London’s defining landmark adds four European language options to its Smartify audio guide offer, and an audio descriptive tour for people with visual impairments

Visitors to Tower Bridge can now enhance their experience further with an immersive audio tour in French, German, Italian or Spanish . Already available in English, the Highlights Tour, an audio guide powered by Smartify, has been upgraded to include new European language options, as well as a new sensory audio descriptive tour.

Free to download onto visitors’ smartphones, the Highlights Tour reveals Tower Bridge’s incredible history with an interactive journey through London’s defining landmark. As well as expert commentary and testimonials from the experienced Tower Bridge team, users of the app also get access to exclusive images and photography. Once downloaded, visitors simply choose their preferred language and enjoy a 45-minute tour of the Towers, High-level Walkways and the Engine Rooms.

In addition to this, a new audio descriptive tour is also now available for visually impaired visitors, for the first time, bringing an experience to engage all senses. Developed by Smartify and consultant Joe Rizzo Naudi, the audio descriptive tour will enable visitors to understand more about the materials and surfaces, while highlighting the temperatures, the changing light levels and different spatial experiences, enabling visitors to connect with the defining landmark, both inside and outside the Bridge.

Dirk Bennett, Tower Bridge Exhibition Development Manager, said: “We dipped our toe in the water, and launched an English version of our Smartify audio tour in the summer of 2023 and the response has been fantastic. We’ve had over 130,000 users in less than 12 months downloading and tuning in to hear the extraordinary stories behind Tower Bridge’s construction, maintenance and its role in London’s transportation and cultural life today. So, we’re excited to bring expanded audio tour options for our visitors from across Europe and beyond, and to develop a richer experience for those with visual impairments. It’s an area we’re keen to develop further too, and we’re already planning for the next phase of additions: watch (or listen to) this space.”

Tower Bridge is a must-see for visitors to London, for its rich history to its incredible views from the Glass Floors in the High-level Walkways. This summer, the Bridge hosts a free open-air exhibition on the Bridge. Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks is currently open and runs until the 1 October, and showcases a collection of never-before-seen photography from the Bridge’s final few weeks of construction and public opening 130 years ago in 1894.

Find out more about Tower Bridge, its Highlights Tour and to book, visit towerbridge.org.uk.

Environmental charity Hubbub has today launched its first ever ‘Community Nature Network’ to help community-led green spaces thrive and bring nature closer to people and people closer to nature.

The Community Nature Network, supported by funding from the Wates Family Enterprise Trust and the Bentley Environmental Foundation, will offer funding opportunities, free resources, guidance and peer to peer support to community groups who wish to establish new green spaces or improve existing ones. The network is free to join from today and is open to any publicly-accessible community-led green space.

The announcement comes as research shows that engaging with nature projects not only has health and social benefits but can also be a catalyst for individual environmental action. A recent study by Chrysalis Research revealed a clear link between participation in community-based nature projects and the adoption of more environmentally friendly behaviours in general.

Key findings of the study include:

Almost two thirds (64%) of people participating in nature-based projects and activities felt more empowered to take personal action towards tackling climate change

92% of those engaged in nature projects took on at least one additional pro-environmental habit, such as growing their own food, reducing their use of plastic, reducing food waste or lowering their gas, electricity or petrol consumption.

Gavin Ellis, Co-founder at Hubbub said: “We’re on a mission to bring people closer to nature and nature closer to people. Research shows that spending time in nature not only improves our health, wellbeing and social connectedness, but that engaging with nature projects and community gardening initiatives also encourages people to make more environmentally friendly lifestyle choices overall.

“The ‘Community Nature Network’ aims to connect the dots to give like-minded community groups the resources and guidance they need to be able to respond to and fulfil local environmental and social needs. It will also allow them to share their success stories and how they’ve overcome barriers. The incredible people involved in setting up and running these kinds of initiatives often lack funding, time and headspace. We want to help shine a light on the amazing work they do and build a supportive and effective network to allow these projects to really thrive and flourish.”

Members will gain access to a wide range of free useful resources, from videos and case studies to measurement guides and communications templates. Anyone involved in setting up or running a community-led green space is welcome to join the Community Nature Network – it’s free and it takes less than 5 minutes to sign up. Hubbub would also welcome conversations with organisations interested in providing funding to community-led green spaces.

