Shepherd's Bush Sparkles in the Snow

Shepherd's Bush looked magical and sparkly this morning as our neighbourhood woke up to a beautiful snowy landscape. Watch out though for icy pavements - one of which swiftly despatched me to the Urgent Care Centre at Hammersmith Hospital last night, with a sprained wrist. On the plus side, Urgent Care was a surprisingly positive and efficient experience. I turned up expecting long lines of angry sick people, muttering dark threats about what they'd like to do to Jeremy Hunt, but instead the place was virtually empty - it seems that everyone goes to A&E at St Mary's Paddington instead.

Visitor Parking Permits To Change on 1 May

Visitor parking permits in Shepherd's Bush (in fact, parking permits all across our Borough) are changing. LBHF are switching to a new visitor permit system which the Council say will "make renewing and applying for a permit easier and more convenient".

The new system will be hosted by RingGo, and LBHF say that using the RingGo app (presumably on your phone) means you can "book visitor parking sessions on the go, wherever you are", and "means you’ll no longer need to put an activated card in your visitor’s vehicle." All of which sounds good, if of course it actually works.

Shepherd's Bush Next Door is Here

Shepherd's Bush Next Door is a new-ish web platform for local communities that is starting to gain traction in Shepherd's Bush. A tech startup from the US that was launched in 2011, the site has since gobbled up Streetlife and looks to become a useful social media service for local neighbourhoods, including ours. So, what is NextDoor, and why bother anyway?

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.

Westfield to Open 20 March

John Lewis

At long last - we have a date for the long-awaited opening of Westfield London's massive new development.

The north extension of Westfield, which will make the shopping mall the largest in the UK, is scheduled to open on Tuesday, 20 March, anchored by a huge £33 million John Lewis store.

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.

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.

Hammersmith Bridge Closed 10-18 February

Hammersmith Bridge

According to TFL,  Hammersmith Bridge will be closed to vehicles at times between Saturday 10 February and Sunday 18 February while essential repair works take place.

This latest bridge closure will once again create traffic chaos, forcing drivers over Chiswick Bridge or Putney Bridge instead. 

Hammersmith Bridge currently operates under severe weight restrictions, with only one bus in each direction permitted on the bridge at any one time.

Consultation on Cycle Superhighway 29 Jan

Cycle Super Highway

Concerned about the proposed new "Cycle Superhighway" that will cut a swathe through Chiswick?

If you want your voice to be heard, show up at the Town Hall on Monday 29th January 1t 7pm, when there is to be an "interim report" to the Council’s (snappily named) "Community Safety, Environment and Residents Service Policy and Accountability Committee".

Sounds dull? It might be, but it might also be a rare opportunity to have your say on the proposed new cycle route. You can see full details here:

http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/documents/s97710/CS9%20PAC%20report%20290118.pdf

Westfield Jobs - Jan 30 & 31

Westfield is hiring

Westfield is growing, and will require thousands of new employees to staff its massive new northwards expansion up Wood Lane.

To put it in context, Westfield will become Europe's biggest shopping centre when all is done.

Come along to Westfield on January 30 and 31 to find out if there is a role for you. To find the details, follow this link.

'Things I Know to be True' at The Lyric Hammersmith

We have two excellent theatres in our Borough, and anyone put off by the rather angry style of political drama that now dominates the programme of the Bush Theatre would do well to check out the Lyric, Hammersmith.

Now playing at the The Lyric is "Things I know to Be True" by Andrew Bovell.

DIMCO Buildings to become Events Venue

DIMCO Buildings - an entertainment venue?

Westfield, as anyone in our neighbourhood can hardly have failed to notice, is building. But the great northwards expansion of the UK's sixth largest shopping centre does not include the DIMCO buildings, a former electrical station for the central line which (slightly curiously) has listed building status.

Westfield now wants your views on what the future of the DIMCO buildings should be. The current proposal is to turn them into a new entertainment venue.

Funfairs in Shepherd's Bush Scaled Back

The Funfair is back and, while not everyone who lives in and around Shepherd's Bush Green is delighted, our Council have at least begun to take seriously the concerns of local residents.

This time the funfair is here for just two weeks - not the three weeks that it stayed last summer, and George Irvine's outfit have thrown in a free Christmas tree - a welcome gift considering that the Council don't seem to be capable of putting up any decorations at all. 

Candlelit Carols at Stephen's on Sunday

On Sunday 17th December St Stephen's Church on the Uxbridge Road is hosting a candle-lit carol service. 

It's a very informal event; there is no need to book ahead and all are welcome.  The event is part of the excellent community work done by St Stephen's; a church with a broad and diverse congregation, welcoming people from all parts of our neighbourhood.

The service starts at 5pm. After the service there will be mulled wine and mince pies.

Story Stock is Back: Saturday December 9 & 16

StoryStock is returning to the Bush Theatre tomorrow Saturday December 9th and next Saturday December 16th, bringing art and culture to children of all ages.

Children are invited to learn about stories, and storytelling, putting on their own seasonal drama.

The event takes place over two saturdays - each day has a special focus of its own.

Public Spaces Protection Order for Shepherds Bush Station

Shepherd's Bush Tube Station: not often this peaceful

Local residents will have noticed how noisy it can get outside Shepherd's Bush Tube Station on weekends, with all sorts of political and religious groups competing for attention with music and loud hailers. 

As a result, LBHF (our Council) have introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the area outside Shepherds Bush Station (Central Line), to tackle noise nuisance from busking, street entertainment and amplified public speaking. 

The aim of the PSPO is "to stop individuals or groups committing antisocial behaviour in public spaces".

Hammersmith Christmas Market Saturday 2 December

Hammersmith is hosting its first ever Christmas market this coming saturday 2 December, at King St and Lyric Square. 

There will be over 100 seasonal food, drink and gift stalls, a treasure hunt,  a stage with music in Lyric Square, buskers up and down King Street, and street entertainers.

It's all billed as "a great day out for all the family".

The event runs from 10am until 5.30pm, for one day only, and the street will be closed to traffic. Best not to drive; take the Tube instead. 

Best Bike Shop in Shepherd's Bush

Notting Hill Gate, where I grew up, has lost most of its proper shops, almost all of which all seem to have turned into outposts of West End stores selling £3,000 handbags.

One of the good things about living in Shepherd's Bush is that, unlike shinier, sleeker Notting Hill, we still have old-fashioned shops where you can actually buy useful things.

Planning Drawings for EdCity on Display Today

Updated plans for "EdCity" – a new education hub in White City, as well as new housing and community facilities, are going on display at a public consultation today and tomorrow.

The proposed plans would see the site currently occupied by Ark Swift Primary Academy, Harmony Neighbourhood Nursery and the Adult Community Learning Centre be redeveloped to create a new school and nursery.

The new plans would also include new affordable and private housing, the first "OnSide Youth Zone" in west London, offering affordable activities for local young people, as well as new offices, a revamped adult education centre and a public square.

Kite Studios Xmas Fair Tomorrow

Christmas Fair at Kite Studios

Kite Studios, just off Askew Road, is hosting its 11th annual Christmas Art & Design Fair tomorrow, Saturday 25th November.

So come along and stock up on Christmas gifts, and get involved with your local community - all in a good cause.

This year there will be yummy Indian street food, cakes and drinks. Kite Studios will be offering creative experiences too. The Fair aims to raise funds for West London Action for Children and the Kite Studios CIC Sponsorship fund.