residentThe Guide LEADING THE WAY Meet 10 of the area’s most influential people STYLE COUNSEL Three local fashionistas on autumn’s hottest trends HUGH BONNEVILLE From Blackheath to Downton Abbey and beyond October 2013 LOCAL Photos by Joe Lord and Ben Joseph Photography LUXE Making their mark From Lee to Locksbottom and Charlton to Chislehurst, our cup runneth over with independent traders, individuals and those striving to make a difference. The Guide Resident rounds up 30 of its favourite local movers and shakers ‘I chose to set up in Greenwich because of a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory- Fashion it’s a really nice home for independent inspired collection of colourful, tailored Phyllis Taylor, Sika brands like me,’ says Phyllis. ‘The locals pieces created from high-grade fabrics. It’s Phyllis Taylor had always marvelled at really appreciate it and there are lots of a fairly limited collection, and Phyllis’ the coloured prints she saw when visiting tourists around. People are really familiar regular customers are flocking to buy her parents’ homeland of Ghana. Having with the area.’ pieces already, so you need to call in quick always loved fashion, she wondered Sika’s AW13 collection, Candy, shirks to get your hands on it! whether she could work them into a off the usual plethora of blacks and greys 4 College Approach, Greenwich SE10 9HY; collection that her peers would wear. So that pack the department stores in favour 020 8858 8158; sikadesigns.co.uk she took up a course in dressmaking and pattern-cutting at the London College of We also love… BLACKBURN BOUTIQUE Fashion and in 2005, her label, Sika, was Russell Blackburn, of Blackburn Bridal, born, marrying West African textiles with DAVINA BOUTIQUE opened his Blackheath occasionwear London’s urban chic style. In 2007 Phyllis, Michele Prichard interned with Jimmy Choo boutique last year with a fabulous selection who was living in Catford at the time, before establishing her Chislehurst Boutique of occasionwear that includes his own opened up her first Greenwich Market some 25 years ago. She now has boutiques in collection of glamorous eveningwear gowns. boutique, expanding into larger premises Bromley and Dulwich, too. davinashoes.co.uk blackburnoccasionwear.co.uk last year. 16 theguideresident.co.uk INSIDERS’ GUIDE Health & Fitness Ellie Brown, Greenwich Pilates Studio Ellie Brown established The Greenwich Pilates Studio in 2011. As well as offering over 30 Pilates classes a week – including pre and post-natal and rehabilitation classes – the studio also offers yoga classes, mother and baby fitness and nutrition and running workshops. Ellie also leads Buggy Runners for parents and carers with babies or toddlers. Ellie keeps her finger on the fitness pulse, and will soon be introducing barefoot running technique workshops for her Greenwich Runners group, as well as a new fitness class from the US that combines the intensity of bootcamp with yoga, pilates and cardio – try out a free workshop in November. 225 Greenwich High Road SE10 8NB; 07958 225 598; greenwichpilates.co.uk We also love… CHARLTON LIDO This 50-metre, 1930s pool reopened VANBRUGH PHYSIO in March after laying derelict Established in 1990, Vanbrugh Physio’s for several years. The final stage of highly experienced team will keep the refurbishment will see new health you up and running. vphysio.co.uk and fitness facilities. better.org.uk Food & drink Andrew McLeish, Chapter One & Chapters Andrew McLeish is Chef Patron of Michelin Star Chapter One restaurant in Locksbottom and Director of Blackheath Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Chapters. Working his way up through prestigious kitchens including The Ritz and The Dining Room at the Landmark Hotel, he became executive chef director at Chapter One in the year 2000. Andy’s simple, robust dishes often combine traditional dishes with modern cooking techniques. His Chapter One signature dishes include jugged hare with a potato and truffle espuma and raviolo of chicken and morel mushrooms. At Chapters in Blackheath, which blends the relaxed bonhomie of continental cafe society with superb culinary skills, try the slow roasted belly of Gloucester old spot pork with hand cut chips, baby spinach and apple and hazelnut salad. chaptersrestaurants.com We also love… LOCALE Locale Blackheath is the quintessential THE GUILDFORD ARMS Italian neighbourhood restaurant. A long- This relaxed Greenwich pub has an elegant established go-to for dinner, cocktails and first floor restaurant, a huge garden and great special events, the place is warm and convivial modern British cooking. theguildfordarms.co.uk and the food delicious. localerestaurants.com Pubs & bars Alistair Hook, Meantime Brewery Meantime beers are found on pumps at Year by the British Guild of Beer Writers. pubs and festivals all over the capital. The list of achievements goes on, but it was Founded by Alastair Hook and like-minded in 2009 that our favourite new brewery and friends in a small Greenwich flat in 1999, restaurant opened – The Old Brewery at Meantime opened its first pub, The the Old Royal Naval College is possibly the Greenwich Union, in 2001, and in 2002 it most beautiful place you will ever enjoy a was shortlisted for the Time Out, Evening pint. Grab a table outside and, if it’s quiet, Standard and Class magazine Pub of the take in the sound of music practice drifting Year awards. In 2007, four Meantime beers from the naval college while admiring appeared in the World’s Top 50 and, in Maritime Greenwich at its finest. 