In the lead up to the launch of the Community Nature Network, Hubbub has supported 26 community nature projects across the UK, kindly sponsored by the Bentley Environmental Foundation. Projects were awarded up to £5,000 to start or maintain community-led green spaces bringing people together to enjoy nature, learn new skills, and care for their local environment.

Wayne Bruce, Chief Communications and DEI Officer at Bentley Motors, and responsible for the Bentley Environmental Foundation said:

“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Hubbub to support their Community Nature Network. By fostering community-led green spaces, this initiative not only enhances local environments but also promotes healthier, more sustainable lifestyles, both of which align with the aims of the Foundation. We strongly believe in the power of nature to transform communities, and are excited to see the positive impact this network will bring to individuals and groups across the UK”

Felicity Mallam, Director, Wates Family Enterprise Trust said: “It’s so important that we increase access to green space and nature as it has the power to transform our communities; our health and well-being; and our climate resilience. That’s why we support programmes that promote equitable access to nature, help us to connect with and value it, and ultimately inspire engagement with the climate movement. The Chrysalis research highlights community and nature connection as a driver for climate action, and the importance of this work. We’re delighted to support this new network and bring more people on the journey.”

Hubbub has a successful track record in coordinating nature projects and a wealth of expertise in inspiring and supporting community-led environmental action. The charity also recently awarded over half a million pounds to 100 community projects across the UK to create or rejuvenate green spaces. These projects will automatically become members of Hubbub’s new Community Nature Network, continuing to benefit from ongoing funding opportunities, guidance, resources and support.

Hubbub set up and co-ordinates the Community Fridge Network, which now consists of more than 650 Community Fridges across the country which bring people together to share food, meet up, learn new skills and prevent fresh food from going to waste.

The popular holiday resort has been awarded £12,500 through the #InTheLoop grant fund, to boost out-of-home recycling for residents and visitors

Blackpool Council’s environmental service provider Enveco, has been awarded £12,500 to install its first ever on-the-go recycling bins along its famous beachfront promenade.

The funding is being provided by trade body Natural Source Waters Association (NSWA) as part of the #InTheLoop recycling initiative which is run by environmental charity Hubbub.

At the launch, BBC Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer and former winner, Jowita Przystał, unveiled the first of 20 recycling bins, dedicated to collecting plastic bottles and drinks cans for recycling.

The bins are being introduced along Blackpool’s promenade, famous for its iconic Tower, Comedy Carpet and three piers. The seafront and beach is a popular spot for picnicking and will be the first time Blackpool will have dedicated recycling bins to make it easy for the 20 million visitors per year, to recycle drink containers when visiting the country’s premier holiday resort.

Finding recycling bins for drinks containers while out and about can be difficult in the UK. With the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) delayed until October 2027 the #InTheLoop campaign aims to help alleviate the issue and boost efforts to secure as many plastic drinks bottles and cans for recycling as possible.

Blackpool’s new bins will have clear signage to guide people on what can be collected for recycling. They will be positioned along the promenade alongside general waste bins that are already in situ, to make recycling plastic bottles and cans when visiting the beach as easy as possible. Brightly coloured chalk footprints, including ballroom dancing shoes and seagull tracks (one of Keep Blackpool Tidy’s mascots), will be spray-painted on the promenade to help people easily find the bins.

Jowita Przystał, Dancer and former Strictly Come Dancing winner, said: “Dancing in Blackpool is always so special to me and many of my fellow dancers. It is great to see the seaside resort taking positive steps towards becoming more sustainable. I am thrilled to be invited to reveal the first of 20 new bins in the area. The colourful In The Loop designs fit so well with this playful destination, while also communicating the important message of recycling on-the-go. I’ll certainly be using them on my way to and from rehearsals and performances on the dance floor!”

Cllr Lynn Williams MBE, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the awareness of ‘ On the Go Recycling ‘ to everyone visiting our promenade and beach. The high profile Promenade location will give plenty of scope to recycle responsibly and reduce the level of plastic cans and bottles being littered on the beach entering the seas and oceans, and their devastating impact on the environment.”

