Chelsea Neighbourhood News, Spring/Summer 2024

Neighbourhood

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

Welcome

I love this time of year with the Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom in full swing, it brings such a sense of energy and excitement.

There is certainly lots to look forward to in this issue, including the arrival of brilliant public art along the King’s Road and lots of new openings, many of which are UK firsts. We also provide an update on some of the major local developments, including The Gaumont on the King’s Road and the ongoing Sloane Street public realm transformation which is due to complete at the end of this year.

On page 5 you will also find dates for your diary for the year ahead and we very much look forward to enjoying these with you all.

THE GAUMONT: UPDATE

The Gaumont, a major new mixed-use development on the King’s Road, is now complete. It will be soon be home to a large Curzon cinema (planned opening in early 2025), rooftop restaurant with al fresco terrace, retail, residential, offices and a significant new piece of public art inspired by the neighbourhood by

Shazad Dawood – many thanks to the many of you who came to meet him and hear more about this last year. Similarly, in response to your feedback from our consultation late last year, we are lining up a brilliant ‘creative quarter’ on Chelsea Manor Street, spanning literature, music and art. Further updates to come soon.

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Sloane Street Public Realm

The Sloane Street public realm project is now past the halfway mark, and on track for completion by the end of the year. New lighting, low-level granite planters with a planting scheme by award-winning Andy Sturgeon, new trees, increased street features including wrought iron bicycle hoops and water fountains, as well as widened pavements now provide a glimpse of how the Street will look upon completion.

At present, works are slightly ahead of schedule. The team on site are implementing learnings from their work on the west side, consequently enabling them to progress faster. For further information and to sign up to the monthly newsleter update, visit sloanestreetfuture.co.uk

For further information, a short film bringing to life the vision can be found here, and to sign up to for the monthly newsletter update, visit sloanestreetfuture.co.uk

THEATRE NEWS

You might have seen the glowing reviews on David Byrne as the new Creative Director of the Royal Court Theatre. You can find the full line up of their summer programme on their website at royalcourttheatre.com and if you are a King’s Road Privilege Card member, remember you can enjoy 10% off their house range of drinks in their Bar & Kitchen (terms and conditions apply).

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT K+C Foundation updates

The K+C Foundation, an independent charity, supporting local projects recently published their latest Impact Report. Over the past year alone, they have raised over £2 million, funded 143 projects and supported over 21,000 of the most disadvantaged residents in the borough. To read more please follow the link to their Impact Report, demonstrating the difference they’ve been able to make over the past 12 months.

LIFESTYLE STREET OF THE YEAR

Pavilion Road was named lifestyle street of the year in the London Lifestyle Awards. It faced stiff competition from 38 other shortlisted streets, beating the likes of Carnaby Street and Portobello Road to take top prize.

Food for the Community

Partridges has secured a £1,000 special grant for the Kensington & Chelsea Food Bank from the Royal Warrant Holders Association Charity Fund. The grant is being match-funded by Partridges to raise £2,000 which will be used to buy food and resources for the local community. Visit partridges.co.uk for more information.

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

Homelessness

across the borough

Local charity and provider of open-access emergency night shelters for the homeless would appreciate your support via donations to their website.

A short film narrated by actor Colin Firth, ‘Homeslessness Can Happen to Any of Us’, brings to light the real stories behind the statistics. Watch the film here and make a pledge at Glassdoor.org.uk

CHELSEA AWARDS

Nominations for the 2024 Chelsea Awards are now open! This is your opportunity to thank and celebrate those that make Chelsea so special, nominating yourself, a local individual or a business across seven different categories; Only in Chelsea Cultural Champion Community Collaboration In Good Taste Community Hero Master of Craft Future Forward

An esteemed judging panel will decide our winners before we then come together later this year to celebrate our winners at the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea. Please visit chelseaawards.com to make your nominations.

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS Local Pubs

Sadly, we hear that Youngs brewery has decided to close The Cooper's Arms on Flood Street when their lease expires later this year. But please rest assured, as the property owners we have every intention of retaining community pub use and hope to announce further details soon. We are also searching for a fantastic pub operator offering theatre or live music for new space at 224-226 King’s Road, do get in touch if you have any recommendations!

NEW FACES

The start of the year has seen new faces aplenty - bringing delicious new food and drink and stylish fashion to the neighbourhood, many of them being UK ‘firsts’!

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Royal Avenue

In 2023, the King’s Road Partnership met with local stakeholders to co-design potential public realm improvements for the King’s Road area adjacent to Royal Avenue and Royal Avenue itself.

Stakeholders involved in the co-design approach, with the design team from Attis Towns, agreed that the priority area to take forward are sensitive rearrangements to the paved northern section of Royal Avenue, often referred to as the piazza. This report details the design approach taken and the outlined proposals.

