Is this innovation for all of us?

A slightly later edition of The Wick than usual this week as we were at the launch of a new report looking at the role of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as one of London’s innovation districts.

Innovation Districts & Local Communities: A Field Guide for Action has been produced by Bloomberg Associates in partnership with the QEOP’s recently rebranded Innovation District, the Knowledge Quarter centered around King’s Cross, and the GLA.

It highlights the benefits to locals of having such a certified zone on their doorstep, but doesn’t shy away from looking at the accompanying challenges that need to be tackled, too.

On the plus side, such districts are proven to be engines for local growth, with productivity up to 25% higher in these areas compared with surrounding cities, and all the employment and education opportunities, new facilities and social vibrancy that comes with that.

But the danger of inequalities growing, too, must not be overlooked, especially in an era where AI is changing the jobs landscape at pace, and an influx of shiny new buildings and talented people can have hugely disruptive impacts on local communities, who can often feel sidelined or simply priced out by the changes.

Overall, the picture in London is optimistic, with genuine opportunities being created in these districts, which have real potential to be within the reach of everyone.

From the people we spoke to after the event, there’s cautious optimism that the coming years in and around the QEOP will see ‘innovation’ - whatever that actually entails at ground level - delivering wide-ranging benefits to many more local people.

Read the full report here, and look out for the QEOP’s new CEO, Shazia Hussan, explaining her vision for the Park further when she takes the guest editorship of the next edition of The Wick, which drops in a few weeks’ time.

⚾ Major League Baseball traveling outside of the USA to play games The London Stadium has been a smash hit, but with no such events scheduled this year, you’ll have to wait to 2026 to see it return to the ‘hood… however! This Fri 1st Aug - Sun 3rd Aug fans can enjoy the free MLB Hackney Bridge Takeover, with live screenings of games each day accompanied by plenty of razzmatazz such as DJ battles, batting cages, classic baseball film screenings, giveaways, signature cocktails and game day eats. From the New York Yankees to the LA Dodgers, teams will have their own areas across the gardens and indoors and it’s free to get in and soak up the atmosphere all weekend.

🎾 Another summer sports pop-up has just opened at Mandeville Place in the QEOP. Playtime Padel Club is bringing the wildly popular racket sport to our doorsteps complete with free equipment, so all you have to do is book a court and turn up. They’re open Wed-Sun until 31st Aug and there’s a 20% discount for locals using the code LOCALPADEL1 at the checkout.

🎭 Kwame Owusu's adaptation of Shakespeare's classic Romeo & Juliet set against an East London skyline with music and dance is a summer highlight at Stratford East from Thurs 7th - Sat 9th Aug. The cast is made up of non-professional performers drawn from the Stratford East Young Company, a new company of Sadler’s Wells young dancers, and a chorus featuring Newham residents.

🎶 There’s street food from the likes of Rogue Sarnis and Auld Hag, plus thumping tunes from Jakkob, CASE and Stimulant Disco at A Willy Nice Day 3.0, taking place at Riverside East this Sat 2nd Aug. Other than that, it’s difficult to work out what on earth the event is all about, but they are donating 100% of all ticket sales to Save The Children’s Gaza Appeal, so sounds worth going for that alone.

🎨 Northern born, London-based artist Téah Morgana explores femininity, spiritual connection, and the quiet power of transformation in the new show currently on at Two More Years until 13th Aug. Her watercolour, oil, acrylic, and ink pieces are rooted in nature, cultural influence, and intuitive play.

🌞 By now you should know the routine - head to the rooftop of The Lord Napier tonight to grab one of this week’s 100 free cocktails, which are Hacien Pineapple Frozen Margaritas going from 6pm tonight, Wed 30th Jul. When they’re gone, you can still buy them for just a fiver all night long, too. Meanwhile, the Napier and sister pub the Leyton Star are both running a summer special of half price karaoke rooms on Fridays right now.

🦵🏼 It’s the Loose Legs All-Dayer party at Vittoria Wharf Studio on Sat 2nd Aug with Touching Bass honcho Errol headlining, and the likes of Manuel Darquart and Grace B2B with Kisa on the line-up from 4pm to 1am.

🎶 Conceived in a warehouse just a stone’s throw from Grow in the twilight of Hackney Wick’s warehouse heyday, Equal Parts have been throwing parties exclusively at the canalside venue four times a year since 2018. B.Love and Maybe Laura will be providing the groove-driven house, electro, disco, and techno as they return for the summer edition this Sat 2nd Aug.

🔊 The next UKF Invites party will see the online phenomenon bringing serious bass music from AC Slater, Champion, camoufly, SHOSH, Subten & Lu.re to Colour Factory on Wed 6th Aug for a midweek musical discover session.

🍯 Learn the art of Nerikomi pottery with a class this Fri 1st Aug and every Friday for the summer at Cone8 Ceramic Studio. It’s an ancient Japanese technique characterised by intricate patterns and vibrant colours, which involves layering and manipulating different coloured clays to create stunning designs. Beginners and more seasoned ceramicists all welcome.

🖼️ A small art studio space has become available just off Queens Yard, to share with a painter. It would suit a reliable part time artist, photographer or creative worker, making smaller scale or desk-based work. Approximately 50 sqft, good light and rent inclusive of bills. Contact Mackenzie for more information on 07837 963 799 or email [email protected]

🦺 The COLLABORATE: SAFER SPACES Commission offers four diverse-led teams support and up to £50k each in flexible funding to develop collaborative ideas around the theme of ‘Safer Spaces’, as part of the final round of Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, supported by Westfield Stratford City and Foundation for Future London. The commission will provide time and space to develop, test and embed collaborative work, with wraparound co-designed support at each stage. Apply by 18th Aug.

🎓 The Inspiring Success Scholarship at Loughborough University London covers 100% of tuition fees on a masters programme, including career guidance and support, to unemployed or under-employed graduates from East London at their London campus at Here East. Residents of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest who are willing to actively contribute to the local community are invited to apply for the programme by 31st July.

♨️ The Community Sauna Baths have two job openings at the moment as they look to preserve the spirit and heritage of their home at The Bath House building, while bringing structure and reliability to its management for the future. Apply now for Building Manager position and also for the role of Events Manager, across all their London sites.

🩰 Studio Wayne McGregor is looking for a Development Manager to help hit income targets, develop relationships with stakeholders and support the Studio’s artistic vision and engagement work. Apply by 4th Aug.

📺 Thirteen years ago this week, (thirteen!), the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games kicked off with its much-celebrated opening ceremony and suitably massive fireworks display. Here’s the view from a Hackney Wick rooftop party, recorded on the night of 27th July 2012 as the Games got underway.

If you’ve got a video you’d like us to consider including in this new slot, do get in touch: [email protected]