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plumrltd · 6 months ago

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Top 5 Common Plumbing Issues in UK Homes and How to Prevent Them

Maintaining your home's plumbing system is essential for avoiding costly repairs and keeping your household running smoothly. Specific plumbing Solutionin the UK, especially in older homes, tend to crop up more frequently. Understanding these common problems and how to prevent them can save homeowners from stress and expense. This article will cover UK homeowners' top 5 plumbing issues and provide helpful prevention tips.

1. Leaking Taps and Faucets

One of the most common issues faced by homeowners is leaking taps. Over time, wear and tear on seals, washers, or taps can lead to persistent drips. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, leaking taps can waste significant amounts of water and raise utility bills.

Consequences: On average, a leaking tap can waste over 5,000 liters of water annually, leading to higher bills.

Prevention tips: Regularly inspect your taps and faucets for signs of wear. Replace worn washers and seals early to avoid larger issues. If the problem persists, seek plumber services in Morden for professional repairs.

2. Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are another frequent issue, often caused by a buildup of food, grease, hair, and soap residue in sinks, showers, and toilets. Over time, these substances can form a blockage that prevents proper drainage, resulting in slow-moving water or even complete clogs.

Consequences: Left untreated, blocked drains can cause foul odors and even damage the plumbing system.

Prevention tips: Use drain covers to catch hair and food particles, avoid pouring grease down the sink, and clean your drains regularly. If you face recurring blockages, consider calling plumber services in Sutton to address the issue effectively.

3. Low Water Pressure

If you're experiencing weak water flow in your taps or shower, it's likely due to low water pressure. It can result from limescale buildup in pipes, faulty fixtures, or leaks within your plumbing system.

Consequences: Low water pressure makes daily tasks like washing dishes and showering more time-consuming and frustrating.

Prevention tips: Descale faucets regularly and clean aerators to maintain good water pressure. If the problem persists, it may be a sign of a more severe issue, such as a leak, in which case you should seek help from plumbers in Wallington for a thorough inspection.

4. Burst Pipes

In colder months, burst pipes are a common concern for homeowners. When water freezes in pipes, it expands, causing them to crack or burst, leading to significant water damage.

Consequences: A burst pipe can cause extensive damage to walls, floors, and belongings, resulting in expensive repairs. The average cost of heat per month in South London can also increase during winter as you may need extra heating to prevent pipes from freezing.

Prevention tips: Insulate your pipes, especially those in unheated areas like attics or garages. Keep your home's heating constant during freezing weather and allow taps to drip slightly to prevent freezing. If a pipe does burst, seek burst pipe repairs in South London immediately to avoid further damage.

5. Running Toilets

A running toilet is not only annoying but also wastes a significant amount of water. This issue is typically caused by a faulty flapper valve or failure of another internal toilet tank component to close correctly.

Consequences: A running toilet can waste up to 200 liters daily, leading to higher water bills.

Prevention tips: Regularly inspect the components inside the toilet tank and replace any faulty parts as needed. If you cannot fix it, contact plumber services in Wallington for assistance.

Conclusion

Plumbing issues are common in UK homes, but many can be avoided with regular maintenance and early detection. Whether you have a leaking tap, blocked drains, or low water pressure, taking preventive steps will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. For more complex issues like burst pipes or boiler installation in South London, always consult a professional plumber to ensure the job is done right.

By investing in professional plumber services in Morden, Sutton, and Wallington, you can keep your home’s home's system in excellent condition and avoid costly repairs down the line. Regular servicing, especially for heating systems like Worcester Bosch boiler service & repair in South London, will ensure you’re not in the cold when winter arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. How can I tell if I have a hidden plumbing issue?

Answer: Signs of hidden plumbing issues include unexplained increases in water bills, damp spots on walls or ceilings, mold growth, or reduced water pressure. If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to contact a plumber for an inspection to prevent further damage.

2. What should I do if I have a burst pipe in my home?

Answer: First, turn off your home’s home's supply to prevent further damage. Then, call a professional plumber immediately for burst pipe repairs in South London. In the meantime, drain any remaining water from your taps and clean up the excess water to avoid flooding.

3. How often should I check my plumbing for leaks?

Answer: It’s recommended to check your plumbing every six months. Regular inspections of your pipes, taps, and drains can help identify potential problems early. Scheduling annual plumbing maintenance with plumber services in Wallington or other local professionals can also prevent significant issues from occurring.

4. Why is my water pressure suddenly low, and how can I fix it?

Answer: Low water pressure could be caused by clogged pipes, leaks, or limescale buildup in your faucets and fixtures. To fix it, clean or replace clogged aerators and check for leaks. If the problem persists, contact plumbers in Wallington to investigate further.

5. How can I prevent my pipes from freezing during winter?

Answer: To prevent frozen pipes, insulate your pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics, or garages. Keep your home’s hehome'son consistently and allow taps to drip during freezing weather to relieve pressure in the pipes. In case of a burst, immediately seek burst pipe repairs in South London.

6. How often should I service my boiler to avoid breakdowns?

Answer: You should have your boiler serviced annually to ensure it’s functioning efficiently and safely. Regular servicing, especially for specific models like Worcester Bosch boiler service & repair in South London, can help you avoid costly repairs or replacements in the future.

7. Are blocked drains something I can fix, or do I need a plumber?

Answer: Minor blockages can often be cleared using DIY methods like a plunger or drain cleaner. However, for severe or recurring blockages, it’s best to contact plumber services in Sutton to prevent long-term damage to your plumbing system.

8. How do I know if I need to replace or repair my tap?

Answer: If your tap leaks after replacing the washer or O-ring, it may be time for a total replacement. Taps that are corrupted, outdated, or severely damaged should also be replaced. A professional plumber can assess whether repair or replacement is the best option.

9. What causes running toilets, and how can I stop it?

Answer: Running toilets are often caused by faulty flapper valves, damaged floats, or worn-out components in the tank. You can stop them by checking these parts and replacing them if necessary. If you can’t fix them, contact plumber services in Morden for assistance.

10. Can regular plumbing maintenance prevent major plumbing issues?

Answer: Yes, regular plumbing maintenance is vital in preventing significant issues. Routine checks and early detection of minor problems like leaks, worn seals, or clogged drains can save you from expensive repairs in the future. Hiring professionals for regular inspections, such as plumber services in Wallington, ensures your plumbing system stays in good condition year-round.

#emergency plumber #bathroom fitters london #plumbing services #plumber #bathroom refurbishment london #bathroom repairs #24 hour emergency plumber london #plumbing #boiler and central heating installation #emergency plumber croydon

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denimbex1986 · 8 months ago

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'The good people at the David Lean have devised a two-hour amble around Sanderstead and Riddlesdown to show off the locations that play a key part of one of the best recent British-made movies...

The David Lean Cinema crew are doing their utmost to bring films to life, and next month they are going on a special walking tour of the locations used in the making of Andrew Haigh’s acclaimed 2023 movie, All Of Us Strangers.

Haigh came to Croydon earlier this year to talk about the film, and Croydon’s role in it, which was recorded an Under The Flyover podcast. The David Lean Cinema will be screening All Of Us Strangers again next month (on Wednesday, September 11).

Now volunteers from the David Lean Cinema are offering a guided tour of the film’s locations, on Saturday September 14, from 1.45pm meeting at Riddlesdown Station.

“The tour will be stopping off at some of the main locations that were used for the filming of All of Us Strangers,” they say.

“The tour end point will be Sanderstead Station around 4pm.”

Places are limited, with only 20 spaces available.

Caitlin Clifford describes the film as “a beautiful ode to both family and home”.

Filmed in the summer of 2022, All Of Us Strangers features not only Haigh’s old home on Purley Downs Road, but other locations around Sanderstead, including the railway station, the Recreation Ground and the high street.

