Meet the Locals

With beautifully refurbished one, two and three bedroom apartments available to rent and a dedicated on-site manager, Palace Wharf in Fulham is one of West London’s most desirable locations

Moyses Stevens: Flower Power

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Bouquets from Moyses Stevens are always scented, textured and made and hand tied by the company’s own experienced florists. And they have a wonderfully English feel…

John Sandoe Books: A Bibliophile’s Dream

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‘The perfect bookshop in which to browse, where staff delight in making intelligent recommendations based on books you have read and enjoyed.’ – Sir Terence Conran

Fulham Palace: Another Brick In The Wall

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Through the stories of the Bishops of London, Fulham Palace chronicles over 1300 years of English history. Now local people can help preserve the buildings for future generations to enjoy

Holly Tucker: Mixing Business with Pleasure

4 April 2018

Richmond Richmond Locals St Margarets St Margarets Locals TW1

By living and working in St Margarets and Richmond, Holly Tucker has achieved the perfect work-life balance

The Heatherley School of Fine Art: Art For Art’s Sake

4 April 2018

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Focusing on the disciplines of portraiture, figurative painting, printmaking and sculpture, the Heatherley School of Fine Art has a proud heritage as a teaching institution

Chelsea Physic Garden: Chelsea’s Green Oasis

4 April 2018

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With a fascinating programme of walks, talks, events and workshops, spring and summer are the perfect time to visit Chelsea Physic Garden and enjoy London’s wonderful secret space

The Herdman Family Carpet Shop: It’s a Family Affair

26 March 2018

Carpets & Flooring St Margarets St Margarets Locals TW1

Investing in new carpet or flooring? Whether you know an Axminster from a Saxony, the Herdmans will give excellent personal service

The Friends of Ravenscourt Park: Park Life

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The Friends of Ravenscourt Park play a key role in protecting and maintaining Hammersmith’s most popular green lung

92 Dental: Putting a Smile on Your Face

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High quality treatment and flexible, friendly customer service are the hallmarks of the award-winning 92 Dental practice

Hamlet Gardens: Where the Living is Easy

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With beautifully refurbished apartments available to rent, elegant communal areas and an on-site management team, Hamlet Gardens is one of West London’s most desirable locations

Flynn’s Pub & Townhouse: Room at the Inn

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Do you have friends or family visiting? Hammersmith residents can enjoy a 15% discount on the superb accommodation at Flynn’s

Chartered Practice Architects: A Design for Life

Architects Hammersmith Hammersmith Locals Hammersmith Pubs Hammersmith W6 Hammersmith W6 Shepherd’s Bush W12

Delivering bespoke solutions for every client While I’m talking to architects Warren Hagues and Matt Hedges, the snow is falling on Askew Road. Naturally, the weather is the first topic of conversation. ‘It’s a good reminder that proper insulation is so important,’ smiles Warren.

Farina & More: Buon Appetito!

Brook Green Cafes Deli Food & Dining Food And Drink Hammersmith Hammersmith Cafes Hammersmith Interviews Hammersmith Locals Hammersmith W6 Hammersmith W6 Restaurants Takeaway W6 W6 Cafes Wines Wines and Beers

‘Our cuisine represents the true passion and spirit of Italian food,’ says Pier Paolo Bassani. ‘We believe in natural, authentic flavours and simple, carefully sourced ingredients.’ Pier Paolo is one of a group of Italian friends from Brook Green who have got together to open Farina & More, a new restaurant, deli and coffee shop.

Keith Davidson: Art for Art’s Sake

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After a long career as a computer analyst, Keith Davidson decided to follow his passion and become a full-time artist. Initially, he chose to focus on photography and digital manipulation; those disciplines enabled him to establish a natural, comfortable relationship with the computer as an artistic tool.

Chiswick Pier Trust: Down by the River

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Chiswick Pier Trust puts on an exciting programme of public events and talks to engage all ages with life on and around the Thames

The Chiswick Empire: Empire State of Mind

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Remembering the magnificent Chiswick Empire, the High Road theatre that hosted the brightest stars of the entertainment world On Friday 6 September 1912 the Chiswick Times reported: ‘The Chiswick Empire was opened on Monday evening… The handsome building was gaily decorated with flags, festoons and flowers for the occasion. The opening had been looked forward to for some weeks past, and large crowds assembled in the vicinity. The scene about six o’clock, a short time before the opening of the doors, was a remarkable one for Chiswick.’ When, in 1910, the renowned impresario Oswald Stoll proposed building a music hall in Chiswick, the idea aroused strong reactions. At a public meeting in the Town Hall opponents argued that it would lower the tone of the area and drive away ‘better-class’ inhabitants; those in favour produced a 2000-signature petition supporting a place of entertainment that would also provide local employment. Stoll persevered and, finally, planning permission was granted for a site at 414 Chiswick High Road. The eminent theatre architect Frank Matcham was commissioned to design the Empire. He created a Neo-Classical style exterior and inside (the capacity was 1,950) there were electric blue seats and drapes, terracotta carpets and cream […]

