South-East London Archives

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024

Cockpit Arts Open Studios in Deptford set to welcome visitors

The makers and artists hub will open its doors at the end of November to showcase their work

Visitors will have the chance to buy items and discover their stories at Open Studios — Visitors will have the chance to buy items and discover their stories at Cockpit Arts Open Studios

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Cockpit Arts in Deptford is set to throw open its doors this winter, to showcase the work of its makers.

Its 2024 Open Studios event offers visitors the chance to meet resident creatives, hear the stories behind the objects they have made and perhaps to do some shopping.

This year, Cockpit Arts will extend its opening hours, with sessions running from 4pm-8pm on November 29 and from noon-6pm on November 30 and December 1.

Visitors will be able to explore the studios where Cockpit – the UK’s only incubator for craft businesses – nurtures makers at the early stages of their careers.

It has more than 175 residents spread over sites in Deptford and Bloomsbury, working in disciplines from fine jewellery and ceramics to woodworking, fashion, textiles and even antiques restoration.

I sat down with Ashley Gerling, Cockpit’s head of marketing and digital, to find out more:

what’s the history of Open Studios?

It’s been running for nearly 15 years, providing collectors and lovers of fine art and crafts the opportunity to visit makers in the studios where they create their incredible work.

what’s new this year?

We’ll be welcoming back several Cockpit alumni who will be exhibiting and selling their work.

We’re also planning a cross-site exhibition of some of our makers’ most exciting new work and are offering half-price admission for local residents.

Cockpit's studios are located at Creekside in Deptford — Cockpit’s studios are located at Creekside in Deptford

what can visitors expect to see?

An authentic look behind the scenes of a working makers’ studio – seeing the spaces where craftspeople work.

They’ll be able to discover pieces in progress and, in Deptford, visit our shared leather, weaving and woodworking hubs where makers have access to specialist equipment and the chance to work at scale and collaborate on new projects.

Open Studios is also a shopping destination, where you can buy pieces direct from makers while learning the stories behind each one.

why is the event important?

Open Studios is important as it not only provides our makers with a chance to connect with collectors, curators, buyers, students, other craftspeople and the public – it’s also a chance for Cockpit to share its work.

Cockpit is the only remaining specialist craft studios in London.

Despite having helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in contemporary craft, it remains a hidden gem.

Maker Darren Appiagyei shows members of the public some of his creations

are there any new makers?

Ten new makers have joined Cockpit since our last Open Studios, including leatherworkers, weavers, textile designers, basket makers, jewellers and a sculptor specialising in mould making and casting.

who’s your longest-standing maker?

Sally Lees, a jewellery designer and enameller has had a studio at Cockpit for more than 20 years.

Several of our Bloomsbury makers are coming up on their 30-year anniversaries.

which makers are creating a buzz?

Wood sculptor Eleanor Lakelin – a Loewe Craft Prize finalist, whose studio is at Cockpit Arts in Deptford – opened her first solo exhibition in London this summer and was commissioned by The Fine Art Society to create a series of vessels for its Extinction Collection using 875,000 year old wood found at Happisburgh beach.

One of sustainable fashion designer Phoebe English’s dresses was acquired by The Metropolitan Museum Of Art’s Costume Institute this year.

In other news, she recently showed her latest collection, entitled Cloud Cover, at London Fashion Week.

JIhyun Kim’s Salty Fairy Ring series at Cockpit

key details: Cockpit Arts Open Studios

Open Studios is set to run at Cockpit Deptford on November 29 from 4pm-8m and on November 30 and December 1 from noon-6pm.

A three-day pass for the event costs £25. General admission is £10, while visitors can get on the Friday for £5. Children, 16 and under, go free.

Find out more about the event here

Cockpit Arts Deptford: a regenerated facility

Cockpit Arts Deptford has undergone a £3.42million project this year to revitalise the former 1960s council office next to a railway viaduct on Creekside.

It came about after the site was under threat in 2015 from a mixed-use development plan.

Cockpit commissioned Cooke Fawcett to unlock the potential of the premises and the project won the support of Lewisham Council and the Mayor Of London’s Good Growth Fund.

Completed in June, it includes London’s first Craft Garden, a new public entrance and a café.

The garden was designed by Sebastian Cox and features furniture from his first outdoor dining range embedded into a textured landscape intended to emulate Deptford Creekside’s environment.

Plants have been selected for their use in craft processes, including willow, used in basketry, and madder, used in natural dyes.

The new entrance includes artwork Head, Heart, Hand created by Cockpit-based artist and designer Amber Khokhar, in collaboration with the local community.

It celebrates stories and characters from the local area across 1,300 hand-glazed tiles featuring nearly 100 hand-drawn illustrations as well as a series of tiles showcasing more than 40 locally spoken languages.

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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024

Dick Whittington And His Cat set for Greenwich Theatre panto run

Anthony Spargo returns as writer and villain with a twisted tale of golden fortune in south-east London

Anthony Spargo returns to Greenwich Theatre as writer and villain in its annual pantomime – Dick Whittington And His Cat — Anthony Spargo returns to Greenwich Theatre as writer and villain in its annual pantomime

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Even before his final, rousing performance as the Evil Queen last Christmas, Anthony Spargo had begun grappling with Dick.

The veteran villain will, this year, be in his 11th season as the baddie at Greenwich Theatre’s annual pantomime, having also taken over writing the shows in 2022.

It’s a daunting task, with work beginning on the panto of Christmas future even before the curtain has fallen on the current offering.

“I was writing bits and coming up with ideas for Dick Whittington And His Cat, while we were doing Snow White in 2023,” said Anthony.

“What’s great about that is you’re in the right mindset and the physical space – you can start thinking about what we might do with next year’s story and then ideas spring to mind.

“Uncle Steve is in the dressing room with me and, between shows, we’re able to discuss those ideas and start work.”

Steve Markwick (the aforementioned ‘Uncle’) has been musical director for the annual pantos for the past 19 years and returns, alongside artistic director James Haddrell who, well, directs.

“Every year, the three of us sit down for a tete-a-tete and go through which pantos we’d like to do,” said Anthony.

“I’m already thinking tentatively about what we might do in 2025 and we haven’t even started this one.

“I just love it – creating the shows from the beginning. It’s great fun and it beats working for a living or doing a proper job.

“We get to escape into it for two or three months every year. It’s knackering, but it’s so enjoyable.

“We all have to look after each other and it becomes like a family.

“Acting in one of the longest festive runs does take a physical and mental toll.

“We have to make sure we take our vitamins, not have too many drinks and get our sleep.

“But you get into a routine and it’s lovely.”

