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.

The brief

LocalMotion is a social, economic and environmental justice movement shaped and led by communities. Formed by six UK funders, it brings together six places across England and Wales to explore new ways of tackling embedded inequalities and shifting power to communities themselves. LocalMotion asked Barley to create a brand from scratch — one that unified the ambition of the six places and funders, articulated their distinct systems change approach, galvanised those already involved and inspired others to join the movement.

Insights and approach

As a brand development agency experienced in charity brand creation and systems change branding, Barley began with a deep immersion into the movement. This included extensive desk research into UK and US systems change initiatives, such as Living Cities, and how similar organisations expressed their ethos and role. We also carried out interviews with core groups in each of LocalMotion’s six places to understand the movement’s purpose in their own words and what they most needed from a brand.

It became clear that LocalMotion required a brand that was bold but approachable — capable of expressing the complexity of systems change while remaining accessible to communities, funders and partners. We distilled the movement’s multi-layered story into clear, engaging messaging that could resonate across a wide range of audiences.Given LocalMotion’s democratic way of working, the development process was collaborative by design. We coordinated regular feedback from the full LocalMotion cohort through surveys and in-person sessions, refining concepts step by step until the group reached collective agreement.

Results

Barley created a simple but striking brand that reflects the movement’s ethos and provides the clarity LocalMotion needed to grow. At its centre sits an uplifting logo featuring a human silhouette, representing community power, and a floating ‘i’ dot symbolising progress and movement. A rounded graphic language conveys approachability, connectedness and the foundations of long-term change, while a warm palette accented with vivid orange signals both optimism and urgency.

Alongside the visual identity, we developed a complete set of messaging guidelines — including vision, mission, values and a concise brand story. These replaced previously complex, technical language with a clearer, more engaging narrative that supports conversations across all six places and beyond.Following the success of the branding project, Barley now supports LocalMotion with ongoing communications, including social media and content development, helping the movement connect, share learning and continue to grow.

The brief

In its 700th anniversary year, Leadenhall Market asked Barley to help increase footfall and re-engage City workers, London residents and tourists. As a creative events agency partner, our goal was to reinvigorate the Market’s profile and position it as an iconic, vibrant and culturally rich destination. We were tasked with raising brand awareness, boosting visitor numbers, and driving renewed interest in the historic space through an integrated tourism communications campaign.

Insights and approach

Creativity sat at the heart of our destination marketing strategy. With footfall recovering after the pandemic, we saw an opportunity to use the Market’s unique architecture and public spaces to host eye-catching cultural activations that would reintroduce people to the area.

We designed an ambitious programme of events to attract diverse audiences and deepen digital engagement. Working with cultural partners who also needed post-pandemic visibility, we transformed vacant units and open spaces into pop-up galleries, performances and exhibits. Art, music, dance and museum collections were brought directly to visitors, offering a varied and accessible experience throughout the year.

To reach Londoners and tourists beyond the weekday crowd, we collaborated with brands with strong existing followings, hiring out space for weekend and evening events. This helped drive discovery and prompted return visits when the Market’s retail offer was fully open.Across 2021, Barley delivered 20 activations — from mood-enhancing ‘bird-song’ windows during lockdown, to a neon exhibition by God’s Own Junkyard, to the UK’s first dedicated “Dogstagram” photo station complete with themed props and influencer partnerships. Each activation was designed to spark curiosity, encourage sharing, and reinforce the Market’s position as a must-visit London destination.

Results

Our integrated approach delivered substantial growth in visibility, engagement and footfall. Media coverage was overwhelmingly positive, supported by strong social content that significantly expanded the Market’s online audience. The campaign helped transform public perception of Leadenhall Market, showcasing it as a lively cultural space rather than solely a retail destination.
This shift translated directly into real-world impact. Footfall increased sharply across 2021, demonstrating that creative programming and strategic communications can successfully re-energise historic sites and attract new audiences back into central London.

