Get the New York experience in Battersea!

I’ve just returned from a trip to New York. Having witnessed the delights of the Big Apple, it’s time to tell all you Battersea People how to produce the NY experience in Battersea. And by that I mean recreating the sight-seeing, the shopping, theatre and night life of 'New York, New York,' in the words of Frank Sinatra!

Sight-seeing

While wandering around Manhattan, I began to draw similarities between this buzzing part of New York and our very own Battersea. They have Central Park and we have Battersea Park – both are beautiful green areas with lots to do, notably renting a cycle/horse and carriage in Central Park, and hiring a pedalo when the weather’s nice in Battersea. Both also have connections with the showbiz world with Central Park featuring in plenty of movies and television shows including F.R.I.E.N.D.S, and Battersea being the stomping ground for a number of celebrities – Davina McCall famously met her hubby here! Meanwhile, a must-see building in New York is the Empire State Building – no prizes for guessing the imposing structure in Battersea worth having a photo with. (Battersea Power Station of course.) Then there’s the magnificent views of bridges in NYC and our South London town. The view of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges is absolutely breath-taking, while the view from near Battersea Square of Battersea Bridge is pretty nice, wouldn’t you agree?

Shopping

Macy’s department store is great for designer gear and much more, as is Debenhams on St John’s Hill when it comes to shopping in Battersea. Meanwhile, the hustle and bustle of Chinatown’s clothing stalls is mirrored on the Northcote Road.

Theatre

They’ve got Broadway shows and we’ve got lots of theatre to be enjoyed in Battersea, including the iconic Battersea Arts Centre and edgy Theatre503, The Latchmere.

Night life

The bars and pubs in Battersea such as All Bar One, The Merchant and Holy Drinker around the Clapham Junction area are like the drinking hotspots in the East Village in New York. A night out in Times Square is much like going for the obvious, but sometimes necessary, trip to The Grand opposite Clapham Junction Station.

‘Battersea, Battersea’ – does it have the same ring as ‘New York, New York?’ Ha!