Anthony as the Evil Queen in Snow White – this year he'll be King Rat in Dick Whittington And His Cat — Anthony as the Evil Queen in Snow White – this year he’ll be King Rat in Dick Whittington And His Cat

a twist on Dick Whittington And His Cat

While Anthony – who plays supervillain King Rat in the show – is remaining traditionally tight-lipped, audiences can expect a “mind-blowing” cliff hanger at the end of act one that takes the show in a completely different direction in the second half.

“When you start writing a panto, there’s the moral – what it teaches us and all that,” he said.

“Dick Whittington is a rags-to-riches story. Our hero comes to London with his cat to seek his fortune, because he’s penniless.

“Usually things go well and, after a bit of an adventure, he does do well.

“But I’ve always thought that telling kids everything will be OK if you can become rich and famous, isn’t quite right.

“So, I’ve mixed things up a bit.

“Act One is traditional, setting up all the characters and, while Dick does come to London to seek his fame and fortune, he realises that’s not the most important thing in life. It’s friendship and love.

“A person with a handful of friends is rich indeed.

“Instead, in our show, it’s King Rat who goes on the journey to find fame and fortune, but discovers it doesn’t really lead him anywhere – we’ve inverted things a bit.

“It wouldn’t be a Greenwich panto without a twist – last year it was the Seven Dwarves using a B-52 Bomber to melt the Evil Queen’s ice palace with salt from their mine.

“No-one remembers that from the original story.

“Fortunately, James is really cool and when I ask him whether we can do things that are weird and whacky, he usually says: ‘Great, we should do it.’.

“The audiences we get are amazing because no matter how mad we thought it might be when we’re making the show, they go with it, revel in it and that’s just so lovely.

“That gives you so much confidence to be silly and stupid.”

Louise Cielecki, seen here as Mutley in Robin Hood at Greenwich Theatre, will also be in the cast

familiar faces returning

Anthony has also relished writing for some familiar faces, who will return to Greenwich’s stage for the production.

“One of the characters is Tommie The Cat, who’s played by Inés Ruiz, fresh from her role in Beauty And The Beast at the theatre over the summer,” said Anthony.

“She’s Spanish and, while it wasn’t my original intention to have that as the character’s nationality, we’ve incorporated it.

“So now Tommie is Spanish, she’s got castanets and it adds another level to things.

“Louise Cielecki is also back as King Rat’s sidekick Muffy Mouse.

“I know her well now, as she played jester Muddles in Snow White and Mutley in Robin Hood, and it’s lovely to write when you can hear the words in an actor’s voice.

“I’m really looking forward to working with her again.

“I’m also looking forward to my scenes with the dame.

“I can’t tell you the name of the character because it would give too much of what we’re doing today, but we’ve cast a guy called Phil Yarrow in the part, who Uncle Steve knew from another production.

“He’s really good – an affable guy – and, rather than feeling the need to do a stand-up routine in the audition, he was all about the script and the character.

“That fits perfectly with what we do here – first and foremost we’re about story. King Rat has quite a few scenes with him and I’m really looking forward to those too.

“It’s such an intense thing to do, it’s important that we all get on whether it’s the musicians, the cast or the crew.

“Having had such a weird time over the Covid years when we had to pull back on set design and the cast, it’s wonderful to properly be back, following on from last year.

“We’ll be having the revolving stage back again, which we had last year – and that helps really make the show.

“We always get a lovely response from the audience and that was especially true last year for Snow White.

“As for next year, I can’t reveal which show we’ll be doing but we’ve been talking about Peter Pan.

“I’d also love to have a go at Jack And The Beanstalk, which would be great fun and nothing is set in stone.

“Until then, I can’t wait to take on King Rat.”

Anthony Spargo as the Sheriff Of Nottingham in Robin Hood

key details: Dick Whittington And His Cat

Dick Whittington And His Cat is set to run at Greenwich Theatre from November 22, 2024, until January 5, 2025.

Matinee and evening performances are available.

Tickets start at £15.50 with restricted view. Standard tickets start at £32.

Find out more about the production or book tickets here

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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

October 15, 2024October 15, 2024

London Performance Studios hosts celebration of feminist theatre

Dr Susan Croft has curated Radical Rediscovery: Feminist Theatre In Britain 1969-1992

Associate artist at the London Performance Studios, Dr Susan Croft

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“How important it is to know whose shoulders we are standing on – to appreciate, critique, address and revisit the past – and to realise how much we lose if we don’t,” said Dr Susan Croft, associate artist at the London Performance Studios (LPS) and co-founder of Unfinished Histories, a project dedicated to preserving and celebrating alternative theatre in Britain from the 1960s to the 1990s.

You’ll forgive the lengthy description of Susan’s background.

Placing her, her work and its intent in context, is both vital to understanding the point of LPS’ forthcoming exhibition, and somewhat reflective of the wider project it’s part of.

That exhibition is Radical Rediscovery: Feminist Theatre In Britain 1969-1992, which is set to run at the organisation’s Penarth Centre home in South Bermondsey from November 8, 2024.

For Susan, a performance she saw as a teenager by narrowboat-based touring company Mikron at the Boxmoor Arts Centre in Hemel Hempstead, was the spark that ignited a lifelong passion for alternative theatre.

The exhibition celebrates theatre made by women in the 20th century

something different

“This was different to the plays I’d been taken to such as Shakespeare for English A-Level, which I loved too,” she said.

“It was something else – working class, about building canals with lots of songs.

“That was my first experience but then I started to search for it.

“The other thing I was hunting for at the time were copies of feminist magazine Spare Rib – I’d describe myself as becoming a feminist from pretty early on.

“While I loved theatre, which was very transformative and I felt could be amazing and life-changing, I wondered where the work by women was.

“There wasn’t a lot of it about at the tail end of the 1970s and in the early 80s.

“So that became my mission – to find feminist theatre – which was a large part of the alternative theatre movement.”

As a writer, curator and archivist who has worked in the arts, academia and museums as well as independently, Susan has created an exhibition that aims to highlight women’s contribution to the dramatic arts in the UK.

Featuring organisations such as the Women’s Theatre Group, Monstrous Regiment, Bloomers Siren, Theatre of Black Women, Munirah, Hard Corps, Blood Group and many more, it paints a rich picture of a scene that flew in the face of convention.

A wide range of material will be on show at the London Performance Studios

fighting for access to the arts

“Directors and playwrights were assumed to be male, most roles, especially good ones, were for men, most companies male dominated,” said Susan, whose published work includes She Also Wrote Plays from 2001, which features more than 400 women playwrights going back to the 10th century.

