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
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
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.
Royal Albert Wharf, sat proudly on the Thames at the eastern end of the Royal Docks, offers prospective buyers a multitude of options.
Part of a 15-year regeneration project that has seen 1,500 residential properties built in the area, NHG Homes’ scheme is an established community, connected to the capital thanks to its proximity to Gallions Reach DLR.
For the housing association, which is marketing apartments for both private sale and shared ownership at the development, it’s all about flexibility.
“Royal Albert Wharf has come into its own in the past few years as a flourishing hub in the Royal Docks, which celebrates community, culture and the rich history of the area,” said Diana Alam, director of sales and marketing at NHG Homes.
“With homes available for sale and via shared ownership, buyers can explore this unique opportunity to own a home of their own in a way that suits their budget.
“We encourage those interested in buying to take advantage of our Stamp Duty incentive before April 1, 2025, and start their home ownership journey at this fantastic development today.”
take advantage of an offer
NHG Homes is currently offering to contribute up to £25,000 towards stamp duty costs on selected homes for private sale.
Buyers must reserve properties before the end of March, 2025, to qualify for the incentive.
This option is suitable for buyers with larger deposits – £17,325 and up – who wish to avoid the rise in stamp duty that’s due to come in on April 1, 2025.
The development is located on the eastern edge of Royal Docks – image by Tidyworks
choosing to share
Buyers can also choose to purchase shared ownership properties at Royal Albert Wharf.
The minimum deposit required for an entry level property at the development would be £4,157 assuming they can secure a 95% mortgage on a 25% share in the apartment.
Buyers can then increase their stake in the property over time through staircasing until they own their home outright.
No stamp duty is payable under the scheme until their share reaches 80%, further increasing the affordability of this route.
what’s on offer?
With the recent cut in interest rates, either route to home ownership will become less expensive as lenders reduce rates on their own deals.
Apartments at Royal Albert Wharf feature open-plan design and private balconies or terraces.
The wider development boasts a concierge service, a residents’ workspace and a lounge with an on-site car club and cycle storage also available.
Parking is also offered and comes as standard with three-bedroom homes.
Local amenities include a nursery, the Well Bean Co Cafe beside dock edge, a children’s play area, a convenience store and Cafe Spice Namaste – a restaurant by noted chef Cyrus Todiwala.
The DLR provides direct connections to the Elizabeth Line at Custom House and Canary Wharf.
key details: Royal Albert Wharf
Shared ownership apartments at Royal Albert Wharf start at £83,125 for a 25% of a one-bed, based on a full market value of £332,500.
Homes for private sale start at £346,500 for a one-bed and £527,500 for a two-bed. Stamp duty incentives are available on selected homes.
Regular readers of Wharf Life will already be familiar with Fairview New Homes’ development The Silverton in Royal Docks.
But aside from the private sale properties available, there is another way to buy an apartment at the project.
tell me more
Housing association Aster Group is marketing a selection of homes at The Silverton for purchase via shared ownership.
about the partner
Aster provides affordable housing across the south of England and in London.
Established in 1990 it has around £2.4billion of social housing assets, owning and maintaining some 37,000 properties.
The group reinvests profits from private sale and shared ownership to support the development of affordable homes, delivering hundreds to the market each year.
It currently has shared ownership homes on offer in 12 counties, with new and nearly new properties available.
what are they selling here?
A collection of shared ownership properties at The Silverton, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms.
Prices start at £88,750 for a 25% share of a one-bed, based on a full market value of £355,000.
For those able to secure a 95% mortgage, that could mean a deposit of £4,438 would be enough to make a purchase.
they say…
Amy Nettleton, Aster Group assistant development director sales and marketing, said: “We are thrilled to offer shared ownership homes at The Silverton, a prime location with fantastic commuter links.
“This development provides an incredible opportunity for many who might have thought home buying in such a vibrant area was out of reach.
“It’s exciting to see how shared ownership can open doors to the property ladder for so many.”
the area
The Silverton is within easy walking distance of Pontoon Dock DLR, offering direct connections to Woolwich, Canary Wharf and the City.
Located to the south of the Royal Docks, the area is going through extensive regeneration at present.
Further schemes will be built along the Thames, adding to Royal Wharf and Riverscape, while a massive new residential development is underway at nearby Silvertown.
Enhancing local connectivity, those plans include a new bridge across Royal Victoria Dock and upgrades to the DLR station to help cope with the expected influx of residents.
Housing prices in the area are likely to rise over the coming years given this considerable investment and there are also benefits from being London’s only enterprise zone – a scheme designed to attract businesses to base themselves in E16.
Local amenities are plentiful and The Silverton is also within easy reach of the Woolwich Ferry, London City Airport and conference and exhibition centre, Excel London.
key details: shared ownership at The Silverton
Shared ownership properties at The Silverton are available through Aster Group with prices starting at £88,750 for a 25% share of a one-bed.
“It’s about educating people on what the product is and what process they will go through when buying something with us,” said Kevin Sims, director of affordable homes provider SO Resi, part of Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTV) housing association.
