Chancery Lane will become pedestrian-only for three days this week (3-5 September) for their second instalment of ‘Lunchtime Streets’.
The City of London Corporation is using the event to promote the Square Mile’s public realm, working at making the City more fun and pedestrian friendly. It’s open for business. But it doesn’t need to be so serious all the time.
The car-free space will help City residents, workers and visitors enjoy food, music and fun activities during their lunch break. Here’s what to expect over the next three days.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, Maud and Linda from Sunny Jar Eco Hub will be doing an introduction to Low Waste Living including advising on some easy swaps to reduce your plastic footprint. You’ll also have the opportunity to make your own low waste products, including a cleaning product and a body scrub from waste coffee grounds.
Caterina and Luca from Plantz, who do the lovely flower boxes at 46 Chancery Lane, will be inviting you to watch flower arranging displays and to make small hand-tied posies. This has been kindly sponsored by Tim’s company, the Colville Esate.
And then Mark from Api:Cultural will be on the street all three days with his observation hives (live bees!) selling hand harvested London honey – including from Chancery Lane! – and his colleagues from St Mary’s Garden will also be selling plants, and jams and chutneys made from produce grown in their Hackney garden kitchen.
Wednesday
Two great companies will be present this day where the focus turns to active travel and smart commuting. Katy Miller from Ride Clean will be offering free bike cleaning and Karen Inman from Cycle Confident / Dr Bike will be offering free mini bike maintenance reviews and advice on cycle skills.
TfL, Pedal Me and Canyon Bikes also attending amongst others.
Thursday
Thursday is the Chancery Lane showcase day. The London Silver Vaults are doing silver polishing and valuations. Press Coffee are doing tastings and home brewing demos. Ede & Ravenscroft are doing demos on men’s tailoring and gown making.
Bupa are with them on Tuesday and Thursday if anyone wants to get their blood pressure measured. Mine probably needs checking. On the Thursday only they’re doing Invisalign demos (which people can follow up with a free consultation at the centre) plus they will be giving out free toothpaste and toothbrushes, and 10% off vouchers for health assessments and detail check ups.
Which is just as well as Leo Burnett are doing free ice creams on Tuesday and Thursday, and free pick ’n’ mix on the Wednesday (apples also available for anyone with a less sweet tooth). Leo Burnett are also doing head football all three days but if that’s a bit boisterous…
They have Baranis doing pétanque all week, hopefully accompanied by a bar if they can source a replacement for the one they were meant to be getting which was, alas, damaged at a festival! If not, all is not lost as the lovely Darren and his colleagues at The Pregnant Man will have their own al fresco bar and a delicious chip ’n’ dips offering outside their restaurant at number 40, and Knights Templar will have a bar too outside their pub too. Guido’s will also be spilling out from their shop and doing special offers.
The team from the Law Society’s Restaurant 113 have just been added to the line-up and with the possibility of something Christmas-themed but let’s wait and see…
A real highlight is going to be Central Health Physiotherapy offering free chair massages and ‘Ask a Physio’ sessions all three days.
This is all going on while several street food stalls are bashing out dishes to City folk.
