CRATE Walthamstow, an exciting new hospitality and leisure destination launched at 17 & Central on Saturday 22 July. The vibrant food and entertainment brings together leading local brewers, street food operators and a great coffee spot with a fabulous, themed mini golf course, music, light installations, cultural performances and so much more.
Taking over the entire first floor of the shopping centre, CRATE Walthamstow
features an eclectic food offering alongside a diverse programme of live music and entertainment, including workshops, classes, talks and events. There will be everything from book clubs to baby yoga in CRATE’s large event space.
Alongside this sits The Cosy Room, a private events space which can be hired for workshops, team building exercises, private parties and small gatherings of up to 20 people. The space will also be used for some of CRATE Walthamstow’s smaller, more niche events such as mini movie marathon nights, intimate comedy shows and panel discussions.
CRATE Walthamstow offers emerging promoters and the local community a platform to bring event ideas to life, whether it’s fashion shows, spoken word, panel discussions, dance classes or creative workshops. A mix of permanent and rotating art and light installations will be on display in the community gallery, as will artwork from local colleges. Currently there is artwork on display from a recent local photography competition.
For those that are looking for a fun activity (and a chance to get competitive), there’s GO GO Golf – a 9-hole Waltham Forest-themed, indoor mini golf course that’s perfect for adults and kids alike. Advance bookings and walk-ins are welcome.
The food and drink offering at CRATE Walthamstow is phenomenal with a wide range of cuisines, which proved popular on its opening weekend. The High Street Social team is running an exciting new craft beer and cocktail bar while Central Coffee Collective has a speciality coffee shop on site, which is perfect for the morning after! As well supporting a number of London-based breweries and distilleries, the High Street Social has an extensive wine menu, a competitively priced house lager and ale and a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks too. It will also be hosting a fantastic range of events over the coming months.
The new venue is home to seven, brilliant, independent street food traders, including Nanny Bill’s, a family business that prides itself on tasty, hearty grub, sustainably sourced and packaged to perfection. Nanny Bills operates across several London locations and has aced the UK burger scene with its gravy-dipped burgers and hand-rolled croquettes.
Another of the vendors, Yorkshire Burrito, offers an innovative take on a British classic, with all the elements of a Sunday lunch stuffed inside a fresh burrito. It has also developed a sharer menu, which is perfect for dining out with friends.
Also on the menu is Carne Mexican, which is run by a native Mexican chef and specialises in the most delicious soft corn shell tacos, This is Molo, which offers fine dining at street food level, with a mouthwatering range of seafood dishes and Hanoi Kitchen with its hot, spicy, fresh and fragrant Vietnamese cuisine.
For those that love authentic Italian food, there’s Dez Amore and Gran Tenero. The Italian duo are already delighting Waltham Forest with their amazing Neapolitan pizzas and classic pasta dishes.
Completing line-up is local duo, Billy and Mel of The Central Kitchen, who have chosen to expand their ‘kitchen’ legacy by opening a second site at CRATE Walthamstow. As well as freshly prepared sandwiches and toasted croissants, they have inventive salads and soups that change with the seasons.
“We’re really excited that CRATE Walthamstow is now open at 17 & Central,” said 17 & Central General Manager, Gavin Cockayne. “It was brilliant to see so many local people at our launch day on 22 July.
“As well as providing a relaxed environment for families to use during the day, with a huge selection of activities and food offerings, CRATE Walthamstow is also supporting our night-time economy with tailored events for the evenings.
“The space offers a much-needed destination in the shopping centre where people can socialise, experience the leisure offers and try a variety of cuisines from local independent operators. It has also created more jobs in the area and will drive visits from local boroughs to support the growth of our brilliant Walthamstow community.”
Dannie Hodgson, CRATE’s Operations Manager added: “At CRATE, we’re passionate about creating a social space where independent businesses and the community come together and thrive and we’re looking forward to CRATE Walthamstow becoming a firm favourite with the local community.”
CRATE is open on Mondays from 8am-10pm, from 8am-11pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8am-11.30pm Thursdays-Saturdays and from 11am-10pm on Sundays.
