Fulham Residents' Journal Jan 18

R E SI DE N TS’ JOU R NA L JAN UARY 2018

Issue 61

w r i t t e n f o r t h e r e s i d e n t s o f s w6

R E SI DE N TS’ JOU R NA L JAN UARY 2018 • I s sUe 61

We highly value your feedback, for editorial enquiries, please email f.lee-rogers@residentsjournal.co.uk For advertising enquiries, telephone Sophie Roberts on 0330 113 3073 or email s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk

w w w. R e s I d e N t s J o U R N A l . c o . U k 020 7987 4320

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

from the editor Happy New Year! To celebrate the start of 2018, we’ve given

R ESI DE N TS’ JOU R NA L

ourselves an exterior overhaul, in the form of a brand new cover

JAN UARY 2018 • I s sUe 61

design. We do hope you like it.

In light of new beginnings and resolutions, we’ve also thrown ourselves into a health and well-being theme for this edition. We reveal four wellness trends that are going to be all the rage this year (p.10), check in with long-standing private healthcare practice Basuto (p.7) and round up all the latest health and beauty news; whether it’s a new fitness class, or beauty product to leave you looking and feeling fabulous (p.8). elsewhere, thoughts turn to the creative arts as we interview the long-standing artistic director of Finborough Theatre, Neil McPherson, to find out about what’s in store for the COVER: Home of Millie and Sean Cochrane, turn to page 17. Image: Paul Craig Interior Photography

January-March season (p.22). The culture continues as we chat to classical singer and Fulham resident Carly Paoli, who will be performing at Cadogan Hall in February (p.21).

We also find out about the adventuring antics of inspirational Fulhamite sophie

Managing Editor Francesca Lee-Rogers Editorial Lead William Monroe Editorial Intern Victoria sviggum

Radcliffe, who’s just conquered some of Britian’s highest mountains as part of a unqiue climbing and driving challenge (p.12).

For our food review on page 16, warming pub food at The Malt House provides an antidote to the cold weather as the mercury plummets. enjoy the issue.

Editor-in-Chief Lesley ellwood Managing Director eren ellwood General Manager Fiona smith

William Will iam Monroe, Editorial Editorial Lead Lead

Publishing Director Giles ellwood

CoNteNtS

Executive Director sophie Roberts Designer Paris Fielder Production Hugo Wheatley Jamie steele Alice Ford © hyundai

Distributed to selected homes in Fulham.

8hEaLth & bEauty nEws

The Journal is a platform for locals to discuss issues and events that matter.

Your ‘new year, new you’ beauty, well-being and fitness essentials

Please do not hesitate to get in contact with your news; email: contact@ residentsjournal.co.uk and Twitter users, make sure you follow us @FulhamRJ

wELLnEss tREnDs Four wellness trends that will help you feel healthy and happy in 2018

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

10 12

IntERVIEw: sOPhIE RaDCLIFFE The Fulham adventurer hitting new heights with her latest jaw-dropping challenge

21

sPOtLIGht On: CaRLy PaOLI We preview the classical singer’s upcoming concert at Cadogan Hall

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FOOD REVIEw The Journal visits a winter warmer at Vanston Place

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COChRanE DEsIGn Millie Cochrane on luxury, working with her husband and a new LA office

22

FInbOROuGh thEatRE The artistic director of the Finborough fills us in on the upcoming season

35

LOOkInG ahEaD Two agents share their predictions for the 2018 rental market

© Benjamin ealovega, 2016

[LOCAL InTeResT]

WORD ABOUT TOWN Plans by Hammersmith & Fulham Council for the regeneration of the Town Hall and surrounding area have taken a new turn, with leading architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners now being commissioned to head up the design. Following a public consultation back in November, the Council hopes to submit a planning application early this year and begin construction work in the summer. lbhf.gov.uk

[news]

NOTEBOOK

NOTES OF THE NEW YEAR The award-winning Gorodi/ Braysher Jazz Quartet will open the season for The Music by the Bridge concert series this year. The performance on 2 February will be the first of monthly Friday concerts at All Saints Church between February and July and September and November. Entrance is free, although donations can be made to support choral scholarships for the parish choir.

7.15-8pm, 2 February, All Saints Church, SW6 3LA, 020 7736 3264, allsaints-fulham.org.uk

© 2017 justin thomas

Keep your finger on the pulse with our round-up of local news

CANINE CARE

A FRUITFUL VENTURE

Dogiz, the app that helps you connect with local pet minders, has recently expanded to cover the Fulham area. Whether you are looking for a dog walker, groomer or someone to feed your cat while you’re away, you’ll find a range of services available from licensed and vetted professionals. Additional features include automated payment options and live updates on bookings, which means you can even track your dog during its walk. dogiz.com

Fulham-based company Buddy Burst was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best New Business category at the Hammersmith & Fulham Brilliant Business Awards 2017.

The company, which specialises in seed-based eco-friendly promotional products, is headed up by Jamie Gray and best known for its Seed Sticks, which Gray’s father originally pioneered. buddyburst.com

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A wedding list that’s truly Yours

It’s time to discover wedding list devotion.

To enjoy personal service, and friendly advice. Visit our London showroom, or start browsing now at weddingpresentco.com

the

specII a L spec our essential guide to all things health and beauty

TOP TIPS

In light of resolutions, we spotlight four wellness trends to look out for in the new year

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PERFECT PRACTICE

The Journal finds out what’s new with long-standing private medical practice Basuto

NEWSFLASH Beauty products, a rowing fitness class and a brand new boutique on King’s Road

[LIFESTYLE]

[HEALTH]

MEDICAL MATTERS Basuto Medical Centre has been providing family healthcare to the local community for almost 30 years

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asuto Medical Centre has been serving the SW6 community as an independent family health practice for 28 years, which is testament both to the popularity of the centre among local residents and the dedicated and comprehensive healthcare services provided.

Founded by Dr Hamish McMichen in 1990, Basuto now has a team of five doctors offering a wide range of primary healthcare services. In addition to GP appointments, the surgery also has two osteopaths, a MASTA travel clinic nurse, an addiction counsellor and an in-house dispensary.

Basuto offers a personalised out of hours service, which includes home visits at weekends Primary healthcare services include adult and children consultations, contraceptive care, annual medical checks and infant immunisations.

An association with Beyond Health, who will be offering physiotherapy services, is also in the pipeline, which will add something extra to the already comprehensive Basuto line-up.

As an independent health practice,

Basuto is able to offer patients halfhour consultations and almost always the availability of such a consultation with a doctor on the same day.

The centre is well-known for its welcoming atmosphere and is popular with the many families that make up the local Parsons Green community.

Alongside comprehensive clinical services, Basuto also offers the option of a subscription scheme, allowing the confidence of ongoing care over the

year. This scheme includes charges for prescription and referral services.

Appointments are offered at half hour intervals from 8am-6.30pm, Monday to Friday. Basuto offers a personalised out of hours service, which includes home visits at weekends and out of office hours during the week.