2008 Alastair was named Brewer of the meantimebrewing.com; oldbrewerygreenwich.com We also love… LORD NORTHBROOK From the Most Grotty Toilet award in 2010 INC GROUP to Pub of the Year in 2013, this pub in Lee From Greenwich’s Trafalgar Tavern to the has really turned around. The order of the newly relaunched Inc Bar, there’s a lot to day is now classic British dishes with real ales love about Inc Group. greenwich-inc.com and craft beers. thelordnorthbrook.co.uk theguideresident.co.uk 17 INSIDERS’ GUIDE Culture Sophie Austin, Theatro Vivo Sophie Austin wasted no time in realising her ambitions. On graduating from Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance in Sidcup she set up Teatro Vivo with a vision of creating collaborative theatre projects with those who don’t normally work in theatre, to bring an original, modern twist to existing work. The group’s first production was a promenade performance of Romeo and Juliet in Manor House Gardens, Lee, and since then the group has performed across Lewisham in parks, markets, cafes and venues like The Albany in Deptford. Sophie also works with the Royal Court Theatre and on West End projects, including working with Kristen Stewart in Old Times alongside director Ian Rickson. This summer Teatro Vivo took After the Tempest to five parks in London and their interactive production of Adventures in Wonderland is still on tour. The group is now working on new projects, one of which is a spin on some very famous fairytales. Did someone say Brothers Grimm? teatrovivo.co.uk We also love… BLACKHEATH CONSERVATOIRE ROYAL MUSEUMS This loved independent multi-arts GREENWICH complex is the oldest in London. Sea, ships, time and the stars, ie. the Founded in 1881 by William Webster, National Maritime Museum, the Royal who also founded Blackheath Halls, Observatory, The Queen’s House and the Conservatoire was saved from an Cutty Sark. A force to be reckoned uncertain future by community action with in anyone’s eyes. rmg.co.uk earlier this year. conservatoire.org.uk Charity & community Sir Ian Mills , The Age Exchange The Age Exchange in Blackheath has a lot to celebrate this year. As well as its 30th anniversary next month, the organisation, founded by Pam Schweitzer, completed a £1.2 Retail sustainable fabrics. Her vision is to million refurb a Greenwich Market help build a fair, fashion-forward year ago. The new, industry with a low carbon footprint. multi-functional BURGATORY: Burgers are hot news Look out for her gorgeous Labrador centre has provided and Burgatory has been causing quite Alfie, who often hangs out in the shop. the village with a new cafe, public library, internet a stir. Run by Jeremy Stretch, the emmanissim.com facilities, reading groups and more. Sir Ian Mills, delicious layered burgers are created Chair of Trustees, who has been key in driving the from 28-35 day dry-aged chuck steak JOHNNY ROCKET: Run by John project forward, tells us of the AE’s groundbreaking from Drings, fresh brioche buns from Pearce and Niall Paisley, two of the work with St Guys, St Thomas’ and The Maudsley in Paul Rhodes Bakery and veg from coolest guys in town, the Johnny improving the quality of care nationally for those The Creaky Shed. @BurgatorySE10 Rocket gallery-cum-shop was living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. established in 2005. Their jewellery 11 Blackheath Village SE3 9LA; 020 8318 9105; age-exchange.org.uk EMMA NISSIM: Fashion and textile is eclectic and adventurous and the artist Emma Nissim, of the eponymous duo are huge supporters of young We also love… boutique, creates beautiful silk-screen up-and-coming jewellery designers. printed clothing in a range of johnnyrocketltd.com CAFE OF GOOD HOPE is a Hither Green cafe serving great cakes and a weekend brunch. All profits go We also love... HORTUS to the Jimmy Mizen Foundation. cafeofgoodhope.com From gifts, gardening gloves, BBQs GENTLY ELEPHANT and furniture to potted orchids GREENWICH STARTING BLOCKS helps This lovely new Brockely children’s and landscaping services, Hortus in young people realise their sporting dreams with bursaries clothes and shoe shop was named one Blackheath Village is a must for keen to support their training.