Cllr Adrian Hoyle, Chairman of Board Enveco NW said: ‘Blackpool provides bins at all access steps to the beach during the bathing season (May – September), between North and South Pier. The award of the grant is a great opportunity to increase the recycling of materials that would normally be disposed of as general waste. The grant awarded will allow for 20 specific recycling, to maximise the recycling potential of plastic bottles and cans and the continued education for recycling responsibly.”

Anthony Walker, at Natural Source Waters Association, who represent natural source water producers in the UK, said : “Bottles and cans are a vital and valuable commodity, and we want these containers to be captured so they can be recycled into new ones. Producers are keen to make it as easy as possible for people to recycle the right things in the right places and Hubbub’s #InTheLoop campaign is a proven way of doing this. It improves both recycling rates and the quality of material collected on-the-go, helping these containers get another life, whilst also reducing litter. The next step in achieving a circular economy for bottles and cans is for aligned deposit return schemes to be introduced across the four nations of the UK, which is why we are working with UK Governments to make this happen.”

Hubbub launched #InTheLoop in 2018. Since then, over 2.5 million plastic and glass bottles and cans have been collected and recycled. There are now over 600 #InTheLoop bins across the country, providing solutions for towns and cities such as Blackpool who want to tackle out-of-home recycling.

The campaign is based on the #InTheLoop toolkit which was funded by environmental compliance scheme Ecosurety and brings together key learnings and insights gathered from previous trials and aims to act as a blueprint for future projects.

For more information on the grant funding and to access the In The Loop toolkit, including downloadable assets, visit www.intheloop.org.uk or contact intheloop@hubbub.org.uk

All three hybrid River Buses now in service on the Thames

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ brand new hybrid passenger ferry Mars Clipper has joined its fellow hybrid vessels Earth Clipper and Celestial Clipper to form an iconic trio – bringing sustainable river transport to more commuters and leisure travellers than ever before.

The capital’s first ever hybrid passenger ferry, Earth Clipper, was launched in September 2023 and was then joined by Celestial Clipper in March 2024. Mars Clipper will be Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ third hybrid vessel to carry passengers in Central London on journeys with zero tailpipe emissions.

Built at the Isle of Wight’s Wight Shipyard, the three vessels’ innovative design delivers an almost 90 per cent reduction in CO2e compared to journeys taken solely using conventional marine diesel. Operating only on electric power in Central London – i.e. between Tower and Battersea Power Station piers – the hybrid boats recharge while using biofuelled power on the rest of their journey. This hybrid system results in an emissions reduction of 16.5 per cent per boat when compared with running on biofuel alone throughout all parts of the route.

Mars Clipper is the 20th high-speed catamaran to join the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers fleet, and the three hybrid vessels increase the River Bus’s total capacity by just under 700 passengers. More Londoners and visitors than ever will be able to travel to work or see the sights in style – sitting comfortably in a cabin that boasts a fully licensed café-bar, offering a range of Barista crafted coffees, soft and alcoholic drinks, as well as snacks. Plentiful seating and large windows offer unique views of London’s most iconic riverside sites, while a spacious, open back deck provides an impressive panoramic vantage point. Tickets can be purchased online, on the Thames Clippers Tickets and Uber apps, and at piers.

Sean Collins, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers co-founder and CEO said: “We want to make London’s river travel the best and most sustainable transport option in the world. We are immensely proud of being able to launch our third hybrid vessel in less than 12 months. Seeing these wonderful boats sail the Thames together is a momentous day for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and this symbolises our commitment to achieve a net zero status by 2040. Going forward, all of our new vessels will use our hybrid system and where possible, fully electrified or zero emission technology. The design of the catamaran can also be made even greener in the future, when technology allows.”

“We are currently working to introduce London’s first fully electric Zero Emission Cross River Ferry between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe by the spring of 2025 – the first of its kind in the UK.

“It’s a real British success story – our new boats are proudly built in the UK using the latest technology to create a comfortable and environmentally friendly way to get around our fantastic capital city.”

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is committed to using the most advanced technology to meet its ambitious climate targets of reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, before achieving net zero by 2040.

All the hybrid vessels were built at Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ investment has continued to be significant for the local economy on the Isle of Wight, with 65 people building the boats over the past year and 14 apprentices involved.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers offers services that run as far east as Barking Riverside and out to Putney in the west. The business is celebrating 25 years of operation in 2024, and in 2023 alone, carried just below 5 million commuters and visitors through London on the river Thames.

