This week we’re going to start a new London Living feature, where we focus on one of East Village’s many neighbouring boroughs, bringing to you the very best of each area.

Drawing upon our ever growing archive of amazing interviews with local people within the area, we’ve definitely got loads to share with you.

This week, we’re looking at East Village’s very own borough, Newham, one of London’s most buzzing areas. With over 200 languages spoken and a wealth of world class facilities amongst some of London’s richest heritage, it’s a bustling melting pot of cultural wonder.

Let’s start with the wonderful Stratford Circus, perhaps the areas most famous building and one of London’s most respected performing arts centres. Not only have we sponsored some of their recent events, such as their Family Circlets Day, but we were also lucky enough to speak their CEO, Clare Connor a while ago. This place is always bustling with activity and is a hive of creative juices – a definite favourite amongst the community.

Newham is also home to a fantastic bookshop, the largest independent book store in East London today. Founded by a group of parents with a thirst for literature 34 years ago and now run by the dedicated Vivian, Newham Bookshop represents all that is good about the area with its historical and communal roots. If you want an authentic take on life in Newham – or a load of fantastic reading recommendations – meet Vivian.

Another great little venue tucked away in Newham, is Sugarhouse Studios, a collaborative project intertwining food, film, work space, theatre and community activity. For tips on newcomers to the area and a lovely insight into the project, see what happened when we caught up with Amica.

Having spoken to Clive Dutton, Executive Director of Regeneration for Newham, we’ve got some pretty interesting statistics about Newham too.

We bet you didn’t know Newham is home to the only airport with its own postcode – that’s London City airport – or the first ‘Royal’ park anywhere in London? What if we told you Newham has the highest level of urban regeneration and the fastest broadband infrastructure anywhere in the world. And need we remind you it houses the largest shopping mall anywhere in Europe! Yup, all true.

And with the extension of the new Crossrail project, 35,000 new homes and 110,000 jobs, Newham is bang on the cusp of truly great things. Oh, and don’t forget the magnificent East Village, Olympic Stadium and the other amazing facilities locals in the area will have access to in the local vicinity!