Wharf Life, Sept 9-23, 2026 by wharf-life

+ Why it’s how we use AI that sets us apart Page 12

Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

inside issue 170

25 Cuba - Crosswords - Oktoberfest Uniqlo - Jade Wharf - SWR - Sudoku The Boat House - Plov - Oscar Browne DLR - Madness - Holy Greens Astronomy Photographer Of The Year University Of Sunderland In London V&A East Museum Upperground PARTY SEASON 2026 - Pages 13-22

pumping in the

how you can go behind the scenes with the Canal And River Trust as its teams keep the docks topped up Pages 32-35 Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

Fast, affordable, conveyancing services Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk

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read

feast your eyes on these

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Montgomery Square Canary Wharf

LAST CHANCE | Minigolf By Craig And Carl Do you have the balls to take on the brightly coloured course before it’s packed away? If not, no problem. All equipment is provided for your enjoyment. Until Sept 27, noon-6pm, free, canarywharf.com

Welcome to issue 170 of Wharf Life. September’s here, the rains have come and, for many, it’s back to work and the routine. So we’ve filled these pages with plans to make, ideas for places to go and news of what’s to come in a bid to brighten your day. Don’t forget to make those Xmas bookings...

Red and green: The DLR finally gets the first of its new trains

Where? Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

GIG | Shakatak Selling fast, there are still tables available to catch the jazz-funk popsters as they bring their unmistakeably 1980s sound to the Cabot Place venue. Sept 24, 9pm, from £62, boisdale.co.uk

As Uniqlo arrives, we talk shop and the future with CWG’s Stuart Fyfe

Where? London Museum Docklands West India Quay

EVENT | Big Dig For Grown-Ups Not a session dedicated to exhuming the bodies of visitors who didn’t make it round the galleries, but a chance for adults to try a bit of archaeology. Sept 26-27, 3.30pm, £18, londonmuseum.org.uk

Party Season is once again on the horizon and it’s time to get dates in the diary. To help organisers we’re showcasing what’s on offer at venues in Canary Wharf, but move swiftly to secure your spot...

flash back

How the Canal And River Trust keeps boats in the docks afloat

the joy of six

36 Bamboo Mat is set to open in Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf, bringing expertly cooked Nikkei cuisine dishes – a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavours to the estate for the first time. Expect plenty of ceviche bamboo-mat.co.uk Scan this code to read Wharf Life’s interview with Bamboo Mat’s owners online at wharf-life.com want more? @wharfwhispers

How a budget stay in Bournemouth can turn into a journey into the past

How The Boat House went from design to reality at Cody Dock

Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 41

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on the radar

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need to know

get more for less on and around the Wharf

30%

The Wharf’s love affair with speciality coffee continues with Yellow Ladder now fully up and running in Canada Place en route between Fortnum And Mason and the Jubilee line. Expect a range of sweet treats and pastries as well as plenty of the black stuff yellowladdercoffee.com

Bamboo Mat is set to open its doors on Oct 2 at Wood Wharf after a soft launch on Sept 29 and 30,0 with 30% off on food automatically applied for bookings on those dates bamboo-mat.co.uk

£4

The Canary Wharf salad wars are in full flow as Holy Greens pitches its leaves against the likes of Atis, Urban Greens and fellow new arrival Bewliehill. Find the Scandi brand in the unit formerly occupied by Leon on the lower level of Cabot Place. holygreens.co.uk

TRIED + TESTED Viet Noodle Holy Greens holygreens.co.uk

How there’s still time to catch lates for a dance at V&A East Museum

We talk care and compassion with the University Of Sunderland In London’s Alwin Puthenpurakal as it recruits students for its MNurse (Adult) programme in January

Available from 4pm-7pm Isso Prawn Crazy in Cabot Square is hoping to tempt Wharfers in with beers and glasses of Prosecco for £4. Cocktails at happy hour cost £9 prawncrazy.co.uk

This offering from Holy Greens costs £15.55 and comes with a soft, toothsome mound of beef that’s not great for the climate

There’s a lot to play with in the brand name. Is the food sacred or romaine? Is it named for the time the Boy Wonder and Batman stopped by for a snack and Robin let out one of his trademark exclamations? The Holy part isn’t really made clear on the brand’s website which tells a tale of Swedish entrepreneurs spotting a gap in the market for responsibly sourced salad bowls with a focus on sustainability. With the world already sizzling and facing a supercharged El Nino, I’m all for keeping my emissions down. Unfortunately, I order

and consume my Viet Noodle bowl before realising each dish comes helpfully labelled with its CO2 cost. I’m horrified to realise I’ve chosen the second most climate warming option on the menu at 2.6kg (the Mexicali is worse at 2.9kg). Still, my consolation is a thoughtfully constructed bowl packed with flavour, similar in quality to an Urban Greens. The beef is excellent, pepped up with fresh chilli and feisty pickled carrot. The salad wars are in full flow on the Wharf, however, and the high price knocks a star off. ★★★★✩ Jon Massey

THU 03 SEP SAT 10 OCT 2026

Get your prosit on as Oktoberfest, born on the Island, returns to London

subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

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diary dates, listings and ideas to make life in Canary Wharf sweeter..

Immigration Solicitors

TRAIN TIMES New Rolling Stock Across the DLR tfl.go.vuk

With you from the start

It’s been a long, painful introduction, but TfL has announced that the first of its 54 new DLR trains has returned to service following a comprehensive period of extra testing. The air-conditioned carriages offer a 10% boost to capacity and will replace the network’s oldest rolling stock, some of which is 30 years old. Expect phone charging points to be popular...

Our immigration team has earned its strong reputation for providing expert legal advice and practical support on a wide range of immigration issues. Trust us to help you make the right application. 020 7205 2896 AYLESBURY

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SPECIAL SCREENING Madness: Take It Or Leave It Theatreship theatreship.co.uk Just over the bridge from Canary Wharf on South Quay, the Isle Of Dogs’ floating arts centre and cinema is set to host a screening of Take It Or Leave It from 1981, celebrating the origins of the band, Madness. The evening event, at 6.30pm on Friday, September 18, is part of the British Film Institute’s Rip It Up season and will feature a Q&A with the documentary’s director and Stiff Records “supremo”, Dave Robinson alongside special guests. Tickets cost £13.12.

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BOOK TICKETS FROM £10 AT LONDON-OKOBERFEST.CO.UK

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how CWG works tirelessly to make Canary Wharf a more tantalising prospect for visitors and locals

Retail units that have become one in Jubilee Place to house the new Uniqlo store Stuart Fyfe is managing director, retail, leisure and hospitality at CWG

by Jon Massey

e’re never going to be finished – we’re constantly looking at how we can bring more people to Canary Wharf,” said Stuart Fyfe, managing director – retail, leisure and hospitality at CWG (Canary Wharf Group). It’s easy to take things for granted in life. Walk through the estate today and you’ll find it busier that its ever been, especially at weekends. The Wharf has matured well beyond delivering services to office workers. It’s become a place to live, a destination for dining, socialising, sport and leisure plus, increasingly, a base for tourists visiting the capital. But its evolution isn’t a happy accident. It’s down to the careful, diligent work of CWG, spearheaded by Stuart and his team, who constantly manage the mix and improve the offer to best serve the needs of Wharfers, making sure the estate’s finger is kept on the pulse. That means a stream of new openings, carefully selected and positioned to move the dials in the right direction as needs and fashions change. Recently, totemic Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo announced it would launch a branch at the western end of Jubilee Place in 2027. “With retail you’re always looking to engage with the strongest brands,” said Stuart. “We always felt Jubilee Place needed an anchor fashion store and it’s taken some time to engineer the opportunity. Uniqlo is a fantastic retailer – I’ve been lucky enough to see its flagship store in Tokyo and it’s mind-blowing how they make it work over 12 storeys. “It’s a brand that has broad appeal and that’s important. When you’re doing a deal with an anchor store – you need to ensure there’s enough space for the brand to showcase a wide selection of its products, you want to be able to see and shop the collections.” Uniqlo will extend through what was once three units opposite Circle Collective and Reiss continued on Page 8

Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

the ideal blend

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from Page 6 with customers able to peruse its Heattech and Airism ranges, as well as seasonal collections for women and men. The brand joins a wide range of businesses that are soon to call Canary Wharf home. Nikkei Cuisine restaurant Bamboo Mat is set to officially open just off Union Square on October 2, following a soft launch on September 29 and 30. Other brands coming soon include Nokwol, Chisholm Hunter, Face Gym, The Tallyman, Bronson Burger and Creed, all following hot on the heels of the likes of Jigsaw, Vagabond, Beam and Sea Lanes Canary Wharf. But how does CWG go about curating the businesses that find their way into the malls and onto the streets of the estate? “You have to have a strategy for each sector,” said Stuart. “Food and beverage, for example, is fascinating because there’s a huge amount of entrepreneurial spirit there. “A lot of people have good ideas and one of the skills of my job is to work out how successful they’re going to be. “You also have to make sure you’re getting the right blend. For instance, we started in Wood Wharf with Dishoom and Hawksmoor – both massive brands that put the area on the map. Then it was a deliberate move to bring in a series of different operators, especially with the independents in 8 Harbord Square to appeal to local residents as well as people working in and visiting Canary Wharf. “You have to put yourselves in the shoes of the residents, to ask what they want to see, something appealing, hidden gems, so you can ask if they’ve been to all the different places. “I think we’ve always been good at backing independents and we’re always looking at the trends that are here and coming. “Right now there’s the explosion in popularity of matcha. We wanted to reflect that, so we engaged with Jenki, which opened in Jubilee Place. “Then there’s salad, with three new operators opening in Canary Wharf over the last three months to join the ones we already have. I can remember, when I first started at Canary Wharf, there was real demand for nutritious options and its brilliant we’ve got so many people now eating tasty, healthy food from businesses based here.” Stuart began his career with Knight Frank as a graduate, gaining experience across a range of sectors within commercial property. But it was always retail space that fascinated him as he