It also shows bona fide stars Scott, Foy and Bell leisurely making their way through the Whitgift Centre – a shot that received laughter and cheers from the Croydon audience during the April screening at the David Lean. The guided walk won’t be extending to a shopping trip in central Croydon, though...'

#Andrew Scott #All of Us Strangers #Andrew Haigh #Croydon #Jamie Bell #Claire Foy #Sanderstead #Riddlesdown #David Lean Cinema

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ifreakingloveroyals · 3 months ago

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17 August 2011 | Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visits the Metropolitian Police Central Communications Command, where the emergency services responses to last weeks riots in London were coordinated, in London, England. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall also visited the areas of Tottenham and Croydon where they met with local residents and families whose homes and businesses were affected by the outbreaks of rioting and looting last week. (c) Paul Rogers - WPA Pool/Getty Images

#Camilla #Duchess of Cornwall #Queen Camilla #Britain #2011 #Paul Rogers #WPA Pool #Getty Images

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ceevee5 · 1 year ago

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Local government will run out of money if Starmer doesn’t restore some funding from central government. Thurrock, Croydon, Birmingham, Nottingham and Woking will only be the beginning.

#uk politics #keir starmer #local government

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modernism-in-metroland · 2 years ago

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We are very pleased to announce Modernism Beyond Metro-Land, our follow up to A Guide to Modernism in Metro-Land, an exploration of modernism in London’s eastern and southern suburbs, from Waltham Forest in the NE to Kingston in the SW

Modernism Beyond Metro-Land will include the architects such as Charles Holden, Berthold Lubetkin, Owen Luder, Richard Rogers and many others. The guide will feature art deco cinemas, modernist tube stations, brutalist office blocks, stunning post war houses and much more.

As with the first guide, Modernism Beyond Metro-Land will feature colour photographs, detailed descriptions and maps of each area, as well as extended sections exploring a specific group of buildings such as Redbridge’s Central Line stations and Croydon Town centre

Publication of the guide is being crowdfunded with Unbound, who also published A Guide to Modernism in Metro-Land. To support the new book and choose from various pledge rewards follow the link in our bio or visit the Unbound website

#architecture #modernism #concrete #london #brutalist #photography #art deco

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master-john-uk · 1 year ago

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Advanced security cameras which have been in use in central London for over five years are now being installed in several outer-London areas.

After the system went live in Croydon recently, 11 suspects were quickly arrested, eight of which had failed to appear in court for violent offences.

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vrpropertygateway · 2 days ago

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Property Investment in Croydon: A Hidden Gem for UK Investors

Are you searching for the next property hotspot in the UK? Look no further than Croydon. Once considered a commuter town on the outskirts of London, Croydon has transformed into a thriving hub for real estate investment. With large-scale regeneration projects, strong transport links, and a growing population, property investment in Croydon offers incredible potential for both capital appreciation and rental yield.

In this guide, we’ll explore why Croydon is catching the eye of savvy property investors and what opportunities lie ahead for those looking to expand their portfolio in this dynamic South London borough.

Why Invest in Croydon Property?

Croydon is no longer flying under the radar. In recent years, it has emerged as one of the most promising property investment locations in Greater London. Here’s why:

1. Strategic Location and Connectivity

Croydon is perfectly placed for commuters and professionals. Located in Zone 5, Croydon boasts excellent transport links:

15 minutes to Central London via East Croydon station

Direct trains to London Bridge, Victoria, Gatwick Airport, and Brighton

Extensive tram and bus networks

Easy access to the M25 and A23

This superb connectivity has made Croydon a popular choice for renters and first-time buyers priced out of Central London.

2. Ongoing Regeneration and Development

Croydon has benefited from £5.25 billion worth of regeneration, making it one of the largest urban renewal programmes in the UK. Key projects include:

Croydon Partnership’s redevelopment of the Whitgift Shopping Centre into a modern retail and leisure destination

New residential towers offering high-spec flats for professionals

Tech and creative hubs attracting startups and entrepreneurs

These developments are enhancing the town’s appeal, boosting property values, and creating strong long-term growth prospects for investors.

Property Prices and Trends in Croydon

Compared to inner London boroughs, property prices in Croydon remain relatively affordable, making it attractive for buy-to-let investors and those looking for capital growth.

Croydon House Price Trends

As of early 2025:

Average house price in Croydon: £430,000 (compared to £650,000+ in nearby boroughs)

Annual price growth: 5.8% (above the national average)

Strong demand from London professionals, young families, and international buyers

This affordability, paired with the upward trend in demand, signals a strong opportunity for capital appreciation in the coming years.

Rental Yields in Croydon

One of the key reasons investors are flocking to Croydon is its attractive rental yields. Depending on the property type and location:

1- and 2-bed flats near East Croydon station offer rental yields of 5–6%

HMOs and shared housing models can achieve even higher returns, especially for student or professional tenants

With a steady stream of renters and a limited supply of quality housing, rental properties in Croydon are rarely vacant.

Top Areas in Croydon for Property Investment

If you’re considering investing in Croydon, here are some key areas to watch:

East Croydon

Arguably the most desirable location, East Croydon is a hotspot for commuters and young professionals. Key features include:

Fast train connections to Central London

High-rise developments with modern amenities

Strong rental demand and premium rents

Ideal for: Buy-to-let flats and serviced accommodation

South Croydon

A quieter, more residential part of the borough, South Croydon appeals to families and long-term renters. It features:

Good schools and green spaces

Semi-detached and terraced houses

Rising prices due to spillover from East Croydon

Ideal for: Family homes and long-term investments

West Croydon

With increasing investment and regeneration, West Croydon is gaining popularity. It benefits from:

Proximity to shopping centres and restaurants

Upcoming transport improvements

Affordable property prices compared to the east

Ideal for: First-time investors and value-add opportunities

Investment Strategies That Work in Croydon

Buy-to-Let Properties

Traditional buy-to-let in Croydon remains a lucrative strategy, especially in areas with strong rental demand. One- and two-bedroom flats near transport hubs are the most sought-after.

HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation)

Croydon’s growing professional population creates an ideal environment for HMO investing. With the right licensing and management, investors can achieve high rental yields and steady income.

Property Flipping

With continued price growth and development, buying undervalued properties to renovate and sell at a profit is a viable strategy in Croydon’s up-and-coming areas.

Croydon’s Future Growth Potential

Looking ahead, Croydon is only expected to grow stronger as an investment destination. Key growth drivers include:

London Borough of Culture 2023/24 recognition, bringing arts, tourism, and funding to the area

Continued demand for affordable housing near London

Increased job opportunities through business investment in tech and media

A rising student population with new educational facilities

These factors contribute to a resilient property market, even during wider economic uncertainty.

Challenges to Consider Before Investing in Croydon

While the potential is undeniable, smart investors should be aware of:

Local planning regulations, especially for HMOs

Competition from other investors, which can push up prices

Property management and tenant screening, especially in high-density areas

Working with a trusted property investment partner, like VR Property Gateway, can help you navigate risks and maximize returns.

How VR Property Gateway Can Help You Invest in Croydon

At VRPropertyGateway.co.uk, we specialize in sourcing high-potential property investments across the UK – and Croydon is one of our top picks for 2025.

Our services include:

Property sourcing and deal analysis

End-to-end rental management

HMO conversion guidance

Legal and mortgage broker referrals

Whether you’re a first-time investor or expanding your portfolio, we’ll help you unlock Croydon’s full potential.

Book Your Property Consultation Today!

Unlock high-yield property investment in Glasgow with expert guidance. Secure your future with HMOs, student lets, and buy-to-let opportunities in UK thriving rental market. Smart investing starts here! by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Vibha Mahajan today.

