Jason Atherton at Pollen Street Social
“Loneliness is a luxury for people like me,” Karl Lagerfeld once said. Having spent the past 20 years of my life living in restaurants for work and pleasure, for a long time I agreed with the legendary designer. What could be more restorative than supper alone at home after five straight nights eating and partying my way the length and breadth of London?
The past 12 months have taught me to be careful what I wish for. I used to long to spend a Christmas free from family obligations, instead cycling through the empty avenues and cloistered squares of the City and West End. This year, my wish was finally granted – only for it to feel no different to the previous, shuttered-up two weeks. Every day now looks like Christmas Day in the deserted streets of central London. Except, like Narnia, it is always winter but never Christmas.