The rooftop is the reason we acquired the building, we see rooftops as underused spaces in the modern city. A space for mechanical plant and air conditioning units is the current status quo – why not utilise that space for growing food and encouraging biodiveristy? It is better for the environment long term, help educate the local community by doing so and ultimately it will contribute to improving urban quality of life, create jobs and provide the freshest food possible.
Does the rooftop supply your restaurant and bar?
Yes, for the salad and cocktail garnishes. A lot also comes from our 3,500 sq foot farm in Deptford.
We also work with a number of thoughtful and well considered suppliers – unfortunately it is impossible to meet demand for our food with the space we have, but it is very much our vision to reach this point by transforming other rooftops to grow with and for us.
Is it not heavily polluted, being in Central London?
No. Pollutants are a concern to us, as they are to anyone growing in a heavily congested area, but the harmful ones are from car engines such as lead and metals from brake pads. Not only do the plants we grow to eat not have enough time to absorb these before they are harvested, those metals are denser than air – so do not reach the heights we grow at.
How big is the space?
The garden is 1,400 sq ft and we’re growing in around 500 sq ft.
I’m interested in urban growing, can I volunteer on the roof?
Yes. If you’d like to help out in the garden and learn about organic rooftop growing then you’re welcome to work alongside Jack or Matt on their weekly work days. Get in touch on the email address below!
Can the roof take that weight?
Yes – the building used to have two further floors (there are a few stories about what happened to them) so we know that the building can support that but just to be on the safe side we’ve had structural engineers rate our loading to much more than we need.
Is it organic?
We’re not certified Organic but we grow to organic standards meaning we use no chemicals on the soil or plants. We try to use companion planting and good husbandry to avoid pests and diseases and growing on a roof helps as well!
Our Vision
A network of rooftop growing spaces with associated pubs.
Each rooftop featuring a space to learn about, be inspired by, grow, and cook with locally-grown fruits and vegetables.