Basuto Medical Centre, 29 Basuto Road, SW6 4BJ, 020 7736 7557, basuto.com

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life in colour Those harbouring fond memories of their childhood Crayola box should look to Marc Jacobs Beauty for crayons with a grown-up twist. Modelled in the campaign by Londoner Adwoa Aboah, the new line of lipsticks – dubbed Le Marc Liquid Lip Crayon – boasts long-lasting colour and precise application. £25 each, harrods.com

[news]

something in blue The new scent by Tiffany & Co. is a bouquet of iris and patchouli, housed in a flacon inspired by the jeweller’s most famous diamond cuts.

If you can’t get enough of its fragrant florals, bathe in the matching shower gel first.

Eau de parfum, from £52, shower gel, £32, tiffany.co.uk

health & Beauty Keeping you looking and feeling your best this month

peace of mind Happy Space, a non-profit organisation founded by Fulham residents to help educate and support university students regarding their mental wellbeing, has recently launched a 90-page guide book. Organised under the headings Mind, Body, Food, Finance and Art, the book is free and features contributions from the likes of neuroscientist Tim Salmons and psychoanalyst Judith Apps.

Celebrities including Stephen Fry, Arianna Huffington and Dame Kelly Holmes have also lent their backing to a planned second book. happyspace.org.uk

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a leg up Fulham-based dedicated leg-care brand Legology has introduced its new Signature Leg Contouring Massage. The treatment employs exfoliation, deep massage techniques and cupping to stimulate circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage, release blockages and fluid retention and help the body to metabolise – all of which is designed to leave the legs feeling lighter, tighter and fully rejuvenated.

From £120, 415 Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6SX, 020 7348 6961, legology.co.uk

[LIFesTYLe] news froms nars

© CW+

charitable delivery Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is set to begin work this year on a new state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit. The plans were born after a recent £3million gift from the Khoo Teck Puat UK Foundation. The 42-cot Khoo Teck Puat Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is due to open in 2020 and will enable the treatment of an extra 150 critically ill babies a year. chelwest.nhs.uk

© ABOLI

Nars Cosmetics has opened its second London boutique on King’s Road.

The sleek store, conceived by founder and creative director François Nars and Fabien Baron, of New York design firm Baron & Baron, features a technology focused sales area, replete with interactive iPads for a virtual makeup ‘try before you buy’ experience. Why not pop in to check out the new launch ‘NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette’, which is available exclusively at the new store in celebration of the opening.

27 King’s Road, SW3 4RP, narscosmetics.co.uk

[FITness cL ass]

oarsome exercise get fit with friends at fulham reach boat club

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f you want to get back on the fitness trail for a streamlined look in the new year, then ‘Rowfit’ at Fulham Reach Boat Club is the course for you. The spinning-style class on rowing machines provides a fantastic full-body workout that is open to all ages and abilities. The sessions combine high-intensity sprints with core body conditioning exercises on floor mats, all set within a friendly and fun indoor environment.

Fulham Reach Boat Club is also a registered charity that works to give state school pupils in Hammersmith and Fulham the opportunity to participate in rowing. As an added bonus to your fitness campaign, by joining a course you’ll be giving back to the community and helping to provide access to rowing for those that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to participate.

A Rowfit course is made up of onehour sessions held weekly for 10 weeks, with sessions on a Monday evening at 7.15pm and ladies-only sessions held on Tuesdays at 11.30am and Thursdays at 10am. The club also provides ‘Learn to Row’ courses for adults, as well as private rowing coaching, adult and junior membership and corporate sessions.

on 8 and 9 January. The next full course (for ladies only) starts on 18 January.

Taster sessions are also available: contact info@fulhamreachboatclub.com and quote Rowfit2018 to find out more. Unit A, Distillery Wharf, Chancellors Road, W6 9GX, 020 3356 7154, fulhamreachboatclub.co.uk

£150, to sign up for a Rowfit course visit fulhamreachboatclub.co.uk/rowfit. Spaces are still available for courses that started

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[Fitness & Wellness]

Back On The Journal brings you four wellness trends that will help you feel healthy and happy in 2018 VICTORIA SVIGGUM

pilates

© (2016) ChISwICkphOTOGRAphy.COM

© (2016) ChISwICk phOTOGRAphy.COM

massage Massage these days is more than just a treatment for muscles and bones.

A quality massage should make you feel good both physically and mentally, leaving you relaxed and refreshed. Regular massage treatments have been proved to help people cope with the stresses of everyday life and also help relieve anxiety, which can be linked to insomnia, depression and low self-esteem.

Receiving monthly massages can help you continue with your active lifestyle without feeling overwhelmed.

We understand how valuable free time is, so at Fulham Massage & Wellness we have created an effective one-hour full body and face massage treatment, which is designed specifically to relax the whole body and mind.

Agata Dudo, clinic director at Fulham Massage & Wellness 293 New King’s Road, SW6 4RE, 020 3794 9760, fulham-massage.com

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As a rising star in the fitness world, dynamic pilates enjoys a fast-growing fan base around the globe for being the most effective mind and body workout. It’s accessible to anybody and everybody regardless of fitness levels, age or goals, has countless health benefits and is also low-impact in nature. At Heartcore, movements are designed to strengthen, tone and mobilise you from the inside out, while the energy of the group, uplifting tunes

and the motivational support from our brilliant team of instructors gets the best out of you. It’s a challenging workout, which is why we keep classes small in size to provide you with the right level of support and progression you need. It’s a highly transformative workout: maybe that’s why people often say our classes are addictive.

Jess Schuring, founder of Heartcore Fitness 723 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7305 7762, heartcore.co.uk

[liFestYle]

© hAIje ThOMAS

technology Fitness technology is becoming more and more relied on in order to optimise your time working out.

If you have a goal in mind, whether it’s weight loss or fitness, tracking your performance and striving for progression is a must to yield the best results.

At Ride Republic we have our own bespoke BURN board, which is a

live fitness tracking application that measures your total effort. You’re driving that ‘Burn’ score through speed and strength, as it’s a combination of your speed and resistance on the bike.

Our bike consoles show exactly what you are doing and our instructors prompt you to increase or decrease your resistance or speed during the 45-minute class. All your scores are logged on your account in order for you to see your progression and reach your goals. The backdrop is a club-like setting with dark lights, great music and in-house-trained instructors to assist in getting you that ultimate BURN score.

Rachel Rivers, fitness director and personal trainer at Ride Republic 709 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7736 7495, riderepublic.co.uk

nutrition Adaptogens – a hot topic at the moment – are a class of foods and herbs that support the body’s natural resistance to anything that causes it stress. They help improve performance, immunity and gut function and are powerful agents in a world of increased stress, physical and emotional demands, environmental challenges and antibiotic resistance.

Many of these adaptogenic plant

chemicals are found in foods – such as ginger and liquorice – however more concentrated, therapeutic levels tend to be found in herbal medicines such as in schisandra berries and Korean ginseng.

The key is using the adaptogens that will most benefit you through a combination of diet, nutritional supplementation and bespoke formulated herbal prescriptions.

Jennifer Derham, founder of Jennifer Derham Herbal and Nutritional Medicine Dr Jefferies and Partners, 292 Munster Road, SW6 6BQ, 07934 624 320, jenniferderham.co.uk

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[interview]

The Summit of The Journal meets adventurer and Fulham resident Sophie Radcliffe to find out about a trail-blazing driving and climbing challenge and her love of the outdoors william monroe

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attling gale-force winds, driving snow and temperatures of -10°C, Sophie Radcliffe stoically descended Ben Nevis after ten hours on the move and just a snatched couple of hours of sleep.