Office18, Ninian Crescent, Lenzie, G66 3JR, Glasgow, Uk Call us today at +44 7737 523825 Book an appointment online at vrpropertygateway

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cleverhottubmiracle · 9 days ago

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The UK rap scene may be more fractured than it’s been for a while, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing: what it lacks in unity, it makes up for in diversity.Road rap and drill aren’t quite as dominant as they have been in previous years, but there are still plenty of new talents like Pozer and Mazza L20 invigorating the scene. Elsewhere, there’s a thriving alternative rap movement, led by noisemakers like Len, Lancey Foux, Fimiguerrero and their set, bringing an abrasive yet stylish quality that we haven’t seen before. And then there are the versatile young bucks like Ceebo and Reuben Aziz upsetting the scene and challenging the old guard to up their game.There are also more and more new artists who are harder to pin down, sonically. Collectively, they’re rejecting genre boundaries even more resoundingly than previous generations, folding all sorts of genres and subgenres into their hybrid fusion sounds. South London’s Saiming, on one end, leans heavily into jazz influences, frequently collaborating with a producer called dilushselva whose instrumentals often stir flutes, brass and all sorts into the broth. On the other side, you have JayaHadADream, whose production choices can veer anywhere from light-footed jazz to pirate radio-era garage and grime. Things are about to get exciting again across the British rap sphere—here are 25 rappers you should know about this year, and beyond.PozerFor fans of: Nemzzz, Central Cee, Chy CartierEssential tracks: “Malicious Intentions”, “Puppies”, “Shanghigh Noon”Having made history last year when he became the first UK rapper to have his first two singles, “Kitchen Stove” and “Malicious Intentions”, hit the Official Singles Chart, it’s safe to say 2024 was Pozer’s breakout year; however, this year is the year he takes over the world! Recently winning Best Drill Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards, the Croydon rapper’s very South London take on the Jersey-drill sound has been shaking up the streets and the mainstream in equal measure, which isn’t an easy thing to do; his unrelenting flow, ominous cadence and club-ready beats have also found fans in the likes of Dave and Stormzy. Currently signed to Sony RCA imprint Robots & Humans, Pozer has everything it takes—the talent, the charisma, the likeability factor—to become the next UK rap star to go international. —Joseph ‘JP’ PattersonRIGGAFor fans of: Knucks, AntsLive, BlancoEssential tracks: “Tech Fleece”, “Run Up The Bag”, “GENGAR”From the boxing ring to the studio booth, newcomer RIGGA attacks the mic with just as much confidence. The North-West London native, who previously went by his championship boxing moniker STAY READY, leaves behind a skill, a talent he spent decades honing to do rap. Brave move, but a smart one: unlike many other athletes who have tried their hand at music, RIGGA is hands down the coldest I’ve heard. Having recently dropped his debut project, Off The Rip, which features the brilliant “GENGAR”, he’s about to prove to himself, his old boxing fans, and the rest of the world that his decision to swap the gloves for the pen was definitely the right one. Stay ready! —Joseph ‘JP’ PattersonFakeminkFor fans of: Lancey Foux, Nettspend, Playboi CartiEssential tracks: “LV Sandals”, “Easter Pink”, “Truffle”A genre-defying force in London’s underground scene, Fakemink blends alternative rap, experimental electronica and punk-inspired rebellion into a sound that feels both unpredictable and necessary. His music is raw, urgent and self-produced, fusing glitchy synths, distorted basslines and unconventional drum patterns to create a sonic world that mirrors the chaos of modern youth. Fakemink’s debut album, London’s Saviour, released in 2023, was both a bold proclamation and a challenge to the city’s music scene, which at the time he viewed as stagnant. With a relentless work ethic, having dropped over 50 songs in 2024 alone, he operates like a studio-bound insomniac, perfecting his craft in his darkened bedroom, engineering his beats and penning lyrics that dive into themes of existential dread, digital escapism, and the blurred lines between luxury and grime. Fakemink’s self-described aesthetic of “luxury and dirty” extends beyond his music, reflecting in his fashion sense, his influences (from Dean Blunt to Alexander McQueen), and his unfiltered approach to artistry. He calls himself “London’s saviour” not as a flex, but as a statement of intent. And with his growing cult following and undeniable influence, it’s hard to argue with him. Don’t be surprised if he pops up on a track with Carti in the near future. —Mimi The Music Blogger JayaHadADreamFor fans of: Deyah, KAM-BU, Manga Saint Hilare, Essential tracks: “Fine Art”, “Twiggy”, “Stubborn”Rising up as part of grime’s newest wave, Cambridge MC JayaHadADream is keyed into the sound’s eclectic potential. She’s perfectly adept at storming live sets, as we saw at TRENCH’s seventh anniversary session, but studio tracks like “Twiggy” show us an artist who’s just as comfortable on more laid-back productions. In those settings, she’s just as sure-footed, able to settle in and let her bars breathe with quiet confidence. Key to any great lyricist, she has a broad range of interests, and with a background as a teacher, she sources inspiration everywhere from television to history to cooking and a dozen other topics besides. JayaHadADream’s signature is a ravenous hunger for freshness that pushes her to try out new production styles and test herself as a writer and as a rhymer. If ever an artist was primed to give us a complex and layered project, it’s Jaya. —James Keithkwes eFor fans of: Fimiguerrero, bib sama, ayrtnEssential tracks: “juggin” “felt kuti”, “naij kylie”To call kwes e a newcomer would be inaccurate, because he’s been filling the underground with bangers for years. Born and raised in Canterbury to Ghanaian parents, he’s a vital part of the city’s Escape Plan collective—an assortment of weird and wonderful outcasts channeling creativity into music and art. Adept at straight raps and melodic crooning, kwes e crafts dancey anthems for his generation; he has dropped every year, bar one, since 2020, including his vowels trilogy, which traverses bouncy party fillers with more cloudy, pensive numbers. His versatility shines through with every release, and he has rapped with some of the best of his era, including YT, Chy Cartier, Sainté and Rushy on platforms like Victory Lap Radio. Artistically fearless, kwes e is carving out his own, unique lane in an underground scene full of greatness. —Yemi AbiadeYTFor fans of: Len, Fimiguerrero, Lancey FouxEssential tracks: “Prada Or Celine”, “#PURRR”, “Black & Tan” YT is among those shaping the future of UK music, blending rap, experimental trap and infectious jerk-infused flows to create a sound that’s impossible to ignore. His 2024 viral hit, “Black & Tan” with Lancey Foux, led the UK underground’s arrival in the States, proving his ability to make music that transcends borders. This momentum follows his 2023 breakout track, “Arc’teryx”, which is closing in on 6 million streams. Rather than chasing trends, YT thrives on reinvention. From sampling Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” on “#PURRR” to channeling NYC’s jerk-drill wave, his sound is a melting pot of influences that keep listeners engaged. His debut mixtape, Real Life, showcased this versatility, featuring collabs with UK heavyweights like Len, Lancey Foux and Fimiguerrero. And visuals from LAUZZA for tracks like “Prada Or Celine” and “MVP” have only solidified his growing, cult-like following. Balancing life as an Oxford philosophy student with an undeniable passion for music, YT has walked his way to the forefront of the underground. Now, with co-signs from the likes of Skepta and Cench, YT looks more like an international superstar every day. —MiminamesblissFor fans of: Joe James, Novelist, Stormzy Essential tracks: “Iniesta Flow”, “I Told Him”, “premium wear”He isn’t a newcomer, but he is on the cusp of a mainstream-level breakthrough: namesbliss has been rooted in London’s grime scene for a while, but he also likes to flip the script and rap over jazz-tinged, boom-bappy beats from the likes of Samson and BexBlu, just because he can. Loved for his rhymes and tweets about faith (in Jesus) and other uplifting vignettes, namesbliss is skippy with the flow—the type that conjures up happy and positive vibes—and as his second sold-out headline show and first wedding anniversary (!) proved last year, the blessings are abundant when your steps are ordered by the Lord. —Joseph ‘JP’ PattersonWohdeeFor fans of: Shaybo, Cardi B, GloRillaEssential tracks: “Hi Hello”, “I Like”, “My Shayla”Wohdee encapsulates so much of what we love about the current wave of women rapping, like really