“In 2024 Indhu Rubasingham is at the helm of the National Theatre and women writers and directors are everywhere.

“The change is huge, has been hard-won and should be celebrated.

“But we still need to work to keep hold of the progress we have made and fight to extend parental rights, especially when funding is tight and the arts are disappearing from the state sector.

“We must fight for access to the arts for all women, as makers and as audiences.”

Taking as its starting point the first Women’s Theatre Festival, held in late 1973 at the Almost Free Theatre in Soho, the exhibition charts progress made over the years and honours the campaigns and work of an earlier generation.

Visitors can expect to discover multiple links to east and south-east London including productions at The Albany and the Half Moon Young People’s Theatre.

Alongside the exhibition will be the publication of Radical Rediscoveries – a collection of rare and unpublished scripts with an introduction by Susan – as well as a two-day symposium bringing women theatre-makers together on November 29 and 30, 2024.

“We’ll look at what was gained then and what has been lost – how we can hold onto our history, and learn from the past and how we can explore, share and revisit some of the amazing work that’s been achieved and set an agenda for the future,” said Susan.

“Creating such an exhibition is a huge challenge.

“It’s about the wealth and variety we can show and planting seeds in people’s imaginations – bringing material back to life for them.”

The exhibition is part of a wider project to recognise key moments in alternative theatre

a wider project at London Performance Studios

That, in many ways, is also a distillation of the mission of FYFFI – Fifty Years Of The Fight For Inclusion – the umbrella project under which Radical Rediscoveries sits.

Over three years as part of Susan’s residency at LPS, she’s making use of Unfinished Histories’ extensive archives to mark three key anniversaries in the development of alternative theatre.

With the Women’s Theatre Festival in 1973 kicking things off, the first Gay Theatre Festival in Britain in 1975 and the publication of Naseem Khan’s report The Arts Britain Ignores, by the Commission for Racial Equality in 1976, will follow.

The plan is to research and revisit selected performances and companies relevant to those milestones via readings, workshops, this exhibition, symposium and publication.

“These were massively significant moments, but it’s not just what happened in those years, but all that has happened from them,” said Susan.

“We need to examine what’s happening now, what’s been achieved, what’s not been achieved, so it’s about both what are the priorities these days and how we remember that earlier work.”

The exhibition runs at the London Performance Studios from November 8 to December 1, 2024

key details: London Performance Studios’ exhibition

Radical Rediscovery: Feminist Theatre in Britain 1969-1992 is set to run at the London Performance Studios from November 8 to December 1, 2024, from noon-5pm. Entry is free.

The venue is located at the Penarth Centre on Penarth Street, within walking distance of South Bermondsey railway station and Surrey Quays and Canada Water for Tube and Overground connections.

Find our more about the exhibition here

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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024

CRA French Bar And Cafe brings rhum arrangé to Deptford

How Faziha Zed and Sam Stewart have created a venue with spirit in south-east London

Faziha Zed and Sam Stewart of CRA French Bar And Cafe in Deptford

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BY LAURA ENFIELD

Harvest time is drawing to a close in England and many of us may have dabbled in picking fruit and foraging nature’s bounty.

We may even have fermented a few things or made some sloe gin.

But for Faziha Zed and Sam Stewart, the business of finding ripe produce is the backbone of their Deptford bar.

From the outside CRA French Bar And Cafe is a pretty unassuming venue, nestled among a row of shops on Deptford Broadway.

But step inside and you will find the UK’s first bar serving homemade rhum arrangé – offering a taste of the exotic in south-east London.

The drink originated in the 18th century in the French West Indies – the parts of France located in the Antilles islands of the Caribbean.

Every drop served up in Deptford is handmade by Faziha based on an old family recipe that she has adapted and refined over the years.

Flavours on offer include pineapple, mango and passionfruit, plum hibiscus, vanilla honey cinnamon, banana, fig and grape, caramelised pear, lychee and summer fruits.

Faziha makes it using fresh-pressed sugar cane juice from Barbados, which has been slowly infused with fruits, herbs and spices.

And finding the different ingredients can be a fickle affair.

Faziha makes Catford Rhum Arrange, right, with sugar cane juice, fruits, herbs and spices

the right ingredients

“Recently, I made one with elderflower and nettle,” said Faziha.

“But you can only pick elderflower in the spring and I only use quality produce.

“So, if I don’t have enough quantity to last through the winter, I will have to wait until next spring to make more.”

The business started – as many do – by happy accident.

“I come from France and have family from Guadeloupe in the French West Indies, and I always used to bring back rhum arrangé when I visited,” said Faziha.

“Every family have their own recipes and think theirs is the best.

“It is a very old drink but is becoming extremely fashionable in France now and you will find it in bars and the supermarkets.

“But during lockdown I obviously couldn’t get any, so I had to make it for myself.”

The Deptford venue has a strong local following

born in Catford

She began in her kitchen in Catford using kilner jars and, when restrictions eased, she took it along to parties and found it was a hit.

“People started to ask us about it and to make orders for some,” said Faziha.

“We weren’t sure at first if the nice things they were saying were true, but then we started selling it in some markets such as Greenwich and it sold out very quickly.”

The couple soon realised they wanted more.

“We started talking a lot about opening a bar when we were sitting in the markets,” said Sam.

“They were great, but can be quite limiting with the amount of money you make and they are only at weekends.

“So we decided we needed a bar in order to continue doing this full time.”

They found a vacant unit in Deptford and renovated it themselves on a shoestring.

Sam, who used to teach at Camberwell College of Arts, handles the day-to-day running of the establishment.

CRA French Bar And Cafe serves a small selection of food

opening CRA French Bar And Cafe

“We wanted to create an intimate space inspired by the small bars of France – a place where people feel welcome and comfortable,” he said.

“Deptford has a very strong community and we feel quite honoured to have been accepted so quickly into it.

“We get a lot of regulars coming in.

“And this area has a long history of rum being imported into the docks so it feels very fitting.”

Customers can enjoy the rhum neat, with a mixer as a cocktail or choose from a menu of Belgian beers, French wines and pastis and a small selection of food.

In the mornings, there is coffee from Drury and viennoiserie from Boulangerie Jade.

For lunch during colder weather, the bar serves homemade vegan soup and a variety of toasties.

In the evenings there is a choice of charcuterie, cheese and vegan and seafood platters designed to complement the drinks menu.

Faziha, who was previously a social worker, has kept her day job in SEN education and makes the rhum in the evenings and weekends.

Today, this takes place at a unit in Catford where the varieties of drink are made in vast containers and refined over months of tasting.

“It is a bit like wine from one year to another, you can use the same recipe but it will never come out the same,” said Faziha.

