081 - Meet James Chan 👋
Meet James Chan 👋
Localist James Chan has an ear for what makes a city tick; whether he’s investing in London’s social enterprises as manager with VERGE Capital or playing in many of the city’s different sports leagues, you’re sure to find him listening to the heartbeat beneath it all.
With that in mind, we asked James for a pulse-check of sorts. Here’s what he had to report...
Q: What’s one of London’s best-kept secrets? 🤫
A: London's food scene would surprise a lot of people who don't live here. We’ve got hidden gems tucked away in nondescript places, serving amazing flavours from all over the world. My latest favourite is IvanoPoblano, which moved from a food truck/trailer into a cozy house on a busy stretch of Wharncliffe.
Q: What’s your favourite way to spend a Saturday in London? ❤️
A: When the weather is warm, my wife and I love biking the east branch of the Thames Valley Parkway with a picnic blanket or hammock, scouting for prime real estate to take an afternoon nap.
Q: Tell us about the last London thing you recommended to friends.🗣️
A: Hiking the full loop around Fanshawe Lake—I still haven't managed to do the full 20km. The trails at Westminster Ponds is less of a time commitment, and also counts as another of our best kept secrets!
Q: What are you looking forward to in London this year? 🗓️
A: It might take longer than this year to materialize, but I’m looking forward to: a city that prioritizes (and funds) frequent and reliable transit, pedestrian and cyclist safety, a rehabilitated river and watershed, as well as meaningful and measurable responses to our housing, public health, and climate crises.
Q: Who should Londoners be paying attention to? 🔍
A: It can be hard to stay on top of how our elected officials are addressing the issues London is facing—which is why I follow the London Free Press' Megan Stacey. She live-tweets everything that happens at Council, and writes a comprehensive (yet comprehensible) recap in the paper afterwards. We're lucky to have a local journalist dedicated to this beat.
Bonus: Miss ? Now there's more! Check out this trio of events celebrating Black History Month from Plump!, this Valentine's pop-up Market at City Rest, and this evening celebrating the community-led conservation of The Coves.
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