James Matthews: Not-So-Secret Agent

Chiswick Chiswick Interviews Chiswick Locals Chiswick W4 Chiswick W4 Estate Agents Property Property Property W4

James Matthews of Whitman & Co assesses the market and advises on choosing an agent According to Rightmove, over the last three years Whitman & Co has been Chiswick’s best performing estate agent; in 2017 the company sold nearly three times as many properties in W4 as its closest competitor. It’s an enviable track record, so who better to peer into his crystal ball and analyse the market than co-owner James Matthews, who himself has 30 years experience in Chiswick. ‘The signs are encouraging,’ he says. ‘We came out of the blocks firing in January and had agreed 17 sales by the end of the month. ‘There’s no doubt that buyers currently have a n excellent choice and, since medium to long-term cheap funding looks like it will be ending soon, we’re seeing people purchasing and locking in while that option is available at a competitive rate. As for prices, although I don’t see them rising yet, theyhave stabilised and are back on an even keel.’ When it comes to Chiswick, James and his team have clearly hit on a winning formula. ‘There’s no real secret,’ he explains. ‘We focus on the area we know well and we’re transparent; we […]

Mella Mella’s: A Passion for Pottery

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Relax, have fun and unleash your creativity at Mella Mella’s ceramic café and pottery studio ‘This might sound strange,’ admits Mel Gunaydin. ‘But the trick when teaching beginners to use a pottery wheel is to make them close their eyes when they’re trying to centre a pot. That’s actually the hardest thing to do – and they must feel it, not look at it.’

Chiswick Computers: Your Personal Support System

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‘Steve knows our business. He reacts quickly and delivers exactly the support we need. We can trust him.’ – Dominic Hughes, Pot Pourri, Chiswick ‘At Christmas I get invited to quite a few office parties,’ admits Steve Bonnici. ‘It’s a nice confirmation that I’m seen as one of the team. The parties are fun too!’ Steve has been running Chiswick Computers since 2003, in that time establishing an excellent reputation for friendly, problem-solving expertise. Steve personally handles the company’s IT support, looking after small businesses and home-based one-person bands as well as families and even 90-plus year-olds with little computer knowledge. ‘No two customers are the same and that’s why I like to build a relationship with each one,’ he says. ‘If I understand what they do and how they do it, then I can tailor our support to their needs. I’ll tackle anything from emails bouncing back and program upgrades to servers crashing. And I try to respond straight away; I realise that if there’s an IT issue, my client isn’t making money or operating to full capacity.’ A popular part of the Chiswick Computers service is its Remote Monitoring and Management package. ‘For a fixed monthly fee, we’ll […]

The Queen’s Head: Going Back To Its Roots

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Under its enthusiastic new management team, The Queen’s Head is a pub transformed. Eagle-eyed locals may have spotted that the former Smokehouse (prior to that it was The Hole in the Wall) on Sutton Lane North has recently become The Queen’s Head. And that name hasn’t just been chosen at random.

Bridge Suzuki Music: Music Maestros

Music Music Lessons Violin Lessons

Toby Walker started learning the violin aged five and Charlotte Clemson at three. Both are proud ‘Suzuki kids’ – they followed the teaching philosophy of Dr Shinichi Suzuki – and they have now opened a Suzuki school at the Rocks Lane Multi-Sports Centre in Chiswick. Dr Suzuki developed a unique method that enables children to play to their best ability while absorbing key life skills at the same time. ‘Children start young (three-plus) when skills are easily mastered and they learn in a natural way by listening and repeating,’ explains Toby. ‘Lessons are on a one-to-one and group basis; making music is about communicating, so playing socially from the beginning is vital.’

Movement for Life: A New Lease of Life

16 March 2018

Hammersmith Hammersmith Locals Hammersmith W6 Hammersmith W6 Health & Fitness Pilates

Specialising in corrective exercise and Pilates, Susan Harker has developed a thriving practice at the Novotel London West Hotel. Susan tailors a holistic scientific programme to the needs of each client and here she describes the positive impact of corrective exercise on Ammar’s life.

