Spitalfields Market has certainly cleaned up its act but forgive us for finding the sea of restaurant chains shiny but a little soulless. How we long for the good old days of spit and sawdust pubs (as long as they serve a decent gin and tonic...) and traditional fish and chip shops.
But wait, what’s this we’re hearing about a new fish and chip shop opening on Hanbury Street? Yes, from later this month we can expect to smell that delicious vinegary aroma wafting on the breeze as the 50 seater Poppies Fish and Chips opens up for business.

This traditional East End restaurant and take-out is the brainchild of Pat Newland who’s made it his mission to bring real fish and chips to Spitalfields. The 68 years-old, known as Pat ‘Pop’ Newland, began his fish and chip career aged 14 in ‘Phil’s’ on the Roman Road and hasn’t left the area in over 35 years. He views Poppies as his legacy to the East End of London and has set out to create an establishment with all the traditional courtesy, humour and values of the place.
Attention to detail is paramount. The chips are peeled and handcut on site from British farmed Maris Piper potatoes and the sustainably sourced fish is delivered fresh every day from Billingsgate Market. Patrons can expect a roster of Peterhead Cod, Haddock, Plaice, Rock, Sole, Halibut or Skate - all cooked in a crunchy fresh batter from Pat’s secret family recipe, side orders of tartar sauce and mushy peas (also handmade on site of course!) and lashings of Sarson’s vinegar all parcelled up in Poppies’ special newsprint wrapping.

The Poppie Fish and Chip Menu

Open from 7am for a proper East End breakfast of kippers or smoked haddock with poached egg and a lovely cuppa from the refurbished copper last, whitebait and jellied eels are served alongside the staple offering until the fat lady sings at midnight. You can guarantee they’ll do a roaring trade.
by Stephanie Hirschmiller from The Handbook Online London Venue Guide

Keira Knightley accompanied her London Boulevard co-star Ray Winstone to a football match, and he's said he was impressed with her ladette attitude. The British actress had her big break in football film Bend It Like Beckham and, while she is now seen as a glamorous Hollywood star, Ray revealed to Zoo magazine: "Keira is a big football fan, and loves getting into the spirit at matches."
He went on: "Keira's a West Ham fan as well, which I love. "She came to a game with me once. We went with all the boys and she had jellied eels and cockles and all that - pie and mash, too. She is a rank West Ham fan." Like Keira, Ray has had a lot of success in Hollywood but he insists he would never move to America. He said: "I like the US and enjoy working there, but it'd be like living above a shop. I'm an Englishman and I live in England. It's great to work in the sun, but there's nothing like the green fields when the wind is in your face and you have to put your overcoat on. It's crazy, but I do look forward to putting my overcoat on." from Belfast Telegraph