Forum Topic

Brentford is closed!

From Brentford Today on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/brentfordtoday/permalink/374200276675074/?__tn__=K-RTHE GREAT BALLYMORE SILENCEBRENTFORD IS CLOSED. WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING – IN SIX MONTHS' TIME! AS ANGER AND SUSPICION GROW, THE TOWN GETS IMPATIENT.As half the high street turns into a ghost town, and Brentford people wait for snippets from on high, Councillor Mel Collins puts it succinctly: "The drip-drip effect just fuels anger and suspicion to the local community."Bang on, Mel.Cllr Collins adds: "We are in exciting times. Let us be open and celebrate the fact."Then he pleads rather desperately: "Is it possible to give a more comprehensive outline as to what is actually happening over the next few months?"Good question. So Brentford Today put it to Ballymore HQ. External Affairs Manager Jennifer Ball said: "Thanks for reaching out. In terms of further communications, we will be opening an information centre on site this summer, which will feature exhibition space and site models. We are working towards the launch of this amenity intended to engage and inform local people, and improve awareness of plans. More news on this will be available in the coming months."IN THE COMING MONTHS! THIS SUMMER! Are they joking? If they want to engage us, they are going the wrong way about it.Council leader Steve Curran seems as frustrated as anyone. He says: “I’m already in discussion with Ballymore to ensure that we have clear communications by the end of January.”However that's just a "discussion". Ballymore's official position refers to "summer" and "months".Surely Brentford deserves better than this. The south side looks like one of those Wild West ghost towns after the gold mines run out. It'll soon fall down on its own, with tumbleweed blowing along the footpath. You walk past shutters and barred doors and find the post office which bears a scribbled note: closed.Brentford's heart is in cardiac arrest.Well, if it's going to be redeveloped, you'd expect closures at some point. Understandable. What you don't expect is the utter lack of detailed information. It's rude, it's disrespectful. Look on Hounslow council's website. Almost nothing. Look on Ballymore's website. "Reinvention Meets Restoration," it says. "16,250 sq m of new retail floorspace, a 3000 sq m grocery store, a gym and leisure centre and an arts centre/cinema. Retaining several heritage buildings and thoroughfares…"Where's the detail? Where's the plan?Or don't ordinary Brentford people matter?Cllr Guy Lambert says they are "pressing our friends Ballymore to communicate more speedily!" Note the word "friends". Nobody wants to fall out. Ballymore are big and powerful but this is not some minor development on the outskirts. It is right at the heart of Brentford – half the high street is about to be knocked down – hence it is called Regeneration. It's not just a few flats. It's Brentford itself. The biggest change in a generation, perhaps ever.People are asking, quite rightly: "Why are we not being kept fully informed?" Otherwise confidence in the project is being undermined, day by day.Brentford Today stands with Cllr Curran. The people of Brentford need to be told exactly what is happening. And when. They need to be told very soon.

Reg Ghosh ● 2587d32 Comments

Simon, I for one do not use the Brentdord Tandoori because, having tried it, it is not very good. I used to eat at Sami's now and again.I do not use the Six Bells because I already use 3 other local pubs and I do not like Fuller's beer much. Also, if you know anything about the history of the pub since Mick and Joyce stopped running it, you might know one reason why locals have mostly shunned it.I think some of the problem is that many of the new residents of Brentford,those in the expensive new flats,may not be pub and curry house types.

Keith Iddon ● 2538d

Thank you Nigel for sharing this. It brings back memories of what I read all those years ago.

Nicholas Beard ● 2538d

OK, that was the 1950 plan drafted by the MCC.The original pre-WWII plan as published was this –The Evening News article of 1950 was this –(don’t do this often enough, forget whether to add spaces or not! – alternatively:) –

Nigel Moore ● 2538d

Apologies, wrong code choice! Trying this -

Nigel Moore ● 2538d

“The rot set into Brentford in the late fifties. The Greater London Council (GLC) had this great plan for Brentford . . .”Actually, it was much earlier (and the GLC was not formed until 1965).Plans for regeneration of the High Street commenced pre WWII under the aegis of the local authority of the time (Borough of Brentford & Chiswick), and were the proximate cause for its decline from thereon.The road-widening scheme, with its threat of demolition of existing High Street buildings, meant that owners & occupiers had no incentive to maintain their properties, which consequently fell into decline throughout the war years. Stan Goddard made this point in a newspaper article dated 1950 -Post war, the Middlesex County Council carried out the plans to some extent, and CPO’d and destroyed whole swathes of High Street businesses – as you have described. The charmless County Parade was built as the town’s new frontage onto the widened road.Ironically, as an English Heritage report much later observed – if Brentford High Street had been left alone, it would now have rivalled and surpassed neighbours such as Chiswick for quirky and attractive historical character, and become a genuinely desirable destination for shopping & sightseeing.

