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Fame Factory at Excel London immerses guests in celebrity

Hour-long show invites ticket holders to experience the highs and lows of being famous as Immerse LDN welcomes its latest attraction

Guests participate in a chat show at Fame Factory - image by Fame Factory
Guests participate in a chat show at Fame Factory – image by Fame Factory

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…as I sink into the soft, supple leather of the private jet’s seat I reflect on my journey to becoming famous. In all honesty, it hasn’t been that long.

A few seconds actually, just enough time to walk up the steps into the aircraft. 

But already I’m being treated as though I’m a bona fide celeb.

From here, it’s a whirlwind of photoshoots, screen tests (I am, after all, a noted movie star with a reputation for playing evil villains), agent meetings and hedonism.

Just another day as an A-lister until the machine inevitably spits me out the other end…

Fame Factory at Excel London, the latest immersive experience to open at the venue’s waterside quintet of spaces, Immerse LDN, turns out to be a sophisticated bombardment of a celebrity simulator.

Ticket holders pick their character, sip a glass of fizz (optional) in the Entourage bar, then head off to board their flights to guaranteed renown.

From there, its up to an extensive cast of actors to create and reinforce that fantasy over the course of an hour as a blizzard of scenes unfold.

The attraction itself has been created by live events and broadcast outfit Done+Dusted, with one of the production company’s partners, Hamish Hamilton, at the helm.

It’s fair to say he’s a man who knows the reality of fame. 

The experience begins with a flight on a private jet - image by Fame Factory
The experience begins with a flight on a private jet – image by Fame Factory

the pedigree of Fame Factory

“My background is as a television director specialising in live events,” he said.

“Over the years I’ve directed the Oscars, Superbowl events, the Brits and the Emmys – I’ve been immersed in this world of celebrity and red carpets. 

“One day, when I was on a red carpet, I realised it was a surreal experience – I never thought I would be doing this when I was growing up in Blackpool.

“I also thought it would be great to give everyone the experience of being famous for 15 minutes. 

“Simply put, that was the genesis of Fame Factory, although that 15 minutes has now become an hour.

“I love immersive theatre – the best show I’ve ever been to was You Me Bum Bum Train, which was a life-changing experience for me.

“I saw the first one in east London and I just loved the immersion.

“It got me thinking about how we could create something that would be a lot of fun and which would bring people together – something universal.

“Everybody understands fame, likes attention, likes to feel special, likes being fussed over, and that’s what this Fame Factory is all about.

“It’s really simple – you come down and have an hour of fun, feel great and get to be everything you’ve always wanted to be.

“It’s a series of scenes you experience on sets with actors.

“Some rooms fairly passive – where information comes at you and others are less so.

“You might be asked questions or have the opportunity to participate by posing for a photoshoot or making a video.

“People might think that’s not for them, but everyone who has come through has said it’s been amazing – the actors are really kind and you see some of the quietest people just come alive.”

Hamish Hamilton of Done+Dusted - image by Done+Dusted
Hamish Hamilton of Done+Dusted – image by Done+Dusted

the highs and the lows…

While there’s plenty of glitz and glam, the experience is far from a straight puff piece for the world of celebrity.

“We definitely poke fun at fame and its characteristics, and at those who perhaps place too much emphasis on it,” said Hamish.

“The experience is not a wafer-thin glorification of fame – there’s a lot of humour and stupidity, and you’re asked to laugh at yourself, at the situations and at the banality of it.

“In the bar are many assets with captions attached to them which illuminate some bizarre celebrity mishaps that I’ve been adjacent to over the years.

“We also include downfalls, because there’s definitely a darker side to celebrity and we explore that. In the end, fame is entirely constructed.

“Some of the characters you meet in the experience are part of this construct.

“There are many people who are famous because they are magnificently talented.

“Some put those talents to good use while others maybe not so.

“But being famous is also a talent in itself – you don’t need to be as talented as you are famous.

“There are gifted artists and there are celebrities – they’re not the same thing.”

A lot rests on the technical side of the show, which runs in parallel with the experience.

Guests are filmed and snapped as they progress through the scenes with that content used to decorate and enrich the story.

Celebrities get to walk the red carpet as part of the experience - image by Fame Factory
Celebrities get to walk the red carpet as part of the experience – image by Fame Factory

content created at Fame Factory

“My favourite part is actually when people see what we’ve done with what we’ve shot, using all the production values you’d expect – collating it, blending it and layering it with music to create a narrative,” said Hamish.

“People often sit there going ‘OMG’. Then they’re asking how we did what we did. 

“Quite often the shows I’m involved with directing are ‘one and done’. 

“Those have budget constraints, time constraints and commercial imperatives.

“They’re very stressful but, once you put them out into the world, that’s it.

“With Fame Factory it’s amazing to sit in the bar and hear how groups coming through the experience felt – which scenes they liked and why.

“This is a living, breathing organism – every show you do is different.

“It’s genuinely immersive, genuinely interactive, and there are an infinite number of permutations to the show.

“The guests might pick a character to play but they set the scene and direct their own role so it’s never the same twice. 

“In the end, it’s not my show or Done+Dusted’s.

“We’ve laid the groundwork but people weave their own narratives through the storylines and the sets.”

The experience ends with a dedicated awards ceremony for each group in the Entourage bar where participants can also access free and paid-for content created during the show. 

An extensive range of merchandise is also available for those who like to wear their celebrity on their sleeves.

Throughout the Fame Factory, content is being created and fed back into the show - image by Fame Factory
Throughout the Fame Factory, content is being created and fed back into the show – image by Fame Factory

key details: Fame Factory

Tickets for Fame Factory at Immerse LDN start at £17.50 with the experience booking into November at Excel.

Find our more about the experience here

Visitors take part in a series of scenes as they make their way along the Fame Factory journey - image by Fame Factory
Visitors take part in a series of scenes as they make their way along the Fame Factory journey – image by Fame Factory

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Olivia Black celebrates connection with Serendipity collection

Bermondsey-based designer’s recent show during London Fashion Week takes inspiration from magpies and honours her Nana’s influence

Model Sian Hedger walks in Olivia Black's Serendipity show - image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 
Model Sian Hedger walks in Olivia Black’s Serendipity show – image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 

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BY JESS MADDISON

Serendipity is the title of Olivia Black’s new collection.

Shown during London Fashion Week at The Dixon in Southwark, the Bermondsey-based designer’s latest creations take their inspiration from classic tailoring and the contrasting colours in a magpie’s wing.

But the name of her Spring/Summer 2026 offering speaks to something deeper – the chance meetings and influences that are woven through the story of her eponymous brand, all neatly held together by a safety pin motif.

“I’m from Salford in Manchester originally and I’m a twin,” said Olivia.

“Our Nana – my dad’s mum – was a main inspiration for both me and my brother.

“We were both creative growing up – always into crafts and anything art-related from a very young age.

“Nana was a bit of an artist, and had a crystal shop in Afflecks, an indoor market in the city, but she was also a seamstress and had lived and worked in London when she was younger. 

“She was part of the reason I chose to study textiles at GCSE level in school.

“I fell in love with it on my own accord, but also chose it in a bid to feel closer to her, because she’d passed away when I was nine.