“We will test after three months and see if something is missing – maybe it needs more vanilla.”

The bar serves a wide range of drinks including Catford Rhum Arrange

a secret recipe

Exactly what goes into the rhum is a closely guarded secret.

Even Sam isn’t permitted access.

“He doesn’t know the recipe and never will – if we get divorced he will still know nothing,” said Faziha.

If she did decide to share the making, because of her day job, the couple would love to employ people with learning difficulties.

But they are undecided about whether to rock the boat by increasing production.

“There’s the potential to upscale, expand and produce and sell that more, “said Sam. “But to do that we’d need a bigger place.

“At the moment what we’re doing is a success and no-one else is doing it.

“Opening another bar would be a lot of hard work.

“So, for now, what we want is to continue to enjoy it.

Faziha added: “We quite like having a small bar. It has its limitations – but do we really want to expand and make more money just for the sake of making more money?

“At the moment we are living our dream, enjoying the moment and following the flow.”

key details: CRA French Bar And Cafe

The bar is open Wed 10am-4pm, Thurs 10am-11.30pm, Fri 10am-12.30am, Sat 10am-12.30am, Sun 11am-10pm.

Find out more about the venue and the drink here

All images by James Perrin

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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

September 11, 2024September 11, 2024

Hamro Maya Nepali street food startup founded on passion

South Bermondsey-based business trades at Canada Water Market, Wapping Docklands Market and Tower Hill Market

Image shows a selection of street food from Hamro Maya on a wooden table in cardboard bowls — Nepali dishes cooked up at Hamro Maya – image James Perrin

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BY LAURA ENFIELD

There is a reason we have so many songs about supporting the one you love – Wind Beneath My Wings, You Lift Me up, Lean On Me. I could go on.

It is because following your dreams can be scary, endlessly exhausting and surprisingly confusing.

Those who succeed almost always have someone cheering them on along the way.

For Laxmi Gurung, that person is her partner Kiyam Lin.

“I’ve always had this passion of having my own restaurant or cooking, but he was my backbone and gave me the confidence to do it,” said the founder of fledgling food startup Hamro Maya.

The business can currently be found at Canada Water Market in Deal Porters Square, every Sunday serving up “under-represented Nepali cuisine”.

“Hamro Maya means ‘our love’ in Nepalese and the business really did start from that, as cheesy as that sounds,” said Laxmi.

Born in Nepal, she moved to the UK with her family aged 12. Kiyam was born in Hong Kong and came here aged two.

The couple, both 31, met in September 2020 and bonded over a “shared passion for food” but were quickly parted again due to the Covid lockdowns.

Love still managed to flourish, however, and Kiyam said it was clear from the start where Laxmi’s future lay.

Image shows Kiyam Lin, left, and Laxmi Gurung of Hamro Maya – a man and woman wearing a grey hoodie and a white top and black apron, respectively — Kiyam Lin, left, and Laxmi Gurung of Hamro Maya – image James Perrin

Hamro Maya – born of a passion for food

“When we first met, I could see she was so passionate about food and suggested she should start a business,” he said.

“But she said: ‘No, I definitely don’t want to’. So, I left it on the back burner.

“But after a while it became really obvious that she really loved making amazing food for all of our friends.

“Every time they came around, she’d make something new and, over time, she realised this was actually a thing that she could really do.

“She’s got the ability, the talent and the passion for it, so I said she should just give it a go.

“Sometimes you need someone else to tell you to just go for it.”

He was also starting his own new chapter, beginning a research fellowship job at UCL in April after studying theoretical physics and completing his PhD.

Laxmi said: “He’s been supporting both of us.

“I left my job in January so I could attend courses and get the business going and I was at the point of breakdown at times.

“I wasn’t sure if I could do it and he’s just been there to support me so well.”

While this encouragement was key, it was that little voice inside Laxmi that finally prompted her to change career.

“I worked in a homeless department at the council and had to talk and listen to people every day about their sorrow – what they’re going through,” she said.

“It made me feel that I am more privileged and also lucky enough to be where I am, just thankful.

“One day I realised I needed to do something about my life.

“I already had what I wanted to do in the back of my head and I just knew I had to make it come true.

“It just hit me that I needed to go ahead and grab that idea and proceed with my passion.”

Hamro Maya trades at three markets in east and south-east London – image James Perrin

from the pans of the father

Her love of making food came from her father, who was previously in the Indian Gurkha army and moved his family to the UK “for a better future”.

“My dad was the main cook of our house,” said Laxmi who grew up in Plumstead.

“Whenever we came home from school or wherever he would be asking: ‘What do you want to eat? What kind of food do you want?’.

“We would pick and he would make it for us.

“He taught us to respect food and what we have been given.”

Laxmi began experimenting with cooking when she went to University in Bath to study biology and business management and then a masters in human resources management.

She went on to work for McDonalds and then Greenwich Council.

Once she decided to leave her office job, she began looking into how to start a business and discovered a free course offered by the Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA).

“It was really eye-opening and helped me develop what my aim was, my values,” she said.

“It helped me understand my own business and my own idea better.”

Her menu was developed from home at first, but then she stumbled across Karma Kitchen, which provides space for food production and delivery and has a facility in South Bermondsey where Laxmi lives.

Since July she has been using its shared kitchen space for four days a week to create her dishes, with the aim of transporting customers from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the aromatic spices of hillside treats and the bold flavours of the Terai Here.

They include a range of handmade dumplings known as Momo – based on her mum’s recipe – and classics such as chowmein, fried rice and chatpate, inspired by what her dad taught her.

market traders

Hamro Maya launched at The Market Network’s three markets at the start of August – Tower Hill Market, Wapping Docklands Market and Canada Water Market.

Laxmi said the business had quickly become a seven-day job and she was already considering hiring more staff.

“Canada Water is probably the most popular because we have a lot of people from the South Asian community there,” she said.

“But its also been a real pleasure to introduce what Nepali cuisine is to new people.”

Some of her biggest fans are, of course, her parents.

“They’ve been raving about it and bringing their friends and family,” said Laxmi.

“My dad approves my food, but always wants it be more spicy. We do offer our spicy sauce on the side – not everyone can handle it.”

Then there is Kiyam, who had never even tried Nepali cuisine before he met Laxmi.

“Going down to the markets and seeing people paying money for her food and loving it is honestly so crazy,” he said.

“I feel so proud that it’s successful.

“She is flourishing in this new way she’s never done before and it’s amazing.”

key details: Hamro Maya

Hamro Maya is at Tower Hill Market from 11am-3pm on Thursdays, Wapping Docklands Market from 10am-5pm on Saturdays and Canada Water Market from 10am-4pm on Sundays.

