Reborn Albertine is a Winner

Albertine Wine Bar

Local chef Allegra McEvedy (co-founder of Leon) has re-opened the Albertine Wine Bar, the historic BBC watering hole on Wood Lane - and one of the nicest boozers in our neighbourhood.

But, while the Albertine was always a great place to get a drink, you wouldn't necessarily have praised the food.

Now, all this has changed, as the Albertine has become one of the best restaurants in Shepherd's Bush.

Shepherds Bush Businesses Rates Up By Nearly a Quarter

Dorsett Hotel - flagship business in Shepherd's Bush

Businesses in Hammersmith and Fulham are likely be faced with a massive increase in the local Business Rate.

A leaked breakdown of changes in business rates show Shepherds Bush businesses are in line for a whopping 22.8% increase – a huge extra burden to carry.

The changes in Business Rates are designed to reflect rising rental property prices - and our borough is one of the worst affected. 

Central Line on Strike Wednesday 22nd February

Central Line will be affected

London Underground station staff may be striking again next week. This latest strike will begin late on Tuesday 21st February and last until the morning of Thursday 22nd February.

Time to buy a bike, or work from home.

The Trouble With Basements

A basement in Shepherd's Bush

One thing most people can agree on in Shepherd's Bush is our shared dislike of our neighbours digging basements.

If your neighbours are digging a basement, it means noise, dust, and disruption. There will be jackhammers, skips and wall-shaking disturbance. And, worst of all, it all takes a long time.

Listening to voter's concerns, our Council has been consulting on the digging of basements, with proposals to limit the size and scope of basement extensions and generally to try and make it more difficult and restrictive.

Helios Returns to TV Centre

Helios is back

The gilded bronze figure of Helios, personification of the sun in Greek Mythology, has returned to cast his golden light in the courtyard of the newly rebuilt Television Centre. 

Helios underwent a long period of repair and renovation, having stood in the rotunda at Television Centre since the former BBC headquarters opened in 1960. 

Bush Theatre Shines

Bush Theatre

The Bush Theatre gleams as never before as the scaffolding comes down, revealing the beautiful honey-coloured stone of philanthropist Passmore Edwards' original building.

The Theatre itself re-opens in March, with a new season of political theatre, starting with "Black Lives, Black Words" on March 23.

The Bush Theatre's artistic agenda is now to "fight the right wing". You can see the full program here.

The Albertine is Dead...Long Live the Albertine

Albertine Wine Bar

Local chef Allegra McEvedy (co-founder of Leon) is to re-open the Albertine Wine Bar in mid-February.

The Albertine was a favourite BBC watering hole on Wood Lane - and one of the nicest boozers in our neighbourhood.

The Albertine is also a place that made history - it's where where the very first EastEnders script was written.

But for Allegra it's a very personal story, since the Albertine was founded by Allegra's Mum back in the late 1970s.  And for local residents, it will be great to see this lovely piece of Old Shepherd's Bush restored to its former glory.

Fantastic Mr Fox at The Lyric is Properly Fantastic

We are blessed with two excellent theatres in our neighbourhood: The Bush Theatre, and the Lyric in Hammersmith. Right now the Bush Theatre is closed, following a year-long restoration. But the Lyric is open and putting on some great shows.

Our reviewer Toni Sharpe recently caught Fantastic Mr Fox at The Lyric, and describes it as "properly fantastic". 

See her full review below.

Tube Strikes on Sunday through Wednesday Next Week

Central Line will be affected

London Underground station staff are striking again next week.  This latest strike begins on Sunday 5th February at 6pm and lasts until 10am on Monday.

A second strike then begins at 10am on Tuesday 7 February and lasts until 1am on Wednesday 8 February.

Assume that the service will be very bad indeed from Sunday evening until Wednesday morning.  Could be time to buy a bike, or work from home.