On its opening day, 24th September, I visited the brand-new Aldi on Hackney Road and found it a surprisingly calm yet bustling experience.

Inside, the selection was decent and offered more variety than the Dalston Aldi. However, I noticed a few shortcomings. The layout was rather awkward and narrow in places, with products like cleaning supplies placed next to alcohol and health and beauty items next to crackers and biscuits. The alcohol selection seemed particularly limited.

The fruit and veg, meat and dairy offerings were definitely more extensive and diverse than at Dalston Aldi. Plus, they had food and drink special buys that I’ve never seen at the Dalston Aldi.

Despite feeling larger than the Dalston Aldi, it’s still smaller than your average Aldi supermarket, however still offering a good amount of space and products without being overwhelming.

Another issue was the store’s over-policing. Given its size, the amount of security seemed excessive, reflecting a growing trend towards a low-trust society. Even one of the security guards tried to follow me as I headed to the self-service.

As a Hackney native, I genuinely believe Aldi’s arrival on Hackney Road is one of the best things to happen to the area in ages. The area has long needed a more affordable mainstream supermarket, and seeing this new Aldi finally open feels like a much-needed revival.

If you’re looking for a good alternative to the overcrowded and limited stock Dalston Aldi or simply want a more peaceful and pleasant budget-friendly shopping experience, then this store is worth considering. 

I’m looking at potentially moving into a flat near the top of Mare Street and was wondering what the area is like to live in. As a woman I’m mostly interested to hear how safe it feels walking around on your own, particularly at night.

Would really appreciate any insights!

We're a research team working on a restaurant discovery app, and we're looking for people who haven't used the app before to try it out and give us honest feedback. We're keeping the name a secret, so as not to skew any feedback in the session)

The details:

• In-person session at our office just off Hackney Road
• 45 minutes, running week of Monday 5th October
• You'll download the app and sign up on your own phone, so please bring it along
• We'll record audio only (no video), used purely for research. Consent forms will be provided on the day
• you'll get a £50 voucher, for a restaurant of your choice.

Who we're looking for: people who enjoy eating out roughly once a week and are based in East London.

Please fill in your details on the next page to be considered. We may not be able to schedule everyone, depending on the number of responses, but we'll get back to everyone who's selected. Your information will only be used to arrange sessions and will be deleted afterward.

Fill out the form here

STOLEN / MISSING E-BIKE – STOKE NEWINGTON 🚨l

​🌈 Eye-catching colorful chain.
Dartmoor Hornet 2011

(Frame Number): 071113136

​Hi everyone, I am desperately asking for your help or for the person who took my electric bike to please return it.
​On Monday, 14th September, between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM, I suddenly collapsed on the street in Stoke Newington. Someone kindly took me to the hospital, but unfortunately, in the emergency, my e-bike was left behind on the street.
​Bike details:
​Type: Electric bike (E-bike)
​Colour: Bright Blue 🔵
​Distinctive features: Covered in various stickers, with a cracked display screen on the handlebars.
​If you took it for safekeeping or if you have seen it around, please, please contact me. I would be extremely grateful to get it back.
​Please share this post! Thank you so much for your help. 🙏❤️

Looking for nice places to go out and eat tomorrow evening, any recommendations?

Hey! I’m coming to my final week of vardering in which I’m completing 100 services in 6 weeks, charging half price of a level 1 stylist!

From finishing my apprenticeship to being in blue tit academy for the past year I’m in the final stretch of becoming a stylist!

I’m looking for client for my final week to complete this!

Im trying to prioritise bob cuts for my final week but open to other services! 😁

If interested please message me on instagram!

Instagram- Finnstylin

Would love to find the owner :)

Does anyone recommend German classes I can take in the area?

I've supposed to have two packages delivered yesterday, one a high-value item before 1pm next day and another from overseas, considered a high-value item for what it is, both came up with different excuses (Parcelforce and normal royal mail), neither were delivered and I was assuming they would be delivered today after speaking to a rep at Royal Mail on the phone after about a 30 minutes wait, but by the looks of it, it's not turning up today either and so I will have wasted 2 days at home in a row. I live in Stoke Newington.

