Forum Topic

Grounds Coffee Bar, Brentford Lock

Hopefully some of you may remember the thread I started several months ago regarding what you thought would be good to bring to the new development at Heron View/Brentford Island/Brentford Lock. Many of you suggested that an independent coffee bar would be of benefit to the area.Well, I finally went ahead with the project and we opened the doors to Grounds Coffee Bar just over 2 weeks ago without much fanfare. We wanted to allow the new staff members to settle in, as well as test our systems and product offering out before embarking on a stronger marketing campaign than just that good old fashioned method known as 'word-of-mouth', which is by far one of the best ways of getting known.There is a mention of us on the home page of Brentford TW8 website, and I am thankful to Matt for taking the time to give us a mention. I know that Matt has been down to pay us a visit, and I hope that he was pleasantly surprised by what he saw.I won't repeat myself here too much but:We offer a great tasting range of gourmet coffee's, a blend that has been uniquely created for us, and not bitter as you may find in some of the more well known corporate brands you find.We also offer a range of panini's, baguettes and sandwiches, a soup of the day, and a number of pastries that are baked on site freshly every day.We are fully non smoking and welcome families with children.I wanted to also add that we have a great wine list and also offer a selection of beers and spirits.So you can pop in for a coffee, or a bite to eat, a glass of wine or a chilled beer; or all of those and take in the views and watch the world go by.Again, thanks for your help in the begining, and we all look forward to welcoming you to Grounds some time soon.Warm regardsBob Chadda

Bob Chadda ● 7020d34 Comments

Thanks you all for your kind and warm words.Looking forward to having you visit again, and hope that those who have as of yet not visited, find the time to enjoy what we have on offer.Here's to a great 2006 summer!Bob Chadda

Bob Chadda ● 6983d

Visited for the first time this week, an excellent site made even more attractive by spring sunshine. May your success continue !

Pat Kingham ● 6983d

Bob,Thanks for a very good evening, and as usual the welcomei recived.Thank you for putting my Jazz Music on your sound system,itis Great to hear,Dave Brubeck and Tubby Hayes in the BackGround.Good Food and Drink What more could you ask for.Hugh                     

Hugh Telford ● 6983d

so would I!!

Helen Martin ● 6990d

I would definitely choose to order a fairtrade coffee if there was the option.

Catherine Woodman ● 6990d

Thanks to all for the warm comments.In terms of the fairtrade...we are in fact about to launch a retail offering of coffee beans to include not only our blend that has gone done brilliantly, but other blends from around the world which will include a fairtrade offering.As soon as there is enough demand to offer fairtrade coffee as an espresso coffee in-house I will be more than happy to do so.Thanks allBob

Bob Chadda ● 6990d

Tried this for the first time recently. Sorry it took me so long. Great work Bob, you should be proud of the place.

Andy Jones ● 6990d

Yep, popped over to have a look yesterday and was very impressed. Good coffee and a nice line in children's literature too ;o). Will definitely be popping back in the evening with my flatmates for a couple of beers.

David Tickle ● 6995d

Hi Bob,Just to say thank you for the Welcome and CourtesyToday and Friday.The place is Great,and the Staff to,Especial Joanna.And No Fly,s In The Coffee...           

Hugh Telford ● 6995d

Hi BobPosted this a while back on a different forum.  So far, you make no mention of Fairtrade coffee.  How about it?Thanks!

Carey Gunn ● 6995d

For a light bite, I like warm pitta bread with crisp vegetable crudite and houmous. Giraffe serve it I think, but few other places...

RT Smith ● 7000d

Sorry for not coming back sooner Catherine......but in answer to your question we have started doing small bitings such as satay stick, tandoori chicken sticks, samosa's and onion bhaji's on request. We are just putting the final touches to an evening bitings menu which we hope should be in place by the middle of next week.We have already been trialling a few items to get some feedback, and these have been taken positively.If there are any suggestions as to what you feel would be welcome to have over a glass of wine, or indeed a coffee, please do let me know.ThanksBob

Bob Chadda ● 7000d

Bob,Have you started serving any food in the evenings yet or is that coming a bit later?

Catherine Woodman ● 7000d

Thank you Bob for your Reply,and will be over some time.Hope to see Linda and Peter there some time,It will be a Halfway meeting Point for us both...Keep The Coffee HOT Bob.               

Hugh Telford ● 7000d

Hugh, no problems with getting to us. Come thru the high street, past Classic Eyes and the Costcutter on your right. When you see the stairs leading upto the piazza, you will also notice that there is a wheelchair ramp cleverly designed in for you to come up. We have a wide enough entrance and have full disabled toilet facilities if needed.Hope to see you soonBob Chadda

Bob Chadda ● 7000d

Bob, Can i get to your place from the High St on my Mobility Scooter?

