Image: People enjoying a drink outside My Place Chiswick Members of the West London Queer Project were shouted at and abused by two young men on bikes on Friday night outside My Place Chiswick which organises social events for the LGBTQ community hold popular weekly Friday night socials at the bar-restaurant and there were about 40 of their members outside on the pavement when the incident happened The two young men stopped and picked on a group of three people – two gay men and a trans woman calling the men ‘batty boys’ and making comments about ‘a man in a dress’ They rode off when other people noticed and some of the bigger guys came over but they didn’t come,” WLQP organiser Aubrey Crawley told The Chiswick Calendar “They took details and they said they would come but it might take a while left shortly after with another WLQP member who walked them to the tube station “They were terrified and shaken,” said Aubrey He called the police again about an hour later when a man who had an altercation with the barman was behaving threateningly “We’re quite close to the police,” he said “and I know if they had the resources they would come they are just under resourced after years of cuts.” Asked whether he felt Chiswick was a safe place “I am trying to create safe spaces for our community I’m at George IV now and see lots of tables of gay people perfectly comfortable in a straight pub Chiswick has felt like a safe place but what happened on Friday is very concerning.” died of a heart attack after collapsing on Turnham Green in January At the time police said his death was ‘unexplained’ but two people were arrested on the night and his wallet and phone were stolen READ ALSO: Around £3,000 raised for family of man who died after collapsing on Turnham Green That and “the current political climate” were unsettling “Our community is feeling very vulnerable at the moment.” The Chiswick Calendar has asked the Metropolitan Police for a comment See also: Two men arrested in west London as part of Counter Terrorism operations See also: Chiswick Post Office closed ‘for maintenance’ Privacy Statement Cookie Policy info@thechiswickcalendar.co.uk About The Chiswick Calendar  Newsletter & Club Card by dwmultimedia We may request cookies to be set on your device We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites and to customize your relationship with our website Click on the different category headings to find out more You can also change some of your preferences Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website refusing them will have impact how our site functions You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website But this will 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of Long Established Wine Shop in Doubt Chiswick's Little Dobbies Appears on Closure List Woolsey Cycles Closes After Nearly Seventy Years of Service Chiswick Directory Chiswick Classifieds A national clothing brand looks set to open a new store on Chiswick High Road It is understood that Crew Clothing Company is coming to 344 Chiswick High Road The mini-garden centre moved to the unit in the summer of 2021 but its closure was announced last September with the company blaming high rents for a string of closures Prior to that the unit was the home of Carluccio’s restaurant The arrangement of the new lease was handled by Jeremy Day of Whitman Commercial Crew Clothing Company is a British clothing brand founded in 1993 by Alastair Parker-Swift and currently has over 100 outlets in the UK The origins of the company trace back to the coastal town of Salcombe in Devon a former professional skier who competed for England he started by selling rugby shirts at local markets blending classic British tailoring with a sporty The success of these early ventures led to the opening of the first Crew Clothing store on the King’s Road It focuses on casual wear for men and women drawing inspiration from both coastal and country life Signature pieces often feature nautical motifs This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets We’ve always done that and won’t be changing the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area All payments are made through a secure web site One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor Don’t miss a series of performances from a fantastic line-up of artists Don’t miss a performance from headline act Fleur East on the Main Stage The Cabaret Stage will welcome Toya Delazey And for those looking to broaden their horizons be sure to drop by the Talk Stage for inspiring talks and workshops 100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to local charities who support refugees and people seeking asylum Ben & Jerry’s is partnering with a range of charities including Say it Loud Club Visit the Social Mission Space at the festival to learn more about the work they do You can even try the new Ben & Jerry’s Sweet Mango Memories pint co-created with their Flavour Gurus and Refugee Entrepreneurs As I look around the garden and peek inside the beehives I’m convinced that we are already a month ahead weather-wise and nature is responding faithfully I look forward to making elderflower cordial at the end of May It’s usually a great Half Term activity My seedlings are bursting out of the new greenhouse and whilst tradition says ‘plant out at the end of May after all risk of frosts has passed’ I need to get them in the ground as soon as possible They usually start expanding their colonies throughout May but I’ve got one that has already made two boxes of honey (from our yummy fruit blossom) and I’ve had multiple calls from members of the public to go and collect swarms that have taken up residence in their back gardens Whilst I completely appreciate that a swarm of bees can appear rather frightening if you find them in huge numbers flying around your head please be assured that in most cases this is a very natural part of reproduction where a large colony of bees decide that they are strong and healthy enough to divide with half flying off to look for a new home If you do see a swarm that is still flying they are likely to have settled into a cluster after a quick headcount to make sure all are present and correct a small number of scout bees will fly off to check out and compare various options for a new home bees are really not interested in people (unless they are poked Bees tend to only sting to defend their brood and food – as these are necessary for the future of the colony they don’t have brood or food to protect and are single mindedly focussed on settling in a new space If you want to know more about what goes on inside a beehive https://youtu.be/Rj6R6oNSULk?si=ZvjybgJuEhw5993y (can this be embedded please?) Keep cheering on the bees and I hope to see you soon Full Day Bee Keeping Saturday 10 and Tuesday 20 Urban Hens – Keeping Chickens in London Wednesday 14 Bees for Children Tuesday 27 *NEW* Bees for Teens Wednesday 28 Making New Cheeses Wednesday 4 Family Feathers & Fun Saturday 7 Making Bagels, Muffins & Swirls Tuesday 10 Introduction to Making Cheese Wednesday 11 All courses can be found at HenCorner.com Follow us on social media @HenCorner  Sara Ward is the owner of Hen Corner and author of Living the Good Life in the City: A journey to self-sufficiency Hen Corner is a member of The Chiswick Calendar’s Club Card scheme offering discounts on her courses and on her book Living the Good Life in the City See her Club Card offers here: Hen Corner Club Card offers Travelodge has opened a new 113-room hotel in Chiswick designed to serve both business and leisure travelers The new London Chiswick Travelodge is located near several key local attractions and transport links The hotel is situated close to Gunnersbury Park It is also within walking distance of Brentford FC's Gtech Community Stadium Guests can easily access the rest of London via Gunnersbury station which provides both London Underground District line and London Overground services including a newly revamped reception area and next-generation rooms offers a variety of dining options for both business and leisure guests The property aims to provide an environment for all types of travelers with facilities designed for relaxation and convenience Sustainability has been a key focus in the design of the new hotel The building holds a BREEAM Excellent rating and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A The hotel uses air source heat pumps to generate hot water and incorporates energy-saving features such as low-energy lighting the hotel has a 'living' roof covered with vegetation The opening of the Chiswick hotel is part of Travelodge's expansion strategy The hotel has created 20 new jobs for the local community and is one of several new properties under development Travelodge currently has additional hotels under construction in locations including Skegness The company has identified over 300 potential locations for future hotels These efforts are part of Travelodge's ongoing plan to expand its network and provide more options for travelers across the UK Hotel website Brand OwnerTravelodge (UK) Santa's Head Reindeer Gets Fined in Parking App Mix-up Council Moves to Introduce Sunday Parking Restrictions in Chiswick Dukes Meadows Allotment Holders Dismayed at New Parking Charges Rain Puts Lamppost EV Chargepoints Out of Action Chiswick Street Unanimously Rejects EV Chargepoint Bays Councillor Says Survey Shows Nighttime Parking Needed Survey Claims to Show Ample Parking in Chiswick Threatened Parking Spaces 'Generate £15,000 a Day' for Local Retailers Concern is being raised about a new interpretation of restrictions on Devonshire Road which has seen numerous people getting parking fines Hounslow Council’s parking attendants have started issuing penalty charge notices (PCNs) to vehicles parked by the shops outside the normal operating hours of the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) The current arrangements have been in place for over three years but fines for parking in this way have only recently started to be handed out The justification for the tickets is that the road is designated as a No Waiting zone outside the hours of the CPZ This is indicated by the yellow part of two parking signs on the road which has a blue circle with a red border and diagonal line through it The No Waiting restriction also appears on the large sign at the entrance to Devonshire Road from Chiswick High Road Most people are unaware that this indicates that you are not allowed to park during the hours indicated The sign at the entrance with the No Waiting restriction was put in place between June and August 2021 but It was erected when Hounslow Council introduced the current access restrictions on Devonshire Road which meant that vehicles were not allowed to drive down the road except when requiring access It was understood that this exemption included drivers wishing to visit shops because there is no camera to enforce the restriction recently fell foul of the new interpretation of the rule He needed to collect lighting equipment from Ormrod Electronics and arrived in his car at just after 7am Aware that parking was restricted on the High Road from this time He returned half an hour later to find a ticket stuck to his windscreen He says he must have parked in Devonshire Road over a thousand times during his 53 years in Chiswick so was stunned to receive the £160 fine When he later met a friend who lives on Devonshire Road he was