Curry Capital 2012

Excitement has been building in Tower Hamlets ever since London won the right to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games back in 2005.

As a host borough the council has worked hard with LOCOG to ensure that residents and businesses have every opportunity to benefit from the Games taking place right on their doorstep.

As a result of that work, Brick Lane and Banglatown has been declared Curry Capital 2012 and will be welcoming thousands of spectators, officials and international media to the East End over the next year.

Like all of Tower Hamlets, Brick Lane is a vibrant area and in many ways its history embodies the Olympic spirit; triumphing over adversity, welcoming new cultures and providing first class entertainment.

The Games will leave a legacy that lasts long after the closing ceremony. This includes ambitious regeneration schemes such as High Street 2012, a £10 million project aimed at creating a world-class high street in the heart of the East End, bringing vast improvements to the historic buildings, streets and green spaces in the area.

It’s just one example of improvements to an area that deserves to be showed off to the world and we hope the visitors heading to Tower Hamlets next year will enjoy it in its full glory.

Cultural landmarks

1. Brick Lane Arch
   Mina Thakur’s Brick Lane Arch dates from 1997 and is adorned with the red and green colours of the Bangladesh flag.
2. Brick Lane Mosque landmarks
   The Brick Lane Mosque is housed in a building where worship has taken place by different faiths for more than 250 years.
3. Illuminated minaret-like sculpture
   The sculpture marks the start of The Brick Lane Cultural Trail.
4. Kobi Nazrul Centre
   A thriving Bengali arts centre founded by 1982 and opened by Lord Fenner Brockway.
5. Christ Church
   Christ Church is a magnificent church situated at the top of Fournier Street designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor. It is one of the finest Baroque churches in Europe.
6. Black Eagle Brewery
   The brewery in its hey day employed over 1000 people, becoming the largest brewery in London and the second biggest in Britain. Now known as the Truman Brewery and houses bars and retail spaces.
7. Christ Church School
   Ninety-five per cent of pupils at Christ Church are Bengali Muslims. A century ago when the Stepney’s Jewish population was at its peak it would have been 95 per cent Jewish.
8. Brick Lane Market
   A mixture of treasures and fascinating finds. Expect to find everything from clothing, food, furniture to kitchenware and jewellery.
9. Petticoat Lane Market
   Probably the most famous and oldest of all of London’s markets. Petticoat Lane attracts visitors from all over the world.
10. Sandy’s Row Synagogue
    Sandys Row Synagogue is the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in London, and the last remaining synagogue in Spitalfields which was once the heart of the Jewish East End.