My Soho Times pilot

AUTUMN 2019 | FREE

in this issue:

AN URBAN
GIRL'S

GUIDE TO
SOHO

WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK



editor's note

What started out in 2015 as a blog to document a collection
of memoirs about living in Soho for over a decade - and
general ramblings about life in the most dynamic corner of
the world - has quickly turned into something much
more EXCITING!

Soho is undoubtedly London's most dynamic district, and
as a resident living in this thriving area which uniquely
attracts a diverse pool of people, I got thinking - why isn't
there a tangible directory of local businesses for
consumers?

In this pilot issue, I share a personal account of my daily life
as an urban gal navigating through Soho (and an attempt
to create a guide of some of my essential places), we
review Chinese pancakes through a hatch, hear how a
Soho-based artist went from being homeless and a drug
addict to empowering youth through art, get a coffee fix up
on Denmark Street and acknowledge Sustainable
September this autumn with a visit to Reign Vintage on
Berwick Street.

With the magazine launch in sight (think TIME OUT of
Soho!), My Soho Times will become a means to connect
businesses, brands, services and community voices
directly with the wider London audience and visitors from all
over the world.

We have so much more to share with you in our launch
issue this Winter - the 2020 Vision of Soho's next Decade...

I look forward to having you on board this journey!

T   x

Kai Lutterodt
Editor in Chief

MY SOHO TIMES

What's inside? Art-Alive in Soho

The Hole in the Wall Soho-based artist and youth
advocate, Lanre Olagoke shares how
Kokia serves us a tasty art saved him, and his passion to
Chinese pancakes through a support vulnerable young people.
tiny hatch on Greek Street.
Grow - Where Training
Soho.Live Jazz Festival gets personal!

This autumn Soho's most musical Based a stone's throw from Oxford
venues will be filled with jazz, which Street, Grow is a boutique fitness
will spill out into the Carlisle Street studio offering 'the best in personal
for its grand finale.! training.'

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Soho Media Club Find your Route

London's most diverse networking Santander Cycles helping everyday
event for media professionals where Londoners get around from as little
Guest speakers take to the mic at each as 25p a day!
meetup to share personal stories of
their careers Join the team

This Season's Picks We're on the look out for partnership
opportunities as well as growing our
Writer & content strategist Liza Adebisi small team of creatives - join us!
reviews her seasonal favourites -
coffee and vintage fashion. MY SOHO TIMES

SOMETHING FRESH
COMING YOUR WAY!

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SOHO & W1

My Soho Times is a new hyper local Our varied distribution in Soho and other
lifestyle  publication, published quarterly parts of the notable W1 postcodes
from Winter 2019. With Soho as the (Mayfair, Marylebone and Fitzrovia) will
heartbeat of London in location and vibe, have a massive impact on the responses
My Soho Times magazine aims to offer our advertisers get, and we expect to
the best of Soho businesses directly into rapidly grow a very loyal readership that
the hands of Londoners and visitors. looks forward to our magazines arriving
seasonally, as well as online.

MY SOHO TIMES

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2019 MARKS
CENTREPOINT'S 50TH

ANNIVERSARY.

In the last 50 years, thanks to our supporters we’ve been there for thousands
of homeless young people when they had nowhere else to turn. But many
more still have nowhere safe to sleep tonight.

A lot has changed in those five decades.

Since starting out in a church basement in Central
London in 1969, Centrepoint has grown into the
UK's leading youth homeless charity. With our
support, residents have been able to transform
their lives by coming to Centrepoint. They explain
how we helped them to change their story.

END YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
FOR GOOD.

A hidden crisis is unfolding across the UK. Our
social support system is crumbling, leaving
thousands of vulnerable young people homeless.
We can put this right and make sure every young
person has a safe place to call home and the
future they deserve. But we need urgent action.
Together we can change the story and end youth
homelessness for good.

Find out more about Centrepoint, read the stories
of residents throughout the decades, and discover
how you can support the campaign to end youth
homelessness, visit our website:

www.centrepoint.org.uk

MY SOHO TIMES

THE HOLE If you're particular about what goes into Normally served as a street food
IN THE your food, and how it's cooked, you'll breakfast item in China, Jian bing is
WALL probably find it satisfying to watch your made up of a thin savoury crepe
choice of Jian bing - Chinese pancake brushed with sauce, cracked egg, and
Just a short stride between wrap, being cooked right in front of you. filled with herbs, vegetables, meat,
China Town and Soho Square On our visit, we were served by Kokia (optional), and a crispy won ton skin for
you'll find the Pleasant Lady who charmed us with her effortless art added crunch. The menu displayed on a
- literally a 'hole in the wall' of putting our order together. The mural outside is simple; veg, chicken,
meticulous one-handed egg crack is one pork, or lamb. Conveniently card-only.
on Greek Street selling which comes with either years of Perhaps inconveniently no seating or
traditional Cantonese practice - or just practice from serving a cutlery... This is food for the go - great
pancakes through its narrow lot of hungry customers. It was a for lunch breaks or your weekend stroll
hatch... Be warned, you could performance, with its foundation being through Soho.
walk straight past it if you are the rice flour batter smothered on the
not paying attention! hot flat pan, layered with ingredients. By Kai Lutterodt @mysohotimes
Photos by Shade O.Thompson @shadedidthat
WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK

Pleasant Lady Jian bing Trading Stall MY SOHO TIMES
23 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4DZ



Inspired by second generation restaurateur Umut Özkanca’s Istanbul heritage, Ruya offers Londoners a
taste of sophisticated, contemporary dishes from the various Anatolian regions, stretching from the
Mediterranean to the Black Sea. With Chef Patron Colin Clague – formerly of Zuma and Caprice
Holdings – at the helm, diners can experience a menu featuring an array of Anatolian classics with a
contemporary and fresh twist. Highlights include 24 hour slow cooked short rib
with Turkish chili BBQ
glaze and spiced Konya chickpea puree;  Zeytinyağli ahtapot (marinated & grilled octopus with black
eyed beans and apple vinaigrette) and Two cheese pide from the Black Sea with slow cooked egg.
Özkanca hopes to highlight the diversity and quality of Anatolian cuisine, a cuisine steeped in a rich and
colourful history, as he expands the restaurant, lounge and bar concept on a global scale.

30 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1,
020-3848 6710. Open Mon-Sat, noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm.
The bar is open all day from 12:00pm until 1:00am Monday-Saturday

and until 12.30am on Sunday.

MY SOHO TIMES











HO Ronnie Scott’s
Kingly Court
Kingly Ct, Soho, London W1B 5PW 47 Frith St, Soho, W1D 4HT
Lina Stores
18 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 0SH Raeburn
Marshall Street Gym/Spa
15 Marshall St, Soho, London W1F 7EL 3 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RE (until Feb 2020)
MoreYoga
15 Marshall St, Soho, London W1F 7EL Snowflake Gelato
MAOZ
43 Old Compton St, Soho, W1D 6HG 102 Wardour St, Soho, London W1F 0TP
Mildreds Soho
45 Lexington St, Soho, London W1F 9AN Soho Radio
Misan Textiles
52 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 8SL 22c Great Windmill St, Soho, W1D 7LD
My Place Soho
21 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PZ Soho Recovery Centre
Obica
19-20 Poland St, Soho, W1F 8QF 123 Charing Cross Rd, Soho, WC2H 0EW
Pleasant Lady
1.23 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4DZ Soho Theatre
Pierre Victoire
5 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3RQ 21 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3NE

Pho Soho Fitness Lab

163-165 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 8WN 9-12 St Anne's Ct, Soho, W1F 0BB

Pizza Pilgrims Soho NHS Walk-in Centre

11 Dean St, Soho, W1D 3RP 1 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 3HZ

POAN Sounds Of The Universe

37 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QZ 7 Broadwick St, Soho, London W1F 0DA

Princi Tonkotsu Soho

135 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 0UT 63 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 4QG

The Breakfast Club

33 D'Arblay St, Soho, London W1F 8EU

The Nadler Hotel

10 Carlisle St, Soho, W1D 3BR

The Nelly Dean

89 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3SU

The London Salon • Soho

5 Carlisle St, Soho, W1D 3BJ

The Soho Hotel

4 Richmond Mews, Soho, London W1D 3DH

Wacky Baraber

9-12 Saint Anne's Court, London W1F 0BB

Wahaca

80 Wardour St, London

WeWork Soho Square

21 Soho Square, Soho, London W1D 3QP

  T  

MY SOHO TIMES

SOHO x TALKS

Soho x Talks (Soho Times Talks) events will Through Soho x Talks, partner businesses
engage creative professionals from the local will connect with diverse audiences, invite the
area through panel discussions, workshops community into their venues and provide a
and masterclasses in partnership with local hub for inspiration through the sharing of
businesses offering a space for these events human stories. 
to take place.
Interested in hosting a Soho x Talks event in your venue?
WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK Contact Kai [email protected]

Clockwise from top: Cherise Adams-Burnet; Ashley Henry; George Hudson; Bluey Robinson