Hotels on the Canary Wharf estate when House Of Gods opens later this year

Footwear brand Nokwol is also set to open a store in Canary Wharf Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

Left, an artist’s impression of the new Uniqlo store in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place mall Below, the brand announces its arrival on the Wharf

moved on to agency work with Lunson Mitchenall and worked to let space in Canary Wharf. He joined CWG in 2012 as head of retail leasing and clearly still relishes the challenge of renewing and refreshing the existing estate as well as working to fill new buildings. “Retail always interested me the most – it’s an ever-changing market and everyone’s a consumer,” he said. “You have to make sure you’re taking a view that will be to the benefit of as many people as possible. “That’s especially true here, because Canary Wharf itself is ever-changing – you have workers, residents and visitors who all have different requirements. “You have to balance all of that with the demographics of the people living in Tower Hamlets and the surrounding area to create as compelling an offer as you can. “During the course of my career, food and beverage has been a huge growth area and we have an incredible selection in Canary Wharf now at different price points, offering cuisines from across the world. “You can’t eat on the internet, so that’s one way we drive footfall

to the estate. Another has been the explosion of leisure destinations. It’s something we were at the forefront of here. “The chances are, if you spend a couple of hours at Fairgame, The Cube, Electric Shuffle or K1 Speed go karting, you’ll have a drink or a meal before or afterwards, which means people spend more time here and explore. “We also had the foresight to see how big Padel tennis was going to get – although I’m not sure we realised quite how huge it would become. Padium’s opening here has been a game-changer and Sea Lanes Canary Wharf has also been phenomenally successful – we’ve really had the weather for it. “The winter is coming, but it’s all in their business plan and they are offering saunas, Yoga, paddleboarding and lots of other things so I’m sure they’ll nail it over the colder months too. “There are also cultural attractions such as the Hunger Games On Stage at Troubadour Theatre Canary Wharf gives people a completely different reason to come here.” For Stuart and the team, it’s seeing those crowds that really gives them satisfaction, the joy continued on Page 10

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from Page 8

Years Stuart has been at the forefront of retail, hospitality and leisure leasing on the Canary Wharf estate

of witnessing people actually using the amenities they’ve worked hard to establish. “That’s pride, for me,” said Stuart. “Seeing the first guests arrive at Locke to stay in the newly opened hotel, watching audiences arrive dressed up for the Hunger Games. “It means we’ve created something the public are buying into. Personally, the rise in the weekend footfall is a huge endorsement of what we’ve done. “It’s also when you hear people say they spent time in Canary Wharf and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s fantastic that young people admire the quality of the environment we’ve created here too – they really get it. A lot of people talk about placemaking – here we’ve done it.” As for the future, Wharfers can expect the ongoing evolution of the estate to continue. “We want to grow the retail and leisure offering, to give people more reasons to come to Canary Wharf and to stay longer,” said Stuart. “That involves opening hotels – we have three already and House Of Gods will be the fourth – and working hard to get international visitors here. “We have so much to offer – the history of the Docklands, our proximity to The O2, our green spaces, the open water and so many restaurants, bars and facilities to explore. “We want to build on the successes we’ve already had and I’d like to grow our cultural offering. That might be via a viewing gallery to look back at the City skyline or immersive experiences for visitors to enjoy. “Then, on the retail side, the high street is back. Trends are always changing and there are innovative brands coming into the market and having phenomenal success. Part of the appeal of stores is that it’s possible to offer great customer service more easily and also to showcase products to people directly. “One thing I’m certain of is that what people want is variety – that’s what creates urban culture and that’s what we deliver.”

Above, Locke is the third hotel to open on the estate, with House Of Gods set to become the fourth later this year Left, wine bar Vagabond recently opened the doors to its new establishment in Wood Wharf

key details Full details of the estate’s retail, hospitality and leisure oﬀering can be found on its website and via the Canary Wharf App. Go to canarywharf.com for more information

Scan this code to download the Canary Wharf App Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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If you leave a chilled glass of water on a table, it will eventually settle at room temperature

virtual viewpoint by Chris Ezekiel

he AI honeymoon is over. Look at LinkedIn. Read a corporate blog. Open a new app. Increasingly, they all feel the same – polished, competent and strangely familiar. This isn’t because AI is making things worse. Quite the opposite. It is making it faster and easier than ever to produce writing, designs and functional software. But, when millions of people use the same models to create millions of things, everything starts drifting towards the same centre. In physics, equilibrium means the influences acting on a system are perfectly balanced. For example, a glass of water taken from the fridge will eventually reach room temperature if you leave it on the kitchen table. The digital world is doing something similar. Consider the smartphone. After years of experimentation, the basic design has largely settled. There are differences, of course, but the fundamental experience has reached a kind of equilibrium. Software is heading in the same direction. And no wonder. Give thousands of developers access to the same AI coding assistants and design tools and it is hardly surprising applications begin to resemble one another. The machines are becoming very good at producing the average. And the average has no personality. The same is happening to writing. It is perfectly acceptable writing, but increasingly forgettable. When everything becomes polished, efficient and predictable, the differentiator is no longer the technology. So, if the technology is no longer the differentiator, what is? I believe the physical world provides the answer. A great restaurant isn’t great because of the building. A great pub isn’t great because it has tables and beer. A great gym isn’t great because

avoiding

the

Image by Alexey Demidov

of its equipment. A great concert isn’t memorable because of the sound system. The difference is what humans do with those ingredients – the expertise of the chef, the atmosphere created by the people running the pub, the trainer who understands exactly how to motivate someone and and the musician who can turn a performance into an emotional masterpiece. Technology provides the ingredients and humans “compose” the experience, through innovation and creativity. If everyone has access to essentially the same tools, the advantage shifts from having the technology to knowing what to do with it. Expertise becomes more important, creativity becomes more valuable and context becomes critical. The winners in business won’t necessarily be those with the most powerful AI. They will be the companies who have the people who know how to compose using it as an ingredient. Combining AI with human judgement, experience and creativity and a deep understanding of the customer will be the really vital ability. In a world approaching digital equilibrium, the most valuable thing will be the humans who refuse to settle for “samey” and instead find ways to create something different. Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on X

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Seasonal Celebrations

welcome to season book early for the very best festive celebration venues in Canary Wharf and beyond September is here and it’s time to start making those seasonal plans. Venues in Canary Wharf and east London have been working hard on their Christmas 2026 offerings and we’re delighted to showcase some of the best options - P14-22

discover these

restaurants, bars and venues

Discover Amazing Grace, the ideal spot for festive parties with live music, flexible spaces and delicious food and drink - P14

★ Amazing Grace - P14 ★ Roe - P16 ★ Feels Like June - P18 ★ The Gun - P20 Image supplied by Amazing Grace

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Seasonal Celebrations

420

Maximum capacity for a standing reception at Amazing Grace across all of its spaces

Find out what’s on offer at Roe as the Wood Wharf bar and restaurant prepares for the party season - Page 16

Image supplied by Amazing Grace

how sweet the

how Amazing Grace in Canary Wharf is set to deliver live music, festive flavours and complete flexibility for Christmas celebrations of all kinds over its first holiday season by Jon Massey what’s this? This is Amazing Grace, a live entertainment venue, restaurant and bar that’s celebrating its first Christmas in Canary Wharf this year. tell me more... It’s spread over two levels on the ground floor of 12 Bank Street – the rippling silver structure that sits just above the waters of Eden Dock – it offers a wide range of spaces within, as well as a covered, heated terrace with views over the estate. Among the largest venues in Canary Wharf, it has a maximum capacity of 420 people for a standing reception and a cabaret-style stage complete with 3D mapped projections. Guests can expect plum purple decor, rich wooden furnishings, plush velvet booths and gold detailing. that sounds amazing for parties... Flexibility is at the heart of Amazing Grace’s Christmas offering. The venue can be hired exclusively for large corporate celebrations, but equally

can accommodate groups of any size. The mezzanine, for example, has its own dedicated bar and entrances offering privacy alongside elevated views of the stage below for up to 150 guests. There’s also a private dining room on the ground floor with its own section of terrace that can take up to 40 people standing or 20 seated. Over the festive season Amazing Grace will be offering a wide range of options for party planners to consider, including daytime and evening hire for Christmas lunches and dinners, respectively. what are the key packages on offer? The team at the venue have made things easy for organisers with a comprehensive offering of food options. Canapés start at £3.50 per person (minimum orders apply) with the likes of Salmon Tartlet and Korean Fried Sprouts for light bites or Cheese Burger Sliders and Halloumi Fries at £5 a head on the more substantial end of the scale. Bowl food options are also available. The three-course set menu costs £75pp and comes with a pan-Asian

twist on the classics. It includes options such as Confit Duck Salad with Umeboshi dressing or Crab Salad to start and mains of Roast Turkey Crown or Sirloin with all the trimmings as well as Monkfish Skewer with Thai green curry sauce and jasmine rice. Desserts include Vietnamese Tiramisu and Banana Bread. what about the drinks? For groups, Amazing Grace offers bronze, silver and gold packages, all featuring welcome drinks, half a bottle of wine and a digestive of either port or Baileys. Prices start at £32pp. Festive Gin-Gle Berry Sour cocktails are also on offer for £13. Amazing Grace’s set menu includes mains of beef and turkey with all the trimmings Scan this code to find out more about Amazing Grace at Christmas

how can I find out more? Those organising celebrations and parties can contact head of sale and events Lesley Ellard via email to lesley@kghospitality.co.uk. key details Amazing Grace Canary Wharf is located at 12 Bank Street, a short walk from Canary Wharf’s stations. Go to amazinggraceldn.com

