Forum Topic

Christmas lights

Does anybody know why half of the Christmas lights are not working? The High Street is great but the ones up towards the station and past Morrisons are not on.

Margaret Wittich ● 5002d24 Comments

Great answer. I love the feel of Brentford too

Margaret Wittich ● 4988d

When my partner and I started house hunting just over four years ago, we extended our search to Chiswick, Ealing and Richmond because we couldn't seem to find the right kind of property here. It took almost a year but we kept looking until we found exactly what we wanted. I love that we can nip to Chiswick, Kew or Richmond for shopping or eating out, but I can also think of half a dozen places where I'd enjoy a night out right here. Now that the art shop is closing, the shopping is more awkward! There's still Naked Grain and the garden centre, but Lleixa Art and the Bijou Box will be sorely missed.For obvious reasons, no one moves to Brentford for the high street or shopping, but there's more to Brentford than that. I agree with Helen. Wouldn't live anywhere else. I imagine we wouldn't be as happy if we only lived here because we couldn't live in Chiswick or Richmond.

Holly Hodges ● 4988d

Does anybody know why there are no lights north of the A4? South Ealing and Boston Manor Roads are possibly busier than the High Street. Hasn't an opportunity to market the area been lost?

Karen Adams ● 4989d

Hi Margaret - Yes it would have been nice to have more lights up towards the station, there are a few though - It looks great in the centre!I was really commenting after Adam's post along with Tim, Jon and Keith. I agree there are big efforts going on to make things happen in our town and hopefully we may see a better high st in the not too distant future!

Helen Martin ● 4990d

I agreed Helen Brentford is a great place to live. My original post was not cticising the lights. I was looking forward to them coming up towards the station and along the High Street. At least Brentford is working hard to improve its self.

Margaret Wittich ● 4990d

I'm a realtive newcomer(9 years)Chris.What period do you consider the 'nadir years'?

Keith Iddon ● 4992d

Have lived in Brentford for 32 years and never regretted it. Brentford is overall gradually improving from its nadir years.

Chris Dakers ● 4992d

Reasons why 'Brentford is Brilliant' in no particular order and off the top of my head - I'm sure I can think of more as well given time!Friendly people of all ages and many backgroundsLaw abiding compared to neighbouring parts of the borough (including Chiswick!)Many people with a 'can-do' attitude who are pushing things along including Julia and the High St Steering group and also some of the local churches, currently setting up a project to provide night shelters and advice for the homeless - lots of local people want to work together and encourage each other. Some beautiful places to walk/cycle/run both by the waterside and in parksSome nice places to eat and drinkThe High Street needs a lot of work and definitely better shops, but there are planning/consultation meetings and people can get involved to air their views and work on ideas.It is excellent for transport links. As I think the shops are pretty dire here, I hop on the train to Putney - 4 trains an hour, 10 min journey - quicker than going to Chiswick/Richmond/Ealing by public transport!A great local independent cinema. Yes, Watermans has faults, but the cinema shows some excellent films and is very comfortable!I feel there is a great deal of hope for our town - a recent grant has given us the opportunity to have performances in the market square for many to enjoy the St George's/Royal Wedding events were all run on a voluntary basis as far as I'm aware, and now are grant funded but being managed on a very co-operative basis by all involved. I'm now in my 50s and have lived in Chelsea (as a small child) before the 60s started to swing, Putney before it got wealthier and Chiswick back when it had it's first Waitrose and have lived in various parts of Brentford since 1990 and I love it for all the above reasons and more and wouldn't live anywhere else in London!

Helen Martin ● 4993d

You are being too harsh Adam.Why did you move here if you dislike it so much? You seem to have the gift of prophecy regarding the new pub.If local residents such as yourself choose to go elsewhere for their half of lager,is it not inevitable it will close? Brentford also has a very good cinema,where you can take your beer in with you whilst watching the film,and it is far from the horrible 'multi-plex experience'that one has to endure at Feltham or other such places.It is a cinema where people are interested in film and not speaking on their mobiles or eating popcorn.There are comedy and music nights also.St.Paul's church has had several gigs on this year and has some planned fopr the near future.It has good river walks around here and Osterley Park is also a beautiful walk.If you like decent pub food and good real ales and lagers,Brentford has plenty of both.Granted there is not much to entice shoppers to the high st,but hopefully that will change.I would move if I disliked where I lived so much and didn't feel like I could walk 10 mins and  go for a couple of pints or a bit of dinner.