Find out more about the business here

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Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

September 6, 2024September 10, 2024

Laser Quest Greenwich opens its doors for parties and more

We catch up with Laser Quest owner Alistair Dawson who went from working for the brand as a teenager to buying the whole business over the pandemic

Image shows a man and a woman playing at Laser Quest Greenwich — Laser Quest Greenwich is now open for business

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“Do you want to see my alien?” said Alistair Dawson, as he takes me on a tour of Laser Quest Greenwich in the run-up to the venue’s launch.

“I’m really pleased with him.”

Alistair has a long history with Laser Quest and there’s a sense he’s lost none of the enthusiasm he first felt for the game and its atmosphere.

Born in Bolton, he began playing aged 14 and started working part-time at his local branch while studying at college.

“Apart from the games it was also a bit of a social scene,” he said. “Inevitably I got a job and a foot in the door.

“I lived up there until my mid-20s when I hit a bit of a glass ceiling as one of the managers, so the next step was to own my own centre.

“There was an opportunity for me to get some premises in Croydon and open up.

“So I sold my house and raised some capital to get it up and running as a licensed operation, similar to a franchise.”

Image shows a green alien in a cage at the venue — The Laser Quest Greenwich alien

opening his first

That first venture was a success, with Alistair getting stuck in to establish the business.

“Once that had happened, all I could think about was opening a second one,” he said.

“Being a northern lad, I was drawn to some opportunities in the north and so I opened the next one in Sheffield.

“That was next to a leisure complex and a cinema, so that worked very well too.

“From there it was a case of me, having understood how the business model worked, copying and pasting the next one and eventually I found myself with eight or nine sites.”

That trajectory may well have continued had the pandemic not arrived in 2020, which forced the closure of his businesses.

However, Alistair leaned into an opportunity.

“I had the chance to buy the whole of Laser Quest, which develops, supplies and licenses the equipment,” he said.

“The owner was coming up to retirement age and I got on with him quite well, so that opportunity was there.

“I figured that, if we didn’t recover from Covid, I was screwed anyway, so I put all my chips on the business.”

Image shows Laser Quest CEO Alistair Dawson at Laser Quest Greenwich — Laser Quest GB managing director Alistair Dawson at Laser Quest Greenwich

bouncing back

The man who’d fired his first laser at 14 now owned the company that was ultimately responsible for his first ever job.

“It was bizarre,” he said. “At first there was a lot of pressure and I did question whether I’d done the right thing.

“But then there was a bounce back after Covid – people had been starved of fun.

“When all the centres were open and trading again, there was renewed interest from other leisure operators too – such as Flip Out – so it’s proved to be quite a good decision and I hope it will continue.

“At the moment we’ve got about 60 centres in the UK and I own about 10 or 12 of those sites.

“The others are licensed operations.”

In response to renewed interest, the company has been increasing its operation in Greater London with branches in Bromley, Brent Cross, Kingston, Barking and Romford.

It has just opened Laser Quest Greenwich, tucked away in a basement at Merryweather Place just off the Deptford End of Greenwich High Road.

It’s close to well-established aim-based business Archery Fit.

Image shows a Laser Quest Greenwich employee giving a briefing — Laser Quest can be played by adults and children

Laser Quest Greenwich: meeting demand

“We’ve realised there’s a big demand in the capital and we’re now getting round to fulfilling that,” said Alistair.

“Traditionally, the business has always been a venue for children’s birthday parties.

“We do packages that include food, drinks and everything people need for that.

“But it also appeals to all ages – for some there’s a nostalgic feel to it.

“Someone in their 40s, for example, might remember going to parties as kids.

“It’s a fun activity and people get excited just talking about it.

“We still do score sheets for each player so you can see who you zapped, who zapped you and what percentage of your shots were on target.

“Being just down the road from Canary Wharf, we’d love companies to use the facility – we do offer exclusive hire with unlimited games.

“We’ve got a 4,500sq ft arena that can accommodate up to 40 players.

“Catering can be arranged or groups can make their own arrangements – we like to be really flexible.

“We also intend to get the venue licensed so we will be able to serve alcohol to adult players.

“That means we’ll also be fitting into the competitive socialising market, which is really taking off.

“We’ve also introduced something completely new for Greenwich – an attraction called the Laser Maze.

“It’s like something out of Mission Impossible, where players have to navigate their way through a room filled with beams.

“Break one of them and you’ll get penalised.

“We hope it will become really competitive.

“Also on-site, we have an array of video games to keep people entertained.”

Image shows kids blowing party blowers in a party room at a branch of Laser Quest — Party business: Laser Quest Greenwich is perfectly equipped for kids’ parties

looking to the future

As for the future, the fact that Alistair is now in charge of the wider business means he has oversight on the development of the brand, its equipment and what its future will be.

“As a business we own the trademark and produce the packs necessary to play the game,” he said.

“The great thing about owning the company is that I can help develop new equipment, features and systems to make it even better over the coming years.

“One of the things we want to do is to bring out a Laser Quest app, so photos and scorecards from the game can be downloaded.

“That would also allow us to do members’ leagues.

“We’ve got some really exciting things coming over the next couple of years.”

Image shows a man trying to avoid green laser beams in a room — Will you take on the Laser Maze?

key details: Laser Quest Greenwich

Laser Quest Greenwich is open now from 4pm-9pm on weekdays and from 10am-9pm at weekends, for school holidays and on Bank Holidays.

The standard rate for a single, 20-minute game is £10.95. A go on the Laser Maze costs £3.

Party packages start at £29.95 per guest.

Exclusive hire of the whole venue starts at £350 with a capacity of 40 people.

Corporate hire starts at £795 for one hour with unlimited games included.

Find out more about the branch here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

August 24, 2024August 24, 2024

Black Eats Fest returns to Woolwich Works with weekend of flavour

South-east London venue set to host street food and shopping event on September 14 and 15

Image shows Black Eats founder Jackson Mclarty at Woolwich Works, a man with a full beard and tightly cropped dark hair — Black Eats founder Jackson Mclarty at Woolwich Works

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Black Eats was born from a hobby.

Working at a marketing agency, Jackson Mclarty enjoyed lunches and dinners with clients.

Outside office hours, he liked visiting restaurants, bars and cafes – posting his favourites to social media as many do.

But that changed in 2020.

“During the pandemic, we had the George Floyd incident in the US and the Black Lives Matter movement that emerged,” said Jackson.

“I was trying to support local, black-owned businesses as much as I could with my own personal spending.

“But I thought that, if I could encourage other people, then that would have a greater impact.

