This is the area where Islington’s cosy, eclectic Angel transforms into city slickers and hipsters. Many people seem very rich, but it is also an area of considerable deprivation. Gems include the canal, some fabulous pubs, an amazing art gallery, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, and some of Islington’s newest and tallest buildings.

>If you have suggestions for Islington Faces interviews, please do let me know.

Here are a small selection of interviews from EC1:

Stories from the time Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes was the representative Deputy Lieutenant for Islington (2011-2020).

St John’s Gate
The museum, with 60,000 objects, celebrates 100 years in 2023 – find out more from Anna Mason, head of heritage.

Charterhouse Square
Find out some insider stories from 2021 about the Charterhouse in Charterhouse Square between the Barbican and Smithfield, with Director of Operations, Tom Foakes; Brother, Mike Lawlor and Brother, Brian Reeve.

Central Street Cookery School manager: Sofia Larrinua (c) islington faces

Old Street
You’ve go to take a peep inside St Luke’s Community Centre. It’s fantastic for the over 55s, like Dame Vera Lynn fan Gordon Warrell. But it’s also got the achingly cool Central Street Cafe attached, rooms to hire and even a cookery school. Here’s an interview with St Luke’s Community Centre’s Communications Manager, Lisa Burrell. You might also enjoy the interview with Central Street Cookery School manager Sofia Larrinua.

Find out more about Floree Zama-Neagra, London National Park City coordinator

Floree Zama-Neagra: London National Park City Ranger Co-ordinator

Sadler’s Wells
Up the road between Angel and Clerkenwell you’ll find Sadler’s Wells. Here Kevin Zhang talks about Peking opera.

Yemi Hailemariam is trying to push the UK government to make Ethiopia free her partner, Andy Tsege. (c) Kimi Gill Photography for islington faces

Clerkenwell

  • Islington Faces’ favourite EC1 street has to be Exmouth Market.  Nearby we interviewed Yemi Hailemariam who is doing everything to try and free her partner Andy Tsege who is being held illegally in an Ethiopian jail. And in May 2018 she had the fantastic news that Andy was being freed.
  • Bevin Court is an amazing building, designed by Lutbkin for social housing. Residents have included artist Cyril Mann (there’s a people’s plaque). Interesting insight into this area and art in the interview with Cyril’s muse, wife and champion, Renske Mann who has written a book called The Girl in the Green Jumper: my life with artist Cyril Mann.
  • Find out the big plans the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration has for the industrial heritage buildings at the New River Head in this interview with their director Lindsey Glen.
  • At 245 St John Street you can see the Ben Kinsella exhibition helping young people understand more about the trauma of knife crime. You need to book this, but you can also find out about the charity’s education and lobbying work by reading this interview with Patrick Green, who is CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust.

St John Street

  • EC1 is lucky to host Islington Museum at 245 St John Street. Meet curator Roz Currie. And be sure to visit soon. The museum is open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm (but it is closed on Wed & Sun).
  • Meet a young man who has been homeless in the area but is now making it as a designer, Brandon Richards.
  • Designer and mag fan Jeremy Leslie runs magCulture on St John Street.
  • Get a taste of contemporary west African home furnishings and design at Dar Leone, 1 Chadwell Street, run by Isatu Funna.
Maxence Masurier in his new French wine shop Made In Little France: “It’s my dream to be here. I love London and I love Islington where I now live.”

Maxence Masurier in his new French wine shop Made In Little France: “It’s my dream to be here. I love London and I love Islington where I now live.”

”There are many delicious places to drink and eat in Islington, but if you fancy something French then go and meet Maxence Masurier: French wine seller at his new vintners, Made in Little France at 397 St John Street.