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Heavenly views of Hammersmith available from Horton and Garton
Our lettings team is fortunate enough to list some of the most desirable addresses in Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush, Brook Green and Fulham. As market leaders in Hammersmith, they aren't often floored by a new instruction, but this unique riverside home took their breath away.
Offering spectacular South West facing views of the River Thames and Hammersmith Bridge, this beautifully presented three bedroom, two bathroom apartment with private car parking space also boasts front and rear terraces. The apartment is spread across 1447 S q' - 134 SqM of lateral space and is peacefully located well above street level on the fourth floor of the ever popular Queen's Wharf development. Queen's Wharf will house the world-famous Riverside Studios and features landscaped podium gardens and an on-site restaurant. Offered to the market in move-in condition, the apartment is available with immediate effect at £1100.
Contact our Lettings Manager Ashley Clements on 020 8819 0511 or email him on lettings@hortonandgarton.co.uk.
Tryst at the new Tabard Theatre
We've been to see the Tabard Theatre's latest production and can confidently report it's a tour de force. Seamlessly executed and masterfully acted, the play grabs you from the first scene and doesn't put you down until the cast have left the stage. The revival of Tryst, the thriller by Karoline Leach, runs from 12 October to 5 November at Chiswick's favourite theatre. The production stars musical theatre darling Natasha Barnes and uber talented Chiswick local Fred Perry who says the theatre had been hoping to obtain the rights to Tryst for a long time. Of the script, Natasha says, "I absolutely fell in love with it. I devoured the script in one sitting and knew straight away I wanted to be a part of it."
Tryst is the first show at the theatre since the Tabard was fully refurbished by the new management team. The gripping drama, based on the true story of serial con man George Love, is simultaneously terrifying and heart wrenching. Cunning George encounters simple and sweet Adelaide, a lonely shop girl, and the drama unfolds from there. Tryst premiered in the West End in 1997 before opening on Broadway in 2006. Time Out New York said of a previous production that it "keeps you guessing throughout" - we found this particularly accurate... our jaws were left on the floor after the final scene!
The view from HQ – an update
The view from our King Street office hasn’t changed for many months but progress is just around the corner. The leader of LBHF has set up a new resident-led Town Hall Development Commission which is made up of LBHF residents with expertise in building design who have long taken an interest in the previous Town Hall schemes. Cllr Stephen Cowan has confirmed the first meetings have already taken place and they have kindly agreed to work with and guide council officers and our administration on this project.
Some features of the new scheme brief include:
– It will be within the massing and height restrictions of the former agreed scheme
– It will deliver a new cinema and new offices that can be used by the council and as affordable, flexible office space for start-up entrepreneurs
– The buildings and public spaces will be designed to a high architectural standard that lifts the character of King Street and opens the public space around Hammersmith Town Hall
– It will have a high proportion of genuinely affordable homes for local residents
– It will be an environmentally positive scheme.
Steve is keen to hear the views of local residents and a wider series of public consultations will begin in earnest this month. Email the council on NewTownHallScheme@lbhf.gov.uk to register your interest in coming to one of the consultations.
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Feast in Kings Mall’s new food court
Four new restaurants are set to open their doors in Kings Mall shopping centre. The clever people who brought Pergola on the Roof to White City's Television Centre are introducing the fabulously named Feast Canteen to Kings Mall in Hammersmith. Patty & Bun, Salvation Noodles, Breddos Tacos and Born & Raised will all be open seven days a week and offer a selection of mouth watering options.
Dedicated workstations and free wi-fi are part of the plan for the brand new canteen-style eatery which will offer space for 350 diners. "These flexible workspaces - along with the canteen dining experience - sits perfectly with our drive to make H&G the best place to work and live in Europe," says Cllr Andrew Jones, H&G Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration. Our Director John Horton says, "Feast will be a welcome addition to Kings Mall and will certainly add a new dimension to the area. No matter where you are in Hammersmith Broadway, you're only be a minute or two from the new Canteen."
We don't have to wait long to tuck into our Feast as the launch is scheduled for January 2018. Open 9am - 8pm on weekdays and 11am - 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays, it offers those of us who live and work in Hammersmith a unique dining destination.
You can't prebook so rock up, grab a bite and relax or take away your meal. Sign the online guest book in advance to get two free meals. Visit: www.feastcanteen.co.uk to sign up.
Success for the Grove Park Piazza Appeal
Jonathan Knight, Chairman of the Grove Park Group, is pleased to announce that on Monday 25 September the Grove Park Shops Piazza Appeal hit 100% of its crowdfunding target. He says, "This is thanks to the generosity and vision of those who live and work in Grove Park together with Hounslow Council. The Grove Park Group residents association put forward the original idea to regenerate the Grove Park shops area and have project managed the crowdfunding campaign. I am really pleased that this is the first project of its type in Hounslow to successfully reach its pledge target."
