Forum Topic

Siracusa up for sale

Interesting to see this resto reviewed on front page by Kath Richardson. It has been only going since April I believe but is already up for sale. I know the new owners didn't invest much in the business (decor, fit our and kitchen spec v similar to that of Prezzo) but still feel bad for them that they haven't been able to make it work. Bob Chadda has obviously also being trying to sell Grounds for a long time too but has found no takers. Just shows what a wasteland for new (and existing?) businesses Brentford has become. Without critical mass of development and a proper town centre these biz failings will remain par for the course.

Jimmy Pats ● 5503d19 Comments

I so agree Alan....Siracusa is a great place to go for a meal... Great food... Great service... why was this rumour started?

Fran Naughton ● 5482d

One for Jimmy to respond to.Last time I talked to the chaps at Siracusa they were planning how they get even busier.Lets stop griping about how often businesses fail in Brentford and get out there and buy a pizza.

Alan Clark ● 5482d

Hi Kath,So would I.Fran

Fran Naughton ● 5482d

I would just like to say that Ibrahim and Serap are very happy with the Siracusa and their clientele and have absolutely no intention or need of selling up.I don't know where the rumour came from and would be interested to know but it is just a baseless story.

Kath Richardson ● 5482d

I wonder whether describing them as 'delis' is not a little ambitious? Does anybody have an idea as to what is happening to the Butterfly Girl Shop - it looks like it might is being refurbished. What do you reckon, nail salon, betting shop?

Sara Dodd ● 5485d

Jim after reading about the sorry state of Brentford's High Street, the thought occurred that Brentford was very similar to Sacramento Old Town area. Which is thriving now but was once a run down, sleazy place mainly inhabited by "bums".  I know because when we arrived in Sacramento we had to drive through on our way to anywhere. Very depressing to an already very homesick immigrant.    Both towns are situated on a river, and both have a lot of history. Back in the 60's the powers to be turned the blighted area into a tourist attraction with board walks etc. Used the history of the place to attract visitors. Holding Jazz Festivals every year, building a Railway Museum. If you Google "Sacramento Old Town, CA" you will find a wealth of information.

Doris M. Lediard ● 5485d

Hi Tracey. Glad your business is going well you deserve it. I know how hard you worked when you had your shop and I do remember how gorgeous your flowers were.You, Butterfly Girl and dare I say myself (I had Gifted, the gift shop next to La Rosetta) all  worked at businesses we loved on the High Street. We tried to make them work.I think it is disingenuous of people to suggest that some people thought they could make money off "the newcomers." When I opened I had lived in Brentford for 16 year and just wanted to try provide something stylish on the High Street. Of course, I did need to make money. Unfortunately, I didn t. Suggesting to Hounslow Council that the rents did not take account of the footfall and, that parking restrictions affected footfall, did fall on deaf ears. I had to close nearly four years ago after four years of working seven days a week. I had great customers, I loved my shop and I miss it but heyhoo we now have two Deli s. Who needs good quality flowers, a lovely dress or a gift when you can buy a pint of milk and a packet of ham in at least eight of the shops on the high street?

Kate Doyle ● 5485d

not surprised........I still have the business :BRENTFORD FLORIST  THIS was originally located 116 High street, TW8 5AT, The butterfly Girl took OVER, she also worked hard, at paying the rates, parking tickets, trouble with the drains, a complete money down the drain, I worked also till early hours, still do on odd occassions but not for the local authoritys any more, still have business out lays but not too the point I put my key in the shop door everyday and hope, parking problems... retail in brentford is not too good....apart from the few clients / Business's I still have, who appreciate the local florist and have totally supported my business, all the companys, mostly have catering, in house shops....gsk, even a florist, but still I get the occassional call from my clients, its a hard game, Internet is the future of floristry, although you dont get fresher flowers than brentford florist......still I AM LOOKING FOR PREMISES 4 YRS LATER, I can not let go of my passion for floristry, they will not beat me.......

Tracy Buckley ● 5485d

I wouldn't say that the Brewery Tap is food orientated, unless it has cahnged in the last year. It does have an extensive menu but I always think of the pub offering basic pub grub and expensive but very well kept beer.

Neil Chippendale ● 5489d

Keith I agree with you what I think businesses are losing sight of is that in order to be successful you need to offer a good product at the right price (and that applies irrespective of the price point that you are charging) in addition to having identified a target market. I think that The Weir represents bad value for money the size of the bill doesn't match up to the quality of the food. To compare La Trompette in Chiswick charges more bt in my opinion represents better value for money.(and don't even get me started on the lack of 'customer care' from most of the staff at The Weir).

