Wood Wharf Archives - Wharf Life

November 18, 2025November 17, 2025

How AviadoBio researches gene therapies in Canary Wharf

Senior research associate Deborah Ojutalayo, one of the faces of Canary Wharf Group’s Where Ambition Lives campaign, on her scientific passions

Deborah works in labs at 20 Water Street, researching gene therapies - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — Deborah works in labs at 20 Water Street, researching gene therapies – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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One of the key features of Canary Wharf Group’s Where Ambition Lives campaign is its focus on dispelling popular, enduring misconceptions about the estate.

Diving deeper into that message, Wharf Life has interviewed some of the Wharfers featured, including Deborah Ojutalayo.

“When I tell people I work in Canary Wharf as a scientist, they can’t envisage what I do,” she said.

“They wouldn’t necessarily see my work and Canary Wharf in the same sentence.”

The senior research associate at AviadoBio spends her days in the rapidly growing company’s labs a few storeys above the increasingly bustling thoroughfare of Water Street on Wood Wharf.

Deborah in her lab at AviadoBio in Canary Wharf - image supplied by Canary Wharf Group — Deborah in her lab at AviadoBio in Canary Wharf – image supplied by Canary Wharf Group

confounding the stereotype

“People think of the area as a hub for financial services businesses – but it is actually a really nice blend of people working in lots of different industries,” said Deborah, who joined the life sciences startup in 2021 before it moved to the Wharf a little over a year ago.

“When I got the job, we were based in Hatton Garden, which was weird because people always associate that with jewellery.

“We were in a really tiny lab with eight employees.

Now we have around 60 – we’ve expanded quite quickly and moved to Whitechapel before coming to Canary Wharf.

“We are a gene therapy company. Certain diseases are caused by faulty genes or other mutations in your body.

“What we’re doing is developing a virus that will deliver a healthy gene to the patient with a focus on tackling dementia and motor neurone disease.

“My role is to carry out the pre-clinical testing before it is ready for trials in animals and patients.

“The viruses we work with don’t themselves cause harmful illnesses – we modify them so they are safe to use.

“I perform my tests using different types of cells – from humans, monkeys, pigs and mice – to make sure the virus is working as expected.

“I check we’re seeing the results we want, a reduction in faulty genes or an increase in the function of healthy genes.

“Only once we’ve made sure its safe, a process that can take many months or even years, does a therapy move on to animal studies and then human clinical testing.

“It’s essential we avoid any off-target effects – for example, we don’t want to affect the heart if we’re targeting the brain.”

a career in science

Growing up in Forest Gate in Newham, Deborah decided to pursue a career as a scientist after her mother ruled out working for the police.

She graduated with a first in Biomedical Science from the University Of Westminster before completing a masters at the same institution in Immunology.

She said: “I just love science. During my first degree I found out I had a passion for research, conducting various projects including one looking into parasitic disease.

“It was then I thought this could be a career path for me. In my field, there are typically two paths – academia or industry.

“I wanted to work in the latter because I wanted my work to have an impact on patients and to see the fruits of that.

“You have to be patient, but it’s rewarding to work on projects that you see through to the end.

“Sometimes we get patients coming in with diseases or conditions that there’s currently no cure for.

vWe get to understand how their suffering affects them and their families.

“That’s what gives me motivation – there’s the trust those patients put in us to hopefully find something that will cure them and gene therapy has a lot of potential.

“We’ve already seen successes in areas such as Sickle Cell Disease with a treatment now approved by the NHS for severe cases.”

highlighting career pathways

Deborah is also driven by something else – a desire to highlight and promote careers in science, especially to those who might not have considered it before.

“I’m very passionate about speaking to young people, so a lot of what I do is going into schools and speaking to students who have an interest in STEM or science about my journey,” she said.

“My career pathway from school was not that clear, and people are not necessarily aware of the different opportunities that are open to them.

“I can see that people are interested in it, so I try to convey science in a very simple way that people can understand.

“I really want to inspire the next generation.

“I like to think of myself as still young and having someone other than a teacher speaking to students in school on a casual, one-to-one level really works. They love it.

“That communication is important because when science is spoken about, a lot of the time it’s when there’s been a breakthrough, but people don’t necessarily understand the process.

“Science is not just that big, final reveal, it’s incremental progress.

“One of the reasons I share my work on social media is so that people can understand what my day as a senior research associate looks like. Science is cool.

“When you think of a scientist, you might think of old, boring people, which is just not the case.

“In the lab I’m surrounded by brilliant, intelligent people but nobody is prideful, thinking they’re the smartest.

“There is a constant flow of information and everyone has their own area of expertise, so it’s mentally stimulating.

“Of course we have the radio on – it’s a fun atmosphere too.

“Sometimes if an experiment is taking a long time I’ll use the length of certain songs to measure it.

“I like anything upbeat, like Afrobeat to keep me going. Especially if it’s a really long experiment.

“I’m half Ugandan and half Nigerian.

“I went to Uganda recently to see how their healthcare system and diagnostic facilities work. They’re not great.

“I don’t know how I’ll get there, but one day I’d love to be able to create something that addresses that and benefits people there.”

You can find out more about Deborah’s work on the Wharf via @debsdiary6 on Instagram and TikTok.

key details: AviadoBio

AviadoBio is based at 20 Water Street in Canary Wharf and is currently working on medicines to help people with frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

You can find out more about the company on its website.

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October 17, 2025October 28, 2025

Crate opens second branch with bar and pizzeria at Wood Wharf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

from Hackney Wick to the Wharf..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then there was the kombucha business and a nightclub.