Keith Iddon ● 4993d

Without wanting to get too personal, can I suggest that one of the causes of "the traffic on the South Circular/Kew Bridge and ... the associated fumes" are the number of Adams going to Chiswick and Richmond. Hopefully as the health hazards are realised and London gets to grip with air quality limits measures may be introduced to help people think twice and the incentive to stay local will increase.I must say that I like Morrison's in "its new guise" and feel much more at home than Somerfield zombie-land. It is also a convenient and fast alternative to the Tesco Osterley ordeal and can permit shopping frequently for what you need at the time rather than doing the mega-shop for what you may need with the possibility that a fair amount eventually expires and is chucked out.Local shopping may also mean that you interact with your neighbours and feel some of the sense of Brentford community that Julia talks about.

Tim Henderson ● 4993d

Hi Adam,Evidently you haven't been to Brentofrd either when the St George's Day 2010 was being staged, or last April's Royal Wedding celebrations were happening - 6000 people say you're wrong Alan.  I do hope you WILL wander along the High Street this Friday or Saturday when the French Market is in full swing AND write a post next week with your impressions.

Jon Hardy ● 4993d

Julia,I can't fault your efforts and your enthusiasm, but sadly I think your hopes and aspirations for Brentford are "pie in the sky".You make the assumption that people who move into recently built/new developments in Brentford are interested in spending lots of time in the time itself.  I've no doubt afew are, but I strongly suspect the majority aren't.I have absolutely no ties to Brentford whatsoever apart from having moved into one of the recently built developments 9 years ago.  The fact is I have absolutely no interest or affection for the town whatsoever.  I couldn't tell you the last time I actually went to the town centre for a reason, I drive through it every day without stopping.Why would I want to ?.  I guess I might pop into Morrisons if I need a pint of milk, but would never do a big shop there as the store in whatever guise has always depressed me.  If I need some cash and I'm driving past I might stop at a cash machine.  If I'm going out socially, what on earth would possess me/attract me to go to Brentford when I can go to Chiswick or Richmond, or hop on a train to central London ?.  The pub planned for the Kew Bridge development isn't going to be the Bell & Crown or the other SOTG pubs.  Firstly, it'll be surrounded by residential flats.  Secondly, sitting outdoors all you'll hear is the traffic on the South Circular/Kew Bridge and inhale the associated fumes.  Consequently in 12 months it'll either have closed down or become a haunt for less savoury individuals.As I say, your efforts are laudable, but I can't help but believe they are unrealistic.

Adam Beamish ● 4993d

Phew!

Keith Iddon ● 4994d

Yes Jon it is where you say, the Kew Bridge development and I too have heard it will be a Fullers.  Hopefully a good place to go on the River with lots of sunshine and great food.

Julia Quilliam ● 4994d

Hi Keith,  I think Julia is talking about the pub that will be on the new square that is at the core of the Kew Bridge development aka Scottish Widows Site. It will not compete directly with existing Brentford pubs apart from The Empress Tavern (or is that the The Express Tavern, can't remember) but they will have a different offering.  It is  ore likely t be used by the same clientele who frequent the Strand on the Green riverside pubs at weekends and of course the new residents of the new developments at Kew Bridge and adjacent to the Steam Museum.  As far as I'm aware it is not a Wetherspoons - far too down market for the up market image of Kew Bridge - I believe it might be a Fullers but not sure.

Jon Hardy ● 4994d

Julia,The new pub is news to me.Where is it going to be? Brentford has plenty of pubs,but not enough punters.2 pubs(The Albany and The George and Dragon)have closed recently and the Six Bells looks empty most nights.It is not really another pub we need to bring people to the area.A restaurant or two yes,but another pub?Please tell me it isn't a Wetherspoons...

