Dear Local Citizen
I simply wanted to welcome you to The Chelsea Citizen, a dynamic new hyper-local newspaper which will be launching this spring.
The Citizen’s primary focus will be the SW3 & SW10 post codes, but it will also cover important stories and events in the neighbouring areas of Kensington, Battersea and Fulham. On occasion, it will even dip a polished Brioni toe cap into matters concerning Belgravia.
The newspaper’s content will be available online for free. It will report great local stories and work closely with the communities, RBKC, cultural organisations and businesses. The Citizen will also be a campaigning newspaper and a force for good.
This year will mark 40 years since I became a journalist on the weekly Wimbledon News (you can read about my career here and about my local campaigning here). I am throwing every bit of my hard-won journalism experience into re-imagining The Chelsea Citizen as a traditional local newspaper for the 21st century.
There will be news stories and features highlighting everything from council matters and planning disputes, to golden weddings, births and deaths, to restaurant reviews and cultural highlights, to big interviews and small diary events. We may even run a report if a cat gets stuck up a tree.
This year will also mark 30 years since I moved to Chelsea. I care very much about this area of London and I feel deeply connected to it. So, I now intend to combine my two great passions – journalism and Chelsea.
But I need YOU!
For this venture to succeed, it is important that The Citizen generates a keen and engaged readership. This will attract advertisers and sponsorship, which will help it grow and keep it free.
I believe that local journalism is a fundamental and vital part of any connected community. It is clear from the feedback I have received since announcing The Chelsea Citizen just before Christmas that the people of RBKC agree.
I am financing the initial build of the website and generating all the content, but I am also urgently and actively seeking funding from investors and philanthropic individuals, as well as reaching out to landmark local businesses to encourage them to become headline advertisers. If you have any suggestions for potential investors or sponsors, please get in touch.
I have been working hard on multiple stories recently to create some basic example content. This kind of reporting work will continue in the coming weeks, but the key is to secure funding. That way, I can retain other reporters to get writing. Plenty of stories and diary events for the borough will be flagged up on Instagram, so please Follow us.
I hope you will join me on this great adventure and, please, spread the word.
Best Wishes
Rob McGibbon
Founder & Editor
News and Features
The Phene’s bid for garden roof extension collapses
The Phene pub's hopes of installing a permanent, all-weather structure to encase its historic garden have been dismissed by RBKC. The Planning Committee ruled against the landlord of the 1853 pub in Phene Street SW3 at a council meeting on 6th February. Local residents - particularly those living in Margaretta Terrace - are reported to be...
Met Police launches dedicated enquiry phone line for Chelsea
The Met has started trialing the 'Chelsea Police Enquiry Line’. It is offering a dedicated telephone number that will be manned from 11am-1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is for non-urgent matters and is not for reporting crime. The number is: 0207 161 8984 Tyler O’Hare – Police Sergeant for Riverside ward - said: ‘We hope that this...
SHOCK! Pot-hole central Lots Road resurfaced for first time in 25 years
Residents in Lots Road are reported to be “deliriously happy” following the sudden resurfacing of their street. Lots Road has been known as Chelsea’s “pot-hole central” for more than two decades. Road damage had been caused during endless construction work to turn the power station into luxury apartments for foreign investors to buy and leave...
Chinese New Culture Revolution on the King’s Road closes after 30 years
Popular Chinese noodle and dumpling restaurant New Culture Revolution closed in January after more than 30 successful years on the King’s Road. A sorrowful statement on its front door declared: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we announce permanent closure. Serving you has been an honour and we are incredibly thankful for the wonderful memories and...
Residents prepare to call time on The Phene’s “awful awning” garden roof plan
Residents and The Chelsea Society have joined forces to oppose the planning application from The Phene pub (built in 1853) in Phene Street SW3 to “effectively destroy" its garden by erecting a three metre high permanent awning.
URGENT CLADDING ISSUE AT KING’S ROAD BLOCK
The owners of apartment block at 536 King’s Road have been ordered to carry out urgent remedial work after the discovery of dangerous cladding.
RBKC LEADER ORDERS URGENT REVIEW AFTER CHELSEA FORUM “FIASCO”
Furious Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, the leader of the council, has ordered an urgent and thorough review of communication procedures after only 26 residents attended the Chelsea Forum meeting. Her action was prompted following an enquiry from The Citizen questioning why the event was so poorly supported.
ICONIC PATRIDGES FOOD STORE LEAVES CHELSEA AFTER 53 YEARS
Independent family-run Partridges has closed its Chelsea shop after 53 years. Its location in Gloucester Road, Kensington, will continue to trade as usual. Owner John Shepherd said "We are very sad to be leaving Chelsea"
BILLIONAIRE QUITS CHELSEA MANSION TO ESCAPE GOV TAX GRAB
A prominent tycoon has shuttered one of Chelsea's grandest homes and laid off all 17 of his domestic staff to flee Britain following the Labour government's new tax laws. He has now settled in Cyprus due to its favourable tax laws. But WHO is the tycoon?
PLAN TO DIVIDE HOUSEBOATS INTO ‘RICH AND POOR’ AREAS ROCKS RESIDENTS
The landlord of Chelsea Reach is seeking permission to divide the community of houseboats into two distinct sections: the east side by Battersea Bridge for social housing and the west end for luxury mega boats.