Discovering London’s Real Gems
10th February 2011Over the past few months Flagship has been working with Docklands Light Railway to uncover London’s Real Gems. The initiative aimed to encourage residents, commuters and visitors to East London to submit suggestions of their favourite neighbourhood gems around the DLR network.
We asked people to make suggestions via Twitter and the responses certainly surpassed our expectations. A huge variety of Gems were nominated from places to eat and quirky shops to dance classes, scenic walks and museums and exhibitions. Some of our favourites included Fatboy’s Dinner, East India, The Painted Hall in Greenwich and Thames Barrier Park.
It was great to hear the reasons behind the nominations and we’ve all picked up some handy hints – thanks to one Londoner next time we’re rushed off our feet in the press office I might even suggest a post-work trip to Queen Victoria Dock to soak up the “calming atmosphere”.
After much deliberation, the winning Gem was chosen this week with Maureen’s Pie and Mash pipping the rest of East London’s finest to the post. Yesterday Flagship met with Jason and Karen Patterson, Maureen’s son and daughter in-law who currently run the shop in Poplar. The couple were “over the moon to have won the competition and delighted to have been nominated by members of the public”.
After spending an hour with Jason and Karen, we’re not at all surprised that Maureen’s was nominated as one of London’s Real Gems. I wouldn’t usually put myself down as a Pie and Mash kind of girl but I’ll definitely be back! Not only was the food great, the atmosphere was fantastic and the regulars gave the place a real homely feel. Maureen’s has been making pies for over 40 years – long may it continue!
