Forum Topic

What's it like..opening a shop in Brentford High Street?

Wandering around the High Street at 2pm this last Saturday afternoon, one couldn't help but notice how quiet it was..with so few shoppers..and with traders seemingly waiting for the next customer.Perhaps all the needed business turnover is achieved during the week!Do you shop in Brentford High Street for anything?People talk of opening up the South of the High Street, with lanes and alleys and yards..filled perhaps with craft shops, and gentile cultural outlets..wines bars perhaps and small companies producing bespoke goodies, but somehow I don't think it's realistic...although I do like the idea.Let's hope that the continuing foreign investment in London Town does produce ripples of prosperity that reach Brentford.There are some newish delightful shops in Brentford. Let's hope they prosper and stay!The art shop and the bike shop come to mind. Then there's the new greengrocer..and then La Rossetta and Grounds etc etc.Who is doing well down the High Street..or is it still tough!

Jim Lawes ● 6593d20 Comments

Hi Paul. Converted I would say £2.40.  It certainly was delicious.Regards,Joan

Joan Perry ● 6590d

Can confirm that the fruit/veg shop in Brentford is very good quality produce and inexpensive.  They stock other interesting things too.  Jim - if you are after good granary bread try the bakers at the end of Northfields Avenue near The Plough Pub.

Pat Kingham ● 6590d

I would certainly have a good bash at eating that cheese one Joan as it looks delicious.How much does $6.00 convert to in Sterling these days?

Paul Fisher ● 6590d

Here's a Baked Potatoe!!  The one on the left is mine as I don't have coleslaw.  Underneath is one huge potatoe opened up. A tablespoon of garlic butter, a heaped tablespoon of sour cream, grated cheese, 2 heaped tablespoons of bacon, 2 heaped tablespoons of beetroot and lots of coleslaw on top. $6.00 each. I can never get through mine. Not good for the waistline either. I feel so full. Tell me what you think?Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6590d

Jim, great photos, just love what you're doing. I'm enjoying the photos.  I'm off to have lunch now. 12 noon. Aren't you tired yet!!!!

Joan Perry ● 6591d

I enjoyed popping my head into this shop. A most charming Iranian lady spoke to me and said that whilst trade had been dreadful say 2 years ago..things had gradually been looking up..and there was a gradual improvement. That's goodo!!---------------------------------------------------------At least two sewing machines at the ready..and I bet your repairs will get stitched up in the nicest possible way!----------------------------------------------------------Where do you have your dinner jackets and evening dresses cleaned and pressed..or curtains or bedcovers etc etc!-------------------------------------------------------There are two such shops in the High Street..I gather..so perhaps there is competition to be the best. Good that they are there. And a charming lady at the counter.

Jim Lawes ● 6591d

If you're wondering why I'm sitting at my computer constantly today, the answer is yes. I'm typing a lot of information into 'My Life" diary. That's why I'm responding to you quickly.

Joan Perry ● 6591d

You're dead right Joan!Brentfordians are being shortchanged.  Standards must be upped!There needs to be an outspoken food warden on the on many of our High Streets!

Jim Lawes ● 6591d

Jim what a pathetic looking baked potato.  We usually get one after our weekly nightly shopping, which is tonight. I will take a photo and show you what we get. It's a meal in itself.

Joan Perry ● 6591d

We all perhaps notice this place when we visit the High Street...such are the outside colours and tables and chairs...but have you ever been inside? I wondered how busy it would be.  I used to visit Jenny's in Hounslow years ago..on the odd occasion ...and they did great jacket potatoes..which I enjoyed with chilli bouillonaise(Sp?) and grated cheddar cheese. They were opposite the Bus Garage.-----------------------------------------------------This is Brentford's Jenny's:----------------------------------------------------------I ventured inside at 5.30pm today and,to my surprise, found the place very busy with some 18 customers occupying just about every table except one. I took that and ordered tea whilst I looked at the menu!---------------------------------------------------------The waitress was charming....the staff chatted away in Turkish..and the tea was excellent. Promising?The picture of a jacket potato served with salad..and a tender chicken fillet breast..caught my eye. I started dreaming of a large knock out potato cooked to perfection!---------------------------------------------------------Here you are Sir:!That jacket potato looked at least 2-3 days old. I took this  picture..and complained to the boss..and the plate was taken back!!  (Don't be too shy to complain about jacket pototoes!)-----------------------------------------------------------There was a good atmosphere in Jenny's, it was clean and bright,and obviously many Brentfordians use it..especially, I was told, at lunchtimes.A new fresh Jacket Potato arrived very quickly and it was excellent  10/10!  The chicken was stringy and a bit burnt...but very tasty!  Was it from Brazil or Thailand?-----------------------------------------------------------The staff were charming..and I'll return sometime.But don't let them serve you anything substandard. Wave a camera it works wonders!-----------------------------------------------------------Overall OK and cheerful...but..----------------------------------------------------------end

