Cadogan Community Newsletter - March 2021

CHELSEA

Neighbourhood NEWS

Vol. 4

March 2021

Spring awakening

Community update

Your new local

Diary Days

Shops and restaurants reopen

Change and opportunity

Form an orderly queue

Chelsea in Bloom and a summer festival

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HUGH SEABORN CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CAD O GAN

Welcome I can almost feel a buzz in the air as spring approaches and the first step to freedom – 12th April – is now under a month away. Shops and restaurants across the neighbourhood are preparing for reopening, so we felt it time to share with you much exciting local news to look forward to.

The last year has certainly demonstrated the strength of the local community.

Although a challenging year for all, we look forward to our local favourites returning and, in apparent contradiction

to the negative national press headlines, Chelsea is emerging from the pandemic with exciting new shops, pubs and restaurants arriving.

The last year really shone a light on the many benefits public spaces bring to our sense of connection, wellbeing and health. We are delighted to announce that, following a trial over the last year, RBKC have announced that Pavilion Road is now permanently pedestrianised and work is also recommencing on the Sloane Street enhancement project – further details follow.

REOPENING ACTIVIT Y

WELCOME BACK

The second half of 2021 is shaping up to be the year that we all hoped for – I look forward to seeing you all out and about once more.

Hugh

Al fresco dining will return from 12 April, with significant outdoor seating areas at Duke of York Square and Pavilion Road - which we are also delighted to announce is now permanently pedestrianised due to its trial success over the last year.

D U K E O F YO R K FO OD MARKET

by Made TheCreated weekly Food Market from the Noun Project at Duke of York Square will be returning from Saturday 3 April. For up to date information, visit dukeofyorksquare.com, or follow @dukeofyorksquare on Instagram and Twitter

A giant 4.5m wide floral heart appeared at Duke of York Square in February, to lift everyone’s spirits when out on their walks. Covered in an ombre rainbow of around 2,000 flowers, we hope that it brought some added colour and joy to the neighbourhood!

Temporary flags, bunting, additional lighting, seasonal installations and pop-up activity is also being confirmed to add further vibrancy. This includes flags on the King’s Road designed by local artists, a floral installation enhancing the arcade entrance to Duke of York Square and a pop-up collaboration between The Botanist, Colbert and Royal Court on Sloane Square over summer.

D OY S R E S TAU R A N T

Winner of Civic Trust Award

LO CAL CHARIT Y SPOTLIGHT

Glassdoor's fight against homelessness You may recently have noticed an increase in people sleeping on the streets across London. Lucy Abraham, Chief Executive of local charity Glass Door, comments “We are seeing a growing number of people becoming newly homeless, suffering through lost employment, family breakdowns, stress and too often finding themselves unable to stay in their homes. Despite the challenges, we have helped over 184 people find a route out of homelessness in the last nine months alone, in large part thanks to the generosity of partners and supporters in our communities.”

Lucy suggests three ways you can help: 1.Next time you see someone who is homeless, consider stopping to have a chat - many people say that the worst part of being homeless is loneliness. Or, print out Glass Door’s map of local services and ask if they know about the local food programmes and advice on offer. Find out more here.

2.The Mayor of RBKC, Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, is hosting a raffle with all proceeds going to support the work of Glass Door. Purchase a ticket (via the website here) for a chance to win a luxury holiday, a signed Chelsea FC shirt, and much more while supporting their work.

3.Become a regular Glass Door donor – just £15 a month could provide ongoing oneto-one sessions with Glass Door’s dedicated caseworkers to help move people beyond homelessness. Find out more here.

The latest award win for the new restaurant building in Duke of York Square means more than ever – because it recognises projects that have made a positive contribution to the local communities they serve. The Civic Trust Awards celebrate outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment. On the building’s ‘Highly Commended’, the judges commented ‘Well conceived and very 2020 providing indoor/outdoor dining experience. A real asset in these pandemic affected times.’

NEW OPENINGS AND PUBLIC RE ALM INVE STMENT

NEIGHBOURHO OD NEWS Polo Ralph Lauren will be joining Sloane Square with a flagship opening. On King’s Road, Ganni will be opening at 94 and Rixo moving to a permanent store, following successful pop-ups, at 104. The project at 196 – 222 King’s Road is progressing well and will create space for an improved Waitrose store, independent cinema, new retail, pub and rooftop bar.

On Sloane Street, we look forward to welcoming the Beaverbrook Town House hotel and restaurant in summer, along with Balenciaga’s new flagship and Burberry’s arrival at No. 1. Exploratory works for Sloane Street’s exciting public realm enhancement have also recommenced – please find further detail here.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE COMMUNIT Y

JOB OPP ORTUNIT Y Cadogan is working with RBKC to fund an exciting new public-private venture created to help to get more local people into work.

A new role for an ‘Employment Coordinator’ will actively create employment opportunities for local residents - including marginalised communities, young people and the longterm unemployed. Working alongside teams at both Cadogan and RBKC, much time will be spent understanding the needs of individuals, communities and

employers - and finding creative ways to bring them together. Often this will mean identifying transferable skills and opportunities to reskill and upskill, helping to achieve potential and identifying good quality, sustainable opportunities.