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

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

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

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

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

the offering at Crate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The music element is also really important for us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

key details: Crate at Wood Wharf

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

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

Find out more about the new opening here

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September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

The Lockdown Room set to expand in east London at Wood Wharf

Born in the pandemic at London City Island, the brand is set to open a branch at Wood Wharf offering craft beer, smash burgers and live music

The Lockdown Room at London City Island - image by The Lockdown Room — The Lockdown Room at London City Island – image by The Lockdown Room

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A second branch of The Lockdown Room – a concept born out of the pandemic in 2021 at London City Island – is set to launch at Wood Wharf in November.

Opening at the junction of West Lane and Brannan Street, the corner bar aims to become a new space for the community.

“It will have London craft beers on tap, a really good cocktail menu, organic wines and our signature smash burgers – a menu we launched at the original site about nine months ago,” said founder Daniel Bull.

“But we’ll also be doing salads because it’s important to offer healthy options.

“We don’t want to be seen as just a craft beer joint that serves dirty burgers.

“We’ll also be offering fantastic sharing platters – it will be a casual place where you can go for a drink and a bite to eat with a group of friends.

“There will also be regular live music and we’ve always been big on events – bringing the community into what we’re doing is very important and we’d love to bring things like our craft beer festival to the neighbourhood.

“We’ve really taken what we have done at London City Island up to the next level for the new site.

“It will have a premium feel to it – very warm, with high-end finishes and bespoke seating.

“But it should still feel welcoming to the community.”

Founder of The Lockdown Room, Daniel Bull - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — Founder of The Lockdown Room, Daniel Bull – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

a place for the community

Daniel said he hoped the brand would strike a chord with residents, workers on the neighbourhood and visitors to the area alike.

“We’re hoping to offer something different to the hustle and bustle,” he said.

“I think people will travel to you if you have a good product and then, once they’ve been down, hopefully they’ll be impressed and come back as regulars.

“What we want to create is the kind of bar where the bartender knows your drink and it’s possible to find a quiet corner or chat with familiar faces.

“We’ll also be opposite the student housing, which has now been approved so that should add a different dynamic to things too.

“The idea is that The Lockdown Room should be somewhere you just want to go at the weekend or in the evenings – that’s the goal.”

While the weather is likely to be cooler when the venue opens, Daniel also plans to have outdoor tables over the warmer months, further adding to the Wood Wharf street scene.

key details: The Lockdown Room in Canary Wharf

The Lockdown Room is expected to open in November at the corner of Brannan Street and West Lane in Wood Wharf.

Find out more about the brand here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

Supershakes to open up at Harbord Square in Wood Wharf

Canary Wharf branch will offer grab-and-go shakes, juices, coffee and snacks as the brand unveils plans

Supershakes is set to open this autumn in Canary Wharf - image by Supershakes — Supershakes is set to open this autumn in Canary Wharf – image by Supershakes

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“It was while I was doing my MBA I had the idea,” said Daniel Bull, founder of Supershakes.

“I’d come in every morning with a Nutribullet, sit in lectures and eat it with a spoon because sometimes the mixture I’d made was so thick.

“People would laugh, but I’d sit there, gradually making my way through it and the energy and focus I’d have all day was amazing.

“On the days I didn’t do it, I’d feel the difference.

“That shake had a similar effect for me as going to the gym – you could have it for breakfast or lunch.

“It was like a meal – if you laid all the ingredients out on a plate you might not get through them, especially if you were busy.

“But having them blended was so convenient.

“That’s when I realised the goal of my business should be to make something quick and easy that people could have on the move and that would be very healthy.”

The result of that spark is Daniel’s latest business – Supershakes, set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in Wood Wharf this autumn.

While the business’ clear focus will be on nutritious shakes and grab-and-go options, there will also be space for guests to sit and enjoy coffee and snacks from a carefully curated menu.

Supershakes founder Daniel Bull - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — Supershakes founder Daniel Bull – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

passionate about Supershakes

Daniel said: “Everything has been thought through.

“This brand is something I’m really passionate about and I think there’s a gap in the market.

“At the core of what we do will be the shakes with all the healthy fats, proteins and whole foods you need.

“These will be made to order and customers can customise them with add-ons such as collagen, creatine – everything’s available.

“At the moment, I feel the UK is behind what’s happening in other countries.

“I try to go to California every year and visit all the juice bars there and see what’s happening.

“Over there, getting a juice or a shake is now like picking up a coffee.

“Supershakes is something I’ve been working on for five years now – it’s not something I’ve come up with overnight.

“People in London are cash-rich but time-poor.

“They don’t necessarily have the time to prepare shakes for themselves.

“What we’re offering is something quick and healthy as an option when you’re rushing into work or trying to get the kids off to school.

“When you look at what you’re getting in a shake it’s affordable too.

“It’s less than a cocktail in a bar – we’ve kept our prices very competitive.”

The brand will offer a wide range of healthy options at its Wood Wharf branch – image by Supershakes

one of four to launch

Daniel has four Supershakes locations set to open in the coming months, including the Canary Wharf branch with others located in Royal Docks, in the English National Ballet’s headquarters at London City Island and one on the Isle Of Dogs.

The latter will be next to The Eleventh Hour, a café he launched in 2023 on the ground floor of residential development Wardian.

“My go-to shake is called Power, which is great for the morning because it has everything you need,” said Daniel.

“But there’s lots of flexibility – you can even have coffee in them.

“We have one on the menu that includes espresso so people can double up if they’re in a rush.

“We’ve even got one that we’ve designed especially for the English National Ballet, working with their dietician to help fuel the dancers and that’s really cool.

“The shakes will be made fresh, while the juices will be ready to grab in the fridge.

“One of our selling points is that customers can be in and out in five minutes.

“We want there to be no long queues so people can make us part of their way-to-work routine.

“One of the other things we’ll be stocking is our signature acai bowls.

“They feature home-made granola, created by the pastry chef who also makes our cookies, and we’ve made sure these are packed with the best ingredients.

“That’s more important to us than making big profit margins.

