East – Local tips (shopping)

Beyond Retro has far surpassed the cult status it used to have a couple of years ago: now it’s a full-blown destination for the stylish shopper on a shoestring. Annoyingly found a fair little walk down Cheshire Street (just off Brick Lane – there is a branch in the West End but it’s disappointing), you’ll have long thought you’ve gone the wrong way before you find it. However once inside, you’ll either feel like a kid in a toy store or, if you’re like me, a little daunted by the sheer number of tat, class, crap and fashion gold.

Sifting through racks and racks of old t-shirts may not be your idea of fun, but there are genuinely some great items to be snapped up; especially in the coats section – leather jackets for 40 quid anyone?

There may be fewer basement bargains nowadays – the prices have upped slightly with the reputation – but make no mistake: Beyond Retro is London’s vintage king. If the shopping wasn’t enough, the shop also lays on gigs and events, though these seem to be few and far between. Anyhow, if you’re coming to Brick Lane (which you really should) then Beyond Retro must be near the top of your list.

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Beyond Retro | Shopping
110 – 112 Cheshire Street | East | +442076133636
10:00 – 18:00 daily

The area around Liverpool Street Station in East London was once associated with poor slums and the scene of the crime for the Jack the Ripper murders. Whilst the Ten Bells still stands, the pub that Jack’s victims drunk at, the area itself is now very popular with London’s edgy and artistic crowd.

After a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, you’ll come across the Old Spitalfields Markets (105a Commercial Street) which are open every Sunday. Whilst these markets are definitely worth a peak, keep wandering towards Bricklane where you’ll find the Old Truman Brewery (91 Bricklane).

These are one on my favourite markets as this is where up-and-coming designers set up shop every Sunday selling a unique variety of handbags, clothes and jewellery. There’s also a few vintage clothing stores and chic boutiques dotted around the area, which is a refreshing change from the usual high street clothing stores.

Whilst Bricklane has always been synonymous for its many curry restaurants, it now has a reputation for its warehouse art exhibitions and trendy clubs and bars. So, before your East London experience is complete, be sure to head to the Vibe Bars beer garden for a drink or two before stumbling across the road to 93 Feet East (150 Bricklane) for some late night groovin.

Whilst this place is sweaty and jammed, it has become an East End institution well known for its eclectic mix of live music and its intimate atmosphere.

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Bricklane | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Shopping, Restaurants (Various, however mainly Bangladeshi) | Average meal £ £5.00-£20
Bricklane | East
Markets open Sun, most clothing stores daily, 93 Feet East: Mon – Thu 17:00 – 23:00, Fri 17:00 – 01:00, Sat 12:00 – 01:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:30

I first found out about Columbia Road while walking around nearby Spitalfields Market one Sunday lunchtime, years ago. I kept noticing people strolling around the stalls, clutching huge bouquets of the most beautiful flowers of every size and colour, like a prize they’d won at a fair. Intrigued, I enquired as to the whereabouts of what I though must be the world’s most well-stocked florist and was directed to this narrow little street located near to Brick Lane.

Even if you aren’t set on buying any of the dazzling variety of flowers and plants on offer, it’s worth taking a trip to Columbia Road just to soak up the atmosphere. Each Sunday the street is transformed into a treat for the senses, a vibrant combination of colour and fragrance. Dozens of stalls line the road and the air is filled with hollers of ‘three for a fivah’ as vendors beckon you to their stalls. I take very little convincing to part with my cash in exchange for a bunch of delicately coloured roses of a posy of anemones. When you’ve had your fill of flowers, there is also a collection of sweet shops, vintage boutiques, gallery shops and cafes.

The market gets very busy, especially on sunny days, so be prepared to shuffle along with the crowds. Get there early to avoid the crush, or even better, arrive at around 14:00 just before closing and pick up some great flower bargains.

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Columbia Road Flower Market | Shopping
Columbia Road | East
Sun 08:00 – 15:00 (ish)

The east end’s vintage stores are hardly a best-kept secret to the fashionistas of Shoreditch, Hoxton and the like. But beyond Beyond Retro and Absolute, there is one tucked away treat to be had on the wrong side of Brick Lane.

The East End Thrift Store, unbeknown to all but the best of bargain buyers, is almost impossible to spot at first – you’ll have to get off at Stepney Green tube and stroll down the busy main road for a few minutes before you get close. But poke your nose down the right alley and you’re met with a brazen homage to all things old and cheap.

And that doesn’t mean bad. There are tons of treats on each peg; coats with no name, ties with no brand, and of course the obligatory wooly jumper rack. Charmingly unpretentious, cute 50s rock ‘n’ roll soundtracks your way round this backstreet beauty, picking out tees for a couple of quid or an old bomber for a fiver.

So if you want your vintage London experience with a twist, it’s worth the short trip eastwards to pick and choose in one of London’s unsung heroes.

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East End Thrift Store | Shopping
Assembly Passage | East | +442074239700
11:00 – 18:00 daily

Enter a world of wonder at Montezuma’s in Spitalfields, where you can take a bite from brightly coloured stacks of chocolate bars called Surf Nut, Whoopee, Jungle Fever, Space Hopper and Gourmet Gorrilla to name a few.  Mr Wonka would be proud to rest his top-hat here.

If calories are not an option, then how about one of their 1kg slabs of hunking great chunks of chocolate stuffed variously with nuts, marzipan and cocoa bits?  No? Ok, how about foot-high jars of big chocolate buttons, in white, milk or dark chocolate?

I’ve found the girls in the office are quite partial to the geranium Dainty Dollops. That’s right, you read it, geranium oil scented discs of chocolate that smell of flowers.

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional they do their own large-size chocolate bars that you would associate with brands such as Green & Blacks and Lindt.  There’s also truffles in the cabinet and little bags of somethings lining the walls of the shop.

If you’re gonna fall off the wagon, make sure you fall outside Montezuma’s sweet-smelling doors.

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Montezuma’s | Shopping, Snacks | Single chocolate bar £ 1.25
51 Brushfield Street | East | +442075399208
Mon 11:00 – 16:00, Tue – Sun 10:00 – 18:00