What’s New

Society of Fulham Artists and Potters (SoFAP) Pop-Up

The Society of Fulham Artists and Potters (SoFAP), a pillar of the local art community since 1952, are opening their first-ever pop-up gallery and shop on the first floor of the Fulham Broadway shopping centre this month. The pop up starts on 6 February and will showcase a diverse collection of original artworks all by artists based in SW6 including ceramics, handcrafted items and artist designed items; all available for purchase. This pop-up gallery is an exciting new milestone for SoFAP, extending its rich tradition of biannual exhibitions in our urban village in a new venue. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with our vibrant local art scene, discover unique pieces that reflect the talent and diversity of artists here in Fulham.

We caught up with Fulham resident and all round community champion Rowena Vaughan, Chair of SoFAP who told Urban Village LDN. “We are excited to bring our artists works to the heart of Fulham Broadway. This pop-up gallery allows us to connect with the community in a fresh and accessible way, offering art lovers the chance to appreciate and acquire original pieces in a convenient setting.” Highlights of the Pop-Up Gallery include: a curated selection of paintings, drawings, mixed media pieces, sculptures, handcrafted pottery and three-dimensional art. The Pop-up will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday until the end March.

SoFAP has been a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging the practice and exhibition of local artists work for over seven decades. Membership is open to individuals over 18 who live, work, or study in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and neighbouring areas. For more information about SoFAP and / or the pop up head to the link below.

Extraordinary Thai

Poppy’s II has moved from it’s 7 year spot on Greyhound Road to a prime Fulham location in the heart of our urban village. This Thai eatery opened it’s doors at 175 New Kings Road (next to Eat Beirut) just before the end of 2024. As you turn the corner at Parsons Green you can’t miss Poppy’s II mint green exterior and the lavish conservatory giving you a taste of the extraordinary interiors featuring a menagerie of animals from peacocks to lion cubs, stunning chandeliers, marble topped tables, beautiful mismatched china, artworks and floral displays.

We ate at the old location a few years ago so we had to head over to Parsons Green to check out the new one to see if the food was as delicious we remember and the interiors just as magical. We weren’t disappointed! When you walk in the first thing that hits your line of vision is a large crystal chandelier with a group of mischievous squirrels clambering all over it and a giraffe overseeing their antics. Yes you read that right!

If you’re a lover of Thai food you’ll enjoy what’s on offer because you can take your pick from traditional dishes and nibbles: prawn crackers, spring rolls, edamame, Pad Kra Prow and red / green curry. We tucked into prawn toast, spring rolls, chicken Massaman curry, prawn pad Thai and beef Pad King. Mains we feel are reasonably priced at £8 and you can also head there for a cuppa and a catch up. It’s hard for us to put the whole Poppy’s vibe into words, so go and see for yourself. Great venue for a get together with friends and family; they have a long table that runs the length of the restaurant and there’s a space downstairs. We think many years ago this spot was Strada but it’s had several reincarnations since then, let’s hope Poppy’s II stays here for many years to come. You’ll also find Poppy’s I, III and IV in Hammersmith.

Lighthouse Social

A new, contemporary private members club is coming to Fulham. Applications have just opened for Lighthouse Social which will officially open this Spring. The club is located on the banks of the Thames atop Fulham Pier, next to Bishops Park, and features panoramic riverside views across South West London. Although we haven’t seen them yet we’re told that the interiors will be “chic and eclectic, designed to appeal to every need of the modern Londoner”.

Lighthouse Social is split over three floors with 10,000sq ft of indoor space and 2,000 sq ft of outdoor space, including two large rooftop terraces. The interiors are designed by Parisian practice Dion et Arles featuring “sensuous fabrics, deep and luxurious seating and voguish wall hangings to admire”. There’s also a flagship restaurant and multiple bars to be enjoyed, as well as a screening room, library, shared workspace and Club Crèche.

Emily Biggs, Head of Membership at Lighthouse Social told Urban Village LDN “Deeply embedded in the heart of Fulham, Lighthouse Social is designed to be more than just a space - it’s a true hub for our community.  Answering the neighbourhood’s call for a warm, vibrant place to gather, create, and connect, it will offer a space where Fulham’s residents can collaborate, unwind, and feel at home.  Whether it’s through creative projects, shared experiences, or simply a spot to unwind, Lighthouse Social gives locals a compelling reason to stay west, celebrating the unique character and spirit that makes Fulham so special."

The Civet House

Another coffee shop opening but we think the parents and staff at Fulham Boys must be very happy to have such a bouji one right on their door step! The Civet House at 653 Fulham Road, named after the mammal that’s native to tropical Asia and Africa, opened their doors in December and the interiors are gorgeous with orange accents, a quirky mix of prints, macramé pendants and comfy banquette seating. Not only do they serve speciality coffee, they have a cold drinks menu featuring Strawberry and Blueberry matcha and iced charcoal and Pandan ( we had to look this one up) a plant with hints of vanilla and hazelnut. Our Ed’s favourite coffee is a soya vanilla late so we know who’ll be strolling down the Fulham Road to give this a try!

The Civet House will soon be serving food with a sandwich menu featuring our all time fave “The Tuna Melt” as well as “The Tuscan” with tomato, mozzarella and pesto, “Mediterranean Bliss”, Falafel, homemade hummus, halloumi and spinach and “The Veggie Classic”. We’ve also spotted that waffles are incoming, we need to investigate further to see if there are any other breakfast options in the future. The team there told Urban Village LDN “our goal is to establish ourselves as the go to destination for coffee lovers in Fulham and the area offering exception brunch, breakfast and delicious matcha”.

The Fulhamite

Fulham Social Hub have launched their resident membership “The Fulhamite” which entitles locals, who sign up to become a member, access to discounts from SW6 businesses, services and brands listed on their Directory.

As a resident who signs up to become a member you’ll not only be supporting the local economy but also a local cause as 10% of all Fulham Social Hub memberships go to a community initiative. Stay tuned as Fulham Social Hub, thanks to their early adopter business members, are about to make their first donation to Friends of Bishops Park.

For £10 a month (and a one off £5 payment for the card) members can login to the “Members only” area of the Fulham Social Hub website to find out what these offers are, access codes to make online purchases, find out which bricks and mortar businesses are offering a discount when you show your active digital membership card in store etc.

To kick things off Bridge Baker are offering 10% off your entire evening in store dining bill, need help building an app, improving your online presence or creating a bespoke website then Vizability.io have got you covered (FSH members get 10% off), in need of financial advice, if you sign as a client with Raymond James Fulham you’ll receive a luxury tea or chocolate gift box, UpBeat Music London are offering 30% off their Popkids Club classes (Reception - Year 3), Crystal Garden London 20% off a Mind and Body Reset session and a further 20% off their Pause and Explore follow up session, 10% off purchases and bespoke womenswear in store at Allison Rodger Designs, 15% off a pack of 25 classes with Barrefly LDN and more!

Zara Thomas, co-founder of the Fulham Social Hub told Urban Village LDN. “We’re excited to have launched our resident membership and we’re looking forward to the year ahead. We haven’t celebrated our first anniversary yet so Melinda and I are thrilled to have had so much support from our lovely business members and to be donating funds to help Friends of Bishops Park with a project they’re undertaking. We’re proud to have been able to help and support this gorgeous green SW6 space and the amazing work that the Friends do with their incredible band of volunteers; they all give up their time for free, for the love of one of our treasured parks. We hope residents will help us do more good things within our community - non of the funds raised are going back into our pockets. They are going back into the pot to support local, a long held passion that we both share”.