Calvert Avenue: a Street with Character

September 13, 2025

Calvert Avenue on the Boundary Estate is a special place.

Over the last 20 years a small number of local homebred companies have put their all into making it the place it is. Supported by one another and the local residents it has become a haven for many a visitor. It is a true community.

Calvert Avenue on the Boundary Estate, Shoreditch

These companies are a diverse group, they buck the trend for bland and samey high street goods. Their customers are faithful and returning, going out of their way to visit. This group employs directly some 15 staff and indirectly many more with manufacturers, suppliers and collaborators. We work with the Spitalfields Crypt Trust with their rehab projects, we support the “friends of Arnold Circus” with volunteers helping in the gardens on a weekly basis and projects with the local school as well as internships with various colleges.

Ally Capellino, Bag Designer and Retailer.

The Shop has been here since 2011 but as a new company they first arrived at 7 & 8 Sunbury workshops in 1982. Tate Galleries, Apple, Barbour, Brompton Bikes and Margent Farm are amongst their collaborators and many of the locals can be seen wearing the recognisable bags and backpacks.

Leila’s Shop and Café.

Natural foods Leila’s knowledge and sourcing of the freshest and best seasonal products are admired and sought out by a world audience. She is the driving force behind the friends of Arnold Circus.

Larache. Hassan Hajajj, Artist and Photographer.

Internationally renowned for his work and often to be seen shooting a new work on Calvert Avenue.

Sotos, Barber.

The longest residence on the street is held by Raj at Sotos Barber shop where the price and reliability of a haircut has men travelling to make sure they keep in trim. He’s been on the street for 30 years.

Samson Soboye has a different kind of insecurity.

He’s on a rolling month by month lease even though he can barely use his premises on account of damp and mould which grows continually worse . Samson has been on the street for 20 years and has brought festivals and events to the street increasing diversity and building the community.

All of these businesses are seeing rent rises of at least 3 times to levels that would make their businesses either unviable or borderline unworkable. There is no promotion from the Town Hall in the way that Columbia Flowermarket is touted as worth a visit. The footfall is low, very low, 10 years ago it was higher, but the closure of the road round the circus, the lack of parking and lack of signage all add to the secret nature of the street. Comparing rents on Redchurch Street is unreasonable as footfall is probably 10% on Calvert Avenue.

The residents of the estate are as committed as she business owners to resolving this as they don’t want to be left with empty shops inviting vandalism. Cameras on the street are ineffective and only yesterday at Ally Capellino a brazen thief took 3 bags and assaulted the shop assistant as she tried to stop him.

Appeal

We ask for consideration and cooperation from the Mayor and Tower Hamlets Council to come to some more gentle rent uplifts as well as some consultation on raising footfall and visibility and safety. The rent asked for at Ally Capellino at least is 220% more than inflation.

Other independents on the street include Luna and Curious, Ainsley Broughton – upholsterer, Paper and Cup – café and vintage clothes as well as the Community Launderette. Oliver Spencer.

@allycapellino_official

@larache.shop

@paperandcupshoreditch