
Alfresco in Hackney - your guide to eating (and drinking) outside
As the sun comes out a little more we know just the spots to enjoy some alfresco dining. Our top-12 list includes two stunning canal-side cafes/bars, the taproom of two popular breweries, a neighbourhood pub with a large garden, a fantastic Italian restaurant with a decked terrace, an East London bakery and some fabulous places to soak up the hubbub of a busy high street and people-watch.
For a clear picture of which pubs, cafes and restaurants have outside dining in your p


Journalist shuns depressing news agenda to launch Fridge of Plenty
When lockdown hit and broadcast journalist Julia Kirby-Smith was made redundant, she decided to make a massive life change and launch her own sustainable food store.
Julia worked for Channel Four News before being headhunted by a tech firm – but when they “pivoted” and made her whole team redundant, the bleakness of the news agenda (Coronavirus, Donald Trump and Brexit) was more than she could bear to return to.
She explained: “I could see my life was going to be full of

Landmark year for London's shop-local club
This past year has been a whirlwind - the Local Buyers Club team have worked harder than ever to help as many small businesses as possible and now our shop local club and discount card is going London-wide. Four years ago we launched the Local Buyers Club in Stoke Newington, Islington and Crouch End - now the club offers discounts and perks all over the capital including Walthamstow, Battersea, Greenwich, Hackney, Twickenham, The City, Bethnal Green, Wandsworth and more. Our