Forum Topic

Lawrence Tan · 2/4/2005 4:05:00 PM

new.EalingToday.co.uk Communtity Forum Topic posting

Vacant Shops in Greenford Avenue

Does anyone know what's happening to the vacant shops by the cycle repair shop in Greenford Avenue, Hanwell. They all have 'Adams Estage Agents signs on them but nothing seems to be happening with them - other than slowly decaying. The cycle shop is right in the middle of them all. Perhaps the cycle shop is refusing to sell up and this is preventing the redevelopment of the other shops.It's a real eye sore and lets the area down.The area could do whith a Sainsburys Local or Tesco Express. What do you think?

Lawrence Tan ● 7771d73 Comments

There is a lovely Indian in the bar/restaurant unit and a Nail/Beauty bar but nothing else yet. Smallish units but probably overpriced as other units along there get filled quickly. Would not want Tesco as the Londis does a superb job along there.

Peter Chadburn ● 5939d

We haven't been along Greenford Avenue for about 18 months now but I was just wondering if anything has happened to the shops that were empty for quite some time. I remember when we left Hanwell there appeared to be some kind of activity regarding a bar or small restaurant but even that seemed to have stalled.

Peter Wright ● 5939d

There is activity going on in the big unit (bar/restaurant)does anyone know what it is going to be???

Grainne Taylor ● 6488d

Why do some premises remain shut up, not let for years?

Graham Weeks ● 6525d

I can't believe it either. There's a sign scrawled in the whitewash on the windows that says something similar to "Karahi Lounge - Opening Soon". It's about time something happened to the refurbished shops that have been vacant for so long.

Lawrence Tan ● 6526d

Crickey, has something happened at last - this thread started in Feb 2005!

Gerry Tan ● 6526d

I saw some cafe/bar? shop fitters working in the corner shop this evening. Is it actually going to open?

Peter Wright ● 6526d

Still nothing happening on Greenford Avenue? Anyone have any updates on those empty shops?

Tes Macpherson ● 6770d

"...Cowper - has anyone ever actually read any cowper?"We didn't do Cowper at school Sara. Tennyson yes, Wordsworth... well everyone did him, Shakespeare was required reading and Milton had to be endured by everyone, but we never understood a word of Il Penseroso or L'allegro - at least I didn't! Cowper did feature in our standard poetry book at school, which was Palgrave's Golden Treasury, but we never got round to him - dunno why. Yes, has anyone done Cowper?Come to think of it, this ain't got anything to do with Coffee shops...but what the hell! ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7117d

Cowper Rd, Shakespeare Rd, Milton Rd, Tennyson Road, Dryden Avenue and Browning Ave which actually aren't part of 'Poets Corner' as they are over the other side of Drayton Bridge Road and are... errr...council, Kipling Court, Allingham Close. Lots of poets! Cowper, Shakespeare and Milton are the desirable one's, though I believe the Kipling Court appartments are quite nice too.

Jane Salisbury ● 7117d

The Roundhouse could be such a nice pub too! It has a lovely view from the terrace in the summer.As it is we only use it in emergencies (need a pint, too lazy to walk far) - and occasionally to watch a friend play live music or for karaoke.

Jane Salisbury ● 7117d

GOD moves in a mysterious way,His wonders to perform;He plants his footsteps in the sea,And rides upon the storm. Olney Hymns (1779)--'Light Shining out of Darkness'

Francis House ● 7117d

In Acton we have Goldsmith ( though I always think that might be the guild rather than the poet as there are the almshouses - which are definitely guild, nearby) maybe that inspired the whole poet business though. plus Milton, Cowper - has anyone ever actually read any cowper?- and Shakespeare. I think that's it. A small corner.

Sara Nathan ● 7117d

It is very nice there. If it stops raining long enough I shall be working at the large house opposite the entry to the Golf Club. Very nice that is too. Shame about the 'Round House'.

Francis House ● 7117d

I'm told that there are some very desirable properties in the "Poets' Corner" part of Hanwell, especially the area slightly to the west of the place. Interesting how late Victorian/Edwardian town planners quite often built an enclave of residential properties named after English poets. I believe there's one in Acton and I daresay in many other London suburbs. What poets names feature in sunny Hanwell's Poets' Corner?

Gerry Tan ● 7117d

I thought it was a great place to live 30 years ago when I bought my house - and I still do!We have estate agent's letters through our door every day asking us to sell, and saying they have a constant supply of buyers eager to live in this road.

Jane Salisbury ● 7117d

A self fulfilling prophecy. If people think that Hanwell is a good place to buy property then the prices will go up proving that Hanwell is a good place to buy property.