Jonathan notes that the pioneering project's next phase is now underway and plans are afoot to progress the concept: "The crowdfunded money will pay for a design specification from which the Piazza can be built. We have had tremendous support from locals who visited our various events outside the shops and who gave us their comments and suggestions for the design. The GPG will ensure that these ideas are considered as the design is developed. Our hope is that this project will inspire further shared community council opportunities to regenerate locations across the borough.”
The Piazza appeals to local businesses as well as Grove Park residents. Jonathan says, "Many people have lived here since the 60s, 70s and 80s. People tend to stay here for a long time, which means that more people have a stake in the area." It is critical that, having shared the cost of the design, Grove Park residents have a say in what gets built. The Grove Park Group will form a GPG sub committee comprising locals with expertise in architecture, urban design and transport to help pass the design preferences of local residents, shop owners and businesses to the selected design company. The design should hopefully be completed within the next 6-9 months. Horton and Garton's Chiswick Director Paul Cooney believes the Piazza will create a new destination for Chiswick residents: "With a trendy cocktail bar and restaurant on one side of the station and the new Piazza on the other you'll find many residents and commuters will stay local for longer."
If you are not a member of the Grove Park Group and are interested in being a part of what they do (and joining in their rather fabulous parties!), you should sign up. The subscription is only £10 per household per year or you can get give years for the price of four. Just click the GPG logo below.
The Princess Victoria will reign again in Shepherds Bush
The sudden closure in June of the much loved Princess Victoria pub left local residents in turmoil. The historic pub, renowned for its superb food, lively atmosphere and beautiful courtyard garden, will reopen in October under new owners Tom Peake, Mark Reynolds and Nick Fox. With just shy of two centuries under her belt, The Princess Victoria first served Shepherds Bush in 1829 and was once owned by Richard Branson.
"It is fantastic news the landmark pub that has served the community for almost 200 years is reopening its doors," said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration. John Horton, owner and Director of Horton and Garton's Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush office says, "I am confident in saying The Princess Vic is one of London's greatest pubs. When it shut its doors in June, we were left bereft and confused. Thankfully, local, independent owners are at the helm and she will be back and better than ever this autumn!"
Over 100 gins and 40 beers will be on offer and the new owners will be championing a traditional British menu featuring scotch eggs, British charcuterie, puff pastry pies and artisan pizzas. The pub will feature a new front terrace, creating further al fresco drinking and dining space for locals.
"We are absolutely delighted to confirm we are taking on The Princess Victoria," said co-owner Tom Peake. "It is such a well-loved pub with a rich history and we can't wait to breathe new life into it." Kate Lester, who is helping to relaunch the neighbourhood favourite, says, "The upstairs function room can hold up to 100 standing and it is shaping up to be absolutely stunning."
We can't wait to see it! Cheers! For more details, visit: www.princessvictoria.co.uk
Saving Our School
If you've walked through Ravenscourt Park, chances are you've noticed the nursery gardens that overlook one of the children's playgrounds. It's home to the much-loved Ravenscourt Park Pre-School, a not-for-profit, affordable nursery that is soon to be run by a trust of local parents. Set in in the heart of Ravenscourt Park, the nursery has been serving the community for over 40 years. It was recently threatened with closure by the charity body that was running it - but the parents immediately fought back and in January 2018 it will be run by a volunteer trustee group alongside the long serving, excellent, experienced staff.
Kate Walters, a Hammersmith (and formerly Chiswick) local, told us she couldn't bear for the nursery to shut its doors. "It's a lifeline to many parents. Generations of local residents have sent their children to Ravenscourt Park Pre-School. When it was threatened with closure, a group of parents got together and worked tirelessly to prevent the doors from closing forever. Our newly formed trust will take over in January and we have grand designs for our little nursery." Kate says as the nursery is a charity, parent involvement is essential. Parents work with staff to ensure the children are given a safe, nurturing and happy start to their school life. The children love spending time in the large outdoor playground, which looks into the park; taking part in 'school trips' to feed the ducks or to the nearby garden centre; and gardening in the learning garden, where they grow seeds to take home and learn about conservation while creating homes for insects and bees. They are committed to ensuring the children enjoy their time at school and that their education and care remains affordable and accessible to all.
Another parent trustee Helen Galvin notes, "As the nursery was threatened with closure at short notice in the early part of this year, many parents withdrew their children meaning everal spaces are now available." If your child is between the ages of 2 and 5, you could snap up one of only ten spaces remaining in the nursery. Once it reaches capacity, they will establish a waiting list. The nursery, which is currently undergoing its Ofsted registration, is proud to offer 30 full hours of free funding for parents who require it meaning many children can attend at no cost to the parents. Two year olds receive 15 hours of free childcare at Ravenscourt Pre-School. The hours of operation are 9am - 3.30pm and morning and afternoon sessions are available. The staff, all mother and grandmothers, live locally. "My children have been attending for the past four years and there hasn't been any staff turnover in that time which speaks volumes about the genuine love and care they have for our children. In an industry with excessive churn, we can proudly say Ravenscourt Pre-School retains its invaluable and wonderfully caring staff," says Kate.