told that Hounslow Council parking attendants were regularly issuing tickets on the road in what has been dubbed a parking fine trap if you don’t stop you could get fined for not requiring access and if you do stop you could get fined for waiting If rules are consistent and properly enforced our business can adapt but the council chooses to not bother about access restrictions but goes full bore on parking restrictions during these hours which helps nobody.” This apparently new interpretation of the rules means that anybody parking on Devonshire Road outside the CPZ hours could be fined Thus far it seems that PCNs are only being issued in the morning Mr Harper says that he was aware that large numbers of parking attendants visit the Chiswick High Road early in the morning catching out many vehicle owners not expecting parking restrictions to begin at 7am hence his caution on the morning he received his fine They have generally focused their attention near Waitrose and the central car park Mr Harper says that he intends to contest the ticket all the way to the independent adjudicator something which he has successfully done before He believes that continued enforcement of the No Waiting restriction on Devonshire Road would be immensely damaging to the businesses located there “It's a bloody nonsense and I will appeal all the way to the High Court if I have to… just to prove how stupid this type of aggressive revenue generating enforcement really is What advantage / dissatisfaction is there to anyone other than generating revenue if I park for 5 minutes on Devonshire Road in a designated public parking space at 7:30 in the morning?” His grounds for appeal will include the contradictory nature of the signage in the area The white part of the sign indicates the operating hours of the CPZ when parking must be paid for by the Pay By Phone app Up until now most people have understood this to imply that there were no parking restrictions outside CPZ operating hours and this is reinforced by the wording on the now defunct parking ticket machine on the road the hours of the No Waiting restriction are given as 5pm to 8am on the sign at the entrance to Devonshire Road and the one near the Arcane café but as 6pm to 8am at the one by Nami Oriental Residents of Shepherd’s Bush are presenting a petition to the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham calling on the Council to take urgent action to clean up and restore Shepherd’s Bush — particularly Uxbridge Road So far 1,275 people have signed the petition ‘take urgent action to clean up and restore Shepherd’s Bush — particularly Uxbridge Road (100–500) — by supporting shopfront and streetscape improvements and tackling drug addicts Posting on the social media platform Nextdoor Noor A referred to the facelift Leyton High Rd received prior to the Olympics in east London where ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures show attractively painted shop fronts ‘This is what Shepherd’s Bush could look like if you sign the petition.’ wrote Noor Noor A posting about the petition on social media; images of Leyton The facelift improved the image of the area and has been popular with the public “They look more inviting and I think I’d be more likely to go into a nice looking shops,” wrote one Leyton resident The residents of Shepherd’s Bush want: ‘targeted action to improve the visual condition and vibrancy of Uxbridge Road (particularly between numbers 100 and 500) which has visibly deteriorated due to neglected shopfronts and inconsistent Council oversight.’ ‘Crime and anti-social behaviour thrive in neglected environments,’ they say ‘While the Council cannot control policing directly it does have clear powers – and a responsibility – to address the environmental decline that fosters criminal activity and makes residents feel unsafe.’ Specifically they want the Council to develop a three six and 12 month plan for physical and visual improvements ‘Numerous shopfronts are in a serious state of disrepair temporary signage scrawled in marker pens or printed on A4 paper and cloth banners serving as permanent signs This isn’t just unprofessional – it makes the area look deprived and neglected ‘Flats above shops are visibly rundown Fruit shops spilling out onto the road with trolleys parked on pavements making it dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists as well as unsightly ‘Residents live in this daily and visitors see it first If the Council truly cares about regeneration The petition organisers say some shops sit empty for months or years ‘contributing nothing to the community the area is being saturated with low-quality short-term-use businesses like chicken shops which offer minimal diversity or uplift to the local economy.’ ‘We are not asking for perfection – we’re asking for care Citing the Leyton example and also a local council initiative in Deptford they suggest ‘low-cost grants’ or temporary business rate relief schemes for businesses in exchange for visual improvements They also want the Council to exercise greater discretion over business licensing and change-of-use approvals ‘why are so many new chicken shops being approved when what we desperately need is variety The petition also demands the Council tackles the issues of drug use and begging saying the area has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour ‘The constant presence of drug users and beggars – loitering and sleeping rough in doorways and public spaces has left the area feeling unsafe ‘Residents regularly report asked for money or intimidated on the street We have found people sleeping outside our door on more than 1 occasion has turned Shepherd’s Bush into a hotspot for anti-social behaviour that gives the impression of a forgotten and lawless place.’ with everything from suggestions for partnering with outreach and addiction support services increasing the visibility of Council enforcement officers exclusion zones or dispersal orders for repeat offenders The ePetition runs until Sunday 22 June and can be found here: Uxbridge Road petition  Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar Concerns Raised Over Reopening of Recycling Centre Recycling Lorry Offloads its Contents onto The Avenue Chiswick Shop Fined for Sweeping Up Leaves A major case of fly-tipping has occurred on a site due to be developed on Bollo Lane Three lorries travelling in convoy were filmed by a local resident entering into what had previously been a car service centre at number 93 They then tipped large quantities of waste into the bay at the rear of the garage The footage was captured at 11pm on Friday (2 May) who have occupied the site and there had been a steady stream depositing refuse on the site since they arrived The police have been made aware of their presence and activities but have so far been unable to remove them The Scuderia garage formerly provided servicing and repair of super cars It is located opposite the Pocket Living building near between the two level crossings Bollo Property Developments Ltd was due to commence work on a residential-led development with six blocks rising from 5 to 12 storeys The residential led scheme was first proposed in 2021 but only received planning permission this February The buildings will contain 96 flats ranging from 1 to 3 bedroom with commercial space on a mezzanine and lower ground floor level The incident occurred shortly after Ealing Council announced a large increase in fines for littering and flytipping The maximum fine has been increased from £400 to £1000 as an awareness campaign dubbed ‘This is our home The council recorded 22,730 incidents of fly-tipping across the borough in 2024 and spends £3million on average per year in clearing and disposing of this waste clears 98% of reported fly-tips within 2 working days The council uses evidence found in the dumped waste itself CCTV footage and videos from witnesses to track down fly-tippers and issue fines Council leader Peter Mason said: “Whether it be a single bag of rubbish or heap of household furniture fly-tipping is a blight on our streets and has a direct impact on the environment and the quality of life for our residents which would be better spent supporting our residents “By raising the fines to £1,000 we are sending a clear message that illegal waste dumping will not be tolerated We've always done that and won't be changing If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor Exam season marks the culmination of a long educational journey for many students While it can be a time filled with pressure and anxiety it is important to remember that exams do not define a person’s worth By finding the right balance between motivation and acceptance and offering consistent support and understanding we can help young people navigate this challenging period and emerge stronger and more resilient As we approach the final phase of the school year the reality of looming exams can bring uncertainty and apprehension for many students Years of education feel as though they are condensed into a series of tests that seemingly determine their value which can trigger a wide range of thoughts and emotions The unconscious message that achievement equates to worthiness can often be conveyed by parents and teachers even when delivered with the best of intentions Encouragements to work hard and achieve highly may unintentionally suggest that anything less is a failure Many students internalise the belief that if they do not perform well they are disappointing their teachers and family this pressure becomes overwhelming; for others it serves as a driving force to stay motivated and focused Parents often find themselves caught between keeping their young person motivated and recognising their individual challenges and limitations It is crucial to strike the right balance and to be mindful of the messages — both spoken and unspoken — that are being conveyed there may be a temptation to urge your child to do better than you did — to work harder and achieve more — perhaps driven by your own regrets we can pass on our own beliefs about success It is therefore important to be aware of how we approach conversations about achievement High achievers often never feel that they are doing enough They may compare themselves to their peers daily those who struggle academically or socially already battle feelings of inadequacy overlooking their immense character and resilience simply for showing up each day and giving their best It is clear that many students find the exam process and the lead-up to it overwhelming exam results do not define intelligence or potential Many highly dynamic and creative thinkers struggle within the current exam-focused system It is vital that we avoid limiting our view of intelligence and instead do everything we can to support our young people recognising their strengths beyond academic results Here are a few strategies for parents and teachers to help students manage exam season more positively: The author Justine Briggs is a Therapist and Coach If you would like to talk to anyone about the issues raised in this blog click here to find a therapist in Chiswick  thegreenhouserooms.com See also: Stag Brewery developers win appeal to build 1,075 homes in Mortlake after ten-year battle Planners Urge Approval for Controversial Burlington Lane Scheme Care Home Plan for Chiswick Terrace Set for Go Ahead 'Speculative' Power Road Development Gets Approval Plans to Convert Historic Chiswick Pub