Francis House ● 7119d

Well done to Hanwell's cappuccino society.Incidentally, an estate agent friend of ours claims that Hanwell is THE place in Ealing to buy property at the moment and for the near future! She proclaims that if you're thinking of buying property, sunny Hanwell is a STRONG BUY! Does she know something we don't yet realise? ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7119d

No. It's still being advertised.http://www.adamsproperty.co.uk/MoreDetails.php?id=2796I think they are just finishing the plastering.

Francis House ● 7119d

There doesn't seem to be any sign of anyone moving in yet.

Lawrence Tan ● 7119d

According to the 'Adams' website the rental for the corner site which will be the new gastropub is £40,000 p.a. or £35,000 p.a. for a 12 year lease. The other site they are handling in the avenue is £15,000.

Francis House ● 7120d

Ron Well said and explained. Its sad to see local shops strugglingbecause of the points you mentioned. I always sad to see the demise of shops in say Acton Lane..just up from Chiswick Park Station. It would that fast-food shops benefit from high profit margins and are able to afford the basic expenses.Its amazing that the Northfield Avenue shops looks so prosperous...well they certainly are well decorated.How much would rent and rates be for a smallish shop in that sort of road? £500 per week? A lot of profit would have to be made to cover that!

Jim Lawes ● 7420d

These shops are not the only shops in Greenford Ave & the Hanwell area that are empty.Some have had agents boards outside for over two years.As a local shopkeeper it may be useful to the community to be aware of some of the local retailers difficulties. Things like:- (1) the hike in business rates. (2)landlords doubling rents (encouraged by agents) (3) the downturn in retail customers due to restricted customer vehicle parking.Double yellow lines,single yellow lines,front garden parking access,school entrances,enlarged bus stands/diagonally opposite each other,private road (prohibited parking) & a busy local doctors surgery all contribute to hinder/deter "stop & shop" customers. Just wanted to submit the other side of the coin regarding GREENFORD AVE.

Ron Cliff ● 7420d

They were busy on the scaffolding outside last week, repointing I think. The windows on the first floor flats have been all been replaced, and they are progressing with the roofing. They seem, as far as I can tell from the street, to have done a lot of work inside.Round the back looks almost finished on the building side. It now needs the courtyard and planting done. I reckon we'll see an April opening.Now please put that key away.

Francis House ● 7423d

I agree, the shops don't seem to be progressing at all. I went past yesterday afternoon and there didn't seem to be anyone working on the place... Perhaps they were all inside!

Lawrence Tan ● 7424d

When did anybody actually see a workman actually working on those vacant shops in Greenford Avenue or do people assume that because there's a ladder and some scaffolding that work might be taking place. I generally go past, those shops once or twice a week in the evening and it always looks just the same to me.

Peter Wright ● 7424d

We do have two very nice cafes at the moment! One of them,no idea of the name but it's orange and blue - kind of Moroccan looking - serves delicious Paninis.The other one, The Cuckoo, is a little gem. It serves the best coffee I've ever tasted and the food (a big choice for a little cafe) is nothing short of a miracle. Best of all it has just become No Smoking.

Jane Salisbury ● 7431d

Had a stroll past the shops today. The work seems to be progressing and they are putting a new roof over the (proposed) wine bar. Hopefully not too long until it opens.

Francis House ● 7431d

Excellent news. Glad to see the planning permissions state that there'll be more provision for cyclists, adequate noise abatement in ceilings and walls and that there's to be odour abatement too. Hanwell is looking up on the "gastro food" front. You'll soon be getting a string of coffee shops! ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7554d

Looks like the planning department have decided to grant the planning application. So, the new Greenford Avenue gastro bar should become a reality. Hurray! Click here for more info from the council's planning dept.

Lawrence Tan ● 7555d

Here's what the planning application says:"Conversion of 7 first floor residential units and rear of 6 ground floor level shops into 14 self-contained residential units; change of use of ground floor shop (A1 use) at 47 to a bar (A3 use), extract ducting to rear and with managers flat above bar"That was taken from the local council website - you can view it at:http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/planning/planning+services/weekly_list_detailed_results_bydate1.asp?plan_ref=P%2F2005%2F0232&weekending=31%2F05%2F05&ward=HO&Type=Ward&Months=3You're also able to make comments on the application on the website!

Lawrence Tan ● 7655d

What excellent news!It's about time this part of Hanwell had a decent bar. There's nowhere to have a social drink in pleasant surroundings within walking distance at the moment. Let's hope they make it a 'quality' establishment. Somewhere that serves good food would be nice.

Lawrence Tan ● 7656d

Good news.

