Nic Kemp is the co-founder of Oomami, a consultancy for film, video & broadcast companies to help them expand and streamline their creative processes through technology and innovation. She also runs a gluten free blog Eggainst The Grain which is full of nutritional child friendly recipes and advice. She lives with with her partner, Matt, and their two young daughters.
How long have you lived in the area?
About 13 years.
What brought you here?
We had the opportunity to rent a friends 3 bedroom house in Ladywell for the same price as I was paying for a room in Shoreditch. We then had kids and decided to stay and settle in Honor Oak.
What has changed most during that time?
Places to eat and drink! When we first arrived, we never really hung out locally as there wasn’t much here. The Ladywell Tavern was the only pub really near us and was pretty dire then, though we did love the old Mr Lawrence’s. I remember when Jam Circus and The Orchard opened – it was very exciting! Though I still get excited when new places open up.
What do you most value about the area/street you live in?
I live on a terrace of 13 houses, and it’s an amazing community with open gardens at the back – quite unique.
What one thing would you change?
Night train all the way through to HOP
Do you know your neighbours?
Yes, we all hang out.
Do you belong to any groups?
I helped set up and run SELSEP (South East London Self Employed Parents group) which is a community group and Facebook forum who have regular meetups and workshops. It was a fundamental group for me to set up my business.
Describe your perfect weekend
Going to some galleries, walking along the Southbank, and ending with a drink on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall gardens with a G&T.
What is your favourite place to eat?
My favourite place is still probably Moro in Exmouth Market. It is tricky to eat out locally with the kids with their coeliac disease, so we often eat at places in town that are certified by Coeliac UK such as Pho, Leon, Wagamamas, Carluccios and Pizza Express. I’d love to see more local and independent restaurant and cafes certified.
Where’s your favourite place to walk?
Blythe Hill Fields is opposite me so I often take a breather from working from home and go for a quick run or walk to the top of the hill to see the amazing view. I recently drove the family to run down the hills at the Seven Sisters in East Sussex, probably my favourite walk in the UK.
Best bargain you’ve ever landed…
all my furniture mainly from East Dulwich Forum.
My secret ambition… (not so secret) is to open a gluten free cafe.