Situated conveniently on the Elizabeth Line – less than 15 minutes from Liverpool Street – Forest Gate has become one of the destinations for the Hackney young professionals looking for a little more space, at better value. Commuters are ditching the hip area after house prices were driven up by the techies and bankers who replaced the artistic creatives Hackney was well known for, and are searching further east for new trendy locations, such as Forest Gate. Although some locations along the ‘Lizzie Line’ have dropped in value, Forest Gate’s average house price has increased by 9%, according to research by Benham and Reeves, showing the popularity of the area.
The result? A host of local independent business gems popping up to catch the interest of incoming Londoners, including wine bar and shop, Joyau, and a float for Dusty Knuckle at nearby Leytonstone’s farmers’ market.
TV presenter, business owner, Forest Gate local (and ex-Hackney resident) Laura Jackson is an influential tastemaker known for having her finger on the pulse of the next best thing in food, travel and culture. For those looking to emulate Laura’s weekend plans, as well as her style and home decor, lucky for you she has shared a few of her favourite local gems on community-driven social app Playsee.
On the app which encourages authentic video content of local’s neighbourhoods, Laura has already been divulging her Forest Gate secrets and showing followers the local businesses she’s a regular at. Her day-in-the-life content highlights favourites including fresh fruit and veg from Safiya, Laura’s local green grocer, sweet treats from Giovanna’s Italian Deli, Wine Bar and Pizzeria, before heading to Wild Beauty for her facial and nails, then Wild Goose for the best baked goods.
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For those who think the best green space East London has to offer is Victoria Park, Laura unveils her hidden gem to escape the noise and buzz of the city centre. A quiet and scenic walk by the lake in Wanstead Park, just outside of Epping Forest, is where she heads for dog-walking and fresh air.
To find more East London hidden gems follow Laura Jackson on Playsee – the app to support and celebrate local communities by discovering new local spots through recommendations from within your local network.
