Maltby Street Market
Autumn is a season for slowing down, warming up, and appreciating the small things that make life richer. At Alex & Matteo, we believe that the best way to celebrate this time of year is by supporting the community around us. SE16 and its neighbouring areas — from Bermondsey to Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Surrey Quays and Deptford — are filled with talented makers whose products bring comfort, character, and joy into everyday life.
We recently spoke to Ratan Mondal, founder of Tea2U, who has been selling loose-leaf tea at Borough Market and Spa Terminus for almost two decades. His story perfectly reflects why we love championing local businesses. Alongside Tea2U, we’re also proud to highlight Gimlet Drinks and the makers at Spa Terminus, whose craft and creativity make them community treasures.
At Borough Market and Spa Terminus, Tea2U has become a staple for tea lovers. Ratan Mondal has dedicated 19 years to sourcing and tasting teas, ensuring every blend is of the highest quality. By working directly with tea gardens, without middlemen, he guarantees that his products are both authentic and ethically sourced.
For us, Tea2U embodies the best of local enterprise: expertise, ethics, and connection. It’s why we love gifting their teas to clients moving into new homes in Bermondsey, Surrey Quays and Rotherhithe; nothing says “welcome” quite like a cup of tea shared with family and friends.
Gimlet Drinks
Another community favourite is Gimlet Drinks, known for their small-batch cordials, ciders, and vinegars. Their cordials are especially versatile, working as mixers for cocktails, refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, or even as a drizzle over desserts.
Take their elderflower cordial, for example: fragrant, refreshing, and beautifully presented, it makes a thoughtful seasonal gift. For us, Gimlet’s cordials are perfect for client gifts; something stylish, local, and a little different.
Just as we strive to offer clients something more than the “standard” estate agency experience, Gimlet Drinks takes a familiar idea and elevates it with creativity and care.
Hidden beneath Bermondsey’s railway arches, Spa Terminus is a thriving community of food and drink producers. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s one of the best places in London to discover authentic, small-scale producers.
England Preserves
Some of our favourites include:
Exploring Spa Terminus feels like exploring the property market in SE16: full of variety, character, and exciting discoveries. Each producer tells a story, much like every home we help buyers and renters find.
Husk & Honey
Choosing to shop from businesses like Tea2U, Gimlet Drinks, or the makers at Spa Terminus does more than provide a great product, it strengthens the community. These makers rely on local support, just as local residents rely on their craft. It’s a cycle of connection that makes SE16 such a vibrant place to live.
At Alex & Matteo, we see our role in much the same way. Whether helping someone buy their first flat in Canada Water, sell a family home in Bermondsey, or find a rental in Deptford, our aim is to support individuals while building the wider community.
This autumn, we encourage you to explore the community businesses that make SE16 and its surroundings so special. Whether it’s the expertly sourced teas of Tea2U, the refreshing cordials from Gimlet Drinks, or the diverse offerings of Spa Terminus, these makers bring authenticity and warmth to the season.
For us at Alex & Matteo, supporting local is about more than shopping; it’s about strengthening the connections that make Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Surrey Quays, and Deptford such fantastic places to call home.
