I’m not being funny but… I love Pimlico. Contrary to what some people who read my column each week seem to believe, I am a Londoner through and through. I think because I was born and raised here, I get quite protective over my home. I love it dearly and feel lucky to have a platform that could maybe, just maybe help affect a bit of change for the better. But that’s now what I’m here to talk about today.
Back in 1965, I was born in the village of Pimlico, central London. My family soon moved out to Battersea and over the years I’ve lived just about everywhere in London and beyond. Clapham, Soho, Highgate, Islington, the list goes on.
When I decided to get my first place since coming out of rehab, I made the choice to go back to Pimlico. It just so happens, I discovered years later, that the flat I moved into was on the same street I was born. Metres away! It’s as if I was a homing pigeon and I was finally home. I’ve been back in the area for over a decade now and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s one of the most underrated areas in the city and I’d be happy if it stayed that way.
As I take my dog Reenie for her morning walk each day, I look upon the pristine white terraced houses and think of how lucky I am. Pimlico has more character than any place you can even imagine. Despite looking like something off a chocolate box or from Mary Poppins, the area always presented a mishmash of characters.
Most of the businesses are family run and always have been — and I just wouldn’t have it any other way
With a vast number of council estates and welfare housing, you’d be foolish to think it was a totally affluent area. That would be stuffy as f*** and I’m not about that. There’s nothing I enjoy more than having coffee at my local cafe, Emideli or DDK… gossiping with the mums off the estate. Claire Sweeney or my best friend Kyle DeVolle will swing by, we’d just be a bunch of cackling hens first thing in the morning!
Where else in London do you just know all your neighbours? Because of this community that’s been built, the area feels so safe despite being so close to the town centre. I can walk to Soho or Hyde Park in 20 minutes, I mean it’s mad. I shouldn’t even be telling anyone about this, it feels like a hidden gem.
Pimlico is a dog lover’s area. I moved right next to a dog park which is perfect for Reenie and Raf, my partner’s dog. Most of the businesses welcome dogs with open arms and it’s nice to not have to worry about not bringing them with you. There’s a fantastic, well priced restaurant called O’Sole Mio just minutes from Michelin-starred A Wong. There’s a number of brilliant Italian delis, or Artist Residence if you want somewhere quiet.
Looking around you realise pretty quickly that Pimlico is perhaps a little reminiscent of how it used to be, and more importantly, how things are getting back to. Family-run businesses are everywhere. You get Tachbrook Street Market set up every day which has your local greengrocers Mac Kelly’s — best fruit and veg you can find; you got your local fishmonger, Johnny Norris, on Thursdays to Saturdays.
Most of the businesses in the area are family-run and always have been and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I mean, nowhere does flowers like Dovers. You name it, you’ll find it in Pimlico and it’ll mostly be family-run.
There’s the odd supermarket here or there but for the most part, the neighbourhood shuns the idea of big brands and I am thrilled.
I guess this is just one big love affair for Pimlico. It’s ever more a rarity in London and I feel blessed to be part of this community.
I wish it were easier for other areas to have this sense of community, where it’s not just certain factions that mix, but a melting pot of experiences and cultures. I would so love to see this more in our great city. How do we go about making this happen? Big love and See you next Wednesday.
Track of the week: Home — Julie McKnight
