Mr Lhermitte passed the restaurant down to his family in 2017 (he died in 2022) and it's now under new family ownership. And the new owners are ready to give Mon Plaisir a refresh - though the original dining room and copper-topped bar will be staying put - so they're auctioning off a range of the venue's classic French interior decorations.
The cultural destination, which opened in 1982, and is the home of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), has deteriorated "significantly" over the years. Plans to revamp creative and performance spaces as well as restore the brutalist foyers, Lakeside Terrace and Conservatory, have been given approval by the City of London Corporation which is funding 80% of the work. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase finished by 2030.
The much-loved cocktail spot has had a full refurb, reopening on 13th November with a nostalgic nod to the nineties and a few surprises that'll make you want to stay all night. Founded in 1998, Be At One's always been about good times and great value drinks, and the new space keeps that spirit alive but with a glossier edge.
Chiltern Railways has shown off the first of its refurbished Mark 5A trains, which will be introduced between London and the West Midlands from early 2026. The fleet of 13 refurbished trains will replace Chiltern's oldest carriages, which are nearly 50 years old, and once the whole fleet is replaced, they will be able to increase train services by some 10,000 seats per day from next December.
“It has never been clearer how important our libraries are to residents than on this reopening, as many smiling faces eagerly travelled through the new library spaces, many planning their future visits, whether regular users or new library converts.”