Climbing the highest mountain in Britain was just a small part of The Kona 10 challenge, an epic undertaking that saw adventurer and endurance athlete Sophie conquer ten iconic volcanic landscapes across the UK and Ireland in under 72 hours, driving from climb to climb in the Kona, the new compact SUV from Hyundai.

Hyundai worked with historian Dr Michael Scott and volcanologist Dr Julia Crummy to uncover the secrets behind some of the UK and Ireland’s volcanic landscapes, mapping a route which is now available to the public, should they

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all images © hyundai

wish to follow in Sophie’s footsteps.

Sophie, who quit her city job four years ago to pursue a life of adventure and challenges, scaled heights ranging from the relatively straightforward Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh to the likes of Snowdon, the highest mountain in England Scafell Pike, and the notorious Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. The new Kona, which Sophie says is a “dream” and “super easy to drive,” was her trusty travel companion. She continues: “It’s a very Fulhamite car, it’s perfect for the city, but we drove it off-road and it was great.”

Sophie rates reaching the summit of Ben Nevis as one of the high points of the experience. “Standing

on the summit of Ben Nevis was incredible,” she says enthusiastically. “At that moment you’re the highest person in Britain, it’s a very cool feeling. It was a complete white out for the last hour of climbing it. As we stood on the summit the clouds lifted.

“At that moment you’re the highest person in Britain, it’s a very cool feeling” It was sunset and we could see these amazing pink skies – it was so beautiful.”

In such locations natural beauty abounds, and tackling the Bla Bheinn climb on Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye was another special aesthetic moment. “The Isle of Sky was the pièce

[LiFeStYLe] else. Closer to home, as a born and bred Fulhamite and current resident, Sophie enjoys running next to the Thames (“there’s a classic loop around Fulham, Putney and Hammersmith”) and training at UN1T, a gym on Wandsworth Bridge Road that places camaraderie at the centre of its ethos. When she’s not hitting the fitness trail she enjoys a beer at The White Horse or pizza and pasta at Il Pagliaccio: “It’s my local and I’ve known them since forever.”

de résistance,” says Sophie. “It was just so incredibly beautiful. We woke up in the morning and it was gale-force winds and hail stones. Two hours later we were climbing and it was blue skies and sunshine, virgin snow everywhere. You have to take the rough with the smooth a lot of the time, so when you get beautiful weather and views, you really appreciate it.”

One of the more surreal moments of the challenge came after Sophie had conquered Scafell Pike and was on the way

back down to her team far below, battling to prevent being blown off her feet by strong winds amid temperatures of -15°C. Naturally, her thoughts turned to a hearty pub roast. “I was so hungry and desperate to have a proper meal,” she laughs. “I radioed ahead and asked what options we had and the team decided we could stop for a proper meal. I had 4G up there so I went on the pub menu, found out what I wanted and then radioed back. It was such a random moment to be having when you’re coming down from a mountain.”

Sophie’s life as an adventurer has seen her partake in jungle racing in Borneo, cycle 300km from London to Paris in 24 hours on nine occasions, race her bike coast-to-coast across the US, complete 100km ultra-marathons and take part in the World’s Toughest Mudder on two occasions. But she ranks her greatest achievement as climbing the highest mountains in eight Alpine countries and cycling in between them over the period of 32 days, a feat achieved by no-one

Sophie’s also invested a lot of time into a project close to her heart, a youth empowerment initiative called Trailblazers, which she recently launched in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust.

When I speak to her she’s just visited four London schools, one of which was Fulham Cross Girls’ School, working with teenage girls on a programme based on workshops and challenges. “It’s been an amazing week and I’m really excited about where that’s going to go in the future,” she tells me. “It’s all about helping these girls to live courageously and create their own paths in life.”

Does Sophie have a message for those of a less active persuasion or people bored by a mundane routine who might wish to emulate her and cast off the shackles of an office desk job? “We’ve got this amazing natural world and I would love more people to go and experience it. I quit my job with this vision that I could create another story. I had to find another way of finding out what I was capable of doing. I gained a confidence, drive and resilience that I’d never felt before. I know we all have really busy lives, but we should turn our phones off and get outside. It’s so positive for our mental health and general happiness.”

To find out more about Sophie, visit challengesophie.com, or follow her on Instagram @challengesophie

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ORIGINAL, LIMITED-EDITION ART DECO POSTERS

Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from paper, measuring 97 x 65 cms.

Priced at £395 each.

Private commissions are also welcome.

Pullman Editions Ltd 94 Pimlico Road Chelsea London SW1W 8PL www.pullmaneditions.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 0547 Email: georgina@pullmaneditions.com

Our central London gallery

All images and text copyright © Pullman Editions Ltd. 2017

View and buy online at w w w.pullmaneditions.com

[LIFESTYLE]

GLUTEN-FREE GLUTTONY If you’re gluten intolerant but craving excellent pizza and pasta, look no further than Meridionale.

The Italian restaurant uses gluten-free casarecce pasta and whole-wheat penne pasta from a specialist Naples producer.

The casarecce recipe has been carefully developed to produce high-fibre gluten-free pasta, in the knowledge that many on a gluten-free diet struggle to eat enough fibre. The restaurant also uses artisan, hand-stretched gluten-free pizza bases from Bocconcini Bakery for a unique and superior taste.

311 New King’s Road, SW6 4RF, 020 310 51699, meridionale.london

[NEWS]

FOOD & DRINK

Warning: the following may make you hungry and thirsty

back TO basics If you’re looking to get back into shape this January, there’s no better way than with a home-delivery service.

Welcome to Nosh Detox, which produces freshly made, non-pasteurised juice diets and detox and nutritional plans that are ideal for those who don’t know where to start when it comes to overhauling their regimes. Founder Geeta Sidhu-Robb says: “Some people shy away from the word ‘detox’ because of the emotional connotations, but in fact it’s all about what we eat and how this can impact the way we look and feel. We should always be looking to eat the healthiest foods possible. We are what we eat at the end of the day.” noshdetox.com

FLaVOUR OF THE MONTH

JUicY DETaiLs

A new luxury bakery has opened its doors in Parsons Green.

Flavourtown Bakery’s first store will deliver a range of freshly baked products, including new additions such as ‘The Boss Brownie’ and ‘Parsons Green Peanut Pie’ – an Oreo crust with a peanut butter cream cheese filling, topped with a layer of single origin organic chocolate ganache. See you there.

771 Fulham Road, SW6 5HA, flavourtownbakery.co.uk

Danish juice bar and coffee chain Joe & The Juice has opened a new store on Fulham Road, bringing its Nordic-chic interiors and freshly prepared juices, coffees and sandwiches to the area. The hipster-style concept is sure to be a popular addition with both commuters and juice junkies.

