COVENT GARDEN RETURNS TO BLOOM THIS SUMMER
Covent Garden is returning to its historic past as Westminster Abbey’s original orchard garden as it becomes a floral haven this summer. The Chelsea Flower Show garden ‘500 Years of Covent Garden’ will be returned as an al fresco pop-up in the iconic Piazza, hosting brand partnerships such as Nyetimber English sparkling wine offering shoppers a tranquil haven to drink and dine. Alongside, the Piazza’s retailers and restaurants including Frenchie and The Ivy Market Grill are launching bespoke offers and products to celebrate ‘Covent Garden in Bloom’.
During the week of the Chelsea Flower Show (22nd – 27th May) shops and restaurants across Covent Garden will start to bloom, with botanical window and store displays and exclusive in store experiences. Armani Box will be offering masterclasses in floral beauty throughout the week, Godiva with its bespoke chocolate bouquets, Carat will offer in-store discounts and the East India Company tastings of floral iced teas.
Following the Chelsea Flower Show, Lee Bestall’s Show silver award winning garden will be transformed into ‘The Terrace at Covent Garden,‘ from 1st June, where the 60-year-old apple trees, planters filled with floral displays and furniture from the Chelsea garden will be placed in the East Piazza for shoppers to enjoy a seat in the floral oasis. The Chelsea garden was influenced by Covent Garden through the ages: the orchard garden for Westminster Abbey, 300 years as London’s fruit and flower market, and the vibrant shopping and dining destination it is today.
The Ivy Market Grill, Frenchie and Dirty Martini have created exclusive floral cocktails available from
22nd May until July, including The Ivy’s ‘Covent Garden Summer Blush’, Frenchie’s ‘Rosemary Mei’ and Dirty Martini’s ‘The Chelsea Tea Party’ all featuring botanical ingredients. Beauty brand Kiehls, Armani Box, Kikki K and Nars will also be offering floral themed products throughout the period.
Beverley Churchill, Creative Director, Capco, said; “What better way to celebrate the rich floral heritage of Covent Garden than with a show garden straight out of the Chelsea Flower Show recreated on the Piazza for all of our visitors to enjoy during the warmer months”.
Additional detail about Covent Garden in Bloom restaurateur and retailer offerings:
From 22nd May – 29th May:
- Armani Box: Offering one to one VIP masterclasses with Giorgio Armani Face Designer and Runway Spring-Summer Group Masterclass on 26th May (bookable in store)
- Carat: offering 20% off Snow Flower and Fauna collections in-store
- East India Company: Fruit and floral iced tea tastings and masterclasses
From 22nd May – June:
- The Ivy Market Grill: Exclusive ‘Covent Garden Summer Blush’ cocktail (including Briottet Crème de Menthe Blanche, Grapefruit Juice, Elderflower cordial, Prosecco and lavender, mint and rosebud garnish)
- Frenchie: Exclusive ‘Rosemary Mei’ cocktail (including Portobello Gin, Byrrh, homemade rhubarb syrup, lime and rosemary)
- Dirty Martini: Exclusive ‘The Chelsea Tea Party’ cocktail (including Silent Pool Gin, fresh lime juice, dried lavender, Briottet Liqueur de Coquelicot de Nemours – Poppy and homemade Honey and Chamomile Tea Syrup)
- Sweetheart Cupcakes: floral cupcakes available, prices available in store
- Kiehls: focus on Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil and Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream in store
- Ted Baker: On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June The Cocktail Man will be serving floral cocktails from a Ted Baker tricycle in the Piazza and offering spot prizes to shoppers
About 500 Years of Covent Garden
Covent Garden has been reimagined as a stunning Show Garden at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, bringing a much-loved part of London to the world-renowned event for the first time. The 500 Years of Covent Garden Show Garden is sponsored by Capco, the landowner and steward of Covent Garden, in partnership with the Sir Simon Milton Foundation, the Westminster based charity which champions opportunities for young and old.
About Capco Covent Garden:
Covent Garden is one of the most distinct and vibrant estates in London. The district is now home to Chanel, Dior, Balthazar and Ivy Market Grill and has recently unveiled some of the finest residential properties in London.Capital & Counties Properties PLC (‘Capco’) is responsible for the management and curation of over 1 million sq. ft. of space at Covent Garden valued at £2.1 billion (as at 30 June 2016). Under Capco’s stewardship, Covent Garden has been transformed into a world-class destination, welcoming over 44 million customer visits a year.