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SCAN THIS CODE TO MAKE A BOOKING

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS Nestled on the banks of the Thames, The Gun offers a rich blend of historic charm and modern comfort, making it the perfect venue for any Christmas event big or small. Our beautiful spaces include private dining rooms for intimate celebrations, river views and a stunning, heated Riverside Garden complete with marquee – a real winter wonderland Book now to avoid missing out

27 COLDHARBOUR, ISLE OF DOGS, LONDON, E14 9NS E M A I L G U N . E V E N T S @ F U L L E R S .C O. U K C A L L 0 2 0 7 5 1 9 0 07 5

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250

Maximum capacity of Roe for a standing reception. The Wood Wharf restaurant can accommodate up to 150 seated

how Roe is ready to host groups and parties across its spaces as the Christmas season draws ever closer by Jon Massey

oe in Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf, is busy preparing for the festive season, with an offering that covers group dining, private dining and larger events. The venue, located on the edge of South Dock, caters for everything from Christmas parties and team lunches to birthdays, business brunches and drinks receptions. Groups of up to 18 guests can dine in the main restaurant, while the Private Dining Room seats up to 26 for those looking for their own space. For bigger celebrations, there are various full-hire options available, with space for up to 150 guests seated or 250 standing. That could be anything from a company Christmas party to a drinks gathering or a larger private event. The venue’s seasonal offering also includes its Festive Taste Of Roe menu, priced at £95 per person. Dishes are served in the middle of the table with the feel of a feast rather than a traditional set meal. Starters include Mushroom Parfait with shiitake and grilled bread, Crab Doughnuts with pickled lemon, miso and crispy chilli, Aged Beef Skewers with birria butter, Tunworth flatbread with pumpkin, pear and sage honey and Sea Bream Ceviche. For the main event, there’s 35-Day Dry-Aged Steak with smoked tomato chimichurri and Herons Farm Bronze Turkey with pigs in blankets, stuffing

Roe offers a range of different menus to suit celebrations of all kinds as the festive period approaches

and cranberry sauce, alongside roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts and glazed root vegetables. With views of South Dock right outside the door, Roe works just as well for an afterwork dinner with the team as it does for a big bash. For more informal gatherings, Roe’s canapé offering costs £45 per guest comprising eight bites per person. The venue is located on the edge of Harbour Quay Gardens and is within easy walking distance of Canary Wharf’s stations. The closest transport link is the Jubilee line at Montgomery Square. Opened in 2024, Roe is the third restaurant from the team behind Fallow – chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft and their business partner James Robson. Guests can browse the private dining and events brochures online or get in touch with the team to start planning. key details Roe is located on the ground floor of One Park Drive in Wood Wharf, just off Water Street. It is open from 7.30am-10.30pm on weekdays and from 9.30am-10.30pm at weekends. Those making event inquiries should scan the QR code below, call the restaurant on 020 7078 8808 or drop an email to events@roerestaurant.co.uk. For more information go to roerestaurant.co.uk Scan this code to make an event inquiry at Roe in Wood Wharf

The restaurant is located at One Park Drive in Wood Wharf

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Seasonal Celebrations How Feels Like June is offering a Californian twist on Christmas for 2026 - Page 18 Left,the private dining room at Roe is located beneath the venue’s aeroponic farm, which grows fresh ingredients for its dishes Right, a wide range of canapés are on offer for party guests at the venue, with eight bites costing £45 per head

exquisite, festive

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220

Maximum capacity of Feels Like June for a standing reception. The venue can host 150 for a seated event

how Feels Like June is offering Wharfers a Californian twist on festive traditions this Christmas by Jon Massey

ribe London Canary Wharf is promising a flavour of the West Coast this Christmas as its restaurant and bar, Feels Like June, prepares to welcome Wharfers for their celebrations. Since launch the venue has proudly offered guests dishes and drinks with a Californian twist and has chosen to carry that through into its 2026 holiday offering. tell me more Expect Santa catching waves, palm trees dressed in fairy lights and flowing cocktails as an antidote to the not inconsiderable likelihood of grey skies and rain as the year draws to a close. what’s on the menu? Central to Feels Like June’s seasonal offering is its Festive Feast – a three-course set lunch for £55 per person. Diners can start with sharing plates such as California Crab Crostini and Truffle And Parmesan Croquettes before moving onto mains including Grilled Short Rib with chimichurri and Pacific-Style Baked Cod. Mini Pavlovas, Key Lime Pie and Caramelised Pineapple Upside-Down Cake are all on the dessert menu. The venue can host up to 150 for a seated event. something more informal? Feels Like June is ideal for standing receptions with a

capacity of up to 220 and oﬀers canapé packages to make planning a gathering easy. Party bites start at £39 per person with bowl food and taco options also available. how about entertainment? The team at Feels Like June can easily help with event planning, sourcing DJs, live musicians, photo booths and even arranging sip and paint masterclasses. Tropical shirts are optional, but encouraged. how do I get there? Feels Like June is within easy walking distance of Canary Wharf’s stations. The closest stop to the venue is the Jubilee line via its Montgomery Square exit. make that reservation Those inquiring about corporate bookings should email sales.canarywharf@mytribehotel.com while Wharfers seeking to secure a standard reservation can contact hello@feelslikejune.co.uk. key details Feels Like June at Tribe London Canary Wharf is located on Water Street in Wood Wharf. The venue is typically open from 7am until 10pm daily. Go to tribelondon-canarywharf.com for more information

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giving the holidays a splash of Feels Like June is offering Wharfers a set menu with West Coast flavours this Xmas

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Seasonal Celebrations Discover The Gun, packed with history and graced with waterside views – a venue like no other - Page 20 The venue offers a set menu as well as canapé options, bowl food and tacos

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The capacity of The Gun’s covered, heated garden overlooking the Thames – ideal for bigger seasonal parties

how The Gun is getting ready for a snug festive season beside the Thames in Coldharbour

The Gun offers party planners something truly different in a venue that’s long been central to the story of Docklands

by Jon Massey

hristmas is about cosiness and where better to find a snug retreat than at The Gun? Dating back to the early 18th century, the pub has been offering warmth and riverside refuge to east Londoners, local workers and visitors to the area for hundreds of years. It stands proudly on the edge of the Thames, offering open fires, views across the water to Greenwich Peninsula and a wealth of options for those looking to celebrate. The festive season is around two months away, with dates already being snapped up by companies and private parties, so we’ve put this showcase together to spotlight the historic venue’s offerings for 2026.

hosting by the

dine in style This year, The Gun is offering a three-course menu for £67 per person. Starters include Whipped Chicken Liver Parfait, King Prawn Cocktail and Heritage Beetroot Salad, with classic mains such as English Turkey Breast (plus all the trimmings), Treacle-Cured Wild Venison and Wild Mushroom, Spinach And Celeriac Pithivier for mains. Desserts to follow include Chocolate And Coffee Opera Cake, Plum Tart Tatin and, of course, Sticky Toffee Christmas Pudding. Add-ons are available over the course of the meal such as English sparkling wine for £10, a cheese plate for £5 and extra servings of pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and cave-aged cheddar cauliflower cheese for £6 each. indoor spaces The Gun’s historic rooms have welcomed countless guests over the years including former local Lord Nelson, who would pop down from his Manchester Road address for secret continued on Page 22

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Seasonal Celebrations

The Gun offers a multitude of spaces for private hire including left, the Cabin Room (22 seated), above, the Riverside Garden (200 standing) and, right, the main dining room (70 seated). It also boasts an enclosed, heated riverside conservatory for up to 70 standing guests

AG Ditch tradition and have a Cali-Christmas this year SCAN FOR OUR BROCHURE @feels_like_june hello@feelslikejune.co.uk

G/F, 15 Water St, E14 5GX

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Seasonal Celebrations

Maximum number of guests that can enjoy a seated banquet in The River Room at The Gun

from Page 20 assignations with Lady Emma Hamilton upstairs at the pub. Today, the first floor River Room offers commanding views towards The O2 and can be booked for up to 16 guests, seated around a large, central oak table. Downstairs, the pub offers a range of flexible spaces, namely The Dining Room, The Cabin Room, The Red Room and the Riverside Conservatory. Respectively these can take up to 70, 22, 20 and 40 guests seated, with various configurations available. the jewel in the crown Beyond the indoor options is a fully covered and heated Riverside Garden that combines festive decorations with views over the water. The space is ideal for larger parties and can accommodate up to 200 people. Facilities include wooden seating pods and furnishings, lending the space something of an aprés ski feel. they say The Gun’s general manager, Danny Daws, said: “Our covered and heated garden is a real selling point for parties. “Our offering remains about quality, service and personality – these are the cornerstones of what we do.” anything else? Goodness yes. In addition to its festive season offering, The Gun is also open on Christmas Day, with a special menu for £150 per person. Guests can expect the likes of Beetroot-Cured Salmon, Venison Pate En Croute and Somerset Goat’s Curd with English Turkey Breast, Roasted Cornish Monkfish or Winterdale Cheddar Dumplings to follow. Desserts include Dark Chocolate Delice, Vanilla And Coconut Parfait and Baked Alaska. The price includes a glass of English sparkling wine, canapés and petit fours. A children’s menu is also available for £75 per head. but wait, there’s more... The Gun is also taking bookings for New Year’s Eve, offering a three-course set menu for £80 per person. Expect views over the Thames and plenty of atmosphere as London bids 2026 farewell. and finally... The Gun is also available for

