It’s been months and months (and indeed months) since our last high street update. And to those who occasionally say, “Oi, there is no High Street in Twickenham” we say pedents should resit the urge to correct others mistake’s. It’s been so long that there’s a good chance that a coffee shop has opened and closed again during the period. Or you might look at it another way and say, “Well at least that old Scruby’s furniture shop on Heath Road is still sitting empty. Nothing changes here”. Well ha! It’s only been and gone and got knocked down hasn’t it? #unlucky.
The hottest news is that Twickenham finally gets a Nando’s. The upmarket KFC already has branches in Richmond and T***ington but now adds Twickenham to its list of stores. And it’s not just any old Nando’s of course but the very first Nando’s Nino, which basically means it’s smaller than a normal Nando’s, with a smaller menu. There was much excitement on social media about the opening of the new branch and so if you like your chicken spicy and your fries crispy, then you’re in luck. It’s where Moidul’s Rawalpindi used to be near M&S.Multiyork, purveyors of expensive sofas has closed down. The company went into administration in late 2017 and its Twickenham branch has flogged off its stock and locked its doors. Word is that DFS is buying some Multiyork stores but if Twickenham is not among them then its departure will leave a big vacant premises on Heath Road. Sofa, not so good, eh? Also on Heath Road, what was the boutique Biba Star is now re-branded as Rocket and Wolf with a line in clothing and accessories. The Fara charity shop just opposite is now vacant.
On Church Street, pet boutique Bazil and Ruby is now open in the shop that was Plum. It has a plethora of pooch pampering products for your priceless pet.
Opposite Bazil & Ruby is Vape Shack in part of the building also occupied by Mint hair and beauty. If you like walking around puffing out white clouds of candyfloss smelling vapour then this really could be one for you. It’s the new thing. If it helps reduce dependency on ‘normal’ cigarettes then that’s got to be good, eh?
Further along Church Street the restaurant that was called Al Solito Posto has closed and seems to have returned to its previous name of Sorrento. The Al Solito Posto Facebook page says it’s moving to a new location. Al Solito Posto lasted less than a year. It had some good reviews on Tripadvisor but the owner met fire with fire when it came to the negative ones. Oh blimey. It’s not always the best customer service technique but it’s certainly an entertaining one. At the top of Church Street, Snax cafe has been tarted up. Check out the window if you’re passing.
Hair today, gone tomorrow? We certainly hope not. Or rather we hope that the two new Twickenham barbers are able to style it out without their profit margins being shaved too close to the bone(head). Headcase has opened on York Street where mobile phone accessories place Khans used to be (for about ten minutes) while Jimmy Marum’s is on Church Street where the pop-up Evantii boutique was (for about 10 minutes) and where Mercado used to be for a fair bit longer than that. Jimmy Marum’s is going for the Peaky Blinders meets Grand Theft Auto vibe in a mix of traditional and modern. The barbers themselves are all flat caps and braces and there’s a Playstation on hand for you to kill time (and pimps and Feds we presume) before you get your hair cut. Their approach must already be reminding you of the joke told by the great Ted Chippington. “I went to the barber’s the other day. I said, ‘Cut me hair round the back will you mate?’ He said, ‘What’s wrong with this room?’.
Enough of hair! We must return once again to the subject restaurants that haven’t hung around for long. On Richmond Road Topolli is now open selling Persian and Mediterranean cuisine. The location doesn’t have a great recent track record. Prior to this it was the very shortlived and geographically misnamed Noush Richmond, prior to that it was the averagely shortlived Chungs Chinese, and prior to that Rubiks and Pasta di Piazza which lasted rather longer. So it’s good luck to Topolli.
On London Road, one time ‘Spoons pub The Moon Under Water, more recently trading as the non-Spoons Misty Moon is now The Timberyard. Apart from the ‘undercoat grey’ inspired paint job it’s also had a refresh inside. Don’t confuse it with Alford Timber on Heath Road or you’ll feel a bit of a plank. On the same side of London Road, Palm Grill is what used to be Blue’s Smokehouse. As with the Timberyard it’s not clear if it’s just a name change or a complete change of owners but it’s had a big menu change too. Worth a try? Nearby, Italian restaurant Bellissimo is closed for a refurb, a real one. A note says it will re-open as Valentino’s Bellissimo soon. Fingers crossed, innit. On Richmond Road The Alba pub has reverted to a previous name The Rising Sun albeit under the same ownership.
In King Street the enlarged Iceland has been open since late November. There can’t have been many occasions in history when plucky Iceland has expanded its empire but occupying the shop that was Seasons Cookshop is one such occasion.
To those moaning about the absence of a Lidl or an Aldi in London’s finest and fairest leafy suburb we say, “Fear not, your prayers are being answered”. Nondescript office block Ryde House in East Twickenham has been demolished and will be replaced by a Lidl complete with primary school on top (yes really). An interesting combination we’re sure you’ll agree. It’s not going to open until 2019 so do make sure you buy your food elsewhere in the meantime. We’d hate for you to go hungry.