Rejected New Plan for Former Residence of Jean-Jacques Rousseau Since the creation of the gardens around Chiswick House no building outside the perimeter has been visible from within the grounds This may be about to change if approval is given at a meeting taking place on Thursday 1 May to the proposed ten storey tower next to Hogarth Roundabout on the site of the former IMG offices Parts of the mixed-use residential-led scheme which would be entered from Burlington Lane would be seen from within the Chiswick House Gardens including when looking at the house from across the lake Hounslow Council planners describe this impact as ‘less than substantial harm’ and are recommending that councillors give their approval to the application which have previously excluded glimpses of the modern world is justified due to the 132 new flats being provided at a time of a housing shortage in the borough The scheme proposed by Burlington Properties London Limited and designed by Simpson Haugh architects will contain 119 flats for market sale 7 for social rent and 6 for shared ownership Originally there were only 7 units classed as affordable but this was increased to 13 following viability negotiations between the applicant and the planning department The development also includes 13 wheelchair accessible flats the borough planning team was impressed by the sustainability of the scheme which it is claimed will bring about a 71.3% site-wide CO₂ reduction through the use of solar panels ambient Loop Communal Heating System and air-source heat pumps the main tower will be visible from many vantage points in the most picturesque and historic parts of Chiswick including the Old Chiswick Cemetery The building will be visible looking across at Chiswick by those walking on the by the river on the Barnes side The application has provoked a vehement objection from Historic England which said bulk and massing of the proposed development would be entirely out of keeping with its historic surroundings resulting in a considerable amount of harm to multiple heritage designations including those of the highest significance Historic England strongly objects to these proposals and recommends that more modest forms of development are pursued for this site which would avoid harmful effects to this exceptionally historic part of Hounslow.” There have been 169 objections to the scheme so far including one from The Old Chiswick Protection Society (OCPS) We have asked the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust for comment The report by council planners concedes that the scheme does not meet the policy ideal mix but this is acceptable due to viability constraints The visual intrusions are acknowledged but the planners say these are balanced by public and design benefits This adopts the argument given by the developer in its heritage report submitted with the application It claims that more distant buildings can already be seen in Chiswick House Gardens through the tree cover as well as the Chiswick Gate development and that the café building by Caruso St John has also altered the setting of the house outside of winter the new structures would be more masked by tree cover CGI of the scheme as viewed from Old Chiswick Cemetery with no modern development outside the site visible The upper storeys would likely be visible from numerous important locations within the grounds of Chiswick House including Grade I Listed Buildings which were designed to be and remain the focal points of the landscape As a result of the visibility of the new scheme the proposed urban form would clearly be at odds with the house and the landscape and would be the first serious visual incursion of the modern world into Chiswick House and Gardens.” it goes on to claim that this would be ‘a minor adverse change to the setting of this heritage asset and would have a moderate impact on the park’ concluding that ‘this moderate impact would represent less than substantial harm to the Grade I Registered Park and Garden.’ To mitigate this harm the developer has agreed to make a contribution of £10,000 towards Chiswick House improvement In relation to this matter a spokesperson for the Trust said "Chiswick House & Gardens Trust have no knowledge nor have they had any discussions with the developer about a financial donation of any kind in relation to the development. " CGI of scheme as viewed from Burlington Lane The council planner’s report also acknowledges that the impacts of the scheme on the Old Chiswick are ‘wide ranging’ stating “The proposal would appear as a tall and broad urban block above the roofline of the Listed Buildings along Chiswick Mall.” the scheme is praised for providing a landmark indicating arrival in the Chiswick area from the A316 and A4 If approved the developer would be liable to pay an index-linked Community Infrastructure Levy which currently would total £6,288,289.96 with £1,202,716.00 for Hounslow Council and £5,085,573.96 for the Mayor of London there is a £123,595 carbon offset payment Comments send to planning.objections@hounslow.gov.uk before Wednesday 30 April will still be considered The planning application reference is P/2024/2610 House Raided in Chiswick in Retail Crime Crackdown Chiswick Man Arrested After Three Hour Stand-off Half of Daniel Khalife's Time on the Run Remains a Mystery Footage Shows Daniel Khalife Buying Newspaper in Chiswick A man has died after collapsing on Turnham Green near Sutton Lane North this Sunday morning (12 January) He was found at around 8:20am and taken to hospital where he passed away some time later The deceased is a 48-year-old man who was reported missing to police on Monday His next of kin has been notified of his death Friends in the Chiswick area have identified him as Brian Constance who worked in the fashion industry and was originally from South Africa The police have yet to confirm his name pending formal identification The death is being treated as unexpected at this stage and further enquires are being carried out An area of Turnham Green remained cordoned off by police on Wednesday as forensic officers joined the investigation A post-mortem examination will be held in due course Anyone who can help the police with their enquiries is urged to call 101 Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair returns to the Saatchi Gallery in Sloane Square between Friday 16 and Sunday 18 May It is the UK’s premium event for old and rare books but is also one of the most popular and prestigious rare book fairs in the world Just a short walk from Sloane Square Tube Station on the King’s Road it is housed over three floors with some of the finest booksellers in the UK and across the globe exhibiting Image: 2023’s ‘Firsts’ Bookfair at the Saatchi Gallery at Sloane Square Since 1957, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA)  has held this annual book fair in London to promote the passion shared by dealers and collectors in the trade of rare books and Firsts London has grown in reputation and popularity over the years there will be some fabulous items on display You will see everything from Early Herbals There will be beautiful hand coloured Botanical books, through to fine photographic works and fine bindings whose designs have been inspired by plant life.  To follow this this year’s theme, our charity partners are the Chelsea Physic Garden. and this attracts libraries and institutions from around the world to purchase for their collections there is plenty on offer that will not break the bank Books can highlight the world of Horticulture in so many ways We will be taking the above pictured beautifully illustrated Floral Cabinet amongst others Then there’s this finely bound edition of the facsimile of the illustrated work ‘Natures Notes’ I’ve been a member of the ABA for 25 years and our summer bookfairs have always been a highlight of the calendar The Saatchi Gallery is a fantastic venue; well-lit it provides an excellent space to allow us to show off the best of our books The very old and ancient are well represented at the event posters and fine bindings from the 20th century and to date First editions with their often iconic dustjacket artwork We’ll be taking first editions; from Oscar Wilde to Martin Amis Kurt Vonnegut’s first published book from 1953 This Freya Stark first edition is a presentation copy to a friend who worked in ‘Colonial Administration’ in Sudan and Egypt and contains three original handwritten letters; in one she writes ‘on the off chance’ that he may be in Cairo or Alexandria to meet up Image: A Freya Stark first edition and the handwritten letters it contains  We’re offering a free entry ticket for Chiswick Calendar subscribers, you can book them here: Complimentary Firsts London Tickets You can also download a ticket via the link on our website which gets you in for free on all three days. You can see our website here: Foster Books. We’ll be on stand J98, and you can view some of our highlights on the Firsts website, but we’ve also created a special catalogue of some of the books we’ll be taking which we will be adding to in the run up to the fair stay to meet the booksellers who know and love their stock and maybe leave with a beautiful book that sparks a collection Stephen Foster is the owner of Foster Books at 183 Chiswick High Rd and an organiser and committee member for Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair Foster Books is a member of The Chiswick Calendar’s Club Card scheme. See Stephen’s discount offer to subscribers here: Foster Books Club Card offer See also: High rise scheme at Hogarth Roundabout dropped from planning meeting at last minute New public space in town centre is nearing completion Work Set to Begin on Gingko Corner Project Plan for New Seating Area in Central Chiswick Revised Designs for Old Market Place Published Details Released of Proposals for Central Chiswick Car Park Flower Market Plans Makeover for Central Chiswick Car Park the new area of seating and flower beds in the corner of the car park in the town centre is to be officially opened during the next Chiswick Flower Market along with gardeners from Hounslow Highways have been planting up the garden at Old Market Place which is expected to be ready by Sunday 6 April when the ribbon will be cut There will be a celebratory launch with two local residents and Nicky Chapman who presents broadcasts from Chelsea Flower Show will be there at 10.30am a Flowering Dogwood ‘Butterfly’ along with lots more pollinator-friendly planting around the existing Ginkgo biloba tree The market will take place between 9am and 4pm with the usual spring plants and flowers There will also be a special Dog Market annex featuring specialist canine treats and products Ginkgo Corner is one of several projects that the Chiswick Flower Market team has delivered since we were founded in 2020 planting up the High Road flower beds and funding various school greening projects All of the profits go straight back into improving the local area « All Events Chiswick’s new flower market is already rivalling its East End counterpart in Columbia Rd Chiswick Flower Market is the first new flower market to be established in London for 150 years and is run by a group of volunteers who are local residents The aim of Chiswick Flower Market CIC is to revitalize the economy of the High Rd was the site of Chiswick’s first outdoor market set up by soldiers returning from WW1 a hundred years ago the market has extended round the corner from Old Market Place into Devonshire Rd enticing visitors to Chiswick’s many lovely independent shops chiswickflowermarket.com See our events listings of all the events happening in Chiswick here: chiswickcalendar.co.uk/whats-on-in-chiswick The Chiswick Calendar CIC is a community resource We publish a weekly newsletter and update the website with local news and information daily Please support us by buying us the equivalent of a monthly cup of coffee (or more, if you insist). Click here to support us To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, go here Image: New residential care home elevation from Acton Lane  A new residential home for people with dementia in Chiswick has been given planning approval The six-storey specialist care facility will be built alongside The Old Pack Horse pub at Chiswick Terrace requiring the row of seven shops which occupies the land currently to be demolished who is one of the members of Hounslow’s Planning Committee told The Chiswick Calendar it is ‘a very impressive development’ and that the developer had worked very closely with the Council to produce the new development in what is ‘a very tired looking bit of Chiswick.’ Councillors voted unanimously for the scheme Shop holders have been expecting to have to relocate as their leases come to an end which has already seen the construction of the larger Empire House redevelopment beside Sainsburys The new care facility will provide 85 bedrooms above a 172 square metre retail unit at ground and basement level It will cater for residents requiring 24-hour support within non-self-contained/non-independent accommodation In their application for planning permission the developers said all residents would be screened to prove that they require personal care for all activities of daily living before being offered a bed-space and five bed-spaces will be reserved in perpetuity for London Borough of Hounslow residents at a reduced rate (20% discount) Planning permission had already been granted in 2023 Image: New residential care home elevation from Essex Place  Hounslow Council received 25 objections to the new development and eight letters of support The objections complained of a ‘lack of visual interest and innovation in design’ and ‘excessive height and scale Matcham House and Old Packhorse Pub’ The current block of shops with residential flats above them The new Empire House development which has been built beside it at Essex Place includes seven eight and five storey buildings as well as four three storey town houses Image: Chiswick Terrace / Acton Lane from the junction with Chiswick High Road; Google Street View One objection complained the use of the building as a care home was ‘out of character with the area and inappropriate / undesirable in such close proximity to standard residential buildings.’ There were also complaints about the loss of light to back gardens on Chiswick Road and ‘harmful overlooking and loss of privacy to neighbouring occupiers,’ as well as light spill and noise dust and congestion during the construction process The demolition of the existing row of shops also results in the loss of seven three-bedroom flats on the upper floor levels Hounslow’s planning officers concluded: ‘Noting the scheme already consented for the site and the many planning benefits of the scheme the minor harm to neighbouring living conditions would be justified on this occasion ‘In light of the Borough’s high housing targets its increasing elderly population (already above the London average) the growing need for care home accommodation the lack of any equivalently sized sites in this part of Hounslow … it is considered that there are no reasonably available alternative sites in the borough to preclude the application site from redevelopment.’ Image: What to do with a large parcel when you find the local Post Office unexpectedly closed People turning up with parcels to post at Chiswick’s Post Office on Heathfield Terrace were confused to find the shop was open but the Post Office Counter was closed on Saturday (3 May) and a notice on the door just saying it was closed ‘until further notice’ by way of explanation The nearest Post Offices are in Barnes and Acton There have been moves to close the Post Office in Chiswick In 2018 Ruth Cadbury MP and Labour Party members handed in a petition of more than 400 signatures to Royal Mail’s Blackfriars HQ against the relocation of the Sorting and Parcel office and closure was averted so speculation immediately started on social media about why the Post Office was closed this time The one member of staff in the shop told The Chiswick Calendar it was closed for ‘maintenance’ and would be open again on Wednesday (7 May) See also: Jeremy Vine stops making cycling videos Celebrate the 10 anniversary of the bestselling series ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J Maas Join fellow book lovers at Waterstones Chiswick to celebrate the 10 anniversary of the bestselling series ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J Maas Please note that this is an authorless event and prizes to be won – and you’ll be able to get your hands on the new Fancy dress is encouraged by not mandatory We also have the most comprehensive listings directory for businesses in Chiswick PROPERTY For more on our aims, click here.   Residents at Watchfield Court on Sutton Court Lane are disappointed that planning approval has been granted for a Aintree Lodge to the rear and south of the apartment complex on Sutton Court Road in Chiswick The new house will be next to a row of garages surrounded by existing residential housing An earlier application was turned down in 2022 and the developer’s appeal a year later was dismissed on the grounds that the proposed development was ‘harmful to the character and appearance of the area.’ The developer says the most recent iteration of the design addresses the issued raised by the previous one The original Watchfield Court was built in the 1930s Four smaller blocks of three storeys surround the main blocks and were built in the late 1950s and 1960s of a similar design The developers say the new building has been designed ‘to be complementary to the art deco styling of the Watchfield Court Estate’ but opponents say the reverse is true and the design is totally alien to the character of the site The Planning Committee received 25 objections from longstanding residents on the grounds of ‘harm to the appearance of the conservation area’ and ‘impact on parking and traffic on the estate’ as well as harm to neighbours from loss of light and disruption during the period of construction in whose ward the Watchfield Court Estate is told the Planning Committee the design was: ‘Out of character with the rest of the estate which is also in a conservation area The style of the building is incongruous … the proposed building is clearly a pastiche of another art-deco design which means that it cannot possibly be described as sympathetic to the design of the estate ‘The absence of details that are present throughout the estate and that would tie a new building in with the estate and the presence of new features that are absent throughout the estate Image: Plan showing where the new house will be in relation to Watchfield Court See also: New dementia care home in Chiswick gets the go-ahead Teams from all over the world will taking part in the European Padel League in Chiswick on 3-5 July Teams from premium clubs who play in Europe will be joined by teams from clubs around the world to battle it out on the courts for the EPL Club World Cup at the Rocks Lane multisports centre co-founder of Rocks Lane multi sports centres has been instrumental in establishing the league and promoting padel as a fast growing sport Rocks Lane communications director Emma Davis explains how the tournament will work founder of Rocks Lane Padel and of the European Padel League (EPL) a concept inspired by the Champions League in football is instrumental in bringing padel to the UK and shaping the development trajectory of padel on the international stage “My journey in creating the EPL stemmed from a deep-seated passion for padel and the recognition of its untapped potential for club players and sponsors Inspired by my experiences playing in world championships and attending international events I aimed to create a tournament that would offer the best experience for players “Padel’s uniqueness lies in its ability to resonate with people at the recreational level and abilities coming together on the court is what gives this sport an appeal like no other This inclusive spirit is the foundation upon which the EPL was built – and upon which it will thrive in these important years ahead.” The league has focused on expanding its footprint into new padel hubs The inclusion of new regions exemplifies his commitment to broadening padel’s appeal and growing an international network of players and fans 30 teams from around the world have already competed in the EPL Men’s competition over the past 18 months EPL Copenhagen in September will see the inception of the Women’s competition accurately reflecting padel’s status as a sport with equal appeal for both women and men across the world The enthusiasm and support shown by the players epitomises why the EPL has been so successful in popularity and growth The EPL remains committed to developing the next generation of padel talent through its Rising Stars Programme which includes fees raised from corporate events during the EPL London events Businesses are invited to be involved in EPL’s & Rocks Lane Chiswick’s highest profile event of the year as they unite the padel and corporate world at EPL Club World Cup spectators and players of all levels (some new to the sport and others who represent their countries at international competitions); including a mix of pro padel big hitters it’s going to be an action-packed three days players and spectators can expect amazing food and entertainment – as well as some fab goody bags and prizes for the winners welcoming all abilities including a mix of corporate sponsors pro players and sports stars will take place on the 4th July and corporate sponsors are forming their teams in preparation to compete against each other in the EPL Corporate Cup which will follow the EPL Sprint on the same day A great opportunity for brand visibility and networking amongst others in the padel and business world Businesses interested in participating in the events, networking with top UK and international team players, rewarding sponsorship opportunities and being involved in the fastest growing sport in the world can find out more details by contacting emma@rockslane.co.uk  and by following @rockslanepadel on Instagram Further information can also be found via the website rockslane.co.uk Emma Davis is communications director for Rocks Lane See also: Developer adds more storeys to last phase of Brentford stadium development See also: Michael Flanders Centre in Acton to be closed so the land can be sold for development Reassurance Given Over Future of Chiswick House Conservatory Chiswick House Conservatory at Risk of Collapse Chiswick House Gardens Hit by Spate of Plant Thefts Make Your Own Tea Bags at Chiswick House Two New Art Projects Planned for Kitchen Garden Dog Playground to Be Opened at Chiswick House Chiswick House Reveals More Details of Creative Campus Entry to Chiswick House Kitchen Garden to Be Made Free One of the first signs