Kensington
Coverage highlights hospitality and foodservice activity in this affluent London district, including restaurant and bar openings, premium dining trends, independent operator movements, and local investment. Reporting provides insights for businesses navigating high-spend consumer markets, weekday trade patterns, and the competitive dynamics of operating in one of the capital’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.
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Feb- 2019 -20 FebruaryFeatures
Why one high-end London restaurant made the switch to induction
When Matt Lovell and Rob Hampton’s seafood street food stall came to fruition in 2016, they quickly outgrew the capacity in which they could serve some of the UK’s highest-quality oysters. The stall soon transformed into a pop-up concept in South Kensington, before the duo opened the doors to The…
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Jan- 2019 -3 JanuaryRestaurants
Caprice Holdings posts record turnover amid ‘tough’ market conditions
Caprice Holdings, owner of The Ivy restaurants, has bucked the high street trend by reporting a 0.8% growth in turnover for the year ending 31 December 2017. Its turnover for the year was £67.7m, up from £67.1m, and its sales growth was 2.1% on a like-for-like basis. The group said…
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Aug- 2018 -15 AugustPeople
Dabbous team reunite for series of exclusive dinners
Ollie Dabbous, founder of the eponymous Dabbous restaurant in London’s Fitzrovia, will be reunited with his kitchen team as they host two bespoke dinners at Wellbourne Brasserie this autumn. The well-reviewed Dabbous opened in 2012 and was the British chef’s first outlet, but closed in 2017 shortly after the site…
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15 AugustPubs and Bars
Pergola to open new 500-cover Kensington bar
London bar chain Pergola has announced it is to open a new bar on the roof of Kensington Olympia as part of a £700m investment in the exhibition centre. The new site will be the bar operator’s first all year-round bar, following previous sites Pergola Paddington, Pergola On The Roof,…
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9 AugustRestaurants
McDonald’s trials luxury restaurant concept
McDonald’s UK will be trialling a luxury restaurant concept to celebrate the national roll-out of The Signature Collection, the gourmet-style burger range. The concept, which will be piloted at its High Street Kensington site, opened for online reservations on 8 August, giving customers a limited two-day window to book a…
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9 AugustRestaurants
Prescott and Conran ‘was in £14m debt’ during collapse
Restaurant group Prescott and Conran owed £14m to its creditors when it collapsed, recent documents from its administrators Duff and Phelps have revealed. The chain fell into administration in June, resulting in the closure of its three remaining sites in London; Parabola in Kensington, Lutyens on Fleet Street and Albion…
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Jun- 2018 -21 JunePeople
Prescott and Conran falls into administration
The restaurant group founded by Habitat owner Sir Terence Conran – Prescott and Conran – has fallen into administration. The three remaining London outlets of Prescott and Conran – Parabola in Kensington, Lutyens on Fleet Street and Albion in Clerkenwell – have shuttered putting 168 jobs at risk The restaurant…
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6 JuneCatering Companies
Huge fire tears through Mandarin Oriental Hotel
The Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge has caught fire. Some 20 fire engines and 120 firefighters and officers have been called to the property on William Street. The fire brigade was called at 3:55pm, and crews from Chelsea, Kensington, Hammersmith, Battersea and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.…
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May- 2018 -14 MayFood and Drink
Royal Wedding guests to be served British classics by the Queen’s chef
Guests at Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding reception will be served a menu of “classical British” meals. It also looks likely that royal pastry chef Selwyn Stoby will prepare his milk chocolate truffles with a milk and kirsch centre, often served at royal parties and ceremonies. Royal chef Mark…
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4 MayAwards & Events
No catering at Royal Wedding
A letter sent to commoners invited to the Royal Wedding tells them “to bring a picnic lunch as it will not be possible to buy food and drink on site”. As many as 1,200 members of the public have been invited to Windsor Castle to witness the wedding, but invitees…
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