Your pulse on the borough. History, politics, culture, events and everything that makes Hackney one of London's most vibrant communities.
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Yoga teacher, tech CEO & community first responder. Rafie is running as an independent candidate for London Fields Councillor in the Hackney Council Elections on 7 May 2026.
What's happening across the borough right now. Local stories that matter, from housing to culture.
200 new genuinely affordable homes to be built on the former industrial site, with 50% at social rent levels. Community groups call it a landmark decision.
Traders and residents rally to protect one of London's last multicultural street markets from redevelopment plans that threaten its character.
A major biodiversity project aims to restore native habitats across 50 acres of marshland, with community planting days open to all residents.
The former warehouse space on Dalston Lane has been transformed into a free creative hub offering music, film and visual arts programmes for under-25s.
With local elections approaching, we break down the key pledges from candidates across the borough — including independent Rafie Faruq's bold plans for housing, nightlife and community wellbeing.
Plans to support nightlife venues while addressing noise concerns divide opinion among residents and business owners in Dalston and Shoreditch.
Hackney has a proud tradition of grassroots activism. These are the issues and campaigns shaping the borough today.
A long-running campaign by traders, residents and activists to protect Ridley Road Market from plans that would price out existing stallholders. The market has served Dalston's diverse communities since the 1880s and is a vital source of affordable food and cultural connection.
Grassroots movement demanding genuinely affordable housing, an end to no-fault evictions, and stronger tenant protections. With average rents exceeding £1,800/month for a one-bed flat, many long-standing residents face displacement from the borough.
Campaign pushing for expanded Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, school street closures and stronger action on illegal pollution levels. Parts of Hackney regularly breach WHO air quality guidelines, disproportionately affecting children and elderly residents.
Coalition of venue owners, musicians and nightlife workers fighting to preserve Hackney's legendary music and club scene against licensing restrictions, noise complaints and rising commercial rents that have already closed iconic venues.
Community-led campaign for greater transparency and accountability in police stop-and-search practices in Hackney, where Black residents are disproportionately stopped. Calls for mandatory body camera footage review and community oversight panels.
Push for all Hackney employers, including council contractors, to pay the real London Living Wage. In a borough where child poverty rates exceed 40% in some wards, fair pay is a frontline issue.
Hackney's strength has always been its people. Whether you join a campaign, attend a council meeting, or simply stay informed — your voice matters.
Festivals, markets, exhibitions and community gatherings — there's always something happening in Hackney.
The iconic half marathon winds through Victoria Park, London Fields and the Olympic Park. A celebration of community fitness.
Three days of live music across Dalston's venues. From grime to jazz, afrobeat to indie — showcasing Hackney's legendary music scene.
Over 100 artists open their studio doors to the public. Explore paintings, sculpture, ceramics and digital art in converted warehouses.
Annual community gathering with food from local restaurants, live performances and activities for children. Bring a blanket!
Special evening edition of the beloved market with street food, live DJs and stalls staying open until 10pm.
The Grade II listed theatre launches its summer programme with comedy, drama and musical performances from local and international talent.
Discover local businesses, institutions and community spaces across the borough. Search by name, area or what you're looking for.
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Grade II listed theatre and one of London's finest variety and music hall venues, hosting comedy, drama and community events since 1901.
One of London's most vibrant and diverse street markets, trading since the 1880s. Fresh produce, fabrics, Caribbean and African goods.
Independent cinema showing new releases, classics and special screenings in the heart of Hackney. Bar and cafe on site.
Artisan bakery under the railway arches producing organic sourdough bread using heritage grains. Baking classes available.
Free community farm with animals, gardens, a pottery studio and a popular Italian cafe. A green oasis in the heart of Hackney.
Public library named after the Trinidadian-British historian and activist. Community hub with events, reading groups and digital access.
Middle Eastern and North African-inspired restaurant celebrating the flavours of Hackney's diverse communities. Brunch favourite.
Heated 50-metre outdoor swimming pool open year-round. One of London's few remaining lidos and a Hackney institution.
Artist studio complex in a converted industrial building, hosting exhibitions and open studio events throughout the year.
Community cooking school offering affordable classes in world cuisines, nutrition and food growing. Run by Made In Hackney charity.
Beloved independent bookshop with a carefully curated selection and regular author events. A cornerstone of the local literary scene.
Major NHS hospital serving Hackney and the City of London with A&E, maternity, outpatient clinics and specialist services.
From medieval manor to creative capital — nearly a thousand years of radical history, community resilience and cultural reinvention.
Hackney is first recorded as 'Hakeneia' in the Domesday Book, a rural manor held by the Bishop of London with woodland, meadows and a small settlement.
Photo: Domesday Book manuscript, Wikimedia Commons
Each neighbourhood has its own personality. From the creative buzz of Hackney Wick to the village calm of Stokey — there's a corner for everyone.
Eclectic nightlife, world food markets, creative energy
The civic heart — town hall, empire, and high street culture
Village feel, indie bookshops, Church Street charm
Warehouse art studios, canal walks, Olympic park views
Lido summers, Broadway Market brunches, green spaces
Street art, tech startups, boundary-pushing bars
Marshes walks, community pubs, quiet resilience
Family neighbourhood, hospital hub, growing scene
“Hackney is not a place you move to. It's a place that moves you.”
— A local sentiment, expressed a thousand different ways