“That’s what I believe in and I’m going to be eating in there every day myself.

“We’ll be open until 8pm every night, so customers can come for breakfast, lunch and perhaps after an evening gym session.

“I’ve lived in Canary Wharf for four and a half years, so I’ve seen Wood Wharf grow and develop.

“I’ve had my eye on it for a while because, knowing what’s going to be here, I believe this will be a new hub for the area.

“There’s a lot for people to discover.”

Daniel hopes grabbing a shake will become like grabbing a coffee - image by Supershakes — Daniel hopes grabbing a shake will become like grabbing a coffee – image by Supershakes

an emerging area

Supershakes will join a growing collection of independent businesses opening as part of a collaboration between Canary Wharf Group and Tower Hamlets Council to offer affordable commercial space to locally rooted ventures.

Recent openings have included Pawsome Pet Grooming And Spa, florist The Flower Club, Wayne Hairdresser Salon, nail specialist Awe London, Reformer Pilates studio The Island and Italian bakery Signorelli.

Opening soon will be Japanese bakery Café Seek, Malaysian restaurant Ong Lai Kopitaim and Istanbul-inspired eatery Nora.

key details: Supershakes

Supershakes is set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in October.

Find out more about the brand here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

August 23, 2025August 21, 2025

Café Seek, a new Japanese bakery is set to open at Wood Wharf

Pinky Chan and Emily Leung are pouring their passion for food into a dream project that will serve up cakes, savouries and beverages to Wharfers as Harbord Square in Canary Wharf buzzes with life

Café Seek founders Emily Leung, left, and Pinky Chan at their Harbord Square bakery - image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life — Café Seek founders Emily Leung, left, and Pinky Chan at their Harbord Square bakery – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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The customers sipping slickly brewed matcha at Café Seek – following its forthcoming opening – might never know the powdered green tea leaves used to brew their drinks have been painstakingly selected following a field trip to Japan.

But this fact serves as a measure of the effort and attention to detail that founders Pinky Chan and Emily Leung are putting into every aspect of realising their dream project.

Set to open in the coming weeks on the south-eastern corner of Wood Wharf’s 8 Harbord Square, the Japanese bakery promises to be a tranquil haven for local workers, residents and visitors alike.

For Emily and Pinky, the café is the culmination of a passionate journey that’s been years in the making.

“I’m from Hong Kong originally and, while over there, I’d set up a platform for selling organically grown produce online,” said Emily.

“We worked with farmers on small farms to build a bridge between them and consumers.

“I came to London because my husband was moving here, so I closed down the company and moved here in 2021.

“I was quite lost for a while after that and I didn’t know what to do, but it was always my dream to open a cafe or a bakery and then I met Pinky.”

Citrus Earl Grey Chocolate Cake - image by Café Seek — Citrus Earl Grey Chocolate Cake – image by Café Seek

the start of the Café Seek dream

The pair connected at a market at Kingston three years ago where Emily was mostly selling sweet bakes and Pinky was showcasing her Japanese-inspired breads.

“I’m also from Hong Kong, but I came over in 2018 for my masters degree,” said Wood Wharf resident Pinky.

“Then I worked in financial services in London.

“I decided I also really wanted to pursue my passion for baking, so I began to make some Japanese breads after work.

“When I met Emily, we decided we should open a bakery together, so I left the world of finance. It’s a high-pressure environment, although the income is good.

“When I was working in the industry, I kept asking myself why I wanted the money – what was it for?”

The pair quickly began working towards their dream, initially establishing a bakery from their home kitchens and selling goods online.

Pinky said: “We both love Japanese culture – Hong Kong isn’t far from Japan and the chef who first taught me to bake is Japanese.

“At first we did more traditional pastries but that was less popular here.”

Next came the French influence, with Emily and Pinky decamping to Paris for a course in traditional Gallic patisserie.

“I love French techniques – how they combine flavours and textures,” said Pinky.

“The course was very intensive – it was back to school, but the main lesson was to practise.

“We learnt all sorts of techniques, but we found the Japanese flavours are better.”

It’s this fusion that forms the blueprint for Café Seek – fine French patisserie with fillings such as purple sweet potato paste and daifuku.

Offerings include Citrus Early Grey Chocolate Cake, Mango Mochi Coconut Cake, Matcha Opera Cake alongside savoury options such as Japanese Chilli Mayo Sausage Roll and Cheesy Corn Beef Bagel.

Café Seek’s Matcha Opera Cake, with layers of matcha joconde sponge, ganache, buttercream, red bean paste and matcha chocolate - image by Café Seek — Café Seek’s Matcha Opera Cake, with layers of matcha joconde sponge, ganache, buttercream, red bean paste and matcha chocolate – image by Café Seek

building on success in Canary Wharf

“We’re called Café Seek because we want everyone to seek their life – to find themselves,” said Emily, who also lives in east London.

“This is really the main message that we want to share with everyone.

“We’re opening in Canary Wharf because it’s the best option for us – it’s where many of our online customers are from or where they know to travel to.

“People would order from us and come here to pick up their cakes – we had some arrive from places that are quite far away such as Brighton.

“We’re so grateful when customers come all that way for products.”

Pinky added: “Canary Wharf was best for us.

“Half of the space will be our kitchen and bakery and the other half will be for the café.

“We’ll have eight seats for customers and some outside too, with our products all laid out.

“We’ll be serving authentic Japanese teas including the matcha.

“We went to Japan and found small companies to bring their products over and give to our customers to try.

“When you actually go to the places where these teas are grown, you learn more and you can also bring back that knowledge for your customers.

“We did some research before deciding to open in this area and we know there’s a large Asian community here – we’re going to be a part of that.”

In addition to serving customers online and in person, the café will also be offering catering services for parties and businesses locally.

Café Seek’s opening is part of Canary Wharf Group and Tower Hamlets Council’s project to provide affordable spaces for local companies.

