Uncertainty After Closure of Dickens Yard Flagship Restaurant

Developers say the area is still doing well despite the loss of Charlottes W5

Charlotte's W5. Picture: Liz Jenner

Developers of the Dickens Yard development are putting on a brave face despite the closure of their flagship restaurant.

Charlotte's W5 was the first bar/restaurant to open in the new Ealing town centre development in 2016, owner Alex Wrethman was offered the imposing site - a former stables - due to the success of his two other projects – Charlotte’s Place in Ealing Common, & Charlotte’s Bistro, Chiswick.

The longstanding Ealing institution 'Charlotte's Place' was closed after a freak gas explosion and accident at Easter time 2018 in which the acting head chef was badly injured. The site was later put up for auction sale by the receiver and was sold for £814,000 in May.

Charlotte's Bistro in Chiswick shut before Christmas 2019 as did Charlotte's W5, and at the time management said the closures were due to 'kitchen repairs' and 'electrical issues'.

However neither of the restaurants reopened and a legal notice of repossession has been placed in the window of the Dickens Yard restaurant.

Charlotte's was approved for a Corporate Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in March 2018 after a notice to strike off the company was posted in 2017. An updated CVA was made in June 2019. A CVA is an insolvency procedure allowing a company with debt problems to reach a voluntary agreement with its business creditors regarding repayment of all, or part of its corporate debts over an agreed time period. Charlotte's W5 Ltd which had a registered address at the stable block has been in a voluntary arrangement with creditors since 11 October according to Companies House.

We asked Charlotte's management for comment as to why the business has folded but haven't received any statement or explanation.

Developers St George have also not shed any further light on the closure but a spokesperson was adamant that despite it Dickens Yard was doing well.

''Ealing residents enjoy the mix of retail and leisure at Dickens Yard and we continue to see footfall grow. We also have a strong pipeline of new openings in 2020 including KIDZ #1, a 12,000 sq ft children’s soft play, activity and education centre.

“Another enhancement to the location will be the rebranding of Skinny Kitchen as W5 Bistro which we look forward to opening soon.”

We have asked but not had any reply as regards what will happen to the former stable block building now.

5 February 2020