“My brother also kept the creativity going and has become a graphic designer.

“It’s funny how such a short period of our lives has impacted what we’ve done as adults.” 

Designer Olivia Black - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Designer Olivia Black – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

from making clothes to designing them

Olivia’s passion for making clothes saw her buying patterns from the likes of Abakhan, enjoying the “meditative process of building something from scratch”.

She went on to study Fashion Design at De Montfort University in Leicester, before moving to London for a Masters at the Jimmy Choo Academy in Mayfair in Entrepreneurship With Business Innovation And Fashion.

“I was in a class of only six students, so we got a lot of attention and that was an incredible experience,” said Olivia 

“They asked questions like: ‘Where do we want to be in the market? Who do we want to be as designers? What is it that you really believe in?’. 

“For me, the answer lay in sustainability and gender fluidity – all these kind of activist political statements are very much a part of who I am.

“At the end of the course you graduate with a six-piece collection, which is intended to act as the launch of your brand. 

“Mine was all about textile waste and reducing what gets thrown away.

“There was lots of hand painting and use of deadstock fabrics – it was very messy and rural-feeling. 

“Growing up working class and shopping in charity shops I’d always enjoyed the process of finding something old and bringing it back to life.

“We always sort of treated it like a game when we did it – who could find the best thing, the designer piece that nobody’s realised is designer.

“One of my best finds ever was a Vivienne Westwood necklace.

“It was £10, they didn’t realise it was real and I have it to this day.

“I don’t wear it because it’s too good, it’s just a nice statement piece on my jewellery stand. 

“So finding fabric in that way felt natural to me at university too.

“I had all these projects using bedsheets or curtains – materials that already exist – then mixed and matched them all up.”

An image from Olivia Black's Serendipity lookbook - image supplied by Olivia Black
An image from Olivia Black’s Serendipity lookbook – image – image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 

Olivia Black, building a brand

After graduation, Olivia got a job at the Jimmy Choo Academy in the marketing team before moving on to lecture at The London College Of Contemporary Arts (LCCA), all while saving money to fund her own brand. 

Keen to keep the momentum going, she decided to take her collection from six pieces to 20, sticking with the same theme and adding new pieces every couple of months over two years, finding as many ways to exhibit them as possible. 

“I did a lot of shows including Wimbledon Sustainable Fashion Week, I Love Fashion, a few small, local London shows,” said Olivia.

“I was offered a sponsored spot on the Fashion Life Tour where I got to show all 20 of the looks, which was incredible.

“That got people’s attention and then I had a few people ask me to make pieces for them for special occasions.

“I dressed one guest at London Fashion Week then made the same client an outfit for the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King. 

“That did really well online and I got more red carpet requests from other customers.

“Then I kept doing high profile events on the regular.

“I actually used those pieces from my original collection so many times, which was great and that allowed me to show them on different bodies in various sizes, styled in multiple ways. 

The proceeds and Olivia’s work in education enabled her to fund the creation of her latest collection, Serendipity.

“It had to be called that, because it’s dedicated to all the people who helped me stay on the right path,” she said.

“There were so many times when I thought: ‘It’s over, it’s never going to happen’. 

“Then someone would offer their services as a makeup artist, turn out to own a factory I could use or tell me about somewhere I could get deadstock in London.

“That’s how the entire show came together.

“Everything has been collaborative. Obviously, there was a lot that needed to be paid for as well, but there was so much help from friends.

“It’s natural my brand has become about keeping the community together.

“That’s where the safety pin comes in. It’s symbolic of connecting people and keeping them together.”

Model Sienna Daniels walks in Olivia's Serendipity show - image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 
Model Sienna Daniels walks in Olivia’s Serendipity show – image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 

echoing down the generations

With the motif also celebrating the way her Nana’s creativity has echoed down the generations, Serendipity also brings Olivia’s varied influences together such as the silhouette of traditional dress and blazer shapes, all given a twist. 

“The reason I went for an all black and white palette is because, for me, it symbolised the idea of starting fresh,” she said. 

“I made my last collection last for two years, which was great but it was a graduate collection. 

“It wasn’t really what I would say is my brand. I wanted to start with the clarity of black and white, to say: ‘This is who I am’. 

“Also, I’ve always been inspired by birds and for this collection I looked at magpies a lot because they like to find shiny things and that related a lot to the theme of serendipity.

“Their feathers inspired the ruffles and glossy nature of the materials used in some of the pieces.

“For me, one of the highlights is the signature Maglen Dress with the Gildpin Belt featuring wool suiting and silk machine embroidery to create a pinstripe from my brand’s logo. You only see it when you look really closely. 

“That was inspired by ideas of camouflage that also came from birds and the way their feathers enable them to blend in.

“Pinstripe is also very traditional and I thought: ‘What would my twist on that be?’.”

Also wrapped into the theme of serendipity, was the way Olivia connected with the factory in Stratford where her clothes are made.

She said: “When I was teaching at LCCA, one of my students turned out to be a manufacturer who owned a facility in east London.

“Even though he was already very successful, he’d been determined to return to education to get his degree.

“One of the reasons Olivia Black is a luxury brand is that we make everything in the UK. The price point is higher, but what matters to me is that my seamstresses get paid a very fair wage. 

“For me, the most exciting part of being a designer is seeing my work go from a flat sketch that started life in my head to an actual physical piece. That’s the magic.”

Model Dash walks in Olivia's show - image by image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 
Model Dash walks in Olivia’s show – image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 

inspiration in the skyline

Olivia works from her studio in an 11th floor flat in Bermondsey that she shares with her partner, taking inspiration from its views.

The couple had their first date in Greenwich Park before setting up home in Maze Hill.

“When we moved to Bermondsey, we wanted to find somewhere with similar views,” said Olivia.

“We overlooked Canary Wharf and the Isle Of Dogs and, when we’ve had low points, because we’re at the start of our careers, we’ve been able to look out over London and realise there’s so much out there.

“It gives you faith that something is going to come, that we’ll get the jobs we need, that we’ll meet the person we need to connect with and that we’ll stay optimistic.

“We’ve found having that skyline has really kept us both going – it’s a privilege to be able to look out over it and think: ‘It’s all out there, I just need to find it’.”

Model Sian Hedger wears Olivia's signature Maglen Dress with the Gildpin Belt - image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 
Model Sian Hedger wears Olivia’s signature Maglen Dress with the Gildpin Belt – image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 

key details: Olivia Black

Olivia Black’s pieces are available to buy online.

To find out more about the brand or to place an order, visit the designer’s website here.

Model Nico Suarez of Vauhaus Agency wears denim in the show - image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj
Model Nico Suarez of Vauhaus Agency wears denim in the show – image by Francesca Stuart-Jones / @francesca_sj 

Read more: Crate opens bar and pizzeria at Wood Wharf as brand expands beyond Hackney Wick

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The Clement Attlee honours Limehouse heritage with £3.95 pint

The Craft Beer Co has refurbished and rebranded its east London establishment, naming it for the Labour prime minister while delivering a packed events schedule to attract the punters

The Clement Attlee is located next to Limehouse station - image by Craft Beer Co
The Clement Attlee is located next to Limehouse station – image by Craft Beer Co

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When Clement Attlee was prime minister, a pint of beer in London cost roughly 7d.