Recent openings at Wood Wharf include Reformer Pilates fitness operation The Island Studio, florist The Flower Club, pet groomer Pawsome, nail art salon Awe London, Italian bakery Signorelli and Wayne Hairdresser Salon.

Forthcoming openings include Malaysian restaurant Ong Lai Kopitiam in the very near future as well as Turkish restaurant Nora in the autumn.

Creamed Sweetcorn Soft Bun - image by Café Seek — Creamed Sweetcorn Soft Bun – image by Café Seek

key details: Café Seek

Café Seek is set to open its doors at 8 Harbord Square in the coming weeks.

The Japanese bakery will sell a wide range of breads and cakes, baked fresh on the premises.

Follow @cafe.seek on Instagram for live updates.

Find out more about the opening here

Pistachio Symphony Cake - image by Café Seek — Pistachio Symphony Cake – image by Café Seek

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July 24, 2025July 24, 2025

AFK Beach Volleyball court raises funds for charity in Canary Wharf

The facility is back in east London until August 10, 2025, this year at Union Square in Wood Wharf

AFK Beach Volleyball has returned to Canary Wharf - image by Canary Wharf Group — AFK Beach Volleyball has returned to Canary Wharf – image by Canary Wharf Group

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what’s this?

Where have you been? This is the AFK Beach Volleyball court in Wood Wharf’s Union Square.

what’s that?

It’s a pay-as-you-play facility for anyone who fancies bashing a ball around while diving about on sand to use.

what do I need?

Court hire is for four or more people on an hourly basis and costs £15 per person – £60 minimum.

Volleyballs and guidance on the rules are provided, so players just need to turn up in kit that’s appropriate to play a game or two on the sand.

when can I book AFK Beach Volleyball?

The court is already in place and will be in Canary Wharf until August 10. 2025.

Bookings are available Tuesday-Sunday although some slots may be unavailable due to special events.

why should I play?

Isn’t it time you did some exercise?

In all seriousness, beach volleyball is a fantastic sport and an ideal way to get some fresh air.

Also, every single thwack of the ball helps raise money for AFK, a charity that helps children who are disabled or neurodiverse live more independent, fulfilling lives.

This year the court is located in Union Square in Wood Wharf - image by Canary Wharf Group — This year the court is located in Union Square in Wood Wharf – image by Canary Wharf Group

tell me more

Corporate partnerships manager at AFK, Lyn Prodger said: “It’s an amazing small charity and this event is a big shop window for us.

“We wouldn’t be speaking to the likes of JP Morgan, Barclays and Accenture without it and the support of Canary Wharf Group.

“We provide mobility equipment for disabled children and young people all round the country and we also fund the maintenance of that equipment which is vital and not something all charities do.

“It’s no good if you have a £2,000 wheelchair that’s your whole life but you can’t use it for the sake of a £200 repair.

“But it’s not just about buying some equipment and saying goodbye, it’s an ongoing dialogue and opportunity.

“We’ve also started providing work placements in London because we’re based in the capital.

“We support anything that fosters independence and wellbeing and that includes helping people into work.

“We realised quite early on that many of the young people we work with aren’t ready for employment, so we have an outreach team that supports them to help change that.

“When you’re in a special school, for example, no-one ever asks what you want to do when you leave.

“The employers we work with are like gold dust – they raise confidence and aspirations.

“What we say to them is that we’re not bringing a problem, we’re bringing an amazing group of talented young people who are ready for work.

“We also put our money where our mouth is by giving young people paid employment roles with us. Some of them help with this event and they really are amazing.”

The charity will be hosting its Corporate Championship - image by Canary Wharf Group — The charity will be hosting its Corporate Championship – image by Canary Wharf Group

what’s coming up at AFK Beach Volleyball?

In addition to free access play on the court, AFK hosts a corporate tournament for businesses and there are still a couple of slots left.

Taking place on July 31, 2025, the event sees companies face off on court in a five-vs-five format with most teams entering a squad of 10 players to allow for subs.

Teams commit to fundraising £2,000 to enter.

This can simply be paid as a donation from the business and covers a full day of play, lunch and refreshments as the competition for the 2025 Corporate Championship trophy heats up on the court.

AFK corporate partnerships manager, Lyn Prodger - image by Jon Massey — AFK corporate partnerships manager, Lyn Prodger – image by Jon Massey

who’s the team to beat?

Lyn said: “We’ve been running these events since 2009, first at Broadgate Circle in the City before moving to Canary Wharf in 2013.

“Barclays have won the most championships, but Accenture won it last year after being silver medallists in about four contests.

“They’re both coming back this year. It’s a wonderful event with plenty of dressing up. We’ve had Smurfs, Oompa-Loompas and Baywatchers over the years.

“We start from 10am and everyone gets a good day of play – then after lunch we go into the play-offs and then the finals.

“Whether it’s in the corporate championships or members of the public simply playing on the court, when I see what we’ve done here I have to pinch myself a little bit.

“We’re a small charity and realising we can do something like this is fantastic.

“It feels so good to know everyone who plays here is contributing.

“Just stepping on that sand makes a real difference in people’s lives.

“What’s really great about Canary Wharf is that we have this audience and we’re able to tell them about AFK and what it does.

“It’s a great community here and we’re working with The Island Studio to offer Pilates on the sand, with Signorelli on a deal for players who come down and, of course, with 640 East.”

The minimum booking for the court is four people - image by Canary Wharf Group — The minimum booking for the court is four people – image by Canary Wharf Group

key details: AFK Beach Volleyball

AFK Beach Volleyball’s court will be in Union Square until August 10, 2025.

Court hire is for a minimum of four people and starts at £60 per hour.

All proceeds go to the charity.

The Corporate Championship is set to take place on July 31, 2025, with slots still available.

