Forum Topic

Gillette Building: ideas for temporary use?

The gloomy hulk of the desolate Gillette Building ..to me is becoming an eyesore.The Clock Tower lights appear to be switched off..and the clock itself shows the incorrect time.Could the building be put to temporary use in this age of need.?There must be huge kitchens, toilet facilities..and parking access from the rear.How about using it as temporary accommodation for the homeless and those in unsatisfactory B&B?  Give it to a Charity for a year or two.Or shall it stay empty for another 4/5 years?

Jim Lawes ● 4701d24 Comments

The Gillette building would make a great Drive In Movie / Wimpy burger venue.Keep the front facade and clock, project on the back.

Richard Smith ● 4662d

Hey, Jim.  The Scout bazaar is almost upon us - Saturday 17th November - see if you can catch a copy of Andrew Neil’s book 'Full Disclosure' on the book stall.  It is a very good read and talks about the setting up of Sky in Isleworth, amongst other things.  You will never look at a piece of newssheet in the same light after reading about the tricks the print workers got up to!  :-)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Full-Disclosure-Andrew-Neil/dp/0330343483

Sarah Felstead ● 4664d

Jimoiur pictures are always better but there is some interesting information and some nice pictures here:http://artdecobuildings.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/gillette-corner-isleworth.htmlI wondered if asbestos could be part of the problem. But apparently it has been removed:http://www.mcgee.co.uk/projects/asbestos-removal/

David Giles ● 4665d

Rumour has it that Bonnington's has run out of money....Sky TV not interested in that site because of "Green" issues....the Harrod's Warehouse is now empty...(now owned by Sky as you will recall)..so life on top of the hill (Syon) is not that bright.Anyway, "Gillettes" is located in Isleworth..so who cares.Employing some 11,000 people on site..thank goodness SKY TV is in Brentford!

Jim Lawes ● 4669d

If it were to be converted into flats it would save having to build down Commerce Rd.I seem to remember there may be some sort of covenant on the site although I may well be wrong.

Keith Iddon ● 4682d

Someone has managed to convert the old DHSS building in Bromyard Avenue into residential apartments so why on earth cant the Gillette building be converted in the same way. It has already been done in the old Bechams building, it just needs someone in LBOH with a bit of vision to make it happen.

Ian Roberts ● 4682d

Just 3 stops from Chiswick David.

Andrew Sibley ● 4683d

Protest have ruined most of businesses in this country.owners have no choice but to empty the buildings and you can't blame them for the derlict buildings.

Satvir Sidhu ● 4684d

Keith and Jim,Sorry my mistake ! I forgot Syon Lane is on the SW Trains line.

David Giles ● 4691d

Your knowledge of the local area would appear to be second to everyone David...Syon Lane has an overground station.There is no tube stn. in Brentford.

Keith Iddon ● 4693d

David, It's miles from the Tube!... However these images are being paraded in cyberspace:

Jim Lawes ● 4693d

It is a very large and valuable site close to Syon Lane Tube and SKY TV. Let's hope it will be put to good use.

David Giles ● 4693d

But that permission was granted several years ago, and then renewed in December 2010.  Due to expire at the end of 2013, as far as I know it hasn't been implemented/commenced.In my professional view no chance of obtaining a partial or full residential development on the site.

Adam Beamish ● 4693d

The Bonnington Group has been granted planning permission by the London Borough of Hounslow to develop the Gillette building into a hotel and "business park".

Neil Chippendale ● 4693d

Any misbehavior and you got carpeted... on the official one in reception too!

Jim Lawes ● 4694d

Perhaps the idea of unions didn't gel with the management (double groan...)

Keith Iddon ● 4694d

They were SHARP practitioners.. no trades unions allowed apparently.

Jim Lawes ● 4694d

Groan...

Keith Iddon ● 4694d

Razors were always a cut-throat business.

Peter Hughes ● 4694d

Blame P&G and boycott fairy liquid and pringles in protest.

Alan Clark ● 4694d

Gillette should have kept it for manufacturing their products, I knew people who worked there. They probably thought they could make a easy money for their share-holders by moving manufacturing abroad and selling the land off for redevelopment. Very short-sighted and a shame for our manufacturing industry.

Steve Allum ● 4694d

Who owns the site at the moment ?It is a very valuable site and could be redeveloped as offices, housing,  film and TV studios or educational facilities provided permission is given for change of use. The days of factories on Brentford's Golden Mile are long gone.

David Giles ● 4696d

Little matter of getting planning permission Jim !.  Which for residential use is highly unlikely given the key employment site designation which the building falls within.

Adam Beamish ● 4701d

I thought they were using it as film studios, to be honest while this recession lasts who would have the money to develop it?

Vanessa Smith ● 4701d