Forum Topic

What is happening with Barratt's?

I have heard rumours that Pret a manger but also Hampton's Estate Agents are taking it over.Either would look really good in my opinion.

Simon Wycombe ● 5241d36 Comments

Nice one!

William J Malmet ● 5213d

They are easy to spot though, with one trouser leg rolled up.

Nigel Brooks ● 5214d

Nigel,Some people tried to recruit me to the Freemasons the last time that I was in there.Regards,Will.

William J Malmet ● 5214d

Never had or seen any problems there.I guess there are unsavoury types in every pub, I don't tend to notice them if they don't affect my enjoyment.

Nigel Brooks ● 5215d

If you need alcohol to live in Northfields then I would recommend Roddy's Bar (Little Ealing Lane) for its Guiness, and The Forester (under new ownership and management) opposite the allotments near the Lido, for its real ales and food: both Thai and gastro pub. Some very unsavoury types hang out in the Plough, no doubt owing to its "popularity". I hear that the publican from the Plough, Christian, was rusticated by Fullers recently.Will.

William J Malmet ● 5215d

Strange. My experience of The Plough (and Fullers) has been very different to yours. Or perhaps I have high standards?Will.

William J Malmet ● 5215d

I take it that Mr Malmet is not a Jazz fan, a fan of good pub quizzes, good food and, a good pint then.The Plough is a great pub and rightly popular, it will probably survive without his custom :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 5215d

The Plough is a good pub, and very popular with the local community.

Emma Renton ● 5215d

"holes like the Plough pub in Northfields"You obviously have't been there recently. It was extended and refurbished a few years back. Lovely friendly, family pub, with great food. Nice outside area, fantastic BBQs in the Summer, live music, on the ball management, always busy.

Nick Jenkins ● 5216d

Just spotted where Hampton's are opening.Dead opposite Foxton's in Ealing.That could be interesting.

Simon Wycombe ● 5219d

It's quite tricky at times!Half of my postings are slightly tongue-in-cheek but appreciate it's difficult for you to work out which!

Simon Wycombe ● 5230d

Simon, how do you manage to walk with that big chip on your shoulder?Makes you wonder what other parts are inadequate.

Claire Burton ● 5230d

It was the poor end of Hanger lane (towards Alperton) but thankfully still W5!

Simon Wycombe ● 5230d

I'll let Simon defend himself, but there are some really ropey areas of 'Hanger Lane'.It's surprising how far the are stretches for some, think of Ladbroke Grove now being called 'North Holland Park'.

Nigel Brooks ● 5231d

Worked his way "up and out" of Hanger Lane!??  Hanger Lane is hardly a ghetto in fact Hanger Lane is a nice middle class area with nice properties so hardly White City Estate!!

Jen Morty ● 5232d

If anyone bothered to look at the plans for GML it is going to be mixed tenure - private/housing association/social housing.  There are less 1 bedroom apartments than before and more houses.  There will be a community Cafe in phase 1 as well as another large space that was due to be a gym but is now up for other ideas due to the new gym at Daniels.  The Estate will not be re-built in the image of what it once was and many of the previous tenants won't be returning in any event.

Diane Gill ● 5232d

Which, with respect, only goes to prove my point.You've worked your way 'out and up' and, given the motivation, probably 99% of the residents on the GME are capable of the same.Areas get tarnished and so do the poeple in them. Dig a little and you will find good people who are as mightilly hacked off living within as are those who look from without.

Nigel Brooks ● 5232d

I  was a snotty  nosed-kid born in Hanger Lane in the 60's.My grand-parents lived on the White City Estate so hardly born with a silver-spoon but just worked myself to the ground to get myself where I am today.You have to agree Ealing Common is a nicer place to live than The G. M. E.Sorry if that sounds elitist but if you knew me you would not think so.