Hugh Telford ● 7000d

Bob it's on page two! Things move very quickly on the Chiswick forum!

Linda F Wright ● 7001d

Can't seem to find the thread on the Chiswickw4 site about Grounds? Is it under an obscure topic subject or is it just me needing to get new glasses?Bob

Bob Chadda ● 7001d

Thanks all, will take a look at the other new threads. Really need the support and also hope that we are bringing something to Brentford that you all need. Thanks. Bob

Bob Chadda ● 7001d

If you want to walk from Boston Park the easiest way is to take the path at the far side by the new Glaxo building. At the canal cross the bridge and then walk the towpath under the Great West Road. Once you are at Brentford Basin cross the lock via the brick bridge and then take the new bridge across the side water and Grounds is in front of you.Enjoy the swans coots and moorhens on the way and a great coffee/hot chocolate or whatever when you get there!

Linda F Wright ● 7001d

Bob, there's also a 'Grounds' topic on EalingToday, with photos. And very nice too. Will drop in when next we're in sunny Brentford. Good luck.

Gerry Tan ● 7001d

Bob,Do you know there is now a thread running about 'Grounds' on the Chiswickw4 website? All good publicity - plus photos!!

Catherine Woodman ● 7001d

Firstly Linda, many thanks for A)taking the time to pop in with your husband (glad you enjoyed the experience) and B)taking the time to put a recommendation of us (plus a photo, a very flattering one at that !)on the forum.Looking forward to speaking to you soon.In terms of directions, we are on the west side of the Brentford High Street, on the Lock itself, a minutes walk from the new Holiday Inn @ Brentford Lock.With regards to taking the scenic route down the canal, can I ask someone else (maybe Linda) to help out on this as not exactly too sure where one can start their journey from.Looking forward to seeing you all, and here's to us having some warmer weather so I can open our folding doors and get some tables and chairs outside on the piazza.RegardsBob Chadda

Bob Chadda ● 7001d

So if I were to go for a walk with my children one sunny Sunday monrning, what route should I take for a half hour walk passing by the coffee shop?  I don't know this area at all, so please be clear with directions!  Many thanks.

RT Smith ● 7001d

Walked down the canal from Hanwell today and visited Bob at the coffee shop. What an enjoyable experience, lovely surroundings, great drink/food and very friendly staff. Well done Bob you deserve to do well.And here is Bob behind the bar!   

Linda F Wright ● 7002d

HI, many thanks again for your comments, it is really great to hear that we are at least doing something right to make you all feel welcome, and that you enjoyed what we have on offer.In terms of advertising, we purposefully have not done much, purely so as not to overwhelm my staff and the new systems...wanted to ensure that we got the service and the offering right. Word of mouth is proving good for the time being.Will shortly start to push on the advertising front, need also to let people know we are open in the evening too for coffee, a great selection of wines, and we will start to introduce some interesting asian/tapas style nibbles.Thanks again, and please do say hello when you are next in.Warm regardsBob

Bob Chadda ● 7015d

we visited on Saturday morning...idyllic spot, delicious coffee and cake, very relaxed ambience, classy and comfy interior, we'll be back as soon as we can. Good luck with it

Helen Martin ● 7015d

Well done Bob. We came in yesterday and were very impressed. Beautiful interior and great coffee, not to mention the lovely location overlooking Brentford Lock. We wish you every success.

Catherine Woodman ● 7015d

congratulations on your new venture. what advertising have you done - i just ask because i have not heard about your coffee shop anywhere (i tend not to drive through the high street with the roadworks going on at the moment). next time i take my little one to feed the ducks we will be popping in.

M Dowling ● 7016d

Firstly thank you for all your warm felt comments. Opening time this weekend is from 10am to 11pm. As of Monday the 6th of March we will be opening from 7am Mon - Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 9am onwards.

Bob Chadda ● 7018d

What are your opening hours at the weekend?

Alison Hawkes ● 7018d

my son and and I will pop in on Sat morning...looking forward to it....your venture sounds brilliant bring on the Brentford revival!

Helen Martin ● 7018d

Every success in your new venture.....passed by the other day and it looked great!!Once it gets a bit warmer, get those outside seats out, I'm sure you're get busy!(from experience)....please just make sure you have the right staffing levels to deal with sunny days !!

Nick Jenkins ● 7018d

Congratulations. We were thinking about you, only the other day Bob, so pleased you have gone ahead with your coffee bar.  Next time we walk down the canal from Hanwell we will certainly call in.

Linda F Wright ● 7020d