Find out more about court hire here

AFK Beach Volleyball will be in place until August 10 - image by Canary Wharf Group — AFK Beach Volleyball will be in place until August 10 – image by Canary Wharf Group

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July 24, 2025July 24, 2025

Ong Lai Kopitiam will bring Malaysian flavours to Canary Wharf

How Robert Ngo and his wife Mel have built on their street food brand, Eat Lah, to open a new restaurant in Wood Wharf’s emerging Harbord Square area

Ayam Goreng Berempah with the blue Nasi Kerabu, which gets its colour from the butterfly pea flower - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — Ayam Goreng Berempah with the blue Nasi Kerabu, which gets its colour from the butterfly pea flower – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

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“I want Malaysians, Singaporeans and south-east Asians to feel at home here and for people who have never tried Malaysian food before to have a really great experience,” said Robert Ngo, co-founder and director of Ong Lai Kopitian – set to open its doors at Harbord Square in Wood Wharf soon.

“I knew I didn’t want a simple place with four walls and a kitchen where we would just cook food.

“We’ve spent a long time and a lot of money and effort on the fit-out.

“I believe restaurants are really important, not just places to eat, but places to hang out at – somewhere for the community.”

Ong Lai is joining a rapidly emerging part of Canary Wharf based around independent businesses.

Already Italian bakery Signorelli is drawing Wharfers down to Union Square, with another new restaurant – Nora – coming later this year.

There’s also Wayne Hairdresser Salon, floristry from The Flower Club and beauty services from Awe London as well as recent arrival The Island Studio offering Reformer Pilates classes.

So what does Ong Lai bring to the mix?

Well, firstly, kopitiam means coffee shop, so there will be plenty of robusta-based brews on offer with beans imported from Malaysia.

But there’s also the food and hospitality, something that’s in Robert’s blood.

Robert Ngo of Ong Lai Kopitiam outside his soon-to-open restaurant - image by Jon Massey — Robert Ngo of Ong Lai Kopitiam outside his soon-to-open restaurant – image by Jon Massey

a journey into food

“I’m a first generation Chinese immigrant child – I was born in Hackney and raised in Leyton,” he said.

“When I was five, my dad opened up his first restaurant and, at his peak, he had about four takeaways – I was already in the kitchen from a very young age.

“By the time I was seven I was washing dishes, even though I was only as tall as the sink, so I was always around my parents doing business in the food and beverage environment and my dad was always getting me ready to take over the operation after my studies.

“But being young and naïve, I told him I had other ideas.”

After realising aerospace engineering wasn’t for him, Robert embarked on the lengthy training necessary to qualify as an architect.

But then the Credit Crunch dealt a double blow.

The family business suffered a serious financial hit and Robert took a break from his studies to work as an architect’s assistant.

By the time he returned to education part-time, he realised the recession had damaged the industry to an extent that made finishing his training financially unattractive.

Instead, after a brief flirtation with estate agency, he went back into architecture working his way up in computer aided design to run a team of five people, rounding off the first decade of his career.

“I’d always been creative but that working environment wasn’t,” he said.

“People were coming in, doing the hours and getting paid silly amounts, but the environment was quite toxic. I needed a different outlet.

“I came home everyday hating my life and myself.

“My wife, Mel, got the worst of it – hearing me complaining.

“She said I should quit my job and start my own food business.

“The lowest point of entry was street food so I went all-in and spent about £7,000 getting a van and gazebos – I did everything properly, buying all the right equipment and created a decent brand.

“That’s how it all started.”

The restaurant will offer plenty of vegan options, including Kolo Mee with tofu and okra - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — The restaurant will offer plenty of vegan options, including Kolo Mee with tofu and okra – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

Eat Lah and blue rice

Co-founded with his wife, Eat Lah began serving Nasi Kerabu, a dish built around vibrant blue rice flavoured with herbs and spices that originated in Mel’s native Kelantan in Malaysia.

Following a steep learning curve that has included street food markets as well as spells at Boxpark in Croydon and Canteen at Design District, the brand now operates around a professional prep kitchen, allowing it to trade at multiple locations as well as at events.

It’s a regular at Canary Wharf’s Thursday pop-up Lunch Markets, for example.

Positive feedback from customers on the quality of the food, plus a desire to offer something more complex than street food setups can has driven the couple to establish Ong Lai.

Menu experiments in Croydon and, more recently, at a pop-up in Canning Town, proved the viability of the concept and Robert and Mel began searching for a space in 2024.

The restaurant will serve kopi - coffee - specially imported from Malaysia - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — The restaurant will serve kopi – coffee – specially imported from Malaysia – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

opening Ong Lai Kopitiam

“We looked all over, but mainly in east London and then we were approached by an agent for Canary Wharf Group who was looking for independent businesses for Wood Wharf,” said Robert.

“We wanted somewhere that we could build the new concept from the ground up.

“Ong Lai means: ‘Prosperous fortune come my way’, but it also translates as ‘pineapple’ in Chinese. At New Year they have big pineapples as decorations, so we’ve used the fruit in our branding.

“The reason we created that name is that Malaysians and Singaporeans know what it means – it’s an inside joke.

“For people who don’t know, it’s a good conversation starter.

“The design is based on a traditional kopitiam with interior design by a Malaysian agency.

“Ong Lai is about being creative,” said Robert.

“Doing festivals, markets and office catering, Eat Lah always revolves around the blue rice, but we’ll be doing much more than that in the restaurant.

“We will be doing an elevated version of it as well as Kolo Mee – noodles flavoured with soy sauce and shallot oil, Hainanese Chicken Chop and Malaysian Fried Chicken Wings.

“We’ll also be serving really good pork.

“The name shows we’re leaning more towards the country’s Chinese food – we didn’t want to be a Malaysian restaurant that tries to do everything.

“But this will be somewhere people can come in for an Egg Tart or Kaya Toast with a coffee.