Francis House ● 7656d

Is that good or bad news? :-(

Gerry Tan ● 7657d

Walked by there yesterday and the planning application notice is up on a lampost for residential units and yes a bar!!!

Grainne Taylor ● 7657d

That's excellent news... Thank you Peter. Let's hope the planners make the right decision. Planning permission in Ealing often seems to be a lottery!Can't wait for the arrival of the wine bar. It's about time there was somewhere classy to drink in this part of Hanwell - and it's not too far for me to stagger home!

Lawrence Tan ● 7679d

Well, that's settled then.

Gerry Tan ● 7679d

Me too! Then I can walk (stagger?) home.

Jane Salisbury ● 7679d

Gerry Tan wrote: "Hey, that sounds like pleasant news to me. A bistro/wine bar, great. Perhaps when it opens, we might consider holding the next EalingToday posters get-together there?"I'll go along with that.

Francis House ● 7679d

Hey, that sounds like pleasant news to me. A bistro/wine bar, great. Perhaps when it opens, we might consider holding the next EalingToday posters get-together there?"...trying to bring a better style of shop to the parade." I always thought that area of Hanwell is on the up-and-up - house values are going to rocket up in that patch of sunny Ealing. Buy now folks. Hurrah! ;-)))

Gerry Tan ● 7680d

This is the answer from Adam Property-At the moment the plans are with Ealing Council with about another 6 weeks or so before planning permission is granted for refurbishment of the flats above the shops and some new build behind in a small courtyard development, the idea is for the corner and one shop in to be a wine/bistro bar and improve the other shops without having any further second hand shops or newsagents, the owners are trying to bring a better style of shop to the parade. Work will start as soon as planning has been approved. Adams Hanwell W7Tel - 020 8579 8070Fax - 020 8566 4370E-mail hanwell@adamsproperty.co.uk--------------------------------------------------------------------------------From: peter wright [mailto:peterwright@metronet.co.uk] Sent: 05 May 2005 20:17To: hanwell@adamsproperty.co.ukSubject: Greenford Ave. shops There is a great deal of speculation on the Ealingtoday.co.uk forum about what is happening to the shops on either side of the bike shop in Greenford Ave. If you are able, could you tell us please.

Peter Wright ● 7680d

According to Net House Prices http://www.nethouseprices.com/component/uk/ all the properties from 35 to 45 (including 41 - the bike shop) were sold freehold for £250,000 each on 6th Nov 2003. 47 was sold on the same date for £370,000. So it looks like the Bike shop is holding up the development.

Francis House ● 7680d

I've sent Adams Property an E-mail asking them what's happening, they sold the shops.

Peter Wright ● 7681d

I'll put my money on it being a speculation improvement and as yet there is't a tenant.

Peter Wright ● 7681d

Thank you Francis. I shall pop into the planning office next time I'm passing. Hopefully they'll be able to give us some info!

Lawrence Tan ● 7681d

The bike shop is R.W Newton Cycles41, Greenford Avenue, London, W7 1LPcourtesy of www.yell.com. I would post the full link, but it is rather long.

Francis House ● 7681d

Our (current ha ha - who know's by Friday) MP certainly thinks it's going to be a wine bar and he only lives just round the corner and spends a lot of time 'on the street'. I'd be surprised if he'd got it wrong. He's probably got the right contacts.I'll check the numbers of the shops later.

Jane Salisbury ● 7682d

I've had a look on the Ealing Council website - the planning department has a searchable list of planning applications. I have searched through them for the last year and cannot find an application for the Greenford Avenue shops. You can also get access to the planing committee agenda and reports for the last two years - again no trace of the shops in Greenford Avenue.Quite often you see a sign saying something like "Opening here in Autumn 2005 - a Bar/Restaurant" on the hoarding around building sites. Pity there isn't a sign on the hoarding in question.The next time I'm in Ealing I shall pop into the planning office and ask them if they know what's happening. Does anyone know the shop numbers so I can narrow it down a bit?

Lawrence Tan ● 7682d

...and I heard they are going to be demolished and a block of flats built there. Since they will need planning permission whatever they do, the council will have that information. There should also have been a notice posted up, usually attached to a lampost nearby.

Francis House ● 7682d

I really hope not! I don't think we need it. We have 3 little supermarkets along there anyway, Lidl and Sainsbury's in walking distance and 2 branches of Tesco and Waitrose only a short drive away.Why on earth is it so hard for us to find out for sure what's going on there? It can't be right that we are all guessing still.

Jane Salisbury ● 7682d

I've heard today it,s going to be a Tesco Express, the person who told me seemed sure but I,m not.

