About this Event
Jamal Khalique – Taj Stores
Jamal and his brothers are the celebrated owners of Spitalfields landmarkTaj Stores - a rare independent supemarket. WhenJamal's uncle first arrived in Britain as a student in 1952, he could hardly have known that his future would become part of the story of Spitalfields. He joined his brother in the family business, which grew into Taj Stores and moved to 109 Brick Lane in 1956. Success brought another move in 1979, to 112 Brick Lane, where Taj Stores became a familiar local landmark until earlier this year, when it moved to Princelet Street. Jamal and his brothers have steered the ship since their uncle died in 1994, with their eyes firmly set on the future.
The Spitalfields Society presents the 2026/27 season of Spitalfields Talks.
A season of eight talks to be held on the second or third Thursday of every month commencing in October 2026 and running to May 2027, organised and funded by the Spitalfields Society. Events will usually be held at Hanbury Hall, Spitalfields. Dates of talks provisionally as follows:
- 22 October - Sandra Esqulant in conversation with Basil Comely
- 12 November - Jamil Khalique, owner of Taj Stores
- 10 December - Michael Landy on Future Ruins, to accompany his exhibition
- 21 January - Simon Smith on the wonderful world of almshouses
- 18 February - Adam Dant on the myths and legends of maps of London
- 18 March - Daisy Fancourt on the 'Art Cure' - how art can make you live longer
- 15 April - TBA
- 20 May - Rupert Wheeler in conversation with Esther Stanhope.
The talks will be held at various locations in Spitalfields, starting at 7.00pm and finishing at 8.30pm allowing for questions and debate. Refreshments will be available, and the hall will be open from 6.30pm until 9.00pm to allow the local community and visitors to the area to socialise before and after the event. The hall accomodates an audience of about a hundred people.
This is the fifth season of talks to be organised by the Society. Past speakers have included such public figures as Dame Siân Phillips, Angela Hartnett, Tom Parker Bowles, Griff Rhys Jones, Dan Cruickshank and Sir Charles Saumarez Smith. Many local residents have spoken about their area of expertise and experience, from artists and writers to polar explorers and globe makers, and many visiting academics and historians have given talks about the cultural, social, and historic heritage of Spitalfields.
Tickets organised through Eventbrite. £15 per talk + Eventbrite charge. A season ticket for £75 for all eight talks will be available on the night at the the 1st talk. Cash café/bar from 6.30 to 9.00pm. All proceeds to go to local “worthy causes.”
Event venue & nearby stays
Hanbury Hall, 22 Hanbury Street, London, United Kingdom
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