Factoring in conversion to new pence and inflation, that’s equivalent to about £2.65 today.

Given vastly increased costs across the hospitality sector these days, most people approaching a bar in east London don’t expect to come away with much change from £7. 

Consequently, buying a pint of The Clem Pale at recently refreshed pub The Clement Attlee beside Limehouse Station for £3.95, does feel a little like time travel.

The Craft Beer Co has renamed the establishment in honour of the Labour leader, who was MP for Limehouse from 1935 to 1955 and has taken its exterior back to an aesthetic aimed at recalling its 1939 livery as The Railway Tavern.

That name is also immortalised in the tiled floor of the establishment following its glow-up.

The Clem inside, however is sleek and modern – polished wooden tables and a bar to match, replete with plenty of warm lighting and worn copper. 

“This is the result of a staggered rebrand as we remained open throughout,” said Jon Huddart, marketing operations manager.

“We’d been trading as the Craft Beer Co at the site since 2016 and thought it was time for a name change, some new signs and maybe a lick of paint.

“But that project spiralled into new chairs and tables, a new bar and the installation of TV screens so we can show sport or films in different parts of the pub.

“We’re still very much part of the Craft Beer Co, but we wanted to take the place back to how it looked outside in 1939.

“Clement Attlee was Labour prime minister from 1945 until 1951, succeeding Winston Churchill, and his constituency was Limehouse, so it felt like a fitting name and not one represented by a pub locally.

“Whatever your politics, there’s no denying he was a great man and implemented some amazing things, like the introduction of the NHS.

“Shortened to The Clem, it’s got a nice ring to it.”

 Founded by school friends Martin Hayes and Peter Slezak, the Craft Beer Co has grown from its origins in Clerkenwell to run seven sites in London.

Jon Huddart, marketing operations manager at Craft Beer Co - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Jon Huddart, marketing operations manager at Craft Beer Co – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

an independent venue showcasing independent beers

“We’re fully independent – there’s no outside investment,” said Jon, who began his career with the business as general manager in the Clerkenwell venue.

“A lot of the craft beer brands weren’t around back then, so the founders took over a pub and started selling independently brewed beers and importing products from America, Germany and Belgium – it grew from there.

“Today we still stand for brilliant pubs with great atmosphere, drinks and service.

“We only serve beer from small, independent producers – even the crisps on the bar come from small farms.

“For example, we don’t serve Guinness but we have a really strong alternative called London Black, brewed by Anspach And Hobday based in Bermondsey. 

“Jack Hobday was actually one of our managers and you’ll find their beers across our sites. 

“Our stance is that we’ll deal with any brewery which is independent, as long as their beer’s good and they’re nice people.

“The minute they get sold to a giant company, we cut ties, because that’s not what our customers expect us to serve.”

There has been much consolidation in the market – Camden Hells, Beavertown and Meantime, all going to big multinationals, for instance – but Jon is confident in the enduring appeal of small operations pouring maximum effort into their brews.

The Clem Pale is currently available for £3.95 per pint at The Clement Attlee - image by Craft Beer Co
The Clem Pale is currently available for £3.95 per pint at The Clement Attlee – image by Craft Beer Co

high quality products at The Clement Attlee

“Most of the breweries we deal with have fewer than 10 people working for them,” he said.

“It might be a father and son outfit or a couple of brothers – perhaps a few guys in packing and a couple of brewers.

“There are still a heck of a lot of breweries in London, with new ones opening.

“Craft beer – technically less than six million barrels a year – is a premium product.

“A lot of time and effort has gone into it, which does come with a price tag.”

Cask beers currently on offer include the likes of Mum’s The Word by Siren and Manchester Bitter by Manchester Marble Brew with Pilsner by Flensberg and Sloop Juice by Bianca Road in kegs.

While the pub rotates options to ensure a range of flavours for drinkers to explore, The Clem Pale from Kent Brewery is always on for £3.95 a pint.

These days, there’s also a bit more to the place than just the beer.

Spread over two floors, including a secluded first-floor terrace complete with strings of lights and vintage signs, the pub is a broad church.

The Clem hosts a range of events and also screens sport - image by Craft Beer Co
The Clem hosts a range of events and also screens sport – image by Craft Beer Co

drinking, dining and events

“It’s not enough these days just to open the doors and hope people will come in, despite us being right opposite the station,” said Jon. 

“We wanted to make it a hub for all sorts of different things going on with weekly and monthly events.

“We host a quiz on Tuesdays and short film nights every month.

“These often feature question and answer sessions with directors on the Wednesdays they take place.

“Then, on the first Thursday of the month we host a comedy night with a rotating line-up of comedians.

“There’ll be four of five acts – at least one will usually have done some TV or been on Live At The Apollo.

“Every Friday, from 8pm, we have live music and then on Sunday we have folk – it’s a really nice vibe.

“Our chef, Arturo Camacho, is originally from Ecuador and has worked under Gordon Ramsay at the Savoy Grill and London House and at Bancone in Covent Garden.

“It was great timing that we found each other and we were able to franchise out the kitchen to him.

Tacos at The Clem - image by Craft Beer Co
Tacos at The Clem – image by Craft Beer Co

“He and his team serve a mixture of English pub grub – burgers, fish and chips and Sunday roasts – alongside South American flavours.

“I’m biased, but his tacos are really good.

“One American guest who had tried tacos all over the world said they were the best he’d had outside Texas.

“The food here is something that’s really growing and we’re seeing more and more diners week-on-week.

“The events we run are all loosely based around drinking and that’s key because one of the most important things to us is our relationship with the small breweries that supply us.

“Take Siren in Reading, for example. We were the first pub in London to sell its beer after they started up in 2015.

“It’s a really good relationship, and when they celebrated their tenth anniversary, they chose the pub I used to run in Clerkenwell as their venue for the party.

“That’s what we’re all about. The reason we don’t work with brands that have been taken over by big brewers is that even if they keep the name the beer never tastes quite the same.

“They’ll cut costs, tweak the recipe and it won’t be the same as when they were independent.

“But there’s plenty out there. We’ve got 21 keg beers and six cask ales – 15 of the kegs are on rotation.

“Personally, I love pale ales, which is the most popular style, but we always have a mixture of options on.”

The pub has outdoor space and a secluded first-floor terrace - image by Craft Beer Co
The pub has outdoor space and a secluded first-floor terrace – image by Craft Beer Co

key details: The Clement Attlee

The Clement Attlee is located on the corner of Bekesbourne Street and Commercial Road next to Limehouse Station.

The pub is open daily from 5pm Monday-Thursday, from 3pm on Fridays and from noon at weekends.

Full event listings for the venue can be found here.

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London Dock releases discount homes for Tower Hamlets locals

St George and Tower Hamlets Council are set to showcase a collection of 16 properties at Saffron Wharf in the former’s Wapping development

An artist's impression of Saffron Wharf at London Dock in Wapping - image supplied by St George
An artist’s impression of Saffron Wharf at London Dock in Wapping – image supplied by St George

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St George is set to showcase 16 properties at its London Dock development over two weekends this month.

The one and two-bedroom apartments are located in the scheme’s Saffron Wharf block close to Gauging Square and are being made available at a below market value discount to qualifying locals.