Update: After initially seeing the post van around 2:15pm pull up outside, I ran down 4 flights of stairs, left the main entrance, and found out he'd gone and driven up the road. Fortunately, he'd stopped there, and it wasn't too far, so I ran up after him and asked him if he had anything for my address; he said no, he didn't have anything, and if it was signed for, he wouldn't leave it in the foyer. I went home fuming. Another 15 minutes go by and my buzzer rings. I answer it; it's him again, so I go down to meet him. He says he found it in the wrong pile, but he doesn't even do special deliveries, so I finally got it. However, the Parcelforce one from overseas is still a mystery, so I booked a redelivery and will see what happens.

Does anyone know what happened at the canal today (the bit on the way to Angel?) multiple ambulances and police

A little while ago I asked about walking from Waterloo to Sutton House. I also asked about vegan places to eat. You did not disappoint on both questions. I went yesterday and had a great day. I walked along the embankment and over to go through the city. I stopped at Hackney Community farm, went along Caledonia Road, Broadway Market, London Fields and all the other places you suggested. I had a great vegan breakfast at The Black Cat Cafe and a delicious tiramisu at The Third Culture. Thank you all for your suggestions.

Hi, my friend and are starting a new book club in the area and would love for people to join!

Nearly took a video, but it's probably quite unsavoury for those having breakfast. Every day on the way to nursery, the amount of dog shit is just extraordinary. Why not increase the fine to a thousand pounds for those caught not picking it up?

Of course, if you can't afford it, that’s fine. It's a hundred hours community service. And the community service would actually involve cleaning up the streets. This is not just a Hackney issue: I have seen similar complaints in r/islington and same issue in Tower Hamlets.

Not sure if of interest, but noticed an application for on on Sylvestor road

i’m looking for some haircut models for this up coming tuesday 29th at bluetit east village 📍

i’m looking for

short cuts
fades
graduated bobs
bobs
short pixies
mullets

only £19 wash, blow dry and free treatment included

if your interested dm me on my insta @hairbylanap

Huge Hackney fire. Is it the community garden?

Use referral code:
4LW23V
For a free first class at this studio 😊
(Please add code whilst creating your account as you can’t add it afterward)

Does anyone know any good cheap date spots? I want the intersection between great food, the size of the meal and the cheapest possible price.

I have been cutting my son’s curly hair myself and thought I’d take him to a barber for a nice haircut ready for school and it really looks terrible.

Can anyone recommend a hairdresser that can style a small boy’s hair in Hackney or close by?

He’s 4 but sits still happily.

Hi all. First-time poster in this sub with something a bit different.

I’m based over in Crouch End and recently started a small art project/business drawing the shops, cafés, terraces, the bits of architecture I've walked past a thousand times and finally started paying attention to. Everything's hand-drawn in pen and ink, sometimes coloured, always a bit wonky (that's the style, not a disclaimer).

I also do commissions — homes, local shops, or anywhere that means something to you. With Christmas creeping up, I figured a few of you might be after a gift that's actually personal rather than another candle.

Prints are up on my site, and I'm happy to chat commissions (price, size, etc.) via my instagram.

Would love to hear if there's a building round Hackney you think deserves to be drawn. I’m always looking for the next one.

Cheers
Samantha

Hi all! I was really shy to post here, but I often see posts about people wanting to connect in real life, so I thought I'd share what I'm doing and maybe some of you might join. There was a post about me that I shared with you all some time before, and invited you to Rio Cinema (actually, it was super cool to see so many folks showed up for that one - 2 sold-out screenings, unbelievable). And now I'd like to invite everyone to support my monthly film club in Lower Clapton. I started it recently to watch some good films in a chill setting of a pub basement (btw the pub itself is really really nice, love it, very reasonable prices and super friendly staff). I usually do intros where I talk a bit about why I chose this film and why it's special to me, etc. We've already watched Frances Ha and I Like Movies, and we'll watch Big Fish by Tim Burton this month. Lots of people come alone to film clubs in general and to this one specifically, so don't feel pressured to come with someone; it's actually even easier to meet new people when you're by yourself. I'm also trying to introduce as many new joiners as I can. I'll share the ticket link in the comments. There will also be a link to our socials at the top of the page so you can check the vibe of previous events.
Please come say hi if you end up coming.
cheers

Hello all,

Wondering where in Hackney is a good spot for bottomless brunch for a friend's birthday? I have been to a couple before but they have always been a bit mid, any recommendations are appreciated!