Sunday 8 March 2009

New things

I see the cafe on the corner of Chamberlayne Road and Harvist Road is about to open, looks like it might be the answer to the prayers of the commenter here who bemoaned the lack of places to lounge around and check your emails. Also I notice (perhaps a bit late) the Jamaican restaurant that used to be the Indian/Thai combo now has a menu up, and has taken the old sign down.

Tyler Brule noted in the FT yesterday that many shops have closed down in Notting Hill (a check of Street Sensation confirms this) and I think we've been lucky so far in Kensal Rise that - for whatever reason - we've seen more openings than closures.

Update: Apparently called HARVIST, as the road, according to our comments.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe the congestion charge together with the recession has damaged Notting Hill more than others.

Anonymous said...

The new cafe is called Harvist. Be interesting to see what they offer.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone see the BBC News about the scheme in Shropshire. A discount card for local shops. It costs £2.50 and you get 10% off all participating businesses. This is done to encourage people to use local businesses rather than Sainsburys/Tesco etc... I think it is a great idea. The businesses were seeing custom increase too.

Maybe a Kensal Card or something would be a great idea, encompassing all shops, delis, pubs, cafes etc... in the area.

What does everyone reckon?

Matthew said...

One problem with such schemes is that much of the use will come from people who would have spent money at the shop anyway, so its a subsidy to them. So the question is really how much news business does it attract, and whether that offsets the old business.

Anonymous said...

Bemoaner here!! Yay.. am quite excited to have a place to lounge and check e-mails1 I do hope its the answer to my prayers :)

Anonymous said...

Do we know what's happening to Samson Miro? Are they just re-decorating or have they closed down?

Anonymous said...

As I pass on the bus I always have a nosey. It looks stripped down in there with numerous boards etc... all over the shop (so to speak).

Maybe it will be more wine bar than wine shop. Hope it does not close.

Also on the Caribbean restaurant, I wouldn't fancy going in there as it looks like people or friends of the owner just hang out there watching TV. Not very enticing.

When is Harvist opening? Looks lush in there?

Matthew said...

i just passed harvist on the bus and it has a porter which i think says monday 7th april. Other commenters have said samson is to reopen as more of a bar

Anonymous said...

Minor update on Samson Miro's. It has been gutted inside, painted light colours and had someone working in it today.