The Gun’s Riverside Garden is protected from the elements and packed with cosy features exclusive hire and larger corporate bookings. Please contact the events team by emailing gun.docklands-events@ fullers.co.uk for more information. key details The Gun in Coldharbour is taking festive bookings now. Reservations are available Monday-Saturday including Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve at the riverside pub. Go to thegundocklands.com more information and bookings or call the team on 020 7519 0075 to secure a spot

The River Room looks out over the Thames

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

£15.50

Starting price to see a show in the Fringe Fix programme at Underbelly Boulevard Soho. Discounts for multiple bookings are available

finding

fresh

Ventriloquist David Salter performs in An Evening With Dame Granny Smith

Image by Michelle Pearson

how Fringe Fix delivers the cream of Edinburgh talent to a convenient London stage by Jess Maddison

of the most influential figures in American folk music, Woody Guthrie.

nyone who’s ever been to Edinburgh Fringe festival knows that, no matter how you pick your shows, whether on the app, flicking through the 400-page directory or collecting flyers from performers on the Royal Mile, the choice is huge and often overwhelming. I’ve picked some fantastic shows in my time and I’ve also seen some awful ones. Fortunately, Underbelly Boulevard Soho has done all the running around and hand-picked its favourites for 2026, bringing them down to London for its Fringe Fix programme, available without the five-hour train journey. The shows on its bill, which runs until September 26, are in the venue’s opinion, the boldest, funniest and most talked about performances at in Edinburgh. While there’s plenty to choose from, here are our picks from what’s left on the line-up:

Jill’s Tupperware Party Sept 11, 9.45pm, £18.50 You’re invited to Jill’s Tupperware Party, billed as an interactive comedy horror that blends retro suburban camp with B-movie terror, all sealed in a pastel fantasy. Think Stepford Wives meets Mars Attacks.

● Woody Sez: The Life And Times of Woody Guthrie Until Sept 19, various times, from £16.50 This production explores the story of the man widely regarded as one

● Abandoman: Afterglow Sept 26, 9pm, £19.50 Rob Broderick improvises hip-hop with euphoric dance music put together from audience input. Expect something completely original. key details Fringe Fix is running at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho until September 26. Show times vary and tickets start at £15.50. Wharfers can easily access the venue via the Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road, taking the Dean Street exit. Go to underbellyboulevard.com for more information Scan this code to find out more about Fringe Fix or to book

tried + tested

Penelope - ★★★★✩ After waiting 20 years for Odysseus to return from the Trojan War, Penelope tells her side of the story, accompanied by music. The opening song alone feels worth the ticket price but then Broadway star Grace McLean continues to enthral for the entire show after the heart-rending opening has died away. The real sense of mania, anxiety and helplessness to be waiting for such a long time and the feeling of living a life of which you have so little control over, is so vehemently put across, that you really wouldn’t expect there would be moments of laughter too. This is an absolutely stunning musical and it’s an extraordinary to experience McLean’s vocals in such an intimate setting. Rooting for Penelope the whole way it is, perhaps, a shame, the show sticks to the original story with its ending. An Evening With Dame Granny Smith - ★★★★✩ Acclaimed ventriloquist David Salter, brings the notorious actor, star and apple to life in an exclusive chat show-style interview. Dame Granny Smith reveals secrets of her past – successful roles in Snow White and singing on the head of Carmen Miranda. The skill of Salter is plain to see, whether that is arguing, singing or joking with his fruity companion. There are moments the audience is completely taken in and I’m convinced the apple is both sentient and talking. The show takes a poignant turn I wasn’t quite expecting for a spectacle about a talking apple’s reflection on her glittery and somewhat turbulent past. This is a spectacle that’s well worth catching from a performer with a beautiful voice both singing and talking.

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Pumps are used to take water from the Thames and fill the Isle Of Dogs’ docks

how taking a tour of West India Docks Impounding Station is a rare chance to go behind the scenes in Docklands by Jon Massey

t’s the lid we use to seal off the bottom of the pump and prevent the Thames coming in at high tide,” said Brandon Hamilton, indicating a massive steel plate leaning against one of the walls inside the West India Docks Impounding Station. “We use it because Brandon doesn’t like to go swimming when he’s not wearing his trunks.” While admitting to a preference for taking his dips in Mexican cenotes, we’re not here to talk about Brandon’s aquatic adventures. That’s because he’s one of a small team of people that plays a vital, mostly hidden role in the life of this part of east London. Walking past the docks on the Isle Of Dogs and in Canary Wharf, it’s easy to forget that the waterways don’t simply take care of themselves – that these human-made lakes are anything other than a bucolic feature of Island life. But all that water is constantly trying to escape. It evaporates, it flows to freedom into the Thames when lock gates open and it seeps away over time. As a mechanical and electrical technician at the Canal And River Trust, among many other tasks and challenges, Brandon and his colleagues work tirelessly to maintain the systems that prevent the water level dropping too far. It’s an operation centred on just three machines housed in a low brick building on the western edge of the Isle Of Dogs between Westferry Road and Marsh Wall. The premise is simple. Three Worthington pumps can draw water from the Thames at high tide and top up the docks to the required level. The quantities are staggering. They are capable of filling an Olympic-size swimming pool in about nine minutes. They’re also 97 years old. This is rugged infrastructure that was built to last, designed to serve the needs of thriving docks. Today it supports everything floating in the waterways from Skuna’s hot tubs and St Peter’s Barge at West India Quay to the GoBoats in Canary Wharf, the houseboats in Blackwall Basin, the Docklands Scout Project in South Dock and the Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre further down the Island. “This,” said Brandon, indicating the interior of the West India Docks Impounding Station, “is

This is what I call the heart of Docklands. This place has a hold on me, it’s very close to my heart – I’ve spent a long time working on these machines Brandon Hamilton, Canal And River Trust

what I call the heart of Docklands. When the pumps are running they make this humming sound – it’s harmonious, like a symphony. “This place has a hold on me, it’s very close to my heart – I’ve spent a long time working on these machines.” Having joined the trust after college, Brandon has spent eight years working for the charity, which looks after the Isle Of Dogs waterways and countless others nationwide. He said: “Now, the impounding station is pretty much fully automated. But when I started in 2018 we were still operating the pumps manually. “Because they need to be operated at high tide for around two hours, before automation, that would mean coming down to the station at all hours of the day and night – usually three times a week to maintain the water level. “Several of us were trained to operate them and to do that job, but now it’s automated we don’t need to come down at 3am while everybody else is in bed. “Now they can be operated remotely and we can even see updates and get alerts on our phones if there are any issues. That’s the beauty of mixing the old and new technology. “Of course, we still need to do the maintenance and it’s wonderful to be able to work with these historical artefacts and to help keep them running – the pumps and the hydraulic gates that open and close to let water into the docks. I love it.” Driven by electric motors, the pumps have survived a lot over the years including the blitz, floods and even damage to the station’s roof from Storm Eunice that meant it needed replacing. At some point, the pumps themselves will also need to be renewed, with the trust investigating its options. In the continued on Page 34

protecting the

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

Brandon Hamilton is a mechanical and electrical technician at the Canal And River Trust, part of the charity’s team that looks after the West India Docks Impounding Station, amongst much of its other local infrastructure

The exterior of the impounding station

One of the electric motors that drive the pumps

Antique pressure gauges on the machines

Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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from Page 32 meantime, the inter-war systems will continue to pump water just as they have for most of the past 100 years. Not normally open to the public, the impounding station is set to throw wide its doors on October 9 and 10 for a series of guided tours led by staff from the Canal And River Trust. Visitors can expect to learn about the history of the facility, get close to its singular pumps and discover exactly how the whole set-up works. Brandon, who works across all of the charity’s mechanical and electrical infrastructure on the Island, including its numerous bridges, said: “I love that I get to do these things – each day is different and I get to collaborate with an organisation that really values the water and the things that me and my colleagues do. “I would tell any young person that looking after waterways and canals is a pretty good direction to go in. Being by the water is peaceful and calming, it’s just nice. “Through my role I get the opportunity to support STEM students and to let young people know what my job is like. That’s definitely a blessing. It’s a career I really enjoy. “It brings me real pride to work for a charity that’s so passionate about what it does. “But it’s also the team, getting to work alongside each other to make sure everything’s working and repairing things when we need to. “The trust is doing its utmost to bring people to our canals and rivers – individuals, our neighbours, communities and businesses – and there are real benefits to doing that. “It takes a lot to maintain our waterways and there wouldn’t be so much beauty for people to discover if we didn’t do the work we do. “We love it when people come and visit us to see the kinds of things we’re actually doing behind the scenes.” key details Guided tours of the West India Docks Impounding Station are set to take place on October 9 and 10 with 45-minute time slots from 10am to 3pm. Tickets cost £16.76 for adults and £9.21 for children. For more information go to canalrivertrust.org.uk/events

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A hydraulic gate used to control the flow of water into the docks

Old and new: A water gauge with modern sensor attached for remote control

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

The inlet supplying water from the Thames

The facility’s three Worthington pumps, ready to fill the dock... Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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2 on track

by Joe Thurgood

You can bake your guidelines directly into the booking process. No more awkward conversations about bookings... Joe Thurgood, SWR

I’m formulating a travel policy for employees at my company. What are the benefits of doing this and how can the SWR Business Direct platform help us apply it to journeys made by staff?