As we’re running a special feature on shared ownership in Wharf Life, we thought we’d turn to an expert in the field to offer readers some clarity on the scheme and whether it might work for them.
First, a few facts.
The way shared ownership works is relatively simple.
Buyers essentially enter into a partnership with an affordable housing supplier such as a housing association.
They purchase typically between 25% and 75% of a property, paying rent at a capped level on the rest as well as any service charges due.
To be eligible, buyers in London must have a combined household income of less than £90,000 a year and not own another property.
But why go down this route at all?
“A lot of people aspire to home ownership – we’d all like to live in a five-bedroom house in Kensington, but most of us can’t do that,” said Kevin who joined MTV six years ago and now looks after the organisation’s shared ownership buyers throughout their journey with SO Resi.
“While 100% ownership might be the goal, some people will only be able to achieve 50% or 75% but owning a share in a property is still better than renting.
“One of the most important things you get as a shared ownership buyer is what I call: ‘Security of tenure’.
“If you’re renting, you don’t own anything.
“Your landlord might wake up on any given morning and decide they want to sell up – you’re constantly at the mercy of a notice period and all the stress and worry that comes with an unexpected move.
“That’s not going to happen to a shared owner.
“There might be a situation where someone defaults very badly on their rent and mortgage, but as a housing association we’ll be there to step in and help so, unless someone’s got themselves into a real pickle, there will never be anybody saying they have to move out in a month’s time.
“That security is a really valuable part of the product.
“There’s also freedom of expression of course.
“Shared owners can decorate the property however they want – they’re more or less free to live in it like they own it outright.”
Homes at SO Resi Canning Town in east London have proved popular -SO Resi director Kevin Sims – image by SO Resi
more affordable
It’s not just peace of mind, however.
Not only is the monthly cost of a shared ownership property in east London typically cheaper than monthly rent on a comparable home, the bar to getting on the ladder is significantly lower too.
“Saving a 10% deposit for a £400,000 one-bed apartment would mean putting aside £40,000 before you consider the other conveyancing and moving costs and that’s unmanageable for a lot of people,” said Kevin.
“The only way many can manage to raise a 10% deposit would be to move out of London and that just isn’t possible for some.
“But if you bought a 25% share in that property with a 10% deposit, you’d only need to save £10,000. That’s still a lot, but it’s considerably easier than buying outright.
“There’s also recently been an increase in the number of 95% mortgages available and having to only find £5,000 makes a very, very big difference.
“That allows a whole load of people who can’t buy into the housing market any other way to do so.
“That means they have an asset and, while people would aspire to own 100% of a property, I’d certainly rather have 25% than nothing at all.
“In long term, the value of that asset will grow – nobody’s going to lose out on buying at any one of our London developments whether that’s at Canning Town, Nine Elms or Wembley.
“Of course there are places on the outskirts of the capital but they’re no substitute for London life, which is why people find it so attractive.
“Consequently shared ownership is a big draw for lots of people, especially those who are renting at high rates in the city.”
staircasing with SO Resi
The journey doesn’t end with the purchase of the first share, however, with buyers able to increase their stake in a property, paying less rent as their level of ownership increases.
“The process is called ‘staircasing’ and there are lots of ways that shared owners can do that,” said Kevin.
“For many years, for example, we’ve offered shared owners the option to increase their stake in a property by 1% every 12 months.
“Unlike some other housing associations, MTV under that SO Resi umbrella actively encourages staircasing and we have a big team to facilitate it.
“At present, about 8% of our shared ownership buyers own all of their home so for some it’s an aim rather than a destination.
“If somebody then wants to move out, that’s not a problem either.
“We are very proactive if someone wants to sell their share and it’s now a straightforward process to either market it through us or via an estate agency.”
SO Resi Canning Town apartments feature open-plan design – image by SO Resi
key details: SO Resi Canning Town
There are still some shared ownership properties left to purchase at SO Resi Canning Town in east London.
Prices start at £98,750 for a 25% share in a one-bed with estimated monthly outgoings of £1,371.
The apartments are located within easy walking distance of Canning Town station for access to the DLR and Jubilee line, offering direct connections to Canary Wharf, the City, London City Airport, Excel and Stratford.
Kevin said: “There’s a whole raft of reasons why your London professionals will see Canning Town as a very attractive proposition – it’s got lots of appeal to lots of different kinds of people.
“It’s been really successful as a scheme for us and you can see why buyers want to live there.”
Serge Laurent isn’t, in most senses of the word, a performer.
His professional background hasn’t been one of gracefully bending his body to music or the beat of some internal rhythm.
Nor is he a choreographer, guiding lithe, athletic individuals to move their forms to an exacting design.
He works for a fine French jewellery company.
Headquartered in Paris, it’s a brand that celebrates its 129th birthday this year.
As director of dance and culture programmes at Van Cleef & Arpels, history is important to Serge, especially in his delivery of Dance Reflections, a festival that’s set to bathe London in movement from March 12 to April 8, 2025.
But why is a company dealing in design, precious metals and gems involved in dance at all?