For more information and to book, visit www.uberboatbythamesclippers.com.

Traders and restaurateurs share expert food insights and sample produce with host Giulia Crouch from the centre of London’s historic food market

Borough Market’s podcast Borough Talks has returned with a new five-episode summer series. In a new format for the established podcast, food journalist Giulia Crouch, regular contributor to The Times and Times Radio, will speak to the Market’s food traders and restaurateursamongst the bustling stalls. Episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays throughout August following the first episode which launched on 30 July.

The new series seeks to recreate the unique and valuable conversations shoppers have with the Market’s traders every day. Butchers, wine merchants and food stall owners are among the guests offering their expert knowledge, recommendations and recipes. Guests bring samples of their own produce and chat with Giulia over delicious dishes. These conversations will also provide a fascinating insight into the guests’ varied personal stories that have led them to trade in Borough Market today.

This series focuses on summertime food and drink and launches with a conversation on meat and barbecuing with Dom McCourt, manager and butcher at Northfield Farm. The conversation ranges from Dom’s own introduction to the world of butchery and his father’s jump from investment banking to farming. Dom discusses the secrets of successful barbecuing and the surprising benefits he’s experienced since including meat with every meal of the day. He and Giulia then enjoy a freshly prepared White Park Sirloin straight from Northfield Farm’s stall.

The following episodes traverse the range of diverse food and drink available at Borough Market, with each episode themed around summer dining and entertainment:

Episode two sees David Carter & Rob Dann discuss operating their highly acclaimed restaurants in Borough Market. David, fresh from the launch of his celebrated new opening Oma and Agora and Rob of wine merchants Bedales Wine Bar, explore the reality of operating their hugely popular hospitality destinations.

Episode three focuses on seasonings with Dawn Smith of Pimento Hill. Dawn discusses the traditional Jamaican methods and the fine fresh ingredients that go into her sauces, seasonings and jellies, and how each of them can easily enhance summer dishes.

In episode four, Phil Crouch of Parma Ham & Patrick Martinez of The Tinned Fish Market give their tips for hosting summer events. Phil sources his sustainable cured meats and cheeses direct from producers in Italy, while Patrick works with canneries in Portugal, Spain and France to sell tinned fish in Borough Market. Together they advise on elevating entertaining with a strong selection of delicious nibbles from around the world.

Episode five sees Urvesh Parvais of Gujarati Rasoi and Salina Khairunnisa of Joli discuss what it means to serve summer street food from the heart. Urvesh offers Gujarati street fare to Market visitors while Salina specialises in Malaysian clay pot cooking. Together they sample their own dishes with Giulia.

In the same way that shoppers can ask Borough Market’s stallholders for their advice and recommendations, Borough Talks listeners will have the chance to learn from traders’ valuable expertise this summer. The series will be followed up in winter 2024, with market traders discussing Christmas dining.

All five episodes are recorded live in the Market, from the terrace of Bedales Wine Bar overlooking the Market floor, enabling listeners to sample the atmospheric buzz of London’s world-renowned historic food market.

All episodes will be available in audio form, with video clips shared on Borough Market’s social media pages.

From 30 July, the podcast is available for free on all major podcast platforms and on Borough Market’s website. To listen to and to find out more about Borough Talks, visit: www.boroughmarket.org.uk/borough-talks-podcast/

Community-led organisations in Cumbria and Northumberland invited to apply now

A new £500,000 funding programme to support community-led projects in rural Northumberland and Cumbria is today being announced by The Royal Countryside Fund, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund.

The fund which launches on 1^st August, is seeking applications from organisations across the two counties that have the potential to ‘power up, not prop up’ rural communities. The initiative – the first county-based programme from The Royal Countryside Fund – aims to revitalise these areas by funding original, innovative projects that address the unique challenges and opportunities they face.

Figures show that the average wage in rural areas is 7.5% less than the urban equivalent, yet residents must spend up to 20% more on everyday items like fuel and transport, while many living in rural communities also face hidden levels of hardship such as loneliness and isolation.

