Gap Between Mayfair and City Office Prices Widens

A new report by CB Richard Ellis has found that the difference in prime office space costs between the West End and the City is at its widest ever level . Within the West End, the headline figure is actually skewed upwards by two sub markets which demand prime rentals of £120.00 per sq ft - Mayfair and St James's.

Prime rental costs in the City stands at only £65.00 per sq ft. The City faces competition from Docklands and new developments on the South Bank, whilst West End tenants are less likely to look at other areas. The research says "top prime rents of the West End are being driven by a relatively small number of tenants that have strong preferances for very specific locations in the West End".

Read the CBRE Report

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Mayfair Serviced Offices

"Legible London" Scheme Makes Exploring Mayfair Easier

A new signage scheme called Legible London has been unveiled in Bond Street and nearby streets which aims to make exploring the area by foot a great deal simpler. As part of the pilot, 19 displays have been erected with useful location information which should help West End shoppers this Christmas.

The signs give the reader a quick sense of their bearings and help them to locate shops, hotels, landmarks, toilets, tube stations and other amenities. They also provide an audio commentary which can be accessed via a mobile phone.

The scheme is the result of a joint commitment by the Mayor of London, TfL, Westminster City Council and New West End Company to improve conditions and signage for pedestrians in the area.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: "Legible London is an important part of the work that is taking place to improve conditions for pedestrians in the Capital... The Bond Street trial delivers on the pledge I made last year to improve signage in the West End before this year's Christmas shopping season."

Find out more at Legible London

Legible London sign launched by Cllr Danny Chalkley, Ben Plowden from Transport for London, and Ian Henderson from New West End Company.

Mayfair Still "Super Prime" Location, Say Savills

A new survey by Savills - the global real estate firm - that tracks the finest suburbs in London has found that Mayfair is still regarded as a "Super Prime" location. Along St James', Belgravia and Knightsbridge it has retained the same status as when the survey was last conducted, in 1989.

Whilst Mayfair has stayed the same, other areas such as Notting Hill have seen their status improve. Once considered as a "bad land" with near deprivation in the 1950s, Notting Hill now also enjoys Super Prime status.

Read the full story

Mayfair Library Reopens Tomorrow

Mayfair Library on South Audley Street reopens tomorrow (Monday 26th November) following a few weeks closure for essential building works.

Mayfair Library

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester Scores 8/10 in Telegraph Review

Legendary French chef, Alain Ducasse's new restaurant, Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, has come under the reviewing eye of Mark Palmer from the Telegraph .

Palmer review says "this is a restaurant for dedicated followers of food fashion and people with deep pockets or on generous expenses... the food here lives up to its billing and should not be missed."

Read the review in full.

Joan Collins Switches On Burlington Arcade's Christmas Lights

Legendary star Joan Collins last night attended the Burlington Arcade to switch on their Christmas lights. Arriving in a horse drawn carriage, she wished the assembled throng of 600 guests a "very glamourous" Christmas before turning on the lights. She also accepted a cheque for £10,000 from the Burlington Arcade on behalf of the Variety Club, which helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in the UK.


Onlookers enjoyed mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and were handed treats from Father Christmas who took time out of his busy schedule to attend.

New Bond Street Dearest Place For Store Owners

In what is perhaps not a very suprising piece of news, ThisIsMoney.co.uk has reported that New Bond Street in Mayfair is the most expensive place in Britain to rent retail space.

Global property agent Cushman & Wakefield have detected an increase of 11% over the last year, which they put down to a number of new tenants designed to take advantage of spending power provided by the influx of wealthy Russian businessmen into the capital.

Claridge's Hosts Spectator Awards

The Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair has played host to the Spectator Political Awards 2007. In a ceremony attended by the great and the good of British politics, the following awards were announced:

Newcomer of the year: Nick Clegg

Inquisitor of the year: Michael Conarty

Peer of the year: Baroness Thatcher

Speech of the year: William Hague

Resignation of the year: Tony Blair

Minister to Watch: Liam Byrne

Marathon Man of the year: Ian Paisley

Campaigner of the year: Iain Duncan Smith

Parliamentarian of the year: Alex Salmond

Politician of the year: George Osborne

Find out more at the Spectator

"Motorcycle Raiders" Hit Bond Street Again

The Evening Standard yesterday reported that the string of robberies carried out by a gang on motorbikes has continued, with Ralph Lauren in Bond Street being the latest target.

The robberies are the latest in a spate of crimes aimed at high end retailers in affluent areas. The gangs - Police believe two may be in operation - have struck at least 35 times in six months.

Mayfair House Gives Encore Performance in "Capturing Mary"

Stephen Poliakoff's "Joe's Palace" was shown last week on BBC One and was a candidate for drama highlight of the year. It followed the story of billionare Elliot Graham (played by Michael Gambon), who kept a stunning Mayfair mansion empty because he was afraid to enjoy his inherited riches until he knew the source of his father's income.

The stunning house looked to this eagle eyed observer like it was in Hill Street, Mayfair. Tonight the house will reappear in a second drama from Poliakoff, set in the same house but telling a different story from a different time. Maggie Smith will be sharing the limelight with the Mayfair mansion is what looks set to be another must-see drama.

"Capturing Mary", BBC 2, Monday 12th November, 9pm

Mayfair Diary Launched

AboutMayfair.co.uk has added a great new feature to the website. The Mayfair Diary is the way to keep track of all the great events happening in Mayfair, such as store openings, exhibitions, performances, sales, conferences and other special events.

Visit the Mayfair Diary

If you have information about an upcoming event in Mayfair, please email us and let us know.

Explore the streets of Mayfair

Whilst exploring the "blogosphere", I found this wonderful post by Camilla Bartley where she gives a great account of some of Mayfair's fascinating history, including notable residents and a tale of daring getaway through a now restricted passageway between the gardens of Devonshire House and Lansdowne House.

Check it out for a great little read: Promenades through London: Mayfair

Bond Street Christmas Lights Switch On

Bond Street's Christmas lights will be switched on by Sophie Dahl on Thursday November 22nd, at 6pm. The switch on will take place on the corner of Old Bond Street and Burlington Gardens. The road will be closed to traffic during a three hour celebration (lasting from 5pm - 8pm) where there will be carol singers, entertainers, reindeer, guaranteed snow and a rickshaw sleigh service.

It's sure to be a fantastic way to get Christmas started, and you can find out more about Bond Noel at the Bond Street Association's website.

Scott's Voted London's Coolest Restaurant

Mayfair restaurant Scott's has been voted London's coolest restaurant in a new "Going Out Guide" compiled by Harper's Bazaar and Moet.

The Mount Street restaurant, which dates back to 1851, specialises in fish dishes, and earned this praise from the guide's editor, Sophie Denning: "It looks gorgeous, it exudes confidence, and the simple pleasures of oysters and Dover sole are very London."

Find out more from This Is London

Mayfair Man Fined For Breaching Planning Laws

Westminster City Council has successfully prosecuted a Mayfair homeowner for breaching planning laws during the renovation of his house.

Andrew Cecil of Charles Street was fined £10,000 after historic features were damaged and substantial changes were made to interior walls in the 250 year old, Grade II listed property.

Mr Cecil pleaded guilty, and in mitigation his defence told the court he was a passionate advocate of the conservation of listed buildings.

Westminster City Council was also awarded costs in excess of £6,000.