“So that’s why I created Black Eats as a directory – a place to educate and share information with people on where to go.

“I wanted them to know that they didn’t have to order online, that they could just go down the road and get food from a local supplier.

“We started with 100 restaurants in August 2020 – it seems such a long time ago now.

“At the time the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme was offering 50% off and we launched a marketing campaign for the 45 businesses listed on Black Eats that were participating.

“That provided an incentive for people to visit those restaurants – we were saying: ‘Go on, try something new, get out of the house’.

“There was no financial benefit for me, I wasn’t gaining anything – it was just about educating people, which is the first step for anything.”

Image shows a man in a hood cooking food at Black Eats Fest — Black Eats was formed to support black-owned businesses

so what then for Black Eats?

The next step – building on the directory – was telling more people about it. Jackson increasingly used social media to promote black-owned hospitality businesses and generate an audience.

Today that stands at more than 70,000 followers and a directory of just over 500 restaurants.

However, the online presence was not an end in itself. Jackson had added a second string to Black Eats’ bow in 2021 by entering the world of live events.

“With the first Black Eats Fest in Hackney, I was going into unknown territory, I’d never run anything like that before,” he said.

“I hadn’t even put up a gazebo. All I had was an audience – customers – and a concept.

“It was a massive risk, but I had a vision of what I wanted to execute and I was going to find out how to do it.

“At that first event, we had something like 25 traders and 2,000 ticket registrations across the weekend.

“That’s quite small compared to where we are now, but it felt impressive.”

Solid growth and success then saw two things happen.

Firstly, Jackson was able to leave his day job and focus full-time on Black Eats and, secondly, crowds of up to 15,000 people meant the live events needed to expand beyond Bohemia Market’s capacity to accommodate the footfall.

Image shows a tray of ribs from a recent festival in Woolwich — A tray of ribs at a recent festival

the right location

“For what we do, we had to look for a very particular space,” said Jackson.

“For us, having food of the correct quality means having an outdoor space so dishes can be cooked fresh.

“When you come to Black Eats Fest, you’re going to see the barbecues, the jerk pans and the fryers – all these different delights from different countries made right there.

“Woolwich Works is perfect because we have the courtyard, but there’s also indoor seating just in case we get attacked by rain.

“We never push the venue to full capacity, because we want the festival to be a place people can move around easily, so that they can try four or five different things over the four hours.

“There is real warmth in a carnival atmosphere where people are shoulder to shoulder, but this is a food festival and we want guests to be able to get around more easily than that.

“There’s so much to try.

“Back in June we had a Zimbabwean barbecue, a couple of jerk chicken vendors, a couple of Nigerian vendors, Guadelupean cuisine, Ethiopian cuisine and so much more.

“There are bars serving cocktails, one stall was doing drinks in pineapples and the cane juice was flowing.

“However Black Eats Fest also goes beyond food – there’s a whole cultural celebration.

“We have black-owned businesses selling everything from skincare to clothing, art, educational books and sunglasses.

“We try to be as diverse as possible, because we don’t want our visitors to see 10 of the same thing and the brands don’t want to be competing.

“It’s about people interacting with their customers – that’s what we really love.

“The whole point is to not be like a typical market or event where people come and it’s just transactional – a financial relationship.

“We want people to come here and feel fulfilled. Right now, those coming to Black Eats Fest will find around 15 food vendors and plenty of other businesses.

“It’s about coming and having an experience.”

Image show women enjoying drinks at Black Eats Fest at Woolwich Works' Fireworks Factory venue — Woolwich Works has space to eat indoors and out making it weatherproof for traders

expansion and growth

While the popularity of Black Eats Fest itself seems assured, its parent organisation is also in fine fettle.

Black Eats – alongside championing the businesses in its directory – has also diversified into supplying traders for events and this year sent businesses to some 10 festivals in two weeks, including the likes of Wireless and UK Black Pride.

“Running events around the UK would be the next step – we could do my home town of Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield,” said Jackson, who has relocated to Woolwich from north London.

“We need to find the right spaces and balance of traders, but that would be great.

“Then we’d love to look at major European cities like Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.”

From there, who knows…

Image shows Every Fish Bar, serving up food at a Woolwich event — A wide range of traders feature at Black Eats’ events

key details: Black Eats Fest

Black Eats Fest returns to Woolwich Works from September 14-15. Each day features two sessions – from noon-4pm for families and from 5pm-9pm for over 18s.

Tickets cost £16.50 and are available on Black Eats website.

Previous events have sold out, so stay sharp.

Find out more about the event here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

August 13, 2024August 13, 2024

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival ready for ‘all change’

We catch up with artistic director Bradley Hemmings as east and south-east London prepare for a full programme of free performances

Image shows spectacular fireworks being let off for GDIF production Silence — Silence is set to open Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2024

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Once again areas across south-east and east London are set to be filled with free, often breathtaking performances.

Now in its 29th year, the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) is back for 2024, bringing its traditional blend of awesome spectacle and thought-provoking shows to locations straddling the Thames.

In charge since the very first show, artistic director Bradley Hemmings and his team have put together a series of blockbusters and smaller happenings aimed at delighting residents, local workers and visitors.

We sat down with him to go over a few of the highlights to help you plan your diary.

“We’ve long been associated with very surprising and unusual events that pop-up and happen in locations across Greenwich and east London,” he said.

“This year we’re opening with a phenomenal performance by a French company – Les Commandos Percu.

“The show is called Silence and will take place at 8.30pm on August 23 at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich.

“This awesome parade ground space will be filled with a fusion of pyrotechnics and percussion.

“With people going though difficult times, having something joyous and uplifting like that will be just the tonic.

“They’re a company we’ve worked with before – way back in 2016 – so we’re very much looking forward to welcoming them back.”

Image shows an artist's impression of a kiosk at Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2024 — GDIF will feature World Kiosk in Green Street

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival – the small things

“We work across all sorts of different scales, it’s not all about large spectacles,” said Bradley

“For many people who come to the festival, it’s about having transformational experiences that disrupt the rhythm of the everyday.

“This year’s theme is All Change – we’re inspired by Gandhi’s message to be the change you want to see.

“We’re going through seismic times and something that brings people together to reflect, think and have a great time is really important.

“One of the highlights for me will be smaller in scale, but very intimate and considered.

“World Kiosk will be in Green Street from noon-6pm from August 29 to September 1.

“It invites people to take a breath – a moment outside the busyness of life – and provides a window into other people’s lives.

“Visitors are welcomed to the kiosk, which then serves them tea in a very ritualistic and beautiful way.