rapping and parring with the mandem. Like her predecessors Ms. Dynamite, Shystie and Shaybo—even her cousins across the pond, Cardi B and GloRilla—Birmingham’s Wohdee has a cocky swagger that translates through audio waves; seeping through the headphones, you can tell she has unshakeable conviction in herself. In a world that seems to be swinging back to the Right, it’s great to hear a woman refuse to shrink herself on wax. Wohdee has shown her ability to make music that can play in all sorts of settings, like on her team-ups with JY MNTL and Nadia Rose, but in my opinion, she’s at her best when she’s firing off bars like rounds in a gun range, snapping with speed, then slowing down for control, on tracks like “My Shayla”—a recent drop that feels like she’s found the sound that suits her most. —ScullyMarlow PFor fans of: Potter Payper, KayMuni, MowgsEssential tracks: “Can’t Lose”, “I Ain’t Stopping”, “Alone In The Streets”Shepherd’s Bush rhymer Marlow P has no shortage of life experience to draw from. He’s weathered tragedy and been forced to grow up quickly, but it hasn’t jaded him. His tracks are motivational, often introspective and at times candid, but his message is as much for himself as it is for the listener. In 2022, his debut single, “I Ain’t Stopping”, brought him his first taste of the spotlight, but with that came a pang of self-doubt. A minor pause followed in 2023 (though he did still release a track, “Can’t Lose”), but last year Marlow P returned with a vengeance. A guest spot on Sheff rapper Skinz’s dark and dramatic “100 In Da T” got the ball rolling and, this time, he seized his moment, following through with a surefooted run of singles that, at least to outside ears, sounded like he’d resolutely put those inner demons to rest. Hopefully, he can use that springboard to pull off an even bigger 2025. —James KeithCeeboFor fans of: Jordy, Joe James, DaveEssential tracks: “MATANGA“, “MEMORY LANE“, “FAITHFUL“ Hailing from Lambeth, Ceebo’s music captures the highs and lows of life in South London, offering a perspective that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. His most recent project, LAMBETHNOTLA, cements him as a gifted wordsmith, weaving together a sonic landscape that mirrors his experiences. Tracks like “LAMBETH AKA A DUNRAVEN BABES” showcase his intricate storytelling, personifying his borough as a love interest, while “MEMORY LANE” is a soulful reflection on lost youth. Ceebo also tackles broader issues: “TRAUMA SOLD SEPARATELY” critiques how Black pain is commodified in entertainment, while “MATANGA” (Congolese for funeral) grapples with the fear of becoming another statistic. With viral moments on platforms such as Balamii and an authentic buzz that is getting louder by the day, Ceebo’s sharp lyricism and genre-blending is setting him apart. One of the most important emerging voices in UK rap, as 2025 unfolds, expect him to solidify his place as an artist who isn’t just making music but telling stories that need to be heard. —Mimi The Music BloggerKairo KeyzFor fans of: Central Cee, Digga D, 163MargsEssential tracks: “Burberry”, “Gang”, “Went Up”South London’s Kairo Keyz has been putting in the work for a little while now—early wins came with a Central Cee collab in 2019 titled “Back2Back” and his first solo joint, “So Long”—but things have really kicked up a gear in the last couple of years. He found the formula when he switched to a less melodic, Auto-Tuned sound, and on New Year’s Day 2023, it all started to fall into place when he released the Family Not Fans mixtape. It was his first project and absolutely bursting with energy. The success of that tape and what made it work was clearly not lost on him because every release since has played to the set’s strengths perfectly. Also key to his appeal is his big grin and cheeky charisma; pushing that to the forefront of his image has pulled the fans in, but it’s his dynamism, precise flow and well-tuned instincts for hooks and instrumentals that will keep us all coming back for more. —James KeithReuben AzizFor fans of: cityboymoe, tendai, NippaEssential tracks: “only one”, “always come back”, “MAGIC”Reuben Aziz has everything going for him. A rapper, singer, producer and guitarist, the self-taught musician has a voice that could cut through all the tension in the world. Sonically, he traverses R&B, ‘80s synthwave and rock with a serenity that is equally charming and addictive. Southampton-born, London-based Aziz has risen through the scene quick, fast and in a hurry. Signed to Sony, he dropped debut project how did we end up here in 2024—followed by the deluxe version earlier this year—and performed on the popular US freestyle platform On The Radar, which is a beacon for the talent of the present and future. Though singing might be his main form of expression, don’t let that fool you: Aziz gets busy in this rapping thing! Look no further than “Elevate” for proof. His versatility makes him ready for any scenario, making his promise all the more brighter. —Yemi AbiadeEsDeeKidFor fans of: CASISDEAD, Aystar, SINN6REssential tracks: “Palaces”, “ LV Sandals”, “Apathy”Merseyside's EsDeeKid is less of a breath of fresh air in the rap scene, more of a huff of a powerful solvent that leaves you dizzy, a little confused but definitely more curious. Rapping with the typical UK rap sensibilities as his foundations, this Liverpudlian will suddenly twist and turn to an unexpected flow that shouldn’t really work, but somehow does. Whether it’s the accent or the timing, he chops over the beat like Salah glides on the wing—it’s unconventional at times, but hitting the goal feels near inevitable. What makes it stand out is his penchant for the current UK underground aesthetic, an amalgamation of the internet culture of the last decade—from woozy production that would sit comfortably in SoundCloud “cloud rap” to low-exposure, deep-fried pictures, to the fact that you can’t find many pictures at all. Coupled with a cadence that wouldn’t sound out of place on the big drill hits that lit up the 2010s, it makes for a mix that you couldn’t predict. He doesn’t seem to do anything for acceptance, yet somehow ends up one of the most palatable voices of the bubbling underground. —ScullySaimingFor fans of: Jelani Blackman, Bawo, KnucksEssential tracks: “Woof Meow”, “know us.”, “Vibe Dispersion”If there’s any sort of running theme in Saiming’s catalogue, it’s that he plays well with others. On his latest outing, “know us.”, he connected with jazz four-piece Zeñel and they fit together seamlessly. Late last year, Saiming joined them on stage for their EP launch where they stitched together contrasting styles and although the crowd took a minute to warm up to the idea of sliding 808s and trumpets, their run through the grime and drill canon only scratched the surface of what could be. That’s not the only collab rich with possibility, either. Last year’s South To The Stars EP took him in another direction again, painting his mellow rhyming style with the rapid-fire bark of Zuko Rosemeid that brought something fiery out of the self-styled S-travagant Man. His most fruitful partnership, however, is with dulushelva, the producer behind recent jam “Vibe Dispersion” and his biggest hit to date, “Woof Meow”. Together, they’ve tapped into something special, keying into an instinctive mutual understanding to create a signature sound of grime-meets-rap capped off with clever sample choices. —James Keithtn_490For fans of: John Glacier, Jawnino, aytrnEssential tracks: “outside4”, “Traffic”, “nameless”An auteur for the modern era of hybrid alternative sounds, tn_490 is a multi-dimensional figure who started out as a visionary producer for the likes of John Glacier, Bawo, ayrtn and Strandz, but he’s much more than a producer-turned-artist. For tn_490, the two disciplines are a lot more enmeshed than that, blending his fluid, melodic vocals with instrumentals that owe as much to movie soundtracks as they do to traditional trap territory. In 2023, he kicked off a new chapter as an artist in his own right, turning in a two-track drop, “outside4” and “Traffic”; the former a collab with Bawo and ayrtn, the latter a team-up with French artist Zeu. Then, last December, we got his debut proper when he released the Please Stay Safe EP, a full-scale display of his dual talents on the boards and in the booth. Mood-building is still the name of the game, but this new era promises a much fuller realisation of his vision. —James KeithMazza L20For fans of: AyStar, Tremz, Potter PayperEssential tracks: “Murdaside”, “Shellingham”, “Complicated”Liverpool lad Mazza L20 has whipped up an almighty buzz lately with tabloid speculation about the minutiae of his private life already rampant. While it’s great to see eyes on the young talent, we’d hope this doesn’t detract from his talents on the mic. A razor-tongued firebrand, he makes the very best of the Merseyside flow like AyStar, Tremz and Hazey before him. And the hype is deserved, too: he’s scored at least one signature tune with “Murdaside”, giving drill fans down south