Little Black Book: The Matchmaker

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Before I became a professional matchmaker, I loved setting up my friends and, for that matter, any singIe person I met,’ smiles Chiswick resident Kate Wray. ‘I’d go through my internal rolodex looking for matches. People used to say that I should do it for a living; in fact, I was already planning just that!’ Kate is the founder of Little Black Book, winner at the UK Dating Awards 2017.

Gordon Lindsay: Lowdown on Lettings

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‘From the landlord’s point of view, a shift in rental values only becomes relevant when a tenancy ends and the property is put back on the market,’ explains Gordon Lindsay. ‘The last 12-18 months have seen achievable rents come down significantly. It’s fair to say that some landlords have taken time to adjust to that change in the landscape.’ Gordon and his experienced team are the experts in the Chiswick lettings market.

The Carpetstore: Cutting a Rug

Carpets & Flooring Hammersmith Hammersmith Interviews Hammersmith Locals Hammersmith W6 Hammersmith W6 Shepherd’s Bush

Just like most businesses, fashions come and go in the world of carpets and flooring. And according to Clay Miller, who with his brother Joe has been running the Carpet Store for 25 years, one of the hottest current trends is for made-to- measure bespoke rugs. ‘We’re definitely seeing more demand,’ says Clay. ‘Where people used to have carpets in their living rooms, now stone and wood floors are popular.

Fuller’s Brewery: Discover how the Magic Happens

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Christine Hooper, the Hock Cellar and Brewery Tour administrator at Fuller’s, has worked at the Griffin Brewery for 43 years. Born and raised in Devonshire Road, she joined Fuller’s as the Beer Order Office Junior. Not surprisingly, Christine has a few interesting stories to tell.

Wyndham House: Easter Feast

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With Easter on the horizon, another busy period is looming – and Easter at Wyndham House means the arrival of both new season lamb and Salt Marsh lamb. ‘Salt Marsh is special,’ says Rod. ‘We source it from Foulness Island in Essex; the sheep graze on the lush grass of the estuary strip, hence the name. You don’t taste the salt, but the meat has a wonderful, diferent favour.’ The other Easter favourite is Beef Wellington.

Schmidt Hammersmith: Kitchen Confidential

14 March 2018

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Lisa-Marie Johnson, Showroom Manager of Schmidt Kitchens, is describing a familiar scene. ’And that is all happening in the kitchen,’ she smiles. ‘They are today’s living rooms – it’s why kitchens look less utilitarian and much more like furniture these days.’

Chelsea Fine Arts: It’s all in the Method

14 March 2018

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Artist Stephanie Villalba and her team of tutors are providing all ages with the chance to learn classical artistic skills and be creative in an inspiring studio space

Richmond Park: Park Life by John Bartram

13 March 2018

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In a fascinating memoir John Bartram recalls his extraordinary career as guardian of Richmond Park’s world-famous deer herd

Whitehall Construction: A Business Built on Excellence

13 March 2018

Acton Builders W3

Whitehall Construction has the expertise and experience to take any building project from design to completion ‘I’m hands-on – that’s how I work. I’m on site every day and I always like to be a point of contact for clients.’ Jason Wilkinson, Build Director of Whitehall Construction, is explaining his business philosophy – and the passion is shining through. ‘I think my approach stems from the fact that I started at the bottom of the trade as an apprentice bricklayer and worked my way up,’ Jason continues. ‘I’ve learned how important it is to be available – there’s no better way to create a positive relationship and find solutions to issues.’ Jason co-founded Whitehall Construction three years ago and, since then, it has grown rapidly through word-ofmouth recommendation. Focusing on the West London area, the company specialises in whole house renovation, loft conversion, kitchen and side return extension, basement excavation and bathroom re-design. ‘We have the knowledge to take any job from Planning and Design through to Build,’ Jason tells me. ‘We’re used to liaising with architects and structural engineers and, when it comes to construction, we have a permanent team of high quality, reliable craftsmen.’ He is convinced that […]

Orange Tree Theatre: Working with the Community

13 March 2018

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The Orange Tree Theatre encourages young and old to get involved with its work. Education Director Imogen Bond explains more…

La Crêperie Cinq Maisons: Très Classiques Crêpes!