of spring is an elm tree in blossom Since Dutch Elm disease struck in the 1970s the species is far less common than it used to be but prime examples have survived in the gardens of Chiswick House they will present a spectacle worth seeing as they become covered in the blowsy pale green red tinted blossom that makes it easy to spot this much-loved tree The Chiswick House elms feature in Great British Elms a new book by lifelong elm champions David Shreeve MBE and Mark Seddon published by Kew Publishing As the Conservation Foundation’s co-founder and Director David Shreeve’s love of elms goes back to 1979 when he became involved in planting disease resistant trees brought from the USA The elm has had it,” but he persisted and elm projects continue to be an important part of the work of The Conservation Foundation which he set up with the late David Bellamy in 1982 “Spring is the perfect time to spot an elm,” he explains “We’re hoping once warmer weather and longer days come in March and April that people will look out for this year’s crop and send a picture to The Conservation Foundation with details of the tree’s location It will be added to a dataset previously compiled by RBG Kew The view that the elm is gone from these shores forever is also robustly disputed by Dr Joan Webber OBE “The elm hasn’t had it – there may be more alive now than ever before.” She is among a growing number of experts and enthusiasts Also included in the book from London is the famous Huntingdon elm in Marylebone High Street as well as those in Kew Gardens on Victoria Embankment and at Nine Elms itself Send your elm blossom pictures to elms@conservationfoundation.co.uk including the date seen and location/postcode if possible Chiswick College Accused of Student Loan Fraud Are Police Winning the Battle Against Crime in Chiswick? Chiswick Drug Dealer Launched Four Hour Assault on Victim Man with Gun Arrested Near Staveley Road Female Shoplifter on Remand After Missing Court Date Huge Response to Fundraiser for Family of Brian Constance An appeal is being made for information about a man who is stealing Sunday newspapers delivered to a home in Chiswick Dubbed the ‘Broadsheet Bandit’ or ‘The Sunday Thief’ he has been caught on security cameras wearing a distinctive blue hat After he lifts the Sunday Times from the doorstep he runs off with an unusually scuttling motion before riding away on a bright red bike Members of the WhatsApp group of the residential street off Chiswick High Road have shared details of his activities but he remains unidentified he has struck at the home of former Channel 5 Chief Executive she assumed he had mistakenly taken the paper thinking it was a package but two weeks later he returned and took that Sunday’s edition as well He has struck both times early in the morning between 6am and 6:30am The paper was not taken on a week when it was delivered an hour late and he also ignores other titles with copies of the Sunday Telegraph being left at neighbouring properties Dawn Airey told the Sunday Times that she plans to put an Air tag in the paper immediately after it is delivered at its usual time at around 3:45am to be able to track the culprit but she assured the paper’s reporter that she just wanted to ask him why he taking such a risk to steal something that costs £4.50. This is weird. My neighbour has their Sunday Times stolen every week by the same person, wearing the same hat, with the same �I can't be seen by cameras if I run with a strange stooped scuttle� pic.twitter.com/SRmBYlblnv Concern expressed about 'unnecessary' bureaucracy for reapplication Ginkgo Corner to be Launched at Chiswick Flower Market There has been a huge wave of support for Sunday markets in Chiswick after fears were raised that they risked losing their licences All the event organisers are being asked to reapply after their existing permission expired The licences for the Antiques and Vintage Market and the Food Street Market are due to be considered by the Hounslow Council Licensing Panel on Tuesday 29 April the market organisers urged attendees and stallholders to provide supportive comments to be considered by the panel This led to a large number of supportive comments with both markets receiving over 120 many under the impression that there was a serious risk that a renewal would not be granted The council insists that there was never a hidden agenda by they requirement to reapply and this is just a normal part of the regulatory process There were little or no objections to the renewal of either licence and such as a need for improved management of parking by stall holders often expressed support for the market overall Concerns were again raised about the crowding of the William Hogarth statue during the antiques market and a request made that stallholders should be excluded from within the railings around the monument but market organiser Jenny Titmuss insisted that it was wrong to suggest there would ever be any lack of respect to the statue from traders at the event Many emails highlighted how they felt the markets foster a sense of community and bring people together and some mentioned them as important for mental well-being and social interaction There was a strong emphasis on how the market were believed to increase footfall on Sundays to the benefit nearby cafes and shop and boost the visibility and appeal of Chiswick as a destination Cllr Ron Mushiso said in his submission to the consultation “I am writing to express my strong support for the Sunday markets in Chiswick and to raise concerns about the unnecessary bureaucratic burden being placed on them through the requirement to apply for new licences as if they were entirely new markets which includes a public consultation and the potential involvement of a licensing panel is an unnecessary use of public resources and could threaten the continuation of these much-loved community events.” He urged that a more streamlined process could be found for the renewal of licences “The amount of support received for these markets is impressive but this was partly prompted by at least one organiser misleadingly suggesting they were under threat The reality is that this was never likely to happen The concern here is the unnecessary bureaucratic burden for local businesses and expense on officer time to process these full applications.” Regulatory Services and Enforcement at Hounslow Council “Chiswick’s fantastic Sunday markets have played an integral role in revitalizing Chiswick’s local economy after the pandemic and cementing our reputation as a destination borough that serves local communities and attracts visitors from far and wide “Unfortunately as the markets operate on a temporary licence legally they must obtain a licence through a new application to ensure legal requirements are met “Whether it is sampling cheese or selecting freshly cut flowers we know these markets are much-loved and cherished by many local residents Image: Camellias in the conservatory at Chiswick House Gardens Chiswick House and Gardens Trust is looking for artists who want to use new studios that will be ready to open in the grounds of Chiswick House in May Nineteen new studios are being created by refurbishing sheds ‘Between 40 and 50 artists and makers will benefit from the new studios ‘Nestled within 65 acres of stunning gardens the studios will give artists access seven days a week to an idyllic green oasis in the heart of the capital.’ Applications for studio spaces will be opening soon. Details on how to register interest can be found here. Image: Drawing of how the new studios will look; ASC ‘‘We’re incredibly excited to launch these new artist studios at Chiswick House & Gardens marking the first step in our vision for a vibrant Creative Campus and this initiative ensures that tradition continues – offering affordable They have created the artists’ studios in partnership with affordable workplace providers ASC (Artist Studio Company) as part of the Trust’s ambitious new Community and Creative Campus inclusive community of artists and makers that reflect the diversity of the local area ensuring that this historically significant space remains welcoming to all and part of a thriving sustainable local creative economy.’ Plans for further down the line for the £6 million redevelopment project include: ‘new indoor and outdoor spaces for the whole community in coming years including a new learning hub and the transformation of an unused and overgrown 17th century walled garden into a community fruit garden.’ The campus is in turn part of a wider initiative: Creative Enterprise West led by the London Borough of Hounslow and the Mayor of London tasked with supporting artists and creative businesses across the area The Trust announced in July 2023 it had secured funding for the creative campus It won a £180,000 grant from the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zone Sustainability Capital Grant Fund to build the campus on what was a large car park beside the Kitchen Garden and the estate offices At the same time Hounslow Council received funding for the Creative Enterprise West initiative to establish West London as a prominent screen capital housing nearly half of London’s television broadcasting jobs READ ALSO: Funding secured for a ‘creative campus’ at Chiswick House READ ALSO: Chiswick House unveils details of planned ‘creative campus’ Image: Artist’s easel set up in the Kitchen Garden There is a waiting list of more than 3,000 for affordable creative workspaces The Trust says 67% of all affordable workspaces have closed over the past decade Chiswick House and Gardens Trust is particularly keen to develop strong relationships with artist-makers who have a connection to Hounslow ‘with a focus on nurturing meaningful ongoing relationships that reflect the rich diversity of the area.’ The Trust also want artists ‘whose values align with its own – championing inclusivity sustainability and wildlife conservation.’ The creative campus has a range of funders including The Linbury Trust and the Wolfson Foundation as well as London Borough of Hounslow the Mayor of London Creative Enterprise Zone The Linbury Trust is a UK-based grant-making foundation and part of the wider Sainsbury Family Trust network which funds charities and charitable organisations Its focus is public engagement with culture especially when this has benefits such as improved wellbeing and life opportunity It also supports work that improves the choices of people experiencing disadvantage and inequality The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science Image: Artist working in the Italian Garden “We’re delighted to support these new artist studios They will play an important role in helping emerging artists and further developing our borough’s rich arts and culture “The creative arts play a central role in enriching lives bringing people together and fostering community pride but they also create jobs and bring visitors to the borough boosting our local economy and showcasing the best of Hounslow.” Founder and Chief Executive Office of Artists Studio company “I have been involved with the development and management of thousands of creative studios across many buildings but what especially excites me about this project is its amazing location and our partnership with CHGT and artists and makers find it especially difficult to live and work here Affordable good quality workspace is vital if the capital wishes to retain its cultural identity The Creative Campus will offer affordable workspace to local creatives for years to come and within one of the most beautiful settings in the capital.” See also: Network Rail investigating cracks in Kew Railway Bridge See also: London Assembly to discuss London’s unreliable broadband A CGI of the scheme as viewed from Old Chiswick Cemetery Amendments to TfL's Bollo Lane Scheme Approved Plan for Flats at Stamford Brook Medical Centre Changes for Former Chiswick Mall Pub Site Set for Approval Historic Chiswick Pub Could Be Converted into Flats Some of Chiswick's Oldest Houses Set to Be Restored Changes to Lucien Pissarro's Former Residence Backed Hounslow Council planners are recommending that a controversial scheme next to Hogarth Roundabout be given approval The proposal (P/2024/2610) by Burlington Properties London Limited is for a development including a 10-storey residential tower block with 132 flats by the junction with Burlington Lane on the former IMG headquarters An earlier design for a 13-storey block was withdrawn after negative feedback during consultation but there have also been over 100 objections to this scheme including a robust response from Historic England The development would see the demolition of the existing five storey building and the provision of commercial floorspace as well as the residential component Seven of the units on the lower floors would be offered at a London living rent 52 would have two bedrooms with 19 3-bedroom apartments and one with 4 The building would comprise three main elements ranging from 3 to 10 storeys or 35 metres at its highest point A 6-storey block would be located closest to Hogarth Roundabout a 3-storey block at the Palladian Garden frontage and the 10-storey element would fronting onto Burlington Lane near the ramp up to the flyover A one-storey podium level garden would be at the centre of the site 128 comments were made about the planning application which was submitted last August nearly all of which were objections Residents were concerned about the height of the building the risk of traffic emerging from the site onto Burlington Lane and the harm to local vistas caused by the height of the building The building is next to Chiswick House Gardens close to Old Chiswick Cemetery and the original Georgian part of Chiswick Historic England said in its response to the application Historic England strongly objects to these proposals and recommends that more modest forms of development are pursued for this site which would avoid harmful effects to this exceptionally historic part of Hounslow.” while acknowledging potential harm that might be caused by the buildings concluded this would be outweighed by the benefit of the extra housing it provides Councillors will be asked to vote on the proposal at a meeting of the borough planning committee at a date yet to be scheduled On a beautiful and sunny afternoon in Chiswick we follow the road up the High Road to the buzzing and bustling Hound pub The Hound officially opened its doors in July 2024 after an extensive restoration of the old Victorian police station which has several dining rooms and an outdoor covered courtyard and a south-facing front terrace with James Knappett of Kitchen Table in Fitzrovia as the Culinary Director Now The Kids’ Table has collaborated with the Chiswick eatery and every Saturday a variety of supervised activities and arts and crafts are on offer for children while adults can sit and relax and eat their food On arrival we were greeted by warm and friendly staff and placed our orders which included a fabulous spritz that went perfectly with the salmon crudo and roast carrot salad and then my 9-year old and 6-year old scampered off to the craft table They got straight into their sea craft and used white paper plates as a background while they decorated the plates with coral There were two dedicated members of staff who showed the children the ropes and settled them in and made them feel totally at home and relaxed They made a beautiful ocean scene and were reluctant to leave when their main courses came they weren’t disappointed and the fish on the craft table had transferred to fish on the plate The most delicious lightly battered fresh fish fingers came Empty plates all round and they were keen for more craft they went back to the action station and left us to finish our main meal The steak was cooked to perfection and the flavours of the sauce and the watercress all combined exquisitely One of the best lunches I have had in a long time and the kids were back with their finished work with delicious food and the opportunity for some adult time and conversation in amongst the children dipping in and out The Kids’ Table is free and takes place on Saturdays 11:30am to 3:30pm Images: Tarantella restaurant in Elliott Rd; Luciana with actor Anthony Mackie (also Sam Wilson / Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) popped into Tarantella on Saturday night having graciously posed for a photograph with proprietor Luciana Palmieri who took over the restaurant in Elliott Road two years ago and celebrated their second anniversary a fortnight ago were more interested in feeding him and leaving him in peace to eat than in cross-questioning him as a journalist would but they think he was here to promote Captain America Why he chose their restaurant is a mystery Luciana and Mark serve fresh Italian dishes made to Luciana’s family recipes making their own pasta and bread fresh every day Images: Starters – Mussels in a garlic with white wine and parsley; Crostini con Bieta e Stracciatella  - Sauteed Chard I went on Sunday to sample the new spring menu while my companion had the Crostini con Bieta e Stracciatella  - Sauteed Chard Images: Mains – Ravioli agli Asparagi con Burro al Limone e Noci – fresh Ravioli filled with asparagus and ricotta lemon butter and walnuts; seafood linguine For mains we had the Ravioli agli Asparagi con Burro al Limone e Noci – fresh Ravioli filled with asparagus and ricotta lemon butter and walnuts – light and flavoursome – and the seafood linguine which they buy from The Chiswick Fishmonger on Turnham Green Terrace Luciana is from Puglia in the south of Italy where she acquired her passion for food and trained as a chef in the family business “It’s very easy to cook good food if you have good quality They import their tomatoes and radicchio from Italy but buy most other ingredients here “I try to bring what is real Italian food traditional food with a modern twist.” husband and wife owners with one of their timeless filtered into the menu alongside the classics which they serve all year “Napoli on the Street have cornered the market in pizzas but we offer a little of everything,” including very good pizzas of their own Luciana is quietly disdainful of those who only offer the Anglicised version of Italian food – Bolognaise with dried pasta for example and she positively shudders at the thought of tinned sauces She also likes to keep things simple and traditional – she does not use cream in her cooking for example She and Mark came to Chiswick not knowing the neighbourhood except by reputation as a ‘nice’ part of London and love the ‘European’ feel of it We were talking on a Sunday when the Food St market was in operation “Everybody goes out here and enjoys themselves – young couples families,” a pronounced difference they notice to the two previous places they have run restaurants – one in Wales and one in the Midlands and people don’t eat out so much.” They have taken over a restaurant which has been in Chiswick under t5he same name for 25 years A lot of people have come and said what a massive improvement it is over the previous offer.” whatever seasonal delights they may have introduced Throughout May Luciana will be serving one made from Dubai chocolate the currently very trendy chocolate bar with the pistachio filling Tarantella is a member of The Chiswick Calendar’s Club Card scheme See their offer to Club Card holders here: Tarantella Club Card offer Osterley Bookshop September Revamp and Renewal Sale New Bookshop Opens on Chiswick Lane New Independent Bookshop Launches on the High Road Private GP and Dental Clinic Planned on Turnham Green Terrace One of W4’s longest standing independent businesses has confirmed it is planning to close at the end of the year has been operating in the area for over three decades It is to continue trading through to Christmas but doesn’t expect to reopen after the holidays Staff at the shop said that the decision had been taking due to the failure of turnover to recover after the pandemic Business conditions were described as ‘terrible’ which was primarily put down to former customers switching to online purchases Although pet ownership increased during lockdown this did not translate into a boost in sales All pet product retailers are facing intense competition from online platforms like Amazon and Chewy as well as dedicated UK-based e-commerce sites such as Zooplus has expanded its operation in Brentford and added a new store on Gunnersbury Avenue and Pets’ Corner has opened in Gunnersbury Lane in Acton Chiswick Pets doesn’t believe this has had a major impact and say that is likely that these businesses will also be struggling The news will come as a blow to the remaining loyal and supportive customer base who valued the personal service provided at the store boarding and grooming services were offered The groomers working at the back of the premises are expected to continue to operate at a new location when the store shuts The closure does not represent an opportunity for retirement for store owners Ray and Eileen Mackey who have young children Man Dies After Collapsing on Turnham Green Details of a major dispute between a private college that was based by Chiswick Roundabout and its partner the University of Northampton have come to light which up until recently had premises at 3 Great West Road had entered into an agreement with the university in 2020 to provide diplomas and degrees in business management for which the students were charged £9,250 This money was then paid to them by the Student Loan Company The Sunday Times has been running an ongoing investigation into ‘franchised’ universities which has revealed abuse of the university loan system in which students enrol in courses not intending to study and planning never to pay the loans back The newspaper’s reporters discovered High Court documents lodged in 2023 in which the university accused Chiswick College of “knowingly and deliberately [recruiting] students who appeared unlikely to succeed in the educational courses … due to the extent of their prior learning and/or language skills” In the belief of the university’s staff Chiswick College was recruiting students often from Bangladesh with inadequate language skills who were unlikely to succeed on its courses It alleged that people working on building sites were approached to sign up for degrees in business management Staff from the university visited their partner institution in May 2022 and despite a prior request to interview 67 students This prompted a full investigation and the academic submissions of 1,397 of the 1,520 which had enrolled with it through Chiswick College were reviewed The university claims that in 1,232 cases there was evidence of ‘contract cheating’ in which the work had clearly been done by someone else through so-called ‘essay mills’ In its submission the university accused arranging or