299 Fulham Road, SW10 9QH, joejuice.com

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[REVIEW]

PUB GRUB

The Journal discovers large portions, hearty pub fare and a buzzy atmosphere at The Malt House, a gastropub and hotel restaurant on Vanston Place WILLIAM MONROE

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It’s warming stuff, aided and abetted by a South African Chenin Blanc My friend’s saving herself for a fullscale assault on dessert, so I’m left to plough a lone furrow when it comes to a starter of pork rilettes with accompanying toast and red onion jam. It’s rich and buttery and the pot is pleasingly large, so much so that I don’t manage to make my way through it all before I run out of toast: first world problems.

Wednesday night at The Malt House is steak night. As regular readers of this page know I’m certainly partial to a rib-eye, sirloin, or any cut of beef for that matter. But on this occasion, despite significant temptation – the chief culprit

© jOdI hINds 2016

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fOOd phOtOgRAphy © BERNARd ZIEjA 2016

hen I visit The Malt House, a gastropub that also doubles as a hotel and calls Vanston Place home, its bright lights and promised warmth act as a beacon amid the rain-washed streets of Fulham on an evening of pervasive wet weather, with the temperature hovering just above freezing. On entry my friend and I are greeted by a hum of noise and good cheer – the locals are in full voice and the restaurant area is filled with diners.

© jOdI hINds 2016

is the Black Angus sirloin steak with thrice-cooked chips – I exercise a degree of restraint. I go for the pan-fried wild halibut fillet, which arrives crowning a roasted pepper, fennel and borlotti bean stew. My friend opts for the same after her starter no-show.

The fish is cooked well and falls away nicely at the touch of a fork, but it is a little bland. The accompanying borlotti bean stew is pleasant enough, but I feel that the overall dish is slightly lacking in flavour. Perhaps I would have been better off listening to my gut instinct and ordering the steak. Still though, you can’t argue with the portion size and it’s warming stuff, aided and abetted by a South African Chenin Blanc that slips down nicely.

Dessert is also a bit hit and miss. The chocolate fudge cake is delicious, but the lashings of two types of chocolate

sauce drizzled all over the plate – alongside a scoop of chocolate ice cream – feels like overkill, although the chunks of honeycomb work really well in combination. Decadent this certainly is, a little too much so for my tastes, although if you’re a chocolate advocate this one will be a winner. My friend’s plum and apple crumble with toffee and popcorn ice cream is a little too sweet for me, but she seems to enjoy it.

Steady but unspectacular is my verdict; the food isn’t going to win a Michelin star any time soon, but it’s decent, hearty fare with a menu that places an emphasis on British produce with a Mediterranean twist. This cosy and relaxed winter warmer with an informal vibe is certainly worth a try if you fancy an evening out of the kitchen.

17 Vanston Place, SW6 1AY, 020 7084 6888, malthousefulham.co.uk

[LIFESTYLE]

[INTERVIEW]

luxury liaison

The Journal meets one half of the husband and wife team behind luxury interior design firm Cochrane Design, to find out about celebrity clients and a new office set to launch in the City of Angels william monroe

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usband and wife team Millie and Sean Cochrane, the founders of luxury interior design firm Cochrane Design, didn’t get into the world of interiors via a conventional route. Far from it, in fact.

The two, who have been married for 17 years, met when she acted as an agent for Sean during his career as a model. “We travelled quite a lot,” Millie explains. “We were always interested in the design of hotels and grand houses; we both just had a passion for beautiful things. Sean’s father was an engineer so I think he’s got something innate in him about buildings and structure. We started by developing property; buying albeit “with a functional flats purely for our own aspect”. A case in point is © chris sharp investment. We decided to their beautiful home on take it onto the next level, Cambria Street [pictured] so continued developing but also opened – which they designed together – where up a business where we were doing it for they live with their three children. other people and getting paid for it.”

A-list clients have included Westlife singer Markus Feehily and Dame Helen Mirren, with Cochrane Design delivering what Millie terms “high-end luxury”,

A-list clients have included Westlife singer Markus Feehily and Dame Helen Mirren

© paUl craiG inTerior phoToGraphY

Although she and Sean are mostly in sync when it comes to their work, with disagreements rare, Millie, who’s artistic director of the company, jokes about acting as a marriage counsellor to “couples who have completely opposite ideas”. She continues: “We do have slightly different tastes, but we always meet in the middle, it actually works really well. My forte is bathrooms and kitchens and he’ll be thinking more

© PAUL CRAIG INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY

about the library, study, gym. So yes, we complement each other.”

On top of their design services – which range from small renovations to designing a shell of a home from scratch “down to the last pencil in that pot” – the couple have launched a bespoke furniture range, which proves useful when it comes to complementing their designs and complying with unique client requests.

“Again, it just kind of grew and grew, it started off as things like sofas and then it went onto beds and headboards and curtains, right down to boxes and trays.”

The company is currently expanding and Millie has been busy jetting back and forth across the pond as she spearheads a new office in Los Angeles, which is set to launch later on in the year. “I fell in love with LA when I went on a trip there earlier last year” she says. “I think we’re more than capable and ready to expand, so I thought why not do it in LA?” Why not indeed.

Britannia House, Britannia Way, SW6 2HJ, 020 7751 0075, cochranedesign.com

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[LIFESTYLE]

SHADES OF GREY A couple of new releases by Orchid have caught our eye. First, a low cabinet with a gunmetal grey matte lacquer finish. Ideal as a TV stand and media centre, the unit is made from Chinese pine and boasts both shelf and drawer storage. Complete your living room with the cosy new Moroccan Velvet Pouffe – the grey is our favourite, although it also comes in teal and pink. £1,195 and £225, 604 King’s Road, SW6 2DX, 020 7384 2443, orchidfurniture.co.uk

EmiliE mauran of riBa-chartErEd Emr architEcturE on what to ExpEct from 2018 trEnds and thE EffEct of BrExit on thE architEctural markEt Three years ago, most of my clients were people who had just bought a house and wanted to renovate before moving in. However, because of the uncertainty surrounding the property market and the rise in stamp duty, this trend has changed.

[NEWS]

INTERIORS

The latest interiors offerings for a stylish home

A lot of people are now choosing to extend and improve their properties, rather than looking to move. People are also more cautious about the money they spend and what they really need.

Brexit has had an undeniable effect on business. Being French and close to the expat community, I used to have quite a lot of continental clients, which is not the case anymore. Currently, 90 per cent of my clients are English. French and Italians seem to be awaiting the impact of Brexit and are holding off for now both on buying and renovating.

2018 is probably going to be a difficult

NATURAL ORDER

year in the property market, but I’m

Deirdre Dyson presents its 2018 collection Horizons. Taking inspiration from the natural world, the five new carpet designs include Seascape, Skyscape, Dusk, Sea Mist and Rivulets. Colour-grading techniques and a combination of fabrics are used to represent the variety of textures and light found in nature.

554 King’s Road, SW6 2DZ, 020 7384 4464, deirdredyson.com

remaining optimistic. House design is

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now an integral part of people’s lives and families are realising that improving the

HAPPY HIBERNATION Snuggle up this winter with the new Neve bedding by Yves Delorme, featuring a geometric motif on 100 per cent cotton sateen with rounded edges, all in a pure white. The collection also includes a decorative quilt and pillow and bathroom accessories such as towels, a bathrobe, slippers and cosmetics bag.