“The beverage side of Malaysian cuisine is not that celebrated over here, so we really wanted to do that.

“We’ll be serving the Kopi black with sugar or with condensed or evaporated milk as well as Teh Tarik.

“These are wonderful flavours that I drink every day when I’m visiting Malaysia.”

Hainanese Chicken Chop will be available at the restaurant - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — Hainanese Chicken Chop will be available at the restaurant – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

key details: Ong Lai Kopitiam

Ong Lai Kopitiam is set to open soon at Harbord Square in Wood Wharf.

The restaurant will seat up to 30 diners and will be open daily.

Find out more about the restaurant here

Kolo Mee with Ayam Goreng - image by Ong Lai Kopitiam — Kolo Mee with Ayam Goreng – image by Ong Lai Kopitiam

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July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

The Island Studio opens to offer Reformer Pilates in Canary Wharf

Founded by Sol Bouille in Hackney Wick, the Tower Hamlets fitness business has expanded to Brannan Street in Wood Wharf and offers group sessions

The Island Studio offers small group Reformer Pilates sessions - image by The Island Studio — The Island Studio offers small group Reformer Pilates sessions – image by The Island Studio

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Sol Bouille’s Pilates journey began with injury.

The Argentinian dancer and dance teacher suffered a slipped disc and turned to the exercise system to help her recover and strengthen her body.

“I’ve always been interested in movement and I have a degree in musical theatre, jazz dancing, singing and acting and I trained in New York at the Broadway Dance Centre,” said Sol.

“I’ve been working as a dance teacher since I was 21 and living in London for 12 years now.

“It was when I started to do Pilates after that injury that I discovered it was wonderful, not just for me but for everyone.

“As a dancer, I train very intensively, but I don’t like the anxiety that comes with training hard in the gym.

“I found Pilates very calming and mindful – you’re connected and you train very directly in every way.

“It’s not just about being strong.

“It helps you to walk, to stand, to be flexible, to be mobile.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are, or what your fitness level is, there’s always an option for you in a class.”

Founder Sol Bouille - image by The Island Studio — Founder Sol Bouille – image by The Island Studio

founding The Island Studio

After qualifying as a Pilates instructor, Sol built up her class load until she was full time.

Then after a number of years working in studios she realised she was dispensing advice to other instructors and started thinking about starting her own business.

“I wanted to have better ambience, better music and a better space in general,” she said.

The result was The Island Studio, a space in Hackney Wick with classes built around Reformer Pilates beds, which use the resistance of springs to support or challenge the body when exercising.

“Initially, I wasn’t a hundred per cent sure about opening my own studio, but a space became available, right next to where I live,” said Sol.

“It was spacious and airy, with beautiful natural light and, when I walked in, I knew it was for me.

“Many studios in London are underground or don’t have many windows, so I was lucky to find this place.

“It was perfect, so I started with just nine beds for Reformer Pilates.

“The classes are small and there’s so much you can work on. It’s an intimate experience, so I now have a lot more friends.”

Classes feature dynamic movements based on the classical Pilates system - image by The Island Studio — Classes feature dynamic movements based on the classical Pilates system – image by The Island Studio

growing the business

Opened in November 2022, Sol started as the only instructor, carefully building up the business, discovering the appetite for Reformer was strong in the predominantly residential community at Hackney Wick.

After hiring more instructors, her attentions turned to the future and growing the business.

While pregnant, a walk round Wood Wharf inspired her to get in touch with Canary Wharf Group, which was seeking Tower Hamlets-based companies to expand their operations in its newest neighbourhood.

Having also expanded to Kentish Town, Sol’s third studio has opened at Brannan Street, close to Union Square, this month.

“I’ve done all that and had a baby five months ago,” she said. “But I’ve always been creative beyond dancing – with colours, design and choreography.

“I’m doing everything at The Island Studio, I’ve created the role I always wanted.

“In Canary Wharf, just as at our other branches, we are offering small group Reformer Pilates classes.

“These are dynamic, following the principles of classical Pilates but with a modern approach.

“Each class is a full body workout based on flexibility, strength and mobility.

“We plan the classes in such a way that everyone is welcome, so you don’t have to be strong or flexible, you just have to be there.

“You can train at the level you want.

“The advantage of training in a small group is that the instructors can personalise exercises and modifications to your needs – similar to what would happen in a private one-to-one session, but more affordable.”

what to expect at The Island Studio

Reformer Pilates is unquestionably having a moment with studios opening across London and group classes at gyms consistently fully booked.

The Island Studio offers Wharfers a range of ways to experience its services.

“We have packages and memberships – the more you buy, the cheaper it is,” said Sol.

“When clients enter the space they will be greeted by an instructor.

“Then they take their shoes off and find their machine – the space is very clean and airy.

“People can buy grip socks from us or use their own.

“Then it’s simple, you don’t have to remember anything – the instructor will tell clients everything they need to perform every exercise and offer modifications where needed.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

key details: The Island Studio

The Island Studio is now open in Wood Wharf’s Brannan Street.

A three-class intro offer is available for £48.

Full details of classes and packaged can be found online.

Book your first class via this link

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June 10, 2025June 10, 2025

Signorelli opens Italian bakery and cafe, expanding to Wood Wharf

We catch up with co-founder of the Stratford-based business, Rebecca Rosmini as it brings coffee, parties and focaccia to Canary Wharf’s Union Sq

Chocolate cookies at Signorelli Italian bakery and cafe - image by Jon Massey — Chocolate cookies at Signorelli Italian bakery and cafe – image by Jon Massey

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Wood Wharf is enjoying a potent injection of energy.

8 Harbord Square has seen nail specialist Awe London, stylist Wayne Hairdresser Salon and florist The Flower Club all open their doors in recent months.