The brief

In summer 2020, more than a million people visited Bournemouth’s beaches across a three-day period, leaving around 40 tonnes of rubbish and triggering a Major Incident. In response, Hubbub and Ellipsis Earth launched a litter reduction campaign across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), funded by McDonald’s. Using drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI), Ellipsis Earth carried out the UK’s most comprehensive litter survey to inform targeted interventions across beaches, parks and urban areas. Barley was asked to develop a compelling media campaign that would drive local behaviour change, amplify public understanding of the issue, and inspire other councils to adopt similar evidence-based approaches.

Insights and approach

With international travel still limited and England only recently emerging from lockdown, public spaces were expected to experience unprecedented footfall. This presented a rare moment to capture attention and encourage more responsible behaviour.

We used three ground-breaking datasets from Ellipsis Earth to anchor the campaign’s narrative across social media, local outlets and national media. Data from the initial May survey revealed over 1.5 tonnes of litter comprising 128,000 individual items—a 476% increase in littering compared with the March baseline. These findings provided the urgency and credibility needed to engage diverse audiences.Barley developed a phased media strategy aligned with each survey. Engaging early with BBC Click allowed the programme to follow the campaign’s progress over several months, while continued outreach ensured fresh coverage every time new evidence emerged. This sustained national interest and built momentum for the behavioural interventions being tested across the BCP area.

Results

The campaign achieved a 75% average reduction in litter where Hubbub’s interventions were installed, with some sites recording decreases of nearly 90%. In contrast, levels around the area’s 350 standard bins remained unchanged—demonstrating the value of targeted, insight-driven approaches.

Local media played a critical role in mobilising residents and visitors, while national coverage—including BBC News, ITV’s This Morning, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail—elevated the issue and showcased the effectiveness of the interventions. Trade coverage helped generate interest from retailers and councils exploring similar environmental behaviour change initiatives.The programme is now widely regarded as a blueprint for data-led waste management, informing approaches used by councils such as Glasgow City Council.

The brief

Hubbub asked us to help raise national awareness of its Plastic Fishing initiative — an inventive programme tackling plastic pollution by inspiring people to rethink the value of waste. Between 2017 and 2019, the charity launched the world’s first boats made from 99% recycled plastic. These vessels were designed to clean up UK waterways and spark a wider conversation about recycling and responsible disposal. Barley was tasked with managing the media launches of the boats — Poly-Mer, Vitamin Sea, Poly Roger and PET Project — and securing strong public engagement.

Insights and approach

We recognised the power of the boats themselves as compelling visual stories. For the launches of Poly-Mer and PET Project we coordinated a high-impact photo, filming and interview opportunity for the boats’ maiden voyages. Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey MP joined a Plastic Fishing trip alongside local schoolchildren, helping to reinforce the initiative’s educational value.

Our media strategy focused on broad reach and relevance. We targeted commuter press, London-wide and local London outlets, national media, online news, broadcast, children’s news and trade titles. We also provided broadcasters with behind-the-scenes footage of the boats being built to strengthen interest and coverage.For Poly Roger’s Plastic Fishing Tour across Manchester, Scotland, Birmingham and Bristol, we supported Hubbub to partner with local organisations and volunteers. This ensured each stop had community ownership and delivered hands-on experiences for schoolchildren and businesses. We arranged a national exclusive with the Daily Mirror ahead of the announcement and coordinated tailored local launches with spokespeople in each region. Messaging encouraged the public to help stem the flow of plastic into rivers and waterways through simple behaviour changes.

Results

Our work drove national visibility for Hubbub’s mission and helped establish Plastic Fishing as a recognisable, practical approach to tackling plastic pollution.

The Poly-Mer launch generated 119 pieces of coverage, reaching an estimated 124 million opportunities to see or hear.
PET Project secured 47 items of coverage and almost 106 million opportunities to see or hear.
The 2019 Plastic Fishing Tour delivered 301 coverage items and nearly 118 million opportunities to see or hear across four locations.

