Specialist stores, shops and markets

Jambala Bookshop, Globe Road, off Roman Road, Bethnal Green. Employees Polly Welsby (R) and Heather Belcher

27 October 2021 Victoria Miller

The quiet charm of the Buddhist bookshop, Jambala

Kindness, inclusivity, and courtesy are just some of the qualities championed by Jambala, a Buddhist bookshop of Lilliputian size Akin

Moo Canoes and Barge East at Sweetwater, River Lee, Hackney Wick, East London.

6 October 2021 Evie Breese

Hackney Wick: the ultimate guide to East London’s playground

Discover the best things to do, eat, drink and shop all in a day at the destination fun zone that

A man with his shirt off holds rolls of fabric at Roman Road Market photoessay from 2020, by photographer Wedgley Snipes.

Local Roman Road Market Shopping

7 July 2021 Evie Breese

Market day on Roman Road snapped by zine-maker Wedgley Snipes [photoessay]

Take a stroll down Roman Road market with photographer Wedgley Snipes. People have been ‘going down the Roman’ for over

Owners Sharon and Terry Langston with the team at Roman Tackle, Roman Road.

Local Out and About Shopping

24 June 2021 Evie Breese

Wishin’ we were fishin’ with Roman Tackle

With jellied eels an archetype of East End culture, it’s not surprising that Roman Road offers one of London’s few dedicated

Borrower accessing kiosk at Library of Things, opening in Hackney Wick.

Local Shopping

9 June 2021 Tom McGhie

The Borrowers of Hackney Wick: welcome to the Library of Things

The Library of Things, the social enterprise making “borrowing better than buying” in order to create a more sustainable future,

Mehmet Alpetkin stands at counter in Stitches; Hamiyet and Dilek sew behind him

Local Shopping

2 June 2021 Anna Lamche

Stitches, the tailoring business bringing East London’s clothes back to life

Based on Roman Road, Stitches is a small tailoring business gaining a big reputation for bringing East London’s clothes back to life.

Local Shopping Sports and activities

21 March 2021 Citizen Journalist

Best outdoor exercise classes 2021

Nothing beats exercising in the fresh air with friends. Here’s our round up of the best outdoor exercise classes around

Local Shopping

26 November 2020 Grace Boyle

Local independent shops offering online Christmas gift shopping

December is around the corner, which means that the run up to panic buying last minute bubble bath sets is

G. Kelly pie and mash shop on Roman Road in East London

Local Out and About Shopping

19 June 2020 Francesca Lister-Fell

Best things to do in Bow

Here’s our Editor picks for the best things to do in Bow. Bow is rich in culture, history and eateries that will keep you entertained, well-fed and well-caffeinated without you having to travel afar.

Inside Workshop 353 Roman Road Tobia Maschio

Local Shopping

18 June 2020 Siva Thangarajah

Picture framing shop Workshop 353 opens in Bow

‘The most popular request I have are just everyday people wanting to get photos of their family members framed,’ says Maschio. ‘Grandparents who want nice images of their grandchildren, for example.’