St George, part of Berkeley Group, is working in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council to offer the properties to borough residents and workers who are looking to buy their first home.

To be eligible, households must earn less than £90,000 with buyers allocated available properties based on their circumstances.

Under the scheme the apartments are jointly owned with the council which retains an equity stake in the property although charges no rent on its holding and this can be bought out.

Owners seeking to sell in the future must first market their property through the authority for a time before they can offer it more widely.   

The apartments at Saffron Wharf feature open-plan design - image supplied by St George
The apartments at Saffron Wharf feature open-plan design – image supplied by St George

inside the apartments

The apartments all feature open-plan layouts with floor-to-ceiling windows and electric underfloor heating.

Many also feature private balconies or terraces. Interior features include fitted kitchens with graphite-coloured units and white marble-effect worktops plus bathrooms with bespoke wall-mounted basins in mirrored vanity units, black fixtures and fittings and Crittall-style shower screens on the baths. 

Saffron Wharf rises to nine storeys at the heart of the development with buyers able to access  a host of residents’ amenities.

These include access to The Club with its gym, squash court, virtual golf suite and swimming pool.

There’s also a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and treatment room as well as a private screening room and a 24-hour concierge service.

The development’s Mauretania Lounge includes a double-height floor-to-ceiling aquarium, spaces to relax, co-working facilities and a private dining room.

The properties come with fully fitted kitchens and integrated appliances - image supplied by St George
The properties come with fully fitted kitchens and integrated appliances – image supplied by St George

getting on the ladder

Gordon Readman bought his first home at London Dock through the discount market sale scheme.

He said: “When I first started looking to buy, I’d stopped considering new builds because they always seemed out of reach, the prices were either ‘on application’ or ‘to be confirmed’, and never affordable. 

“But at London Dock, the discount market sale option made buying possible.

“It’s surprising how quiet and peaceful it can be despite being just minutes from Tower Bridge and the City. I walk to work in Liverpool Street – the location is incredible.”

St George said these final homes at Saffron Wharf were currently available below the current stamp duty threshold and that Rightmove’s figures showed a first-time buyer in London could potentially save £240 per month when taking out a mortgage in comparison to last year at “a positive time for those looking to get on the property ladder”.

London Dock – a development built on a site formerly occupied by the offices of The Times, the News Of the World and The Sun newspapers – is already home to a community of more than 2,000 residents.

The area has also seen businesses open locally including Urban Baristas, Wapping Sourdough Bakery, Motherdough pizzeria and fizz-focused wine bar Champagne Route.

For health and wellbeing there’s E1 Crossfit, Club Pilates and City Dock Pharmacy.

London Dock is well located for public transport with Tower Hill, Wapping, Aldgate East and Shadwell stations within walking distance offering access to the DLR, Tube and Overground services.

Tower Pier – a short stroll through St Katharine Docks past Tower Bridge and the Tower Of London also offers residents the option of travelling by river bus via Uber Boat By Thames Clippers’ vessels.  

To be eligible for the discounted apartments, Tower Hamlets residents must have lived in the borough for 12 months or more.

Those working locally must be employed in the borough or have accepted a job there. 

One and two-bedroom apartments are available through the scheme - image supplied by St George
One and two-bedroom apartments are available through the scheme – image supplied by St George

key details: discount apartments at Saffron Wharf

Prices at Saffron Wharf start at £255,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Eligibility criteria apply to all of the 16 properties on offer.

Those wishing to attend one of St George’s open weekends on October 18-19 and October 25-26 should book their place online, call 020 3966 6164 or email sales@londondock.co.uk to secure a spot.

Find out more about the events here

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Crate opens second branch with bar and pizzeria at Wood Wharf

Hackney Wick brand expands to Canary Wharf by launching a new meeting point filled with craft beer, pizza and music opposite a sculpture of a whale

Crate Bar And Pizzeria has opened at Wood Wharf - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Crate Bar And Pizzeria has opened at Wood Wharf – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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For 13 years, the beer, buzz, beats and pizza on paper at the White Building have shaped the heart of Hackney Wick in east London.

Now, the ripples of Crate have made their way down the canal from that neighbourhood to find a new space to reverberate through, opposite the whale at Wood Wharf.

The company has opened its second site, a new bar and pizzeria, in the unit formerly known as Fish Game – a lamented closure given the strength of its cooking under Matt Colk, but perhaps a foregone conclusion due to the owner’s insistent focus on serving primarily beasts whipped from the water or blasted in the hedgerows. 

Since then, a rapid miracle has been pulled off, with the old restaurant’s maximalist fripperies stripped out to leave a spare industrial aesthetic more in keeping with Crate’s warehouse home in the Wick.

That’s not to say, however, the place that opened earlier this month isn’t warm. On the contrary, the simple design is merely a frame for its core functions.

Crate co-founder Tom Seaton - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Crate co-founder Tom Seaton – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

from Hackney Wick to the Wharf..

“What we’re trying to create here is a translated version of what Crate is in Hackney Wick – a meeting point close to a station,” said Tom Seaton, who co-founded the business with his sister, Jess Seaton, and their friend, Neil Hinchley.

“It’s a place where people can call in on their way home or on their way out – somewhere where everyone knows what they’re letting themselves in for.

“It’s not very expensive or exclusive – it’s for everyone.

“Bring your friends – 30 if you like. We’re not going to turn you away.

“If you can get through the door, you’re welcome.

“We want people to make friends and perhaps find their life partner – that happens a lot. There’s at least 20 marriages we know of.

“One couple, who had their first date at Crate in Hackney Wick flew our customer service guru Jerome to Scotland for their wedding because he’d made that evening so special for them.

“That’s what it’s all about – people coming together.

“At Wood Wharf we want people to stop by and choose to have a drink with us as part of their plans.”

Crate’s story began when siblings Tom and Jess opened The Counter Cafe in Hackney Wick in 2008.

Having grown up in New Zealand amid a scene that was embracing decent coffee and brunch, they decided to start a business in an abandoned warehouse during a financial crisis, but made a go of things amid the economic turmoil.

Having created that foundation, they went on to team up with BBC radio producer Neil – who’d just completed a brewing course – one day after agreeing to take on the White Building as part of the delivery of the 2012 Olympics just across the canal.

Opening initially as a microbrewery, bar and pizzeria, Crate expanded in Hackney Wick and “a huge amount of things happened”.

First the business opened a proper brewery next door to give it sufficient tank space to keep up with demand.

Then there was the kombucha business and a nightclub.

With increasing competition in the market and tiny margins, by 2020 the brewing business had become unsustainable, however, and Crate had some tough decisions to make.

“It was a horrible thing to have to go through but we realised that the only way we were going to put ourselves back in a secure position was to close everything besides the White Building,” said Tom.

“We had to protect the root stock. Since then, Jess, Neil and I have taken on more operational roles and we have a managing director who looks after the corporate stuff.

“That allows us to get on with getting stuff done on the ground.”

The venue's extensive bar has been built from reclaimed railway sleepers - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The venue’s extensive bar has been built from reclaimed railway sleepers – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

the offering at Crate

Crate now makes its beers at Purity Brewing close to Birmingham with its range also stocked at its bars.

