Poplar's community newspaper

Poplar LDN is a news and culture magazine for the Poplar, East London. Discover the best-kept secrets about your neighbourhood including what’s on, places to visit, new shops, best restaurants, bars and coffee places, and the top attractions in Poplar, Limehouse and surrounding areas. Poplar's Chrisp Street Market operates Monday to Saturday until 5 pm.

Local democracy

Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, standing in front of the red doors of the fire station.
LocalLocal democracyNews

Apsana Begum has whip restored as Labour set to lift the two-child benefit cap

Lewis Callery

Apsana Begum has been readmitted to the government 14 months after she voted against the two-child benefit cap, a policy

Protesters holding anti-EDL signs in Whitechapel, London
LocalLocal democracyNews

Lutfur Rahman says anti-immigration protests ‘spreading fear and hate’

Nick Clark, BBC Local Democracy Report
The red and white St. George's Cross flying against a cloudy sky.
LocalLocal democracyNews

Red and white or red, green and black? In Tower Hamlets, flags are always up for debate

Agatha Scaggiante
The gates in front of the Orchard Wharf development site, flanked by buildings with the O2 in the distance, Poplar, east London
LocalLocal democracyNews

New commercial wharf and over 1,000 student flats by East India Docks approved by councillors

Nick Clark, BBC Local Democracy Report
An image of Nathalie Bienfait smiling at the camera. She has short curly hair and large, thin-rimmed glasses.
LocalLocal democracyNews

Councillor Nathalie Bienfait receives abuse after organising rally in Canary Wharf supporting asylum seekers

Nick Clark, BBC Local Democracy Report
Mudchute Farm protestors outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall.
LocalLocal democracyNews

Mudchute Farm promised long lease by Mayor Luftur Rahman after thousands sign petition

Nick Clark, BBC Local Democracy Report

Local culture

Guest cartoon: Farage and the flags by Seamus Jennings
Arts & artistsCultureLocal

Guest cartoon: Farage and the flags by Seamus Jennings

Seamus Jennings

Seamus Jennings is a political cartoonist and illustrator who most recently illustrated our Billingsgate Fish Market feature. Jennings has been

Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, standing in front of the red doors of the fire station.
CultureLife & livingLocal

Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse tells-all about her relationship with the Labour Party after a rocky year

Sophie McAlpine
Sangeeta Pillai smiles at the camera while holding fabrics at Chrisp Street Market while surrounded by clothes racks.
CultureLife & livingLocal

From Mumbai slum to podcast star: Sangeeta Pillai’s story of resistance and persistence

Valerio Esposito
Documentary filmmaker Muhsin Mahmud out and about in Limehouse, with a red brick background.
CultureLife & livingLocal

From Limehouse to Los Angeles: Muhsin Mahmud just walked the Emmy red carpet at the 44th College Television Academy Awards

Eleanor Thomson
Members of ReGen Sound on stage during a performance. They're all holding musical instruments, and the words 'Poplar Union' are behind them on the wall.
Arts & artistsCultureLocal

A symphony without borders: ReGen Sound carries on Grand Union’s musical mosaic

Sophie Howarth
South entrance to Blackwall Tunnel, with tram and horse and carage shown at the entrance. There is the trees lining the pavement.
CultureHistory & nostalgiaLocal

The Blackwall Tunnel’s Royal Opening in 1897 had a few cracks in the tiles to start

Eleanor Thomson

Out & About

Rainham to Grays Thames London Loop hike.
LocalOut & About

Liminal London: The 10k hike from Rainham to Grays via Purfleet

Tabitha Stapely

This bleakly beautiful trail along the east London stretch of the Thames takes you to the liminal world between past

Entrance to a Chinese Gourmet restaurant with a yellow and brown sign above a wooden door, next to brick buildings with red window frames.
Eating & drinkingLocalOut & About

A hidden gem for Xi’an noodles: Chinese Gourmet serves big flavours at small prices

Eleanor Thomson
Royal China restaurant Canary Wharf
Eating & drinkingLocalOut & About

The best Chinese restaurants around Poplar

Ray Bonsall
People stand outside Sustainable Makers
LocalOut & AboutPlaces to visit

Sustainable Makers Studio: From salad farming to east London’s clay revolution 

Evie Breese
Singer Greentea Peng singing into a micrphone.
LocalOut & AboutPlaces to visit

Neo-soul sensation Greentea Peng curates this year’s Black Legacy Xchange Bazaar at Poplar Union 

Agatha Scaggiante
Padium padel court behind glass walls in Canary Wharf, East London.
Out & AboutSports & Activities

Inside Padel, the game rising to the top of Poplar’s sports scene

Holly Munks