Humans of Shepherd's Bush No 16 - Khadir

Kadhir

Meet Khadir, one of our local streetcleaners, and one of the many people in Shepherd's Bush who helps to make life just a little bit better for everyone he meets.

Originally from Somalia, Khadir is everyone's friend; he always says hello, is always happy to offer the time of day - and ask after local friends, families and neighbours. 

On occasion Khadir has even help to prevent crime by stopping some of the anti-social behaviour that so often causes trouble in Shepherd's Bush.

Public Meeting at Du Boisson Village Hall Tonight

Du Boisson Village Hall, Wood Lane

Tonight at 6pm at the Du Boisson Village Hall (the old Drill Hall) on Wood Lane, "Sergeant Tom" from our local Police force is hosting at meeting to discuss the Partial Closure Order currently in force across Shepherd's Bush Green.

Is the PCO working? Does our local community approve, or disapprove? PCOs are a relatively draconian policy, and the current order expires on 27 February 2023. 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the PCO has had a positive impact on crime and anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhood.  One local resident explained that the Sainsburys Local on Shepherd's Bush Green has reported a drop in shoplifting, for example.  Come along tonight at 6pm and share your views.

Hoxton Hotel Brings Glamour to Shepherd's Bush

The new Hoxton Hotel at 65 Shepherd's Bush Green is finished at last, having opened its doors on Monday night to local guests and visitors. 

The result is everything our neighbourhood could hope for, a lively, bustling bar filled with energy and life.  Who knew that going out for a drink in Shepherd's Bush could be so civilised?

With the lovely Albertine wine bar having closed earlier this year, the Hoxton adds glamour and fun to Shepherd's Bush nightlife.

Work Begins on Hammersmith Park "Old Bowling Green"

Felled brush at Hammersmith Park

Work has begun at last to improve the "Old Bowling Green" in Hammersmith Park - that's the overgrown area beyond the tennis courts that hosts the so-called "Tiny Forest". 

Years of unplanned growth of shrubs and small trees have been cut down to make way for a more curated environment - you can see the plans from our council, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) below.

FOSBG Dreams of a Better Shepherd's Bush Green

Hoxton Hotel opens tonight

On 24th November Jonathan Pearl, Chair of The Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green, hosted a public meeting to discuss FOSBG plans for the improvement of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

The meeting was held at The W12 Centre on 24 November, and was well-attended by members of the council, the police and also by our local MP.  Plans were presented for a community garden on the western edge of Shepherd's Bush Green, with local architects exploring ideas to regenerate and revive our local landscape.

Partial Closure Order for Shepherd's Bush Green

Local Police Officers with copies of the PCO

On 22 November local police attended Westminster Magistrates Court to secure a "Partial Closure Order" (PCO) of Shepherds Bush Green.

The PCO includes a number surrounding streets, notably the "Caxton Village" area north of Shepherd's Bush Green, which has been the scene of considerable anti-social behaviour in recent months.

The PCO took effect from yesterday, Monday November 28, and lasts for three months, until 27 February 2023.

No Lights for Shepherd's Bush Green Again

Westfield sparkles

Once again this Christmas, Westfield sparkles, but there are no Christmas decorations on the shopping streets around Shepherd's Bush Green.

Every year, Westfield puts on a display of light and colour, while Shepherd's Bush Green and the surrounding streets are left with nothing at all.

Even though local businesses pay business rates for local services, our Council appear unable to hang any Christmas decorations in our shopping streets.

Friends of Shepherds Bush Green Public Meeting Nov 24

Jonathan pearl, Chair of The Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green, is hosting a Public Meeting on 24th November to discuss FOSBG plans for the improvement of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

The meeting will be held at The W12 Centre on 24 November, starting at 6.30pm.  Plans will be presented for a community garden, and local businesses are welcome to attend and help generate support. 

FOSBG is very grateful to LandSec for providing the meeting room.  

In recent months Friends of Shepherds Bush Green has gone from strength to strength, building a strong network of local supporters.

Anti-Social Behaviour Getting Worse in Shepherd's Bush?

Public drinking in Caxton Village

What can be done about the ongoing anti-social behaviour in Shepherd's Bush?

Jonathan Pearl, Chair of the Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green (FOSBG) recently posted about the growing problem of public drunkenness and anti-social behaviour that many believe is getting worse around Shepherd's Bush Green.