Wharfers can expect a pale ale, a lager, a session IPA, and IPA and a cider alongside guest beverages.

The expansion to Wood Wharf feels a little like the start of a new chapter.

Fresh pints pulled and placed on newly hewn wooden tables ready to fuel talk of ideas and future adventures.

Tom said: “The White Building is going strong and we’re in a simpler and clearer situation. We’re now looking at how we grow the business.

“We’ve always wanted to expand, to open more Crate experiences, but we needed to find somewhere we could put our stamp on.

“The test is whether we can make a place feel like we, our friends and our family are in Crate. Wood Wharf feels great.

“We’ve only just opened, but there are encouraging early signs.

“We don’t really do big shouty launches – we’re going to be here for a long time and, for the moment, it’s just nice to have people come in and discover us. 

“Canary Wharf has a really nice community and we’ve had a couple of launch nights where we’ve been able to see people at every table which is awesome – the space is just how we imagined it with guests laughing, smiling and talking to each other.

“The music element is also really important for us.

“We run a festival called Flamingo Pier in New Zealand and we’ll be having DJs at Wood Wharf on busier days just as we do in Hackney Wick.

“It’ll probably be more a listening bar than a rowdy day rave, but there will be the same kind of music and feeling.

“We just want to play stuff that makes people smile and chat – if you’re after dark techno you’ll probably have to go elsewhere.”

What Wharfers can expect from the new venue is plenty of pizza, stone baked and served on sheets of paper.

Flavours include a classic Margherita, Spicy Salami, Sage And Truffle, Sweet Potato With Stilton And Walnut and Middle Eastern Lamb. 

In addition to Crate’s own beers, the bar will be serving guest brews, wines and its range of canned cocktails.

Expect to pay around £7 a pint for a beer and about £13 for a pizza, although cheaper options are available. 

key details: Crate at Wood Wharf

Crate is now open at the junction of Water Street and Park Drive in Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf.

The bar and pizzeria is open from noon until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and from noon until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Find out more about the new opening here

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Omnifix and Omniss set to open second site in Canary Wharf

Brand’s coming to 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf will care for, repair and create fashion in the neighbourhood

Omniss and Omnifix are set to open their second site at Wood Wharf - image by Omniss
Omniss and Omnifix are set to open their second site at Wood Wharf – image by Omniss

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

While Canary Wharf’s malls are replete with stores selling all kinds of fashion, only English Tailoring makes and sells garments in the neighbourhood.  

Soon though the veteran tailoring business, which has spent the last 28 years clothing Wharfers from its base on South Colonnade, will be joined by a new arrival to the area.

As part of Canary Wharf Group and Tower Hamlets Council’s collaborative project to provide affordable space for local businesses, 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf is set to welcome Asya Ter-Hovakimyan’s two brands – Omnifix and Omniss.

The former offers repairs, alterations, tailoring and customisation, while the latter is the creative label she co-founded in 2016 with Francisco Zhou while the pair were studying at the London College Of Fashion. 

Omniss became established at Poplar Works in east London in 2020 as a base of operations, while the genesis of Omnifix came shortly after the pandemic arrived when Asya spotted a gap in the market.

Omnifix founder and Omniss co-founder, Asya Ter-Hovakimyan – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

a high-end solution

She said: “In the UK, alterations and repairs to clothes are generally handled through dry cleaning businesses. 

“In London you also have high-level seamstresses and tailors who do work making garments for fashion labels, but don’t tend to get involved with that sector.

“When lockdown happened, we had customers getting in touch with us for help with designer garments – repairs and alterations. 

“I realised that, through my work with Omniss, I was in between these two groups and had all the resources to handle complex services like sympathetically re-sizing pieces as well as simpler tasks. 

“Initially, this side of the business didn’t have its own name, but it grew so busy through word-of-mouth that I had to work out what to do with it.

“I founded Omnifix with the aim of treating fashion in a different way.

“I wanted customers to be able to bring pieces they loved to us to work on to bring new life to them.

“In December 2022 we’d moved to a bigger space in Hackney Wick at The Trampery and, by March, we were fully booked.

“We had to hire staff specifically to work on repairs and processing new orders and, by this time, we were getting business from all round the UK. 

“I’d always seen us needing more space and I’m quite local to Canary Wharf.

“I know the type of people who are here and I think we have something to offer them.

“While we have an online presence, I believe it’s important that clothes exist in the physical world – people want to try things on and it’s important to be able to see them face-to-face.

“Customers can bring us garments where they know something is wrong and we’ll fix it – we’ll listen to them.

“It’s a bit like going to the doctor with your symptoms. We’re here to be empathetic.

“It’s about trust and there’s a sense of community around that as well.

“I always envisioned that we would have multiple hubs to drop off clothes and get advice, but they’ll also be a retail element at Wood Wharf, selling quality fashion in that neighbourhood.

“Some clothes for Omniss will also be made there – that’s important too, because people can be disconnected from how their clothes are manufactured. 

“If what someone is wearing takes special machinery and many hours of making to create but they’re only paying £10, then there’s a problem with that model.”

Asya hard at work on a collection for Omniss at the brand’s Hackney Wick Studio. Together with Omnifix, the label will be expanding to Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf - image by Mike Chaney
Asya hard at work on a collection for Omniss at the brand’s Hackney Wick Studio. Together with Omnifix, the label will be expanding to Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf – image by Mike Chaney

creating Omniss

Asya has been immersed in fashion from a young age, first learning embroidery in her native Armenia at her mother’s instigation before starting to make clothes aged 10.

She said: “She saw I really loved doing it, but she didn’t really do it herself – she had a conviction that everybody should know how to sew on a button.

“As a girl I learnt about the best fashion schools in the world from her magazines and they were all in the UK. I made it my dream to study in one of those places.

“It was quite a journey to put together a portfolio and apply, because I didn’t know about the system here.

“I did lots of drawings back home and then I got an offer from Central Saint Martins to study a foundation year in art and design.”

From that base, she won a place on the Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear course at the London College Of Fashion, where she met Francisco and started Omniss. 

Wave Sheer Blouse, £175 and Wave Suit Trouser, £450, both by Omniss - image by Omniss
Wave Sheer Blouse, £175 and Wave Suit Trouser, £450, both by Omniss – image by Omniss

a foundation in technique

“It was a very technical degree,” said Asya.

“At first I was a bit upset because I was a lot more into the product and I wanted to do more artistic stuff.

“But I came to the conclusion that, if you don’t have the practical skills to bring your ideas to life, it might be easy for someone else to tell you they are impractical.

“If you know how to do it, it’s easier for you to get pieces made the way that you imagined.

“After I met Francisco, we started doing catwalk shows in west London venues such as Mayfair members clubs.

“We were just two students who barely knew anything – finding people to model for us in the tall jeans section of Topshop on Oxford Street.

“Some were tourists who were excited to be involved with fashion students – some even ended up buying our clothes.

“That’s when we realised that, if people liked what we were doing, we should make it into a proper brand and Omniss was born.

“We create collections, taking inspiration from what’s being discussed and what’s going on in the world around us.

“In 2019 it was about how AI would take over the job market – we imagined Omniss as a robot factory.

“Then there was a collection about the sea, when climate change was being neglected.