Stocked at And So To Bed, 591-593 King’s Road, SW6 2EH or 158 Walton Street, SW3 2JL, 020 7589 4033, yvesdelorme.com

home can have a dramatic impact on their general happiness. At the moment, the kitchen is the main focus and that will continue to be the case as people increasingly turn to hosting.

EMR Architecture, 19 Daisy Lane, SW6 3DD, 07484 922 003, emrdesign.co.uk

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[culture]

[profile]

PITCH PERFECT Classical singer Carly Paoli – who counts the Pope and Prince Charles as fans – on headlining an upcoming concert at Cadogan Hall, her Fulham connections and performing in the Roman Forum william monroe

What can we expect from the concert at Cadogan Hall on 15 February?

backstage. I thought, “Oh my goodness, what have I just walked into?” But that’s the moment that really kicked off everything for me and I’ve never looked back.

I’m headlining; it gives me a chance to perform all of the music from the album as it should be heard with a full orchestra – there’ll be more than 60 musicians on stage. My special guests are The Tenors from Canada – you would have seen them performing for the Queen on her 90th birthday celebrations.

You won the prestigious Premio Barocco award in 2017?

It’s opened another door and I think that’s what the Premio Barocco award was all about, the fact that I celebrate my Italian heritage – and of course it’s another feature on the album. My mother’s Italian, so I would spend summers in Puglia. It became a place that gave me most of my performance experience – as a young student I was able to spend four or five nights a week performing in piazzas.

Talk us through your debut album Singing My Dreams.

My first original song, a modern Ave Maria composed

by Romano Musumarra, became adopted by the Vatican as the official song for Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year of Mercy. Leading out of that, we had the most amazing concert in the Roman Forum – something that’s never been done before – which was broadcast by Sky Arts. For another song, called A Time for Mercy, the lyrics derive from Pope Francis’s own words in his autobiography.

What do you like about living in Fulham?

How did you first get into singing?

I sang from the age of three, on all my home videos I’m singing to Disney tunes! I started proper singing lessons when I was nine years old. My sound was always a classical sound; it was the default of where I wanted to go vocally.

I’ve always been with the same

singing teacher, the same lady I met at nine – she’s now my musical director.

What’s your career highlight to date?

The moment that everything started happening for me. I

became the brand ambassador for a luxury watch company. One of the first events they put me forward for was David Foster’s Miracle Gala & Concert. I didn’t really know what to expect; I walked in for my sound check and Jennifer Hudson was on stage, and Steven Tyler was waiting

I feel I live in a suitcase, so I’m in and out all the time. But it’s a lovely place to live, I love the restaurants and the independent boutiques. I sometimes go to Luigi’s Deli – it’s just like going into a deli store in Italy, everything’s really fresh and authentic.

7.30pm, 15 February, tickets from £25, on sale from carlypaoli.tmstor.es and cadoganhall.com

21

[INTERVIEW]

Pub Size isn’t everything in the theatrical world – as the long-standing artistic director of the 50-seat Finborough Theatre explains william monroe

T

he internationally renowned Finborough Theatre, a 50-seat venue above the Finborough Arms pub, has long been a bastion of independent artistic excellence, punching well above its weight on the theatrical circuit despite its small size.

Neil McPherson, who’s been the artistic director of the theatre since 1999, is uncompromising when it comes to his consistently excellent creative approach, with a focus on thoughtprovoking new texts allied to the rediscovery of neglected works from the 19th and 20th centuries.

2018 is the 150th anniversary of the building (the theatre is 37 years old) and, to mark the milestone, the Finborough will be featuring a series of plays from 1868 throughout the year.

Cyril’s Success, written

by H J Byron, will run during the JanuaryMarch season. Byron’s grave can be found just down the road at Brompton Cemetery, a detail which illustrates Neil’s talent for unearthing plays with links to the local area.

Viewers of Cyril’s Success can expect satire and comedy in abundance, “with lots of piss-taking of critics, press people and authors and actors.” Five new plays will also run during the January-March season, including Into the Numbers, which concerns the horrific events of the Nanking massacre of 1937, when The Imperial Japanese Army sacked the city and committed war crimes on a mass scale. Neil continues:

“If you come here, you’ll see something you won’t see anywhere else”

22

[CULTURE]

© andy lo pò

© isabella giorgio

“Probably the most controversial will be Returning to Haifa, which is based on a novel by a Palestinian author [Ghassan Kanafani] who was assassinated by Mossad in 1972. Along with that is a new play, Checkpoint Chana, which is about whether criticising Israel is antisemitism, or whether there is a valid point to be made there. So, there’s a bit of fun with Cyril’s Success, but also some quite meaty, controversial new plays.”

I’m particularly interested in the ‘rediscovery plays’ and quiz Neil to that effect. How does he have such a knack for rediscovering genuine artistic talent that has faded into the realms of obscurity over the years?

“It’s just a lot of reading,” comes the modest reply. “For the rediscoveries it’s just reading and reading and reading, and finding the ones that jump out. There’s no point in a 50-seat theatre doing something which you could see at The Old Vic with Benedict Cumberbatch and a budget of £5m. We always try to do those plays which nobody else has done. If you come here, you’ll see something you won’t see anywhere else.”

By definition a 50-seat theatre brings with it a unique sense of intimacy, and fans have travelled from as far as Toronto and Yerevan in Armenia to experience shows. “It’s intimate as you get,” Neil says. “When you have Rachel Weisz, or some of the other big names who’ve acted here, you’re never going to see them that close up.”

The size is not without its caveats however, with funding naturally a strain amid the current climate of theatre revival in London and competition from larger rivals.

Neil doesn’t pull any punches in his straightforward assessment of the situation. “We’re unfunded, so financially it’s incredibly difficult, we have to soldier on. It is getting to the point where, without some proper funding and support, the future might be in doubt.”

Although he’s been artistic director of the Finborough since 1999, Neil remains constantly energised by his role and the variety it affords: “I can read an old play and rediscover it, then go and paint something, then go and do the accounts and run the box office.” He also writes plays when the time affords, with one of his 2017 works nominated for an Olivier award and transferred to the West End. Will he be penning one this year? “I’ll tell you more nearer the time,” he laughs.

“I really only have time to do one a year, or one every two years or so. It’ll probably be January 2019.”

The discovery of new talent – whether that’s actors, intriguing texts by up-and-coming playwrights, or plays of the past – is something that Neil’s also constantly enthused by.

“There’s always more to discover,” he says with vigour. “Whether that’s the old play nobody has seen for 80 odd years or finding that talent of tomorrow. James Graham who started with us now has two plays running in the West End. Mike Bartlett has Doctor Foster on TV – there’s always more to find, discover and continually try and be better.”

