People
Meet the Dockers - Denise Evans-Bar
Royal Docks resident, Denise Evans-Bar is the co-owner and CEO of Custom House Community Bookshop located on Freemasons Road. In this latest Meet the Dockers interview, Denise shares the inspiration behind creating this inclusive and welcoming space and the significant transformation she as seen in the area.
I have lived in the Royal Docks with my family for over 25 years. I’ve seen so many changes in the area - the construction of UEL, hotels, thousands of homes, the Elizabeth Line, the IFS Cable Cars, Excel London as well as the Crystal building, which is now City Hall. I also remember the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension to the Royal Docks in the 90s. It’s been amazing to see this all spring up around me and flourish over the years.
I have so many connections with the Royal Docks now. My children have grown up here and attended local schools and college. I have lots of friends nearby and always I enjoy attending local community events like Royal Docks Summer Splash.
I worked as a childminder providing a home-away-from-home care for local children. It was wonderful helping children develop though reading, storytelling, creative play, and visiting local playgroups, libraries and green spaces. I still live locally, so it lovely to bump into children that I used to care for, who are adults now and even have children of their own!
After over 20 great years childminding, I felt it was time for a career change. I became a Community Organiser with a local community action group. One of my main roles was campaigning for better housing and community participation in regeneration. It was this experience that inspired my idea for Custom House Community Bookshop.
I’ve gained quite a reputation for my storytelling skills, and I’m now known locally as ‘Super Book Woman’! To my surprise, I was brought to life as Super Book Woman in an amazing mural painted on the bookshop shutters!
Denise Evans-Bar
I wanted to create a hub for greater community connections which at the time was lacking in Custom House. I met some great like-minded people and shared my ideas. Together we made the exciting decision to launch the shop.
The bookshop is a family style community hub that encourages reading, especially amongst families. We have a selection of new and pre-loved books for sale instore and online. Book sales, grants and donations also allow us to also host community activities. It’s a fun, friendly and accessible place where the community can also seek help and advice or just pop-in for a cuppa and some company. I like to think of it as a community sitting room.
Term time we run around 10 activities each week including coffee mornings, homework clubs, arts and craft, family music and movement sessions, and stay and play sessions for childminders. We host cultural celebrations, day trips and offer extra activities during school holidays too. We also offer surplus food to the community from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste.
We have our regulars popping in plus new visitors to the area who are often visiting Immerse LDN, the passport office or events at the Excel London. Now that Custom House DLR serves the Elizabeth Line route to Heathrow, we also have people browsing for books for their holiday!
The shop is a meanwhile use space. This means we have temporary use of the building before it’s repurposed as part of the redevelopment in Custom House. As a result, Custom House Bookshop has been designed to create real long-lasting value to the local community in the time its located here.
The bookshop demonstrates the power of community collaboration as it both supports residents and thrives on their input. I’m lucky to work alongside an amazing team of volunteers who are passionate about making a positive impact in our neighbourhood. Everyone is always happy to pitch-in with activities, events and staffing the shop. Volunteering also provides the opportunity to develop new skills such as event planning and leading activities. The volunteers are very dedicated, and the bookshop couldn’t run without their valuable support.
I wear many hats at the bookshop, as well being the co-owner and CEO, I’m the community activity organiser, music and movement leader and volunteer liaison officer! It also brings me so much joy reading to children at the shop. I love seeing how engaged they become with the stories. I find it very rewarding. I’ve gained quite a reputation for my storytelling skills, and I’m now known locally as ‘Super Book Woman’! To my surprise, I was brought to life as Super Book Woman in an amazing mural painted on the bookshop shutters. Thanks to the support of Newman Francis LTD, Newham Council with local artist Curtis Donovan who worked with young people to create a design that captured how they see the bookshop in their eyes. The final mural even features my signature big earrings and a superhero cape of imagination!
We’re delighted to have been awarded the Peoples Powered Places funding three times in a row. This funding is vital and allows us to continue to provide most of our activities for free or a small charge to the local community. We’re also delighted to receive donations, support and funding from many local businesses. Last Christmas we received a fantastic donation of toys from Excel London and McClarin Construction Group. This kept Santa and his elves very busy in the bookshop Christmas grotto as they received visits from over 260 delighted local children! It was one of many magical moments that define the spirit of the Custom House Bookshop.
Custom House Bookshop timetable
- Tuesday, 10am – 11.30am: Childminders Stop and Play (for registered childminders)
- Tuesday, 1pm – 2.30pm: Scrapbooking Group (booking required)
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3pm – 5pm: Learning Buzz Zone Homework Club
- Wednesday, 10am – 12pm: Crafting and a Cuppa
- Thursday, 10am – 11am: Family Music and Movement with Storytime (open to families with children)
- Alternate Saturdays, 11am – 1pm: Children’s Arts and Craft (call 07561 053 497 to confirm dates)
All activities for children require adult supervision. Some activities also require booking. To book call 07561 053 497. The timetable is subject to change so call before you visit.
More about Custom House Bookshop
Visit Custom House Community Bookshop at 3 Freemasons Rd, London, E16 3AR. The bookshop is open Tuesday – Friday, 10am - 5pm and alternative Saturdays, 11am - 1pm. For more information call 07561 053 497, or text to join the WhatsApp group.