“When I was first contacted by the maison, they told me about their association with dance,” said Serge, who had spent the best part of two decades as live arts curator at the Centre Pompidou in Paris and around the world.
“I studied the story of Van Cleef & Arpels and found out it had a strong history in the field of dance as a source of inspiration.
“That dates back to the 1920s – and was quite intriguing to me.
“I found out that the connection became even stronger when Claude Arpels met with a very famous choreographer in the 1960s – co-founder of the New York City Ballet, George Balanchine – and that he’d been inspired to create a piece called Jewels in 1967.
“Today we continue to emphasise the maison’s commitment to dance and to write his story with Dance Reflections.”
The festival, as Serge says, is just the tip of the iceberg – the public-facing element of collaborations and sponsorship initiatives around the world.
But things go a lot deeper than funding and brand awareness.
LA(HORDE) and Ballet National De Marseille are set to present Age Of Content at Sadler’s Wells East as part of the festival – image by Blandine Soulage
the power of transmission at Dance Reflections
“Looking at the maison, it struck me that it’s work has very similar values to the world of dance,” said Serge.
“There’s the value of creation, which is obvious, but also of transmission.
“The savoir-faire of the maison can only be perpetuated by valuing transmission.
“It’s exactly the same in dance, which is an immaterial art form. After the show, nothing is left.
“If you want to preserve a dance, you have to transmit it.
“When I was first creating a Van Cleef workshop, I saw a young guy working with and watching an older jeweller – he was transmitting those gestures and that history.
“The third value is education.
“I’m an art historian by training and if you have that background, you know how important it is to communicate with people – to give them clues so they understand what they’re seeing.
“It’s always a challenge to approach different audiences – contemporary art is like a new language so you have to help people see that they’re discovering that when they’re in front of a piece.
“You have to explain that what they’re seeing doesn’t come from nowhere, that it’s part of evolution through the ages.
“I always say that when Vaslav Nijinsky presented the Rite Of Spring for the first time in Paris in 1912, at the Theatre De Champs-Elysee, it was a scandal, and now it’s a masterpiece.
“When Pina Bausch danced in her Paris debut at the Theatre De La Ville, people left the auditorium and now she is hailed as a goddess of dance.
“I always try to teach people that, when they come to the festival they will probably know some things, but they will also see new names and new approaches.
“They should think about what has happened before and why the artist is doing what they are now, even if it looks a bit strange.
“It doesn’t come from nowhere, it is the result of history.
“That’s the reason I like to do this job as a curator – it’s not only to select artists who are good for people to know about, it’s also to showcase work that contributes to this art form and to help enlarge its vocabulary.
“The festival is a way to talk about something. It’s not enough for a curator to say: ‘This is my shortlist, these are my discoveries’. It’s a responsibility and a context to talk about dance and artistic approaches.
“People can like it or not – my main goal is they understand what an approach is.”
The London iteration of Dance Reflections will feature performances across Sadler’s Wells’ three venues – including the freshly minted Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford – as well as at the Royal Opera House, Tate Modern and the Southbank Centre.
The programme is extensive, including work by Balanchine, presented in partnership with the Royal Ballet from March 28-April 8 and Hagay Dreaming – a piece about ancient myths and futuristic technologies by Shu Lea Cheang and Dondon Hounwn – in the South Tank venue at the former power station on the Thames.
It’s perhaps testament to the importance of the opening of Sadler’s Wells East that such a major festival will also touch E20 alongside London’s other major cultural centres.
It’s also evidence of the importance of legacy and long-term partnership.
Sadler’s Wells East will host Join by Ioannis Mandafounis and Dresden Dance Company as part of Dance Reflections on March 22 and 23, 2025 – image by Stephan Floss
Dance Reflections – the tip of the iceberg
“We have about 60 different partners in 16 different countries,” said Serge.
“The festival is the tip of the iceberg, and the rest you don’t see – that’s OK.
“For me, Dance Reflections is a way to celebrate what we do all year round.
“My idea is to present audiences with the diversity of dance through an historical approach. Usually in a festival you focus on one kind of artists.
“Here I want to combine different generations and there is one common point between all of them, that in their own time they have found their own voice and way of writing dance.
“I like people inventing a vocabulary and, with dance, it’s very exciting because it’s always using the same medium – the body.
“You can invent a lot of languages for that and as a curator it’s a practice I want to support and intensify.
“I think our history with Sadler’s Wells goes back to 2007 when we supported them to present Jewels for its 40th anniversary so there’s that connection.
“For this festival, of the nine performances that will take place across its three venues, it’s very important that two of the artists will be presenting their first work and that audiences can understand their connection to the history of dance.
“It’s very important to make people understand that dance is an art form that can happen anywhere – that’s why we’re working with Tate Modern, for example.
“That’s what I like about it – you can present dance on a stage, in a public space, on the streets, in an art gallery, everywhere.
“It’s also about the art of space and that notion is key.
“This is one of the reasons I really appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Sadler’s Wells East because upstairs in their new building they opened studios and a school.
