Your local news magazine for Roman Road, Bow

Roman Road LDN is a community newspaper for Bow, Tower Hamlets, East London. We cover news, culture and what's on in Bow, Mile End, Globe Town, Hackney Wick and Fish Island.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to be the first to know about the latest local news and events from Tower Hamlets and read stories about social activism and the rich culture and heritage of our local neighbourhood, from East End Cockneys, East London Suffragettes, and Bow Grime music.

Discover the best-kept secrets about your neighbourhood including things to do, places to visit, new shops, restaurants, bars and coffee places, and the top attractions in Bow, Mile End, Globe Town, and Victoria Park.

Roman Road’s famous Roman Road Market in Bow operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from about 9 am to 3 pm.

Local democracy

Rachel Keeling Nursery
LocalLocal democracyNews

Globe Primary School and Rachel Keeling Nursery set to merge into one

Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

Two schools in Globe Town are set to merge from 1 September this year amid ‘declining birth rates’ and ‘financial

Chihuahua wearing a pink coat at Victoria Park Dog Show, East London
LocalLocal democracyNews

Council approves tougher rules on Tower Hamlets dog owners in bid to tackle attacks

Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter
Coniston House.
EnvironmentLocalNews

East End Homes separates from construction partner in the wake of disastrous roof extension works

Sophie Howarth
Bulldog at Victoria Park Dog Show, East London
LocalLocal democracyNews

Council set to approve tougher rules on Tower Hamlets dog owners following consultation results

BBC Local Democracy Reporter
A CGI drawing of the new block of flats that will be replacing Clare House
LocalLocal democracyNews

Plans submitted to demolish vacant Bow tower block to make way for 145 new homes

Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter
Three men play cricket. In the centre of the image, a man is mid-strike as he hits the ball that's just been thrown to him.
LocalLocal democracyNews

After 15 long years, Tower Hamlets Cricket Club finally gets its long-awaited home pitch in Victoria Park

Lewis Callery

Culture

In a red-lit bar, with a pineapple in the foreground and a wall of alcohol bottles on shelves, a man with long brown curly hair is pouring a cocktail out of a metal cup into a tall glass.
CultureLife and livingLocal

The Bourbon’s Dominic Gibson, on bringing a slice of Americana to the Roman Road

David Bard

The Bourbon diner has quietly become a favourite haunt for burger lovers, cheesesteak aficionados and whiskey (that’s with an ‘e’)

Tower Hamlets cricket captain Shahidul Alam Ratan sits in his office, surrounded by photos of him with the team.
CultureLife and livingLocal

‘It’s cricket, cricket, cricket’: Alam Ratan on bringing ‘the gentleman’s game’ to Tower Hamlets’ children

Lewis Callery
A young girl holds up boxing gloves, ready to land a punch, while Valerian Spicer smiles in the background.
CultureLife and livingLocalSponsored

National champ Valerian Spicer swaps boxing gloves for business growth

Agatha Scaggiante
Nathanael Williams, owner of Colour Factory in Hackney Wick.
CultureLife and living

Colour Factory’s Nathanael Williams on new London Nightlife Taskforce and the future of Hackney Wick

Ray Bonsall
Entrepreneur Joseph Daniels standing outside a council estate.
CultureLife and livingLocal

‘My childhood was horrific but it made me’: Mile End tech bro Joseph Michael Daniels on being included in Forbes 30 Under 30

Lara Bowman
Billingsgate old market
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Fancy a bevvy? The origins of Polari language in the East End

Ray Bonsall

East End Cockney

Billingsgate old market
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Fancy a bevvy? The origins of Polari language in the East End

Ray Bonsall

A slang language with origins in Yiddish, Cockney and gay subcultures is still used today inspiring singer, Olly Alexander’s, latest

Greggs announces ‘Baked in Gold’ jewellery line for Fashion Week
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Greggs announces ‘Baked in Gold’ jewellery line for Fashion Week

Agatha Scaggiante
Phyllis Broadbent, the Pearly Queen of Islington, garbed in a mother-of-pearl outfit and a pink feather hat, with Leanne Black behind the counter at G Kelly's pie and mash shop on Roman Road
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

The Pearly Queen of Islington, Phyllis Broadbent, visits the Roman for pie n’ mash at G Kelly’s 

Imogen Garfinkel
Two people on Eel Stall. G Kelly, notable eel and pie shop.
CultureEast End Cockney

Something Smells a Bit Fishy! Jellied Eels: The Quintessential Cockney Cuisine

Sinead Campbell
Pearly Kings and Queens raising money for charity on a Covent Garden Street.
CultureEast End CockneyLocal

Is Cockney disappearing in the East End? 

Polly Nash
East London's bustling Roman Road Market in 1968
CultureEast End CockneyLocalOut and AboutRoman Road Market

The hidden history of Cabbage: the obscure fashion industry practice that helped shape Roman Road Market

Marina Rabin

Shopping

Laundry for Hair, Roman Road
LocalShopping

Best hairdresser salons in and around Roman Road

Ray Bonsall

The East End is home to so much unique style and swag and the hairdressing salons in the area reflect

Two vets from Vet in the City on Roman Road, smiling in front of the reception desk.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

Vet in the City opens on Roman Road adding much-needed vet services to the area 

Agatha Scaggiante
People at a stall at Bow Arts Winter Market talking to the stall owner.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

Our guide to the top Christmas markets in East London for 2024

Lorna McDonald
People examining a christmas tree at Barge East's Wick Wonderland, Hackney Wick.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

Where to buy Christmas trees in East London 2024

Lorna McDonald
Store Manager Jamie Buckland standing outside the new Sainsbury's Local on Mile End Road.
LocalOut and AboutShopping

New Sainsbury’s Local opens on Bow Road opposite Mile End Station

Lorna McDonald
Man waving with a bike outside a bike shop called aztec's bike and repair shop
Out and AboutShopping

Our guide to the best cycle shops near Roman Road

Emilia Carter

Food & drink

Latest news, interviews and openings about food and drink in the area.

Stepney City Farm.
Eating and drinkingLocalLocal economyNewsOut and AboutPlaces to visit

New cafe, Stepney’s, to open at Stepney City Farm in May

Ray Bonsall

The cafe at Stepney City Farm has been closed since November but will reopen as Stepney’s with thanks to the

People's Wine Roman Road
Eating and drinkingLocal

Where to eat and drink in east London this Valentine’s Day 

Ray Bonsall
Eating and drinkingOut and AboutWhat's on

How to have a sober night in London’s East End

Ray Bonsall
Three course vegan lunch at the Gallery Cafe, St Margaret's House
Eating and drinkingLocal

The best vegan cafes near Roman Road

Ray Bonsall
Roast turkey, with all the trimmings, and roasted carrots and potatoes in smaller dishes on a plain wooden table, The Green Goose, Bow, East London
Eating and drinkingLocalOut and About

Feast in the East: top spots for Christmas Dining in East London 2024

Lorna McDonald
Exterior of Angel and Crown Pub on Roman Road in East London with blue and white striped deckchairs on a sunny day.
CultureEating and drinkingLocal

New Italian owners turn the lights back on at Angel and Crown pub revealing a bold new theme

Valerio Esposito

Our other Tower Hamlets titles

The Slice for Poplar LDN logo.
The Slice for Whitechapel LDN logo