Driven by his passion for jazz and blues Their first festival venture is taking place this Soho.Live Jazz Week will be a
music, four years ago, Soho resident George September with the launch of Soho.Live Jazz
Hudson founded a live music venue in the Week, and will see the legendary jazz clubs window inside these exciting
heart of central London’s most vibrant of Soho come together, showcasing more
community, The Piano Bar Soho. While the than 250 artists, across 45 ticketed shows, in times for the genre and its
neighbourhood was already the national over 15 venues.
nucleus of jazz music, the intimate venue audiences.
held its own, against some of long-standing Soho.Live’s array of artists include the
behemoths and world-famous classics. talented and soulful Bluey Robinson, who Venues taking part in this year’s Soho.Live
fronts The Fedz, the genre-bending Ashley Jazz Week include: The Piano Bar Soho,
A year later with Nathan Britton as the Henry, whose brew of influences include Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Spice of Life, 100
Musical Director, the pair founded Soho.Live jazz, grime, hip hop and punk, the winning Wardour Street, L’Escargot Club, Ain’t
Studios, with a venue expansion that now ensemble that comprises members of Nothing But the Blues, Quo Vadis Members
accommodates a label and recording Kansas Smitty’s House Band, jazz and soul Club, The Court Club, Bills Restaurant Soho,
studios, which has aimed at developing songstress, Billie Black and Soho’s notorious Hotel Cafe Royal, Japes Restaurant, My
‘jazzers’, and nurturing talent in this musical trumpeter Andy Davies. Place, Yamaha Music London and Soho
genre.  Theatre.

Soho Jazz Week runs from 12-14 September
For tickets visit www.soho.live/jazzweek

MY SOHO TIMES

THIS Writer & Content Strategist
SEASONAL'S Liza Adebisi reviews her seasonal
PICKS picks this autumn- coffee fix and
sustainable fashion!

That Café on
Denmark Street…

Hugging the edge of Soho is Denmark
Street, renowned and much loved for its
music and guitar shops. But for less
musical mortals like me, it is also the
geographical connection between two
different and coexisting Soho realities:
the hectic business hub Centre St. Giles
and the vivacious theatre centric
Charing Cross Road.

Fernandez and Wells, at number 1-3, is
the exact spot where these two realities
meet; it is where Soho workers, artists
and visitors find their caffeine, a meet
up spot and free Wi-Fi powered by great
coffee (as the same Café phrases it once
you get connection) …

Oh and did I mention? They are open
'till late for those who like a good glass
of wine to compliment a delicious
morceau de cheese!

Fernandes & Wells
1-3 Denmark Street, WC2H 8LP
www.fernandezandwells.com

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SUSTAINABLE Let Vintage Reign!
SEPTEMBER
…and at last we have it! A campaign for sustainable
fashion: Oxfam, media, businesses and shoppers together
are agreed: the trend this months shall be less
consumerism and more responsibility… and may I add,
more style too!

Whilst serious concerns are rising on working conditions
in the factories that make cheap clothes for the high
street, here is now the additional awareness of the
impact clothing industries may have on nature and our
ecosystem (Cotton growing, for instance, is responsible
for the usage of 22.5% of the world's insecticides and 10%
of the world's pesticides, chemicals which can be
dangerous for the environment and harmful to the
farmers who grow it, according to the Ethical Fashion
Forum).

So, when preparing the autumn/winter wardrobe, this
September, let’s find a different way for staying stylish
and devour less of the world’s precious resources.

For my chic and sustainable look this autumn, I am
checking out Reign: a little hidden gem on Berwick
Street, selling carefully selected garments ranging from
the 1940s to the 1990s. David, the co-owner, tells me that
the shop is currently ready for the Autumn/Winter season
and very much keeping in vogue with the latest trends; in
his words: “…whilst fashion always takes from the past, this
year we are stocking on flared hems and A-line skirts
echoing that cool 70’s look that the main fashion houses
are now re-launching”.

So why not look at their website and
give your apparel a dose of sustainable
originality? As Albert (photographed)
explains “If you buy Vintage it’s a lot
easier to curate your own individual
style!”.

Words by Liza Adebisi @liza_mine108
Photos by Kai Lutterodt @mysohotimes

Reign Vintage MY SOHO TIMES
12 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PN
www.reignvintage.com

PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS OPENS ITS DOORS IN SOHO

Summer 2019 POAN opened it's doors in Soho Square with its first
stand alone store in London. George Ghon shares the inspiration
behind this season's collection.

