Ginglik Latest - New Tenant for 2020?

Edwardian loo, later Ginglik nightclub, now derelict

There may be some good news at at last for much-neglected Shepherd's Bush Green.

The site formerly occupied by Ginglik, the Edwardian loo-turned-nightclub that closed a decade ago, may have a new tenant in the New Year.

Thanks to Councillor Matt Thorley, who has pressed LBHF on our behalf for an answer on why the site has been derelict for so long, it appears that a new tenant will soon be moving in.

Clr Matt Thorley

Councillor Matt Thorley
According to Councillor Thorley: "The Council concluded marketing of the property and a report was submitted to the Commercial Revenue Committee in September 2019. There were three shortlisted offers.  Following Commercial Revenue Committee approval, the preferred tenant decided to withdraw from the letting in late October.  There were two reserve potential tenants. Heads of terms have been agreed and legal documents will be prepared. The proposed tenant will need to submit a planning application and also appropriate licences in the New Year."

Former Nightclub
The Edwardian loo, which became Ginglik nightclub, has been derelict for over a decade.  Today you can still half-see the sign, as the former venue gently rots and adds to the general pervasive dilapidation of Shepherd's Bush Green.

2008 Closure
Ginglik closed because of the cost of repairs to the site. According to an article in the Evening Standard back in 2008, the site is owned by our Council, who were unable to afford the £300,000 cost of repairs to the premises, which therefore had to be closed, and "filled in with concrete". It is not clear whether these repairs have now been completed, or whether the new tenant will pay for them, or perhaps it turns out that they didn't need to be done, after all.  What is clear is that the site has not been concreted over. Yet.

Hope for 2020
So, some hope then for 2020. It is not at all clear why LBHF have taken 10 years to re-let their property, but it will be good news if some use can be found for the site.  Shepherd's Bush doesn't have to be a "dystopian vision of kebab shops" (as reported by the Financial Times in 2014). It could be so much better than it is. But when our Council sits on their property and lets it quietly rot, they make it hard to believe their claims that they are doing everything they can to improve the state of Shepherd's Bush Green. 

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story, email us at shepherdsbushblog(at)gmail.com. And don't forget to add your opinion in the comments section below.