When Marc Hare wants this sorted, he gets things sorted. That the dreadlocked shoe designer and boss Agony Uncle‘s namesake brand went from conception to shopfloor reality (at Dover Street Market – casual) in just 360 days is testament to his business flair and general life prowess. Five years later, Mr Hare is fully fledged and well-hyped, with an established Mayfair location and a slew of big time international stockists championing the brand’s slick, drool inducing Italian leather shoes. On the back of the launch of an accessories collection, Mr Hare recently opened a second location in Notting Hill. As it turns out, the area holds hefty meaning for Marc, and we thought it appropriate to pick his brains on its cultural rise, fall and re-rise – and the part this neat space is playing in firing up its cylinders once again. Read this then do a day trip and make Mr Hare number one on your list. They’ll sort you out.

Tempe Nakiska: Why did you choose Notting Hill as the location for your second store?
Marc Hare: Because it is in the neighbourhood where I live. I used to have a surf shop in Notting Hill before East London was a thing. West London used to be very cool. I thought it was about time we revived some of that cool, so thats why I opened shop deux, there.

TN: How has Notting Hill changed in your time? What is its future?
MH: It got mad tame. Culture could no longer afford to happen there and it is so residential that outside of the carnival, man can’t even hold down a little shubeen anymore.

That film did unbelievable damage to the lifeblood of the area. There is a lot more to a neighbourhood than house prices and the ready availability of healthy smoothies. Some of the original iconic stuff remains like the original RoughTrade Records, The Globe has just been refurbed very well in my opinion and the market is still the market. Don’t get me wrong I am all for change, but this area literally transformed into a Disney designed suburb. The excitement left town.

Portobello is still an expensive place to live but now so is everywhere else so cost should no longer be an issue to exciting young people populating what is essentially a very nice part of London to live in. A neighbourhood is only as good as the people in it.

TN: What was the concept? How does it differ to the first space?
MH: The Mayfair store was Mr Hare opening a showroom to the Mr. Hare world. Your first store is always designed by the heart more than the head. The NHG store is Mr Hare firing on more cylinders. The shoes we make now are much better because you learn and improve. Our shop game is way more on point in terms of service and like I said before, we are trying to kick Notting Hill in it’s ass so it has some homegrown edgy appeal it can be proud of, so this store had to represent Mr. Hare and his affinity to the area.

TN: Why should we be tempted to get down and check it out? Apart from the obvious kick ass kicks, what can we expect to find?
MH: Notting Hill is like a lovely day out in London. We have great places to eat. Great people watching in the market. Awesome pubs like The Cow and generally good vibes all round.

At the Mr Hare store you can either just bump to the sounds, try on shoes, hang out and relax and if you are particularly nice to the staff there are a few bottles of very old Appletons Rum stashed somewhere. Personally I like to catch some sun rays out on the bench first thing in the morning and parle with the endless stream of Notting Hill. 

TN: After a busy time, you’re about to head away. What does a Mr Hare soul do when he kicks back? Or are we talking work – not play?
MH: I just went on a UK road trip through The New Forest, Dorset and Devon. It was the best holiday I have had in a long time. Just a hire car and a tent with a vague plan to eat lots of local seafood, sample this fine southern England wine everyone is talking about these days and finding beautiful places to swim, plus castles and caves to explore. Random I know, but I was like an excited kid everyday. I have also started sailing recently with friends in the Solent so yeah, I am stay cation!

Mr Hare, 178a Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill W11 2RH