at least being aware of and approving of widespread cheating The agreement with Chiswick College was terminated in 2022 The documents presented to the court show that the university is also alleging that the CVs submitted by students were often clearly plagiarised with details lifted from the internet Chiswick College called the allegations embarrassing and said that all the students ‘possessed or appear to possess’ prior qualifications to support their application It rejected any claims of wrong doing calling the university’s claims as ‘demonstrably unreasonable’ and contended that it was the university’s responsibility to determine if the qualifications of the students it admitted were adequate Chiswick College sued for breach of contract asking for £8.5million in damages and claiming £1.2million for paid invoices for tuition The university countersued and said that it could not make further payments to the college because of risk of prosecution under the Proceeds of Crime Act Both legal actions were settled out of court last September A spokesman for the University of Northampton that it “had a short-lived agreement with Chiswick College which we terminated in 2022 following our investigations into the college’s operations We swiftly reported our concerns to the relevant authorities Its latest accounts show that it was required to pay back the Student Loan Company £6million due to “suspected widespread academic misconduct” Mixed News for High Road's Mystery Restaurant Mystery Restaurant Seeks to Expand Live Music Provision Licence Application Made for Mystery Restaurant Hothouse Café Licence Revoked for Employing Illegal Workers Whistling Oyster Seeks Licence to Expand Food Street Market Granted New Licence Taste of Palestine Falafel Stall Fails to Get Licence Chiswick Councillor Calls for Continuation of Cheap Pavement Licences After being kept under wraps during a long and complicated planning and licensing process the identity of the new venue at 299-303 Chiswick High Road has finally been unveiled It is being launched as The Living Room at The Chiswick and describes itself as an upmarket bar and cocktail lounge on its social media pages We were told by staff at the venue that an official opening is due soon No details are available of any food offering at the new establishment and some neighbours remain concerned that it will operate more as a night club Assurances were given during the planning and licencing process that the venue was not a night club and would operate mainly as a restaurant It is understood that its opening hours remain constrained until planning permission has been given for an application which would allow late opening Permission has already been granted for late opening by the borough licensing department The venue has a capacity for around 200 guests after KSMV Properties Ltd a company owned by Shahid and Shamin Hirji combined the former premises of Perfect Pizza and Republic Indian restaurant It recently secured a licence to play live and recorded music late on the ground floor in the face of continued opposition from a group of local residents including some living at Arlington Park Mansions as well as ward councillor Joanna Biddolph The applicant submitted reports which claimed that there would be minimal break out of noise from the premises and that this would not be sufficient to impact local residents An earlier planning application had been turned down due to ‘an insufficient noise report’ and now another application (P/2024/3481) has been submitted to the planning department which seeks to merge 299 and 301-303 Chiswick High Road as a single unit It is proposed that the permission would be for a single premises which will primarily operate as a restaurant with takeaway food being ancillary to the main business The most recent official statistics for crime in the Chiswick area show a significant fall in offences across the area with a double digit decline overall for the past year In the twelve months to the end of this February were 4709 offences recorded across all W4 postcode wards (including Southfield in Ealing borough) which is 16.9% fall The large fall in the crime rate in Chiswick is not part of a broader trend as there has been a 0.5% increase over the year in the Metropolitan Police area The police locally appear to have had particular success in tackling robberies with only 150 reported This is a continuation of the trend following the high-profile robbery of Aled Jones which took place in July 2023 Burglary is also down 28.8% with 332 offences reported over the year and vehicle crime has dropped by 22% although so far this calendar year this type of offence appears to be on the rise Violence against the person in Chiswick is down by 13.3% Theft has decreased by 13.8% but this masks a 22.7% rise in shoplifting offences with 453 reports in recent months this type of offence has tailed off significantly and once a surge in reports from last summer works its way out of the figures it is likely that this category will also show a sharp drop This January more than ten officers were involved in a raid on a house near the High Road in which over £6,000 worth of suspected stolen goods were found and a woman arrested Later that month a woman with previous convictions for shoplifting was arrested for failing to appear at court and imprisoned The social media accounts of the police in Chiswick report that shoplifting might be on the rise again but in the last few days they recovered £230 worth of stolen champagne near the High Road which they were able to return to Marks and Spencer The police have recognised that vehicle crime is on the rise and is currently working on Operation Automotive to target theft of and from vehicles Warnings on social media are being issued regularly not to leave items in cars Earlier this month a man was spotted in the Chiswick area looking into cars with a torch and was tackled to the floor by PC Allo and arrested the ward which includes most of the retail area of Chiswick saw a continued decline in the number of reported cases of shoplifting with just 14 in February In the ward overall there was a 17.9% fall in offences with vehicle crime off by 23.5% although it is in this area that this sort of crime seems to have risen recently Violence against the person is down by 11.6% In Chiswick Homefields all crime is down by 17.5% with vehicle theft down 20.6% but there was a sharp spike in this category this February with 41 offences Shoplifting appears to have returned to more normal levels with only three reports in last month but this type of crime still doubled in the ward over the last year due to a large rise over the summer is a low crime area also saw a fall of 14.7% over the last year crime there too also seems to be on the decline with a 15.5% decrease There the police seem to have had particular success in tackling burglary which is down by 36.2% and vehicle crime which is down by 21.0% but this type of offence is on the rise after a lull over the summer of last year One local shop owner who asked not to be named said in response being shown the figures “The biggest risk to trade on the High Road was a growth of a perception that the area is crime-ridden which even last year when there was much more theft than usual could potentially have lost businesses more that was taken by thieves it does seem to have cause a rebalancing of police enforcement resource towards the area The White Company Taking Over Rock and Rose Site Chiswick Pets Aims to Continue Trading from Garage Marks and Spencer has announced a planned major refurbishment of its Chiswick store as part of an investment scheme across the capital It is one of seven Foodhalls being upgraded in a £90million programme focused on London The announcement specifically mentions the branch at 236 Chiswick High Road as performing well and suggests the new layout will have a revamped produce section with a wider selection of fresh fruits and vegetables in a market style layout and a larger bakery operating throughout the day including barista-made coffee such as M&S’ Magic Coffee The makeover will also include the latest technology to run more energy efficiently with LED lighting natural refrigerant fridges and freezers which the company says will achieve a 60% emission reduction While the company says the store is to be extended it remains unclear whether this is within the existing footprint or if the intention is to take over adjacent units which are vacant including the former sites of Mint Velvet and Up and Running Marks and Spencer is understood to own the leases on both sites It has not responded to multiple requests for comment on this question but it did say in its press release that some of its store plans will require planning permission The investment programme includes new six foodhalls in Clapham New Malden and Leytonstone and the refurbishment of eleven existing stores including a full refresh of the Pantheon on Oxford Street It says that 450 new jobs will be created and 70,000 sq ft will be added overall to stores across London The new stores are to open ‘over the next few years’ the company started expanding again in 2023 with £30 million of investment in London The retailer has over 100 stores across the capital and has been serving customers since 1903 when it opened a market stall in Brixton M&S’ food market share in London (4.5%) is higher than other cities in the UK Operations Director at M&S said, “London has always been a special place for M&S growing from penny bazaars in the early 20th century into fresh Foodhalls like the one in Brixton we reopened last year We serve thousands of customers in the capital across our full line offering in larger stores on Oxford Street to food on the move in train stations and we are always looking at what we can do next Our pipeline of stores demonstrates our continued investment in London and we will continue to bring the very best of M&S to customers from Brixton to Barnet for years to come.” Chiswick Pets Likely to Close at the End of Year are planning to keep parts of the business running from a garage at the rear of their home Having been one of the areas longest standing independent businesses with a shop on Devonshire Road for over three decades they blamed customers sticking with the habit of online ordering acquired during the pandemic the popular grooming service could continue if permission is given by Hounslow Council for a change of use (P/2025/0046) at a double garage at the rear of their property at 36 Ellesmere Road which is just off the A4 Great West Road It can be accessed by customers via Barrowgate Road and Garth Road The plan is to also offer boarding services (previously a window) will be added for clients and new French style doors facing the main house for the owners Explore Chiswick’s streets for still life & found object photography Learn composition & storytelling with Kevin (UAL/RCA) Street Still Life and found Object Photography Workshop Chiswick Street photography is a broad genre often associated with candid moments and human subjects you’ll take a different approach—focusing on street still life and the narratives hidden within everyday objects You’ll be using the streets and green spaces of Chiswick London—an area known for its blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy Feel free to bring a small prop to photograph you’ll receive hands-on assignments with ongoing guidance and experiment with including