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BRENTFORD F.C AT GILLETTES ?

Would I be right in thinking Gillettes is a listed building ? If that is the case surely a lot of the space for the "New Stadium" would be taken up by the existing building. Brentford F.C say they are looking at a 20,000 capacity stadium at the Lionel Road site. Would that capacity be possible at Gillettes ? Taking parking and corporate facilities into account I think not.

Mark Welland ● 7255d10 Comments

Jim Lawes ● 7253d

From todays Richmond and Twickenham Times.http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/Brentford may opt for Gillette siteBy Tony FloodBRENTFORD are considering an alternative site for their proposed new stadium if they fail to get their number one choice at Lionel Road near Kew Bridge and it could result in a £100m major development.Supporters group Bees United have been approached by a property investment company to explore the potential for buying the Gillette factory site on the corner of the Great West Road and Syon Lane to the West of Brentford.Brentford chairman Eddie Rogers told me: "Work on the project at Lionel Road is ongoing and will continue. But we are also seriously considering this alternative proposal."Gillette are moving out and the site is being offered for sale. A developer has approached us suggesting we may like to partner them in developing it."There are 11 acres, as opposed to seven acres at Lionel Road, so it would cost more."That could mean a total development with a high commercial content, including retail outlets, costing £100m.A similar scheme would be possible at Lionel Road, where there could be an alternative of a residential development alongside a soccer stadium, costing half as much.Mr Rogers revealed: "Lionel Road remains our main target, though the progress on this project is slow. The owners, the Strategic Rail Authority, have agreed to sell the Lionel Road site to a warehouse developer, with whom we have had discussions about us partnering them in a development including a stadium."But the sale could take some time to go through as there are a number of issues to be sorted out."We have had a lot of support from Hounslow Council for this scheme and are hoping it will prove financially viable."However, if the Gillette site could be made to work financially we would be delighted to explore that."Whichever scheme Brent-ford choose, they are likely to remain at their present Griffin Park ground for five years.Mr Rogers said: "We are carrying out improvements to Griffin Park so that we can maximise on the income potential there. This includes a new supporters' and sponsors' lounge, improved toilet and refreshment facilities and a roof on the Ealing Road terrance."That will cost £2.3million, but we have had a grant offer of £1.775million towards that."In addition we have to pay for creating a new club shop in the Princes Royal pub, next to the ground, of which we have taken over the management."We expect to be at Griffin Park for another five years as it would take that long before a new stadium could be built elsewhere."1:34pm Friday 17th June 2005

Paul Fisher ● 7253d

The building is Grade 2. The 20th Century Society will fight any plans to knock it down. What could happen, I suppose, is that the front and the tower is incorporated into a stand. Not sure if it would work though. Below is taken from the BFC fans site Griffin Park Grapevine."Property Week - page 7 - this week cites that both IKEA and Tescos have submitted bids on the site along with a number of other retailers however Hounslow council wants to keep the site as a mixed user scheme..rather than purely retail....No mention whatsoever of Brentfords Interest...it also cites the initial bids to be worth up to £30million....I'm guessing that any potential bees interest is in conjunction with a major retailer as part of a wider scheme! Indeed if Hounslow do want to keep it as a mixed use site - surely we have a strong position with interested retailers such as IKEA or Tesco's which would allow them to purchase the area...I can see it now...the Brentford IKEA dome - along with a whole team full of Cheap Swedish Imports!!"

Neil Chippendale ● 7253d

Tescos on Summerwood Rd apparently make more money from their car-park on Rugby days then if they kept the store open.I have heard it on very good authority though that Brentford will be groundsharing with QPR the season after next once the financial and legal details are finished with QPR`s previous tenents Wasps.Wasps were legally obliged to return to QPR`s ground later this year or pay a lot of compensation but have decided to stay in Wycombe.As the decision to stay in Wycombe and negogiate a compensention package with QPR was only decided in April,this has stopped Brentford moving to Shepherds Bush next season.

Paul Fisher ● 7253d

Do you know...thinking about it...I like the idea of Brentford Football Ground and Stadium being on the site ..and inside the fabric of Gillettes!!Its located,I believe, on Brentford's highest geographical point just on the border with Isleworth. Indeed I believe it is strictly in Isleworth.But rather that see Brentford FC leave the area to go Feltham, or the Western International market..its much preferred that the Bees stay local.Indeed, from the top of the stands..one should be able to see the Big Arch at Wembley.As John reminds us...its a valuable plot. Maybe BAA should buy it for Brentford in compensation for the increased noise and pollution from aircraft flying overhead....on their way to BAA's money spinner down the Road.  Isn't it called S 106?

Jim Lawes ● 7253d

Both yours and Jims points are valid. But I could not see the Tescos in Osterley shutting the way the one does in Twickenham for rugby matches. I think a crowd of 80,000 is a little different to a 20,000 maximum one !!! Oh and I think there is a pub nearer than the Hare and Hounds...at what used to be the Osterley Motel I think its called The Pillar to Post.

Mark Welland ● 7253d

I have no doubt that the Gillette site could accommodate a football stadium. However, the land value of this site must be very high, so the stadium will have to be part of a more comprehensive development. I note that Brentford have been approached by a developer over the site and will presumably share it with other uses.Parking could be an issue, but I suspect this would be dealt with. Public transport could be improved as a condition for planning approval, and it should be noted that fewer residents would be affected by a stadium in this location than at Griffin Park. Nevertheless, I anticipate that locals would object to the impact it would have on them.

John Connelly ● 7254d

MarkJust thinking...there aren't any local pubs near Gillette'sexcept for the Hare and Hounds to the north...and those on the London Road to the south.Passing Gillettes today..I thought that a football pitch would easily fit inside...but I'm not sure where all the cars would go to park. Tescos? ;0)

Jim Lawes ● 7254d

Thanks for that Jim. I missed Tonys post. Maybe its me, but the proposed site at Lionel Road looks increasingly like a non-starter. As Gillette have been in Brentford for many years Brentford Football Club could not even get a sponsorship deal off of them. So why in the world do they think that Gillette would sell their site to them ? Mind you I must concede they would be the only football club with a 100mtr clock tower attached !!! Or on the other hand Brentford could always do "A FIRESTONE"...( eg. demolish the whole site over a bank holiday without permission !!!!)

Mark Welland ● 7254d

Mark:Yes that is a startling development. As you know the Gillette Factory covers a very large area ..and when you compare its size with say the Twickenham Rugby Ground Stadium..it would seem that 20,000 could be accommodated easily.But I'm not so sure if the roads outside could cope with big crowds...surging over the Great West Road..and ignoring the subways and traffic lights!!When the Harrods Warehouse..behind the Gillette and Sky buildings...had some sales in recent times..the traffic chaos was quite something!Another thread has already been started further down the page...CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION.. by Anthony..who I think works there. You might wish to have a look. The jobs fall-out when Gillette closes and transfers production etc to Poland will be a big shock..as its a major employer.Perhaps Sky will move in?..or Harrods even?  or Tesco's!!Look at Anthony's messages..down the page.

Jim Lawes ● 7255d