Individual organisations can apply for up to £30,000 each over a period of 18 months to deliver activities designed to boost economic, environmental or social stability. Applications are encouraged from projects which have the potential to provide financial benefits to the locality, build a stronger sense of community and connectedness and/or increase environmental sustainability.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “There is huge untapped potential within rural communities to drive economic prosperity and find innovative solutions to environmental and social challenges. This funding opportunity aims to support transformative initiatives that will truly inspire change in rural parts of Cumbria and Northumberland.

“We are particularly excited to see ideas that offer new and original solutions to rural challenges, especially where there is potential to replicate these in other communities and increase the scale of change. We are also profoundly grateful for the substantial support from The National Lottery Community Fund, which enables us to significantly enhance our impact.”

Duncan Nicholson, Regional Head of Funding for North East & Cumbria at The National Lottery Community Fund said: “We are delighted to be funding this terrific initiative in partnership with The Royal Countryside Fund and committing to the environmental sustainability and resilience of communities across these two counties.

“Supporting communities to be environmentally sustainable is one of our key missions at The National Lottery Community Fund, and thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to fund projects across the region to address local climate issues and create an infrastructure for the benefit of current and future generations.”

The Royal Countryside Fund has so far invested more than £12 million in over 500 rural community-led projects, including two previous examples of highly innovative and impactful projects in Cumbria and Northumberland:

Grizedale Arts and The Farmers Arms in Cumbria: a project in collaboration with the community which turned an old pub into a rural hub, creating a local space for creative and business projects to run as well as hosting training events and volunteer placements for local people.

Blackhall Mill Community Association in Newcastle: a community initiative to develop a how-to-guide and model for setting up an electric vehicle car club, called a ‘car club in a box’, to enable other communities to create their own. The innovation is designed to support the development of new clubs in other communities, de-carbonise transport, improve accessibility and strengthen to sustainability of their own club for the community.

The Royal Countryside Fund is seeking applications from community projects that will create tangible change, helping to do one or more of the following:

Help provide financial benefits to the locality
Build a stronger sense of community and connectedness
Benefit the local environment, creating positive benefits for the community
Create an innovative and replicable approach, addressing an unmet need within a rural area

To apply, visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/grants to submit a short video and complete a simple ‘Expression of Interest’ form, explaining why the idea is needed in the area, how it will help the community, how it demonstrates innovation and the long-term ambition for the project.

On Wednesday 7^th August The Royal Countryside Fund will host two webinars for people interested in applying to ask questions and find out more about the fund and application process:

Cumbria-6pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AuJSQyN7SmSGon0VsPwOwA
Northumberland- 7pm https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VpTKxrMASeyMFhIH821PDw

Successful applicant to lead on delivering bold, new long-term development plan for major Visitor Attraction

As the Tower Bridge Visitor Attraction embarks on its next chapter, it has created an ambitious, newly-developed long-term development plan: ‘Tower Bridge in Motion – Strengthening connections to redefine London’s leading landmark’. The plan aims to expand the Visitor Attraction’s footprint, enhance accessibility, and deepen engagement with its diverse local communities. This will include the development of community spaces, activities and charitable support. To help deliver this plan, City Bridge Foundation is proud to announce the creation of a new and pivotal role, Associate Director, Tower Bridge in Motion.

The successful candidate in the newly established role will be instrumental in driving the forward-thinking action plan. The new Associate Director will be charged with delivering on these essential values, ensuring that the Tower Bridge Visitor Attraction remains a beacon of progressive and sustainable development. The role will focus on enhancing community relations, advancing sustainable practices, promoting equity, and fostering an inclusive environment for all visitors and staff.

“We are excited to introduce this crucial position at such an exciting time for Tower Bridge Visitor Attraction,” said Chris Earlie, Tower Bridge Director. “Our long-term development plan is driven by a strong purpose, and the Associate Director will play a vital role in realising our vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future. This role will help us to ensure that Tower Bridge not only remains an iconic landmark but continues to become a cutting-edge and progressive Visitor Attraction for generations to come.”

From a historic river crossing to a multifaceted cultural icon, Tower Bridge has undergone significant transformation over its history. Through conscious development and innovative initiatives, it has evolved into a leading visitor attraction, embodying the spirit of London’s heritage while embracing modernity.