Fans have travelled from as far as Toronto and Yerevan in Armenia to experience shows

© douglas mackie

118 Finborough Road, SW10 9ED, 0844 847 1652, finboroughtheatre.co.uk

23

DIRECTORY

All of the essentials are taken care of in our roundup for harmonious living

Property Services [estAte Agents]

Carter Jonas Bishops Park 361 Fulham Palace Road Sales: 020 7731 3333 Lettings: 020 7751 8898 and Parsons Green 783 Fulham Road Sales: 020 7751 8899 Lettings: 020 7751 8898 Douglas & gordon 656 Fulham Road 020 7731 4391

Knight frank 203 New King’s Road 020 7751 2400

strutt & Parker 701 Fulham Road 020 7731 7100

Marsh & Parsons 103-105 Moore Park Road 020 7736 9822 and 333 Fulham Palace Road 020 7993 9888

snell & snell 64 New King’s Road 020 7736 7739

Draker Lettings 581 Fulham Road SW6 5UA 020 7042 1200 draker.co.uk

savills 191 New King’s Road 020 7731 9400 423 Fulham Palace Road 020 7578 9050 Chestertons Three offices – one great postcode 78 New King’s Road 020 7731 4448

[MoVing seRViCes] Abels Moving services UK Residential, European and International Removals & Storage 020 3773 5796 info@abels.co.uk abels.co.uk

[PRoPeRtY MAnAgeMent]

Bold & Reeves 020 7408 7590 boldandreeves.co.uk

Fashion, Health & Beauty [fAshion]

essam guenedy 273 New King’s Road 020 7751 3348

Allison Rodger 279a New King's Road SW6 4RD 020 7821 7000 allisonrodger.co.uk

iceblu 24a New King’s Road 020 7371 9292

[hAiR sALon]

Marc Wallace 261 New King’s Road 020 7736 6795 Claudia sebire 136 Fulham Road 020 7835 1327 ethical Collection ethicalcollection.com

24

gina Conway 612 Fulham Road 020 7731 7633

[PhARMACY]

Palace Pharmacy 331 Fulham Palace Road 020 7736 3034

[sPeCiAList]

fulham osteopathic Care 'Our practice was established

by Isabel Diaz, Osteopath and Midwife from her home in Parsons Green' 959-961 Fulham Road SW6 5HY 0207 736 1846 07956 283 276 fulhamosteopathiccare.co.uk elenique Aesthetics skin Clinic ‘Improve your skin health and deepen your knowledge about skincare’ 959-961 Fulham Road SW6 5HY 020 3637 4549 contact@eleniqueaesthetics.co.uk eleniqueaesthetics.co.uk

Mortar & Milk 793 Fulham Road SW6 5HD 020 7731 3415 mortarandmilk.com

[PRiVAte heALthCARe] Basuto Medical Centre An established independent family practice offering ongoing general medical care for individuals and families, including immunisations and health screening checks 29 Basuto Road, SW6 4BJ 020 7736 7557 basuto.com

Coyne Medical 109 New King’s Road, SW6 4SJ 020 7731 3077 coynemedical.com

[directory]

Home [hoMe Design]

finite solutions 020 7371 8761 finitesolutions.co.uk Red Box Studio 19, Hurlingham Studios, Ranelagh Gardens, SW6 3PA 020 7381 1539 redboxlondon.com

Your Architect London 965 Fulham Road SW6 5JJ 020 3405 6820 yourarchitect.london

Jo Cowen Architects Burlington House 184-186 New King's Road SW6 3JH 020 7371 0357 jocowendesign.com

eMR Architecture 19 Daisy Lane SW6 3DD 07484 922 003 emrdesign.co.uk

[inteRioR Design]

sacre Bleu London sacrebleulondon.co.uk

emmanuelle sirven The French touch in interior design.

07748 098 578 emmanuellesirven.com

Roundhouse 857 Fulham Road, SW6 5HJ 020 7736 7362 roundhousedesign.com

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Bembé UK Ltd German craft since 1780.

315-317 New King’s Road 07794 906621

[tiLing]

Porcelanosa Wandsworth Bridge Road 08444 818952

Schools & Nurseries Chelsea independent College 517-523 Fulham Road 020 7610 1114

fulham Cross girls’ school Munster Road 020 7381 0861

Kensington Prep school 596 Fulham Road 020 7731 9300

Parsons green Prep school 1 Fulham Park Road 020 7371 9009

fulham Prep school 200 Greyhound Road 020 7386 2444

The hampshire school 15 Manresa Road 020 7352 7077

hurlingham and Chelsea school Peterborough Road 020 7731 2581

L’ecole des Petits 2 Hazlebury Road 020 7371 8350

The London oratory school Seagrave Road 020 7385 0102

Millie's house 344-346 Fulham Palace Road 020 7381 9523 163 New King's Road 020 7731 0440 Distillery Lane, Fulham Palace Road 020 8748 4303 millieshouse.net

Essentials [BUiLDeR]

William gaze Ltd. Construction 28 Imperial Square 020 7078 8874

[PLUMBing]

sweetapple heating & Plumbing 130 Stephendale Road 020 7371 0409 07889 184146

[RestAURAnt] Meridionale 311 New King’s Road SW6 4RF 020 310 51699 meridionale.london

[CLeAning seRViCes] Cleaning services fulham 020 3746 3064 Domestic Cleaners 020 3404 6962 Cinderella Cleaning & ironing services 0757 8798 422

Speciality shops and services [Wine MeRChAnt] Last Drop Wines 492 King's Road 020 7351 2973 lastdropwines.com

[gifts]

Quirky gadgets 823 Fulham Road 020 7736 6735

[ARt gALLeRY]

[WeDDing List seRViCes]

Pullman editions 94 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PL 020 7730 0547 pullmaneditions.com

the Wedding Present Company First Floor Furniture and Arts Building, 533 King’s Road, SW10 0TZ 020 7622 6300 weddingpresentco.com

25

property Stay on the money when it comeS to the local market Ringmer Avenue, ÂŁ2,650,000. Marketed

by Strutt & Parker struttandparker.com

FUTURE FORECAST Three local agents look ahead and share their expert predictions for the 2018 lettings market

BOLD NEW WORLD The managing director of Bold & Reeves tells us about his innovative property management service

PLANNING MATTERS Plans are underway to deliver an exciting new Sands End Arts and Community Centre in South Park

[PROPERTY]

[PROPERTY nEws]

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

match day madness here’s our handy guide to Fulham Fc and chelsea Fc home games so you can avoid the gridlock

Important plans affecting your area

IMAGES © FORBES MASSIE AND Mæ

CENTRE OF THE COMMUNITY

Work is set to start on the exciting new Sands End Arts and Community Centre in South Park

M

æ Architects is working with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to build a new Sands End Arts and Community Centre in South Park.

The centre will feature a café, children’s day nursery and a garden. The aim is to provide spaces for a variety of social and educational activities and events, and it is

Fulham Fc

chelsea Fc

20 January:

13 January:

3pm

3pm

3 February:

31 January:

3pm

7.45pm

is putting forward £1.6m to fulfil its community contribution as a part of the club’s planned stadium redevelopment.

A community trust made up of local residents will run the centre, with work set to get underway shortly and construction scheduled to start in the spring. The new building will open in 2019.

Councillor Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: “This beautiful new centre will enhance people’s well-being across Sands End and south Fulham. It will be set up to ensure [...] that residents are in the driving seat.” lbhf.gov.uk, mae.co.uk

hoped that the centre, like its predecessor, will become a real hub for the community.

The disused Clancarty Lodge and the site around it in South Park are currently being renovated to that effect.

