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mong the chic boutiques of Shoreditch. Photos by Rehan Jamil. en pop into a coffee shop… GREEN ROAD Matthias Primary School provides a contrast with the jostle of Brick Lane. The former St Matthias Mission House on Chilton Street dates from 1887-9, designed by William Reddall in a neo-Tudor style. On Cheshire Street (9), Blackman’s – based in a former pub – is a popular emporium of budget-friendly boots and shoes. Further on, you can peruse traditional and tribal tattoo designs at Cloak and Dagger, creatively displayed jewellery at Comfort Station, or add some classics to your wardrobe at House of Vintage. Back at Brick Lane, Nos 125-7 were built as weavers’ cottages; the large attic windows maximised daylight in the workshop. There’s a fascinating mix of street signage on this corner – a sculpted plaque declares ‘This is Sclater Street, 1778’, later supplemented by a sign in Bengali script. Brick Lane is a street of many stories, captured by authors such as novelist Monica Ali, archivist Rachel Lichtenstein and market inspector – or ‘Toby’ – Paul Morris. If local history is your bag, then make a brief detour to Eastside Books at No 166. The main walk, however, continues northwards. Carrot or red velvet cake might catch your attention at café-cum-mission Kahaila, and chocolate blocks, truffles and orangettes tempt passers-by into Dark Sugars. From Bacon Street, newly built tower blocks dominate the skyline, a foretaste of how the neighbourhood is changing. A small plaza opens out opposite Rich Mix (10), hosting over 350 gigs, film screenings, comedy nights and stage performances each year. You’re now on the home stretch, back to the station. En route, look out for Les Trois Garcons – fine dining in the former Knave of Clubs pub – and the adjacent 1884 boot manufactory, now home to hip cocktail bar Beach Blanket Babylon. Sclater Street merges in from the left, with the brick arcades surviving from the former Bishopsgate Goods Yard. Street art abounds. A sculpted knot – Threads, by Tim and Hattie Coppard – alludes to the local rag trade. And, finally, before you head into the station, pause to study the lovers’ padlock collection on the railings opposite. From left: graffiti on the Rich Mix centre’s back wall, and the centre pictured from the front; the T2 tea shop; jewellery from Tatty Devine; coffee and pastries at Maison Trois Garcons Left: Comfort Station Above, from top: Urbanears’ headphones; Albion shop and café; Sunspel menswear; Nine Mag Cloak & Dagger Tattoo; Franze & Evans Right, above: J W Levy Safe Co Right: the Threads sculpture 22 DECEMBER 2014 – 11 JANUARY 2015 N E W S F R O M T O W E R H AMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 23


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