What’s New

HerSpace

HerSpace is founded by Clinical Nutritionist (MSc Nut), former professional dancer and feminist extraordinaire Hillary Cannon; everyone calls her Nesse. After saying farewell to her Barrefly Fulham studio she has been heads down with her team getting ready to open the doors to HerSpace, SW London's first and only wellness space exclusively for women, located at 253 New King’s Road.

Urban Village LDN caught up with Nesse to ask her about how she came up with the concept of HerSpace. “Working in women’s health is a bit like a drug, especially for a rampant feminist like me. Once you’ve seen women becoming the best versions of themselves — excited about how strong they feel, how confident, how much happier in their own skin — you can’t help but want to find new ways to support them”.

We asked Nesse what’s different about HerSpace LDN? “Most ‘health and wellness' spaces are built around the needs of men and often wind up inadvertently pandering to the male gaze. I wanted to create a space where the things that truly empower and improve women’s lives could live together under one roof. Not just the outside — fitness and beauty — but the inside too: nutrition, knowledge, and community. So, when it came time to relocate our original barre studio, BarreFly, whilst remaining in Fulham (OBVIOUSLY), it felt like the perfect moment to evolve the concept as well. We’ve kept true to our roots - fun, feminist, inclusive, and non-judgemental - but expanded the concept beyond just fitness into something that speaks to the wellness needs of the whole woman. Inside and out.”

HerSpace LDN doors open on 2 September. Hit the link below to find out how they go beyond boutique fitness to nutrition, beauty, education, community outreach and more.

New look Vicino

After being regulars at Vicino, and further back in the De Cecco days, we had a little wobble when we noticed that the doors to this longstanding Italian restaurant were closed. We’ve celebrated so many happy times here in this Italian restaurant so we were relieved to found out, after some nosing around, that it was temporary and not goodbye. Renovations at Vicino morphed in to major works that went on for over for a year but we’re happy to report that Vicino is back and has just reopened with a whole new look.

We caught up with Aaron, Fulham local and owner of Vicino, to find out more. “I’ve worked in hospitality for almost 20 years and run a small private restaurant group. We bought Vicino in the mid 90s when it was formerly known as De Cecco. Vicino as you know has been serving the community for almost 40 years, I came here with my family as a young kid, I even had my wedding reception here in 2019. Hospitality then got hit with what I can only describe as a nuclear missile. Our business went through many difficulties, increases in both food and drink, gas and electricity costs, we then faced a cost of living crisis. People and the market as a whole changed, it was time to move on and accept nothing lasts forever. It’s felt overwhelming at times because I love Vicino, it will always be a special place for my family”.

Vicino has been reincarnated and now offers a more casual all day dining vibe serving pizza and pasta. Although we’ll miss the more traditional dining experience, farewell beef carpaccio and the best spaghetti vongole EVER, we’re excited to check out the new version. Aaron told Urban Village LDN “I wanted to keep Vicino going, work from a blank canvas and it was time to change, life has changed, peoples habits have changed. We’ve created something unique in Parsons Green for lunch and dinner, something fresh to evolve Vicino”.

The new menu features six starters including one of our favourites - deep fried Zucchini, eight pizzas (choose from a classic Margherita to Nudja Burrata) and five home made pastas: Taglioni Nero ( cream sauce of girolle mushrooms), Fettucine (pecorino & parmesan cream sauce with truffle) and Tonnarelli (garlic, parsley, chilli & Cantabrian anchovy, topped with sun dried tomato). The site at 189 New King’s Road has been gutted so there’s a whole new look for the interiors too beginning with a fresh on trend buttery yellow facade, the large open window at the front remains but has been revamped and there’s a new black tile marble countertop bar. We’re so pleased to hear that Vicino’s first week has got off to a good start and that they were fully booked on their first Friday, Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch. The new look website will follow soon but you can have a good look at the new menu or book a table on the link below. Follow on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/vicinosw6/#

Blueprint Studios

Urban Village LDN were invited in to meet the team at Blueprint Studios London, a state-of-the-art, purpose-built studio in Fulham for content creation and video podcasting. Works were still underway when we met CEO Mark Anand but we loved being given a tour of the space, meeting the team, and the countdown is on for their official launch on Tues 16. We’re looking forward to seeing the end result.

During our conversation with Mark we found out more, “Blueprint Studios grew out of Blueprint Partners, a marketing agency founded right here in Fulham nearly 30 years ago. This neighbourhood is part of who we are. Over the years, we’ve watched so many incredible businesses become part of this vibrant community, and we’re proud to now support them in a new way. With Blueprint Studios, we’re not just creating content. We’re helping amplify the voices behind local businesses and strengthening the community that’s shaped us. When one of us thrives, we all do.”

This ready to go studio is an affordable option for brands who don't have budgets to hire costly film crews, and creators who are looking for a quiet, professional space to record and create content. Costs are controlled as there is no need to hire in additional equipment or furniture, and they offer real flexibility -  book in for an hour, a day or longer if need be.  Located in Uncommon on the New Kings Road, the space is a versatile, high-end production environment with a reception area, café, different sets, backdrops, green screen, props and furniture (from a broadcast style desk to a more informal armchair set up).

Blueprint Studios can help with a range of content needs from dry hire to end-to-end production. Book in and create content at the touch of a button or access their team of production experts who are on hand to support brands and creators with everything from graphics, direction and live streaming through to post and remote production. If you’ve got some content needs and would like to give Blueprint Studios a try, take advantage of their soft launch with offer code FULHAM which gives you 25% off. Book in on the link below or get in touch with hello@blueprintstudioslondon.com to find out more / attend their launch.

The Parson

For those of you who have been following us since we launched in 2019 you’ll know we created Urban Village LDN following the demise of local print media. We were proud to have been able to twist and turn during turbulent times to support local businesses, charities and organisations, whilst keeping SW6 residents informed of everything from books written by local authors, to new restaurant openings and monthly events. Recently we were handed the first issue of a new local newspaper called The Parson and so with community spirit and a love of Fulham in our hearts we reached out to the man behind this new venture, Hector Forrester, to find out more.

Hector told us “I’m a Fulham local and the Editor of The Parson, a hyper-local newspaper, hand-delivered to Parsons Green homes every month. We founded the newspaper to inform, educate and entertain with news of our area. We will always be independent, community first and local business champions and we hope to become a trusted source to keep you up to date with current affairs in Parsons Green”.

The first issue came out in July, we especially loved the “Pint Markets” column - find your cheapest Fulham pint. Not unsurprisingly The Golden Lion came first, then The Eight Bells, followed by The King’s Arms. We were also delighted to read Hector’s reassuring article about crime in the area with the latest figures showing that “criminal offences are down over 20% on average” and “burglaries have more than halved across Parsons Green this February compared to last”.

We are looking forward to meeting Hector in person soon. Now Fulham has an online magazine and a print only newspaper to keep everyone informed! Looking at some of the sad scenes, with a recent spate of businesses closing on Wandsworth Bridge Road, New King’s Road and Fulham Road, and hearing how local restaurants and businesses are still finding the climate tough to navigate, this can only be a good thing!