The Associate Director, Tower Bridge in Motion, will report to Chris Earlie, Tower Bridge Director and their key responsibilities within the Visitor Attraction will include:

Leading initiatives to enhance community engagement and partnerships.
Developing and implementing sustainability programmes that reduce the environmental impact of operations.
Promoting equity and inclusivity in all aspects of activities and services.
Collaborating with stakeholders to align development projects with the overarching goals of the long-term plan.

City Bridge Foundation and Tower Bridge are looking for candidates from the cultural and museums sector with a strong background in community engagement, sustainability, and inclusivity, as well as proven experience in driving organisational change. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.

City Bridge Foundation is the charity which owns and maintains five key bridges in London, including Tower Bridge. Since 1995, the philanthropic organisation has also used surplus funds to award grants to other charities across Greater London. These charitable initiatives focus on areas such as education, employment, health and community development. Through strategic partnerships and innovative grant-making, City Bridge Foundation is driving meaningful change for London’s residents.

Applications for the Associate Director role are now open. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the Tower Bridge website for more information and to apply: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/jobs.

Plus new limited-edition anniversary pale ale available on board to celebrate the capital’s leading River Bus service

London’s River Bus has been serving Londoners and tourists since May 1999, and is marking its silver anniversary by giving away 600 River Roamer tickets on 24 May, the official 25-year anniversary date. As well as the service’s biggest ever ticket giveaway, for a limited time over the summer months, Silver Tide, a specially commissioned new anniversary beer will be available from the boats’ onboard café bars to help celebrate this special occasion.

Every hour on 24 May, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers will be giving away 25 River Roamer tickets via its website*. These tickets offer a full day’s hop-on, hop-off service across all River Bus piers, which stretch from Putney in the West to Barking Riverside in the East. Together, 600 River Roamers will be given away, with a combined value of over £13,000.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers will also be offering Silver Tide, a limited-edition pale ale with grape and citrusaromas and a gentle bitterness to celebrate its anniversary year. The easy-drinking ale will be on sale from 24 May for leisure passengers soaking in the riverside sights and commuters journeying home. Silver Tide is brewed for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers by London’s independent Portobello Brewing.

The past 25 years have seen Uber Boat by Thames Clippers grow from just one boat offering cross river services to a fleet of 20 high-speed catamarans serving piers across London. Over its 20-year history, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has delivered over 60 million customer journeys. The latest, ground-breaking additions to the fleet have been three high-speed hybrid vessels, Earth, Celestial, and Mars Clipper, the latest of which joins later this spring. The first of their kind, the ferries operate solely using electric power in central London and use biofuel outside of the central zone. The vessels deliver an almost 90 per cent reduction in CO2e compared to journeys taken solely using conventional marine diesel.

As Uber Boat by Thames Clippers looks to the future, it remains committed to growing London’s river transport services, while remaining environmentally sustainable and achieving net zero by 2040. All new vessels have a future-friendly design, meaning the boats can be made greener as technology allows. The service is preparing to deliver its first fully electric boat – a Cross River Ferry between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe – by spring 2025.

For a chance win one of the 600 River Roamer tickets visit: thamesclippers.com/25anniversary-giveaway

Leadenhall Market’s announces its annual pancake race

The coveted Golden frying pan is up for grabs as the legendary Leadenhall Market pancake race returns to The City of London for its 15^th year.

Hosted by the world-renowned market’s 18^th century pub – The Lamb Tavern – the annual tradition is set to take place on Tuesday 13^th February at 12:30pm and will see teams of four compete for glory during a 20m flipping relay on the Victorian covered Market’s ancient cobblestones.

The winning team will secure their place in Leadenhall history with their name inscribed on the Golden Frying Pan which is then displayed behind The Lamb’s bar for the remainder of the year. Winners can also look forward to a Lamb Tavern Hamper, while runners up in second place can earn themselves a £50 bar tab and third place will be awarded with a bottle of prosecco. And of course, all competitors can expect free pancakes. Losing teams will receive the consolation of one of The Lamb Tavern’s famous scotch eggs (cut into quarters!).

In recognition of Leadenhall Market’s iconic City status, participants are invited to don bowler hats, while Market personality Charlie from London City shoeshine will provide a running commentary of the much-loved annual event.