In a previous edition reported that a new craft beer store Brewery Market was trying to open on Whitton Road opposite Heatham House. A gym was getting ready to occupy the adjoining unit. Plans had been progressing but then got derailed. Word is that the building may now become a Tesco instead. Hmmm. Just round the corner opposite Twickenham station at Brewery Wharf, the M Bar and Grill has been open for a couple of months. Its website says it’s “a new ‘home from home’ for the residents and businesses of Twickenham”. That’ll be the home from home where you eat coconut and quinoa porridge for brunch and wagyu rib-eye (£100) for dinner. Other menu items are, of course, available. Treat yourselves! Go on then! Do it now!
Oh and what of that old Scruby’s building on Heath Road that we mentioned right at the start? Well, it’s been knocked down and is going to be replaced with a modern block of flats which will look remarkably similar to the ones either side of it on the corner of Saville Road and Heath Gardens. Is those two are anything to go by, expect vacant ground floor retail space for some time to come. Hurrah! Here endeth the lesson.
AND FINALLY.… if you enjoyed reading this please consider making a donation to the Twickerati London Marathon fundraising effort. We’re raising cash for Twickenham-based charity Spear who do important work helping homeless people in south west London. If you can donate, it would be very much appreciated. More details are on this link:
Anyone tried Salt Flakes yet?
Palm Grill is nice inside, I recommend you try it out. They kept the good bits from Blues Smokehouse menu and added some others. They don’t seem to mind if you just want a beer without dining as well.
I swear Bellisimo had a refurb only two years ago. Excellent gnocchi.
Also was that bakery next to the grocers there last time?
In East Twickenham the former Alba/Aleksander has been relaunched under its original name: Rising Sun, 277 Richmond Road, TW1 2NP. It’s now a Free House offering 5 non-local beers and pub grub. No website yet but see https://whatpub.com/pubs/HOU/6856/rising-sun-twickenham.
If you look at the Alba’s website you’ll see basic info for the Rising Sun, including ‘our website is coming soon’.
It’s still owned by http://mosaicpubanddining.com/ who also own Arthurs Pizza on the Green. Hence, it’s just a rebrand.
Whatever, it’s good to see the original (?) pub name restored.
Nice reference to the legend that is Ted Chippington !!
The old bakery next to Cousins is being re-fitted as a swimming pool for babies! Looks way behind schedule. Old news but Hugo Oliver went into liquidation in 2017. Bellissimo on London Rd is getting a refurb, hopefully not the type we’ve become used to as it is a nice restaurant. Across the street, does anyone know what’s up with Burgersmith/The Canteen/Identity Crisis Cafe? It has been opening and shutting at weird irregular times and now seems to be empty.
Popped into Palm Grill last week. Burger (both meat and falafel) were tasty, even if the fries were a little anaemic. Staff were excellent.
How have Nando’s been allowed to insert such a modern and incongruous shop front into a listed building? Council officers are clearly ignoring the Local Plan and Heritage England guidance on such matters and they should be held to account.
I find it very disturbing that a man who lives on Hospital Bridge Road appears to object to nearly every planning application online.. Surely this is just malice and the Council should be doing something about vexatious objections.
Odd comment there. I am sure the Council would love to do something about “vexatious objections” to their plans, especially the 268 to their current riverside plans. I am sure it is very vexing for them when the locals are revolting about their plans and make objections, petitions, judicial reviews, protest meetings and marches and generally use all the avenues of democratic and legal process to assert the interests of the community. The dice is of course loaded since the Council have all the power and resources and as we have seen a Council Leader can manipulate process to favour his friends. So Jonathan who probably has a point given the Councils record is probably about as vexing as a balloon being popped. What I find disturbing is that you find an ordinary citizen exercising their right to object, limited in influence as it will be, disturbing…. All power to his elbow, or fingers tapping on the keyboard…..
The postal services don’t acknowledge the existence of Whitton, but insist it is Twickenham so should it follow that Twickenham has a High Street, a (small) Lidl plus an excellent butcher and other independent shops after all. Just a reminder, Whitton station has a lift and is an easy walk from Twickenham Stadium.
Space now for ASDA, Primark, or another good clothing store???
Thanks, as ever.
It’s a long time since the pub now called the Timberyard, previously called the Misty Moon, was part of the Wetherspoon’s chain of pubs. It was a Spoon previously when called the Moon Under Water but was sold off around the time the Webb Ellis opened. At a guess, around 8 years ago.
Thanks – now amended above. How time flies.
I thought it would be worth mentioning Richmond Film Society has moved to use The Exchange as their new venue for showing World Cinema films every fortnight. Almost feels like having a real cinema in Twickenham. Great venue…and cheap tasty wine 😉
I love these updates…..one day maybe some of these endless changes will stop and the buildings turned into much needed affordable housing.
These are my favourite updates, have no idea why!