Forum Topics

Hewson Books not reopening

According to my intel, Hewson Books will not be reopening in the spring.  This is a very great shame. It was, perhaps, a slightly strange opening so early in the development’s, er, development. Bookshops are the stuff of life but Brentford currently has greater needs than that. I’m so sorry that Hewson Books has been a casualty - the first casualty. The odds were stacked against success at this time, in that location and with the heavily discounted competition from Amazon.  The moral of this story is ‘use it or lose it’. Many thanks to Hewson’s for having had a go.

Tracie Dudley Craig ● 53d53 Comments ● 3h

Time called on Balraj finally?

As he previously turned up just in time to avoid forfeiture, it looks likely that he has made a miscalculation on his calendar and will finally be ousted. That is of course, unless Labour say that the breach of the Act was de minimis if he turns up to the January council meeting or they offer him special dispensation. If they cared about residents of the ward they would be doing everything they possibly could to get him out.

Kenneth Seally ● 119d79 Comments ● 3h

Waterman's

Any news about Waterman's rising like a phoenix from the ashes at a new Brentford location?

Eric Alan Leach ● 56d20 Comments ● 9h

Guy Lambert blog fact check

Some lazy assumptions this week, councillor.The Windmill Road junction does indeed see large puddles in heavy rain, although the genuine flood issues that plagued that part of the road some years back are long gone. However, to blame this on people’concreting over their gardens’ is a bit of a stretch.Perhaps you should ask the ever-reliable Thames Water to investigate the drains there. Given the appallingly shoddy construction of Performance Point on that corner the chances are that there’s a substantial amount of concrete and other debris blocking up the sewers. It’s happened before.You might also want to point the finger at your council’s own planning department. Just up the road is Reynard Mills, which has a vast expanse of tarmac and concrete approved by your planning committee. Contributing to those overworked drains, no?I look forward to the increased flow out of the Churchill House development when its concrete and tarmac are added into the mix.As for rowing in Brentford, well a lot more could be done to support Team Keane. One suggestion made to the brains behind the GSK redevelopment is to give the club space adjoining the canal so that more schoolchildren can enjoy the benefits of rowing and canoeing with them. While I don’t enjoy your continuation of the class war, I agree that as a form of exercise it should be more accessible for all. After all, Britain’s greatest tower didn’t have a private education. Perhaps you could pursue this.Other than that, it was a reasonable read this week.

Simon Hayes ● 32d7 Comments ● 1d

Three cheers for the Royal Mail 1st Class!

I posted a greeting card with a 1st Class stamp at 4.30 pm yesterday at the "gold" pillar box outside Isleworth Post Office on the London Road ... and wished it well and a safe journey.Blow me down ... it safely arrived at a remote house on the Outer Hebrides this morning!Just 16 hours later! That really is first class. Well done Royal Mail (Jubilee Mail Centre and the Stornoway Delivery Office)

Jim Lawes ● 4d1 Comments ● 3d

It’s a bit like Fawlty Towers around here…

Remember the opening credits showing the hotels name, Fawlty Towers, and how the letters were moved around each week to spell something else?Well, our specialism around here seems to be the  temporary road signs.  Utility road works last year gave arrows showing the traffic where the diversion was.  This lasted for a couple of days until somebody twigged the diverted route came past their house, so the arrows were swiftly moved around, and hey presto! The arrows took drivers back to where they started..You may have seen all the road closed signs for Wood Lane?  These have done a grand job in keeping the local roads clear of the school and commuter traffic.  There is a gas leak just before the railway crossing which needs to be fixed.  In the meantime , there isn’t a hole, and there isn’t a worker in sight.  Last night around 8.30pm the cones were carefully  tucked away onto the pavement and  the road closure  is actually no more …

Sarah Felstead ● 7d0 Comments ● 7d

Parking Permits

Anyone know why my Hounslow CPZ permit- which cost nothing last year- has suddenly increased to £90 a year? It's the same car...

Mark Gormley ● 15d6 Comments ● 10d

How much for a ticket at New Cinema

At last a new cinema.But the report does not mention the regular ticket prices.We go to the one in Kings Cross or Chelsea as wife gets a company perk ( a bit like Waterman's had with GSK employees.But a normal ticket ( which I have to get) is never less than £20. and the concessions are £18.50So it's not really going to be affordable to the average person in Brentford is it?The lovely place in Chiswick is super but super expensive too.Or is there a different local pricing that got omitted from the report?

Raymond Havelock ● 54d24 Comments ● 11d

ISLEWORTH THROUGH THE AGES illustrated talk

posting on behalf of - The Friends of Isleworth Public Hall Inviting all to enjoy a Social Afternoon on Wednesday 9th April 2025. Doors Open 1.45pm for a 2.15pm Illustrated Talk “Isleworth Through the Ages” by Christine Diwell3.15 p.m. RefreshmentsAt Isleworth Public Hall, South Street,  TW7 7BGEmail: members.foiph@gmail.com Tel. 020 8744 0663

Rob Kemp ● 12d1 Comments ● 11d

Foxes

As lovely as the foxes are to see, I have noticed they are now climbing and sleeping on the cars in our local area. Sadly my vehicle has been badly scratched. Has anyone else had this issue?