“While the festival is on we also organise workshops for amateurs and professionals alike and it’s perfect for that.
“It’s commensurate with our three values – creation, transmission and education.”
teasing out the history
This lineage from past to present is clearly visible in Serge’s programming of nine performances across Sadler’s Wells’ venues – its main auditorium and the Lilian Bayliss Studio theatre in Islington and Sadler’s Wells East at East Bank on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
“For example, I’m very excited about the opening days of the festival,” said Serge. “For this I always try to combine different approaches with a specific approach.
“We start in Islington on March 12 and 13, 2025, with a very intimate dance piece for the Lilian Bayliss Studio – Sakinan Göze Çöp Batar (An over-protected eye always gets sand in it) by Christian Rizzo at 6.30pm before moving to the main theatre at 8pm.
“There we see a piece called Working Title by the Trisha Brown Dance Company from 1985, which is very New York.
“It’s also a story of transmission because after the interval, we present In The Fall, created by young French choreographer Noé Soulier – only the second commission by the company.
“It’s wonderful that this dance company still exists after Trisha passed away and that it maintains her approach.
“This notion of continuation after a choreographer has died is very important.
“Then, connected by the same history, we have (LA)HORDE and Ballet National De Marseille, presenting Age Of Content at Sadler’s Wells East on March 14 and 16, 2025.
“While this is the new approach, it is still connected and I hope audiences will see that.”
Beyond that, it’s also Serge’s aim to join the work of the jewellers to the dancers on the stage.
“I’m just a go-between, in fact,” he said.
“I have a tool in my hands to mediate between two different worlds, and that’s what interests me the most.
“It’s my job to teach the associates of the maison about dance and explain to our clients why we are so committed to it.”
key details: Dance Relections
Dance Reflections is set to run at Sadler’s Wells, the Royal Opera House, Tate Modern and the Southbank Centre with performances from March 12 to April 8, 2025.
Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford will host performances on March 14-16, March 22-23 and March 27-28 as part of the festival.
Specifically, The Photography And Video Show is set to arrive at Excel London for the first time over four days in March.
what’s it all about?
Professional and amateur photographers plus film, video and content creators are invited to the east London exhibition centre in Royal Docks to check out the latest kit and techniques.
what brands will be there?
The major players will all be present including the likes of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, OM System, 3 Legged Thing, Pentax, Tamron, Lowepro and Sigma.
In total more than 250 brands will be showing cameras, lenses, equipment and accessories, with visitors able to try out kit and purchase it at the event.
Retailers such as Wex Photo Video, CameraWorld and London Camera Exchange will also be present, offering exclusive show discounts and trade-in finance options.
New for 2025 will be exhibitors such as Tilta, Imagen AI, Viltrox, Tiffen, Nya-Evo and Sandisk.
there’s more?
Education is a major component of the event, with a range of talks and demonstrations on offer across six stages and theatres.
Photographers participating in sessions include Lindsay Adler, David DuChemin, Joel Grimes, Colin Prior, Andy Gotts, Julieanne Kost, Scott Kelby, Sarah Edmunds, Kelly Brown and Belinda Richards.
On the moving image side, Teja Lisjak, Libby Penman, Mandy Celine, Dan Thorburn and Dean Sherwood will be sharing insights and tips for making films and capturing video.
and for content?
The show has invited content creators Oliver Howells, Kym Moseley, Tati Kapaya, Tamara Gabriel, Andy Burgess, Ellis Reed, Bax Mundoba and Courtney Victoria to share their expertise on its Creator Stage.
Visitors will be able to try out all the latest kit – image by The Photography And Video Show / Future Publishing Events
discover the latest kit at The Photography And Video Show
beyond the stages?
Many of the brands exhibiting will also be hosting their own programmes to demonstrate kit and skills on their stands.
Adobe will be running an education programme at its hub, while the show will also host the Nikon School, Canon Spotlight, Fujifilm School and offerings from Sigma and Digital Camera World.
places to play
The Photography And Video Show has partnered with Creativity Hub Events to offer visitors interactive shoot sets where they can practise their skills and try out their purchases.
The Creator Playground will also return for a third year with attendees told to expect giant garden gnomes, illusion tunnels and much more besides.
they say…
Event director, Ruth Folkard, said: “The Photography And Video Show isn’t just ‘another trade exhibition’, it’s far more than that.
“It’s a date for the diary for anyone who loves to be behind the camera.
“This is the event’s debut in London and we’re really looking forward to welcoming thousands of tech geeks and creative artists alike.
“Beginner or pro – it really doesn’t matter, there’s something on for everyone and we’re family friendly too.”
More than 250 brands will be participating in The Photography And Video Show – image by The Photography And Video Show / Future Publishing Events
key details: The Photography And Video Show
The Photography And Video Show is set to make its debut at Excel London from March 8-11, 2025.
Open from 10am-5pm each day, standard tickets cost £18.95 with discounts available for multi-day access.
That’s where Thaisa Uchoas first contacted personal trainer, Ilona Drob, with the idea that their fledgling businesses might collaborate.
