SAVOY INTERIORS
Simpson’s was once a chess club and
Are you working with head chef William
has hosted lots of famous guests –
Hemming to ensure harmony between
will the design tell these stories?
menus and design?
Chess played a big part, which can be seen
There has to be a collaboration of minds when
in the entrance floor mosaic pattern, and
creating a backdrop to a food experience, and I think
we’re using some historic pictures that were
that what we’ve created will not only complement the
taken, as well as bringing a lot of new art
food, but also reflect a new, contemporary approach.
with a different approach to referencing chess, with illustrations of octopuses,
Having worked with numerous leading hotels
windmills and forks, which some will be baffled by, but others
and restaurants, how has The Savoy stood out for you?
will know as chess moves.
It’s amazing. I have to pinch myself sometimes, as I feel so
Then, there’s Winston Churchill, who’s so synonymous with Simpson’s and The Savoy, so we’ve retained his dining table location, next to the fireplace at the far end of the restaurant.
privileged to have been appointed to work with The Savoy and its great team here. After all, we’re this generation’s custodians, and it’s all of
Simpson’s is so steeped in amazing history, and will continue to
our jobs to make sure that we retain the hotel’s integrity,
be in the future, I’m sure.
stature and provenance, yet ensure that we bring lifeblood to these beautiful buildings for generations to come, make them
Have you come up against many challenges during
exciting, fun and vibrant places to enjoy, meet and celebrate,
the restoration?
and create lasting memories too.
We worked very closely with the Listed Building officers, who wouldn’t let us do everything that we wanted, but a compromise
Do you have a favourite part of bringing Simpson’s
has been reached, and they understand the need to update
to life so far?
the dining room, but also have an interest in retaining certain
All of it is rewarding. It’s such a pleasurable feeling to enhance
elements that they want to see protected, and we’re always in
what’s an already successful restaurant, and bring about a
general agreement with them.
subtle, yet total, transformation for people to enjoy the new
It’s all gone very smoothly; we have
delights on offer, against a beautiful, relaxed backdrop.
the usual unearthing of old cables, and gentle peeling and revealing of minor updates from the past, but these all add to the enjoyment of
And your hopes for guests once they’ve visited? Amazing and fond memories that last a lifetime. It’s wonderful to enhance people’s lives in this way, and that’s the best part of what I set out to do.
working on these prestigious and amazing projects.
Simpson’s in the Strand will be reopening this summer. To find out more, head to simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk, or visit robertangelldesigninternational.com
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