Joseph, Bean about Town employee
Clapham is quickly becoming the forefront of London’s social scene, day and night it offers it’s residents a lot more than a bite to eat and a drink. The Bean about Town sign is hard not to notice as soon as you step out of the station, especially when there’s an attractive looking guy collaring you over. Bean about Town is an independent coffee company, it has 7 vans around the UK and 5 of them are in London. It is known for it’s unique street-style coffee vending.
It’s a freezing cold day and Joseph, 26, is inviting us in, he’s as warm as the coffee he’s selling and probably sweeter than those cookies too! He hasn’t lived in Clapham long, and it turns out he’s been working on the stand even less.
“I live quite close, Kings Avenue, it’s not much of a commute to work either! I think that’s why I like it so much, for the past eight months, I’ve been a part of the area, a known face. I feel like I belong here.”
Clapham’s known for it’s unique community spirit and it’s something that Joseph loves about the place, “I would never move anywhere else.” I ask Joseph if he realises how big of a statement that is to make, “Yes, I do. The culture is so diverse, there are people here from China, New Zealand and the US. Everyone is so friendly and there is always something to do.”
Oh he’s sure then… but everyone has things they don’t like about the place they live.
Don’t they? Not Joseph.
“Honestly, there’s nothing not to like. Maybe that it’s busy but nothing really, busy is London, it is what it is.”
Watching him, he’s full of energy, it never falters. He’s so involved in his job, that it’s hard to imagine if he ever gets to wind down, if he ever feels the need to escape Clapham.
“Of an evening, I practise yoga at home, and I like to go for a run around the common too. I hang out with my friends a lot, usually in Clapham, we like to have a few drinks, listen to some music. I don’t like going far, there’s no need to, my life is here.”
His whole life is here, but, what’s next for him? Surely he has dreams?
“Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m accomplishing anything. But I am, my biggest accomplishment is learning to think differently and more positively about my life and Clapham has helped me to do that.”
I thank Joseph for taking the time out of his day, shake his hand and walk away… but he calls me back smiles warmly and says:
“I have some pastries left over from this morning, I don’t want to waste them, would you like them… for free?”
Joseph, I never turn down free food.