Nigel Moore ● 2538d

The problem is that many of those who have commented above have said how much they have used the High Street years ago. But they're not supporting the High Street now. Why weren't they supporting the Brentford Tandoori when it was open? It was quite acceptable. Why are they not supporting the Six Bells now it has re-opened? Everyone moans but they don't put their hands in their pockets to make it work and support the local businesses that remain. Until that happens all the moaning in the world won't help

Simon White ● 2538d

What you say brings it back as you say the late fifties. Was the BOW WINDON RATTENBURYS?  I think that window was preserved. I liked architecture but was too young to realise and just looked at all these wonderful buildings. Horace Cutler oh yes!!!! Well thanks for your comprhensive post.

Nicholas Beard ● 2539d

Nicholas, The rot set into Brentford in the late fifties. The Greater London Council (GLC) had this great plan for Brentford which was never carried out fully, and we ended up with only piecemeal parts of the plan being completed.I was born in Brentford and went to Lionel Road School so like you I have seen so much destruction.There was meant to be a wider main road between Kew Bridge through to Houslow while the Gas works were being pulled down I was working on the New Red Pub which was built mainly with compensation from the the pub that were pulled down to make way for the new road.I asked the workmen why they were building a dual carriageway outside the pub, their answer was "its for the new main road that's going to run through hear". While we were working on the pub we notice the old beautiful bow window shop fronts were being demolished from Ealing Road down to the Half Acre, even though I was in my teens I thought this was utter destruction of a town for no reason, as the road was never built.So by 1964 the heart of a once very bustling Industrial town was already ripped out.My Grand Parents couldn't believe the wanton destruction of their town, which had such a community spirit. My Grand Parents were married in St Georges church on Christmas day, as a lot of my other relatives were.As I post before, The GLC even built Brentford Dock estate as a Council estate, but Horace Cutler, allegedly heard to say when he open the estate, "these flats are to good for Council Tenants" I think that just about sum's up the Town planers of the 1950's.It's a shame the planners today have carried on in the same way.

Bernard Allen ● 2539d

Interesting stories.I don't necessarily think the future of Brentford is all doom and gloom, but I think it's important that everyone, be it developers, the local authority and the public, is realistic in their expectations.People aren't going to flock to Brentford from afar, it isn't a 'destination'.  The target should be to try to ensure that residents have everything to meet their day-to-day needs on their doorstep, so they're more likely to shop and enjoy leisure time within the town than going elsewhere.  Effectively there needs to be offer that means that existing and new residents don't just get 95% of their supermarket deliveries online, only popping into a Sainsburys Extra for a pint of milk, don't either order a takeaway for delivery for another town or, when they go out, get on a bus or train to go elsewhere.  At the moment the temptation to do all of the above is far too strong.

Adam Beamish ● 2540d

I remember the gasworks and from Kew Gardens side of the Thames you could watch the coal being unloaded from the barges. The GOLDEN MILE is another subject. I went to an exhibition at Gunnersbury House about it and bought a book. Remember the VP PORT AND SHERRY winery where Homebase now is. Anyway there was a another exhibtion of things made locally. Soap and do you know Parchment was  made in Brentford up unitl the eighties I think. It was funny really because I spent a long time looking at all these packets and tins and had to sit down to think about what I had seen and my wife said those old packets have had a huge effect on you. Firestone had their own railway siding to take away the tyres Macfarlaine Lang later United biscuits did also. So as you say massive employment opportunities.

Nicholas Beard ● 2540d

My understanding is that there was plans for the regeneration of the High Street starting in the middle 1960's - I think that could be when Brentford and Isleworth became part of Hounslow!  Bugger all has really happened since then.  Oh I shall ignore the many high rise luxury flats. The area had to change after the closure of Brentford Docks and Brentford Market, (I am not sure when the Brewery closed) and people seem to forget about the gasworks.  But it must have been a devasting blow to the area when all of the massive employers of people closed.  Not forgetting all the factories along the Great West Road etc.

Emma Renton ● 2540d

I agree 100%. I seem to remember pre 1961 reading in the local papers about plans for the NEW !!!!!!! Brentford. Any it was nice to read your observations.