She also wanted to book some gym sessions.
“I was going through some issues with my body at the time, feeling it was not mine any more and I wanted to get back into fitness,” said Thaisa, who started a massage therapy business in 2022.
“I signed up for a programme with Ilona, which really helped me get back into shape.
“It was during those gym sessions in March 2023 that we got talking about how running a business on your own was like.
“We were sharing our thoughts about how lonely it can be and wondering if there were other women locally who might want to help each other in the same way we were.
“We’d started sharing clients and supporting one another, so we thought it might be possible to create a community.”
Before starting their businesses, both women had worked in corporate roles in the recruitment sector.
Ilona, originally from Poland, had supported herself through university in London before forging a career at a “fantastic female-led company”.
She said: “I really enjoyed that, but my goal was to have my own business.
“My parents had always told me from an early age that, if I wanted to get ahead, I’d need autonomy – to be in charge of my own destiny.
“They always encouraged me to pursue my studies and try things on my own.
“My dad was a small business owner and my mum worked at a hospital doing day and night shifts, for many years.
“She had four kids, so it was really hard.
“She was the one who told me to continue to study and put myself out there, so I wouldn’t have the same fate as her.
“That’s what sparked the desire in me to take charge of my career.”
Ilona is founder of Your Vegan Trainer and co-founder of both BeThriving Wellness and Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
giving up the day job
Having long had a passion for health and fitness, Ilona left her job to become a personal trainer at Gymbox in December 2018, simultaneously founding Your Vegan Trainer to deliver exercise programmes and plant-based nutrition for private clients.
“I’d had a few health problems and I wanted to heal – I did a lot of research around nutrition to get myself stronger,” she said.
“I’d been working very long hours in recruitment. I loved the buzz, but it had an impact on my wellbeing.
“I went on a course and decided to take a chance, say goodbye to my salary and start my business.
“It was scary at first, but it was worth taking the risk.”
She’s since gone on to co-found a second company with Raffaela Kestel, inspired by working in the gym with people in corporate careers.
“I was seeing how amazing people are when they’re in the gym, but hearing that they were not fulfilled and happy in the office.
“So we decided to see how we could change this through consultancy, by installing a culture of health and wellbeing within organisations so it’s at the forefront of what they do.
“That means the employees are very well looked after, happy and fulfilled, which is one of the most important things a company can do for its sustainability and to make it an attractive place to work.”
Thaisa is founder of The Massage Space and co-founder of both Her Sanctuary and Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
a journey to wellness
Thaisa’s journey to business ownership was also through personal experience.
Coming to the UK from Brazil aged eight, she’d grown up in Hertfordshire, studied in Birmingham and moved to London “working crazy hours” in recruitment.
“I always felt I needed to do something different,” she said.
“I wanted a job where I would have more impact working with people on a more personal level and I decided I wanted to make people feel better – but didn’t know how.
“In 2020 me and my partner were starting a family – we were going through IVF and there was lots to think about.
“I went on maternity leave and that’s when I was having some health issues and started seeing an amazing massage therapist who helped me through my pregnancy – she was my inspiration.
“Those sessions made me feel so good and I decided to retrain.
“I was still in my job, but I wasn’t fulfilled, so I handed in my notice in December 2022 to take massage therapy seriously.
“I took on clients, initially working from home. Then I met Ilona.”
starting Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
In addition to supporting each other, the two entrepreneurs decided to see what appetite might be out there for other women in business to network in the local area – Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs was born.
“We felt there was a real need to connect with others after the pandemic,” said Ilona.
“That’s what made us look to see if there were others like ourselves who were feeling like that.
“We created a Facebook group – in the beginning it was five of us having a coffee.
“After a few weeks we started to become more active on that page and more people started joining.”
Thaisa added: “Then we thought about a monthly meet-up and we started doing that in October 2023 in a corner of the bar at the Marriott West India Quay because it was free and the staff are lovely.
“I think there were 12 of us including Michelle, who’s now an ambassador for the group.”
Since then things have grown.
The group’s monthly meet-ups have grown to an average of 85 attendees, now hosted at Republic next to East India DLR station.
The events are ticketed with entry starting at £5, with the February gathering starting at 6pm for welcome drinks and introductions.
As well as the networking, events typically feature a guest speaker who shares their entrepreneurial journey – the highs, the lows and any tips they want to pass on.
The February session also features a prize draw with various benefits available to win before things wrap up at 9pm.
telling the story of Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
“Our aim right now is for more people to know about our network,” said Ilona.
“We’d love to think that every aspiring female entrepreneur locally would want to come to us to meet other people who have done it, so they can start sooner and get their business off the ground.
“It’s about tapping into people who do have a dream, even those who have the idea as a side hustle.
“For us, it’s about creating an ecosystem where everyone who comes to one of our meetings will find value.
“Absolutely any kind of business is welcome.
“We’re also aspiring to boost diversity and inclusion, so we want people with differing backgrounds to be included.
“There is so much to learn from people with different businesses from our own.
“Even though we’ve grown, it’s still about women coming together to collaborate – we now have a team of nine ambassadors to help organise what we do.