Funding for the project has been generated from Thames Tideway, which is providing £2m as part of its community investment and Chelsea FC, which

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27

Anselm Road, Fulham, SW6

A spacious four bedroom terraced property Situated on a quiet residential street with excellent access to West Brompton and Fulham Broadway, this superb family house comprises four bedrooms, three bathrooms, spacious kitchen, reception room, utility room and good sized patio garden.

EPC: D. Approximately 172 sq m (1,850 sq ft).

KnightFrank.co.uk/fulham Fulham@knightfrank.com 020 8115 8643

Freehold

Guide price: £1,495,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/FLH170194

@KF_SWLondon KnightFrank.co.uk

[PROPERTY nEws]

JAMES DAVIES, OFFICE HEAD, knIgHt FrAnk FulHAM

LONDON PLAN TO PROTECT THE GREEN B BELT ELT

during the hours leading up to midnight.

Mayor Khan has set out a green-tinted vision with the launch of his draft London Plan

– amongst other features – a superb gym

With the indulgent Christmas food and party season still ringing in our ears, many people’s thoughts start to turn to the new Year’s resolutions they hazily recall making

I recently sold a stunning house that had in the basement, along with a sauna and Jacuzzi. Clearly not every house has the space for this but thankfully, in Fulham, help is at hand…

We are blessed with a superb number of gyms and fitness centres that range from the large household names of David lloyd and Virgin, to the much smaller and specialised studios like ride republic and F45, which opens this month.

If you don’t fancy sweating it out indoors then there are plenty of exercise classes and personal trainers that operate in the many parks throughout the area (although this sounds chilly in January!). there are also some excellent alternative

S

adiq Khan set up the launch of his draft London Plan with some strong words on protecting the capital’s lungs.

In a bid to fulfil manifesto commitments to protect the Green Belt and make more than half of London green by 2050, rules will be toughened up on what can and can’t be built on “vital” green land in and around the capital.

30

options for a serious workout that can

As such, any planning application that involves building on the Green Belt (which makes up almost a quarter of the capital’s land area) will be flat-refused if it doesn’t meet strict guidelines on what is “appropriate”, like replacing existing buildings with new ones of a similar scale or providing new agricultural buildings.

Meanwhile, boroughs and other “partners” will be forced to improve public access to the Green Belt, and the overall quality of the green space itself.

Khan announced his ambition for London to become the UK’s first National Park City earlier this year, and “green” infrastructure (street trees, green roofs, green walls and rain gardens) will have to play an “integral” role in future development schemes, as opposed to an “add-on”. The changes will bring in new criteria to help developers and planners judge this in terms of promoting well-being, enhancing biodiversity and improving air and water quality, while

be solo or group activities. Did you know, for example, that there is an indoor climbing centre in Parsons green? this will challenge both your strength and stamina and is far more interesting than pounding away on a treadmill.

203 New King’s Road, SW6 4SR, 020 3641 5871, knightfrank.co.uk

an “All London Green Grid” will also help boroughs to come up with their own local green infrastructure strategies.

The recently published Natural Capital Account for London’s Public Green Spaces estimated that London’s green spaces provide services valued at £5 billion per year, including £950m per year in “avoided health costs”.

HEADSHOT © JP WOODLAND

[PROPERTY]

NO ONE NEEDS PERSUADING AS TO WHY THEY SERVICE THEIR CAR, YACHT OR PLANE. BUT THERE HASN’T BEEN AN EQUIVALENT FOR THEIR HOME UNTIL BOLD & REEVES

CONVENIENCE. PEACE OF MIND. VALUE. INFO@BOLDANDREEVES.CO.UK | 020 7408 7590 | BOLDANDREEVES.CO.UK

[property]

a new age You service your car, yacht and private jet, so why not your house? Bill Shipton, managing director of Bold & Reeves in Mayfair, doesn’t understand why either. He explains how he created an innovative platform to ensure property maintenance is convenient, costeffective and, above all, stress-free

B

old & Reeves started in 2012 when I was looking for a service that could provide a turnkey outsourced solution for the management of high-end properties in London. I couldn’t find one. So I started a joint venture with a Middle Eastern family, who had 15 London residences that needed quality management, and the Sunley Group, a long-established British property company with experience of residential construction and maintenance.

“Our cutting-edge technology can be accessed at any point and anywhere in the world.”

We found that the usual surveyor’s report on purchase of a property was rather rudimentary – it just shows that the roof is alright or that there’s no subsidence. The key thing the report won’t tell you is what it will cost to run the property. What are the moving parts, what needs to be serviced and what will be the cost of that periodic maintenance? That’s where we come in.

Bold & Reeves operates around two key principles: ‘proactive maintenance’ and ‘continuity of knowledge’.

Proactive maintenance is rather like servicing a car. You service your car because you don’t want it to break down. People aren’t used to thinking about their property like that. However,

32

PHOTOGRAPHY: SAREL JANSEN

[property]

what’s in a name? bold (bəʊld) n. from Old English.

House, dwelling-place, mansion, hall, castle. Related to build. reeve (ri:v) n. Anglo origin.

Administrative official, manager of a manor. As in shire-reeve (predecessor to the sheriff). Earliest form of estate manager.

to prevent a boiler breaking down or an air conditioning unit packing up, all it needs is regular servicing, costing you less in the long run when the situation comes to breaking point.

Bold & Reeves deals with this through a comprehensive health check of a property. This audit varies depending on the homeowner’s requirements but could include: creation of floor plans and electrical plans, a review of current maintenance suppliers, identification of all maintenance tasks and recommendations as to frequency.

The second part, continuity of knowledge, occurs through the Bold & Reeves logbook (available as a website and app), where each audit, check-up and service is stored electronically. It can be accessed by the homeowner at any point to see any planned maintenance (as suggested by Bold & Reeves in the first audit), any reactive tasks (of things unexpectedly breaking), and enhancements (developments to the property, such as an extension).

I have rarely come across somebody

who has knowledge of who has fixed what, when and for how much. By aggregating all that information in one easy-to-use resource, Bold & Reeves can help homeowners keep on top of their property maintenance. In that respect, it’s like the logbook in a car glovebox. It will ensure properties ‘break down’ less often and cost less. It also proves useful, both at the time of selling, and also for insurance. People who are time-poor are not able to stop and worry about these things.

The logbook records every task with an audit trail from when it was reported to when it was completed. There is also a schedule to see which tasks are coming up, electronic records of the property, and photographs listing details of serial numbers and brands of all equipment.

“Bold & Reeves operates around two key principles: ‘proactive maintenance’ and ‘continuity of knowledge’.”

This not only provides information to the homeowner but also to the subcontractor called to fix a problem, which ensures the turnaround time is as little as possible.

Our cutting-edge technology can be accessed at any point and anywhere in the world. Plus, there is just one number to call that is open 24/7, two property managers on an account and only one bill to pay each month.

We call our subcontractors ‘partners’ as they undergo vetting and security checks to ensure they are of the right calibre and provide services at discounted prices. We have more than 200 in our little black book.

