That Was The Year That Was In Chiswick
2019 round up of the stories that made news locally
|
It was a busy year for news in Chiswick during 2019, with over 2 million visits to the site, proving how valuable it is as a resource for local news and information for our community.
Crime, the traffic congestion from the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, and the progressing of the cyclehighway now known as Cycleway 9, all made headlines.
Chiswick said goodbye to some restaurants and shops and welcomed some new ones, including The Crown and the return of Le Pain Quotidien. Work on the long-awaited Chiswick Cinema started in earnest and by the end of the year there were signs that the Empire House project might be revived. Brexit, and its impact on politics and property prices was a big topic of conversation and we ended the year with the first winter election in over 100 years with the two outgoing Labour MPs, Ruth Cadbury and Rupa Huq retaining their seats.
There were several local community iniatives to improve the life and wellbeing of our neighbourhood, including the Turnham Green Piazza project, and the pollution-busting Chiswick Oasis wall, unveiled by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, at St Mary's Primary Convent School. The Living Neighbourhood project for the Grove Park area announced last year, will focus on cutting air pollution from traffic and encouraging sustainability in life styles for local residents. Work on upgrading the Dukes Meadows area is also continuing. Arts and culture remained important in the life of Chiswick. The Bedford Park Festival and Chiswick Book Festival continue to thrive. The Tabard Theatre came under new management and was renamed as The Chiswick Playhouse.
The Planning Inspectorate turned down the appeal of the Chiswick Curve developers but the potential for several high-rise developments in the Chiswick, Acton, and Ealing area continues as we constantly report.
There is still no progress on the Piccadilly Line stop for Turnham Green with TfL now saying no signalling upgrade can go ahead without government finance.
House prices dropped locally amidst Brexit uncertainty, with flats taking the brunt of the fall in prices. There are still fears for the future of the Chiswick Post Office front counter, as the lease on the building is due to expire within two years. Two Co-operative stores opened, one at Gunnersbury and one at Grove Park, the former became a source of controversy as local residents complained of shoplifting. More CPZ zones were introduced and parking changes from RingGo to PayByPhone in December caused confusion. Hounslow House became the new centre for the borough's Council offices.
New openings included The Steam Packet which took over in the former Cafe Rouge at Strand on the Green, and Middle Eastern food was introduced at Chateau, Shams and Rendezvous. Good Boy Cafe was a newcomer and Chiswick House and Gardens cafe will get an overhaul and new owners. Local closures included Michelin-starred Hedone, London Auctions, Starbucks, (on the corner with Fishers Lane) Patisserie Valerie, Feather & Black. Borough Wines, peppermint, and Daniel Footwear and Clark's.
Ant McPartlin moved out of Chiswick amid his divorce from Lisa, while other celebrity marriages which made headlines included the separations of Colin Firth and Livia as well as James Cracknell and Beverley Turner.
Local residents who passed away included prominent artist Jason Bowyer and David Budworth of the Bedford Park Society.
Here are some of the headlines ...
January
Police Introduce Dispersal Zones To Combat Crime In Chiswick
Rapid response units will also get back up from 'Interceptor' team
Hammersmith Set To Get Two Cycle Routes
But A4 lane for 'more experienced' cyclists is unlikely to extend to Chiswick
New Japanese Owners Give Reassurance Over Griffin Brewery Future
Say they will continue to brew beers in Chiswick the 'home of London Pride'
February
Fears Over CS9 'Traffic Havoc' In Chiswick Back Streets
Residents say rat runs and congestion will result from new design
Only A Third Of Chiswick Residents Backed CS9
TfL suppressed data which showed lack of local support for cycle superhighway
Major New Chiswick High Road Development Planned
Five storey building to be built on CarpetRight site
March
Farage-Led Brexit Protest To Assemble In Chiswick
March to Leave going to Westminster on day UK due to leave the EU
Bid To Undim Street Lights In Crime 'Hotspot' Areas Has Failed
'Disappointed' councillors told it may not happen until the autumn
Strand On The Green Cafe Rouge To Close
One of Chiswick's longest surviving restaurants shutting next month
April
Court Orders Chiswick Cinema Squatters To Move Out
Cinema owners hope to restart project as soon as premises are vacated
Showdown Looms With Travellers Occupying Car Park By Sainsbury's
Police on scene promise group will be moved on today
Shake Up Of Health Services In Chiswick Could Be On Way
Patients being asked for their views on the future of healthcare in W4
May
Police Stop And Search Figures Quadruple
Over 800 operations in one week last March in a bid to stop knife and drug crime
Buying of Chiswick Flats Other Than Penthouses Collapses
W4's average house price moves back over a million
TfL Now Saying Hammersmith Bridge Closed 'Indefinitely'
Bitter row rumbles on as to who is to pay for the repairs
June
Michelin-starred Chiswick Restaurant Closes
Hedone shuts after trading had been 'disastrous financially'
13 Storey Tower Planned for Power Road
Scheme includes over 200 flats and communal workspaces
David Tennant's Family Become Victims Of Local Crime Wave
Actor's wife blames closure of police station for two attacks in past year
July
Chiswick Curve Plan Blocked By Minister
Says damage to heritage assets outweighs any claimed public benefit
TfL Ditches CS9 Redesign for Dukes Avenue and Duke Road
Massive opposition to revised scheme means most access to be maintained
'Under Siege' High Road Shops Brace For More Attacks
Boots latest victim Of 'smash and grab' moped thieves
August
Controversial Quintin Boat Club Redevelopment Plan Set For Green Light
Local residents say it will mean traffic congestion on weekends
Hounslow Council To Tackle Dire Standards' At Local Leisure Centres
'Corrective action' will be taken at New Chiswick Pool and Brentford Leisure Centre
Developer Wins Appeal To Build Homes On Pissarro's Site
Residents 'stunned' at go-ahead for flats at former riverside restaurant
September
Another Planning Appeal Being Made Over Controversial Aparthotel
As locals continue fight against developer's plan for over 90 unit
Mixed Reaction To Cycleway 9 Go-Ahead
From 'Let's get shovels in the ground' to 'Terrible Decision'
Cockroaches At Local Pool Used By Chiswick Primary School Children
Parents and teachers furious over bug infestation at Fountain Leisure Centre
October
Details Of Chiswick Health Centre Redevelopment To Be Revealed
It is not yet known where doctors will relocate during building work
Why A Top Restaurateur Chose Chiswick To Open A Funeral Parlour
Great British Menu judge Oliver Peyton says Exit Here will modernise how we deal with death
The Tabard Theatre Is Relaunched As Chiswick Playhouse
Ambitious plans to be 'the breeding ground for the next generation of top creatives
November
'Over-valuers' Blamed for Moribund W4 Property Market
Flat sales collapse but a trio of Bedford Park homes go for over £3million
Major Revisions Made To Chiswick Ward Boundary Proposals
Conservatives welcome retention of nine councillors for the area
Rock Star Sting Sends 'Message In A Bottle' To Chiswick
As Villa di Geggiano becomes the UK distributor for wines from his Tuscan vineyard
December
Mystery Over Continued Closure Of Charlotte's Bistro
Sister restaurant in Ealing also encountered problems due to flooding
Chaotic Start to PayByPhone Parking System
Hounslow Council say no PCNs issued in error despite problems with system
All Change for Chiswick House Café
New operator to take over and refurbishment in the new year
December 24, 2019
