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Jeweller Naomi Tracz is fascinated by the ancient world and enchanted by small shapes in nature. The mother of two has turned her hobby into a business, creating stunning jewellery out of a small workshop in Stoke Newington and selling via an Etsy shop, her own website, at markets and in the shop at the British Museum. She’s the latest business to join the Local Buyers Club, with a 15% discount to members. (Info here) She said: “I started jewellery making as a hobby 10 years

A restaurant in Newington Green is serving up a slice of Southern Italy and it’s become hugely popular with London-based Italians. Trattoria N16 has been trading for around 12 years but a year ago co-owner Demetris Demetriou bought his partner out of the business and went from silent partner to running the show. The business, which serves up hundreds of pizzas on a typical weekend day, has a team of talented chefs from Naples who prepare dishes like sourdough pizza and Spaghe

Dig out your squirty flowers and polish your red nose - a memorial service with a difference is coming to Dalston and clowning around is mandatory. Hundreds of clowns in full circus regalia from all over the world are preparing to descend on Dalston for the 73rd annual Grimaldi Service at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday February 3 (3pm). The service is in memory of the legendary clown Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) who was just three-years-old when he made his debut performance at

We sat down with the man behind whimsical Shoreditch bar Callooh Callay and its more grown-up sister Little Bat Bar in Islington to hear his remarkable story. Richard Wynne has an eye for business and a knack for hospitality. The 39-year-old from Stoke Newington, has been working in the bar industry for 20 years and runs two of North London’s most popular and award-winning bars. The Little Bat Bar was recently crowned Best Bar in Islington and Best New Venue by Design my Nigh

What could be more fun on a cold winter night than hanging upside down, swinging your hips and stretching your body parts to the edge? An unusual N19 gym has expanded its range of classes to suit everyone in a bid to convince locals to leave the comfort of their couch and get their hearts pumping. The Factory, which occupies the first and second floors of a Victorian textile factory is described as ‘an inclusive dance and fitness centre’ – it’s a workout space that’s full of

When siblings Marcel Gryzb and Oriona Robb were growing up they worked in the family restaurant in Poland. 30 years on and with a lot of outside experience under their belts they’ve brightened up a corner of Islington’s Upper Street and are running Galley - one of the area’s most eye-catching and popular restaurants. (Galley on Upper Street, N1) It’s the perfect combination of talents for the brother and sister team – Marcel trained as a chef and went to become Head Chef at o

Vikesh Kotecha is adding a touch of spice to the smoothie business. From his family home in Bedfordshire, with help from his parents and a talented chef and nutritionist, he’s created The Honestly Good Smoothie Company – delivering organic smoothie-making kits to homes all over the UK. The recipes feature fruit, veg, protein and pulses and, inspired by Vikesh’s Indian roots, a sprinkling of spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and turmeric. They’re air-frozen and delive

Three inspirational Hackney residents have been recognised in the New Year Honour’s List 2019. They include Phillip Noyes, the NSPCC’s chief advisor on child protection, publisher Jessica Kingsley who specialises in books on autism and Alicia Weston who teaches vulnerable people to cook and budget. (Phillip Noyes) Phillip Noyes receives an OBE for his outstanding public service. The former social worker designed a national network of child protection teams that care for some