Register Now for "Affordable" Macfarlane Place

Macfarlane Place - opening 2024

Macfarlane Place, the new development on Wood Lane, is underway, following the year-long process of demolition of the old BBC car park.

Local people can now register their interest in the flats in Macfarlane Place, which starting in 2024 will offer 142 new one and two bedroom flats for rent and shared ownership, part of "Phase Two" of the development. 

The new flats will be managed by Peabody Trust and are described as “affordable” - meaning that they are being offered at below market rates. 

The new development will also offer a new route to TV Centre from Wood Lane, and a new pedestrian access to Hammersmith Park. 

FOSBG Gains Formal Recognition from LBHF

Can Shepherd's Bush Green be a better place?

The Friends of Shepherds Bush Green (FOSBG) has now been formally recognised by The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as the “principal user group” for Shepherd's Bush Green.  

This means that from now on FOSBG will be the main point of liaison between our local council and local residents - when it comes to matters concerning The Green.

Why is Ginglik Still Closed?

Ginglik - long derelict

Why is the former Edwardian loo-turned nightclub Ginglik still closed and derelict?

In 2021 an appplication for planning permission was put in for a change of use, the change of use being from a nightclub to a restaurant.  

Permission was for this granted by LBHF (who own the site) in September 2021, but since then nothing has happened. 

The former Ginglik site occupies a long-neglected corner of Shepherd's Bush Green, which has become a site for rubbish dumping and rough sleeping.  Surely something can be done to find a use for this most central location in Shepherd's Bush? A new restaurant would be good news - if it can be pulled off.

Jonathan Pearl Chair of FOSBG

Jonathan Pearl

A warm welcome to local resident Jonathan Pearl, who has become the chair of FOSBG, The Friends of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

In recent months Jonathan has been working with our local council, police and other stakeholders to try and improve the state of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

With the new Hoxton Hotel soon opening, and the redevelopment and renewal of the old Walkabout pub, Jonathan believes that local residents now have a real chance to make significant improvements to our neighbourhood. 

George Irvine's Funfair Returns on 20 Sept 2022

George Irvin's Funfair is back at Shepherd's Bush Green, from 20th September until 2nd October. The Funfair was supposed to start this week but has been postponed in honour of the passing of our late Queen.  

The funfair is a bit of a "Marmite" event - many love it, others hate the noise and disruption that it brings, especially those who live on or near Shepherd's Bush Green and resent the noise it causes, particularly late at night.

George Irvin's Funfair is a regular visitor to Shepherd's Bush. In recent years they have stayed for up to a full month, but following neighbourhood complaints our local Council scaled them back to 2 1/2 weeks.

Hammersmith Park Tennis Court Needs Resurfacing

Soggy tennis courts in Hammersmith Park

The tennis courts in Hammersmith Park are one of our best local amenities, at least when it hasn't rained for a while. The best thing about the courts is that you can't book them in advance - meaning that anyone can drop in at any time and play.  You might have to wait a few minutes, but spontaneity is rewarded for the patient.  

The downside is that the tarmac on the courts has bizarrely been designed to drain into the centre of the courts themselves (rather than drain towards the verges, as you might expect), turning the courts into a wet sludgy mess after every rainfall.  

Hoxton Hotel (Almost) Complete

Hoxton Hotel

The exterior of the Hoxton Hotel at 65 Shepherd's Bush Green is almost finished. 

The Hoxton Group have at last completed their long held ambition to build a new hotel on the western edge of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

The scaffolding is down, and the new building looks to be a handsome addition to the neighbourhood.

Stanhope and Mitsui Start "Phase 2" of Television Centre

Base of new 25 storey tower building at TV Centre

Developers Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan have announced the start of Phase Two of the development of Television Centre.

Among the new buildings is a huge new 25 storey tower located just south of the Broadcaster pub on Wood Lane (see image left). 

Phase Two comprises a total of 511 homes in four separate plots. 

Japanese Garden Community Day 7th August

The Japanese Garden in Hammersmith Park is hosting a Community Day on Sunday 7th August at 12.30pm.  

The Community Day will feature lots of activities for families and children, including the chance to make origami, follow a treasure trail, do a calligraphy workshop, listen to Japanese music, go on a "haiku walk", and buy Japanese sweets and snacks.

The event is an annual one, held to celebrate recent improvements to the garden such as the installation of new Japanese-style gates and rows of stone lanterns in the Japanese Garden.

