Mayfair.org.uk » Albemarle Street

Royal Institution director redundancy causes controversy

Rob Powell — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:41:17 +0000

The Royal Institution in Albemarle Street has unleashed a storm of controversy and comment after its decision to make its Director, Lady Greenfield, redundant.

The RIÃ‚Â confirmed last month they were reviewing the position of the Director, and they have now concluded that they should abolish the position and make Lady Greenfield redundant.

Greenfield had led the RI since 1998 and overseen a huge refurbishment project culminating in a visit from the Queen. The Ã‚Â£22 million refurbishment has apparently failed to boost the RIs fortunes and it’s continuing to lose money.

A statement released by Lady Greenfield says she has consulted with a QC and believes the decision to have been unlawful.

There’s plenty of coverage of this across the media, so rather than rewrite it here, here’s some links for further reading:

Recognition for Albemarle Restaurant

Rob Powell — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:06:00 +0000

The Albemarle Restaurant at Brown’s Hotel has been recognised with the awarding of three AA rosettes. The accolade is awarded to Ã¢â‚¬Å“outstanding restaurants that demand recognition well beyond the local area”.

The Albemarle was previous known as The Grill and was re-launched in March 2008 with Mark Hix as Director of Food and Lee Streeton as Executive Chef.

HM Queen Visits Revamped RI

Rob Powell — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:02:00 +0000

The Royal Institution of Great Britain, based in Albemarle St, today received a visit from the Queen to mark its Ã‚Â£22million refurbishment. She was shown around the impressive remodelled facilities, and witnessed a demonstration of Heston Blumenthal fusing food and science

Famed for its popular, televised Christmas Lectures, the RI has been in in its historic Albemarle St premises since 1799, where it has been devoted to scientific education and research.

The refurbishment of the space, designed by renowned architect Sir Terry Farrell, has created a new feel to the RI with three levels of museum space, a stunning atrium, new cafe and restaurant, as well as keeping the existing Grade 1 listed rooms such as the Faraday theatre where the Christmas lectures are given.

The RI is a great place to visit, and thanks to its redevelopment, also makes an excellent venue for private hire.