“Then they listen in to voices from people in other parts of the country who have been through this same process, sharing stories.

“It’s a sublime and beautiful experience, a wonderful reprieve from daily life.”

Image shows a performer on the edge of a 2/5 tonne block of ice suspended from a crane — Thaw takes place on top of a 2.5 tonne block of ice suspended from a crane

melting away

“At the other end of the scale, at Royal Albert Dock, we have an extraordinary spectacle from an Australian company called Legs On The Wall called Thaw,” said Bradley

“This production takes place on a 2.5 tonne block of ice suspended above the dock on a crane.

“Each day it runs for eight hours with a performer on top trying to navigate the changing shape of the block as it starts to melt.

“There’s a sense of jeopardy but also a wonderful soundscape that provides a chance to reflect and think very hard about what’s happening to the planet and the climate emergency.

“I think this will be one of the abiding images of this year’s festival – it runs on August 24 and 25, from 1pm-9pm at the University Of East London’s Royal Docks campus.”

Image shows dancers in tartan kilts, white shirts and blue trousers — Dancing City is set to take place in Stratford this year

miraculous movement

On September 7, from 1pm-6pm, a number of areas in Stratford will be awash with many forms of movement.

“Dancing City is an event that is really dear to my heart,” said Bradley.

“We set it up at Canary Wharf in 2003 and people have come to really love that event.

“This year it will take place at East Bank, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and in Stratford town centre.

“There’s a phenomenal range of dance companies taking part.

“We’re working very closely with Sadler’s Wells East and East London Dance as well as other partners including Stratford Cross, UCL and the London College Of Fashion.

“What will be wonderful about it is that it will be taking place in the midst of the Paralympic Games in Paris.

“I co-directed the London 2012 Paralympic opening ceremony, so there’s a personal history there and we’ll be presenting work led by deaf disabled artists.

“It feels wonderful to be continuing that Olympic legacy 12 years later.

“One of the pieces is called Synergy and has been choreographed by Mark Smith, who worked on the Paralympics with me.”

Image shows a woman with a pram participating in a Parkworks event at Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2024 — Parkworks is set to bring a day of family fun to Stratford

this year and the future

“One of the things that we will be doing next year is marking our 30th anniversary,” said Bradley.

“It’s enormously satisfying to see that GDIF is still there thanks to our partners.

“It seems to me that this will be a moment where we should be taking stock and thinking about what the next three decades will look like.

“Back to this year and we have A Ballad Of Thamesmead on September 6 and 7 at 8.30pm.

“It typifies what we aim to do – to create something miraculous and wonderful that reveals the story of this emerging part of London.

“Dante Or Die have created a piece around a clock tower, which originally sat in Deptford before the GLC transported it by barge down the Thames and rebuilt it as the centrepiece of Thamesead town centre.

“An 18th century structure improbably located in the middle of the 1980s development.

“Then my final highlight is festival of family fun – Parkworks, which takes place on August 25 and 26 from 1pm-6pm in Stratford Park.

“There will be a giant interactive climbing frame built from bamboo and parents with prams choreographed with headsets.”

key details: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival

The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival runs from August 23 to September 8, 2024.

All events are free to attend. These highlights are the tip of the iceberg.

Find full listings for the festival here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

How the Pacific Tavern delivers myriad attractions at Canada Water

Toby Kidman has combined outdoor cooking, covered drinking and dining and live music at the reimagined south-east London venue

Image shows a honey coloured two storey brick building with green windows - the Pacific Tavern pub — The Pacific Tavern is located about 10 minutes’ walk from Canada Water station

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There’s something about The Pacific Tavern.

It might be that the place is essentially an island, cut off from its surroundings by road and a construction site.

It could be the expansive decked and covered area out back that feels somewhere between beach club and botanical garden.

Then there’s the rough-hewn planks of timber suspended on concrete that make its seating singular and even the bright images of pacific destinations that jazz up its toilets.

It’s all these things, of course, and more.

Because what founder Toby Kidman has managed to fill the venue with, is a good dose of pure, old-fashioned soul.

Purpose-built as a pub in the 1980s, the Pac Tav was formerly known as the Quebec Curve before spending 14 years as a Vietnamese restaurant.

Today, however, it has fresh legs as a pub, restaurant, bar, gig venue, sun trap or just a place to grab a coffee.

Toby is, in many ways, its ideal ambassador.

Like his venue, he comes across as laid back – a man with a sunny disposition ready to warmly welcome anyone who wants to visit for whatever reason.

Image shows Toby Kidman, a man with long curly hair, wearing a green shirt - founder of the Pacific Tavern — Toby Kidman of the Pacific Tavern

a new creation

“We’ve created a local tavern – pulled together a classic bar and drinks list with a good couple of craft beers and freshened things up with some delicious cocktails,” he said.

“They’re the kind of drinks that could transport you to feeling like you’re on holiday.

“On the space that used to be the car park, we’ve built a weatherproof 120-cover terrace with walls that can be removed and a couple of shipping containers in the open-air part with an outdoor bar and a stage for musicians, DJs, actors and comedians to perform on.

“It’s fun – you could be on a beach.

“When we built it we thought we might have afternoon and day parties with people dancing on the tables and feeling free – events where everyone is welcome.

“We’re starting to achieve that and people are really starting to enjoy the music we’re programming.

“There are no rules. If you want some food, grab it. If you want a beer, have one.

“There are no constraints, it’s like a community hall.”

Image shows wooden tables under a wooden and plastic weatherproof pergola at the back of the pub — The venue has a large, covered area with tables and a kitchen to its rear

all the way from New Zealand

That focus on meeting customers’ needs when they want is in Toby’s hospitality DNA.

Originally from New Zealand he came to London aged 18, taking his first steps in the industry before returning home to pursue a career in the sector.

A six-month stint working on a 72-foot catamaran in Greece saw him return to Europe, before a temporary trip to London to see a friend on the way home. In the end, he never left. That was 15 years ago.

“I had some friends who were starting an antipodean restaurant in the capital in 2010,” he said.

“At the time, the coffee here was mostly dreadful, restaurants were opening for lunch, closing, then reopening for dinner – it was all white tablecloths and there wasn’t much casual dining.

“Breakfast was either in a hotel or a workers’ caff.

“I’d never understood why all-day dining wasn’t popular.

“That was the idea behind Caravan.

“The concept was that, like the caravans that travelled the Silk Road, it picked up flavours from across the world.

“The first one opened in Exmouth Market and I was head of operations from 2011 until about a year ago – helping it expand and generally muddle along.

“We opened King’s Cross in 2012 and it grew from there.

“It attracted a melting pot of creatives, workers – we had good coffee, good beer and great pizza.