a chilling look at life in Liverpool, and was quick to leverage that success with a steady work-rate and some standout freestyles for Fire In The Booth and the like. Collabs with Aitch, Potter Payper, Loski and Aystar (who joined him on a remix of “Murdaside”) are all under his belt; the rap scene’s big players are already well on board, and the Mazza L20 hype train is getting fuller by the day, so get clued-up and don’t get left behind. —James KeithDEELAFor fans of: Brazy, Sadboi, Cruel SantinoEssential tracks: “Patience Ozokwor”, “The Hills”, “Kryptonite”Afrobeats was arguably the success story of the last decade. From facing disrespect and degradation on the global stage, it’s grown to be one of the most popular party genres, getting plaudits from critics and casual listeners alike. It’s only fitting, then, that African women mark their place in this new movement. DEELA is more than just Afrobeats, but the Lagos-born, London-based rapper encapsulates a particular type of Naij. For the Yorubaddies, she fuses rap, trap and Afrobeats to make infectious, bouncy riddims that sound good before, in, and after the party. Having already collaborated with peers like Coco & Clair Clair and Flo Milli, it feels like the world recognises the potential she has. Showcasing a real versatility, and an ability to cross genres typical of this new gen of artists, there’s a big future ahead of DEELA. —Scully Morgan SwannFor fans of: Rushy, SamRecks, SaintéEssential tracks: “Save Me”, “Mad About”, “Skepta Flow” Ipswich’s own Morgan Swann has been chipping away at his craft for close to a decade, but 2025 will be the year he shows up and shows out. Gliding effortlessly over laid-back production, like a swan on water, there’s something different about this Swann: on every song, he wears his heart on his sleeve and shows a vulnerability that we seldom see in UK rap today. From the reflective “Skepta Flow” freestyle to the yearnful croons of “Save Me”, Morgan Swann continues to put his art out there—irrespective of view count—while he waits for the rest of the world to catch up. A debut project is scheduled for later on this year, so that time might come sooner than we all think. —Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson FinessekidFor fans of: Blanco, Nemzzz, LeoStayTrill, Essential tracks: “Like Sosa”, “Badderz Got Talent”, “Coucoo”Finessekid’s name isn’t just a flex—it reflects his approach, calculation, and confidence. While he’s been bubbling in the underground for a while now, 2025 is set to be his breakthrough year. His Voice Of The Streets freestyle for Kenny Allstar last year showcased his raw talent, but it’s his SoundCloud snippets “Like Sosa”, “Coucoo” and “Semolina & Pounded Yam” that have fans hooked. Despite having just two official singles in “Coucoo” and “Badderz Got Talent”, his organic rise is unmatched, gaining major co-signs from UK vets like Skepta and Lancey Foux. Beyond music, Finessekid’s magnetic persona and love of fashion is also being recognised; he’s already collaborated with respected UK brands and is making waves in North America (popular Canadian platform KidsTakeOver spotlighted Finesse as part of “a rising UK rap movement”). A rumoured project looms, and if his current trajectory continues, he’s on track to be one of the UK’s most exciting new stars. —Mimi The Music BloggerArmando SpenceFor fans of: Potter Payper, Skrapz, NinesEssential tracks: “Thug For It”, “Big City Player”, “Dats Real”Close your eyes, play a track by Armando Spence, and you’d think you were transported to the glossy road rap of the late 2000s. The North Londoner encapsulates the hunger, suave and grit of that time, bringing it forward with fresh raps, flows and a gravelly voice that is an instant standout. Spence has been rising slowly since 2023 and his 2024 tape, El Tranquillo, encapsulates his come-up to this point, portraying his keen ear for beats and an effortless rap style that could find a home in any era. Not only that, but he stood out in a crowded line-up for Victory Lap Radio late last year alongside the likes of Chy Cartier, BXKS, Ashbeck and YT. Rap, drill—you name it, he’s capable of gliding on it all. Expect to hear more from him as the year goes on. —Yemi AbiadeCaldoFor fans of: Ashbeck, Zino Vinci, KIRBSEssential tracks: “ACTIVE,” “Carbonara”, “Cash Legale”South London-born Caldo can rep the UK, Italy and Spain and this worldly make-up seeps into his music, which brims with bounce and unpredictability. One moment he’s flowing in English, then he’ll switch up and spit a 32 in Italian. This is an artist who has been writing music since the age of 10 and released his first track by 16. Now aged 20, his time is arriving to make some noise. He’s released a healthy amount of music up to this point, including the mellow “Carbonara” and recent single “CAPITAL C”, demonstrating a knack for slick raps speaking to youth, having fun, and everyday life. His fans are super locked-in, too, coming out in their droves when he supported IAMDDB on her European tour last year. With one foot in the UK rap scene and one in Italy, Caldo is uniquely placed for impactful moves in both worlds and having his voice heard. —Yemi Abiade5EBFor fans of: Ashbeck, SamRecks, Zino VinciEssential tracks: “London Tipton”, “Yin & Yang”, “1000planz”There’s a pronounced U.S. influence in 5EB’s music—he cites Pharrell, 50 Cent and Kanye West (the old Kanye) as key inspirations—but he’s still all the way UK. That Stateside bent was more audible on FENDI5IVE, a key project for 5EB, especially on “You Kno”, a track he says was his attempt to recreate the Pharrell/Timberlake falsetto sound. You can still hear shades of it on his most recent project, ##MOTIONMUZIK, which he released at the top of the year, but nowadays he feels more in-tune with the UK’s woozy trap scene. Each track is a slick, technicolour blast of energy—stylish, smooth and relentless. ##MOTIONMUZIK should absolutely be your first port of call, but his contribution to Kenny Allstar’s 2024-released project, The Future’s Yesterday, is also an essential listen. On “Hypocritical”, we got 5EB in his purest form, showing off a precision flow and a fine-tuned penmanship, proving that melodics and FX are a tool, not a crutch. North London, you’ve got another one! —James KeithSBFor fans of: LD, 163Margs, KwengfaceEssential tracks: “Fly Back”, “Bingo”, “Tun Up”Outside of The Sanctuary—the iconic club venue which hosted seminal raves like Sidewinder and Helter Skelter—and the short-lived grime crew IMP Batch, Milton Keynes hasn’t been known to produce much talent out of its city; however, drill rapper SB is on a mission to fix all of that. The masked rhymer has been feeding the streets with bangers since 2021, with tracks like “Fly Back”, “Rave & Purge”, “P.B.K” and “Bingo” showing that beyond MK’s infamous roads and roundabouts, there’s an underworld that you wouldn’t think existed. But don’t get it twisted: while he does spit a lot of crud on wax—in real life, as seen on his recent Instagram skits, SB has a ‘don’t take life too seriously’ vibe about him that will carry him through. —Joseph ‘JP’ PattersonCielFor fans of: Lancey Foux, Lil Keed, SquashEssential tracks: “Waxxon”, “Sao Paulo”, “Loosen Up”On first listen, I’d understand how you could come to the conclusion that London boy Ciel is a product of the Atlanta rap scene that is forever adored in the UK. But I think that would be a lazy conclusion. When you press play on his music, you in fact hear a product of the diaspora. With the energy of post-Y2K dancehall, the bounce of modern Afrobeats, UK rap’s cockiness and the Auto-Tune crooning of Atlanta, he’s taken elements of so much of the Black music we listen to across the world and created something truly exciting. There’s some refining to be done, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he’s creating something NEW to listen to. It’s been a while since music has shown us an artist growing through their influences, and this is what Ciel is showing us right now. You might not get it, but you have to respect it. —ScullyFengFor fans of: YT, Len, Sam WiseEssential tracks: “Soul 2 Soul”, “Girl”, “I feel like M.I.A”Less is more when it comes to Feng. Though he has enough tracks to fill two mixtapes, most of them are no longer than 60 seconds—a sign that he knows how to keep fans excited by drip-feeding the streets. Repping Croydon, Feng entered the creative game initially as a video editor before becoming a rapper and producer and has been on a solid run, especially in 2024, where he dropped banger after banger. Most recently, he released his debut project, What The Feng, crystallising his effortless flows and hedonistic subject matter. His sonic world is eclectic, merging glitchy, 8-bit tones with clean drums and hi-hats—almost like you’re playing Sonic The Hedgehog on Sega! The UK underground is full of dynamic, ambitious characters and you can add Feng to the growing list. Still new to the game, his music is exciting and leaves you wanting more, which is more than a good sign. —Yemi Abiade Source link