But these arrivals are very much in the vanguard of a cascade of launches to come.

With Union Square acting as a wide boulevard through to the eastern edge of the estate – picnic and ping pong tables already attracting a healthy flow of Wharfers – it’s perhaps the ideal time for Signorelli to arrive in the neighbourhood.

The people need refreshment and this Italian bakery and cafe business is here to provide it, opening daily from 7am to 7pm.

“The message is simple,” said Rebecca Rosmini, CEO of Signorelli, which she founded with husband Alberto a little over 10 years ago.

“We do great coffee, pastries, focaccia, cakes, cookies and biscuits.

“In Italy, you have places where you buy your croissant and your coffee, have a chat with a neighbour and then go on with your day.

“Our recipes are Italian-inspired – the ethos is very much from Alberto’s mum’s way of cooking – but we’ve adapted them for the UK market.

“Our coffee is fantastic, Italian blends and roasts, different to much of east London where there has been a trend for darker roasts.

“Our espresso is really lovely.”

Signorelli co-founder and CEO, Rebecca Rosmini - image by Jon Massey — Signorelli co-founder and CEO, Rebecca Rosmini – image by Jon Massey

the learning curve of Signorelli

Wood Wharf will be the fifth branch in what has become a finely tuned east London operation.

However, Signorelli’s genesis was not without its learning curve.

“My background is as a surveyor in commercial real estate,” said Rebecca, originally from Hartlepool.

“My mum started investing in residential property in the 1990s and needed a mini-me to go around building Ikea furniture for her.

“I still like doing that – it gives me a very tangible before-and-after feeling and you can see the results immediately.”

Joining the Tesco graduate scheme having mastered the allen key, Rebecca forged a career with the supermarket giant before a move to Sainsbury’s property team.

She then founded RSR, her own commercial real estate advisory company, that has since worked with the likes of Deliveroo, Asda, Boots and local authorities.

“After starting the business, I met Alberto, an agronomist – he moved to London to look for a job because it wasn’t the right time for me to relocate,” said Rebecca.

“Then he started baking at home. He can be very obsessive and it got a bit out of control.

“We started giving out baked goods to our neighbours, then we started doing picnics and having big dinner parties at home in our tiny flat in Camden.

Freshly baked loaves for sale - image by Jon Massey — Freshly baked loaves for sale – image by Jon Massey

“People started joking that we should have our own catering company.

“One day, an Italian pizzeria company approached me to find a site in London and they were looking for a manager, so I put my husband forward.

“We went on a journey with them and went through the process of finding locations but we discovered they wanted to import frozen food from Italy and defrost it here to serve.

“That wasn’t what we wanted, so we parted ways.

“Alberto was so disappointed. He’d spent six months developing recipes and was really down, so we thought: ‘Stuff it, let’s do it ourselves’.

“I knew that East Village in Stratford was launching retail units and thought we should go and have a look.

“I hadn’t been back since my time at Sainsbury’s and it was October 2014, windy, cold and empty.

“There could have been tumbleweed.

“There was no transport hub, no retail – I just didn’t see it. But Alberto thought it was perfect.

“He said I should imagine it, that it was just like Italy – pedestrianised with water and trees – that it would all be about people walking, talking and interacting.

“I made peace with it.

“We designed the unit ourselves, it immediately felt like home and we had friends popping in to help.

“The Ikea skills came back too and then the vinyls came down, even though I didn’t really feel ready to have people in.”

Filled focaccia at Signorelli - image by Jon Massey — Filled focaccia at Signorelli – image by Jon Massey

opening the doors

“It was carnage,” said Rebecca.

“We had no idea what we were doing and, before we opened, I suddenly decided we were going to do scrambled eggs, because that was what people needed.

“We looked up how Jamie Oliver did them and then we opened.

“We forgot to hire people, so we had a queue out of the door and people came to help us.

“We had lawyers and accountants, some vegetarian, cooking sausages – we didn’t even know that you had to prep food ahead of service.

“We were cooking like you would at home – we just thought it would be the same.

“We went on a three-year learning curve and there were so many terrible stories along the way.

“I think it was the community that made us survive – we had so many people rooting for us.

“People wanted us to succeed and I was blinded to how crap we were. It took a long time.”

Latte art on the coffee - image by Jon Massey — Latte art on the coffee – image by Jon Massey

fighting for Signorelli

In the end, the pandemic was part of the solution. The first lockdown provided a forced stop, time to rest, regroup and rethink.

“I always say we’ve had two businesses – the crap one from 2015 to 2020 and then 2.0,” said Rebecca.

“We decided we were determined to fight for Signorelli – we had put so much into it and we weren’t just going to kill it.”

Salvation began with a serendipitous decision taken in 2019 to install a serving window out onto the street.

This reopened in April 2020 to serve pastries and coffee. People queued in socially distance fashion.

Back as a small team, with Alberto – as ever – baking overnight, Signorelli had two baristas serving and Rebecca doing deliveries in her trusty 25-year-old SEAT. It was a fresh foundation.

Suffering “PTSD” from the smell of burnt eggs, they resolved never to offer brunch again and set out on a new path – baked goods, coffee and alcoholic drinks for later in the day.

The arrival of the couple’s second child prompted another change as Signorelli opened its Bakehouse, centralising production in part to allow Alberto to work fewer antisocial hours.

Instead, the new direction was the catalyst for creating the current shape of the business, allowing greater capacity for more staff and the founders to step back a bit from the day-to-day.

The cafe serves coffee, pastries, sweet treats and savoury options - image by Jon Massey — The cafe serves coffee, pastries, sweet treats and savoury options – image by Jon Massey

a complex symphony

“No-one in our baking team trained as a baker – they have all learned in our business and they’re doing an amazing job,” said Rebecca.

“It’s like a perfect symphony – you just watch them and everyone knows their role.