Travel policies. They are a must if you want to save money while also increasing productivity. But if we are honest, creating one and actually getting people to follow it is a whole other ball game. Booking out of policy, handing in tired looking receipts or reserving the most expensive tickets, because: “Hey, it’s not my money”, are just some of the scenarios that you are going to face if you don’t have one. These things all use valuable time and resources that could be spent chasing sales and improving productivity. This is where SWR Business Direct can save you time and money. The platform allows you book rail travel across the entire national network and all you pay is the ticket price. ● rules built right into the system You can bake your guidelines directly into the booking process. If your policy says “standard class only” or requires booking advance tickets, the platform can enforce it automatically. No more awkward conversations about bookings. ● track each journey Not only can you track aspects such as carbon footprint and ticket savings, but you can also record the reasons for travel, job numbers and client names. The choice is yours. ● one simple invoice Say goodbye to a mountain of individual expense reports. Everything goes onto centralised billing, meaning less paperwork for staff and total transparency for finance teams. Essentially, it turns your travel policy from a dusty document nobody reads into a seamless, automated system. The team gets an incredibly easy way to book their train journeys and you get total peace of mind that you’re staying on budget.

Joe Thurgood is business sales manager at South Western Railway and works to assist companies with their transport booking needs Scan this code to find out more about SWR Business Direct and the ways it makes booking train travel for staff across the UK easier

Hours it takes to reach Bournemouth from London Waterloo on SWR’s direct service

how a stay at the Royal Bath Hotel is both a budget option and a chance to dip into a drop of Bournemouth’s history by Jon Massey

ravelling for work often comes with conditions and strict budgets. But every location also arrives with opportunity – the chance to discover something new, even if it’s just to dip one’s toe in local culture. Take Bournemouth, for example. Gazing out across Poole Bay, with Swanage and The Needles of the Isle Of Wight visible from its sandy beaches, it sits two hours south of London via South Western Railway’s direct services from Waterloo. Today it’s a place of holidays, study at the university and commerce – especially at the expansive Bournemouth International Centre. While the heart of the town has gone though some modernisation, its pleasure gardens (including a well-stocked aviary), seafront theatre and pier remain symbols of a place that was once the seaside playground of the rich and famous. Which brings me to The Royal Bath Hotel. Today it’s run by the Britannia Hotels chain, meaning prices for a small double room (without windows) start at £75. It’s a budget option when visiting the town, but this sprawling Grade II listed pile oﬀers something none of the other low-priced establishments locally can muster. Firstly, it’s enormous, with a grand cafe feel to its lobby, a massive restaurant and a ballroom with an impressive barrel-vaulted ceiling. It’s all just minutes from the beach, a glorious relic from a time when British seaside tourism boomed. Opened in 1838 on the day of Queen Victoria’s coronation, the hotel’s most prosperous times came under the ownership of Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes. The couple transformed its fortunes, attracting a string of celebrities and even royalty to the town as well as playing an important role in improving its rail connections. Merton met and married Annie while he was working as a travelling salesman, a career that lasted a decade and gave him a solid grounding in what people expected from the places they were staying.

Relocating to Annie’s native Glasgow, the couple purchased the lease of the Hanover Hotel, running it successfully before selling up and acquiring the Royal Bath in a move to the south coast that was partly made with the hope the warmer climate would improve Merton’s health. Between 1876 and 1880 they extended and extensively refurbished it, the foundation of a business that would make them wealthy enough to travel the world. From 1884 they visited Australasia, America, India, the Near East, Egypt, the Pacific Islands and Japan and collected voraciously, filling the Royal Bath’s public and private rooms with treasures. It attracted the likes of the Prince Of Wales (before he became Edward VII), Benjamin Disraeli and the painter Hubert Von Herkomer, as well as Oscar Wilde and his lover Lord Alfred Douglas. Wilde described it as a place that has taken “the greatest beauty and elegance of a palace and filled it with gems of art for the use and benefit of the public at hotel prices”. Eventually the couple’s collections outgrew the hotel and in 1897 they created the eccentric East Cliff Hall next door as both a way to display their artworks and objects and as a luxury home for themselves serviced largely by hotel staff. Sir Merton and Lady Annie, who served as mayor and mayoress of Bournemouth decided to leave their house and collection to the people of the town. Today, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery And Museum showcases those pieces, with much of the house presented as it would have been in its owners’ day. Furniture and ornaments are not kept in cabinets, with visitors free to explore the spaces, warned only to not sit on seats adorned with a dried thistle. The collection is broad – everything from high art to Victorian tourist tat. The couple had a taste for vibrant paintings of cattle and horses as much as they went in for Biblical and classical scenes. The house itself blends architectural styles into something of a fantasy palace with some of the best views over the sea in Bournemouth. It may have been self interest, but Merton was instrumental

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sponsored content

The Royal Bath Hotel offers budget rooms that come with a rich history as evidenced by its grand cafe and ballroom, below Below left, Bournemouth railway station’s current location was engineered by the hotel’s former owner

visit Westbourne

>> Head up the hill from the town centre of Bournemouth and you’ll find this pleasant, up-market area centred around a Victorian arcade that’s packed with shops selling curiosities and books. Our top tip is to stop off at Coya By Nicholas James, a wine and cocktail bar offering pleasantly constructed small plates. Recently opened, the interior features vibrant posters in frames, zinc-topped high tables and leather banquettes. We try a succession of dishes for £10 each including crispy Tempura Prawns with a sticky chilli jam, an earthy Spiced Houmus with roasted vegetables and toothsome Salt And Pepper Squid with ponzu dipping sauce. It’s all solid stuff and ideal for taking the edge off a pair of classic Margaritas – two for £15 all day, every day. Once sated, follow the trail celebrating former resident Robert Louis Stevenson and his adventurous fiction down to the sea where the Alum Beach Hut provides views over the water and plenty of well-appointed refreshments to tourists and locals alike. It’s worth booking ahead in nice weather. Go to coyabynicholasjames.co.uk and alumbeachhut.com

Coya

a place to

in bringing the railway into the town. Today that decision simply means easier access to the pleasures of its seafront, not least those found in his former home. ● The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery And Museum is located at East Cliﬀ Promenade and is open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays from 10am-5pm. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £6 for children aged 5-17. Go to russellcotes.com for more information key details SWR Business Direct is free to use and allows companies to book, plan and manage business travel across the whole of Britain. There are no hidden fees or charges and no booking fees on tickets purchased via the service. You can ﬁnd full details of the platform on SWR’s website. For more information go to southwesternrailway.com

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery And Mueseum, above and left, features incredible interiors funded by the success of its owners in running the Royal Bath

Scan this code to find out more about SWR Business Direct

Tempura Prawns

Alum Beach Hut

dine

Key West Restaurant >> No trip to Bournemouth would be complete without striding out onto its squat, muscular pier. With waves crashing all around, stroll its full length to Key West Restaurant for breakfast overlooking the sea, all served under the unexpected calm of the venue’s breathtaking glitter ball. The place does a decent Full English for £15.95, a premium price but well worth it for the view. The service is slick and the flavours nostalgic. It’s the kind of place where, if you hang around until evening, you might just catch Elvis on stage. After dining, consider indulging in a zip line back to the beach. It’s the quickest way to return to the sandy comforts of the shore. Go to keywestbournemouth.co.uk for more information

Images by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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Sessions over three days – London Oktoberfest is set to welcome revellers from October 1-3 in Finsbury Park

London Oktoberfest features beer from Bavarian Fest Brewery

The event includes live music with plenty of audience participation

Our focus is always to create a friendly atmosphere in the tent, which this year will be decorated to give a feeling of being in the Bavarian mountains Carsten Raun, London Oktoberfest

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out of office

having started on the Isle Of Dogs in 2011, London Oktoberfest is gearing up for its next bash by Jon Massey what’s the history here? Back in 2011, London Oktoberfest staged its first event in the UK in Millwall Park, aiming to bring a flavour of the famed German celebrations to the capital. Over the years, it has become an annual fixture in the city’s calendar, having hosted parties in the likes of Ealing, Moorgate and Turnpike Lane. This year, London Oktoberfest is returning to Finsbury Park following a successful event in 2025. who’s behind it? The irrepressible Carsten Raun has been organising the events since the very beginning and said he was delighted to once again be

The tents will be popping up in Finsbury Park

Corporate packages are available for the event

bringing the

bringing the beer, bratwurst and music to the capital. He said: “Our tent can welcome up to 2,000 people – inside you’ll ﬁnd a giant bar, a stage with live music and entertainment plus many rows of tables and benches.

“You can choose to sit with your group or with others and, hopefully, by the end of the event you’ll have made new friends. “Our focus is always to create a wonderful, friendly atmosphere in the tent, which this year will be decorated to give a feeling of being in the Bavarian mountains. “Our staff will be wearing traditional dress, which adds to the fun. I think the appeal is that both the British and the Germans enjoy beer and having a good time – that’s exactly what London Oktoberfest is about. “The event is attractive to all kinds of different people. On the first night, especially, we have companies attending with their guests. There’s a feel of networking as well as the celebration. “The thing I enjoy most about it is that we’re bringing some-

thing positive – an event those attending can really enjoy. “I love it when people come dressed up. It’s great fun to think of the Tube filled with lederhosen and dirndls, which is, of course, not normal in London. “We have traditions, we’re still partnered with the same brewery that was supplying us from 2011 and we serve bratwurst, brezel and schnitzel, because these foods sit perfectly alongside that. “While the dance floor is often empty at the start of the session, it’s always full by the end, which is a very interesting development.” what sessions are on offer? There are evening sessions from 5pm-11pm on October 1 and 2. On the Saturday there are two slots from 11am-4pm and 5.30pm-11pm. “My favourite session is actually the Saturday afternoon, which is designed for people who are coming from further away,” said Carsten. “The mood is a little different and, for me, it’s the best.” how much does it cost? Entry to the event starts at £10. Visitors can choose the Bavarian Ticket from £35, which includes a mass of Festbeer, a bratwurst roll with sauerkraut and a shot of Underberg. Various VIP options are also available starting at £55 per head which include reserved seating, table service, drinks and food. Corporate guests can also choose to add on Tyrolean clothing for those keen to rock the lederhosen or a dirndl. how do I get there? London Oktoberfest is a short walk from Finsbury Park station, which is served by the Victoria and Piccadilly lines as well as national rail trains. The station is also on a multitude of bus routes. From Canary Wharf, the easiest journey is to take the Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Street, cut through the underpass to Moorgate and catch a direct train to Finsbury Park. key details London Oktoberfest is set to take place at Finsbury Park is set to take place from October 1-3. Tickets start at £10. Go to london-oktoberfest.co.uk