Peter Wright ● 7682d

Is there any update on what's happening here? Has anyone spoken to any of the builders/developers recently?I rode past a couple of weeks ago and I could see that there was hoarding around several shops on both sides of the cycle shop. I wonder if the bicycle shop is going to stay in the middle of the two new developments?Wouldn't it be great if all the work was finished in time for Autumn. I expect it will take quite a lot longer as it look like a huge project.

Lawrence Tan ● 7683d

Hanwell is getting better and better recently. I'm so impressed at seeing more and more young couples buying houses and spending a lot of care, time and I presume money in making the location into THE place to purchase in Ealing. There always were some superlative houses in Hanwell - all the smaller roads and terraces are getting really "swish" now. Great! ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7701d

More hoarding round the three shops on the other side of the bike shop now. Gets more interesting with each passing day.

Peter Wright ● 7701d

I hope the new place has lots of comfy leather armchairs and sofas, real log fires and pleanty of quality Sunday papers!

Lawrence Tan ● 7704d

I wandered past when I walked the dog tonight. There is a hording round three shops (between Shakespeare Rd and the bike shop) so I suppose that gives an idea of the size. I need to take a step ladder so I can see over the top! Or to procure a periscope. (Essential dog walking equipment). It's all getting really exciting!

Jane Salisbury ● 7704d

I have no idea but it can't be soon enough for me! We'll just have to keep an eye on progress.

Jane Salisbury ● 7705d

Jane,Any indication as to when it's due to open? It's about time Greenford Avenue had a good bar.

Lawrence Tan ● 7705d

Good news indeed! Perhaps the next EalingToday forum users gathering could be at the new Bar/restaurant? ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7705d

I had some happy news by text message when I was in St Ives.A little bird on the planning committee and our MP both reckon we're getting a winebar/restaurant!Hooray!!!

Jane Salisbury ● 7705d

I went and had a nose around the site today. I spoke to one of the builders. He told me that he thought that it would probably be a bar/restaurant - although he didn't seem too sure.

Lawrence Tan ● 7730d

I'm sad about the bike shop too. It's very convenient (we ride!) and it's nice being able to buy stuff locally because the customer care tends to be better.I've just been down to have a look. All the back has been cleared away and there's a high fence around the building work so I can't really see what's going on. It's a much bigger area than you realise from the front. A friend who lives on that corner of Shakespeare Road asked the builders I think, and another asked in one of the Estate Agents along there and they both suggested the pub idea. Maybe it's just wishfull thinking - but I hope not.

Jane Salisbury ● 7731d

no idea what they will be i'm afraid. I imagine a wine bar would need planning permission tho.

Brian Ging ● 7731d

Brian,Any idea what the 'shops' will be? Will there be a bar/pub/restaurant - because this part of Hanwell desperately needs a good quality bar.I agree, it will be a great shame if the bike shop goes.

Lawrence Tan ● 7731d

i gather that the bike shop may be going, which is a shame. The downstairs units are going to be shops with separate flats upstairs.

Brian Ging ● 7731d

That is good news..... I'm not too enthusiastic about a Harvester though. Still, better than nothing. At least the shops won't be vacant for too much longer. A good gastro pub would be great!!I would have thought that planning permission would be required for a change of use.Thanks for the update Jane.

Lawrence Tan ● 7731d

These shops are apparently being developed (it's all going on at the back and not obvious from the front).The word on the street is that they will be some sort of pub with food. I thought that was good until the word 'Harvester' was mentioned. I haven't seen any sign on planning permission being sought though. Wouldn't it need change of use?

Jane Salisbury ● 7731d

It certainly does have that look about it, which is a shame. Doesn't stop the bags being lovely though!

Jane Salisbury ● 7746d

I think it's main intention is to be a trade showroom, hence the strange times. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Peter Wright ● 7746d

The ex-photographers studio on the corner of Shakespeare Rd is now a shop selling beaded handbags. They only seem to be open mid-day til 5.30 from Monday to Friday, and I'm not sure if it's permanant or temporary, but the bags are absolutely beautiful. I've been promised one for Mother's Day - hooray!!!

Jane Salisbury ● 7746d

Yes, A wine bar would get my vote - in fact anything rather than vacant shops which attract graffiti!

Lawrence Tan ● 7769d

A lot of locals would really like a Wine Bar as the only pub in comfortable walking distance is the the Roundhouse (aka the Crackhouse according to my children), which is unbelievably unpleasant.Mind you I expect there are a lot of locals who would hate a wine bar too!We are very well off for food shops along this stretch, I don't feel in any particular need of another one. (We don't want any more junk shops, estate agents or hairdressers either!).As far as I know the Bike Shop isn't responsible for the hold ups (and any way we love the bike shop! leave it alone!) :-)

Jane Salisbury ● 7771d