High rents in Notting Hill forced Tom Conran to close his deli after 24 years but the restaurateur is returning to the area with fire in his stomach. New Tom’s, a pop-up set to run for 12 months, opened on Westbourne Grove earlier this month.
For Conran it’s a second chance to succeed in west London. “I think the good independent shops on the whole are still here,” he said, “however, Westbourne Grove rents are astronomical. It’s like The Emperor’s new clothes. Fashion brands keep opening thinking they need to be in that particular location and to be next to the other brands, they then find there’s not enough business and close down. Every time a new brand comes along the landlords put the rent up.”
Tom has been helped out by his father, designer Sir Terence, who has supplied original art for the walls, while his sister and brothers have also lent a hand. “I guess the benefit of being in the Conran family is being surrounded by creative inspirational people,” Tom said. “Some of it rubs off”.
