The Notting Gill Chippy

For the month of August Kensington Place is branching out into the pop up scene with an upmarket pop up fish and chip cafe - The Notting Gill Chippy. Located right near the Notting Hill Tube station, in a small shop front on Kensington Church Street, this cafe is serving savoury donuts filled with lobster and fish finger butty with spicy ketchup. All very interesting, but being a puritan I went for the simple choice - fish and chips (£8.50).

I had to wait about five minutes for my food but I did not mind. As unlike most cafes in London, the Gill Chippy is surprisingly spacious if a bit spartan. It reminds me of a beach hut in Brighton or Swanage. 

I opted for takeaway which came in a very upmarket bag. The fish and chips were the best I have eaten in a long time. Lots of fish, flavour and not greasy at all! But the 'icing on the cake' was the tartare sauce - homemade, lumpy and with the right balance of creamy and sharpness. I am definitely coming back for more. 

Pop Brixton

As part of my research for a plan to implement an online/offline pop up retail concept in the Tirol region of Austria, I am visiting as many pop ups in London as possible.

First up is Pop Brixton located a short walk from Brixton Tube Station. It is more like a little village than the usual “market stall” feel you can get at pop up sites. The use of empty shipping containers, temporary wooden structures and palm trees has created an island feel to the place. But it is the little touches like the community notice board and AfroCaribbean art work that make this place have a nice local vibe. 

Small clothing shops are dotted around the perimeter in colourful containers, surrounding the central two storey bar and food area. 

The four cheese pizza I ate was phenomenal and a bargain at £7 and the Sloe Gin Fizz (£8) was tasty, but the measures could have been a bit more generous. It is just a shame that the staff were so surly.