Odd characters from East Sheen in German city (5)

I believe the answer is:

essen

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'german city' is the definition.
(city in Germany)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for essen that I've seen before include "Industrial centre of the Ruhr" , "German industrial centre" , "Krupp HQ (Ger.)" , "city in the Ruhr valley" , "Main industrial city of the Ruhr" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent and The Sun.

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