West Fitzrovia - It's all happening in 2014
My wife used to work on the corner of Great Titchfield and Mortimer, from about 2007 to 2009. That is how we found our location. We knew that the demographic of fashion, media, design, advertising was suitable towards our business concept, and also that we would enjoy opening and running a business with that demographic. It is also three minutes from Oxford circus.
I define it as sort of the area of Oxford street, Regent street, Wells Street and Foley street.
But in 2009, it was a pretty quiet area, except for the pubs on a Thursday and Friday night of course, which were rammed. Market Place with it’s few restaurants and the Market Tavern existed but that is closer to Oxford street really, while up our end were the trailblazers that are Scandinavian Kitchen. There was not too much in between and the further up you went, the quieter it got.
There is now a neighbourhood forum, put together by some of the local residents who work and live in the area. This has been recognised by Westminster council and the premise is that the forum will be used to represent the views of both the local residents and the local businesses with anything going on in the area. More information can be found here. (the designated area of the forum is different to what I have defined just before)
http://fitzwest.org/wordpress/
Riding House Cafe openned across the road from us 3 years ago. Owned by the guys who run the amazing Village East and The Garrison in Bermondsey, it has been packed since day one. We are very happy to have them as quality neighbours.
I’m not sure of the dates, perhaps two years ago, the amazing Bonnie Gull seafood shack opened around the corner on Foley street, and they have just opened up their second store in Exmouth Market, bigger and better than the original.
A year ago, the BBC finalised their move to the headquarters at the top of Regent street, bringing 7,000 people to the area. Around that time, Attendant cafe opened in an underground Victorian toilet just up the road next to the Crown and Sceptre. Then, in the middle of last year, on Great Portland Street, a great restaurant called Picture opened to critical acclaim. Speaking of the Crown and Sceptre, in January this year they took a month off to refurbish, moving the bar to a more practical, service orientated spot and improving their menu offer.
This Monday coming, Honest Burgers will open their doors on the corner of Great Titchfield street and Market Place and in a about a month or so, Burger and Lobster will open on Little Portland Street. A minutes walk along this little street towards Regent street, is another great coffee place, Mothers Milk which opened about six months ago.
Two weeks ago, at the top of Regent street, just down from All Souls Church, Byron Burgers opened and news in this week is that both Workshop Coffee and Curators Coffee will soon be opening just off Regent street. Workshop will be in Mortimer street, Curators will be in Margaret street.
Adding to this is the news that Wahaca have been granted a licence to open on the north-east corner of Great Portland and Margaret in a 2,500 sqf ground and basement location with massive windows overlooking the junction. I’m sure building works will probably start soon.
Of course we also have Fitzroy Place opening on the site of the old Middlesex Hospital at the end of the year with over 220,000 sqf of office space. Estee lauder have taken one of the whole offices with 140,000 sqf, and there is over 300 apartments already sold on site as well, and a 5,000 sqf restaurant opening in the middle of building, overlooking the square and old church.
So yes, it’s all happening in Fitzrovia West. We hope you can come and visit too.
Peter Dore-Smith
Director
Kaffeine Ltd
66 Great Titchfield st.
15 Eastcastle st.