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'THE POWER OF LOVE

When lensing an amalgamation of haunting and precious memories and heartbreak, director Andrew Haigh and cinematographer Jamie D. Ramsay SASC wanted to avoid being too heavy handed with nostalgia, instead opting for a subtle and organic visual expression of reminiscence and relationships.

Much like the journey of reflection and discovery that unfolds in author Taichi Yamada’s novel Strangers – a traditional Japanese ghost story of love, loss, the afterlife, and treasured and sometimes painful memories – the process of translating the book for the screen took writer-director Andrew Haigh (Lean on Pete, 45 Years, Weekend) on his own emotional voyage.

In Haigh’s cinematic reimagining, All of Us Strangers, we meet Adam (Andrew Scott), a 40-something gay screenwriter who lives alone in a high-rise flat in London. Still impacted by grief from the traumatic incident in his childhood which claimed the lives of his parents, when Adam meets Harry (Paul Mescal), who lives in the same block of flats, the love that grows has a transformational power.

Returning to his childhood home, Adam is transported back to the ‘80s and as past and present collide in a nostalgia-infused dreamlike world, he has the opportunity to spend moments with his parents who have been frozen in time at the age they were when they passed away. Memories of those he has lost and feelings of grief and suffering are revisited as Adam has conversations he wished he could have experienced if his parents had lived to see him reach adulthood.

In the telling of an ethereal tale of the power of love, Haigh wanted to “pick away” at his own past in the same way as protagonist Adam, even choosing to shoot the scenes with Adam’s parents at the director’s childhood home in Croydon, South London. “I was interested in exploring the complexities of both familial and romantic love, but also the distinct experience of a specific generation of gay people growing up in the ‘80s,” says Haigh, wanting “to move away from the traditional ghost story of the novel and find something more psychological, almost metaphysical.”

Speaking on a panel session following a BAFTA screening of the film which British Cinematographer attended, Haigh spoke of his interest in “the need to connect, or to soften whatever the pain is that you carry around with you.” While some changes were made to the story that unfolds in Yamada’s book, the central idea of the protagonist getting the chance to meet his parents, and “go back in time to have those conversations again, get to know them and them get to know him” felt really powerful to Haigh.

“I wanted to incorporate the idea of a love story into that and see how those two things connect and bounce off each other,” says the director. “There is a sense of yearning – he has lost his parents and is yearning for them as well as yearning to find someone to give him comfort and love. His parents are also yearning to be alive again and to spend more time with their child.”

A fresh narrative

The script stood out as extraordinary to Jamie D. Ramsay SASC, a cinematographer who finds it “rare to come across a piece of literature in script form that excites you, feels fresh and unlike something you’ve seen before.” He was fascinated by exploring the way people deal posthumously with trauma. “It touched me because there’s a lot of emotion attached to the subject, especially for those who grew up feeling prejudice against homosexuality and uncomfortable to come out to their parents. That was a childhood trauma that stuck with Adam, coupled with the grief he experienced,” says Ramsay, speaking to us from the location of his next production.

The feeling and “the way the movie moves you” always come first for the cinematographer, and is then “serviced by the next layer which is the choice of lights, glass, and style. “So in this film, there’s the feeling of loss as well as the emptiness of never being able to get the acceptance of the two most important people in your life. The relevance of the story to the current day when isolation is all too common struck a chord with me, and I also wanted to be part of making the movie because I love Andrew’s previous work – he’s an incredible filmmaker.

“He’s a rare director who has impeccable taste and direct sharp vision about what he wants to do. However once you have aligned with him and understand what he’s looking for creatively, he hands it over to you and trusts you completely.”

The South African/British cinematographer is familiar with lensing heart wrenching stories with sensitivity and creative flair, having won the Bronze Frog at Camerimage 2022 another adaptation of a book – Oliver Hermanus’ Living which sees a civil servant reflect on his life and how to spend his remaining days when faced with a fatal diagnosis. Ramsay’s work on All of Us Strangers also struck a chord with audiences and immersed them in another emotional story, resulting in the film being selected in this year’s Main Competition at Camerimage and scooping multiple British Independent Film Awards including Best Cinematography, Best Film, and Best Director.

Discovering the look

It is the smooth-flowing conversation between director and DP during the five-week prep and five-week shoot which Ramsay believes was key in the creative process and a result of Haigh being “super smart and knowing what he wants.” For Ramsay, a DP is “a visual ideas engine which the director then guides into place” and as Haigh knew so specifically what he wanted in terms of the story being told, the pre-production period of fleshing out their approach to the film was a joy.

“Andrew didn’t have a fixed idea of what it should look like though, which is great for me because I love the process of finding out what it should look like with the director,” adds Ramsay. “When the director is autonomous and has a strong visual idea, it’s difficult for you to collaborate and truly imprint your personality onto the film. We discovered it together through deep conversation, starting with what the narrative was really about, who the characters were, and then just talking about the references that appealed to us over the years.”

These inspirations included Ingmar Bergman productions such as Swedish period drama Cries and Whispers (1972) due to its unsettling movement, even though the narrative themes differed to All of Us Strangers. Taking creative influence from that production subconsciously and “allowing it to sit in the background” of their decision making, the filmmakekodrs explored Haigh’s wish to “create a sense of nostalgia but not be too heavy handed with it,” producing a subtle memory of sadness.

While Yamada’s book was a strong influence on Haigh, when shooting an adaptation of a novel, Ramsay “tries to avoid being affected by outside sources besides the script” and rarely reads the book because it “overprescribes your creativity and imagination”.

Discussions led them to explore the organic feeling of memories, and decide that those recollections of the filmmakers’ and protagonist Adam’s past would feel analogue. “We knew it would probably be things like 35mm prints from the ‘80s and early ‘90s, 300g printed records, a photo diary, or a tape deck which are all indicative of the era we grew up in, and the era in which the lead character went through this trauma,” says Ramsay.

The duo agreed this organic and analogue feeling would drive the visual approach – they wanted “to feel the dust on the negative, to feel that human touch to the film. We never wanted something that felt overly structured and overly perfect, it had to feel flawed.” With the touch of the filmmakers behind the lens combined with the creations of the art department shaping the final result on screen, the choice to shoot on 35mm 3-perf film was made quickly, working with Arricam LT and Kodak VISION3 500T, 250D and 50D film stocks and processing, scanning and dailies colour carried out at Cinelab.