Keith Iddon ● 4994d

Thank you for your kind words Keith.  I really do believe that things in Brentford are happening.  Isis are to start building at Brentford Lock West at the end of next summer and a new school is planned so lets hope it all goes well.  GWQ have at last started work and it is great to see the cranes moving again.  Another penthouse has been sold at Kew Bridge, this time for even more money and the whole development is well on its way.  Hopefully the new pub will be built fairly soon to bring some life to the area.  Other smaller developments around are starting to come to life too.  Not sure when St James start but the scheme looks very exciting.As for the South Side of the High Street I am sure Ballymore are just as frustrated as the rest of us but I do believe they are listening to what local residents have to say and hopefully they can proceed without too many holdups.  It will be lovely to see their planning application ready for March after which we might even have an idea on timing.  As soon as planning is through and we have confirmation of what Ballymore are going to build, what it will look like and when they are going to start building Brentford will just go from strength to strength and how exciting to be part of that transformation.  Yes we might all be a little older but hopefully not too much to be able to enjoy it all.

Julia Quilliam ● 4994d

That is a very nice post,Julia.I too enjoy living here and,although my post could be interpreted as a little negative,it is only borne out of the frustration of seeing Brentford waiting to become what it could become if only repeated promises of regeneration were realised.I only hope that some of the new businesses that will hopefully inhabit the high street show the interest and commitment to the local area that you and your staff have consistently shown over the years.

Keith Iddon ● 4994d

Sorry forgot to mention about the lights.  Unfortunately the Council were only able to install so many lights for us and did not have any parts to adapt the lamp-posts which meant we had to get in an independent company the finish off the work but at a much great cost, more than double actually.  Most of the lights are now on except for five in Half Acre which the Council have said they would do for us.  We have also had problems with one of the trees in Albany Parade but we are hoping the Council will be able to sort it out for us.

Julia Quilliam ● 4995d

Well I have to disagree with you I'm afraid.  I am not from Brentford and have lived and worked in many places both in the UK and overseas and have chosen to settle in Brentford.  Whilst it is not the most attractive place I have lived in Brentford does have the most amazing community.  I have met so many lovely and interesting people in Brentford and am proud to have a business on the High Street.  Its true we have all waited a long time for the regeneration but it is going to happen and afterwards Brentford will be absolutely brilliant.  Actually during the many surveys which have been carried out the majority of residents don't want major commercial retailers but an interesting mix of small and independent shops which will make Brentford different from those towns who surround us.  The developers of South Side of the High Street have taken those requests on board and have come up with a very interesting scheme which will hopefully go ahead in the not too distant future.  In the meantime why can't we be proud of what we have and build on our strong community spirit.  The Brentford is Brilliant signs are aimed to make us happy and why not?  By the way we still have some Brentford is Brilliant keyrings in the office.  Why not pop in and collect one for yourself.

Julia Quilliam ● 4995d

You're right in some respects Adam.I don't personally find the signs as odious as you do.Perhaps 'Brentford is Waiting'would be more appropriate,with all the promises of redevelopment of the high st.that seem to have been shelved,ad infinatum.It's a good place to live,most people friendly and not snobby.At the moment though,it is a place that is on the way when you are going somewhere else.It needs something,not Wetherspoon's god forbid,to make it an evening/night destination place.Moving Waterman's into the middle of the town would be a start.

Keith Iddon ● 4998d

You'll have seen my post on the other thread, in my view the Brentford is Brilliant signs are cringeworthy.  Lets get real, Brentford isn't remotely good, it's a run of the mill suburban place that no-one ever visits unless they live there or happen to stop whilst passing through.  No major commercial retailer will ever bring a sizeable store to Brentford, it doesn't have a sufficiently strong customer base and is surrounded by too many better quality/better performing/more attractive towns.  Accept it for what it is, promote it for what it is, don't pretend it's something more.

Adam Beamish ● 4998d

An ironic post-modernist response to the subject of urban decay?Seriously, it's about time we celebrated Brentford for its positives, despite the dereliction.  Kudos to Quilliams I say!

Jon Hardy ● 4998d

While I really love the Brentford is brilliant signs, the one at the junction by the bee hive pub made me giggle when I first saw it, superimposed in front of a derelict building with smashed windows, graffiti, and netting, what sort of message does that give?

Amelia Margaret Stodel ● 4998d