Filming of Mobland Leads to Loss of Christmas Parking

Call made for extended enforcement pause to compensate retailers

Only film crew were allowed to park by the police station during the production

December 18, 2025

The filming of Paramount’s upcoming TV series Mobland brought a sizeable film crew to the centre of Chiswick this week requiring the suspension of an estimated 80 parking spaces during one of the busiest periods of the year for local retailers.

Between 11 and 17 December, large sections of the town centre were cordoned off for the location crew, including nearly half of the central car park (23 of 48 spaces), the entire Bond Street car park, 14 bays along Chiswick Common Road, and several others across Devonshire Road, Linden Gardens, Duke Road, and Elliott Road. The filming was coordinated through Hounslow Council’s Film Unit and saw the disused police station temporarily revived for dramatic purposes.

The production also required the removal of the mural that had adorned the station’s façade — a move that coincides with the building’s planned redevelopment, now expected to begin early next year according to the latest statement from the developer.

Gunnersbury ward councillor Joanna Biddolph has voiced strong concerns about the impact on local traders. “There was no consultation with councillors,” she said. “We could have suggested alternative locations and explained the context. Instead, Hounslow’s filming office pressed ahead without any understanding of the importance of parking to traders in these two crucial weeks in December.”

Cllr Biddolph estimates that the loss of parking will have cost businesses dearly, especially given the pressures they already face from rising costs and reduced winter spending. “Parking for shoppers and diners is still a crucial issue in Chiswick,” she added. “If Chiswick can’t provide it as needed, shoppers who come here from outside the area will leave and might never come back.”

Jackie Elton, Chair of Mid Chiswick Society and Friends of Chiswick Common added, "We had no warning about this - the cones just appeared. No leaflets or emails in advance. Why is this so difficult to do? I first spotted cones on the morning of the 17th December and didn't understand why they were there. The sign about filming was very small. And I personally never saw any film vehicles or crew actually using the spaces at all.

"Residents and traders should receive adequate advance warning of any changes and restrictions so they can plan accordingly. Film making is an organised business, so this should have been possible."

Streets off the High Road including Elliot Road also saw bay suspensions during filming

Council leader Shantanu Rajawat has confirmed that council-operated parking bays will be free to use on 23 and 24 December — a move welcomed by Cllr Biddolph, though she continues to advocate for a longer suspension of parking charges through to 5 January to help offset the disruption.

She has also called for a formal ban on allocating central Chiswick parking spaces to filming in the run-up to Christmas, citing the borough-wide moratorium on roadworks during December as precedent. “The same should apply to filming,” she said.

Hounslow Council has been approached for comment.