Hackney Central

Hackney Central is just that, the beating heart of the borough. As you walk down Mare Street, which runs along its length, you are presented with the smell, sounds, sights and buzz of a busy high street.

Over the past few years the area has made a remarkable leap in status to being one of London’s foremost arts and cultural quarters with an equally impressive retail base. This has generated a boom of young professionals eager to sample the substantial cultural offer and the rich atmosphere.

Hackney Central’s recent regeneration has provided more commercial propert and the stimulus for more businesses to move into the area. The established retail sector attracts new and exciting independent shops, as well as supporting large retailers such as Marks and Spencer, Primark and Tesco. These are mostly concentrated on the Narrow Way at the north end of Mare Street, the historic high street which still retains its original width, hence the locally adopted name.

The Narrow Way provides a very attractive shopping environment and is one of the main attractions in the neighbourhood. The cultural and historic offer of Hackney Central is very strong and is serviced by a good selection of bars and restaurants further down Mare Street. Places such as The Dolphin pub and the Marie Lloyd Bar cater for in-the-know locals and adventurous visitors alike, seeking a good value night out with lots of character and a chance encounter with Hackney’s trendy underground celebrity crowd. As the neighbourhood continues to improve so will the opportunities for more quality restaurants, especially to cater for the pre-theatre dining crowd at the nearby Hackney Empire.