Local life, culture and things to do

Mandala Cafe bright yellow shop front on Globe Road, off Roman Road.

Music collectives, plant-based cooking and accessible Buddhism: eighteen months of renovations bring Mandala Café to life. Mandala Café, the newest

Demonstration in Poplar by striking Tower Hamlets refuse workers, represented by Unite the Union, on Tuesday 19 September. Photo credit: TwelveOsixStudio.

Local Local economy News

Refuse workers demonstrating in Tower Hamlets say the strike is extended by two weeks

21 September 202325 September 2023 Imogen Garfinkel

Ongoing pay disputes mean striking refuse workers and street cleaners in Tower Hamlets will extend the strike for another two

Filmaker Islah Abdur-Rahman in Limehouse where his film If Only was set.

Islah Abdur-Rahman pictured on the balcony of a tower block in Limehouse, where 'If Only' was shot. Photo by Joss Matthews © Social Streets C.I.C.

Culture Life and living Local

‘If Only’: A new short film about gang life in Tower Hamlets by The Corner Shop Show creator

20 September 202326 September 2023 Polly Nash

British-Bangladeshi director Islah Abdur-Rahman on grooming, drug abuse and gang violence: ‘It’s a very heavy project, but it’s also very

A white cup of tea with blue saucer on a table in Cafe Creme, Roman Road, Bow, East London

Photograph courtesy of Café Creme

Eating & drinking Local

The best places to have a cuppa tea along Roman Road

15 September 202315 September 2023 Simran Kumar

Looking for a great cup of tea on The Roman? We round up some of the best brew spots near

Photograph of Whitechapel Road in Tower Hamlets. Copyright: Ian S.

Local Local economy News

Harder than ever for local private renters in Tower Hamlets to afford rent and deposit

15 September 202315 September 2023 Imogen Garfinkel

Tower Hamlets tenants face being priced out of the area, as some report paying up to 88% of their monthly

Photograph of Plant Lovers London, a new house plants shop on St Stephen's Road, Bow

Local Out & About Places to visit

Plant Lovers London: the new house plant shop on St Stephen’s Street

13 September 202314 September 2023 Imogen Garfinkel

Nuzhat Khutun, owner of Plant Lovers London on St Stephen’s Road, believes in the power of indoor plants to improve

Three course vegan lunch at the Gallery Cafe, St Margaret's House

Local

The best places to have lunch in Globe Town

13 September 202313 September 2023 Simran Kumar

Looking for a pick-me-up meal in Globe Town? This is our guide to finding something you will love in the

Eating & drinking Local

The best places to have lunch in Bow

12 September 202319 September 2023 Simran Kumar

With new cafes and lunch spots popping up in Bow, we thought that a roundup of the best places for

Photograph of a Tower Hamlets Council recycling van collecting waste from households. Image provided by TJStamp.

Tower Hamlets recycling van. Image credit: TJStamp

Local Local democracy News

Hundreds of refuse workers in Tower Hamlets to strike this September

8 September 20238 September 2023 BBC Local Democracy Reporter

Hundreds of refuse workers and street cleaners in Tower Hamlets will strike this September following pay disagreement with council. More

Photograph of Labour Councillors on the launch day of the Bow Quarter pilot in food waste collection in East London, from left to right: Councillor Amina Ali, Councillor Rachel Blake, Estate Manager Fred Faulkner, resident Liz Aitken and Councillor Marc Francis.

The launch day of the Bow Quarter pilot in food waste collection, from left to right: Cllr Amina Ali, Cllr Rachel Blake, Estate Manager of The Bow Quarter Fred Faulkner, resident Liz Aitken and Cllr Marc Francis. Image provided by Liz Aitken.

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