On the edge of the Carpenters Estate, a 1960s council estate just minutes from Stratford station in East London – a once disused train carriage now buzzes with life, serving coffee and community as the Dialogue Express Cafe.
The Dialogue Express Cafe is more than just another spot for caffeine. Operated and staffed by d/deaf* and hard of hearing baristas, the cafe is run in partnership with Dialogue Hub, a local social enterprise dedicated to increasing opportunity and visibility for the deaf community.
Your first conversation in BSL
Each member of staff receives bespoke training before stepping behind the counter, supported by founder Hakan Elbir, whose mission is to bring communities together “over something as simple as coffee,” and to encourage Londoners to communicate in British Sign Language (BSL).
Arriving at Dialogue Express isn’t just about placing an order, it’s about taking part in a new experience. Customers are invited to follow video guides at the counter, showing how to order drinks using BSL. For many, this first step in signing helps bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing worlds, turning the everyday act of buying a coffee into a shared learning moment.
Newham Council’s regeneration plans of the Carpenters Estate
The cafe is part of Newham Council’s ambitious plans for inclusive regeneration of the Carpenters Estate.
After decades of stalled development, the new £1.4 billion masterplan aims to deliver more than 2,300 homes, half of which will be affordable social rents while involving residents in shaping the community’s future.
Meanwhile projects like the Dialogue Express Cafe provide early, tangible benefits: community hubs, training opportunities, and a new garden tended by residents offer visible proof of regeneration underway, even as building work is set to commence on estate tower blocks.
The Dialogue Express Cafe, with its vintage train carriage setting, indoor and deck seating, and adjacent community garden, is accessible, inclusive, and open to all.
How to visit The Dialogue Express Café
You’ll find The Dialogue Express Cafe at 96 Gibbins Road, London E15 2HU, behind Dennison Point and a minute from Stratford Station’s new Gibbins Road entrance.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 07:00-19:00; Sunday closed