Whitechapel Flexible Working With Purpose

Our flagship co-working branch at the aptly named ‘People’s Mission Hall’ in Whitechapel, is home to a variety of purpose-lead start-ups and individuals on a mission to make the world a better place. We unite, inspire and amplify their growth potential by providing them with the tools and spaces that they need, to grow with passionate purpose.

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With a variety of new spaces opening up this year, we explore some of the things that make each of the surrounding spaces unique. From local produce and events, to ways to keep fit, explore nature and get involved with the local community. All of our spaces are located in vibrant areas where there is something for everyone. As the lockdown begins to lift, here are a few ways to support your local area from our Whitechapel branch:

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About The Area

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Whitechapel in East London is a lively and multicultural district. Popular with city workers, it is near to many of the cities largest companies, brands and bars. In the early 21st century Whitechapel figured prominently in London's punk rock scene, with the main focal point for this being the Whitechapel Factory and Rhythm Factory bar - featuring the likes of The Libertines and Razorlight.

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Home to centres such as London Action Resource Centre and rampART, Whitechapel is seen by many as a cultural hub for community-based political activism particularly of an anti-authoritarian, anti-war trend. The anarchist publishing house Freedom Press is nearby in Aldgate and one of the London chapters of Food Not Bombs serves regular meals in Altab Ali Park on Whitechapel High Street.

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Start-up Resources

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Whitechapel is home to the General Assembly - ‘a pioneer in education and career transformation, specialising in today's most in-demand skills’. They run a variety of workshops, from coding bootcamps, to data science and UX-design. Great for start-ups and freelancers looking for a career-change or to up-skill. They also host many free taster sessions, fares and events, bringing people together from all industries and backgrounds.

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If you’re a start-up or solopreneur that sells physical goods, it’s easy to get stall-space at the Spitalfields market, Petticoat Lane. Dating back to the 1750s, Petticoat Lane market is one of Whitechapel’s most beloved landmarks. Every weekend around a thousand stalls line the pavements, mainly selling fashion, clothing and accessories. The market is famous world-over for its buzzing atmosphere and always gets very busy – not just when the main market runs on Sunday, but throughout the week, when a smaller, select group of stalls operates.

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Wine And Dine

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Whitechapel is home to many traditional pubs, as well as the lively local Whitechapel market - which is a focal point for asian food, discount fashion and homewares. There are a few places in Whitechapel that offer a great selection of ethnic street food – particularly on the weekends or when there are special market events. Nearby Brick Lane is a hub of family-run stalls, and the the Brick Lane Food Hall is open at the end of every week.

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The most famous cuisine in Whitechapel is the Brick Lane curry. The area comes alive in the evenings, and offers good value for money at its affordable and authentic venues. Some of the highest rated options in the area include the Brick Lane Brasserie and City Spice. If you’re a real food-feind, you can also try the local Indian Curry Tour.

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A short walk away from Spitalfields, the Old Spitalfields Market has been operating for more than 350 years - since 1638 when King Charles allowed it in what was then a rural area. The oldest buildings that you’ll find here today are from 1887 but there are also more modern extensions and renovations. Inside the large complex are almost 50 shops and stalls, with a focus on small producers and local artisans.

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Other popular food destinations include chocolate house Dark Sugars, home to hand-made chocolate blends, cocktails and drinks. As well as Sushi Samba for those looking for a more upmarket venue with views of the London skyline; the trendy Cereal Killer cafe serving cereal for every meal, every day of the week, and The Breakfast Club, which often has queues around the block.

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Keeping Fit

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As well as being home to some of the best-priced 24 hour gyms and services, Whitechapel is home to a variety of boutique and unique classes, to keep you fit and inspired. For example, Fly LDN in nearby Aldgate offer immersive pilates, barre and low-impact yoga at their stylish space complete with virtual screen and sound-effects, creating a tropical atmosphere at home.

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If you’re looking for something more high intensity, you could also try the Skinny Rebel Workout - which claims to be London's toughest high intensity, full body group workout. If variety is what you’re after, we’d recommend signing up to Classpass, which allows you to try almost all the different studios in the area, for a tidy monthly fee.

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During the summer months, there are a variety of outdoor workouts available, from x+why’s community runs, to rope classes and strength sessions in the local park. Tower Hamlets is also home to an abundance of leisure centres and facilities, including swimming pools and group-classes.

