Forum Topic

Goodbye and farewell Gillettes!!!

Isn't it a blow that the Gillette Company is moving all it's production facilities from Isleworth to Poland where wages costs could be 20% of those paid locally!You will have heard that that magnificent building is changing hands...and Gillettes move out next Friday 11th November 2006.It was built on the top of Sion (Syon)Hill back in the mid 1930'sand it has become a top landmark for us all.A friend and I popped along there this afternoon..thinking that they were perhaps closing today..but,good news.. there's s still a week to go...and perhaps a fortnight before be some demolition starts!!

Jim Lawes ● 6786d17 Comments

There are other entrances in Harlequin Avenue so they won't fob me off that easily! I'll stay sharp!(A Health and Safety Notice..don't say the staff weren't warned!)gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg Now there's another entrance just along the road:ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggNow what's up here?ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggI think that they were being serious when they said they were moving!!  But hang on there are still some other places to check!!

Jim Lawes ● 6777d

Oh drat, I didn't manage to make a return visit to Gillettes last week and  I missed an opportunity to perhaps have a look at the factory..or even go up the tower!! The front door is locked now.So, today, on the way to the Market, I thought I'd have a look at the rear of the Gillette Building and factory to see if anyone was in!! They have buildings in Harlequin Avenue, as you probably know...and a Goods In entrance and a Staff Car Park.Here we go!gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg"Hello, anyone there?"ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggIt all looks locked up!ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggThat's strange because they were a 24 hours a day operation..including weekends no doubt...let's try the staff car park!!ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggOh dear!

Jim Lawes ● 6778d

Morning Audrey..morning here at any rate!Yes that centre area would be ideal with a pool and eating area..just like the Skyline Hotel at Heathrow..with it's palm trees and Caribbean Bar.There's a Planning Meeting in Brentford on Thursday 9th Nov 7.30pm to discuss the Gillette developement..and there is much information about the plans..and all the parties involved on this link.(Golly, there thinking of re-opening the Southall to Brentford railway line!!)http://213.210.33.3/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=236&MId=3572&Ver=4&J=4

Jim Lawes ● 6781d

Thanks for all the info Jim. I was wondering what all that is in the center. Maybe that will all be turned into the casual area where drinks will be served etc and maybe a pool for customers to lounge around. Lots of work to be done obviously. Bet it won't be cheap to stay overnight there before a long haul flight from LHR.

Audrey Walton ● 6781d

http://tinyurl.com/y79mx9Copy and paste the above URL and you will then be able to look down on the Gillette site ..and navigate around.I would imagine that it's that inner area that is to be demolished?

Jim Lawes ● 6781d

In a corner of the Gillette foyer..is a glass cabinet containing a "wooden" model of the building.ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggThese hastily snapped pictures will give you an idea of what was on show!ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggA trip up the clocktower is only for the fit and healthy!

Jim Lawes ● 6781d

Jim,Checked out the sites;  all just vague references - no names.  I checked Friends Reunited and those listed all worked years after I was there.Thanks anyway.  As usual you are the Forum Sage.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6784d

Jim,I will take a look at those sites later today, but the Stalingrad Sword was made by W.S., and a full sized copy was held in the Acton Showrooms - it was beautiful.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6784d

Hello Ann...yes memories!I've just done some Wilkinson Sword exploring and there are a few websites in cyberspace which have bits of information.Have a look when you have a moment. Didn't realise that they made motorcycles at one time! You might find the Friends Re-united link of interest.Wilkinson SwordwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwThere are messages about WS on this website Ann..and there is a Forum too.http://www.britishblades.com/home/comments.php?catid=1&shownews=21wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwThis website page speaks of a famous WS sword..I believe.. presented to the Russians. After WW2.http://www.russianswords.com/Stalin-english.htmwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwSouthfields Recreation Ground Situated on one of four ancient fields in Acton which the Council bought in 1908 from Wilkinson Sword Co. who during World War 1 manufactured over 2 million bayonets on site. Has been part of the new developments in the Liveability Fund.http://cc.msnscache.com/cache.aspx?q=4351549559627&lang=en-GB&mkt=en-GB&FORM=CVRE8wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwWilkinson Sword..seem to have produced a motor-cycle in the early 1900’shttp://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/9.jpghttp://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/1912_wilkinson.htmlwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwThe Wilkinson Sword Museum:Wilkinson Sword Museum 19-21 Brunel Road, W3020 8749 1061transport: East Acton u/g; buses 7,70,72,272,283opening: prior application admission freethis museum belongs to the famous manufacturer Wilkinson Sword and displays examples made by the company. Established in 1772 to manufacture guns, the company was appointed Royal Gunmaker to King George III in 1804. In the mid-1880s it developed its skills into sword making (especially bayonets), then knives & razor blades and other products. It still produces military, presentation (including the Stanligrad Sword of 1943) and commemorative swords. A special Golden Jubilee Sword was made for Queen Elizabeth II. The Company can do repair work and trace sword historieswwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwCopy and paste this one Annhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilkinson_Swordwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww AnnHere is Friends Re-united for Wilkinson Sword!Someone there from the 1950’s.wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Jim Lawes ● 6785d