The activity also inspired real-world behaviour change. Plastic Fishing participants collected 2,233 bottles and 192 bags of general waste during the tour. In London, more than 2,500 people have taken part, reclaiming over 300kg of recyclable plastic — with 90% pledging not to buy a plastic bottle for a month afterwards.

The brief

Londoners use around 7.7 billion plastic water bottles every year — 10% of all litter in the Thames and a major source of ocean pollution.

Borough Market wanted to lead by example. The Market committed to becoming the first in the UK to phase out bottled water, installing public drinking fountains and setting a goal to stop selling bottled water within six months.

Our challenge was to show that putting the environment ahead of profit can be both practical and powerful — inspiring others to follow suit.

Insights and approach

Our communications strategy positioned Borough Market as a credible pioneer of sustainable retail.

We delivered an integrated PR and social campaign encouraging visitors to refill rather than buy single-use bottles, while also targeting large organisations across London and the UK to adopt similar measures.

To ensure authenticity, we contextualised the initiative within the Market’s wider sustainability journey — demonstrating that this was no ‘greenwash’ but a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility.

Strong visuals were central to our approach. We developed a bright, engaging visual identity for the fountains, including posters, floor vinyl and reusable bottles. The story was amplified through proactive media relations and a social campaign using #BoroughFountains, extending reach through user-generated content and influencer engagement.

Results

The campaign received national and international attention, with coverage from The Guardian, Mail Online, BBC, The Sun, Telegraph, Metro, and Huffington Post.

Borough Market was hailed by Mintel as “leading the way in one of four key European sustainability trends to follow for 2018”. The initiative influenced announcements from the Mayor of London, UK Government, and Network Rail, all referencing Borough Market’s leadership. Nearly a year later, media continued to call for interviews and comment — testament to the campaign’s enduring influence.

The brief

Every day up to seven million coffee cups are thrown away across the UK, with less than one per cent recycled. To tackle this challenge, Hubbub launched the Square Mile Challenge — the UK’s first large-scale coffee cup recycling initiative — in partnership with the City of London Corporation, major café brands and cup manufacturers.Barley was asked to shape the recycling communications campaign, providing a clear media strategy, creative ideas and launch execution. The goal was to build public awareness, engage employers across the City, and help recycle 500,000 cups in April and five million by the end of 2017.

Insights and approach

To cut through in a crowded sustainability landscape, we positioned the Square Mile Challenge as the first truly collaborative, cross-industry effort to fix coffee cup recycling — a model that could be scaled across the UK.

We began by targeting City employers through national consumer and specialist trade media. This early push exceeded expectations, with 36 organisations adopting workplace recycling systems against a target of 30.

For the campaign launch, we created striking visual moments designed for press and social channels. A sculpture of the London skyline made from recycled cups and a coffee-cup choir performing outside Liverpool Street station generated powerful imagery and a memorable public experience. We coupled this with a focused burst of London and national media relations to maximise visibility.Barley also led communications for Hubbub’s partnership with Starbucks to trial a 5p disposable cup charge across 35 London stores — providing strategic counsel, narrative development and press handling. Later, we amplified momentum by responding rapidly to the government’s budget announcement with a supportive statement on the proposed ‘Latte Levy’, securing further national attention and reinforcing Hubbub’s leadership on behaviour change communications.

Results

Barley delivered sustained, high-impact coverage that drove public engagement and workplace participation. The campaign launch achieved 224 pieces of coverage and 307 million opportunities to see across national and London outlets, helping the initiative reach — and surpass — its target of recycling 500,000 cups in April 2017. By year-end, five million cups had been collected.

Strategic media response to political developments unlocked another wave of interest. The Starbucks trial, supported by our communications, resulted in a 150 per cent increase in reusable cup uptake and informed the chain’s decision to roll out the charge nationwide.The success of the Square Mile Challenge catalysed wider behaviour change, inspiring similar on-the-go recycling initiatives in Leeds, Swansea and Edinburgh through the ‘Leeds By Example’ and #InTheLoop programmes.

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