“One thing I’m very passionate about is making something sustainable, while ticking all the other boxes that fashion is supposed to be.

“Fashion should be empowering and make you feel good. You also need to like it aesthetically.

“Fashion needs to be organic and ethically made by people who are paid fairly. These are the basics.

“The trick is still to make it desirable – that sustainability isn’t the main reason why someone buys something.

“We always try to produce things that are really wearable.

“Running businesses is definitely a lot more hard work than I imagined, but we really care about every product and customer.

“When we get a five-star review we do a little happy dance.”

Omnifix and Omniss will join an ever-growing collection of new arrivals to Wood Wharf including The Flower Club, Wayne Hairdresser Salon, Cafe Seek, Ong Lai Kopitaim, The Island, Awe London, Signorelli and Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa.

Several more businesses are set to open soon including Supershakes, The Lockdown Room, Nora and Mama Li.   

Omniss' Broken Heart Jackets, £475 - image by Ominiss
Omniss’ Broken Heart Jackets, £475 – image by Ominiss

key details: Omnifix and Omniss

Omnifix and Omniss are set to open on the ground floor of Wood Wharf’s 8 Harbord Square in the coming weeks.

Details of the former’s services can be found here

Details of the latter’s collections can be found here

Read more: Amazing Grace set to open second location in Canary Wharf

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Dagenham Green developers working to deliver on-site amenities

The 3,500+ home joint venture between The Hill Group and housing association Peabody is taking shape with practical and cultural additions

A show home at Dagenham Green in east London - image supplied by The Hill Group
A show home at Dagenham Green in east London – image supplied by The Hill Group

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Amenities are a key consideration for buyers when considering where to purchase a property.

The facilities and services available locally can play a huge factor in such decisions, with canny home-hunters both researching what’s currently on offer and what’s coming to the area.

Take Dagenham Green in east London, for example.

A joint venture by The Hill Group and housing association Peabody, when completed the scheme will see more than 3,500 homes built on the site of Ford’s former stamping plant.

Spread over some 45 acres, the development plans include extensive public open space with parks, a new secondary school and community facilities. It’s also a deeply practical option for buyers.

Dagenham Green is adjacent to Dagenham Dock station, offering a direct C2C rail link into Fenchurch Street in 21 minutes.

For those heading to east London destinations, the line connects to the likes of Barking and West Ham, offering a plethora of possible destinations via Tube, rail and DLR services.

That includes a commute to Canary Wharf or Stratford of about 20 minutes.

An artist's impression of how the new Sainsbury's Local will look at Dagenham Green - image supplied by The Hill Group
An artist’s impression of how the new Sainsbury’s Local will look at Dagenham Green – image supplied by The Hill Group

a new opening at Dagenham Green

But what about on-site amenities? Well, the scheme recently announced it had secured Sainsbury’s as an anchor tenant.

The firm will open a 3,173sq ft convenience store on the ground floor of one of its buildings in the second quarter of 2027.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Hill and Peabody to bring a brand-new Sainsbury’s Local to this exciting development,” said Jonathan Arthur, Sainsbury’s head of convenience property development.

“As well as creating employment opportunities, our new store will bring a carefully curated selection of high-quality, great value products to the local community and we’re looking forward to it becoming a central part of the new neighbourhood in Dagenham Green once it opens.”

Andy Hill, founder and group chief executive of The Hill Group, said: “Securing Sainsbury’s as our first tenant is an important step in our vision for Dagenham Green. 

“Having a trusted national retailer on board from so early in the development will be a huge asset for this growing community and demonstrates the appeal of the development for leading brands and businesses.”

James McMylor, managing director, London North at Peabody, added: “We know a great place to live isn’t just about well-built homes – it’s also about having the things that make daily life easier and more enjoyable. 

“This Sainsbury’s will mean fresh food and essentials right on the doorstep, making life simpler for new residents and helping them settle in as Dagenham Green takes shape.”

One, two and three-bedrooms apartments are currently available on offer for private sale at Dagenham Green with prices starting at £275,000.

Shared ownership homes are also available at the scheme through Peabody with prices starting at £81,000 for a 30% share of a one-bed.  

The development is located next to Dagenham Dock station - image supplied by the Hill Group
The development is located next to Dagenham Dock station – image supplied by the Hill Group

delivering culture on-site

Practicalities are important, of course, but there are also other things to consider and Dagenham Green is working hard to develop a cultural offering for its future residents.

The development has commissioned artist Ruth Ewan to create a series of public artworks on the site, forming the start of a heritage trail that will celebrate the area’s history.

Dagenham’s Ford plant is known not only for its automotive legacy but also for the 1968 and 1984 sewing machinists’ strikes – both landmark events in the campaign for women to be paid equally for their work.

Ruth’s first commission, with local women invited to participate in the creative process, will respond to those events with the aim of inspiring future generations.

“It’s an honour to be part of a project that recognises the importance of Dagenham’s social history – especially the incredible women who stood up for fair pay and equal working rights,” said Ruth.

“My aim is to create new works that convey this remarkable history and speak of its continued relevance to the present.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know local people and working with them to shape the project together.” 

Ruth’s work includes installations, performances, writing and print. Her work addresses ideas of power and questions representations of time, rebellion and repression. 

She has shown work at Tate Britain, the National Gallery and the New Museum in New York.

The development is hosting an event for first-time buyers in October - image supplied by The Hill Group
The development is hosting an event for first-time buyers in October – image supplied by The Hill Group

getting on the ladder

Dagenham Green is set to host a free event on Saturday, October 18, 2025, aimed at first-time buyers considering moving to the development.

Entitled the 95% Mortgage Talk, advice will be offered from Torc24 experts on buying with a 5% deposit, while solicitors from PCS Legal will also be on hand to handle conveyancing queries.

Those wishing to attend should sign up digitally.

Apartments come with fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms - image supplied by The Hill Group
Apartments come with fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms – image supplied by The Hill Group

key details: Dagenham Green

Prices at Dagenham Green start at £275,000 with the first residents at the development set to move in by the end of this year.

Those keen to attend the free 95% Mortgage Talk on October 18, 2025, between 11am and 4pm, should register their attendance online. 

Find out more about the development here

Read more: Amazing Grace set to open second location in Canary Wharf

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The Fragrance Shop brings fine scents to Canary Wharf

Recently opened, the new east London store offers big brands and niche products with a 20% unlimited discount for members who pay an annual fee

The Fragrance Shop area manager, Lisa Blackwall - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The Fragrance Shop area manager, Lisa Blackwall – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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Canary Wharf has welcomed something new into the portfolio of stores that make up its retail offering.

The Fragrance Shop, located in Canada Place opposite long-time mall resident Charles Tyrwhitt, is the only retailer on the estate to offer a wide selection of products specifically aimed at delighting the nose. 

True, there’s the likes of Penhaligon’s in Cabot Place, but the new opening goes beyond a single brand – its shelves lined with mainstream and niche fragrances to satisfy Wharfers’ olfactory desires.

Designer names are everywhere with bottles in an astonishing display of hues and shapes.

Personally, I’m charmed by a little silver robot whose prime directive is simply to exude a fine mist of Phantom Eau De Toilette by Rabanne, but there are plenty of options.

