Shepherd's Bush Front Line in the Vaccine Wars

Public protest on the Goldhawk Rd

Shepherd's Bush became an unlikely front line in the arguments over Corona virus, lockdown, vaccination, and public liberty today. 

How far has Lockdown infringed on our civil liberties? Too far, said today's protestors who turned Shepherd's Bush into a parking lot this afternoon.

Cooke's Pie and Mash Reborn?

Photo: Helen Carey

Cooke's Pie and Mash is back - or is it? Cooke's Pie and Mash closed its doors on 25 July 2015, a casualty of the aborted redevelopment of Shepherd's Bush Market that never was. 

Cooke's Pie and Mash had been a feature of the the Goldhawk Road for over a century, and was made famous by the cult film Quadrophenia, as well as being a favourite haunt of the Sex Pistols. 

Cooke's was part of the local landscape, and when they closed they even lost the right to use their trading name.  

The original building signage is being restored, but sadly the shop is not re-opening. Today, it is a plain old office building, but one that is celebrating its heritage with a new paint job. 

Thinnest House in Britain for Sale for Just Under £1m

skinniest house in Britain?

The "Thinnest House in Britain" is on the Goldhawk Rd, and is yours for just under £1m.

According to an article in the Daily Telegraph a few years back, the house is just 66 inches wide, and was last sold in 2009 for around £500,000.

Needless to say Faron Sutaria, the estate agents who sold it, said that its small size "adds to its charm".

The house on the Goldhawk Road apparently used to be a hatshop, and there is a nod to this ancestry in the form of the hat still hanging in what used to be the shop window.

River Goldhawk

The Goldhawk road is a river today as a burst water main flooded the street and forced its closure to traffic.

Thames Water are there in force, along with lots of police (why?) and you can't enter the Goldhawk road at either end.

There is no information at present as to when the leak will be fixed.

Pedestrian access is mostly pretty good, as long as you have decent shoes and don't mind hugging the edges of the pavement.

"Skinniest House in Britain" on Goldhawk Road

skinniest house in Britain?

Despite a few notable buildings, Shepherd's Bush isn't really known for its fine architecture.

But we can at least boast the "skinniest house in Britain", a house just 66 inchs wide that was last sold in 2009 for something in the region of £500,000.

Needless to say Faron Sutaria, the estate agents who sold it, said that its small size "adds to its charm".

The house on the Goldhawk Road apparently used to be a hatshop, and there is a nod to this ancestry in the form of the hat still hanging in what used to be the shop window.

Halloween Comes to Shepherd's Bush Today at 11am

Shepherd's Bush Market is hosting a Halloween Party for families today, organised by the Shepherd’s Bush Family Project.

Arch 186 (close to the Goldhawk Rd entrance) "will be transformed into a Halloween haven for an afternoon of spooky activities and prizes" from 11am until 3pm.  Entry is free.

Visitors can expect face painting, children’s tattoos and plenty of costumes. There will be a children’s fancy dress competition and the winner will receive up to £15 in market vouchers. Find out more at their Facebook page here.

Awards from The Hammersmith Society

Last week we reported on The Hammersmith Society's "wooden spoon" awards, for new architecture in our neighbourhood which got it wrong, and missed an opportunity to enhance our streets.

But the Hammersmith society doesn't only blow rasberries. Their Environmental Awards are primarily designed to praise good architecture which enhances our public spaces and adds to the beauty of our neighbourhood. Right now, there is a lot of building going on, and this year four awards were handed out for excellent schemes which helped to make our Borough a better place to live.  

Market Traders Win in Court of Appeal - Market Development Stalls Again

Shepherd's Bush Market

The Court of Appeal has overturned the decision of minister Eric Pickles to uphold a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on a row of shops on Goldhawk Rd, adjoining Shepherd's Bush Market (see photo below).

Market traders are now celebrating the ruling, which overturns the High Court ruling made in August 2015 by Mr Justice Dove, and effectively blocks the development from going ahead.

End of An Era - Cooke's Pie & Mash to Close on 25 July

Cooke's Pie and Mash, on the Goldhawk Rd. Last Chance for Pie and Mash

An era comes to an end in the Bush as Cooke's Pie and Mash is set to close its doors on 25 July. Cooke's has been a feature of the the Goldhawk Road for over a century - but this long tradition of authentic local food will soon come to an end, once the redevelopment of Shepherd's Bush Market begins. If you would like to sample the flavour of Old Shepherd's Bush - fast disappearing beneath the bulldozers of modern development and gentrification - hurry along before they close for good.

Last Chance for Pie and Mash in Shepherd's Bush

Cooke's Pie and Mash, on the Goldhawk Rd. But not for long.

Cooke's Pie and Mash has been a feature of the the Goldhawk Road for over a century - but this long tradition of authentic local food will soon come to an end, once the redevelopment of Shepherd's Bush Market begins in 2015. Market traders are soon to be moved to temporary accommodation while demolition of the existing structures takes place and the ground is prepared for a huge new housing and shopping development. So Cooke's days are numbered, and the shop made famous by Quadrophenia will soon be gone.

Beautifying the Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road

Uxbridge Road - in need of beautification?

One of the more positive developments put into place by the outgoing Council administration in our Borough was a road beautification program for Shepherd's Bush - in particular the Uxbridge Road and the Goldhawk Road, near the point where they connect to Shepherd's Bush Green. Plans to improve the Goldhawk road are already under way, with Uxbridge Rd due to be improved in early 2015. So what can residents of The Bush expect?