👋 Hackney’s vibrant shop/work/eat/drink space is taking over a big chunk of KX

Big local culture news of the week has unquestionably been the unveiling of plans to bring Hackney’s thriving future retail concept Mare Street Market to the giant ground floor space of 10 Lewis Cubitt Square, on the King’s Cross estate.

Locals have variously moaned that Coal Drops Yard is either a bit too pricy or ends up feeling rather too quiet during the week, so this expansion of the 360 degree KX experience onwards through into the square behind sounds like the ideal remedy.

Long term Mare Street Market fans will already know how the original’s labyrinthine mix of cool designer-maker shops, artisan food traders, corners for laptop warriors and unashamed party spots makes for a compelling mix.

Bringing it all to the N1C postcode, which already boasts the pop-ups of Lower Stable Street, the boutiques of CDY and the growing number of hot destinations for food, fashion and living in the back pastures of the King’s Cross estate feels like a properly shrewd move all round.

• 🔓 Here’s a bit more on the story, and we’ll keep you updated on the latest developments in these weekly updates, as the opening is slated for the autumn.

• 🖼️ David Hockney’s Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) in The Lightroom, right next door has been extended until 1st October.

• 🎡 Meanwhile, in other local market transformation news, the controversial 40m high ‘observation wheel’ proposed for Camden’s historic canalside West Yard got planning approval last week. But if you look behind all the grim ‘Ferris wheel’ headlines, the opening up of Dead Dog Basin is actually really exciting, right?

COMMUNITY

Gospel Oak’s abandoned garages are coming alive

The Undercraft is a groundbreaking community project to repurpose abandoned garages under the Ludham and Waxham blocks in Gospel Oak that’s really exciting us right now.

This week we’ve been speaking to Director, Silvie Jacobi, who reveals what’s happening and coming up very soon in this subterranean culture hub, including the arrival of charities, artesian crafts businesses and educators, plus there’s even a radio station and a boxing gym.

• 🟨 Find out all about what's bubbling under right now at The Undercraft - and how you can get involved.

• It’s all being run by London School of Mosaic, who are working on this incredible 57m-long mosaic destined for London Bridge train station

FOOD + DRINK

Secret Feasts does Kentish Town

Were you out in Belsize Park for our £25 meals this week? The conditions for al fresco tables couldn’t have been a better showcase for all the neighbourhood offers, so we’re pleased to have brought more people to eat in the area.

Now the series moves on - to the foodie enclave of Kentish Town, where we’ll be offering £25 nights out next month, on Wednesday 12th July.

Know NW5 or not, you’re going to be bowled over by what’s on offer. These tickets will go fast, so don’t dawdle on this one!

• 🌿Full updated guide to dining in Kentish Town, including the restaurants offering Secret Feasts specials next month.

• 🎟️ Find out about the menus at Never For Ever, Patron, Babuji and the Rose & Crown and book your Secret Feasts Kentish Town tickets here.

ART

Check out these shows… and you can eat, too

• 📸 We’ve featured the photography of Anna Lerner in Camdenist before, and she’s currently exhibiting her latest work at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, extended until 9th July. Check her on Insta here too.

• 🎨 New at the Camden Arts Centre is Malicious Mischief, the first full show outside the USA (featuring over 100 works) by artist Martin Wong, who is known for his extraordinary depictions of social, sexual and political scenes.

• 🖼️ The National Portrait Gallery reopens this Thursday (22nd) after a massive refurb, including live events with Paul McCartney, Stanley Tucci and Tracy Emin just for starters.

• 🍽️ It all looks suitably lovely, including the new restaurant The Portrait, from chef Richard Corrigan. He’s pushed back it’s own opening a couple of weeks, but you can start booking soon, and it looks like it’s going to be a hot table for the summer, with views across Trafalgar Square.

MUSIC

Live gigs to inspire you this week

Gig highlights in association with the fabulous Halibuts.com

• 🎸 Trashville present London’s Pretty Addicted tonight at The Black Heart, where goth meets electronic dance music for a full-on mashup session.

• 🎻 Free music at Lauderdale House this Sunday, with jazz on the lawn from some of Camden’s finest students alongside conductior and composer Nikki Yeoh at Sundial Sunday.

• 🎤 Reggae legend Barrington Levy is bringing his Jamaican dancehall and ragga-jungle-fusion vibes to the 02 Forum Kentish Town this Thursday.

MORE UNMISSABLE EVENTS & GOSSIP

• ➡️ All sorts of activities are coming up on the canalside steps at Granary Square, from movies to Wimbledon and even an Asian-inspired market. It’s a bit warmer and more inviting that when we braved the ice and snow to run Camdenist Live open mic there back in December: check the videos here.

• ➡️ PUB DEAL OF THE WEEK: With it’s suntrap beer garden and historic position just across the track from the Roundhouse, The Pembroke in Primrose Hill is doing a stacked sandwich and a soft drink from £8.50 every weekday until 4pm.

• ➡️Gura Gura is the latest restaurant to open at Coven Garden’s impressive hub The Yards, with Pan-Asian food plus DJs at the weekends, too.

• ➡️WINDRUSH 75: Celebration of Sound System Culture - Camdenist readers get special £10 tickets for this music event featuring the legendary Aswad in 3D sound, DJ Ashley Beedle and Turner Prize shortlisters Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S). Book now, for EartH Hackney on June 23rd

WEEKLY POLL

Collaboration is essential, so your feedback, suggestions and requests are always welcome. Reach out to us: [email protected] 

Got an editorial idea you’d like us to consider? Just fill in the online form…

Camdenist newsletter is run on Beehiiv.

It’s the new all-in-one tool tailored for growing email newsletters (rather than plan old marketing mails), so it’s the ideal platform for us – and one you might want to explore for your own publishing too.

Try Beehiiv absolutely free with no credit card required.