Gucci, Armani, Diesel, Dior and Mugler sit opposite Joop! and Givenchy – all on sleek black shelves with backlit bottles to best show off the vibrant shades of glass.

The testers are out, the air is warm with scent and everywhere there are little lengths of cardboard to try the products out on before committing to skin.

The Fragrance Shop's Canary Wharf branch in Canada Place - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
The Fragrance Shop’s Canary Wharf branch in Canada Place – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

big brands and niche scents at The Fragrance Shop

“What we offer to Canary Wharf is a bit different to everybody else,” said Lisa Blackwell, area manager at The Fragrance Shop.

“We have all of the big brands you would expect but we also sell a range of niche scents.

“There’s nowhere else on the estate that stocks the wide range of fragrances that we do.”

Lisa has spent her career in retail, the last three years with The Fragrance Shop, managing stores in London, Essex and East Anglia.

“Each one is different, with its own layout, although we carry similar products on the shelves,” she said.

“Customers often know exactly the fragrance they want. 

“But for those who are choosing something new, we usually start with what they already like and work from there.

“It’s not always the case that customers can identify the kind of notes they enjoy – they’ll say sweet or woody, but actually prefer something different.

“That’s usually why we start with a brand they’re comfortable with as a foundation and use that as a basis to explore.

“Women will generally know what they want and will pay attention to price – if a fragrance is available for slightly less elsewhere they’ll know about it. 

“For men, it’s all about ease. They come into the store, make a decision and then buy a scent. 

“With customers who don’t know what they want, we are delighted to help and we’ll ask them questions to narrow down the options from the scents that they like to the way a product feels on their skin. 

“We’ll talk about memories too and get as much information as we can.

“Then we’ll try three different fragrances to find out what they’re leaning more towards – it might be a fruity scent, a woody scent or a sweet scent.

“We can then go down that path with them and find a perfume that’s perfect.”

While the Canary Wharf store has not long been open, Lisa and her team have already identified some key trends.

“Our niche brands have been the most popular so far in our Canada Place store,” she said.

“This shop gets the same allocation as any other, but here we’ve found that those fragrances have been selling out and we’ve had to replenish them. 

“These are brands like Maison Margiela, Atkinsons and Tocca and come at a higher price point.

“Canary Wharf shoppers aren’t scared of a price tag and we’re now in the process of making sure our stock levels are right for the market.

“We can also order anything in our range to the store if we don’t have it in stock.

“As we’re new, we really want people to come in, see us, talk to the team and get to know us.”

Members at The Fragrance Shop pay an annual fee and get an unlimited 20% discount on all scents - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Members at The Fragrance Shop pay an annual fee and get an unlimited 20% discount on all scents – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

get more for less

There’s another reason to check out The Fragrance Shop, namely its membership scheme, which gives members 20% off on all purchases online and in store for a year for £15 alongside other benefits.

“There are no limits on it,” said Lisa.

“Anything you see in front of you on the shop floor, whether its part of our main range or our niche offering, is 20% off with a membership and we list both prices on the shelves. Nothing is excluded.”

Other perks include monthly rewards, enhanced delivery options and free samples as well as member exclusives.

While choosing fragrances is deeply personal, Lisa said she had three favourites on sale in store.

“I’m very much Born In Roma by Valentino,” she said.

“It’s creamy, it has nice notes of Jasmine Sambac, cashmeran and vanilla bourbon and sits beautifully on your skin and it lasts.

“If I want to sit with something different, I tend to go for Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel, which is a feminine ambery fragrance.

“I’ve also recently started wearing La Bomba by Carolina Herrera which has notes of pitaya, peony and vanilla for a bit of a change.”

Lisa's picks - fragrances by Chanel, Carolina Herrera and Valentino
Lisa’s picks – fragrances by Chanel, Carolina Herrera and Valentino

managers picks

Area manager at The Fragrance Shop, Lisa Blackwell, shares her favourites 

Eau De Parfum, 50ml

Member – £87.20, Non-member – £109

Eau De Parfum, 50ml

Member – £78.40, Non-member – £98

Extradose Eau De Parfum, 50ml

Member – £86.40, Non-member – £108

Find out more about the store here

key details: The Fragrance Shop

The Fragrance Shop is located in Canada Place and is open from 9am-8pm from Monday to Saturday and from noon-6pm on Sundays.

Read more: Amazing Grace set to open second location in Canary Wharf

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Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre built on Wembley’s strong base

Starlight Express revival venue comes with blockbuster facilities, the kind of place where magic is made both on and off stage

The cast of Starlight Express celebrate on the Wembley stage - image by Troubadour
The cast of Starlight Express celebrate on the Wembley stage – image by Troubadour

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If the overall experience of visiting Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre is only half as good as what the booming company has created at Wembley Park, we’re in for a treat. 

With the first preview performances of The Hunger Games: On Stage set to kick off at the newly minted Wood Wharf venue on October 20, 2025, an invitation to check out its north-west London progenitor was not to be missed.

Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, a former complex of TV studios transformed into a 1,000-seat venue, is currently home to the latest London revival of Starlight Express.

Andrew Lloyd Webber knows a thing or two about writing catchy tunes and his imaginary world of racing toy trains, made real by a breathtaking blizzard of performers on roller skates, is as thrilling in 2025 as it was in the 1980s.

Updated to include the arrival of hydrogen power it remains a somewhat silly story, bound together with banging melodies, extraordinary athleticism and just enough emotion to melt even the most cynical heart.

Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is currently hosting Starlight Express - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is currently hosting Starlight Express – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

a showcase of talent

This isn’t really a show review, but special mention goes out to the talents of Jeevan Braich as steam train Rusty, Olivia Ringrose as Greaseball and Jaydon Vijn as Hydra – all three up the front of a very long train of talent, expertly marshalled by Shayan Ghai’s bright-eyed Control. 

What Troubarour has done in Wembley is, rather cleverly, create what feels like a sumptuous velvet box for this gem to sit in.

Replete with dozens of glitter balls, a visit feels special, an event before even getting into the auditorium. 

Our trip begins in the venue’s Studio Five restaurant which serves three courses for £38 pre or post show.

It’s a funky space decked out in blue velvet that serves the theatre but has the feel of a standalone brasserie. The food is excellent.

At pretty much every turn, Wembley delights.

There’s glam, spectacle and plenty of toilets (not something every theatre in the capital can offer).

Whether you’re sipping Champagne in its VIP lounge or soaking up the starlight downstairs, there’s a real buzz about the place. 

The VIP lounge at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre - image by Troubadour
The VIP lounge at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre – image by Troubadour

what this means for Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre

So what does all this tell us about the level of quality the Canary Wharf theatre might offer?

Well, the magic of Starlight gives Wembley a bit of an unfair head start.

The musical’s power to please a crowd is perhaps best expressed in the fact that the show has been running non-stop in Germany since 1988 and has been seen by 19million people. 

The Hunger Games, in contrast, is a new play, albeit one with a solid fan base to bounce off, but much still depends on its quality. 

However, if the Canary Wharf venue’s restaurants, facilities and – more importantly – its atmosphere are in any way similar to Wembley, Wood Wharf could well become the sort of place where the magic that keeps people coming back decades later is created.

