Doyle's Opticians Opens in West 12 - With a Secret

Doyle's Opticians - not what it seems

A new optician has opened in the West 12 Centre but, rather oddly, they aren't open for business.

Doyle's Opticians, next door to Lidl, are not actually open to the public. When I knocked on the door yesterday afternoon, I was politely told to come back with a reservation. How to make a reservation? "Online".

What sort of optician won't open their doors to a customer? The answer, of course, is an optician that isn't an optician.

West 12 Shopping Centre to be Redeveloped

W12 viewed from Rockley Rd

Landsec, the company that owns the West 12 Shopping Centre ,has revealed plans to demolish the back half of their shopping centre site and build a new tower.

During the redevelopment, some businesses will have to close - at least temporarily - such as Vue, Fitness First and Lidl.

Go around the back of the West12 and you can see why they might want to do this. The pizza Express restaurant (which would presumably also have to go) is only a one-storey building. Building up definitely makes sense for the developers.

Consultation on Future of West12 Centre

West12 Centre in 2006

West12 Centre, the old-school shopping mall on the south side of Shepherd's Bush Green, is pondering its future, and wants your input.

Entering the West12 Centre can sometimes feel like stepping back into a 1970s time warp, so it is not surprising that the owners are considering their next move.

Retailers all across the country are facing increasing online competition, and even successful modern brands like Westfield are becoming more focused on experiences rather than just shopping.

Lidl Swamped on Opening Day

Lidl is here at last

Lidl is here at last - the budget German retailer opened today, and to see the queues of shoppers trying to get in, you'd think this is the biggest news in the Bush since Westfield.

Lidl to Open February 22

Lidl is coming - the budget pile-'em-high-and-sell-'em-cheap German retailer will open in the West 12 Centre in Shepherd's Bush on Thursday 22 February.

40 new jobs have been created (but compare that with the 170 jobs that were lost when Morrissons closed). If you're looking for a job, the good news is that there are still some positions available  - see the official Lidl website to find out more.

Lidl to Open "Early 2018" in Shepherd's Bush

Lidl is coming to Shepherd's Bush. According to a sign in the window of the proposed new store, the supermarket chain is about to start a "full refit" of the new store, which they suggest will take 6 months, leading to an opening in "early 2018".

West 12 shoppers will surely be pleased that a big supermarket chain is backing this corner of the Bush.

Many were disappointed when discount supermarket Morrisons closed its doors, and even local MP Andy Slaughter got involved in the protest.

It's also a vote of confidence in the West 12 Shopping Centre, which has been looking a bit tatty ever since Westfield opened its doors back in 2008.

Lidl Coming to Shepherd's Bush

Two weeks ago I was having my hair cut by the excellent Polish stylists in the West 12 Centre (£5! How can you go wrong?) and I asked what was happening to the old Morrisons space that has been empty since November 2016. "Lidl is coming", they said. "Really? Is that true?" I asked. "50% true", they said.

Anyway it turns out that the rumour is true, and it just goes to show that barbers and hair stylists always get the news first.  Lidl is coming, hopefully in place by Christmas, so budget supermarket shopping will return to Shepherd's Bush. You can read the full story here.