‘London still makes things, and the people who make them matter’

In a small polishing room off the Old Kent Road in south London, a young man stands in a haze of aluminium dust. His overalls are worn, the air heavy, the machinery far older than he is. Yet there is calm in the way he occupies the space, as if he understands its rhythm better than anyone.

This is Benjamin Bryde, an aluminium tray polisher at Kaymet, a manufacturer where metal is turned into objects that end up in some of the most refined rooms in the world. 

Benjamin describes his craft with a directness that mirrors the work itself. “I’m a metal polisher from south London, specialising in refining aluminium surrounds for trays. My work focuses on achieving a flawless finish, ensuring every piece is smooth, clean and free from dents. It’s all about precision, craftsmanship and bringing out the best in the metal.” 

It’s a quiet job, repetitive on the surface, but rooted in skill and discipline. Watching him at work makes the idea of a handmade city feel real. 

The photograph is part of a new series by Orlando Gili, who has spent months documenting the makers who still give the Old Kent Road – once known for being the first, and cheapest, tile on the Monopoly board – its industrial backbone. “This series celebrates London’s artisans and craftspeople – individuals who make their living through skill, precision and the art of working with their hands,” he says.

“In a world that’s increasingly defined by screens and automation, this series turns its focus to the people and trades that remain grounded in the physical, material realm – the makers whose expertise and creativity sustain a vital part of the city’s identity. This project aims to highlight the beauty of craftsmanship, and the enduring value of manual labour in an age of digitisation.” 

The industrial environment in which they are crafted makes for a striking contrast to the refined places they end up

Kaymet became Gili’s entry point to the neighbourhood’s hidden workshops including London Stone Carving – one of the last commercial sculpture workshops in the city, and heritage marble specialists Diespeker & Co.

There was something about Kaymet’s polishing room that caught him immediately. “I was drawn to the polishing room, thick with dust, desaturating every surface. I lit and photographed Benjamin, aluminium tray polisher by day and musician by night, in a small window before work recommenced after a tea break.” 

Kaymet has been producing trays since 1947, with its crisply tactile products stocked in stores like Harrods and used everywhere from the Royal Yacht to the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants including The Ledbury. “The industrial environment in which they are crafted makes for a striking contrast to the refined places they end up,” says Gili. “Showing the process allows viewers to appreciate the craft, and the people behind the product.”

The photograph stands as a reminder that London still makes things, and that the people who make them matter.

Photograph by Orlando Gili