New homeowners at Hertford Mill in Hackney Wick have been welcomed with the help of two much-loved local independent businesses, Liana Verderocce Floral Studio, a local Tuck Shop and Barge East, in collaboration with Taylor Wimpey.

As new residents begin their next chapter at the Hertford Mill development, the focus has been on creating meaningful connections with the surrounding neighbourhood from day one. Rather than a traditional housewarming gesture, homeowners received thoughtfully curated hampers designed and created by Hackney-based Liana Verderocce Floral Studio, vouchers for The Tuck Shop and have used Barge East as their go-to caterer.

A London-based, family-run creative business, Liana Verderocce Floral Studio is built on energy, dedication and a shared belief that flowers can do far more than decorate a space. Each commission, from large-scale installations to bespoke gifting, is approached as a form of communication: a way to create connection, provoke emotion and leave a lasting impression.

The hampers created for Hertford Mill homeowners reflected this ethos perfectly. Crafted with care, intention and time, they were designed not simply as gifts, but as experiences that carry memory and presence into a new home.

Just along the River Lee Navigation, Barge East continues to play a vital role in Hackney Wick’s community life. Housed within De Hoop, a 125-year-old Dutch grain barge salvaged and sailed across the North Sea in 2018, the award-winning restaurant has grown from a single floating kitchen into a celebrated “garden-to-plate” destination.

Recently ranked the #1 restaurant in the UK and #9 in the world in TripAdvisor’s 2025 “One of a Kind” category, Barge East remains firmly rooted in its local surroundings. The team has welcomed prospective and new residents to the area during open days and show home events, helping introduce them to the independent spirit and hospitality that define Hackney Wick and Fish Island.

As Hackney Wick continues to evolve, collaborations like these demonstrate how partnerships between local enterprise and new developments can help strengthen community ties, ensuring that growth goes hand in hand with connection, creativity and a strong sense of place.