“It’s about women checking us out and actually getting support with what they want to do.
“We are a friendly group – people are so accessible.
“We’ve found there are so many powerful women who have had successful careers in the corporate world coming into entrepreneurship and finding they have no-one to turn to for advice.
“It’s so important to have people to bounce ideas off.”
As one of the original attendees, Isle Of Dogs-based businesswoman and senior leader, coach and mentor at Tropic Skincare, Michelle Buchan, has become one of the group’s ambassadors.
“A friend said I should go – my background is in the corporate world and I’ve often felt men dominate the conversation in that setting,” she said. “You often come up against egos. A group of women produce a different atmosphere – more supportive and collaborative.
“It’s a different kind of networking. There may be a lot of women sitting at home thinking they’ve got an idea, a scheme, but that it’s only them struggling with those problems.
“This group really wants to help them through those struggles because we know it’s easy to feel isolated.”
making space for women
Thaisa, who recently started offering massage therapy services at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, said: “We wanted to create a space for women and for them to have a voice in this area.
“It’s about education, co-working and networking and it’s really worked.
“Initially we ran it for free but we needed it to cover its costs which is why we now charge a fee to attend.
“This is because it takes time and effort for us to organise the network, to sustain it and to grow the group.”
Thaisa is also now a serial entrepreneur, herself, having co-founded Her Sanctuary with founder of E14YogaCoach Sharon Osu.
She added: “One of the most important things about this group is for our members to collaborate with each other and to get work out of it.
“I’ve collaborated with Ilona, of course, and it’s important that this is a part of it.
“We know it’s not always simple to make sales or to find clients.
“That’s why we ask a key speaker to share their story each month.
“It’s good for people to see that the journey isn’t always easy and for them to hear that in language that they can understand.”
key details: Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs
Canary Wharf Female Entrepreneurs is open to women who have started their own business or are hoping to do so.
The group is not restricted geographically, despite its name, and welcomes women from across Canary Wharf, east London and beyond.
The group holds regular monthly meet-ups with the next set to take place at Republic on February 28, 2025, from 6pm-9pm. Tickets start at £5.
Premium memberships, which include full access to CWFE’s regular monthly events are also available.
An opportunity for attendees to expand their networks, to connect with more than 120 exhibitors and to boost the skills they use in their careers.
who’s exhibiting?
Suppliers will be represented from the fields of business travel, corporate gifting, workplace solutions, event planning services and many more.
what about activities?
There will be a range of opportunities including speed networking sessions and the return of The PA Show Passport, an initiative that encourages delegates to visit suppliers for the chance to win prizes and collect a goody bag. This year it’s sponsored by Thorntons.
how about on stage?
The Keynote Theatre is free to attend on both days, with highlights on the programme including Lifting Your Potential: Strongwoman Stories To Help You Say Yes To Success from coach and speaker, Zoë Thompson, and Lead Up: How To Move From PA To EA And Beyond by keynote speaker, trainer and coach at The Like Me CIC, Jasmine Mbye.
The event will offer plenty of networking opportunities
CPD-accredited content
that’s not all is it?
No. The event is well-known for its CPD-accredited sessions, which can be accessed at the event for an all-inclusive cost.
Firstly there’s the Tech Theatre. Running both days, highlights include Crafting Precision: Advanced ChatGPT Prompts For Proactive Assistants with Paul Pennant of Microsoft MVP and Using AI To Supercharge Your Social Media from Kati Noakes, founder of KN Comms. The event will also host a Personal Development Theatre on both days.
Then, on the first day the show will also host the VA Content Stream for virtual assistants including VACT Limited’ s VA trainer and mentor, Amanda Johnson with a talk entitled Be The Boss Of Your VA Future and Shelley Fishel, founder of Tomorrow’s VA on Saving Money And Boosting Efficiency With Microsoft Tools For Virtual Assistants.
The second day will see the event host the EA Leadership And Progression Conference Stream offer sessions on Mastering Business Skills For Growth And Leadership from Clare Lucas of UK Ducks In A Row Ltd and From Uniform to Suit: Boot Camp For Executive Assistants by Claudine Martin, senior EA at BNY Pershing.
Marketing director at Mash Media, Charlotte Fewlass
register for The PA Show now
they say…
“We’ve added a theatre stream specifically designed for executive assistants aspiring to leadership roles,” said Charlotte Fewlass, marketing event director at Mash Media, organiser of The PA Show.
“These sessions will equip attendees with the strategic thinking, resilience, and communication skills needed to excel in today’s evolving workplace.”
who’s supporting?
In addition to Thorntons, the event’s 2025 headline sponsor will be train travel specialist SWR Business Direct.
It’s also supported by meeting and event space provider Convene and business travel management firm Corporate Traveller.
anything else?
The show’s sales and event director, Lisa Farnfield, said:
“The PA Show offers unparalleled opportunities for skill development, networking and career growth.
“Our exhibitors provide cutting-edge solutions tailored to executive support professionals, ensuring attendees leave with actionable insights and valuable connections.”
