5 Businesses Helping To Evolve The City

London is on the mend.

True, the capital city suffered the loss of swathes of key department and flagship stores – Debenhams, Topshop, House of Fraser, to name but a few – yet with the ingenuity and passion from some independent brands focussing on experience and customer engagement, the Big Smoke is once more becoming one of the world’s aspirational shopping destinations.

Here are five venues that are doing things differently:

Pitch, Soho

In London’s trendy Meard Street, the flagship Pitch clubhouse is a golfing sanctuary in the heart of the city. In its 8,000+ sq ft, this venue offers a flexible space built around golf practice with food, beverage and event spaces.

It is the second site under the Pitch brand from co-founders Elliot Godfrey and Chris Ingham who created the brand concept as a place for golf-pros and novices alike to enjoy the chance to hang out, play golf and relax. The less formal setting is a far cry from some of the more traditional golf clubs and the founders of Pitch hope that this will help to attract greater diversity to the game.

gosh! Comic Books, Soho

A celebration of all things comics & graphic novels, gosh! is a book store with edge serving mainstream to manga in a cool place to be.

The store will soon host its eighth ‘Small Press Day’, inviting independent and self-published comic creators to join them for a day of signings and festivities across the DIY comics scene. This year’s signings include Avery Hill with Lord Hurk, Clio Isadora, Alex Potts and Shanti Rai; there is also a sci-fi themed signing & much more. The event takes place on Saturday 5th August.

Donutelier by Roladin, Charing Cross Road

‘The most luxurious doughnuts London has ever seen’ is the sales pitch and whilst the taste test will always sit with the consumer, the store aesthetics at the Donutelier certainly pass the stop-and-stare test.

Inspired by the craftsmanship of the world’s greatest fashion ateliers, Donutelier showcases each step of the doughnut creation process. Everything is hand-crafted with passers by able to watch as humble dough becomes mini works of art.

The store is the UK debut for Israeli bakery and café group Roladin and signature doughnuts start at £5.

“We are excited to bring some of the most innovative and luxurious doughnuts the world has ever seen to London,” said Arik Waiss, CEO and partner of Donutelier by Roladin.

Trading Desk, Soho

A place to purchase and trade rare clothing, sneakers, art and lifestyle accessories with an online platform and now a store in Walkers Court. And popular enough that a small queue can often be seen outside this boutique.

Keen to emphasise that the brand is not a marketplace, as it owns the items they sell, the retailer offers knowledge to its customers to confirm the authenticity of the many highly desirable items on offer.

Based in London, UK, but operating globally, the business has a mission to facilitate and nurture a communal space where customers and friends can buy, trade and curate their favourite streetwear, sneakers, art and accessories.

Third Space, Soho

Third Space is a group of luxury health clubs attracting members who want to enjoy premium fitness spaces. The Soho health club offers everything from a hypoxic chamber (an area of varying size that simulates high altitude conditions) a swimming pool, and a suspended glass floor training area.

It is also home to Natural Fitness Food, a meal preparation service with a retail offer in collaboration with the top-end health club brand. The 40,000 sq ft site is one of eight locations and whilst the brand was founded in 2001. Expect a lot more awareness when new sites open at Battersea Power Station and Wimbledon.