Jai Williams ● 37d15 Comments ● 17d

Well done to Theo

Really pleased to see Theo win the Syon and Brentford Lock BY - Election and let us all hope that it gives the local Labour Group a well deserved wake up callCongratulations also to Max Mosley who retained the seat for Labour in Brentford East by a pretty good margin and very interesting to see Reform come second beating the Conservatives in to third place

Paul Fisher ● 25d9 Comments ● 18d

London Irish to return?

There is a very interesting thread on the Chiswick forum at the moment about the possibility of London Irish coming back to Brentford. Both sides of the argument seem to have a good grasp of the details.I would love to see it happen. For many people who can walk to the ground it is difficult to get tickets to see Premier League games if you are not a season ticket holder so I think a much higher proportion of local residents were at the rugby fixtures. For me this made me really value its presence. I prefer football and went a few times a season to Griffin Park but you take what you can get.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 39d5 Comments ● 19d

Filming Parking BRS Zones Closed to Residents

So what looks like more than 1/2 of BRS parking zone has been closed off for filming. Brook Road, Lateward Road and Breamer Road plus part of Mafeking. Where are all the cars going to fit. I do hope Hounslow has arranged for BRS passes to be accepted in other zones?Also, residents should be due a partial refund. Charging locals and filming companies is double booking.

Jai Williams ● 28d10 Comments ● 20d

GSK Building plans set to be revealed

We are about to find out exactly what is planned for the massive GSK site.The developer has set up a www.hellobrentford.co.uk and is holding exhibitions next month.They do say that the plans are largely set. It looks like they might be willing to make minor changes but that is it. If you are hoping to see any further details on the project web site, get set for disappointment.

Kenneth Seally ● 123d23 Comments ● 21d

Tomorrow's Bye-Elections.

One wonders how high the "Turn Out" figures will be. Hopefully more than the usual 30%.Shame that there are so many Candidates up for election ...instead of having a "two horse" race.That David Kerr chap seems very positive, active and bright. He says that support for him was encouragingafter a well supported door-knocking exercise.Would he provide the "Shake Up"required?

Jim Lawes ● 27d15 Comments ● 25d

SuDS

Very interesting small comment in Guy Lambert's blog this week, regarding SuDS, Sustainable Drainage Systems. This was regarding people paving over their front gardens, many to enable them to park their cars there.One of the things that grinds my gears is the number of people who drive over our footpaths without the benefit of a proper vehicular crossover, in order to use the front garden as their own parking space. I have to say that LBH are appalling at any enforcement to put a stop to this - which contravenes The Highways Act 1980 Section 184. You should apply for a crossover from the Highways Authority - which happens to be your local council, this would also ensure that the council would be in a position to also ensure that any hardstanding installed to park the vehicle, was permeable or had sufficient drainage, thus helping us to save water. However, Hounslow's so-called 'Enforcement' seems to consist of maybe sending a feeble letter to any offenders pointing this out to them, then absolutely nothing happens. Apart from the damage to footpaths - what damage is possible to the services underneath them? Were LBH to actually enforce - this would bring in much needed revenue as they would be the people constructing the crossovers and possibly the hardstandings if a householder did not want to do that themselves. Why oh why LBH don't offer some sort of amnesty and a reduced rate to encourage the uptake - and make it clear if people don't comply - they will take the appropriate action?

Vanessa Smith ● 43d11 Comments ● 34d

Brentford Voice ‘Local Conversation’

A meeting will be held at Brentford Free Church on the evening of Thursday 27 February 2025 in the form of our ‘Local Conversations’. Primarily it will be a review of Brentford Voice’s work in 2024 and its plans for 2025. All are welcome.The church will be open from 7 pm and tea/coffee and cake served. The meeting will start promptly ay 7.30 pm and finish around 9 pm. It's not essential, but if you are planning to come along then do please let us know by email to info@brentfordvoice.co.uk so we can plan for numbers and cake!

Jim Storrar ● 35d0 Comments ● 35d

LBH Wasting Money and Community charge rise

No wonder our community charge Bills are rising nearly 5%, when the CEO of LBH is going to earn in the region of £200k which is a lot more than the PM. Plus LBH spent over £30K on defending a Sudanese Channel crosser who the Home Office said was in his mid 20s yet LBH claimed he was 16 years old and therefore a child.

David Cook ● 40d0 Comments ● 40d

Is the anyone in Brentford looking for sell their house?

Hi everyone,I currently live in Brentford and am looking to buy a two- or three-bedroom house with a garden. I haven’t come across anything on the market that quite fits what I’m looking for, so I thought I’d reach out here.If you’re thinking of selling, or know anyone who is, I’d love to connect! Feel free to get in touch.Thanks!

Melanie Marks ● 51d1 Comments ● 47d