A new patisserie, another coffee shop – and a rebooted boozer?
Sad to see the news today that high streets have “shrunk” in ten out of the twelve towns on the Mary Portas scheme, with most seeing an increase in empty shopping outlets. But it can surely come as no surprise.
What is also interesting is that underneath the Guardian’s report (linked above), many have expressed surprise that people even shop on high streets at all, implying that the mall or supermarket are now the normal way.
Which makes it all the more important to support what we have round here. In the last couple of weeks we’ve covered closures aplenty – Pizza Express, the Bull & Gate, the rumoured demolition of a historic pub. And yet we were pleased to hear that popular community boozer The Victoria, in Camden Town, which we supported back in April, has been saved, its planning application withdrawn.
And despite Kentish, Camden and the surrounds not exactly being immune to the boarded-up shop – dear God, will no-one do something with the former ground floor of the Tally Ho pub building? – there’s still a palpable sense of energy, as we all know, about the place.
A trio of new openings confirms this. First off, Annie’s Bar has had an almighty revamp: gone is the gilt-edged Regency look, replaced now by low-key bare wood and candles, perhaps influenced by the nearby Grafton or Lion & Unicorn. But with an emphasis on real ale, live music and secret cinema nights – and a new name, Hoot ‘n’ Annie’s – it’s surely one to watch. No signage yet though.
Meanwhile, up on Fortess Road, just near Baan Thai, Gospel Oak’s House Presso opens its new central K-Town cafe on Saturday June 8, promising chic Ercol furniture, the “best Sicilian dark roasted espresso” and artisan pastries. Plus they’re restoring the old signage, E.Mono stylee. Yay!
And speaking of bakeries, tiny Noonoo and Bebo yesterday reopened as La Bonn Patisserie under the ownership of a couple, Antonio and Elizabeth, who’ve just moved here from Palmers Green. They found the space because they “really like the area and the people”, their sign (which is missing an ‘e’, see main pic above) being only temporary.
“We’re correcting it, and have also commissioned some panels to go alongside the shop,” says Antonio. It certainly looks cute, and is cleverly open right onto the street, so let’s hope it soaks up the French buck with its coffee and croissant offerings.
Not enough openings for you? Try Porky’s new hipster rib joint on nearby Chalk Farm Road. Oh, and acclaimed Brixton patty-flippers Honest Burger are set to open in Camden Lock soon too.
Thanks to Sally Lyall Grant.
8 thoughts on “Tired of places closing? Let’s celebrate new openings instead”
Gregg’s is great because the shop front and interior now matches the high quality of their baked goods
Congratulations, Tim – you win the free-saugage-roll-for-a-month first prize!
The boarded up ugly-ness opposite The Forum is possibly going to be a giant Italian/Thai restaurant if it gets planning permission. Nice for me (I live above… and am a terrible cook) but I think it could have perhaps been put to better use considering the rather fabulous Pizza East is just down the road. Thoughts? (Can I also have a free sausage runners up roll please?)
Does anyone know what the plan is for the huge building on the corner of Fortess Grove and Fortess Roas being renovated behind a mass of scaffolding?
Shame Housepresso’s coffee is poor compared to other London indies. Fortess rd needs better coffee.
Where is La Bonn Patisserie? I need cake…
Just up opposite the Bull & Gate…
Housepresso coffee is okay, but ‘artisan pastries’?? Soft croissants and boring muffins more like! Why don’t they check out where The Espresso Room (on Great Ormond Street) or some other amazing coffee place in London get their stuff? We really need a nice sit-in cafe with good baked goods in K-town, I can’t believe no one has opened one yet.