Sales and event director at The PA Show, Lisa Farnfield
key details: The PA Show 2025
The PA Show Spring 2025 is set to take place at Excel in Royal Docks from February 26-27, 2025.
Exhibition and Keynote Theatre passes are free for PAs, EAs, VAs and office managers.
Full access including all CPD-accredited content costs £199 for one day or £239 for two ex VAT.
Group discounts of 20% for five+ delegates are available.
Lebanese restaurant Byblos Harbour has a long history of serving up colourful, flavourful dishes on the edge of Millwall Inner Dock.
The establishment serves a cuisine described by owner Aboud Grimesty as similar “to Turkish food” thanks to 400 years of occupation by the Turks, “but more refined” from a period of French influence and control from the early 20th century.
It’s been attracting diners to the Isle Of Dogs since opening its doors in 2008.
“We had a good plan and the financial crisis hit, but things got better until Covid came,” said Aboud, who lives in Canning Town.
“However, we carry on and we’re in good shape.
“When we opened, there was no authentic restaurant serving proper Lebanese food in east London, so I thought I’d give it a try.
“It’s a varied cuisine – after the occupation by the Turks, there was huge poverty so there’s lots of vegetarian food – people had to do a lot with a little.
“The menu is compact to keep things under control – you can order a range of starters and then a main course.
“My personal favourite is the mixed grill with chicken and lamb.”
Restaurateur Aboud Grimesty
a new look for Byblos Harbour
It’s clear when I pop in to interview Aboud that his connection to his customers is paramount.
The consummate host, he’s unfailingly attentive and frequently stopping to chat to regulars and newcomers alike.
On leaving, he presses a bottle of Lebanese red into my hands, telling me the country has the best wine in the world – how does he know?
It’s where Jesus pulled his infamous party trick with the water.
This closeness with his customers and the importance of his homeland sit perfectly in explaining the reason for my visit.
The restaurant has been refurbished recently
To cap off Byblos Harbour’s refurbishment, which has included the construction of a covered, heated and sheltered terrace for diners and shisha enthusiasts, Aboud called on a regular for some assistance with the interior of the restaurant.
“I came here about six months ago, and Aboub showed me his empty walls,” said Kyrsten Perry, an artist and Isle Of Dogs resident.
“He said he wanted to celebrate Byblos – the city from which the restaurant takes its name – so I asked him what the stand-out features of the city were and we went from there.
“It’s a port that’s been operating for about 7,000 years.
“I researched the history, found out all about its connections to the Egyptians, the ancient Greeks, the Phoenicians and its Roman ruins.
“These include an amphitheatre overlooking the ocean, but there’s also a 5,000-year-old pier with many restaurants nearby, which inspired Aboud initially.
“That’s how the collaboration began.”
Stuffed vine leaves at Byblos Harbour
creating the paintings
Kyrsten set about creating a series of watercolours from images of Byblos, with the collection recently unveiled at the restaurant.
“I wanted to capture what it must have been like in Roman times,” she said.
“Initially I thought I’d do a semi-aerial view, but it didn’t look right.
“I also didn’t want to do one of those big murals.
“It was really a collaboration. I’d send Aboud images and he’d like some and not others.
“We talked extensively about how the culture of the country has affected the food, the people and the whole atmosphere.
“To me, it was something uplifting and joyous.
“There have been so many awful things happening in that part of the world, I thought it would be great to create something positive.
“Aboud supports multiculturalism – people coming together.
“It’s been a real privilege to work with him because I can see what he’s trying to do.
“He brings people together with good food, good wine and good times.”
Isle Of Dogs artist Kyrsten Perry
inspired by the water
Born in Cornwall, Kyrsten was brought up in Australia before returning to the UK, gravitating to the Isle Of Dogs after a stint running a venue in Islington.
In addition to her full-time job working for a Labour MP, the former Tower Hamlets councillor is a practising artist working from a studio in Roman Road.
“During the day we deal with a lot of people who are acutely desperate and in need of support,” she said.
“The art is a good counterbalance to that.
“Some friends and I share the studio and I’m absolutely in my element when I’m painting.
“I’ve really enjoyed the process of working with Aboud – I trust him and he’s got really good taste.
“When you’re in that creative process, trying something new, that’s really important.
“I’ve done lots of things in the past – I have two art degrees – but I’ve only really taken it seriously in the last couple of years.
“I’ve been doing the art class at the Shadwell Centre in Whitechapel and that’s how I met the friends I share the studio with.
“Something happens in that creative space which is very precious and I’ve felt that doing this project with Aboud.
“I’m certainly up for more commissions as I’ve finally got my website and Instagram sorted.
“I’m definitely looking for more opportunities to collaborate, but I’ll be doing my own thing as well.
“I really have to take my hat off to Aboud.
“Byblos Harbour is always reliable – my mum, who is originally from Streatham loves coming here with her friends when she visits from Australia.
“You know you’re getting good quality food and that it will be a fabulous day.
“Aboud has had to be creative over the years, to reinvent his restaurant but always with what the customer needs and wants in mind.