The Japanese Garden dates from 1910, and the Japanese-British Exhibition that took place in White City.

Don't forget to bring a picnic.

St Stephen's Bells Ring Again

St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road has, through the help of a number a local volunteers, managed to mend its Victorian church bell. 

Soon, the sound of church bells will again be ringing in Shepherd's Bush on Sunday mornings - as long as volunteers can be found to ring them.

St Stephen's vicar Denis Adide is looking for volunteers for bell ringing. You can get in touch with him at St Stephen's by emailing the church on office@ststephensw12.org

St Stephen's Church is one of the most handsome churches in Shepherd's Bush, and also boasts a proud record of diversity and inclusivity, having been the birthplace of the Shepherd's Bush Housing Association and also one of the first churches to welcome the Windrush generation to its parish. 

Friends of The Japanese Garden - June Newsletter

Clearing the pond on Sunday

The Friends of the Japanese Garden continued their hard work last Sunday, cleaning up the duckweed from the pond at the Japanese Garden.

It's a reminder of how many unpaid volunteers give up their time to help preserve the beauty of our neighbourhood parks, quietly getting on with their work with little fanfare. 

Have Your Say on the Saturation Zone

Make

Cumulative Impact Saturation Zone - should it be re-instated?

sure to have your say on the renewal of our local licensing policy. The consultation by our council ends at the end of June, so now is the time to let LBHF have your views. 

Why does this matter? Because the Saturation Zone, which for a decade prevented the opening of late night bars, has expired, allowing bars and fast food joints to open late in Shepherd's Bush.

To find out more, follow the link below:
https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/business/licensing/licensing-policy/licensing-policy-consultation

Ukrainian Refugees Arrive in Shepherd's Bush

Ukrainian refugees cross into Poland

The first refugees from Ukraine have begun to arrive in Shepherd's Bush.

A number of residents of Macfarlane Rd, which has an active WhatsApp Group helping neighbours to help each other, has taken in families, helping in a very personal way to alleviate the biggest humanitarian crisis Europe has faced since WW2.  We asked one Macfarlane Rd volunteer what is involved, and how others can help out.

New Ugly Buildings for Hammersmith Park

TV Centre - 1 Wood Crescent. Ugly or Fugly?

For sheer ugliness it would be hard to beat the new buildings being built by Stanhope and Mitsui in Hammersmith Park, just east of the children's playground. 

Faced in grey concrete in the brutalist style, this ugly construction towers over its surroundings, even blocking out the view from many of the expensive new flats in TV Centre. 

The new development is called "TV Centre - 1 Wood Crescent", and is described at the official website as "a 9 storey building with 111,765 sq ft of prime office space". That's an ugly office block to you and me.

Albertine Wine Bar to Close 18 March

The Albertine bids farewell to Shepherd's Bush

Sad news for Shepherd's Bush, our local and much-loved wine bar The Albertine is closing, forced out of business by Covid-19, Lockdown, and the general business climate. 

The last two years have been hard on anyone in the hospitality industry, struggling to stay afloat in spite of Lockdown restrictions.

Below is Allegra's farewell message.

Friends of the Japanese Garden Feb 2022

Hammersmith Park

The Friends of the Japanese Garden are celebrating the recent cleanup of the Japanese Garden at Hammersmith Park, which you can read about in their monthly newsletter below. 

The new pond skimmer is working, by removing floating debris off the surface of the pond - especially the duckweed which, if left unchecked, completely coats the surface of the pond. 

Shepherd's Bush Taco Bell Gets Late-Night License Until 2am

Local journalist Hannah Neary reported at Shepherd's Bush W12 yesterday on the reaction to the Uxbridge Rd Taco Bell getting a late night food license until 2am, which is making many local residents unhappy.  

Here at The Shepherd's Bush Blog, we attended the licensing hearing on Monday night to express our own view.  I have never seen more people attend a licensing hearing, nor heard a more passionate expression of resistance to a late license.  

Some conditions were granted, but the Licensing Committee controversially agreed to Taco Bell being open until 1am Sunday to Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday nights.

Kier to Start Construction at Macfarlane Place in March

Kier Construction

The construction company Kier has been appointed to start building the 142 new "affordable homes" to be created at Macfarlane Place, Television Centre, with work scheduled to start in March 2022. 

Macfarlane Place will replace the former BBC Car Park on Wood Lane which is now almost demolished - much to the relief of long-suffering local residents.