The chair of the Forward prize judges, TV and radio presenter Andrew Marr, has mentioned some of London’s leading poetry venues in an article for the London Evening Standard  – even if his geography is a little awry.

In an article previewing the Forward prize awards ceremony on Thursday 21 April at the Southbank Centre, Marr dubs poetry the poor relation of the arts, and adds: “Almost every week in London there are wonderful poetry readings going on by people who deserve to be heard but there is precious little advertising dosh behind them.

“So here’s my billboard: try the Poetry Café at the Southbank Centre [do you mean the Poetry Café in Covent Garden, Andrew?], Rich Mix in Bethnal Green, the Torriano Meeting House in Kentish Town, Bang Said the Gun, Apples & Snakes in Deptford, the Troubadour in South Kensington and the Betsey Trotwood [pictured] in Farringdon. Also check out the poetry book fair at the Conway Hall in Holborn on September 30.”

The Forward prizegiving will take place at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 21 April at 7pm.