This week marks exactly one year since Grove Green Road landmark Filly Brook opened its doors in the former Drill Hall building, just a few yards from the hidden river (and road) that inspired its name.
And what a twelve months it’s been. While the team can’t throw any kind of party, they can, like other hospitality businesses, at least now celebrate the light at the end of the tunnel.
With outdoor areas able to open from April 12th, owner Simon Purnell has launched a Pay-It-Forward crowdfunder campaign to ask for readers’ help transforming their outside space from its current blank canvas “into a green oasis for you all to enjoy through the spring, summer and winter months.”
Pause for a second and study the rather exciting vision for the garden design, our main pic above, drawn up by expert in the field (and Leytonstone local) Sam Breed Landscapes.
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It’s all set to become a leafy haven of trees, bushes and pergolas covered with climbing or trailing plants that’s Covid-safe and usable all year round, whatever the weather. It’ll certainly feel a million miles from what is actually one of E11’s more urban corners.
Newer arrivals to the area might be interested to know that the original Filly Brook actually started life back in 2015 when Simon, his brother James and friend Johann Dumelie took over an empty but very small shop next to Leytonstone tube station as a two month pop-up. The concept was simple: good beer, wine, music and coffee and everybody was welcome – which still holds true today.
Fast forward six years and Simon says that the support and positivity over the last 12 months has been incredible. “It’s made all the difference in getting us through these tough times, but we now need your help to secure our future and realise the next part of the Filly Brook story. ”
If you donate, the team have an awesome range of rewards, too: you can bag 25% extra bar credit on top of your pledge when it reopens, as well as exclusive Filly Brook mural prints from Lucy Mclauchlan, and tote bags and t-shirts designed in collaboration with Claremont 56 Records. There are also branded Filly Brook Teku beer or wine glasses, and private beer and wine tasting events with your mates.
“By paying it forward, you’ll be helping Filly Brook to make our new garden a reality,” says Simon, “while treating yourself and your friends to some (much needed!) post-lockdown drinks and other goodies.”
Sound good? We hope so…every donation really does count, no matter how small or large. With summer on its way and better times on the horizon, let’s really make 2021 count for our fantastic, creative local venues in Leyton and Leytonstone.
And as for the forthcoming Filly Brook restaurant? We’ll tell you more about that very soon.
This is a sponsored post in association with Filly Brook. By sharing and/or supporting this post you not only help them but help maintain our continued existence, too. If you’re a business who would like to work on a similar article with us to promote a new event, offer or product, please email info@leytonstoner.london