The deadline for applications is 5th April – if you know someone who you think may be suitable, please visit this link for more information: careers.newjob.org.uk/RBKC/job/LondonEmployment-Opportunities-Co-ordinatorRBKC48955-KEC/633609501/

I N M E M O RY Sadly this year has not been without its losses. Hazel Smith recently passed away, a long standing member of the King’s Road Trade Association and advocate for independent businesses within our community. Hazel worked tirelessly to ensure the King’s Road sparkled each Christmas and we look forward to the Christmas lights sparkling again this December in her memory.

In February of this year, Sarah Faruggia too tragically passed. Sarah will also be remembered for her work on the King’s Road and inspirational passion for Chelsea. Sarah truly championed work that supported the empowerment of the young and in her memory, her family have asked that donations be made to ‘Fourth Feathers’, a charity delivering youthwork in deprived areas of London; prioritising education, work opportunities and encouraging creativity. For those who may wish to pay their respects, donations of support can be made here.

PUB OPENINGS

YOUR 'NEW' LO CAL Two old favourites will be re-opening in Chelsea shortly, both following investment and under strong new management.

The Surprise, previously part of the Youngs group, will now be independently run by Jack Greenall, who is also responsible for the award-winning Pheasant Inn in Hungerford. He comments ”We have always wanted a sister pub in the city bringing the values of the much loved Pheasant Inn to the busy people of London: a warm and friendly welcome every time, delicious seasonal and local menu at sensible prices and a world class wine and spirits list in a beautiful and comfortable setting.

I hope that The Surprise will play its tiny part in revitalising London hospitality post-Covid. It’s vital that we get our vibrant pubs, restaurant, bars and hotels open and back at the centre of our lives.”

The Surprise was built in the 1800s and named after a French Napoleonic warship, originally called Unite until her capture by the British. Under new command she was used to sneak up on and capture further unsuspecting French ships, thus earning her new name as The Surprise. Keep an eye out for this naval history reflected in the artwork, along with a mix of locally focused pieces and tongue in cheek pub references along the way.

His team will include General Manager Andres Cabrera, previously of The Harwood Arms which was named top gastropub in the UK.

More to follow on The Cadogan Arms….

It plans to open on 20th May. Please form an orderly queue.

BUSINESS COMMUNIT Y FUND

BRID GING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE Cadogan was joined by other local groups and businesses to achieve complete funding for the first phase of this Digital Inclusion Project, funding over 100 laptops for youth organisations across the borough – but more is desperately needed to support delivery of homework clubs, catch up lessons and learning support. If you would be interested in getting involved, please e-mail team@thekandcfoundation.com

Read the latest issue of Sloane Square Magazine here.

E A ST E R C H U RC H S E RV I C E S

Created by shashank singh from the Noun Project

For more information about the services taking place over Holy Week and the Easter Holidays. See Page 10 of Sloane Square Magazine, above.

The pandemic threw certain issues into stark relief – in particular, the digital divide across the borough. Remote learning proved an immense challenge for schools and families and has highlighted major inequalities in access to technology.

To help mitigate this, local charity The Kensington & Chelsea Foundation, identified over 400 vulnerable young people for whom home is not a safe or suitable learning space and who needed an alternative while schools were closed.

This is the latest initiative from Cadogan’s £20 million Business Community Fund, which provides ongoing financial help and resources to businesses and local charities to support Chelsea’s longer-term recovery from the pandemic. Other core initiatives have included emergency rent support and relief measures, donations to Chelsea & Westminster Hospital’s Covid-19 Rapid Response Fund and the provision of hotel accommodation for NHS frontline workers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dates for your diary kingsroadlondon.com

inchelsea.co.uk | dukeofyorksquare.com @dukeofyorksquare @kingsroad.london | pavilionroad.co.uk @pavilionroad | sloanestreet.co.uk

@sloanestreetsw1

Time to make history! A reminder from RBKC...

The census is here. By taking part in this once-in-adecade survey, you can help to inform decisions on services that shape your community.

Please fill in your census questionnaire, as this data is then used by councils to allocate funding and services.

It’s vital for every single person living in Kensington and Chelsea to be represented as it informs everything from additional nurseries and GP surgeries to new bus stops.

Census Day is Sunday 21 March. You can fill yours in online as soon as you get your access code in the post, which should have started to reach you in early March. it’s really your chance to stamp your mark on the fabric of history.

If you need help with the census, you can visit www. census.gov.uk where there’s a wide range of support services available.

Finally, we can begin to fill our calendars once more with exciting dates – here are a couple of local highlights to look forward to:

Chelsea in Bloom, 20th – 25th September As you may be aware, the Chelsea Flower Show has been postponed until September. In agreement with the RHS, the neighbourhood’s ‘Chelsea in Bloom’ spectacular will also move to these dates, creating London’s largest free flower festival once more.

This year’s theme is ‘Extraordinary Voyages’, inspired by Verne’s ’80 Days around the world’ and our collective need for some beautiful escapism! Further information will be constantly updated nearer to the event at: www. chelseainbloom.co.uk Tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show itself are also still available and can be purchased from www.rhs.org.uk

Kensington & Chelsea Art Week, 24th June – 4th July The K&C Art Week will return from 24th June – 4th July, bringing with it art trails, outdoor sculpture and hundreds of local cultural events. We hear exciting news that it may be part of a wider ‘Summer Festival’ across the borough this year, please stay tuned! www.kcaw.co.uk

Download the Neighbourhood Guide Cadogan 10 Duke of York Square London SW3 4LY | T: 020 7730 4567 | cadogan.co.uk Please let us know if there is feedback that you would like to share, or suggestions for future issues: community@cadogan.co.uk