon will be offering a full range of services and treatments - image @waynehairdresser on Instagram — The salon will be offering a full range of services and treatments – image @waynehairdresser on Instagram

quality over quantity

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.

A full list of treatments and prices is available on the business’ website.

Wayne also offers business consulting services to help other entrepreneurs.

Find out more about the salon here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

February 22, 2025February 22, 2025

Awe London set to open luxury nail salon at 8 Harbord Square

Kamden Monplaisir is set to bring her business to Canary Wharf, the realisation of a dream to launch a branch of her beauty brand on the estate

Awe London founder Kamden Monplaisir - image Jon Massey — Awe London founder Kamden Monplaisir – image Jon Massey

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“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.

“As a child, I’d never seen anything like it.

“Later, I only applied for jobs I could get here”

Kamden, who grew up not far away in Bow, founded creative nail bar business Awe London in 2019.

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.

Nail art by Awe London - image by Awe London / @awelondon on Insta — Nail art by Awe London – image by Awe London / @awelondon on Insta

founding the brand

“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.”

looking to the future

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.

key details: Awe London

Awe London offers a wide range of manicure and pedicure services.

Follow the brand’s Instagram @awelondon or check its website for Canary Wharf opening details.

Canary Wharf Group is supporting a number of independent east London businesses to open in the commercial units at 8 Harbord Square on Wood Wharf.

Also confirmed are salon Wayne Hairdresser and florist and plant shop The Flower Club.

Discover more about the 8 Harbord Square project here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

February 22, 2025February 22, 2025

Poplar Riverside delivers shared ownership homes by the Lea

Housing association Poplar HARCA is marketing a collection of 96 affordable apartments at the east London development by Berkeley Homes

Poplar Riverside is located within walking distance of Canary Wharf – image by Simon Taylor / simontaylorphoto.com

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Housing association Poplar HARCA is currently marketing a selection of 96 shared ownership properties on the west bank of the River Lea in east London.

The apartments form part of the wider Poplar Riverside development, which is currently under construction by Berkeley Homes and will eventually see 2,800 residences built on the site of a former gasworks.

Plans for the 20-acre site include a new one-hectare park with green spaces, play areas and extensive landscaping, commercial space for businesses and amenities, a freshly cleared riverside walk and a secondary school.

Poplar HARCA’s collection of one and two-bedroom apartments are spread across three buildings at the development.

Prospective buyers can expect open-plan living areas, fully fitted kitchens with Bosch appliances, rainfall showers in the bathrooms, underfloor heating, fitted window coverings and private outdoor spaces.

The apartments feature open-plan design - image by Simon Taylor / simontaylorphoto.com — The apartments feature open-plan design – image by Simon Taylor / simontaylorphoto.com

facilities at Poplar Riverside

But Poplar Riverside offers buyers more besides what’s in their own property.

Residents will enjoy access to The Riverside Club, with planned facilities including a 20m swimming pool, jacuzzi and spa, a lounge area, co-working spaces, a games room and a private cinema.

“There are many reasons why buyers should consider looking to secure an apartment at east London’s Poplar Riverside,” said Helen Mason, head of sales and marketing at Poplar HARCA.

“The developer, Berkeley Homes Group, is an award-winning company with 40 years of experience and a proven history of delivering exceptional places for people to live, work and enjoy, with sustainability in mind.

“Poplar HARCA is an award-winning Housing Association in east London, helping to create a place where people, communities and business grow and thrive.

“Our sales team takes pride in making shared ownership simple and straight forward with our staff on hand throughout your journey to make it stress-free.

“Being a shared owner is one of the most flexible ways on the market to make your home your own.”

Location is of key importance to buyers and Poplar Riverside’s situation places it at the heart of widespread local regeneration.

It’s well located for East India DLR station as well as the Jubilee Line, DLR and bus services at Canning Town.

Canary Wharf is less than 30 minutes’ walk or a 10-minute bike ride.

Just across the Lea, ecological regeneration project Cody Dock is working to understand and boost local wildlife.

There are plans for three bridges in the area to increase connection across the water and shorten travel times to public transport stops.

Prices for shared ownership properties start at £105,000 for a 25% share of a one-bed based on a full market value of £420,000.

Two-beds start at £117,500 based on a full value of £470,000.

Assuming buyers purchase with a 95% mortgage that could mean 5% deposits on those properties of £5,250 and £5,875 respectively.

Poplar HARCA is offering one and two-bedroom properties at Poplar Riverside - image by Simon Taylor / simontaylorphoto.com — Poplar HARCA is offering one and two-bedroom properties at Poplar Riverside – image by Simon Taylor / simontaylorphoto.com

key details: Poplar Riverside

Poplar HARCA has two show flats for prospective buyers to view in two blocks at Poplar Riverside. For more information or to register your interest, email

sales.enquiries@poplarharca.co.uk or call 020 7538 6460.

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