“You can’t argue the value of shooting on 35mm film and I had great support from the teams at Kodak and Cinelab in terms of the tests and the dailies. Choice of film stock was largely driven by function as much as aesthetic. When you don’t have a huge budget for lighting and you’re using a lot of practical light, having the speed of 500T is really useful,” says Ramsay. “From a light perspective, we also did a lot of transitionary filming and having the extra bit of love out of the 250D allowed us to transition between day into night smoothly. For a lot of our daily life sequences we went for 50D because we love the robust strength it offers.”

The more vintage aesthetic was paired with cutting-edge technology in line with the filmmakers’ aim to “not be overly dramatic with the feeling of nostalgia.” Already venturing into a more organic technique of shooting on film, they wanted to avoid “adding another layer by using vintage lenses to achieve flares”. Instead they sought “the reality and responsibility of a sharp set of lenses, offset with the romance and organic nature of film” which led them to test multiple options before landing on Zeiss Master Primes.

“That contrast played with the analogue versus digital, the pastels versus the primaries which we kept leaning into,” says Ramsay. Colour palette was largely inspired by the era, selecting signifying tones that felt aesthetically pleasing as well as true to the time period. “We then worked out the evolution of those tones in a contemporary context. And whenever we went back in time, we imprinted those tones onto those moments,” says Ramsay.

A “journey of colour” that was birthed in Adam’s childhood found its way into his apartment in adulthood. “From the art department through to the camera and lighting crew, we all wanted to convey the feeling that Adam never quite grew up. He got Peter Pan syndrome and was locked into an area of his life he couldn’t move past.”

Haigh and production designer Sarah Finlay spoke about the design of the film needing to look quite naturalistic and avoid jumping in and out of the different time periods visually. Haigh’s childhood home needed to be modified in some ways to look as he had remembered it. He “wanted the past and present to bleed into each other and a lot of the design was more about feeling the past.”

Vintage meets cutting-edge

Both Haigh and Ramsay are fans of the look and feel of film, but they also wanted to create a “feeling of being out of touch with reality – a symptom of the self-induced isolation and loneliness Adam experienced.” This resulted in a collision between the analogue and digital filmmaking world, and Adam’s apartment being built in a studio at Wembley Park Studios in London. Incorporating virtual production techniques, the set was surrounded by an LED wall comprising ROE Visual Ruby 2.3mm (running on the Helios processing platform), upon which all of the views from Adam’s apartment were displayed. The 120ft by 50ft volume was built with the help of the team at Creative Technology – which supplied the LED screens – and plates were captured in and around Stratford, East London.

“In doing so, we could manage the time of day, luminance, position of the view, cloud structure, movement of traffic, or whether we wanted to do a time lapse with the clouds,” says Ramsay. “It just allowed us to put the reality a little bit outside of the realm of normal, just beyond his apartment. This helps create a slightly strange feeling in his apartment, which is a significant location as it’s where 30 minutes of the movie takes place.”

Ramsay enjoyed a harmonious combination of old and new technology, using ARRI SkyPanel LED lights to create an ambience matching the colour of clouds displayed on the LED wall in addition to 12K or 24K ARRI T12 or T24 tungsten fresnel lights to create the feeling of a sunset illuminating the room.

“I haven’t been able to achieve that with any other light besides the fresnel tungsten head which have a warmth and analogue feel,” he says. “My sweet spot is a specific combination between old and new such as using 35mm film against the LED wall to soften the wall. And by embracing LED technology to marry the colour tone of the wall with the ambience, you then create an interesting synergy with the analogue feel of an old fresnel.”

Helping Ramsay achieve this synergy was Warren Ewen, a gaffer the DP has collaborated with a number of times in the UK, who “goes above and beyond” and is “one of the strongest hands on set.” Working with a stellar lighting crew, the DP learnt about safeguarding himself from an exposure perspective and making sure there is enough lighting in place to service what is needed when shooting on film.

In addition to the benefits Ramsay and the crew enjoyed when working with the virtual set, the cast expressed their appreciation for having a visual context of the outside world displayed on the LED wall in contrast to their experiences of green screen shoots. However, Ramsay’s greatest challenge when shooting on the volume was occasionally discovering moiré in the dailies. “It gave me sleepless nights because when we got our dailies moiré might be introduced in the strangest situations – in reflections on the set as if a glass, mirror or wall was acting as a sensor,” he explains.

“That’s still a mystery that needs to be solved. It’s the hard thing about seeing your dailies 16 hours later when shooting on film. But Andrew was so collaborative and supportive throughout, knowing we were going down the 35mm and virtual production route and the emotional turmoil we might encounter along the way. But the results were well worth it.”

Prior to shooting commenced Ramsay explored technical challenges that might arise for scenes which were to be shot against the LED wall with his longtime colour collaborator, Joseph Bicknell, colourist at Company 3. “After understanding the story in broad strokes and Jamie’s perspective on it, I like to create a strong show LUT for him to load in camera during tests, so he can see live how it might react before photography,” says Bicknell. “Once we have that test footage we’ll dial in the look further, I’ll make a few adjustments and he shares his thoughts which we built into the ﬁnal show LUT. The overarching look of the ﬁlm didn’t end up straying far from this in the ﬁnal grade.”

Bicknell felt the production was a “masterpiece” from the first time he watched the cut without ﬁnal mix or colour as “all the mood and intensity was there”. Haigh and the cinematographer’s shorthand was so strong that Ramsay had a clear idea of the visual vibe the director desired when it came to collaborating with Bicknell again in the final grade. “Andrew is very supportive in that way and has a lot of confidence in the HODs he’s picked because he loves what they do. He trusts them and that’s why it’s wonderful to work with him,” says Ramsay.

Exploring the film’s emotional qualities, in the grade Bicknell and Ramsay worked with DaVinci Resolve to achieve a “light blend of magical realism to help the audience travel through the story”. On speciﬁc scenes they used colour to more forcefully convey emotion, for example during moments of distress such as the sequences that take place on the underground. “Inspiration for this was partly taken from the performances but also what was happening in the sound design,” says Bicknell.

Reacting to the moment

The majority of the narrative plays out in Adam’s childhood home, which Haigh was keen to shoot in the house he grew up in. But, as Ramsay highlights, shooting in quite restrictive spaces such as those in the house location with low ceilings and small windows would have been tricky even when working with small digital cameras. “The fact we are shooting on 35mm cameras with 1,000 foot loads made filming and lighting tough,” he says. “We managed to get permission from the property’s current owner to cut out a doorway to extend the lounge but it was still very challenging.”

Wanting to work within a wider frame to allow themselves the option to isolate characters, but also centralise characters in important moments led the cinematographer and director to adopt a 2.39: 1 aspect ratio. “There are scenes where we isolate the characters on either side of the 2:39 aspect ratio and others where we centralise the character and tighten the eyeline to a great extent,” says Ramsay, using the sequence where Adam and his parents are all in bed together as an example. Haigh and Ramsay wanted this to be an uncut scene, and to hide when the cast members in the bed needed to switch and move, creating a beautiful yet strange and jarring experience.

“This was difficult as we were on location at the house in Croydon and needed to build a cage inside the bedroom from which we could suspend the 35mm camera with a 1,000 foot mag above the characters,” says Ramsay, who likes to operate and “react to the feeling of a moment”, and was behind the camera for All of Us Strangers. “I had my grip Kevin Fraser seven inches above this rigging, operating the dual slider as the scene developed. It’s tough to find 35mm familiar crew but Kevin’s very comfortable with rigging film gear.”