Nicholas Beard ● 2540d

But I have lived here (ok North Brentford) for over thirty years, and I think the scenario you are referring to was over by then (1987 I came to Brentford).  Actually I might still have been working in central London at the time which of course would mean that I shopped in my lunch breaks in town.  I remember hearing about a Shopping Mall planned where the old dump was and is now going to be the new Football stadium.  I have heard many plans - over thirty years plus.  Meanwhile the high street faded away, along with the footfall.  I have heard horror stories about Business rates from the few brave souls who tried to set up nice niche shops, Art Shop, Gift Shop next door near the Courts.  I gave up despairing a long time ago.  And of course now shopping has changed with the internet, amazon, westfield, and destination places like Richmond keeping up.  Life moves on.  The high street sadly hasnt, and I dont think the new high street is going to be a good 21st model.  The footfall just aint there any more

Emma Renton ● 2540d

I have read your comments Emma. Here is a little story of mine. I started work at Heathrow (then London Airport LAP) in 1961. However I was moved to Turriff House with BOAC who took floors 6 7 8 9 and 10. My point is that at lunch times we used to go to Brentford. Thursdays we had steak at the Steak House. Pie and mash sometimes at another shop. I bought records, clothes, track for my Scalextrix racing set, photographic paper and chemicals. Parts for my bike. Drinks at the pub near the station or another behind the court. Somebody in the office even had their wedding reception in the upstairs of a pub near St Lawrence church might have been the five bells. If we were unwell we had to go to the cottage hospital. We got our hair done at Jeffreys I think it was called. Oh yes we bought books and magazines, Autocar and New Musical express. Well there we are.

Nicholas Beard ● 2540d

I think I too have replied on here before about Brentford, and I have rarely shopped in the area despite living here for over 30 years.  I can go to Chiswick and Richmond, Ealing is just up the road, and even West Ealing has MANY MORE shopping options than poor old Brentford.

Emma Renton ● 2540d

Well Adam you are right. People buy the superb flats to sleep. I am looking at a  picture of the Grand Union canal and narrow boats at Brentford on the front of the December 1957 Meccano magazine VOL.XLII No.12 Two narrow boats are shown one is METEOR REG AT BRENTFORD No 525. Indeed a golden era. I used to cycle to Brentford from Hanwell with my cycle licence that I bought anually at the gauging lock office. The atmosphere in Brentford was wonderful and the architecture was out of this world. As they say all things come to an end.

Nicholas Beard ● 2540d

Yep i have to agree with the last post very true.

Stephen Scott ● 2540d

I've said this before but personally speaking I think people have to recognise that Brentford now is little more than a place that people pass through to get to somewhere else - it isn't a 'destination' in its own right.Maybe it was 60 years ago when industry was still prevalent and there was alot of commercial activity along the Grand Union, but we live in different times.Having lived in Brentford for over 16 years I can count on two hands the times I've purposely gone into Brentford for a night out, meal etc.  Indeed sometimes weeks have passed without me venturing near the High Street despite it less than 10 minutes walk away.Before I moved to Brentford I'd only driven through it for work on afew occasions, and I'd never once shopped or spent leisure time in Brentford.  And it's not that I don't care, I'm posting on this forum, for many years I sat on our Residents Association etc., on the whole I find it an "okay" place to live, but  admittedly primarily because I can get to other places easily where I do spent much more time, such as the city, Chiswick, Kew, Richmond, Kingston or getting out of London altogether.And whether you or I like it or not that trend is likely to continue in my view.  People might live here, or at least sleep here given what limited personal time commuting etc. leaves people with nowadays, but I very much doubt they're going to contribute much to Brentford's well-being or character.

Adam Beamish ● 2540d

You can only hope that all or at least some of the Brentford newbies that will move to Brentford or have already moved to Brentford care about the area as much as a lot of the people that have left Brentford in recent years. The High Street looked bloody awful when i visited the place last week its so sad for the Brentford people still living there that care about the area. After all the building work is done Brentford will definitly have less character than it used to have thats for sure. :-(

Stephen Scott ● 2541d

Don't wait to hear from Ballymore anytime soon.Where is the list of buildings to be saved, Brentfords heritage is important or do they and the council hope all who remember it will be long gone,friends l went to school with have gone or are in the process of moving,they are the ones who know Brentford History better than Ballymore or our masters the council, their ignorance and rudeness to the people who have to live through the mess looming for my home town is appalling and whatever they say they will do cannot make up for the our treatment to date.

Jean Harrison ● 2541d

Yep traffic wise Brentford is only going to get much worse over the next few years and its not good now. Thats one of the many reasons i moved away from Brentford last year. Brentford FCs new much bigger stadium + more flats being built where it is being built is a strange one and its going to make that area a nightmare traffic wise. Buts its all a done deal so god help poor battered Brentford in the next few years.

