Bulletin

It’s that time of year again, so let’s kick things off with part one of the festivities at Londonewcastle. We had the right idea when it came to the first day in December and a select few of us got into the spirit with a lunch outing to Soho’s Groucho Club. Very nice indeed.

Located on Dean Street, one of the coolest stretches in Soho, this warm and inviting member’s club was a lovely treat. We were immediately seen to and whisked away to the bar area which was complete with plush chairs, velvet of course, big windows and rich emerald walls. Out came the gin and tonics and it was already starting to feel like Christmas.

Before we knew it our table was ready and we were pleasantly escorted to our table. Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, followed by a Crab, Prawn and Cod Goan Fish Curry and then a Classic Apple Pie, don’t mind if I do. The atmosphere was buzzy, the service was fantastic and the espresso martinis were top-notch, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off December.

It all happened on 18 Folgate Street one December evening. The Londonewcastle team was ready for another festive outing, but the Groucho Club was not in sight, this time they made their way to Spitalfields and were welcomed into the historical house of Dennis Severs.

Conducted in complete silence, lit only by fire and candlelight, the team got the chance to tour the ten enchanting rooms within this house, smell the smells and embrace the mysterious yet captivating atmosphere that encircled them. Surrounded by the sensations and creations of an 18th century Huguenot family of silk weavers, no one could speak but could only wonder if the family were watching upon them in this still house. Half-eaten Christmas dinners and freshly-ruffled bed sheets gave the clear sign that the family had just been there. Did they leave because they heard people coming, or was it for some other reason? You must go there to experience for yourself the mysteries and bewitching ambience of Dennis Severs’ house.

For more information about this simply special tour, please visit the website: http://bit.ly/2ADG5z1

Photo Credit: Dennis Severs' House

It appears as though we’ve got some new neighbours here at Londonewcastle and we’re not just talking about your average neighbour with a dog and a screaming baby, we’re talking Facebook. That’s right, Facebook. The social media phenomenon has moved its London headquarters to Rathbone Square, just the street next to the Londonewcastle office, bringing an astounding 800 new jobs to the area!

Spanning seven storeys, 247,000 square feet and a brand new public square. As a new headquarters goes, that doesn’t sound too shabby at all.

After being in London for the best part of 10 years, this new hub will bring this social media giant’s impressive workforce to close to 2,800 by the end of next year. This means nothing but good things for the city of London, as confirmed by Chancellor, Philip Hammond: ‘It’s a sign of confidence in our country that innovative companies like Facebook invest here, and it’s terrific news that they will be hiring 800 more highly skilled workers.’ If that’s not a positive way to end 2017 in, then I don’t know what is!