Simon Wycombe ● 5232d

What absolute elitist twaddle. You have a lot in common with everyone on the Green Man if only you would look.If you believe that we (they) all had an equality of opportunities then I would say that that is simply delusional.Just for reference, my only drug is an occasional good single malt and I have neither a dog nor tattoos.

Nigel Brooks ● 5232d

Nigel, I would rather not mix with them. We have nothing in common.I do not 'do' drugs or have a pit bullterrier or tattoos.Call me judgemental but that is what the Green Man is all about (as we all know). There is no point dressing it up that they are poor souls.We all had the same opportunities and some of us(them) decided not to take them

Simon Wycombe ● 5232d

P.S. Conservatives did not do much better in their sole term of office. Sleaze pays, and none of our politicos seem to be motherhood-and-apple pie material. Is my wife going to go along to meet my local councillors in holes like the Plough pub in Northfields, or to the Trade Union Club in Acton. I think not.

William J Malmet ● 5233d

The timing of the deline co-incides with the growth of the night economy. Lap dancing, night clubs, late night opening for all and sundry. I recall lots of stuff from the Labour administration in the early 2000s about how much the night economy was bringing in. Sure there is lots of money in sleaze, however now we are paying the cost.I do not relish going in to central Ealing these days. Too many people, dirty pavements, too much traffic, etc. etc.Dickens Yard will only make it a whole lor worse.Will.

William J Malmet ● 5233d

Ealing Broadway does not have "delusions of grandeur" it used to be a decent shopping area and has gone to pot in the last 5/6 years hopefully things are turning around.  Richmond has loads of chain stores in fact more chain stores than idependents.

Jen Morty ● 5233d

There are some good families on the GML and you do yourself, and them, a disservice by describing them as 'similar people.Fortunately I don't live in a middle-class ghetto and accept people for 'what they are'. A very few people are rotten apples, most are ordinary decent people just trying to get on with life and each other. Try mixing with them, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Nigel Brooks ● 5233d

But to probably house similar people,unfortunately.

Simon Wycombe ● 5233d

GML is being knocked down and re-built in case you hadn't noticed...

Diane Gill ● 5233d

Not so much 'delusions of grandeur' as wanting to bring up children in the right kind of environment. Independent shops are fine(like Pitshanger/Chiswick/Richmond)but we need to strike the right balance.Otherwise shall we all go and live in St Paul's Close/Green Man Estate and settle for 2nd best?The cinema is hopefully another big bonus.

Simon Wycombe ● 5233d

Aha the regular Ealing Broadway 'delusions of grandeur'.Ealing Broadway needs more independent shops. This is what makes Richmond so very popular.Unfortunaely while it is populated, in the main, by clones of every other high street it will stay as a poor relation to other more successful areas locally. Pitshanger is a model of what can be achieved, but I fear the Ealing Broadway rents will preclude on an extension of this model.

Nigel Brooks ● 5234d

Unfortunately,despite having their uses, they tend to lower the tone of an area.Harsh but true!We need to show both outsiders and 'Ealingites' that Ealing Bdwy means business and is not to be the next West Ealing.

Simon Wycombe ● 5234d

Some of us love the pound shops, x.

Mary Hill ● 5234d

That is great news will certainly brighten that corner up.  If only Uxbridge Rd and all the vile pound shops that have sprung up in the last couple of years would go!

Jen Morty ● 5240d

I walked past today and there is a big Pret sign - yippee! The Costa across the road is always so busy and noisy and doesn't offer the choice that Pret does either. I'm all for it.

Diane Gill ● 5241d

That will make that little section quite attractive with Costa coffee opposite.Get rid of some pound shops and we are nearly there.

Simon Wycombe ● 5241d

Well, half decent

George Knox ● 5241d

I think its going to be a Pret a Manger.

Mark Reen ● 5241d

Simon This reply came via twittertbentropy Timothy@ealingtodaycouk it's going to be a Pret, about time we got a decent sandwich shop in Ealing :)Annemarie

Editor ● 5241d