“We chose Canary Wharf for our latest expansion because it’s about 15 minutes from the bakehouse by cargo bike for deliveries.

“In lockdown, my husband, me and our little boy came to E14 a lot – we used to do these really long walks along the canal.

“Both Alberto and I grew up by the sea, so being close to the water felt familiar.

“Our strategy now is about creating mini pods of branches to grow Signorelli and we’d love to create one in Canary Wharf.

“It’s always been my husband’s dream to recreate the town squares of Italy in the UK, bringing people back to the table, to conversation.

“The Wharf allows us to share that energy.

“We are so much about getting people together, getting them off their phones and getting them to talk to one another.

“It requires patience and you can’t go into it expecting a quick turnaround.

“It’s a journey that you go on with the landlord, with the community, and everyone needs to work together to make it come alive.”

Stuffed with tomatoes, pesto and mozzarella - image by Jon Massey — Stuffed with tomatoes, pesto and mozzarella – image by Jon Massey

sustainable baking

Signorelli’s arrival in Canary Wharf also brings with it catering services and celebratory cakes, all delivered with a consistent focus on sustainability and healthy ingredients.

“The Italian philosophy is to have really good raw produce from rich soils, then you can create something really amazing from just three or four ingredients,” said Rebecca.

“We’re not about cutting costs to produce a better margin.

“We’re really happy to accept less profit on our baked goods to deliver better quality.

“My rule is that if I wouldn’t feed it to my three-year old, then I will not feed it to my customers.

“We guard massively against ultra-processed foods, although we haven’t yet found an alternative to Nutella, so there is one naughty thing.

“We also monitor our waste really carefully.

“We’re always looking to re-use anything that goes unsold, but is still delicious.”

Signorelli Wood Wharf is located in West Lane off Union Square, Wood Wharf - image by Jon Massey — Signorelli Wood Wharf is located in West Lane off Union Square, Wood Wharf – image by Jon Massey

key details: Signorelli Wood Wharf

Signorelli Wood Wharf is located at 5 West Lane off Union Square and is open every day from 7am-7pm.

The bakery and cafe operates a “once it’s gone, it’s gone” policy to minimise food waste with customers seeking pastries advised to visit before noon for the full range.

Find out more about the new opening here

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June 3, 2025June 3, 2025

Vertus Edit review: Aparthotel is smart, funky Canary Wharf offer

Split across two buildings in Wood Wharf, the venue delivers carefully thought-through, design-led facilities whatever your length of stay in London

The view from Jon's room at Vertus Edit - image by Jon Massey — The view from Jon’s room at Vertus Edit – image by Jon Massey

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The launch of an aparthotel in Canary Wharf is a smart move.

Those wishing to live on the estate long-term already had two options – they can buy a property from Canary Wharf Group or rent one through it’s subsidiary Vertus.

Short-term visitors can, of course, stay in Water Street at Tribe. But now Wood Wharf also offers something in between.

Vertus Edit, which celebrated its official launch this month, houses 378 studios of varying sizes split across two buildings in West Lane, overlooking Union Square for short or extended stays.

That could be for one night or six months and every inch of its design embraces that level of flexibility.

In contrast to trad hotel rooms, guests get fully equipped kitchens and access to communal rooftop spaces as well as more intimate lounge and terrace areas.

Please clean my room – a wooden sign for the door at Vertus Edit - image by Jon Massey — Please clean my room – a wooden sign for the door at Vertus Edit – image by Jon Massey

comfort at Vertus Edit

This is a place laser-focused on the comfort of its inhabitants whether they’re just passing through or living in Wood Wharf for a while – perhaps visiting family or working locally.

On my stay, we’re allocated a “Cosy” studio for a single night.

While this is the second smallest on offer, its 257sq ft feels palatial in comparison to many hotel rooms with an expansive bathroom and shower.

The strip of kitchen running from the door to the bedroom includes an oven, a toaster, a kettle, a proper four-burner hob and a real fridge – enough to cook a complex meal.

In-room, what Vertus delivers best is functional luxury.

Aside from the colourful East London Printmakers artworks, the aesthetic is plain, even minimal. But what is provided in spades is quality.

The furniture and appliances have a solidity, a dependability about them, which promises reliability – a kind of subtle reassurance to aid a good night’s sleep in the supportive cloud of the bed.

Rooms at the aparthotel are decorated in a cosy, minimal style - image by Vertus — Rooms at the aparthotel are decorated in a cosy, minimal style – image by Vertus

a clean, green stay

Sustainability is here too.

My room features toiletries supplied in refillable metallic dispensers from Kankan.

Nothing feels throwaway.

Chief among Vertus Edit’s attractions is its location.

About five minute’s walk from the eastern exit of the Jubilee line station, it’s within easy reach of the whole of Canary Wharf and much of central London thanks to the area’s transport links.

But a close second is definitely the facilities on offer.

While the rooms are relatively neutral in their design, the lounges, co-working spaces, meeting rooms and private dining space pop with personality.

There are rich colours, exotic wallpapers and even a neon ice lolly installation (it’s art).

Its facilities for guests to do their own laundry, an honesty market pantry system for ingredients, snacks and drinks plus a gym for workouts really cement Vertus Edit’s proposition for practicality.

It may not feature some of the trappings of a traditional hotel (although staff are always on hand), but the clear depth of its communal spaces marks it out as something special.

Then, of course, there are all the benefits of being moments from Canary Wharf’s increasingly vibrant offering.

And with more to come in Wood Wharf, stays will only get better.

The spaces are decorated with art by East London Printmakers - image by Vertus — The spaces are decorated with art by East London Printmakers – image by Vertus

key details: Vertus Edit

Rates at Vertus Edit vary depending on the date and length of stay, but those booking can currently get 15% off using code HELLOEDIT in celebration of the aparthotel’s launch.

Find out more about the aparthotel here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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