“I’ve known him for 10 years and I’ve always loved the food – having been a councillor, I know how much restaurants struggled over the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, so it’s fantastic that he’s adapted and is still delivering that quality.
Another of Kyrsten’s paintings for Byblos
key details: Byblos Harbour + Kyrsten Perry
Byblos Harbour is open Monday-Saturday, from noon to 11pm and on Sundays from 1pm to 10.30pm.
Takeaway options include Deliveroo and Uber Eats for those who prefer to dine in their homes, although you’ll be missing out on the artwork.
The Silvertown Tunnel is set to open on April 7, 2025, assuming Riverlinx and TfL’s carefully laid plans come to fruition.
what’s that?
It’s a new road crossing under the Thames between Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula, named for the neighbourhood in the former where its twin bores pop up.
isn’t that the route of the Blackwall Tunnel?
Not quite. That one runs between the Peninsula and, well, Blackwall.
but there’s quite an impact on both isn’t there?
Correct. From April 7, tolls will apply for drivers in both tunnels.
This is to fund the construction of the new link and ongoing maintenance of the two crossings. It also avoids pushing drivers towards one tunnel.
go on, how much?
Charges will apply between 6am and 10pm. At peak times (6am-10am and 4pm-7pm on weekdays) cars and small vans will pay £4 for each crossing, large vans will pay £5.50 and lorries £6.50.
At weekends and from 10am-4pm and 7pm-10pm on weekdays, the charge is £1.50 per journey. There is no charge between 10pm and 6am for any vehicle.
In contrast to the Congestion Charge and the fee for the Dartford Crossing, motorcyclists and moped riders are not exempt with peak journeys charged at £2.50 and off-peak at £1.50.
how do I pay?
The best option is to sign up for TfL Auto Pay, which also administers the Congestion Charge and LEZ and ULEZ levies in the capital.
Users register their details online and can choose to pay by Direct Debit or card.
Those not using this system pay peak charges via phone or online at all times when using the tunnel.
are there any discounts?
There are. Drivers on low incomes can get 50% off if they live in the boroughs of Barking And Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest. This will be available for at least the first three years.
The link features a dedicated bus lane, with most road users charged to drive through it
what about businesses?
Small businesses and charities based in Greenwich, Newham, or Tower Hamlets can register up to three vehicles for a £1 discount per off-peak journey for at least the first year of the tunnel’s operation. This discount applies to Auto Pay only.
Vehicles with a disabled tax class, taxis licensed by TfL, Blue Badge holders and certain other exempt vehicles will be able to use the crossing for free.
what are the benefits?
TfL says the tunnel should help reduce congestion, delays and queues, help tackle pollution and improve the resilience of the road network by providing alternatives for drivers when either tunnel needs to close.
In addition to boosting road capacity, the opening of Silvertown Tunnel will provide new public transport routes.
so more buses?
Yes, at peak times, the crossings will see the number of buses rise from six to 21 per hour thanks to the introduction of Superloop SL4 between Grove Park and Canary Wharf and an extension to the 129 from Lewisham to London City Airport and Great Eastern Quay.
These join existing services on the 108 through Blackwall Tunnel.
TfL says cross river services will be free for the first year to encourage people to use public transport through the new links.
wait, free?
Yes, there’s more too.
For the first 12 months, those making journeys between Island Gardens and Cutty Sark or Woolwich Arsenal and King George V on the DLR will also find their journeys refunded as TfL works to tempt people to swap their cars for alternatives.
The discounts only apply to pay-as-you-go journeys between the stations listed, not longer trips.
anything else?
There’s good news for cyclists too.
The Silvertown Tunnel will have a Cycle Shuttle Service, free for the first year and operating for at least three years, running between Seagull Lane in Royal Docks and Millennium Way on the Peninsula.
This will run every 12 minutes every day from 6.30am to 9.30pm.
are the kids alright?
A puzzle. At the time of going to press, it looked like drivers under the age of 18 – moped riders aged 16+ and car drivers aged 17 – might have to pay the maximum peak toll for crossing through either tunnel at all times.
That’s because off-peak discounts on the charges are only available when using TfL Auto Pay, a service that says it’s only available to those aged 18 or over.
No discounts apply for payments made by phone or online, which are the only other options to make payment.
At off-peak times, that means mopeds riders and motorcyclists would pay an extra £1 per journey and car drivers an extra £2.50.
A TfL spokesperson told Wharf Life: “We are currently looking at how we can ensure that those aged 16 and 17 with a registered vehicle can access TfL Auto Pay to benefit from off-peak user charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels and will provide an update in due course.”
It said vehicles registered with TfL Auto Pay under a parent or guardian’s account would benefit from the discounts.
It has now altered its web page to clarify that only vehicles registered via an adult’s account will get the discount.
Fine for those aged 17 and under with access to a willing parent or guardian…
key details: the Silvertown Tunnel
More updates and information on the Silvertown Tunnel, which is set to open on April 7, 2025, as well as all the services that are due to come into effect once it does can be found on TfL’s website here.