The current cruise collection turns to Salzburg, Austria, where the Sound of Music was made,
which tells the story of a former nun whose love takes unexpected turns. From god it deviates
towards the motherly love of children, first, to transform into a romantic venture only later.
POAN takes a fashion spin on the story, and portrays the couple with the kids as modern
love story. Yet, it keeps a sensitivity for the original context, with all-over prints from
porcelain objets trouvés, dipping the family in fest of décor and colour.

HIS & HERS

It’s a playful act, often with a marginal
component of seriousness involved.
POAN likes games, the stories they contain,
and includes a set of play-cards in the
collection. A sporty, athletic look comports
that friendly male rivalry that often comes
along with competitions. But there are also
floral all-over prints, inviting to dream, and
to contemplate the complex relationship of
friends, foes, and loved ones.

Soho Square, London W1D 2QN
www.poan.com

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All you need to
know about

Soho Media Club:
London’s most

diverse networking
club for media
professionals

Underpinned by monthly meetups in a secret Soho
location, the club brings together passionate people with
stories to share. "You never know where your next
inspiring moment will come from and that’s the beauty of
Soho Media Club" co-founder, Tom Witkowski.

Since its launch in July 2019, members network Soho Media Club
has attracted a membership of over 300 media professionals from
production, post-production and distribution and has successfully
ran two dynamic meetups in Soho.      Set up by friends Jaisica
Lapsiwala and Tomasz Witokowski, Soho Media Club is turning
networking in the media industry on its head. My Soho Times
explores what the network is about and how it is different...

Collaboration and diversity are part of the Club’s DNA

Jaisica and Tom share 3 key beliefs: Collaboration, Inclusion and
everyone having a voice.  They saw an opportunity to create a
club for those in the media community who share these beliefs,
and want to make the whole industry better. Anyone can join the
network, regardless of their seniority, position or status.  The only
criteria is that you have to be an active media professional;
whether that is in film, tv, digital or music.      The network is
designed to advocate collaboration, inclusion and diversity across
the media production, post-production and distribution
community. Once qualified as a member, EVERYONE receives an
invite to the Club’s monthly Soho meetups.

MY SOHO TIMES

Passionate speakers with stories to share

Guest speakers take to the mic at each meetup to share personal
stories of their careers.  This summer’s events took place at the
Warner Bros. facility on Dean Street and the Dropbox bar in
Broadwick Street in July and August respectively.  The meetups
attracted a hugely diverse mix of guests including large corporates
such as Netflix, BBC and Disney to mid-sized production
companies and independent producers, editors and
cinematographers who came together for a dynamic evening of
exchanging ideas and making new connections in a very
democratic environment.

July’s meetup speakers included Olivier award-winning theatre
director and playwright Jessica Swale; Senior Colourist at
Goldcrest, Jet Omoshebi and Nick Roberts, ADR Mixer who gave
honest and candid opinion on challenges they have faced,
including the topic of gender diversity.

The August event welcomed guest speakers: Josh Wilson,
Managing Director, Wilson Worldwide Productions; Zeb Achonu,
TV & Film Editor; Tania Freimuth, Award winning
Cinematographer and Andy Wilson, Principal Media, Dropbox to
share their stories and experiences of working in TV & film. The
collective shared powerful stories on a range of topics from the
struggles of financing, to rebuilding your network and flexible
working patterns.  However, it was the exchange of opinion around
the virtues of mentoring which dominated the conversation and
captured the audience's attention.

The Soho Media Club wants to make a difference!

Co-founder, Jaisica Lapsiwala explains ‘The ability to be agile and
think laterally gives you a massive edge over everyone else... We
exist to create diversity of thought, drive that horizontal thinking
and encourage people to take a creative approach to tackling
problems in our industry.’
To find out more, and join the Club visit
www.sohomediaclub.com

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Personal Training

The key benefit of working with a PT is
that they can personalise your workout
and nutrition plan according to your
specific goals and individual needs.

Central location

ACHIEVE YOUR HEALTH Based in Soho? Check out our boutique
AND FITNESS GOALS studio on Rathbone Place for the most
WITH PERSONALISED personalised approach London has to
COACHING offer.

New to fitness and don’t know where to start? Grow - where training
Regular gym-goer but not seeing any progress? gets personal
Preparing for an event or ready to get back into
fitness post-baby? If you’re interested in learning more
about what we do and how the team can
Whatever your reason for considering Personal Training, help you to achieve your health and
it has a lot to offer. As well as benefiting from your fitness goals, claim your free initial
trainer’s expertise when it comes to your workout and consultation with one of our trainers by
nutrition plan, you can make sure you’re doing exercises emailing [email protected]
in the correct way to both achieve your goal and reduce
your risk of injury.  MY SOHO TIMES

Based a stone's throw from Oxford Street, Grow is a
boutique fitness studio offering the best in Personal
Training. Run by four passionate coaches, the whole team
is dedicated to transforming lives by helping people to
become their happiest and healthiest selves through
fitness and nutrition. Founder Brett says, “Our focus is to
educate our clients to become stronger, better, fitter and
healthier. We cater for complete beginners all the way
through to professional athletes - putting their goals at
the heart of every single session”.