Lorraine Hamid, also on the parent trustee committee, says, "The new trustee group will be hosting a fundraising event in the spring of next year to make cosmetic improvements to the nursery and ensure new learning tools and play equipment can be purchased for the children. We need as much support from the local community and local businesses as possible! Please get in touch if you think you can help with our event or simply make a donation directly to our crowdfunder page. " As a local business at the heart of our communities in Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush and Chiswick, Director John Horton has pledged his support. He says, "My children are former pupils at Ravenscourt Pre-School which was, and still is, a truly outstanding nursery that flies the flag for community pre-school education. It's a place where children are incredibly happy and enjoy their time. It's the kind of establishment that we all wish existed on our doorstep. Please help us keep the doors open by giving to the fundraising campaign."
To make a donation to the nursery, visit: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-ravenscourt-park-pre-school
For more information, to arrange a tour of the school or to book a place visit:
https://www.ravenscourtparkpreschool.com/
Nominate Your Favourite Local Business!
If you live or work in LBHF don't miss your chance to nominate your favourite local business! You can nominate your Best Hammersmith Business, Best Shepherds Bush Business and Best Fulham Business to receive a prestigious Brilliant Business Award. Local entrepreneurs recently joined with H&F Council to unveil 'Upstream', a new campaign to make the borough the best place to do business in Europe. Two successful local entrepreneurs - Greg Jackson and Sophie Devonshire - spearheaded the campaign and spent nine months listening to local businesses of all sizes to identify what the Council could do to make the borough the best for business.
As a previous winner and recipient of the Customer Service Award, our Director John Horton says, "The awards help spotlight the very best local businesses that go above and beyond for their clients, staff and the community at large. Voting is now open so voice your support for your favourite local companies today."
If you own or work for a local business, you shouldn't hesitate to enter the awards. It's free and easy to enter and you can win one of two ways - Judges' Prize, where your entry is examined by an expert panel of impartial judges, or Public Vote.
The categories are:
- Best Customer Service
- Best New Business (under 18 months)
- Best Place to Eat
- Best Place to Drink
- Best Independent Retailer
- Best Creative Business
- Best Small Business (employing 10 people or less)
- Best Local Employer
- Best Social Enterprise or Charity
- Best Technology Business
- Best Health and Beauty Business
- Best Design and Interiors Business
- Best Arts Business
Just download the entry form from the awards website. The website explains what the judges are looking for. You can enter up to two categories. The judges will draw up a shortlist from which they will decide a winner. The closing date for applications is Friday 27 October 2017.
Get others to nominate you as best overall business in Fulham, Hammersmith or Shepherds Bush.
There is no application process – just encourage your customers to say you're the best! Promote the awards in store and online and ask people to nominate you at the awards website. Each nomination counts as a vote. The categories are:
- Best Fulham Business
- Best Hammersmith Business
- Best Shepherds Bush Business
Closing date for public nominations is Sunday 5 November 2017. Shortlisted businesses and those with the most public votes will be invited to the awards presentation evening in the Assembly Hall at Hammersmith Town Hall on Wednesday 15 November 2017.
Visit www.hfbrill4biz.com for more information.
Landmark Moment for Local Start-up Companies
Do you live locally and run a start-up business from your kitchen table or your local coffee shop? Do you need extra work space for your business to grow and flourish but worried it will break the bank? The forward thinking people at Hammersmith & Fulham Council have devised a solution with you in mind. They're creating a new flexible workspace within the centrally located Landmark House. Councillor Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, says "We are determined to make H&F the best place to work and live in Europe. Access to flexible and affordable office space is critical to help foster the next wave of entrepreneurs - and it's one of the main objectives of our new industrial strategy to bring economic growth for everyone."
In partnership with H&F Council, the owners of Landmark House in Hammersmith have agreed to provide the affordable office space for the next six months. Up to 20 desks are available in the fully-furnished office, with a rent of only £265 per month for each desk. This includes all service charges, utilities, wi-fi and use of a communal meeting room. Landmark House is a two-minute walk from Hammersmith tube station. It boasts views over Hammersmith Bridge, the Thames and beautiful St Paul's Green, as well as air conditioning, 24-hour security on site, car parking spaces and lifts.
Our Director John Horton says of the initiative, "Before I'd sourced our King Street office, I worked from home which could be distracting. If I'd had access to a proper office space, it would have been extremely beneficial. Bravo to the team at H&F for keeping local start ups at the heart of this initiative."
To bag a desk or two for your start-up, email move.upstream@lbhf.gov.uk.