To mark the event’s 15^th anniversary, more pancakes than ever before will be on offer for spectators, with many delicious free pancakes – made by The Lamb’s Head Chef Sian – available to those cheering on from the side lines.

Free to enter, teams of four people can take part and must register beforehand at www.lambtavernleadenhall.com/#book, or by emailing lambtavern@youngs.co.uk.

Leadenhall Market’s boutique retailers, bars, restaurants and cafes will also be open for the event, welcoming participants and spectators alike.

For more information visit: www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk     

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation.    

The brief

LocalMotion is a social, economic and environmental justice movement created by six UK funders to tackle shared community challenges in Carmarthen, Enfield, Lincoln, Oldham, Middlesbrough and Torbay. After developing the LocalMotion brand, we were asked to create a series of video production assets that could bring its impact to life for funders and stakeholders. With funding pressures growing and community needs rising, the organisation needed compelling charity video content that demonstrated progress, strengthened engagement and inspired continued support.

Insights and approach

We developed a video series designed to reflect LocalMotion’s democratic ethos. This began with concept development, planning and storyboarding for seven films — a hero film, The LocalMotion Story, and six short films profiling each community. Bringing stakeholders into the process was essential. We involved representatives from all six places throughout development to ensure the narrative stayed true to lived experience.We organised a filming day in London, bringing together community leaders and people directly affected by the issues LocalMotion is tackling. For the six short films, we commissioned local videographers to capture place-based activity and interview local partners, blending this with footage from the central filming day. This approach ensured each film felt rooted in its community while contributing to a coherent, movement-wide story.

Results

The resulting films provide LocalMotion with a powerful suite of impact communication assets. The LocalMotion Story documents the movement’s journey so far — its achievements, challenges and the opportunities emerging from collaboration across diverse Places.The six short films offer deeper insight into each location’s ambitions and realities, highlighting how LocalMotion helps communities build connections, share learning and move collectively towards change. Together, the series gives funders and partners a clear, accessible and human view of what alternative, community-led models for social change can achieve. LocalMotion now has a set of flexible tools to inform, motivate and inspire supporters across the funding landscape.

The brief

Leadenhall Market asked us to develop a year-round placemaking campaign that would intrigue and entice visitors, strengthen its position as one of London’s most recognisable landmarks, and drive footfall for its independent traders. Our task was to create an engaging programme of activity that generated consistent media interest, delivered standout moments across the calendar, and encouraged shoppers and visitors to return again and again.

Insights and approach

As a London landmark communications agency, our approach centred on creativity, strategic programming and the power of shareable experiences. Since 2021, we have reimagined the market’s public space through an evolving events calendar designed to complement its Victorian architecture and spark digital engagement.

We collaborate with leading cultural institutions—including the Museum of London, Guildhall, God’s Own Junkyard, Sadler’s Wells, the University of the Arts London and London Youth Choir—while also supporting wider initiatives led by the Greater London Authority, ECBID and Destination City. Together, we transform the market’s central spaces and vacant units into workshops, installations and performances that offer something new on every visit.

Our own interactive pop-ups—such as the Screamatorium, Jubilee Corgi Cam, Dogstagram photobooth, neon film set and Halloween tentacle—add playful moments that increase dwell time and encourage repeat visits. The 8-metre Christmas tree has become a regular fixture in citywide media round-ups, reinforcing Leadenhall Market’s position as a seasonal destination.To sustain momentum, we run a proactive press office, securing ongoing local, national and international coverage through tailored media opportunities, behind-the-scenes access and tenant collaborations. We also manage the market’s website and social channels, producing digital content and partnering with influencers to reach new audiences.

Results

Our placemaking campaign has transformed Leadenhall Market’s visibility. By April 2023, media presence had shifted from reactive to high-impact, with 1,080 pieces of quality print, online and broadcast coverage. Increased interest from major brands and film and TV companies has positioned the market as an iconic backdrop for cultural activity—including appearing in the 2022 Christmas edition of Radio Times.

The market has seen continued investment and renewal, including multiple new tenant openings and eight new food and beverage spaces in 2023. The strengthened profile has increased footfall, improved trader confidence and enhanced the overall visitor experience—meeting the client’s goal of cementing Leadenhall Market as a must-visit London destination.

Get in touch

The brief

Insights and approach

Results

1080

5.3bn

89%