SOHO
handed to you on a

PLATE

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"The Life Goddess aims to
bring the best of Greece in

the heart of London!"

In Greek tradition and culture cultivating, TLG aspires to introduce the superior quality,
preparing and sharing food is a ritual. The wealth and diversity of Greek products to
journey of the senses starts from mother- gastronomy enthusiasts and familiarise them
earth and finishes at a feast on a table where with the exquisite balance, simplicity and
all the family, friends and companions share excellence of the Greek food culture that is
the same nourishment and enjoy the sublime beginning to re-conquer its rightful place in
result of their efforts. For Greeks preparing a the world gastronomical map. Our philosophy
meal for someone is the ultimate token of is that good quality sustenance is the epitome
respect, gratitude, friendship and love. of a healthy and happy life!

Kingly Court, Soho, London W1B 5PW
[email protected]

MY SOHO TIMES

FIND Getting Out and About
YOUR
ROUTE. With 8 docking stations in Soho, and plenty
more in neighbouring areas, Santander Cycles
Whether for fun or for work, offers all the convenience and fun of cycling in
Santander cycle hire is here to London without any of the hassle of owning
help you get around London your own bike. Whether seasoned cyclist, or you
more easily. bike on a ad hoc basis, it’s easy to hire a cycle
from one of more than 700 docking stations
WWW.MYSOHOTIMES.CO.UK across the capital.

The cost effectiveness of the bike hire scheme is
perhaps its biggest appeal to everyday users.
For just £2 you can take as many 30min trips
within 24hrs, making it ideal for short trips.
Longer journeys cost £2 for each extra 30
minutes or less however.

Frequent users can pay even less by simply
registering for yearly bike access for £90. That
works out at just 25p per day, plus any ride
charges for journeys over 30 minutes.

"It's easy to use with lots of
docking stations"

How much does it cost?

1. HireYou pay £2 to access the bikes for 24 hours.

2. RideYou can make as many journeys as you like. If your
journey is less than 30 minutes, you won't pay more. If it's
longer than 30 minutes, you pay £2 for every 30 minutes.

3. ReturnYou can return the bike at any time, as long as
it's within 24 hours. You could be charged up to £300 if
you damage the bike or don't return it.

Get your bike quicker - Become a member. Photos by Shade O. Thompson | @shadedidthat
Cyclist: Ella
If you become a member you get your own key so you can
hire a bike quickly. You can use the bikes for 24 hours
from just £2, or get a discount to use the bikes all year
round for £90 (25p a day).If you're a student and studying
in London, you can get 25% off yearly membership.

The Santander Cycles App
For more info visit

www.santandercycles.co.uk/london

MY SOHO TIMES

uSniwpin&d

Since the creation of vermouth in
Turin in 1786, Aperitivo has been an
essential part of Italian culture and
an indispensable start to the
evening. We have paired up with
Martini to bring this ritual to 68 and
Boston every day from 4pm-6pm.
Select a carefully crafted drink from our Aperitivo list and any Small Plate from our menu for only
£8. The perfect warm up before a night out or a refined way to wind down after work. Saluti!

Our new fantastic 5at5 upstairs in
Boston. Between 5pm and 6pm you
can get a selected Cocktail for only
£5! Kick back with a Cuba Libre or a
Kir Royale. Ease into the week with
an Espresso Martini or a Negroni. Or
simply have the perfect post work
wind down with a Perfect Lady

5 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4DD
www.68andboston.com

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JOIN THE TEAM!

We're looking for diverse talent to help

us showcase the best of Soho!

Whether your creative flair - if Soho's part of your lifestyle we'd love to have
you onboard the My Soho Times team! From bloggers, to photographers,
videographers to social media enthusiasts, reviewers to illustrators - this is

your platform to showcase London's most dynamic district!

[email protected] MY SOHO TIMES

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WHAT TO
EXPECT FROM

ISSUE 1

Showcasing the creative vision of Soho from key
developers, we'll explore how Soho's past intertwined
with the present will help us reimagine the next decade of

London's former red light district.

To partner, sponsor or advertise with us please email Kai
at [email protected]

MY SOHO TIMES

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27a Poland Street, Soho W1F 8QW
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