A hat trick of new businesses show H&F is booming

Business is booming in H&F as a host of new companies set up shop in the business-friendly borough.

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Fulham resident Chelsea Finch, owner of new business District coffee

Business is booming in Hammersmith & Fulham as a host of new companies set up shop in the business-friendly borough.

Thanks to new businesses opening you can now appease your belly with a spot of fine dining at RIGO’, get your caffeine fix at District and burn those unwanted calories at Terra Hale.

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Michal Homola

“We are delighted to welcome new businesses into H&F and will do all we can to help London’s entrepreneurs succeed and thrive,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration. “We want to make H&F the best place to work, live and socialise in Europe.”

Earlier this year, H&F Council launched its new industrial strategy setting out how the council could help offer economic growth for everyone. This includes:

  • Make it easier for entrepreneurs to start a business by creating affordable workplaces, exploring business rate cuts for key sectors and creating a new venture capital fund to support new businesses
  • Support major regeneration and infrastructure schemes, including 10,000 new homes, half of which will be genuinely affordable, as well as improving rail links and the station at Old Oak Common
  • Invest in local skills, with extra support for science and maths teachers and apprenticeships
  • Ensure that all residents benefit from the new economic growth.

Eco-friendly gym

H&F has become the proud home of the first eco-friendly self-sustainable gym in London. Terra Hale at 853 Fulham Road is the brainchild of Michal Homola who has transformed the space into a biophilic paradise.

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Burn unwanted calories at Terra Hale

Away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Fulham, you find a temple of fitness with every nook and cranny oozing tranquillity; green vegetation grows in one corner; the interiors are decorated with recycled materials; and even the hand towel in the loo is bio-degradable.

There are merely two spin bicycles and even they generate electricity to power the light bulbs in the gym.

“I believe that our body is our machine and that is reflected in the layout of the gym. You would never believe that you were in the middle of Fulham when you enter Terra Hale,” said Michal. “H&F is a fantastic place to do business and I could not ask for more.”

The gym runs training, conditioning, yoga, meditation, dance and even gong bath classes from the widely-acclaimed Leo Cosendai.

The inspiring entrepreneur from the Czech Republic is so in love with the borough that he is already working towards his next gym as he renovates a unit in Shepherds Bush. The new site under the railway arches in Goldhawk Road has been under renovation for the past eight months and due to open in December.

District coffee

Fulham resident Chelsea Finch has reinvigorated a unit at 50 Parsons Green Lane that had remained empty for a number of years with an Aussie-style coffee house – called District – that is going down well with the locals. 

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Get your caffeine fix at District

Chelsea was born and bred on the Gold Coast of Australia before moving to London 10 years ago. She used to cycle past the premises every day for two years as she ran her small catering company Made by Chelsea and is now living her dream with her very own coffee shop.

“I am so lucky to have this gorgeous spot in Parsons Green – the locals have been so friendly and welcoming,” said owner Chelsea. “H&F is a great place to do business and gives you the chance to start your own company. I wanted to bring a touch of the Gold Coast to Fulham and the coffee culture lifestyle that comes with it.”  

Word on the street is that she also makes a great loaf of banana bread, which is now a firm favourite with locals.

RIGO’ restaurant

Michelin-starred chef Gonzalo Luzarraga and friend Francesco Ferretti have teamed up to open their first restaurant RIGO’ at 277 New Kings Road and have found a thriving community of businesses who were more than welcoming.

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RIGO’ owners Gonzalo Luzarraga and friend Francesco Ferretti

The Italian duo offer up fine French-Italian dining with devilishly delicious dishes in the newly refurbished restaurant echoing 1950s Milan with its oak flooring, brass lamps and black and white marble columns.

“H&F is a truly business-friendly borough. Every single shops on this stretch of the New Kings Road has embraced our arrival and given us advice and support. From borrowing us their tools to fix something in the restaurant to helping us find a room for a member of staff. It has been utterly astonishing,” added Francesco. 

Head chef Gonzalo – who grew up on the foot of the Alps in Piedmont, Italy – went on a culinary adventure that took him afar as South America and Asia which is reflected on the RIGO’ menu.

The six-course signature menu includes spaghettoni dei fiori with edible flowers and the sea urchin with bagna cauda – a traditional dish from Piedmont – are certainly worth a try.

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RIGO’ at 277 New Kings Road

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