Scan this code to find out more about London Oktoberfeest

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Limehouse - Wapping - Whitechapel - Tower Hill

£13.75

Cost of a ticket to see Oscar Browne live on stage at The George Tavern

Oscar is likely to be performing songs from his new EP, I Was In A Mood

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Three Colt Gallery Limehouse

ART | Limehouse Views Local artist Ed Bucknall is set for a solo show featuring a wide range of works inspired by east London and the Thames. Paintings are available to purchase Until Sept 27, 10am-6pm, free, @edjbucknall Where? Troxy Limehouse

GIG | The Lemonheads Evan Dando brings his storied, ever-changing Boston band to east London promising pinprick sharp, barbed commentary, as ever. Oct 2, 7pm, from £45.75, troxy.co.uk Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

delivering the

Image by Yuri Shibuichi

FILM | The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari (1920) Only a few tickets remain for this presentation of the German expressionist classic complete with a live piano score from Tom Marlow. Move fast... Oct 6, 7pm, from £15, wiltons.org.uk

aquatic visit

how Oscar Browne is all set to perform his latest solo material at The George Tavern in Whitechapel in October by Jon Massey

inger songwriter Oscar Browne is set to perform at The George Tavern following the release of his latest EP later this month. The artist has a long association with the Whitechapel venue and is set to bring his riﬀ-driven, folk-accented music to its stage on October 3. Having played guitar with the likes of Wunderhorse and Modern Woman, Oscar’s star is on the

rise with his single Any Day Now attracting attention from the likes of Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6 Music. An EP, I Was In A Mood, is expected on September 18, with ﬁve tracks that will doubtless be getting an airing at The George. Audiences can expect plenty of twang and punch with Oscar perhaps bringing his cream Telecaster along for the gig. Booking is likely to be competitive for this one, so get in early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available via dice.fm.

key details Oscar Browne is set to play The George Tavern in Whitechapel’s Commercial Road on October 3. The gig starts at 7.30pm, with an as yet unconﬁrmed support act. Tickets costing £13.75. Go to thegeorgetavern.london more information

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Half Moon Theatre in Limehouse is set to host Eshu At The Crossroads on September 19, a show for kids aged 5+ inspired by Yoruba culture, mythology and storytelling. Tickets for shows at 11am and 2pm cost £9 halfmoon.org.uk Scan this code to find out more about the show or to book tickets to see a performance want more? @wharfwhispers

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how the University Of Sunderland In London’s MNurse (Adult) course offers graduates a path into healthcare jobs

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see

GIG | Silen Jimm + Hannah Morris The latest Hot Vox bill combines a “funky acoustic duo” playing alt rock and an 18-year-old singer songwriter performing her own indie folk. Sept 20, 7pm, £12 (plus fees), theatreship.co.uk Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Kate Kelly This rehearsed staging (script in hand) is a chance to catch a play dealing with fascism and resistance on the streets of east London in the 1930s. Oct 1-4, times vary, £16, space.org.uk Where? Poplar Union Poplar

TRY | Acting Workshop Join Further Than The Edge Productions for a threehour session using scenes from The Tale Of Morphea to explore the craft. Suitable for adults of all levels. Sept 26, 1pm-4pm, from £7, poplarunion.com

try it

A recent arrival on the Isle Of Dogs, La Vista bar, cafe and restaurant is serving up some seriously tempting Italian dishes at Skylines Village just off Marsh Wall. While the cocktails are best skipped, there’s serious cooking here.. lavistaonline.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about the bar, cafe and restaurant or to make a booking want more? @wharfwhispers

Image supplied by the University Of Sunderland In London

Where? Theatreship Isle Of Dogs

by Jon Massey

he University Of Sunderland In London has opened applications for its MNurse (Adult) programme, set to start in January next year. The masters level course runs over two years, with those graduating obtaining the necessary ualifications to become a registered nurse with the Nursing And Midwifery Council. It’s a pathway that can lead to careers in the NHS, the military, primary care, private healthcare, nursing homes, the prison service and more. “The landscape in UK healthcare is changing, as it is across the world,” said Alwin Puthenpurakal, the university’s associate head of pre and post registration nursing and public health. “A lot of people are thinking about diversifying their skill set – everyone’s talking about AI replacing jobs. Globally, the birthrate is low and the population is ageing. Japan has the oldest, Italy is second and the UK is catching up. “As a society, we need people to care for those who are living longer, especially when they’re carrying the burden of ill health and living with conditions such as heart disease and lung disease. “You need humans to do these jobs and that’s where this course comes into play – it provides skills of immense value to the healthcare sector.” Applicants for the programme need to have completed an undergraduate degree in any field and to have 600 hours of healthcare experience. “This is a regulated programme for graduates who want to embark on a career as a registered nurse, perhaps who want to change the sector they work in,” said Alwin. “We welcome people from all fields what’s most important is dedication. Nursing, as a profession is human-centric. “What makes a student suitable for this programme is that they can demonstrate the ability to study at the right level, but also that they have the lived experience of understanding the needs of a patient. “Each of our modules over the two years has three elements – there’s the theory and then clinical placements, so students can apply what they have learnt. Then there’s the opportunity to re ect on their experiences. “We have lots of facilities at the university where we emulate what students will see in clinical practice. These facilities are about allowing

The University Of Sunderland In London’s Isle Of Dogs campus includes a simulation ward to help students acquire skills in a safe environment

My mum was a nurse, now retired, and she was an inspiration. I learnt dedication and diligence from her when I was growing up Alwin Puthenpurakal, UOSiL

people to make mistakes in a controlled environment where they have support and can learn from them. “Simulation practice is a very valuable tool and part of how we give people the theoretical and practical knowledge they need to succeed.” Alwin himself has an extensive background in both practical and academic healthcare. “My mum was a nurse, now retired, and she was an inspiration,” he said. “I learnt dedication and diligence from her when I was growing up – care and compassion for her were the most important things. She was a workaholic and I’m the same, I love what I do. er dedication sacriﬁcing Christmas dinner to work in a care home really rubbed oﬀ on me. f I manage to achieve a tiny part of what she did during her career in Manchester, then that will make it all worthwhile.” After training, Alwin worked as an intensive care nurse in the NHS before embarking on a career in education, initially as a lecturer for London South Bank University and then in various roles for institutions including the University Of Greenwich and UEL. He said: “There’s something special about the University Of Sunderland

In London. Having researched its aims and history, I saw that it was an institution I wanted to be a part of. “I’ve always had a love for learning and knowledge and I like helping others develop and build their skills. Whether in clinical practice or in education, my career has always been about supporting people. Now my focus is on our students. “With the MNurse course, the skills you learn can be applied in all walks of life. Society keeps changing, but what makes us human is being kind to each other. “Nursing has always provided that foundation for me to connect with other people, even in their direst need. It helps you to value life, individuals and it helps you fundamentally to value relationships. Now, I and my colleagues are stewards for the next generation going forward. With this ualiﬁcation, the world is your oyster. So, if you are interested in becoming a nurse, then come and speak to us – we can help you understand whether its the right path for you. We also encourage people to speak to our alumni about their experience of the healthcare sector, our courses and how they’ve been able to give back to society.” key details Applications are now open for the University Of Sunderland In London for the MNurse (Adult) course that’s set to start in January next year. You can ﬁnd full details online or discover more at the institution’s open days on September 12 and November 26 at the Harbour Exchange campus. Go to london.sunderland.ac.uk

Scan this code to find out more about the MNurse (Adult) course

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall - Leamouth

Years of study are required to complete the university’s MNurse (Adult) course with half the time spent on clinical practice placements Alwin Puthenpurakal is associate head of pre and post registration nursing and public health at the University Of Sunderland In London

the power of

Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

£10.95

The cost of a portion of Beef Plov at Plov in Canada Water

Beef Plove is a rich, satisfying dish with fragrant, flavourful rice

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The Pen Theatre South Bermondsey

COMEDY | I Take Requests Comedian Amelia Bayer – best newcomer at the Scottish Comedy Awards – is set to bring her latest work in progress to London. Expect a few songs... Oct 8, 7.30pm, £10.46, thepentheatre.com Where? Badger Badger Deptford

EVENT | Free Gaming Social Expert games staff will be on hand to guide you through an evening of play. Walk-ins are accepted but booking ahead is better to avoid disappointment. Sept 29, 6.30pm-11pm, free, badgerbadger.org Where? The Albany Deptford

