Gastropub On Carvosso's Site Misses Summer Launch Deadline

Owners still hopeful of an autumn opening at High Road site

Artist's impression of planned exterior

Plans to open a new restaurant on the former Carvosso's site at 210 Chiswick High Road this summer look set to be delayed.

An original date of July launch has almost passed with no refurbishment work having taken place, as the group behind the project say they have been concentrating on other projects within its stable of restaurants.

The owners say the timing of the opening is down to spending time getting the site right, rather than any delay due to economic conditions in the restaurant industry and they are now anticipating an autumn opening.

Head of Harcourt Inns, James McCulloch recently told ChiswickW4.com that, "Whilst 210 Chiswick High Road is in the design phase, our team are focusing on other projects within our small pub group including The Coach, which recently launched in Clerkenwell, and The Hero of Maida coming to Maida Vale.

"We have been thrilled with the positive response to The Coach from guests and the media alike, and hope for more of the same for the Hero and then Chiswick."

He said the company spaces out the re-launches so that they can focus on each development and opening properly.

"Our team are working closely with our architects and local planning authority on a design which will respect the heritage and reflect the potential of this fantastic building, details about which will be released closer to the time.

"The project is especially close to our chef director Henry Harris’s heart - having lived up the road in Acton for the past 21 years, he’s always envisioned opening a spot in his own neighbourhood."

Plans have been submitted to Hounslow Council which involve a number of external alterations to the existing building at an estimated cost of £1.64 million. These include the creation of a terrace and external seating area with awnings and modification of the bay window to create an opening to access the terrace.

The exterior railings are proposed to be removed to be replaced with low level planters. The Chiswick High Road Action Group (CHRAG) objects to the removal of the black railings outside the building, saying they were of heritage value. CHRAG believes this could be retained whilst allowing for outdoor seating, even if this required making sensitive modifications to the railings. A retractable Victorian style awning is proposed that would cover the exterior seating area


Henry Harris

The application to Hounslow planning is made by South West Leisure Ltd, which is the fundraising vehicle set up by Ducalian Capital, for investors in their Chiswick restaurant venture. They were aiming to raise £5million for the project but last March, told investors that opening would be delayed until summer in expectation of better trading conditions.

The Carvosso's site has a total area of almost 6,000 sq feet and is situated in a 17th century building that was converted from a former police station and stables into a large bar, two restaurant dining areas, a sitting room and four private function rooms, all wrapped around a stone courtyard.

July 14, 2018