or excluding (found) objects from your surroundings This workshop is especially valuable for those looking to integrate (found) object photography into their street and urban photography practice Meeting point: Café The post room near Turnham Green Tube Station.2 Nearly three thousand pounds has already been donated to an online fundraising campaign set up to help the family of Brian Constance The 48-year-old Chiswick resident died in Charing Cross Hospital on 12 January after being found collapsed on Turnham Green The police are continuing to investigate the cause of death describing the circumstances as unexpected His friends have organised a GoFundMe campaign with the aim of covering some of the travelling costs of Brian’s family who live in South Africa Those who knew him say he was cherished for his vibrant personality he was a key figure in Durban’s rave scene often modelling bespoke outfits that showcased his creativity His passing is a huge loss to his siblings and his many friends and loved ones funds raised will help cover the costs of Brian's funeral and memorial £2,712 has been raised towards the £4,000 target New Health and Fitness Club Plans High Road Opening Vet Plans to Move into High Road Starbucks Site Hopes for New Chiswick Supermarket Fade More details have been revealed of plans for a health spa on Chiswick High Road in an application for a premises licence Healthspan Plus Ltd is converting the former premises of the Lounge Co at numbers 104-108 on the corner of Upham Park Road into what it describes as a ‘holistic wellness experience’ with a café on the ground floor along with two multi-function studios and a workout studio and spa in the basement which will have a steam room seating area and a relax room dedicated to Halotherapy The Blue Table Café will have capacity for 44 diners with a possible extra 30 if permission is given for outdoor dining The licence application is to serve alcohol with food up until 11pm for consumption on the premises only The company is advertising for delivery drivers indicating that it plans to offer takeaway and delivery from the site was granted in October for an application (P/2024/2637) a former Russian telecoms executive with British nationality who advises small to medium sized start-up companies was the sole director of Healthspan + Ltd until he stepped down in November According to the latest filing he retains majority control but he has been replaced on the company’s board by 31-year-old Ivan Slobodin a former employee of Bain who is currently listed as working for Ocula Technologies a Belfast based software company The planning application stated that the intention was to open the facility in July 2025 I went to to Chiswick cinema on Saturday night (to watch A Complete Unknown – great film) I say that because in prime position on the bar in the foyer was a notice which read: ‘Unfortunately our screen 1 aircon system is experiencing an issue beyond our control Please let us know within the first twenty minutes of the film if you are uncomfortable and would prefer a refund We are so sorry for any inconvenience caused.’ I have noticed before now that if you sit in the wrong seat in the wrong screening room there is a polar jet of air which blasts you out of your seat You don’t expect to have to bring blankets and a thermos of tea when you go to the cinema What I hadn’t quite appreciated was that this is a problem that has been going on for weeks now As has the problem of the broken ice machine People have resorted to bringing their own ice with them for their drinks Now I realise this is something of a first world problem and what you are paying for supposedly is a little bit of luxury while you watch Image: Poster for the film Freeze (2022); notice on the bar on Saturday evening We all waited eagerly for it to open and do not wish it to fail so it seems disloyal and wrong to be critical While the programming department goes out of their way to put together a programme of interesting films and live Q&As with well-known actors and directors to go with them (Jeremy Irons Simon Curtis …) the actual running of the building is The enhanced programme relies quite a bit on the volunteer efforts and contacts of some of the film industry professionals who live locally Andrea Carnevali runs his film club for free he was unable to play the programme of clips he had prepared because they couldn’t make the tech work Ditto his previous film club presentation for Vertigo Image: Jeremy Irons with Michael Billington for a Q&A session at Chiswick last year It is a great initiative on the part of Chiswick Cinema that the French Impressions sessions have been saved from the wreckage of Watermans Jon Davies had been presenting Watermans’ popular French cinema club French Impressions for over 20 years before the arts centre was closed last year The clientele he had built up over that time are grateful to be able to carry on watching French films and enjoying his commentary at Chiswick Cinema But French Impressions is advertised as a screening of the film with coffee in the bar afterwards to talk about the film and at the last French Impressions session the bar was closed Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy opened in cinemas in the UK last Thursday It has achieved the highest-ever opening for a romcom in the UK and Ireland Yet on the first Saturday night it was showing Surely the cinema owners Trafalgar would want to capitalise on a success like that The bar is often closed and has not served food for a long time And we have all politely overlooked the dead plants making the outside of the building look as if it is somewhere in the neighbourhood of Chernobyl I thought two years ago when the cinema’s IT system failed on the busiest weekend of the year the parent company was taking the cinema’s problems seriously and giving the staff some support but the ongoing problems have left many members wondering what it is exactly that they pay such a large amount of money for READ ALSO: Chiswick Cinema’s IT system goes down on the busiest weekend of the year who is responsible for programming and publicity at Chiswick Cinema (though not for the general running of the building) sent us this: ‘We do recognise there have been occasional shortfalls in our offering impacted by maintenance and parts issues out of our control This could easily impact any business and while we recognise the potential of their effects we do also hope it’s a chance for us to showcase our great service despite those occasional things ‘Our dedicated staff team have brilliantly risen to the challenge and welcome any opportunity for a conversation during a visit to help improve it ‘Chiswick Cinema as you’ve identified is a unique prospect and it’s through your partnership and the others in the community we’re able to elevate our programme and succeed as a destination ‘New buildings will always have maintenance issues and hospitality businesses will always experience changes based on staffing and have worked in this way since our opening community spirit and creative service and programming that will help us shine as an independent ‘As a senior management team we remain available and we welcome the chance to go one step better whether its in the experience the programme or how we work with our valued partners ‘We were recently featured in The Evening Standard’s ‘Best Independent Cinemas’ in London and that should remind us all that despite some short term concerns our long term journey is one truly exciting for us all.’ See also: Nearly half of Londoners avoid talking about their mental health, new research finds See also: Missing boy and mother from Richmond found by police Report Outlines How Gunnersbury Could Be Made Step Free Views to Be Sought on New Chiswick Tower Proposal Chiswick Tower Plans Leave Gunnersbury Station Future Unclear Over Four Hundred Co-living Flats Planned for Chiswick Tower Chiswick Tower Sale Raises Hopes for Gunnersbury Station Planners Recommend Green Light for New Chiswick Stadium Bollo Lane Tower Blocks Given Green Light The application for the conversion of Chiswick Tower has been submitted with the developer opting to only proceed with part of the original scheme Permission is still being sought by Chiswick Tower Ltd to switch the existing office space to use as over 400 co-living apartments as well as some affordable housing but the 28 town houses that were to be built on the car parks at the rear of the building are not part of the application A consultation was held towards the end of last year at which point it was decided to reduce the scope of the development The developer’s spokesperson says it is now proposed to develop different parts of the site at different times following feedback from Transport for London and Network Rail about the possibility of introducing step free access at Gunnersbury Station The application site excludes the southern part of the western car park the entire eastern car park and the bridge connecting them because the applicant understands that all or some of this land may be required for improvements to the station The proposals submitted include a commitment to give up access rights to the area by the road bridge between the two car parks which would be needed to make the station accessible Consideration will also be given to creating a Wellesley Road station entrance The planning application includes the redevelopment of the annex facing Chiswick High Road to the east of the tower where 23 affordable flats will be added in a new nine-storey building The car parks would now be used for logistics and access during the construction period The developer has also submitted another application (PAC/2025/0749) for a conversion into 181 flats with no affordable housing at the annex The developer’s representative says that this is a fall-back application and the preference us to proceed with the 400 co-living apartments There are similar guarantees made about access being given to land to enable the upgrade of Gunnersbury Station The proposed development would be car-free with five spaces for disabled persons provided in the existing car park to the rear of the building The developer argues that a reuse of Chiswick Tower to provide accommodation is more sustainable and is also offering increased public realm along Chiswick High Road with onsite public play space and greenery This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Police in west London have put out at message to notify the community in Chiswick that a man collapsed on Sutton Lane North on Sunday morning (12 January) and later died There has been a great deal of speculation in social media about why an area of Turnham Green in cordoned off with a police car still parked there on Wednesday 15 January say the man was found collapsed at 8.20 am on Sunday morning and was taken to hospital Although they are awaiting formal identification they say he is believed to be a 48 year-old man who was reported to the police as missing on Monday 13 January His death is being treated as ‘unexplained’ at this stage and further enquiries are being carried out His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers Anyone who can help police with their enquiries about the death is asked to call 101 contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 See also: Timetable announced for building work on the old Police Station site in Chiswick See also: New Chiswick Health Centre “almost ready to open”