12 March 2018

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Judith and Fred Bringing an authentic taste of France – both sweet and savoury – to Richmond… Before meeting Fred Mokrani, who runs La Crêperie Cinq Maisons on Brewers Lane with his business partner, Judith Cizeikaite, I knew of his track record in the hospitality business at the popular Café de Fred in Kensington. However, it turns out that Fred’s experience is much more celebrated than that! ‘I was a butler for 10 years. I worked in hotels such as Claridges and the Savoy,’ he recalls. ‘After that, I became an Events Manager – and for three years I was responsible for organising the Queen’s Summer Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.’ Inspired by Fred’s French heritage – he grew up in Lyon – he and Judith began planning their crêperie venture two years ago. Having chosen Richmond as the ideal location, they eventually found a suitable premises and opened in June. ‘We love being here, the shop is cosy and we have lovely neighbours,’ says Judith. The pair are proud that their recipes are authentically French. ‘Judith spent time in Brittany, learning from the locals,’ explains Fred. ‘Our batter is homemade and mixed with love and passion on the premises, […]

Organic Mind: Nourishment for the Mind, Body and Soul

12 March 2018

Alternative Therapies Cranio-Sacral Holistic Massage Features Holistic Treatments Hypnotherapy Latest Mediumistic Readings Osteopaths Psychic Mediums Reflexology Reiki Richmond Richmond Interviews Richmond Locals Tarot Readings TW9

Emma Rowlatt Emma Rowlatt has brought together a gifted team of readers and complementary health practitioners at Organic Mind I’ve just asked Emma Rowlatt how she became proprietor of Organic Mind, Richmond’s one-stop shop for holistic treatments, tarot and mediumistic readings and ‘alternative’ retail therapy. Her answer is as moving as it is honest. ‘My sister Clare passed away 10 years ago. The impact of her loss was huge, I simply couldn’t believe that was “it”. So, I began investigating life after death and that prompted me to visit a medium. It was remarkable. She told me secrets that only Clare and I shared – and that gave me such peace of mind.’ From that point, Emma was inspired to take her research further, exploring a wide range of complementary and psychic therapies. Then, two years ago, she noticed the lease was available on a shop in Brewer’s Lane. ‘I thought, wouldn’t it be fantastic to bring together and share everything I’d learned and experienced.’ Emma, who previously worked in the corporate world, has recruited an experienced team of therapists specialising in reflexology, reiki, osteopathy, Cranio-Sacral holistic massage and hypnotherapy as well as tarot readers and psychic mediums. ‘There are […]

West London Kitchens: Cool Kitchens

Kitchens Shepherd’s Bush UK W12

Whether your taste is Shaker or modern minimalist, West London Kitchens can design a bespoke solution for your budget and lifestyle The contemporary kitchen needs to be a perfect mix of stylish design and flexible practicality, with enough space for cooking and eating, hosting dinner parties and simply socialising with friends and family. It is also, as Keith Patterson, owner of West London Kitchens, recognises, a major investment. ‘It’s a big-ticket purchase, and we’re well aware of that. That’s why we take such care to achieve the best design in terms of looking good, fitting seamlessly with the client’s needs and, of course, meeting the budget. ‘When they come to us, some people have done extensive research; they know exactly what they want, even down to where the appliances will be placed. Others have no pre-conceived ideas, so we work with them to pinpoint what is required. The design process takes as long as it takes – but it’s worth it in the end.’ Keith founded West London Kitchens in 2008, since when his team has won a reputation for craftsmanship and outstanding customer service. All the kitchens are designed and made bespoke for each client; the company specialises in […]

Richmond Vault Beer Cellar: The Underground Home of Craft Ales

Food & Dining Pubs Restaurants Richmond Richmond Interviews Richmond Locals TW9

One of the area’s best-kept secrets, Richmond Vault offers high quality dining and an amazing array of local and international beers If you’ve never ventured down the exterior stairs of Richmond Vault, you’ll probably be very surprised. Located under two Georgian buildings, it is far from the gloomy cellar dive that you might expect to find. Rather, it’s a spacious multi-level labyrinth full of cosy nooks and crannies. Charles Rahbani, the young entrepreneur who co-runs the friendly family business, is a man who really knows his beers – both local and international – and he’s always on the look-out for unique, seasonal ales. The Vault’s bar currently stocks over 80 bottled craft beers and 12 rotational cask or keg ales on tap; customers are always welcome to sample the tap beers before making a final decision on their drink of choice. Charles is fortunate to have the support of his father, John, in managing the Vault. John himself is a successful restaurateur with many years experience and he’s always on-hand to guide and advise and maintain standards. In particular, John has focused on improving and refining the dining experience, adding new dishes to the menu and making sure that all […]

Gasworks London: The Gasman Cometh…

Acton Boilers Central Heating Plumbers W3

Spring and summer are the perfect opportunity to service, maintain and install boilers and central heating systems

Elite Textile Care: Keep It Clean!

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Elite Textile Care provides eco-friendly wet cleaning, expert tailoring and the opportunity to sell clothing

Hugo Ceramicas: Tile Inspiration

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Whatever the tile – decorative or practical – you’ll be spoilt for choice at Hugo Ceramicas

Matt Goslett: The House Hunter