Jim Lawes ● 6591d

Do you have large shopping centres with something like 50 or more speciality shops inside, including 10 cinemas?  Marion is one of our largest sites. It has 'everything', but it takes hours of driving around looking for a car park.  I live only 5 minutes away from TARGET, this has everything except food. But do you know I'd rather go to a local boutique shop to buy some clothes, yes dearer, but you get specialised advice, not some young 'chick' saying "I don't know". I have nothing against 'young chicks' they all have to work, but if I look awful in something I want the truth. It's a lovely morning in Adelaide, sun up and shining bright, about 14º.  Shouldn't you be in bed?  I'll stop asking questions!Good night!!!Joan

Joan Perry ● 6591d

""the small shops do have a lot to offer""You're so right Joan..and one can enjoy magic moments with some of those shopkeepers. That why Northfield Road in Ealing is such a treat...places like the cobblers...for starters!Getting decent bread (say granery) is a problem I find. And yes the Supermarkets just gobble up the small traders..who cannot compete on price.  Having read recently how  awful some of these Supermarkets are in paying their suppliers late..and taking discounts..and making them pay for promotions etc..it's a pity that more more poor publicity like that isn't circulated.  WAITROSE WERE considered TOPS ..the best prompt payers!

Jim Lawes ● 6591d

That's a shame. reading that it was a 'family' wine merchant since 1843. That's sad.

Joan Perry ● 6591d

What a beautiful 'fresh' looking shop.  The fruit and Vegetables look fresh and clean. I'll have to learn how to convert your pound to our dollar.  Especially Bananas, I wonder where they were grown?  Our Bananas are from Queensland and the banana community is still recovering from a cyclone about 9 months ago.  The cost was $12 a kilo about 6 months ago, but yesterday about $4.00 a kilo.  A lot of families grow their own fruit and vegies. We used to when we first got married, but I guess lifestyle took over. Congratulations to the shop owner.Are you allowed to bring fruit or vegies back from Germany or vice versa?  Do you go through inspections or customs when entering/exiting the tunnel?  Do you pay to use the tunnel?Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6591d

Before Xmas the Unwins Wine Merchants national chain was folded up by the liquidators. That was a surprise!The Brentford High Street branch remains vacant. Wonder what will become of it?-------------------------------------------------------So that's vacant shop number 2!

Jim Lawes ● 6591d

I spoke to a lady outside this shop and she gave it much praise. She said that she employed many people at her local offices..and that it was important that her staff could enjoy meaningful shopping trips in Brentford High Street during their lunchbreaks. She said that she now spent more money in the High Street since Mainwand opened!So, this colourful shop seems to be successful..having only been open for 6 months! It's run by a gentleman from Afghanistan..who was most charming and he was happy for me to take pictures.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks "M"..it was a pleasure speaking with you.---------------------------------------------------------In my view..a super shop to visit and support.

Jim Lawes ● 6591d

I think it's great the way you walk around your shops taking photos of what they stock.  My daughter would spend heaps in that shop.  Do you think the 'superstores' are killing the local business in the UK?  The local shops here can't compete with the big stores like KMart, Target and BigW.  It's a shame really because the small shops do have a lot to offer, but unfortunately not price wise. Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6591d

www.lleixa-art.co.ukThis attractive shop was a joy to enter. The proprietors were just waiting for a customer! With the sound of Beethoven's 8th or 9th symphony quietly in the background, the scene seemed set for a busy clientele. But where were they?Did Brentfordians realise all the products this place stocks, artists paints and accessories, picture framing facilities, greeting cards, gifts and much more! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Apparently school children were involved in glueing/sticking green paper to this plain wooden giraffe. Other items like this are on display.---------------------------------------------------------There's a side entrance opposite the Magistrates Court..and one enters an Alladin's cave of gifts and useful stationery.(Wasn't a stationers called Constance here once?).Charming people..let's hope they do well. (I bought 2B, 3B and 4B pencils!)--------------------------------------------------------Must check out the new bike shop!

Jim Lawes ● 6593d

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------According to a Notice on the shutters, these premises would like permission to become the High Street's 3rd betting shop!!  Is that the way forward?-----------------------------------------------------------end

Jim Lawes ● 6593d

2pm Saturday.....the scene on Brentford High Street.------------------------------------------------------------And in the other direction...------------------------------------------------------------And across the road.....------------------------------------------------------------I sat on a bench in Market Place for 15 minutes..and only 4 people walked by. Two shops there are vacant for starters!------------------------------------------------------------Can traders afford to pay their rents and business rates.Perhaps a lot of trade is conducted via the Internet!Maybe another 1000 homes South of the High Street will improve matters?  What do you reckon?

Jim Lawes ● 6593d