Sara Dodd ● 5490d

Could be Sara.I think people are trying a bit too hard to imagine Brentford as a Chiswick or a Richmond.It is what it is.I use a fair few of the local shops regularly but there is not much to attract shoppers to Brentford.Already there are several pubs(that used to be just boozers) that are food orientated(Watermans Arms,Weir,Brewery Tap,Six Bells,O'Brien's)but I am not sure how they're doing.Brentford isn't an area where locals can afford to eat out regularly nor do they really seem to want to so. Maybe these foodie pubs are designed for the hotel guest community which would be a fickle customer base I would think.Good luck to anyone who works hard enough and has enough luck but whatever the nature of the business they must surely also cater for locals as other businesses that don't have gone under.A community should surely do it's best to cater for all and Brentford doesn't do too badly in a lot of ways but the high st. could do with some serious investment as we all know.

Keith Iddon ● 5490d

Out of interest does anyone know what the occupancy rates for the local hotels are like? I would have thought the Siracusa's core mid-week market would have been hotel guests rather than local residents.

Sara Dodd ● 5490d

F**k me! He's back,more's the pity.I was beginning to think you and Pratty were one and the same.Come to think of it...

Keith Iddon ● 5491d

Jimmy's right - there are too many Keith Iddiots in Brentford.

Robin Taylor ● 5491d

Ever so sorry Pratty.I realise all these failing businesses are my fault.Or maybe the owners didn't do their homework on the area and as you'd know if you had any sense at all, which from reading your opinions is highly unlikely ,that if you fail to prepare you prepare to fail.A business venture is a risk anywhere,or don't you understand the first thing about it.Most of the people who bought the new flats are probably not as cash rich as some businesses may have thought they would be,having big mortgages and all that.

Keith Iddon ● 5491d

Trouble is, some do not realise just how much work has to go into making a venture, especially a restaurant, work.Too often I have walked into a local eatery during the week and there is the owner sitting at a table, poring over the accounts, always looking to wring every last penny out of customers.I can think of at least 4 operations in Brentford that are like that.The fact is, to get a successful long term venture you have to work hard, in fact B*****y Hard - 7 days a week, all hours for years.You cannot rely on staff, you have to be there and you have to be the face of the establishment, you have to see that every customer arrives and leaves contented and looking forward to their next visit.One of my oldest friends parents had a Chinese restaurant in South Ealing. & later a second in West Ealing.  They worked 7 days a week from 12noon to 2am for 30 years. It was too much running two so the overlap lasted just 5 years. It was successful and put their children through a 1st class education and secured their retirement.In later years they took their eyes off the daily running and the business faltered. They wisely called it a day.It is a vocational business but some see it as a business to get rich quick, some as part of a portfolio. and some as a sugar daddies toy.Rarely are any run in this way successful or worth a return visit.It takes a hunger to succeed, a pride of purpose and a desire to satisfy, a good business head, a resistance to fast buck greed and some luck.Get that right and the punters will come from far and wide..eventually.We may have a growing population but those with these sort of qualities are getting fewer.

Michael Brandt ● 5491d

Many have cherished thoughts of Brentford's "South of the High Street" area being developed like the lanes in Brighton..with a quaint assortment of artisan and crafty shops to draw in the crowds.Over the years many many people have tried the stir the pot of stagnent porridge (which is Brentford)to do something special..to raise something from the derelict state of much of the area..but to little avail. Does the porridge prefer to remain stagnant?Some have succeeded like La Rossetta...and that little garage next to Pets World and so on.Many, including me, enjoy the community feel to TW8. Let's hope that everyone's wishes just evolve in the right way.But is there hope..in the current recession..and taking account of  Brentfordian's shopping and spending habits of anything succeeding?Sad about Butterfly Girl. I thought that's might have survived.

Jim Lawes ● 5492d

too many Keith Iddons in Brentford it seems

Jimmy Pats ● 5495d

That was sad to hear.. and your comment about Grounds as well..oh dear.  Debbie's jolly shop "Fantasia" in Ealing Road seems to have closed to add to the gloom. It was particularly disappointing that the Vintage Clothes shop in the High Street has ceased trading..it looked so well kept.One needs to make lots of profit to pay for rent and rates, staff and then pay for goods for resale. Sole trading is hard.There's a clip about Siracuse on You Tube. No customers in view. I did have lunch there with a Forum friend recently and it was very pleasant.

Jim Lawes ● 5495d