Jim,Thanks for the memory....yet again.Happy days back in the 1960s when we at Wilkinson Sword had an ongoing competitive battle with Gillettes, and we were winning hands down for a couple of years.We had personal letters from many celebrities of the day who were endeavouring to obtain a supply of the new double edged blade - my favourite was from Bob Hope!It seems unbelievable now but it really did happen.  Now it is impossible to find out anything about W.S. on the internet, and the 'Kings' of the company back then (the Randolph family) don't get a mention anywhere.So much has changed.....

Ann S. Allridge ● 6785d

I am corrected !Planning applications were made in July :Gillette Corner Great West Road Hounslow London TW7 5NP P/2006/2421 00505/AP/L22Listed Building 18-Jul-2006 In ProgressWorks of alteration, extension and demolition to facilitate the retention and conversion of the Gillette Buiding for hotel use, as part of the proposed comprehensive development of the Gillette site.Gillette Corner Great West Road Hounslow London TW7 5NP P/2006/2354 00505/AP/P74Major Full Applications 18-Jul-2006 In ProgressComprehensive redevelopment of site to provide buildings of between 4 and 6 storeys for class B1(a), B1(b) and B1(c) use, with cafe, associated landscaping and car parking (in outline) and conversion and extensions to Gillette Building for use as a hotel, with ancillary conferencing/meeting, bar/restaurant and gym facilities, basement car parking (in detail), provision of new landscaped areas and highway works.However, as I understand the process, the proposals are currently at the state of saying that the application is valid. Initial consultation / site visits / assessment of case / report preparation etc. have all still to take place.......

Tim Henderson ● 6785d

It has surprised me that you don't have to submit demolition plans for planning control purposes.The bit of land at the back of me was flattened in ?February and we made repeated requests to the Planning Dept asking what was happening. Dunno, they said.About eight weeks later, we received the Council notification that plans had been submitted for "demolition and redevelopment of the site" - although the demolition had happened. Those proposals were rejected. Four months later revised plans have been submitted again. It seems as if by destroying an existing use, you improve your chances of getting an alternative use accepted ?

Tim Henderson ● 6785d

Tim"parts to be demolished" information from an employee ..today..during my unscheduled visit.wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww(I'd never been in the foyer before..after 30 years living down the road!)wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww"Hello, I've just come to say goodbye. Is the boss in?”!""Well, that's very nice of you Lawesy..I'm afraid the boss won't be back till Monday.""Like the Gillette carpet” wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwAh, there’s the notice… so you’re losing your job?” ““Nope, I’ll be here on whilst the demolishion goes on!!”Wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww“Hey, what’s that in the corner..a model of the building?“Yep”(Pictures to follow!)

Jim Lawes ● 6785d

I wonder will there be any firms left to put up a decent display on the "Mile" for Chrismas, if we are still allowed to call it that as some boroughs are taking Guy Fawkes out of our history books what will they take out next, no more Easter eggs and don't mention Palm Sunday it might upset someone!!!!!

Edward Fitzgerald ● 6785d

Hello EdwardI like the "Bronze 500 yards" description of the current Golden Mile!Someone said to me the other day that when the Great West Road was built after the First World War, its purpose was to by-pass Brentford High Street..and more importantly, provide an elegant avenue of trees and cycle paths for the Royals to admire as they were being driven to either Ascot or Windsor.Heaven knows what Queen Mary would say if she saw the Brentford eyesores today!!Anyway, at least the Gillette building (exterior) and clocktower will remain...both being just inside the Isleworth TW7 border.This picture was gleened from the foyer today.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAnd I snapped this one at the traffic lights some months ago!Contributions welcome. Anyone working there?

Jim Lawes ● 6786d

Do drawings exist for the hotel development and what may be demolished ?And is your date for demolition work based on information or a wicked guess ?!!

Tim Henderson ● 6786d

Yes Jim the "Golden Mile" is now the bronze 500 yards, I think it is going to be an hotel and they will be keeping the tower and other bits.

Edward Fitzgerald ● 6786d