Wood Lane Esso Station to Become Art Installation

former petrol station on Wood Lane. Google Maps

Anyone who drives in London knows how hard it can be to find a working petrol station these days. The old Esso station on Wood Lane closed a while back (see photo above), and site owners Transport For London (TFL) don't seem to have an immediate plan for what do with it. In the meantime, it's fast attracting graffiti and rubbish. So, White City developers Stanhope have agreed to lease the site so as to "improve the area’s appearance and eventually introduce pop up uses."  Stanhope is taking a three year lease (with a two –year break clause) from TFL, and has appointed artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier to "create an art installation" at the former petrol station.

Hammersmith Society 2017 Environment Awards

Nominations for the Hammersmith Society 2017 Environment Awards are now open.

If there is a new building in our neighbourhood that you like and admire - or even one you hate - now is your chance to put it forward: for an award - or a wooden spoon.

The 2017 Awards will be presented at the Society’s AGM on Thursday 21 June, 7.00pm at the Dorsett Hotel, Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12.

Re-Imagining Shepherd's Bush Green

Imagine if Shepherd's Bush Green was a pedestrian area, rather than a giant traffic island. An impossible dream? Not according to architects Henning Stummel, who have made a proposal to pedestrianise the north side of the Common and re-route two-way traffic around the west and south. The proposal is supported by the Hammersmith Society and was included in their most recent newsletter.

Hoxton Hotel Proposal for Shepherd's Bush

The Hammersmith Society has revealed details of the proposed Hoxton Hotel on the west side of Shepherd's Bush Green. The proposed new hotel will displace the current Post Office, and the existing buildings will likely be demolished, assuming that planning permission is granted. The image above shows the Dorsett Hotel on the left, and the proposed Hoxton Hotel on the right.

Shepherd's Bush Vicar to Run London Marathon

Bob Mayo, Vicar of St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road, is running the London Marathon this weekend, Sunday 23 April. He is running to raise money for Street Child World Cup, a valuable charity who do important work with street children around the world. 

Bob is asking local residents for sponsorship to help him raise much-needed funds. 

You can find his personal page at VirginMoneyGiving.

Comedy Festival at The Bush Theatre 1-4 June

The Bush Theatre is hosting a Comedy festival this summer, running from June 1-4, featuring comedy acts Nina Conti, Tim Key, Joe Lycett and Shaun Keaveny.

The Bush theatre re-opened in March this year, after a year-long period of restoration, with a new season of political theatre, starting with "Black Lives, Black Words" on March 23.

For more details, times and tickets, visit: www.bushtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 020 8743 5050.

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush.  If you would like to contribute a story about our neighbourhood, email us at shepherdsbushblog(at)gmail.com

Election Season Again - Who Will Win?

Andy Slaughter MP

It's election season again, with a General Election set for 8 June. Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter, who defied his party's national setbacks in the 2015 General Election and was re-elected with a convincing majority, must fight once more to retain his seat.

We don't yet know who his opponents will be, but one thing is for sure - Andy Slaughter is a skilful politician who almost doubled his share of the vote at the last election. Even with Labour lagging in the polls, it will surely take an impressive Conservative candidate to unseat this well-established MP.

Evening Standard "Guide to Living in Shepherd's Bush"

Westfield extension 

The Evening Standard have run an extensive piece on life in Shepherd's Bush, exploring property, food and life in general. As the ES puts it: "Shepherd’s Bush and nearby White City are at the centre of an £8 billion regeneration that will see the already massively popular Westfield London shopping centre expanded with a new John Lewis flagship department store, plus 70 new shops and restaurants and more than 1,500 new homes at the White City Living development." To see the full article, follow this link.

Easter Egg Hunt at Brook Green Farmer's Market

Brook Green farmer's Market - every Saturday

Brook Green Food Market and Kitchen will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday.

Children's entertainment starts at 11.30 am and will include "face painting and an Easter egg hunt for all ages".

Walkabout Gets Planning Permission

New building viewed from the north side of Shepherd's Bush Green

Dorsett Hospitality International, the group who renovated the old Shepherd's Bush Pavilion and have turned it into a successful hotel, have now received formal planning application to redevelop the old Walkabout pub, formerly the Shepherd's Bush Cinematograph theatre. 

The proposed building, which includes a new tower built into the old facade, took into account extensive community feedback, and aimed to make the new building fit better into the context of the existing Dorsett facade. 

Tri-Borough Agreement to End

Hammersmith Town Hall

The Tri-Borough Agreement between The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster Council, and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, is coming to an end.

BBC news have reported on it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-39415618.  So what does it mean for residents of Shepherd's Bush?  It may mean hikes in Council Tax, given that the original TriBorough Agreement, brought in when all three councils were run by the Conservatives, was designed to save money in the first place.