SE London must visits, according to Eduardo
Do you know what I love most about Near-By?
When I mention what I am creating I get the best recommendations from whoever I chat to.
There’s one person who has closely followed my journey building this platform who I finally got to tap up for local producer recommendations the other week: the lovely, kind, creative genius that is Eduardo aka XU who cuts my hair at the Romi Salon in West Norwood, London.
As someone who worked in the beauty industry for nearly 20 years it may surprise you to know that I HATE getting my hair cut. A closet introvert, the idea of sitting in front of a mirror for 30 minutes, looking at myself, and trusting someone with my ginger mop brings me out in shivers.
I’ve therefore only ever found 2 hairdressers I enjoy the experience with, in my whole life.
The first was Liliane from Aveda.
French. She cut perfectly. Creatively with a disciplined eye for detail. And silently. Never chatting.
And the second is Eduardo aka XU who I LOVE visiting.
He just gets it: giving a straight forward albeit immaculately precise cut. Done with no fuss. This time with great added chat.
So, our most recent gossip was about West Norwood and it’s surrounding neighbours.
Here’s Eduardo’s 5 top tips for local sourcing in this creative slice of south east London:
Katie – AKA the south east London dough dealer
Local delivery of AMAZING freshly baked bread. Her sourdough is incredible (in Eduardo’s opinion). You order via her WhatsApp group. She also makes specials every week and ONLY delivers to her avid local followers. I’m currently hunting down her details for you.
Clock Tower Market, South Norwood
The go-to market that Eduardo swears by.
A local community group brings this neighbourhood market to Station Road in South Norwood on the first Saturday of every month. With an eclectic mix of traders, always the secret ingredient of a special market: plants and flowers, street food, clothes, fruit and veg, Ecuadorian coffee even, it’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area
https://www.instagram.com/clocktowermarketse25
Little Mouse Cheese, Selhurst Road, SE25
Founded by Justina and Gareth, two cheese connoisseurs, Little Mouse is one of those local independent companies that just does the right thing.
Firstly, they find the most exquisite cheese from small producers and make it easily available to their neighbours.
Secondly, they are a positive force for good in the neighbourhood: creating jobs that pay well, for locals who are equally passionate about what they do.
And finally they educate, and entertain, spreading the word about how important small batch, artisan food production is to the fabric of our society.
Well worth a trip to SE25 just to browse their cheese and wine I reckon!
Concrete Jungle
Because they sell striking house plants, in their own range of hand-cast pots. Made in their studio in south London. No more. No less. Bang on.
Find them here:
https://concretejunglelondon.com
And finally, Eduardo’s 5th and final recommendation... So, not quite down the road from him, but British, and brilliant nevertheless. And frankly if a hairdresser ever gives you a beauty recommendation you have to follow it:
Neal’s Yard Remedies
Now founded over 40 years ago and still operating from their factory in Dorset, they were the world’s first carbon neutral retailer and their skincare products are still amongst some of the best you can find. They even have a store in Borough Market, and that’s in south east London, so pretty much local don’t you think!
https://www.nealsyardremedies.com
If you ever find yourself heading for a mooch around a SE postcode I hope this sparks that curiosity to discover what’s being produced a few steps down the road.