Meanwhile, Ramsay was on the zoom, timing it precisely to push in so another character disappeared from the frame. “Each time they had to leave the bed without us feeling the bed move, and then another character got in and they were revealed. Building a structure to support the 35mm gear on location was difficult but what was most important to us was having absolutely no cuts in that sequence, so there was no chance to lose the audience’s attention, locking them in this dream.”

As well as not being too heavy handed with the sense of nostalgia, Haigh wanted to avoid being overbearing with the suggestion of Adam’s different states of mind, wanting the subtlety to almost make the audience question where they were and whether it was the past or present. “The only time we pushed it was the club sequence where Adam is intoxicated and that feeling was motivated more by the drugs he had taken than by the state of mind and the presence of ghosts in his life,” says Ramsay. “For the club scene, we had more free rein to really push the lighting, transitions, use reflections and break the fourth wall by Adam looking into the camera, confusing the situation.”

While pushing the camera movement and making it more confusing in that sequence, the filmmakers wanted everything else to be fairly stable, with a “slight movement and breath to it” achieved by shooting on zoom lenses and moving “constantly in and out of the zoom, to make everything feel like it was breathing a little and slightly strange.”

Difficult locations to control where the crew were at the mercy of what already existed included the Whitgift Centre shopping centre in Croydon. Shooting there demanded the crew carefully pick the time of day they were filming due to the large glass ceiling through which the sun would shine.

“Sequences that were fun to work out included the tube scenes which were shot on a tube line we had access to for a certain amount of time and could go back and forth on,” says Ramsay. “Adam’s journey always needed to appear to be in one direction, so I needed to work out when to mirror his placement on the tube and when to switch extras, so he always seemed like he was going in the right direction.”

In scenes taking place on the train, reflection was an important motif because “reflection is your self-identity” and the filmmakers “wanted to represent the decay of Adam’s psychology through the way he was seeing himself in those moments.” In line with Haigh’s subtle storytelling, the director wanted the use of reflections to be gentle and quiet rather than overbaked. “So, it was a case of choosing when to do it and leaning into what exists in reality,” says Ramsay. “For example, tube windows morph your face naturally, so we thought let’s lean into what happens in this environment and use it as a tool.”

Haigh emphasises the importance – “especially when lensing a story with queer identity at the heart of it – that the reflection a person gives to the world can be very different to how they feel. It can be quite problematic and traumatic.” The director felt it was important that Adam sees himself in a different light each time he looks at his reflection “and things are changing and he’s learning or coming to terms with things.” Another central and constant theme running through the film for crew and cast was conveying the power of love and that “long after you’re gone, that feeling of love remains.”'

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chilimili212 · 9 days ago

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vrpropertygateway · 3 days ago

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Property Investment in London

nation for property investors across the globe. With its vibrant economy, growing population, and strong rental demand, the capital continues to offer some of the most lucrative real estate opportunities in the UK. In this comprehensive guide, we at VR Property Gateway delve into the latest trends, hotspots, and strategies for property investment in London in 2025.

Why Invest in London Property?

1. Strong Capital Growth Potential

London's property market has consistently shown long-term capital appreciation. Despite market fluctuations, London real estate prices have demonstrated resilience and an upward trajectory, making it a top choice for investors aiming for long-term gains.

2. High Rental Demand

The city’s population is expected to exceed 10 million by 2030, with over 60% of residents renting. This ensures a steady rental income stream and low vacancy rates across most boroughs.

3. Diverse Investment Options

From buy-to-let apartments in regenerated areas to luxury townhouses in prime central locations, London property investment offers a wide array of opportunities suited to different budgets and risk appetites.

Top Areas for Property Investment in London (2025)

1. Barking & Dagenham

Still offering affordable entry points, this East London borough is undergoing rapid regeneration with new residential and commercial developments. With Crossrail and the Barking Riverside project enhancing connectivity, this area is ideal for first-time investors.

2. Croydon

With significant infrastructure investment, including a proposed £1.4 billion regeneration plan, Croydon is emerging as a property hotspot. Excellent transport links and a growing tech sector add to its appeal.

3. Stratford

A legacy of the 2012 Olympics, Stratford continues to boom thanks to Westfield, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and new housing schemes. Investors benefit from high rental yields and future capital appreciation.

4. Woolwich

Thanks to Crossrail (Elizabeth Line), Woolwich now enjoys faster access to Central London. Its riverside developments and improved connectivity are attracting both tenants and investors.

5. Wembley

Wembley’s transformation over the last decade has made it a magnet for students and young professionals. With new homes, shopping complexes, and improved transport, it’s a great area for buy-to-let investment in London.

Property Types in London Investment Market

Buy-to-Let Properties

Buy-to-let remains the most popular strategy among investors. London’s high rental demand and diverse tenant base make it ideal for this approach. Key considerations include property location, tenant demographics, and yield potential.

Off-Plan Properties

Investing in off-plan properties in London allows investors to secure units at today’s prices with the benefit of future appreciation. These are particularly attractive in regeneration zones.

HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation)

HMOs offer higher rental yields than standard buy-to-lets. Areas with a high student or young professional population (e.g., Camden, Hackney) are ideal for this strategy.

Understanding London Property Prices in 2025

According to the latest market reports, average house prices in London stand around £530,000, with higher figures in prime central areas like Kensington and Chelsea. However, outer boroughs still offer affordability with price points under £400,000, presenting an opportunity for investors seeking capital growth.

Key Strategies for Successful Property Investment in London

1. Focus on Regeneration Areas

Areas with planned infrastructure upgrades and urban renewal projects tend to offer better long-term returns. Look for boroughs benefiting from transport links, commercial developments, and government funding.

2. Leverage Rental Yield Hotspots

While Central London boasts prestige, some outer zones like Ilford, Hayes, and Lewisham offer higher rental yields, often exceeding 5-6%. Use local yield data to guide your investment.

3. Understand Your Target Tenant

Whether it’s students, families, or professionals, knowing your target demographic ensures you buy a property that meets their needs — increasing occupancy and tenant retention.

4. Use Professional Property Management

Hiring a trusted property management company, such as those recommended by VR Property Gateway, ensures your investment is maintained, tenants are handled professionally, and legal compliance is met — especially important in London’s regulated market.

What Are the Risks of Investing in London Property?

Market Volatility

The property market can be affected by interest rate changes, political shifts, and economic downturns. However, London's international appeal tends to buffer long-term risks.

Regulatory Changes

Landlord regulations are tightening. From energy efficiency standards to licensing requirements, staying compliant is vital. Working with expert advisors will help navigate these complexities.

High Entry Costs

London requires a larger upfront investment compared to other UK cities. However, the potential ROI and capital growth justify the higher initial outlay for many investors.

Financing Your Property Investment in London

Buy-to-let mortgage products for London investors are widely available. Most lenders require:

Consider speaking to a specialist mortgage advisor to find the best deals tailored to London property investments.

Foreign Investment in London Property

London remains a top choice for international investors due to:

Post-Brexit, overseas interest — particularly from Asia and the Middle East — has remained strong, especially in Prime Central London.

Working With VR Property Gateway

At VR Property Gateway, we specialise in connecting investors with high-yield, high-growth opportunities in London and beyond. Here’s what you get when you work with us:

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or buying your first buy-to-let in London, our team ensures your journey is seamless, profitable, and stress-free.

Final Thoughts: Is London Still a Good Place to Invest in Property in 2025?

Absolutely. While other UK cities are rising stars, London remains the crown jewel of property investment. Its global appeal, infrastructure, rental demand, and sheer economic power make it a resilient and rewarding market for investors with the right strategy.

Book Your Property Consultation Today!

Office 18, Ninian Crescent, Lenzie, G66 3JR, Glasgow, Uk Call us today at +44 7737 523825 Book an appointment online at vrpropertygateway

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