“Today, there are eight branches, including Canary Wharf and Covent Garden.

“I remember when putting avocado on toast on a lunch and dinner menu had people wondering what we were doing.

“But the idea was about not restricting cuisine – it’s still a very exciting brand.”

Toby knew Roger Madelin – joint head of British Land’s project to regenerate Canada Water – from the latter’s time at Argent working at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross where Caravan became an early and potent success.

Invited down to south-east London to check out what would become the Pacific Tavern, he immediately saw the potential.

Grilled squid at the pub on a plate covered in purple herbs — Grilled squid in a ponzu sauce, £7 at the Pacific Tavern

the Pacific Tavern’s potential

“The building itself has a real soul and heart to it,” said Toby.

“If you half-close your eyes for a second, you can just imagine what used to happen here when it was the Quebec Curve.

“Some of the old regulars are still round here and have been happy to see it revived.

“There are some great stories.”

What is completely new, however, is the freedom of the food offering, which deliberately sets the Pac Tav apart.

“The courtyard is covered so we can have it open all year round and that’s where we have our outdoor barbecue where we do all the cooking,” said Toby.

“We wanted to come up with a menu that didn’t restrict the cuisine, so you have the ability to use ingredients you can get from all over the place.

“So, fun, simple, honest cooking.”

Image shows a puff pastry pie on a wooden block with a red relish and salad — Kiwi pie of the day with tomato relish and fries, £13 at the venue

Pacific Tavern pastry pies

“We have New Zealand’s answer to the Cornish pasty – a shortcrust pastry pie with fillings such as mince and cheese, steak and cheese.

“Bacon and egg is a very traditional Kiwi pie filling – there we have pie warmers in every pub and off licence.

“You can grab one for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

“Everything is cooked over flames – the idea is that we take ingredients from around the Pacific Ocean and present them in a way that tastes great.

“We also have an open kitchen so people can go up, talk to the chefs and even order a chef’s plate with whatever they’ve got on.

“It’s about having the traditions of a pub with that Pacific twist to it. That’s in all our dishes.”

And what dishes they are.

Seafood features heavily with the likes of seabream crudo in coconut milk and lime juice with corn for crunch and grilled octopus skewers.

I could write about the menu all day, but it’s better if you go and try it.

The Pacific Tavern's seabream crudo in coconut milk and lime juice — Seabream crudo in coconut milk and lime juice, £13 at the Pacific Tavern

key details: The Pacific Tavern

The Pacific Tavern is open from 10am Thursday-Sunday with closing times up to midnight depending on the day.

It’s open from noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is closed on Mondays.

The best way to keep up with events is to follow the venue on Instagram @thepacifictavern

Find out more about the pub here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024

NHG Homes offers buyers in London a way to buy property for less

Housing association has a wide range of shared ownership homes available in the capital

Image shows brick-clad residential blocks generated by a computer surrounding a two-storey red building at Kidbrooke Square — An artist’s impression of NHG Homes’ Kidbrooke Square development

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Deposits are typically the biggest hurdle for young people seeking to purchase a home in London.

The average house price in the capital (according to the latest figures from the Land Registry) currently stands at just over £500,000.

That means buyers on the open market would need at least £25,000 to purchase with a 5% mortgage and more likely £50,000 for a more affordable 90% loan-to-value deal.

While cheaper properties are, of course, available, the need to raise such sums remains a significant obstacle to getting on the ladder.

priced out – an NHG Homes survey

A recent survey of prospective first-time buyers by Opinium and affordable housing provder NHG Homes (part of housing association Notting Hill Genesis) found 81% of those aged 18-24 did not have access to a deposit of more than £40,000 – the 10% necessary to access many homes in the capital.

The study showed the average deposit buyers they had managed to put together was £22,963.

A computer generated image of open landscaped space at NHG Homes' Kidbrooke Square scheme — Kidbrooke Square will feature plenty of open space

income sources

It also revealed that, in a nation hit by a cost of living crisis, nearly half of 18-to-24-year-olds were looking at taking on second jobs to raise extra cash to put towards a home.

The survey also found 43% would be willing to hold off on having children to help them get on the ladder earlier in contrast to less than a quarter of those aged 25 or older.

The same did not apply with pets however, with a third of older buyers willing to go without an animal companion to save money as opposed to just under a fifth of adults aged 24 or younger.

family assistance

Opinium and NHG Homes’ study also showed that using cash from family was still a major source of funding for house purchases.

Around a quarter of those aged 35-44 said they were relying on money from parents to help them get a foot on the ladder, while 23% of people in relationships were looking to do the same to finance their first home.

Other relations were also listed as an important source of funds, with nearly a fifth of respondents aged 18-34 saying they were expecting to use contributions from family members who weren’t their parents.

Image shows a grey fitted kitchen in a property at Kidbrooke Square — Deposits on shared ownership homes can start from as little as four figures

an alternative from NHG Homes

Nearly half of respondents said they would consider shared ownership, if it meant they could purchase a property in the capital.

The scheme offers buyers the option to purchase a portion of a home while paying rent on the remainder.

It often works out cheaper than renting – especially given recent increases across London – and deposits start at 5% of typically a quarter of an apartment.

That means buyers with as little as £5,000 saved can potentially buy into a home worth more than £370,000 and live there as though they owned the whole thing.

NHG Homes sales and marketing director, Diana Alam, said: “Getting on the property ladder in London is a real challenge for first-time buyers, and it’s not surprising to us that many are having to look beyond their main source of income to save the amount needed for a deposit.

“Whether it be getting a second job or asking family members for a helping hand, this research has shown that buying through the open market in the capital requires more than simply setting money aside every month – particularly for younger buyers.

“The proportion of first-time buyers who would consider using shared ownership to purchase in London shows just how important it is to offer more affordable routes to home ownership.

“We’re proud at NHG Homes to offer properties across the capital that require deposits as low as four figures, meaning first time-buyers don’t have to choose between staying in London and getting on the property ladder.”

Image shows a bedroom at NHG Homes' Kidbrooke Square scheme in Greenwich — NHG Homes offers a wide range of shared ownership properties including this one at Kidbrooke Square

key details

NHG Homes offers a wide range of shared ownership options across London.

For example, one, two and three-bedroom homes are available to buy at Kidbrooke Square via shared ownership, with prices starting at £93,125 for a 25% share and a minimum 5% deposit of £4,594. This is based on a full market value of £372,500.

Average monthly costs for a one-bedroom are estimated at £1,386, including mortgage payments, service charge and rent on the un-owned portion of the property.

Find out more about Kidbrooke Square here

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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com