Italian Vogue has named this cafe – which serves up a steady diet of avant-garde music – Britain’s coolest venue. Alex Needham finds out what the fuss is about

This actress, writer and ex-slam poet has the charisma to go from a comedy turn on TV to the lead in a compelling drama documentary

Is a model of social work that radically transformed child protection in one borough about to go mainstream?

A panel of locals enjoys a preview of the Channel 4 drama’s first episode, but finds plenty of flaws in Ronan Bennett’s supposedly realistic portrayal of life in the borough

Youth worker Emeka Egbuonu’s book has much to teach policymakers following the riots, writes Rachel Williams

Allow 5 hours for this food-lover’s hike across Hackney

We all admire a heroine who speaks her mind. Often, though, it’s better to button it

At street level in trouble-hit Hackney, residents paint a depressing picture of alienation, anger, boredom and mischief

The Olympics have fuelled regeneration, but while many welcome the changes, some fear its character will be lost

It’s a great in-betweener