53 and out: much-loved Holland Park restaurant Julie's closes its doors
The closure comes following the retirement of owners Timothy and Cathy Herring, with Savills appointed to find a buyer.
Julie’s was first opened by interior designer Julie Hodges back in November 1969, and gradually built a reputation for being celeb hangout with Sir Paul McCartney, Kate Moss and Diana, Princess of Wales counted among its regulars.
In 1972, Hodges sold the restaurant to the Herrings, who have run it ever since.
The restaurant closed for refurbishment in 2015 and wouldn’t reopen again for four years, with the relaunch timed to coincide with the restaurant’s 50th anniversary.
“They came to Julie’s I hope because it was a genuinely good restaurant in every sense, but also because they must have felt it was somewhere they belonged and could relax,” says Timothy Herring.
“We didn’t set out with that in mind, but we obviously did something right. After 53 years the time has now come for us to retire and hopefully pass on the baton to new owners to cherish and take pride in Julie’s as we have done for so many years.”
Savills has been appointed to sell the freehold of the restaurant and separate large maisonette above.
“Julie’s is one of those places that’s earned a permanent place in London’s restaurant pantheon. It hasn’t often been in the headlines which is part of its attraction, but this discreet address has been for many years a place where those most in the public gaze could come and let their hair down,” says Josh Leon, director of restaurant sales at Savills.
“I think there’s a decent chance that someone will want to carry on the torch and buy into that rich history, continuing as Julie’s in some form. However, even as something completely new, I think the site itself will retain some of the magic.”