Stephen Scott ● 2541d

Meanwhile the bottlenecks at the eastern end of the M4; the impasse at the junction of Brentford Hi Street and Kew Bridge Road remains with NO MEANS of ever improving either short of blowing up Kew Bridge and Chiswick roundabout and starting again from scratch - minumum 2 x 3 lane bridges over the Thames (don't even ask what happens to the build up of traffic in Kew itself)- new rail services, lines and stations, the M4 extended to swoop down around the Hogarth Roundabout/Hammersmith flyover with a great sweep off to the North Circular which would also have to be widened to take 3 lanes in each direction.  And there's the poor twits in the hat box flats at the Stadium, the Citron site etc etc.  Thank God I'll be long gone by the time all that happens.

Jennifer Selig ● 2542d

Council policies of the last few decades have ensured it has already become one.

Steve Quantock ● 2543d

Brentford will end up as a dormitory town

Emma Renton ● 2582d

Retail will not happen, it's all hands to the pumps in the entire industry to keep what exists viable.Developer rents are way too high for sustainability of retail and catering outlets.The Brentford development as planned is doomed and has been for too long.What will probably happen is within weeks of commencing works, a new amended planning application will go in resulting in all the promised jewels being reduced or omitted, design and building specs reduced to the minimum and a white elephant offloaded to another developer or partner.Just like happened with the Brentford Football ground development.The LBH / Ballymore scheme is flawed for as long as I can remember and Cllr Curran and his regeneration executive chums and the spivs in Cannes were taken for fools and led up the dockyard path.  He and others fell for it. All a bit late now.That's the price of ego and arrogance, he's got his work cut out to salvage such a mess.

Raymond Havelock ● 2582d

Spring of what year?

Keith Iddon ● 2583d

They have already commenced and will be starting in earnest in the spring. Hence the leases being terminated. Communication has been poor but expect a major improvement starting this month.

Guy Lambert ● 2583d

And of course, being an Irish company they probably bank their profits in Euros instead of Pounds.  With the exchange rate having dropped 20%, that makes anything they build in the UK less profitable.Did the council have any terms and conditions in the agreements stipulating a time frame for the work to commence or a 'use or lose' clause?

Lorne Gifford ● 2583d

according with the Irish TimeThe surplus was 30 per cent less than the £251 million that the company generated over the 12 months ended march 31st 2017.However, the 2016 figures included a £157 million gain from a boost to its value that resulted from the company clearing debts, including sums due to State assets agency Nama, and restructuring the business.The 2018 figures show that an improvement in the fortunes of a number of connected companies added to Ballymore Properties Ltd’s profits. The figures include loans of £189 million due to Ballymore Properties from other companies in the group.https://www.irishtimes.com/business/construction/profits-down-30-at-ballymore-properties-ltd-1.3747244

Domenico Urzi ● 2584d

let me guess:The housing market bubble has burst and Ballymore don't want to build an albatross that'll hang around their neck like the ancient mariner- Property values in central London are already down 20% since people voted for brexit Property sales have almost completely haltedNo one wants to buy an overpriced flat in some out of town and unfashionable place like BrentfordBallymore is under considerable financial pressure with its profits having slumped 30% last year

Lorne Gifford ● 2584d

BALLYMORE SURRENDER: VICTORY FOR BRENTFORD TODAY CAMPAIGN. After weeks of silence Ballymore bigwig Roger Black has ordered an urgent review of the company's media strategy and, in effect, apologised to the people of Brentford. Hours earlier Brentford Today had accused Ballymore of insulting the town by keeping us in the dark about the huge Regeneration plans. Confusion and muddle were creating a rift between the townspeople and the developers and frustrating Brentford councillors Steve Curran, Mel Collins, Guy Lambert and others. Cllr Curran had been pushing for improvements.But hours after our story – posted below – Ballymore changed tack and Mr Black, the company's creative director, admitted candidly: "Yes, the absence of communication has been an oversight which we will put right, without delay."He added: "Once the team is up and running I'm confident you will be positively enthused by the level of ongoing engagement. We can also connect Brentford Today with the residents on other regeneration projects who can share their own experiences - good and bad."This followed Cllr Collins expressing his own dissatisfaction at the Ballymore media policy – which promised the release of information over "months" and in the "summer", angering locals.Cllr Collins said: "The drip-drip effect just fuels anger and suspicion to the local community. We are in exciting times. Let us be open and celebrate the fact."He asked: "Is it possible to give a more comprehensive outline as to what is actually happening over the next few months?"Now the answer seems to be YES! Brentford Today will be talking to Mr Black shortly – he is flying back from aboard – and will report back here.

Reg Ghosh ● 2585d

The real problem is that Hounslow is so desperate for investment of any kind that they would jump in to bed with the devil if asked nicely enough and all the developers know they can walk all over them

Paul Fisher ● 2587d