Neighbourhood Guide: UW King’s Cross
Community is important to us, and it goes without saying that we would not be where we are today without a little help from our friends. With this in mind, we thought it would be nice to highlight the independent businesses surrounding our retail stores. This time, we head to Coal Drops Yard, home to one of our stores since 2018.
Minutes from King's Cross and St Pancras stations, with plenty going on under and near the arches, the site gets its name from being an old coal store—a place where goods and trade from the rest of the UK would come to London, it has always always been the place of arrival into London for our team too. We have been known to while away an entire day in the one-mile radius of Coal Drops Yard, dipping in and out of the curated mix of shops, cafes and restaurants, stopping in to say hello to our store team and our neighbours.
While it was hard to pick, read on for some of our favourites in the area and head to see them and the UW team the next time you are nearby—or make a day of it, like we do.
Unit 19, Bagley Walk Arches, London, N1C 4AB
Most likely the reason you will see so many fresh cuts, trims and shaves around King’s Cross is barber shop Manifesto. When we asked owners Mikey and Corrado, who first met while working at a unisex salon in East London, why they chose to open in King’s Cross, they told us, “We chose Coal Drops Yard for its dynamic and inspiring atmosphere, perfectly complementing our commitment to individuality, innovation, and timeless design.”
That individuality comes through in the interior of their sleek salon and in the services they provide. You might even spot some of our team heading in for a fresh haircut, a beard trim and a glass of Japanese whisky to round it all off.
Unit 31, Coal Drops Yard, London, N1C 4DQ
Giving the knife connoisseurs and condiment enthusiasts of Team UW our fix, Kitchen Provisions sell Japanese knives and unusual bits of kitchen kit, alongside ceramics and homewares. Their aim is to show customers new and interesting objects that have a backstory, whether this is a knife hand-forged in Takefu, UK-made tableware from small makers, or the latest cult brand of chilli oil.
“We think we share our attention to detail and the want to inspire customers with many of the other brands at Coal Drops Yard.”
Unit 21, Bagley Walk Arches, London, N1C 4DR
After renovating their own Japanese-Italian water garden, Botanical Boys founders Ben and Darren turned their energy to building terrariums at home, holding classes around their kitchen table. They now teach workshops on everything from terrariums to wine tasting and sell a plethora of green goods, all from their Coal Drops Yard store.
“We have built a strong supply network of family and friends who help us source treasures for our stores, interior designers and the film industry. We love Coal Drops Yard as it’s an amazing central location.”
9 – 10 Stable Street, London, N1C 4AB
Café by day, bar by night, all centred around a deep passion for music, we love Spiritland for the huge mix of genres they showcase. With a sound system that is billed as one of the best in the world, you could walk in for their daily 6pm album playbacks of their favourite artists, an evening jazz-focused DJ session, or an eclectic weekend brunch.
Unit 113, Lower Stable Street, London, N1C 4LW
Voices Radio made Coal Drops Yard their home in 2021—rebranding from Ossia, a nomadic club series, moving into the podcast space in 2020, and finally starting the online radio station they are today. A platform to tackle social issues through panels and events, they broadcast a huge range of discussion topics and musical genres, as well as hosting workshops, working to break down barriers into the creative industries for those from minority or marginalised backgrounds.
Unit 32, Lower Stable Street, Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DQ
You might recognise Blackhorse Lane Ateliers from our 2022 collaboration, where we reimagined our Fatigue Pant and Bakers Chore Jacket in a laid-back, washed 13.75 oz Indigo Denim.
Creators of premium selvedge and raw organic denim garments for men and women, Blackhorse Lane Ateliers make made-to-measure garments at their atelier in East London, and sell a “small but perfectly formed collection of jeans, chinos, jackets, shirts and knitwear” at their Coal Drops Yard store, as well as offering repairs and alterations. Thinking about their environmental impact, recruiting local specialist craft makers and offering them a share of ownership too, Blackhorse Lane Ateliers has a commitment to quality, community and sustainability that is absolutely worth shouting about (and making jackets with).