The Imperial loses its ‘Arms’ as new owners focus on food
Kate MacWhirter and Alan Turtill will spend around £180k redeveloping the site, backed by a group of private investors. It will re-open as The Imperial restaurant in October, featuring a 50-cover dining area which will offer a comprehensive menu of international dishes.
Along with a focus on good eating, The Imperial will also be committed to being as environmentally friendly as possible - Australian-born MacWhirter, latterly general manager at The May Fair hotel’s Quince restaurant, is passionate about sustainability.
Having founded her own consultancy to help make businesses more environmentally aware, MacWhirter is ensuring all ingredients at The Imperial will be seasonal and responsibly sourced, while dishes will be accompanied by an eclectic wine list, many organic and British. The restaurant will adopt an array of ways in which to reduce its environmental impact, such as composting all of its food waste.
Fellow co-founder Alan Turtill started his career at the Waldorf, before moving on to L’Odeon, Century private members’ club, the Kensington Roof Gardens and Paramount, which he ran as general manager for three years.
Sleek and modern
In charge of the Imperial’s kitchen will be 25-year-old chef Tom Hope who, previously worked at The Old Mill in Berkhamsted and the Red Lion at Claverdon.
Guests will be able to choose to eat in the 50-seater restaurant with an open-plan kitchen, the slightly more informal bar area, in the garden or on the King’s Road.
The Imperial’s new interior will offer a ‘sleek and modern’ feel with fresh, clean lines and a light airy vibe.
Down the road from The Imperial will be BRGR.CO, which recently secured the former Black & Blue unit at number 127 King's Road.
The Imperial at 577 Kings Road will be refurbished in October.