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Community Collectives

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Whitechapel Mission are a local service that have been serving the homeless and marginalised since the 1870's. They provide skills training, a day centre, career advice, activity programmes, and specialist support for some of the most vulnerable members of society. By encouraging each person to address the issues which have contributed to their homelessness, they help them to gain the skills, resources and confidence to make lasting changes in their lives. They are open 365 days of the year, and offer free breakfast every morning from 8am, as well as hot showers, computing and clothing.

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The Nomadic Community Garden is just on the other side of the Overground track - an organic community where the members have made different spaces out of things they have found, creating a peaceful and colourful environment, with all of the typical flair unique to the area. A cross between an art gallery, a farm and a local cafe, it’s certainly one of the more quirky spots for your afternoon joe.

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If retail therapy is a past-time of yours, then you’ll love the finds that Whitechapel has to offer. There aren’t many of the normal high street chains here – and you’re much more likely to find boutique and vintage brands. Start with the Old Truman Brewery, which has been converted into a space with some good local shopfronts. From there, many of the best vintage shops are within a block or so. Most of them are open all week but you’ll find special pop-up markets on the weekend as well.

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Boxpark are also home to some of the areas best pop-ups. One the edge of Whitechapel and Shoreditch, it’s where the hipsters and tech entrepreneurs meet. The BoxPark opened in 2011 and is a small shopping centre made out of refitted shipping containers. On the ground level, along the street, each of the containers has a different shop inside and they change quite regularly. The upper level now has bars and restaurants and is a good place to stop for a drink.

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Rest And Reset

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Despite being close to the centre of London, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets has over 100 areas of parks and open spaces! These range from large-scale (Victoria Park), to smaller-local availabilities (Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel, or Allen Gardens in Shoreditch). There are also local farms including the Spitalfields City Farm, and Stepney City Farm. Stepney hosts a farmers market every weekend, selling farm-reared meat and eggs as well as vegetables grown on-site. The 15-acre Haggerston Park is one of the area's largest open space. Its attractions include a small nature reserve, a children's playground and a number of tennis courts and astroturf football pitches. The south end of Haggerston now houses the Hackney City Farm.

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Colombia Road Flower Market was developed during the 1860s, with a food market established later that decade by philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts. Today, it boasts an international reputation with plants ranging from freshly cut flowers and shrubs to bonsai, banana and lemon trees and roses. The 40 or so stalls are manned by market traders such as George Gladwell, who has been trading at the market since 1949, and whose ‘patter’ only adds to the entertainment.

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Feeling Cultured

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Since at least the 1970s, Whitechapel and other nearby parts of East London have figured prominently in London's art scene. One of London’s most interesting small museums here is Dennis Severs’ House. It’s in an old Georgian terrace and in the 20 years that the owner lived here, he turned it into a time capsule. In each room of the house, a different time period has been recreated, showing what it would have been like to live in this part of London at that time. He used a style called “still life drama”, which is supposed to make it feel as though the occupants have just walked out of the room.

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On a slightly more gruesome note, Whitechapel is also notoriously where the infamous London serial killer Jack The Ripper killed his victims in the late 1880s. He was never found and the mystery about his identity and his motives still interest people more than a century after he claimed his last victim. There are quite a few ways to hear the stories of Jack the Ripper and see some of the places related to his murders, on popular local tours.

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The trendy Whitechapel Gallery hosts plenty of contemporary art exhibitions and film screenings. As well as having some big names on display, the gallery also makes an effort to encourage local artists and artists from disadvantaged backgrounds. Entry is free and its always easy to spend more than an hour or so here.

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The whole suburb has also become an exhibition, with the area being equally famous for its variety of street-art. What started as an underground movement has moved into the mainstream, with some of the world’s biggest street artists displayed here - giving the local commute both character and style. You’re almost always sure to find something that will make you stop and think. It’s easy to find a lot of the art without any directions. Just explore all of the side streets off Brick Lane, have a look around the Nomadic Community Garden, and also check out the streets around Village Underground. However, if you’d prefer a guided exploration, the London Urban Art Tour is one of the most popular.

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Commuting

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Whitechapel is accessible via many different lines. Rush hour is usually between 7-9am in the morning and 6-8pm in the evening, although this has reduced with the increase in flexible, remote work hours. It is the main station in the district, which is on the London Underground Hammersmith & City and District lines. Cycle Superhighway CS2 runs from Aldgate to Stratford on the A11. Whitechapel is located near to Bethnal Green, The City of London, Shadwell, Spitalfields, Tower Hill and Mile End.

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