Plov is located outside Surrey Quays Shopping Centre in Canada Water

serving up

COMEDY | Kool Story Bro Kiell Smith-Bynoe brings the improv show to The Albany for a one-off recorded special. Expect a surprise celebrity guest (not Cher) and some laughs... Sept 30, 7pm, £20.50, thealbany.org.uk

how Plov in Canada Water proves Uzbek cuisine is due its London moment thanks to deep flavour and a dash of charm by Jon Massey

he capital is always on the lookout for new and tasty bites from overseas. Greek cuisine looked like its star might be rising for a moment, but enthusiasm seems to have cooled. Perhaps Uzbek food will rise up to fill that gap. I knew nothing about Plov, a street food vendor working out of an Airstream parked outside Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. But the gent behind the counter was engaging and friendly, so I decided to order. A chunky box of Beef Plov arrived for the bargain price of £10.95, a

generous serving of tender beef cooked with carrots, spices and swede – all soft, warming and packed with flavour. The national dish of Uzbekistan, this layered, comforting stew is often cooked at weddings and celebrations as a sign of hospitality. Those visiting south-east London should count themselves fortunate to be able to enjoy such a feast for a competitive price. Sure, it might be served up overlooking the centre’s Scan this code to find out more about Plov and its food

car park, but Plov has made such an effort to pretty things up with plants and flowers in pots, it would be churlish to criticise. And the complex, interesting dish that gives the business its name is a triumph on the tongue. Sure, the naked tomato and cucumber salad could be trying a wee bit harder, but all in all this is good value food that’s worth a trip to Canada Water for in-depth sampling. ★★★★✩ key details Plov is located outside Surrey Quays Shopping Centre in Canada Water. Check social media for full details. Follow @plov.uk for more information

making connections

You’ll need to be quick, but Pitch-A-Friend, an evening for singles where people big up their single mates in a bid to get them a date, is set to take place on September 16 at 7.30pm. Free to attend for love hunters. Pitching costs £8 pitch-a-friend.com Scan this code for more about the event, which is set to take place at Corner Corner in Canada Water want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Main categories, plus two special prizes will be awarded to photographers who have entered the competition

capturing the

Moody Partial Solar Eclipse by James McBeath, shortlisted in the Our Sun category

Gum 37: The Southern Tadpoles (or Teapot Nebula) by Ani Shastry, shortlisted in the Stars And Nebulae category

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

The Crimson Vortex and Sapphire Blossoms of Andromeda by Chuhong Yu and Zuoming Wang, shortlisted in the Galaxies category

how the Astronomy Photographer Of The Year Award offers museum visitors a chance to see the cosmos by Jon Massey

t’s nearly time for the best images of the known universe taken globally over the last year to be recognised. This month judges will decide which of the shortlisted shots are the winners across 12 categories in the Astronomy Photography Of The Year competition. Sponsored by photographic equipment and tech firm ZWO and in association with BBC Sky At Night Magazine, the contest is run annually by the Royal Observatory Greenwich. For the 2026 edition, nearly 4,000 entries were submitted from both amateur and professional photographers based in 66 countries worldwide. Having unveiled the shortlist earlier this year, the judges will reveal the winners on September 17, with their images then available to view via a special exhibition at the National Maritime Museum. Some of the shortlisted images will also be on show and an official book featuring all the works will be available exclusively in the gift shop from October 2 as the competition marks its 18th year. In addition to picking an overall winner, the contest

offers prizes in categories such as Our Moon, People And Space, Galaxies and Aurorae. The main prize is for £10,000, while category winners get £1,500 or £750 for the two special prizes. “We are honoured to support the competition – a celebration of those who turn their eyes to the night sky and share its beauty with the world,” said ZWO founder and CEO, Sam Wen. “At ZWO, we believe astrophotography is not only a means of recording the cosmos, but also a way to inspire curiosity, nurture learning and bring people together through a shared sense of wonder.” key details The ZWO Astronomy Photographer Of The Year exhibition is open at the National Maritime Museum on September 18. Tickets for the show, which is open daily from 10am-5pm, cost £12 for adults and £6 for kids. Booking ahead is advised to avoid disappointment Go to rmg.co.uk for more information Scan this code to find out more about the exhibition

Aurora Over Causey Reservoir by Samuel Morse, shortlisted in the Aurorae category

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The O2 Peninsula

GIG | Karan Aujla Featuring support from Ikky, the Punjabi performer brings his latest tour to the tent. Expect tracks from his 2025 double album P-Pop Culture. Oct 4, 6pm, from £79, theo2,co.uk Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

STAGE | The Makings Of A Murderer Join Peter Bleksley, a founder member of Scotland Yard’s undercover unit, to reveal the hidden aspects of murder investigations in the real world. Sept 28, 7.30pm, £33.50, greenwichtheatre.org.uk Where? Greenwich Peninsula Greenwich

EVENT | Women’s Empowerment Circle Join The Photography Foundation for an event that’s all about rebuilding women’s energy and confidence so they can rediscover their creativity. Oct 8, 6.30pm, from £10, greenwichpeninsula.co.uk

pouring soon

The Woolwich Works Big Beer Festival is set to fill the south-east London venue with brews, food, entertainment and good cheer on September 19. Standard tickets cost £14 for the event running noon-11pm woolwich.works

Images supplied by Royal Museums Greenwich

Scan this code to find full details of the event, including how to enter its pub quiz and book tastings want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

4.5

Tonnes the Frederick Kitchen weighs following its restoration, a load now supported by The Boat House

how The Boat House is supported on a carefully designed framework and the toil of enthusiastic volunteers by Jon Massey

think The Boat House is probably the best thing I’ve done – of all the things I’ve worked on, this project has been the most complete process,” said Nick Runeckles, founder and director of Nicholas Alexander. “I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to see it through from concept to being on site and sweeping up after the installation. “I’ve done every bit with my team, all two of us, plus a couple of part-time staff. sually in the built environment, design is kept quite separate from fabrication, but I’ve never seen it like that. “For me, they are two sides of the same coin – making the structure informs the design. You can’t really say you’ve finished designing something until you’ve figured out how it works in practice.” Nick won the contract from Cody Dock on the banks of the River Lea to come up with a way of using a restored, historic former Welsh lifeboat built on the Thames as the roof of a heritage pavilion, then turn it into a reality. Already familiar with the ecological regeneration project near Canning Town, he’d previously worked with niversity Of Westminster architecture students to create The Growing Space on site – an angular building for horticultural propagation and workshops made from ouglas fir. The Boat House project, however, presented a new kind of challenge for Nicholas Alexander, a business known for its creative construction pro ects. Over more than 25 years, Nick has produced everything from a giant statue of eff Goldblum to machines that blend whisky on demand or serve expertly mixed cocktails, not to mention sensory experiences to showcase Tesco’s Devour range. At Cody Dock, though, the task was to create a frame capable of supporting the 4.5-tonne Frederick Kitchen to form a glazed, multi-functional space for exhibitions and events that sensitively placed the boat in the environment without blocking the view of the Lea. “We put this opportunity out to tender and selected Nicolas Alexander because of Nick’s unique combination of experience and ability, said Simon Myers, EO and co-founder of the Gasworks Dock Partnership, which has been

transforming Cody Dock from an industrial wasteland into a functional community space for the last 16 years. “Bringing together design, fabrication and installation is very rare and this was a company that was happy to set ego aside, really consider the materials used and deliver a structure to our brief that does everything we want it to.” Funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s support for Cody Dock’s wider Lighting Up The Lea project, Nick worked alongside the team restoring the Frederick Kitchen to realise The Boat House. The first thing we did was to scan the boat so I could have something to work with digitally,” he said. “With a vessel like this you can’t just measure it up because there are no straight lines, no reference points. “I needed to understand the process of construction and that, for me, means drawing it first and then working with materials. “The central idea was that the Frederick Kitchen was a really beautiful working boat, so what we needed was to create a structure to support it physically, but also to re ect that. “The space we’ve created underneath it is both literally and figuratively the working envelope that the vessel offered to people on board when it was sailing. One of the challenges for us was that the Frederick Kitchen’s construction is actually pretty modern, it’s a very lightweight design for its size that uses cross diagonal planking in mahogany. “It doesn’t have heavy ribs so there wasn’t a lot of structure to work with and we’ve had to create a frame that distributes the weight as evenly as we can. We divided it into seven sections to split up the load. “The most scary part of the whole process was the pinch point, the day of the crane when we had to move the boat 100 metres and connect it to the frame on a windy day. “There was a big responsibility to Simon’s team, everyone who’d worked on the boat and the stakeholders – it was that moment that was responsible for delivering what Cody Dock had said it was going to use the funding for. I’d allowed maybe two millimetres of clearance so it was a very small target for a very big boat. “But one of the things we’d done through the whole project was

the structure

The Boat House in its completed form at Cody Dock, a project that more than 100 volunteers contributed to Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

The space is already welcoming visitors

Image by Szilard Orban

Image by Simon Myers

Welding the steel frame to support the boat Image by Nicholas Alexander

Image by Madeline Griffin

The pavilion will be central to Lighting Up The Lea

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Royal Docks - Canning Town

The Boat House’s doors by Bethan Maddocks Image by Madeline Griffin

The frame is installed

Image by Nicholas Alexander

Nick Runeckles at work on the project Image by Nicholas Alexander

Preparing to lift

Image by Nicholas Alexander

work together. I’d shown them the drawings and asked what they thought. One of the things we decided was to mount the boat on single pivot brackets to allow the whole thing to move – the polyurethane bushes enable it so shift as the wood swells and contracts. “The core of this project was to deliver a space that really works for Cody Dock and I think we’ve achieved that. The building has to have a good relationship with the boat to allow passive ventilation to keep the timbers in good condition, but it also has to function as an exhibition space. We also have fold-down seating for events, workshops and talks. I think we’ve hit that brief.” ow finished, The Boat ouse is set to be the centrepiece of Cody Dock’s forthcoming Lighting Up The Lea festival on September 19. The free community event will include the unveiling of Remiiya Badru’s Common Threads, a year-long art project inspired by the local history of calico and Prussian Blue, some of which will be displayed in The Boat House. Intended as a structure that will bring people together by showcasing local history and creativity, it’s apt that so many will have played a part in its construction. In addition to the team restoring the Frederick Kitchen, Cody ock’s staff and ick’s operation, more than 100 volunteers excavated the land for the pavilion’s foundation. “We decided it would be too disruptive to bring a digger onto the site, so Cody Dock enlisted teams of volunteers to dig it out by hand,” said Nick. “With lots of people these things really are doable. It’s amazing what can be achieved. “It’s also been important to include the history in what we’ve created. The castings we needed, for example, have been done by ames oyle And Sons, an offshoot back in time from the Thames Ironworks which originally built the Frederick Kitchen.” Another local link are the metal doors to The Boat House. Artist Bethan Maddocks – known for her intricate paper cut-outs – was commissioned to make a work inspired by the wildlife found along the River Lea and at Cody ock, with the final design rendered in steel. Elements like this, even the fact that the boat drains rainwater into a specially installed pond for plants and creatures to thrive in, are testament to the level of detail, thought and care taken with the pavilion’s creation. “It’s a real privilege to be a part of something like this,” said Nick. “I’ve probably done more drawings for this project than any other, but it’s di cult to see on a computer screen just how beautiful