Following stakeholder sessions, the high level proposals will only be taken ahead for the King’s Road tie in, the square and the top of the Avenue. There are no plans to progress with the Avenue and Burton Court tie in.

https://kingsrdpartnership. com/article/royal-avenue/

LUXURY RETAIL COURSE

You are invited to join Cadogan, Kensington & Chelsea Council and Morley College to create a specialised 6-month luxury retail course (running JanuaryJuly 2025) for our future retail stars. This programme will equip local students who have a long-term interest and ambition in the luxury retail industry with a thorough understanding of retail management, customer behaviour, luxury brands, and the particular issues that the luxury retail industry faces. Following previous retailer consultations, key course components have already been approved – such as staff and customer behaviour, sales strategies and brand management (more course details can be found here). Could you offer an informal talk followed by a Q&A session? If so, or if you would like to learn more, please contact sustainability@cadogan. co.uk or paras.shah@ rbkc.gov.uk by 31st May.’

Butcher’s

Dame Mary Quant mural update

Dame Mary Quant has an immense legacy on the King’s Road and as such, Cadogan are progressing plans to commemorate her impact on the neighbourhood with a large mural inspired by one of her famed quotes by an artist recommended by the Chelsea Arts Club – Alan Kitching, a fellow Royal Designer of Industry alongside Dame Mary, and celebrated as one of the world’s leading typographic artists.

The mural will be unveiled at 31 King’s Road as part of Kensington & Chelsea Art Week in June. Please let us know if you have any comments.

Kensington & Chelsea Council has created 128 new parking spaces for rental e-bikes. Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning, place and environment, said: “Rental e-bikes are really handy for people making short trips and are a great alternative to taking the car or the tube.”

SONGS AND SOUP

WALKING TOUR: BEYOND THE SHOW

A brand new walking tour of the area surrounding the Royal Hospital Chelsea that will dig into the history of what is and what was the horticultural landscape of their neighbouring gardens, and tell the tales of some of the characters who brought life and beauty to Riverside Chelsea. Tickets are £16pp and can be booked for a number of dates this month via the link here.

The Chelsea Physic Garden remains one of Chelsea’s most beautiful green spaces and since its formation in 1673, it has continued to provide a place for people to connect with nature. Your support would be welcomed in ensuring its future preservation. Donate to the charity, become a ‘Friend’ and enjoy free entry year-round (as well as with three partner gardens), or join the team of 127 volunteers to support all areas of activity. Further information can be found at on the Chelsea Physic Garden website.

EDUCATION

SCHOOLS UPDATE

Francis Holland Schools Trust acquired The Hampshire School, Chelsea earlier this year. From September, Francis Holland’s Junior School will be relocating to the site of The Hampshire School and opening Francis Holland Preparatory School for girls.

A prizegiving for the Chelsea Young Artists Competition was held at Saatchi in April, where 15 winning artworks (selected from over 400 pieces from 6 local preparatory and primary schools) were displayed. The competition was created by Cadogan and themed ‘Neighbourhood Nature’, designed to connect local children with nature and biodiversity to be found across our urban environment. Congratulations to our winners from Sussex House, Hill House, Garden House, Holy Trinity & Christ Church, St. Joseph’s and The Oratory!

Dates for your diary

dukeofyorksquare.com @dukeofyorksquare | kingsroadlondon.com @kingsroad.london @kingsroadlondon pavilionroad.co.uk @pavilionroad | sloanestreet.co.uk @sloanestreetsw1

Chelsea in Bloom, 20 –26 May

Returning with this year’s theme ‘Floral Feasts’, Chelsea in Bloom is London’s largest and most prestigious free flower festival. chelseainbloom.co.uk

Metamorphosis, 26 May – 28 July

A spotlight on four award-winning photographers and filmmakers undertaking ground-breaking work in their practices of ecoconscious photography and film.

Summer in Sloane Square, Until mid-September

Summer in Sloane Square is back for the summer, returning with pop-ups from The Royal Court Theatre, Cote, The Botanist and, for the first time, Sloane Street’s Azzurra. Open daily with over 240 al fresco seats, this year’s pop-up sun terrace is the perfect spot to catch up with loved ones over ice coffees and cocktails. Opening times and menus can be found at kingsroad.co.uk

Beyond Fashion, 31 May-8 September

A showcase of works by acclaimed fashion photographers from across the world, celebrating some of the most iconic images, famous faces and dynamic brands in contemporary history.

Kensington & Chelsea Art Week, June

A celebration of culture and creativity across the borough returns this summer, bringing with it the much-loved public art trail.

Strawberries & Screen, 12– 14 July

Complimentary live screenings of the Wimbledon finals and men’s semi-finals at Duke of York Square

Chelsea History Festival, 25–27 September

An immersive programme of events, storytelling and performance celebration local, national and global history.

Chelsea Dog Day, 5 October

A celebration of one of London’s most dog-friendly neighborhoods with a day dedicated to our four-legged friends.

Cadogan have released an updated Neighbourhood Guide, a comprehensive guide to shopping and culture in the area. Physical copies can be found in hotels, schools, estate agents and cultural institutions, and the digital version found here

Chelsea Awards, 15 October

Celebrating and thanking the extraordinary individuals, businesses and iconic institutions that make Chelsea so special. Nominations to open in April.

Chelsea Christmas Lights Switch-On, 16 November

Marking the start of the most magical time of year as Chelsea lights up for Christmas with festive family fun, food and merriment across the neighbourhood.

Gourmet Gifts Market, 7 December

A festive edition of the Fine Food Market.

the latest issue of Sloane Square Magazine here.

Here to listen

Please let us know if there is feedback that you would like to share, or suggestions for future issues: community@ cadogan.co.uk