Rob McGibbon interviews Felicity Kendal at Cadogan Hall Chelsea, in 2012. Photo © Hattie Miles/RobMcGibbon
Citizen Fame
Martin Kuczmarski interview: “I want Martino’s to always give a big hug to the residents of Chelsea. You are my most important customers”
There are only 78 paces from the entrance of Colbert on Sloane Square to the discreet door to Martino’s on the southern corner. But for Martin Kuczmarski, that short walk represents a life-time of relentless work and the realisation of a dream. Back in 1995, he was an ambitious 20-year-old waiter at Lord Forte’s Hyde Park Hotel on Knightsbridge with lofty hopes of owning a restaurant one day. He would save up a month’s worth of tips to treat...
History Director Gill Webber Interview: “Everywhere you look in Chelsea there’s a fascinating story to tell”
The Chelsea History Festival returns this October with its most ambitious programme yet, bringing world-class historians, authors, performers and cultural figures to the area’s most iconic venues. At the helm and guiding this extraordinary festival every step of the way will be Gill Webber, the Director of Chelsea Heritage Quarter. The festival, which is supported by Lord Cadogan and his team at Cadogan Estates, has become a key fixture in the...
Chantal Coady Interview: “I am sad the Rococo shop has closed. It was part of my heart and soul”
The Closed sign on iconic shop front on the King’s Road has sadly gone up for the last time. Rococo Chocolates has finally melted away and gone dark. Rococo has been a much-loved feature of the Chelsea scene for the past 43 years, attracting royalty and A-listers...
Slight Surprise: Kensington Man Falls Over
World Exclusive Photos - UNCENSORED VERY late Breaking News: A Kensington man fell over, The Citizen can be the last to reveal. The 60-year-old stumbler - who has publicly fat-shamed himself repeatedly for “carrying excess timber” - tripped on a small step and...
Didier Garnier interview: “L’addition!” Le Colombier’s popular ‘chef d’orchestre’ prepares to say Au Revoir
For nearly three decades, Le Colombier has been one of Chelsea’s most cherished open secrets — the sort of restaurant whispered about between friends, protected like a family heirloom, and loved for its unfussy French elegance. AA Gill once called it “that secret...
More News & Interviews
High value row erupts as MP accuses RBKC Leader of “lying” and sending “fake” letter to scare residents over mansion tax
An extraordinary political row has erupted between RBKC Council Leader Cllr. Elizabeth Campbell and Kensington and Bayswater MP Joe Powell over the...
EXCLUSIVE: Lord Michael Howard steps in to support Justice For Jack Ryan campaign
Former Home Secretary Lord Michael Howard has called on the current Home Secretary to change the bail laws that he signed off more than 30 years ago...
Martin Kuczmarski interview: “I want Martino’s to always give a big hug to the residents of Chelsea. You are my most important customers”
There are only 78 paces from the entrance of Colbert on Sloane Square to the discreet door to Martino’s on the southern corner. But for Martin...
EXCLUSIVE: RBKC Leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell issues urgent rallying cry for residents to help the council STOP the Mansion Tax
RBKC leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell has issued an extraordinary battle cry to residents to step up and help the council STOP the Government's...
Council calls on residents to help it choose where to spend money as it faces up to funding crisis
The Royal Borough is asking residents to help decide what matters most over the next four years as it wrestles with a £108 million budget gap and...
Council goes extra lengths to improve Chelsea’s public swimming pool – and splashes out £1.3m
Chelsea Sports Centre’s historic swimming pool is set to undergo a £1.3 million refurbishment, with RBKC Council unveiling plans to modernise the...
Justice For Jack Ryan campaign petition draws 1,000 signatures in first 24 hours
The campaign in the name of tragic Jack Ryan has launched a petition demanding that the Government changes existing bail laws to stop serious...
Hot air and air con: John Cookson’s sketch from inside the Town Hall chamber on the hottest June day in history
From The Citizen's customary front-row perch on the Town Hall press bench, our faithful municipal eavesdropper John Cookson watched Kensington and...