The core of this project was to deliver a space that really works for Cody Dock and I think we’ve built something really good together

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The Tate Institute Silvertown

Nick Runeckles, Nicholas Alexander

an object that boat is – kudos to Tom Myers and his team for all their work over the two years that has resulted in making it so. “I’m often working with brands on marketing campaigns, so it means something to have my name associated with this. My family came to the opening, which was really nice and I’d like to express my eternal gratitude to Simon and everyone at Cody Dock. “I feel we’ve built something really good together and that’s the best reward of all.” Projects like this don’t come about by chance. The Gasworks Dock Partnership has taken what was once an industrial dumping ground, polluted with all sorts of foulness and has turned Cody Dock into an increasingly vital community asset. With its rolling bridge, visitors centre, growing space, cafe and bar in place, the momentum is there and recognition should go to those with the foresight and imagination to fund such projects, not least the National Lottery. Stuart McLeod, director, England – London And South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support the creation of The Boat House at Cody Dock, an inspiring project that brings together heritage and community. “Thanks to National Lottery players, the remarkable story of the Frederick Kitchen and the wider history of the River Lea will be preserved and shared in an engaging and meaningful way. This new space oﬀers people the opportunity to connect with Newham’s industrial and maritime heritage, ensuring it is valued, understood and enjoyed for generations to come.” key details Cody Dock’s Lighting Up The Lea festival is set to take place on Saturday, September 19 from 11am-6pm and is free to attend. Go to codydock.org.uk for more information

Scan this code to find out more about Lighting Up The Lea

GIG | London Ragas Pandit Debasis Chakroborty and Ustad Akram Khan are set to perform an evening of Indian classical music, inviting audiences to pause and listen. Sept 26, 5.45pm, £25, kalasudha.com Where? Excel London Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Drone X This event is for those working with, selling, designing and showcasing uncrewed aerial vehicles of all kinds in all kinds of sectors. Sept 29-30, 10am-4pm, registration, excel.london Where? Brick Lane Music Hall Silvertown

STAGE | The Pleasures Of Fanny This mischievous musical murder mystery promises audiences the chance to decide whodunnit. More Agatha Frisky than puritanical Poirot. Oct 2-6, times vary, from £45, bricklanemusichall.co.uk

flash back

The Garnet Studio offers Reformer Pilates, HIIT workouts, Yoga and more from its base in Canning Town. Open daily, the business has pay-as-you-go options as well as membership packages. Find out more online thegarnetpilates.com Scan this code to read our interview with The Garnet’s owners, Zee Filho and Julio Nadalini at wharf-life.com want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

free

Entry to V&A East Museum’s Thursday lates is free, with some exhibitions ticketed

how evening access to V&A East Museum offers a fresh perspective on its spaces and the objects within by Jon Massey

to explore

ew would argue that the V&A East Museum fails to embrace the radical creativity of the artists and makers who have created the objects, costumes and artworks that fill its crisply drawn, angular levels. At opening it promised to throw wide its doors and welcome the community in, a mission with its totemic special exhibition The Music Is Black: A British Story on the tip of its spear point. Over the summer, this show has served as the inspiration for East Bank’s The Music Is Black Festival, which has seen audiences flock to Stratford for free performances in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and to witness vibrant dance at Sadler’s Wells East. But these are not the only tools of outreach. On Thursdays in September, the museum is opening its doors until 10pm for people to explore its galleries and exhibitions. The evenings also feature a pop-up bar from cafe Jenki and a series of DJ sets in its Upperground space on the venue’s first floor. Forthcoming performances include Zakia on September

10 (so you’ll need to be quick), known for blending house and afrobeats on BBC Radio 6 Music. Then, on September 17, multi-disciplinary artist, Demae, will take over the space for a night of jazz-infused soul. Rounding out the month, AG, a BBC Introducing partner artist, is set to perform on September 24, with a set that weaves grime, garage, drill, r’n’b and hip hop together. Those attending can expect an accompaniment of cocktails, craft beers, soft drinks and snacks from the bar. key details Thursday night late openings at V&A East Museum are set to run until September 24. The venue’s permanent galleries, cafe and pop-up bar will be open until 10pm with DJ sets on the first floor from 6pm-9.30pm. The Music Is Black: A British Story special exhibition is also available to view with tickets starting at £20. Go to vam.ac.uk for more information Scan this code to find out more about the museum

Cocktails from Cafe Jikoni

Upperground becomes a dance floor during the late evening openings Image by Ella Mitchell for b2b

Image by Rahil Ahmad

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Stratford - Mile End - Bow - Hackney Wick

Three more DJs are

what’s on

set to perform

things to do, places to go, people to see

in September

Where? Sadler’s Wells East Stratford

DANCE | Blue / Glas The National Dance Company Of Wales present this double bill of Theo Clinkard’s Ordinary Courage and a new work, Untamed, by Alesandra Seutin. Sept 24-26, 7.30pm, from £19, sadlerswells.com Where? The Yard Theatre Hackney Wick

STAGE | For Coloured Girls Who Have... ...Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf promises stories of love, violence, joy and survival in a new staging of this 50-year-old choreopoem. Until Oct 17, times vary, from £12.50, theyardtheatre.co.uk Where? Cart And Horses Stratford

Image by Yasmin Huseyin for b2b

Visitors can dance the night away or explore the displays

GIG | Stoned Statues Riding high off third studio album Nothing Is Ever Over, the Finnish alt-metallers are joined by House Of Dirt, Earthbound and It’s All About Mary on the bill. Oct 1, 7pm, £13.44, cartandhorses.london

diary dates

Bloodsport: After Helen Of Troy is set to offer a fresh take on Greek mythology at Stratford East as it examines the impact of one woman’s decision to leave her life for pastures new. Runs until October 10, tickets from £17.50 stratfordeast.com

Image by Yasmin Huseyin for b2b

Scan this code to read our preview of the production, which features Michelle Dockery and Laura Aikman want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Crossword - Sudoku

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone How to play To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. More to play You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca last issue’s solution Aug 26-Sept 9

Notes

crossword beating the

Cryptic

Notes

Skilled young explorer is well liked 8 . ole for when you’re separated 5 . Angler’s indicator does not sink 5. Sponsoring MPs surround a seat 1 . onfused story is changed by socialism at the end 7 7. s this double trickery 8. ecent carton is redesigned and made stronger 1 1 . ndeﬁnite article precedes a good outcome 1,7 1 . Sailor with infection surrounded by broken arch 7 1 . Astonished by building feature ringing, we hear 18. isturbed olfactory organ is a hanging matter 5 1 . Goes out at the beach

1. n addition 3. Original S state 8 . Travel permits 7 10. Exercise 5 11. Wearing glasses 1 13. esiring food 15. Scattered 17. orebodings 1 0. oncerning 5 1. Wearing away 7 . arious 8 3. Blyton, author

Down

1. German motorway 8 . ootwear 5 . Artiﬁcial 5. Expectation 1 . nprofessional 7 7. olcano 8. Autocue 1 1 . Texted 8 1 . Anxious 7 1 . Addition 18. egetable 5 1 . nfo Set by Everden

Quick Solution

Lady loses her head to the ﬁrst man 3. Plank on a ship’s left side 8 . am or cheese on a winning streak ,1, 10. pset about a dissection 3, 11. Bedrooms come before vestibules 1 13. Single rench talian lake leaves a gap 15. A poem’s positive points 17. eroic obert Peston broadcasts on two channels 1 0. f the beer is shaken, put a cap on it 5 1. Wear stripes in a pub it’s the rule 7 . aven’t a clue about a shed Put in order 8 3. Where owers sleep

Across: 1 Also; 3 Delaware; 9 Tickets; 10 Train; 11 Bespectacled; 13 Hungry; 15 Sparse; 17 Premonitions; 20 About; 21 Eroding; 22 Assorted; 23 Enid. Down: 1 Autobahn; 2 Socks; 4 Ersatz; 5 Anticipation; 6 Amateur; 7 Etna; 8 Teleprompter; 12 Messaged; 14 Nervous; 16 Annexe; 18 Onion; 19 Data.

Across

Cryptic Solution

Down

Quick

Across: 1 Adam; 3 Larboard; 9 On A Roll; 10 Cut Up; 11 Antechambers; 13 Lacuna; 15 Anodes; 17 Stereophonic; 20 Beret; 21 Barcode; 22 Schedule; 23 Beds. Down: 1 Adorable; 2 Apart; 4 Afloat; 5 Backbenchers; 6 Altered; 7 Dupe; 8 Concentrated; 12 A Success; 14 Catarrh; 16 Corbel; 18 Noose; 19 Ebbs.

Across

whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy

Sept 9-23, 2026 wharf-life.com

Training

for life

SPECIAL COVER

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THE WHARF

H Y R O X | P E R F O R M A N C E T R A I N I N G | R E C O V E R Y | R E F O R M E R P I L AT E S

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SPECIAL COVER

THE WHARF

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