The Studio Five restaurant at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre - image by Troubadour
The Studio Five restaurant at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre – image by Troubadour

key details: shows at Troubadour

The Hunger Games: On Stage is set to open at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre on October 20, 2025. Ticket prices start at £30.

Starlight Express continues its run at Wembley until April, 2026. Tickets start at £27.50.

Find out more about Troubadour here

Read more: Amazing Grace set to open second location in Canary Wharf

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Theatreship embarks on a fresh season of melodramatic film

Isle Of Dogs floating arts centre continues collaboration with British Film Institute for free screenings and nights featuring live performance

Theatreship's Natalie Hill - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Theatreship’s Natalie Hill – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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When I arrive at Theatreship to interview Natalie Hill, the sun is shining bright.

Swans are gliding on the glittering waters of South Dock and all is right with the world.

But then I see the venue’s doors are closed, a thick rope strung forbiddingly across the steps up to the vessel’s deck.

A cloud falls across the sun and a chill steals across the last day of summer. Have I come on the wrong day?

Has something terrible happened to my interviewee? Is she OK?

Will I hit my deadline or will it be blank pages, hair torn out in frustration, spilt cold coffee on the floor..?

But I’m being melodramatic.

The sun quickly pops out as Natalie casually scoots up on her bike, locks up her mount and guides me on board.

It’s an apt beginning, though, as we’re here to discuss Theatreship’s latest collaboration with the British Film Institute as a venue for its Too Much: Melodrama On Film season.

Natalie has a long history with the moving image.

Despite studying law, her love of film won out and she embarked on a career in the industry.

Her first job was on a UK comedy called Large.

“With my degree, I do have a factual focus and I realised that, by making documentaries, I could marry my two strengths – looking at real stories and doing something creative with them,” she said. “I’ve now worked in factual TV for about 25 years. 

“I’m a producer and director and have made lots of different series like 24 Hours In A&E, Stacey Dooley Investigates and The Apprentice.

“Over the last four or five years, I’ve mainly focused on documentaries where I’m looking at the impact of something.

“The Man With 1,000 Kids is the biggest thing I’ve worked on and one of the most impactful because, although Dutch sperm donor Jonathan Meijer’s actions weren’t illegal when I started making the documentary, it was incredibly shocking to find out that he’d got away with lying on such a massive scale to people around the world.

“Professionally I have a focus on telling stories that people will find interesting but that could also help make changes.”

The bar on board Theatreship - image by Theatreship
The bar on board Theatreship – image by Theatreship

curating creativity at Theatreship

While Natalie originally approached Theatreship with the idea of making a documentary about the project to open a floating arts centre moored on the Isle Of Dogs, her involvement quickly became something else.

As a boat dweller on the Island herself, she became the vessel’s head of film programming – a creator turned curator.

“It’s lovely, because I normally produce stuff and here I’m exhibiting other people’s work – that’s an absolute joy,” she said.

“I’m loving it, whether it’s introducing the films, serving up drinks or picking up stray kernels of popcorn.”

She’s masterminded and programmed a successful and growing series of Free Mystery Cinema Screenings on Wednesday nights.

Audiences don’t know what they’ll be seeing, but clues are given out in the run-up to each event and prizes dispensed for correct guesses.

Under her direction, Theatreship has also – from day one – forged a partnership with the BFI screening films alongside live performances for its Creative Worlds of Powell And Pressburger and Art Of Action seasons.

The organisations have also collaborated on a showing of independent seafaring films.

Natalie introduces a mystery screening at the venue - image by Adrian Sidor
Natalie introduces a mystery screening at the venue – image by Adrian Sidor

a cargo of cinema

“One of the main things about Theatreship, is that when vessels came into this dock historically, they brought new things and that’s what we wanted to do from a cultural perspective,” said Natalie.

“We also wanted to showcase vintage cinema to a fresh audience and bring hidden gems from the various genres to people’s attention.

“I’m very passionate about it and feel like a proud parent for what we’ve done for our forthcoming season.

“We’re calling it Never Too Much Melodrama On Theatreship because, for me, melodrama is all about intense emotion and visuals in film. 

“I think it gets a bit of a bad reputation because it’s seen as overacting, am-dram or prima donnas.

“It’s not about that at all, it’s about embracing that intensity.

“It could be as part of a psychological thriller or a war film or about love. It’s about really strong emotions playing out in front of you.

“Our completely Free Mystery Cinema Screenings from October 15 into December will form part of the season, although obviously I can’t tell you what we’ll be showing.

“I can say they’ll be new films, old films and films from all over the world – they’ll be dramatic and good.

“We’re also now doing Late Night Mystery Cinema on various dates.

“These are also free and start around 8.30pm, but will feature a slightly higher age rating and may be edgier, although they’ll still have warmth and integrity.”

 The programme for the BFI season starts on October 13, complete with live performances alongside the named screenings.

“We’ll have three Sapphic Cinema nights in collaboration with Abi Asisa, starting with Benedetta (18) – the story of a 17th Century nun in Italy who develops a passionate and forbidden lesbian affair with a fellow novice – on October 13,” said Natalie. 

“We’ll also be having a mini-season called All About Almodovar on Sundays, starting with Law Of Desire (18) on November 2.  

“He is seen as a living legend of melodrama – Pedro Almodovar’s films are always so passionate, so intense.

“They’re rather like the juicy storylines you get in a soap opera, but on film and from a really revered director.

“Again, each screening will be paired with a live performance.

“Another highlight will be the The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg (U) on November 18, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary.

“That’s a glorious Technicolor musical and we’ll be having live music from Naomi Banks, an incredible jazz singer who can perform in French, Spanish and English. 

“That film – as a musical – might be seen as a bit cheesy and old-fashioned, but it’s really not. It’s got some really intense storylines in it.

“So many films have been influenced by it like La La Land and Barbie.

“We’ll also be showing Wong Kar-Wai’s 2046 (12A) alongside short film I Am Alive by Jun Chew on December 7.

“The former follows a cynical writer in 1960s Hong Kong who revisits his past through a series of fleeting romances, all the while weaving his memories into a sci-fi novel about a futuristic train that travels to the year 2046.”

For Natalie, the importance of film at Theatreship is in offering audiences a different way to enjoy the medium.

“Because there are so many ways to watch now, people are overwhelmed,” she said.

“Let us make the choice, so you don’t have to.

“Watching long films in a cinema setting is great – you’re not distracted by your phone, so you can just engage with what’s on screen.

“When I’m programming, it’s hard because there are just so many to choose from, but I’ll get round to all the ones I want to show eventually. 

“I often look for films that have a bit of underdog to them – when there’s only a small budget and a small team but someone’s done something really special.

“Sometimes it’s about looking for films that might have won critical acclaim but been missed or approaching others from a different angle.

“For example, we screened Buster Keaton’s One Week but with an introduction looking at the part played by Sybil Seely in the film.”

Audience members watch a film on board the floating venue - image by Theatreship
Audience members watch a film on board the floating venue – image by Theatreship

key details: Too Much Melodrama On Film at Theatreship

Full information and booking details for all film shows at Theatreship during its Too Much: Melodrama On Film season, including the mystery screenings, can be found on the venue’s website.

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