The price for a car without service history is significantly lower. The principle for our properties is the same. When we took on a 16,000 sq ft property in The Boltons, the homeowners were spending about £350,000 a year on maintenance, as well as issues they weren’t able to solve,

how it works

Bold & Reeves completes a detailed property health check, highlighting what services will be required throughout the year

A personal property manager is allocated, who is available 24/7

The homeowner is given access to the Bold & Reeves online logbook with the property’s service history and future tasks

Access is given to the partner network so the property receives regular servicing from experienced subcontractors

All past, present and future property reports and analysis are available at the click of a button

such as damp. It took Bold & Reeves about 18 months to reduce the running costs to £125,000, as well as eliminate the problems. That’s a really meaningful reduction in costs, let alone in hassle.

Bold & Reeves helps deliver value, whether it’s reduced maintenance costs, cheaper insurance or enhanced premium value to the property as and when you come to sell it.

boldandreeves.co.uk

33

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[PROPERTY]

[MARKET FORECAST]

Looking ahead © RAY DOWLING, DOWLING JONES

Three local agents share predictions on what we can expect from the 2018 lettings market RobeRt Gittins, lettinGs manaGeR, KniGht FRanK Fulham January kick-starts with corporate searches, as most companies would have established any new attachments and moves leading up to the tail end of last year. Looking ahead, it feels like we have less in the way to unsettle the market. Despite there being a lot of talk about Brexit, generally speaking, uncertainty leads to more people looking to rent. Every year we run a substantial tenant survey to map out trends in London and the UK and there are a few key points that may carry forward into Q1 of 2018.

KNIGht FRANK, thE StuDIOS, FuLhAm ROAD, £1,395 pW

“Looking ahead, it feels like we have less in the way to unsettle the market” Sixty-eight per cent of tenants expect to be living in the rental sector in three years’ time. The main driver for tenants is renting within their budget (63 per cent) and we have seen a more price-sensitive market emerge in the past 24 months.

KNIGht FRANK, thE StuDIOS, FuLhAm ROAD, £1,395 pW

mARSh & pARSONS, mImOSA StREEt, £1,250 pW

KNIGht FRANK, thE StuDIOS, FuLhAm ROAD, £1,395 pW

In terms of location, applicants (24 per cent) are also less postcode-sensitive and have been more product-focused.

What has changed is the level of property becoming available to the market. If anything, we have seen a reduction in new rental options, and that is not just due to a seasonal change.

I expect to see some of the ‘reluctant’ landlords from the past 12 months revisit their position and this may lead to a change in supply.

matt staton, lettinGs manaGeR at maRsh & PaRsons’ bishoP’s PaRK oFFice Despite the uncertainty over Brexit, the lettings market remained buoyant throughout 2017, with a 59 per cent increase in the number of tenants registered to rent in Fulham and Bishop’s Park compared to 2016. Our average number of properties on the market in 2017 more than doubled from the previous year, so

35

[PROPERTY] we offered plenty of choice for tenants. This cements the fact that Fulham and Bishop’s Park are, and will remain, sought-after places to live.

I believe we will continue to see a significant increase in people registering to rent in Q1 2018. Last year we saw a 26 per cent increase in the number of tenants registered to rent from December 2016 to January 2017.

This can be predominantly attributed to the large number of corporate relocations that occur in the area in January, as well as the all too familiar ‘new year, new property’ feeling.

This pattern will also most likely be seen in the number of properties coming to the market. When we compare Q4 2016 to Q1 2017, we can see an increase of 58 per cent in the number of properties on the market. With more tenants looking and more choice for them, I expect the market will continue to exceed our expectations in Q1 2018 and throughout the year.

mARSh & pARSONS, mImOSA StREEt, £1,250 pW

mARSh & pARSONS, mImOSA StREEt, £1,250 pW

StRutt & pARKER, RActON ROAD, £1,500 pW

StRutt & pARKER, RActON ROAD, £1,500 pW

competitive market, landlords should take advice from their lettings agent, who offer their expertise to maximise a landlord’s ability to secure a suitable tenant, at the best possible price.

StRutt & pARKER, RActON ROAD, £1,500 pW

stePhanie nash, head oF lettinGs at stRutt & PaRKeR’s Fulham oFFice The rented sector will continue to grow in 2018, and research by Strutt & Parker indicates that although the majority may wish to own at some point, a preference for long-term renting is emerging. With the retail price index at its highest since 2012, landlords favour longer-term tenancies which provide greater security for

36

both landlord and tenant, and factor in provisions for a rent increase.

The lettings market in Fulham remains price-sensitive and properties which offer well-portioned accommodation near transport and amenities will remain the biggest draws. To avoid vacant periods and to attract high-quality tenants, landlords need to invest in the upkeep of their properties.

Presentation is also important for online listings – we advise furnishing properties for photographs in order to create the feeling of a home. In a

CONTACT THE AGENTS

Knight Frank Fulham, 203 New King’s Road, SW6 4SR, 020 3641 5871, knightfrank.co.uk Marsh & Parsons Bishop’s Park office, 333 Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6TE, 020 7993 9888, marshandparsons.co.uk Strutt & Parker Fulham office, 701 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7731 7100, struttandparker.com

ABELS WORLDWIDE REMOVALS UK RESIDENTIAL, EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL MOVING

Abels.

Number One, London.

• UK Residential Removals • Worldwide Relocations • Weekly European Removals • Storage Services • Car Transportation & Storage • Office & Commercial Moving • Antiques, Fine Art Packing, Storing & Moving Telephone: 020 3740 2829 E-Mail: enquiries@abels.co.uk www.abels.co.uk

Memb No: A001

FS 23942

198656

Ringmer Avenue, SW6

£2,650,000 Freehold

A fully renovated and extended five bedroom family house.

2874 sq ft (267 sq m) Drawing room | Kitchen/dining room | Family/media room | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom Bedroom with en suite bathroom | Three further bedrooms with en suite shower rooms | Utility room | Cloakroom | Garden EPC Rating E Fulham 020 7731 7100 | fulham@struttandparker.com

Rowallan Road, SW6

£895 per week* Furnished/Unfurnished

A newly renovated and stunning four bedroom, three bathroom family house in Munster Village, offering neutral décor and wood flooring throughout.

1711 sq ft (158.98 sq m) Drawing room | Kitchen/breakfast room | Master Bedroom with dressing area and en suite shower room | Three further double bedrooms | Family bathroom | En suite shower room | Cloakroom | Private garden EPC Rating D Fulham 020 7731 7100 | fulham@struttandparker.com *The following Tenant charges may apply prior to tenancy commencement: Tenancy Agreement £222 (inc VAT) Credit References per application £54 (inc VAT). All advertised prices are excluded and other associated services.

struttandparker.com /struttandparker @struttandparker @ 60 Offices across England and Scotland, including prime Central London.

Knowing every square inch of Fulham.

It takes a s&pecial agent.

At Strutt & Parker we make it our business to hold the keenest intelligence on the areas we choose to specialise in. It’s our outstanding on-the-ground knowledge that makes us market leaders. For your sales or lettings property requirements, we’re your deep source for service and discretion. Call the Fulham team on 020 3813 9141.

701 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5UL 020 3813 9141 | struttandparker.com

R E SI DE N TS’ JOU R NA L w w w. R e s i d e n t s J o u r n a l . c o . u k 020 7987 4320