When I was growing up, London had four main Afro-Caribbean areas: Brixton in the south, Tottenham in the North, Dalston to the East and Harlesden/Ladbroke Grove to the West. Tottenham is now the only one yet to feel the fashionable force of gentrification. I was down there today because Cobblers Lodge on West Green Road is the best place in London to get shoes re-soled or rucksacks repaired. The area is remarkably unchanged, retaining a colourful, urban vibrancy totally devoid of artisan coffee shops or organic delis. In truth, it’s a bit of a dump. Tatty old shops and streets of shabby terraced houses with satellite dishes rather than Farrow & Ball’d front doors. There’s clearly a lot of poverty around Tottenham but there was also something about its 1980s Jamaican vibe that made me feel very at home. Especially when I heard this blasting out of an old BMW.
It’s the only one left.

- Best double a...28th Feb 2015
- I've never se...27th Feb 2015
- Are you a tri...26th Feb 2015
- Loz Newton on...25th Feb 2015
- I once had a ...24th Feb 2015
- Eddie Redmayn...23rd Feb 2015
- 新年快樂22nd Feb 2015
- Any excuse fo...21st Feb 2015
- Would it happ...20th Feb 2015
- 30 years of E...19th Feb 2015
- Oh God, they'...18th Feb 2015
- I think it's ...17th Feb 2015
- The party's o...16th Feb 2015
- My luxury ite...15th Feb 2015
- Red Rose Spee...14th Feb 2015 prev next