SOS Angel

I chat to rising superstar fitness influencer Bradley Simmonds about ‘Getting It Done’ during lockdown. We talk live workouts, fundraising, and find out about the exciting new fitness platform he will be launching in a month's time. Sign me up now! A must listen for anyone who has been following Bradley’s live instagram workouts during lockdown. Packed full of fitness and nutrition tips too this is a great episode for anyone thinking of dusting off their sweat bands and getting into shape! Bradley Simmonds can be found online at https://www.bradleysimmonds.co.uk/ and on Instagram at @bradleysimmonds. Get the listening done!

The Bellanger sign first appeared in Angel 5 years ago and the restaurant quickly became the place to go for brunch, that business lunch, an after work cocktail and a thousand intimate catch ups.  Like many, I was sad to see it close down in 2019 with its regulars talking of chaining themselves to those banquettes in protest.  A few weeks ago, with the first signs of recovery from lockdown showing around Angel, the talismanic Bellanger sign reappeared back above the shuttered premises, heralding one of the most unexpected and welcome returns of all.  In this episode, I speak to none other than Jeremy King, the inspirational co-founder and CEO of Corbin and King, about why the Bellanger brand is back in the borough and why the new approach will be a winner when the restaurant reopens for business on August 14th.  Welcome home Bellanger, you have been missed by the people (and the dogs) of Angel. 

Follow Bellanger on Instagram and Twitter at @Bellanger_N1.

In this episode, I chat to Luca who has just opened Kitch Hair on Charlton Place just off Camden Passage with his partner Scott.  This dream team have hit the ground running and are already a big hit with the locals and some celebs too - listen up to find out more as we talk Kitchen haircuts, Strictly Come Dancing and pastel interiors!  Oh yes baby!! 

The talents of Kitch Hair can be booked online at https://kitchhair.co.uk/ and the results are for the world to see on Instagram at @kitchhair

In the first series of SOS Angel, we met Sarah Benioff who leads the inspirational team at  Islington Giving and talked about the work that "Angel's Guardian Angel" did through the lockdown period to look after Islington’s most vulnerable. In this episode, I catch up with Sarah to get an update on the Crisis Fund and find out about Walk The Line 2020, a great way to get socially-distanced "out and about" this Summer and to raise funds to support the work that Islington Giving do in our area.  I will definitely be walking that line! 

To find out more about Islington Giving, go to https://islingtongiving.org.uk/.  More information about Walk The Line can be found at https://islingtongiving.org.uk/walk-the-line-2020/ 

Join us for the freshest catch up of the day, as we revisit Sam at Moxon's fishmonger to see how they have weathered the lockdown storm.  In Episode 1 of Series 1, we met Sam as the lockdown was in its first days.  Moxon's, as an essential service to the Angel community, had stayed open and continued to serve the community with fish and seafood.  In this episode, we hook up with Sam again. 

Moxon's can be found online at https://www.moxonsfreshfish.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/moxonsfreshfish/ 

What do Strict Media, swinging Salsa and Espresso Martinis have in common - apart from all making you feel great? "Andy in Angel" is the answer!  Listen up to find out more about @andy.creative's exciting new venture in Angel.

Strict Media can be found at http://strictmedia.co.uk/ online (Instagram:@strictmedia).  Meletius Coffee are found at https://meletius.com/.

Master chocolatier paul a young's Angel shop is open again and has, in the words of the song, come back to stay!  I catch up with the celebrated master chocolatier himself on everything from the hardships of lock down to the health benefits of chocolate and hear all about the mouthwatering new takeaway range ready for Fathers Day.  paul a young Chocolates can be found online at http://www.paulayoung.co.uk/ 

As the businesses of Camden Passage open their shutters and start the long journey back from the lockdown to a new normal, SOS Angel is back for a new Season.  I talk to many of the traders that we met in Season 1 tracking their progress as they open their shutters and resume trading in this uncertain period.  We also meet some new traders and business owners, opening their doors for the first time to a world of social distancing and PPE.  Grab a coffee and listen to these stories of ingenuity, humour and, above all, a determination to succeed.

Thank you for listening to Season 1 of SOS Angel.  We have talked to many of the traders in the Angel as they struggle to come to terms with the lockdown.  For most, this is the start of a period of unprecedented uncertainty.  I have been struck the humour, the thoughtfulness and the determination of those I have talked to.  Thank you to all who took part, your time is really appreciated.

Season 2 will start soon.  As the world opens up after the lockdown, we will revisit many of the businesses we met in Season 1 and meet some new businesses as they open for the first time in the area.  This is the just the start of a journey for all of us who trade in the Islington area.

I chat to Sarah Benioff about the inspirational work that the team at Islington Giving continue to do through this lockdown period to look after Islington’s most vulnerable.  To find out more about Islington Giving, go to https://islingtongiving.org.uk/