Huge Bedford Park Family Leisure Club Gets Funding

Blackstone investing in plans for large facility behind Tabard pub

Visualisation of planned centre viewed from Bath Road. Picture: Our House

March 3, 2026

An operator of upmarket family clubs has secured funding for a major expansion plan including the intention to build a sizeable centre in Bedford Park.

The OurHouse group has received a £100million investment from Blackstone managed real estate funds which it is using to bring forward plans for three facilities including ‘Olive’s House’ which would be situated on Flanders Road in what is currently Mulliner House. The projected opening date is some time next year and a planning application has been submitted to Hounslow Council.

The company’s original venue was in Kensal Rise and opened in 2022 followed by one in Parsons Green and additional venues are also proposed in East Sheen and Clapham. Each club offers a mix of programming for children and families, fitness facilities, hospitality services, and community events designed for families.

Mulliner House viewed from Bath Road

The proposal envisages alterations to the 1980s office block that sits directly behind the Tabard pub and forms one of the first buildings seen when entering the Bedford Park Conservation Area from Turnham Green Station. The plans would convert the vacant building, which was the headquarters of the Shepherds Bush Housing Group before it merged with the Guinness Trust, into a multi-use children’s club with soft play, studios, co-working areas, a café, wellness facilities and two swimming pools, including a learner pool created within the footprint of the current undercroft car park.

A visualisation of Olive's House viewed looking west along Flanders Road. Picture: OurHouse

The applicant describes the scheme as a sustainable retrofit of a building that has been empty since its former office tenants moved out. The design team argues that Mulliner House currently detracts from the conservation area, with its flat roof, grid-patterned windows and hardstanding at street level contrasting sharply with the Arts and Crafts character of Bedford Park. They say the redevelopment offers an opportunity to improve the appearance of a prominent corner of the neighbourhood, particularly given the building’s position immediately behind the Grade II*-listed Tabard and the Grade II Bedford Park Works.

The site of the planned centre. Picture: OurHouse

The proposals include a new roof-level extension, set back from the parapet and shaped with curved rendered walls, solar-shading awnings and a roof terrace. The façade would be completely reworked, using composition inspired by the colours and textures of Bedford Park’s historic buildings. This includes glazed green tiles at ground level, textured render above, and off-white painted brickwork to soften the existing red brick. A new entrance portico on Flanders Road would be framed by a tiled mural referencing William De Morgan and William Morris designs, both of whom have historic links to Bedford Park.

One of the most significant changes is the removal of the undercroft car park, which currently occupies the lower levels of the building. Because the site lies within the London to Silchester Roman Road Archaeological Priority Area and Flood Zone 3, the architects have adopted what they describe as a light-touch approach. Instead of excavating deeper, the learner pool would be built upwards from the existing lower-ground slab, with only small areas of localised digging for balance tanks and pump equipment. The development would also be car-free, removing 45 parking spaces within the site and replacing them with a single accessible bay, alongside extensive cycle and buggy storage.

Documents submitted with the proposal include a detailed assessment of how the new massing and materials would appear in key heritage views. The building will remain visible from Acton Green Common, where the uppermost storey would be seen across the open space towards Turnham Green Station. The applicant notes that mature trees and seasonal foliage soften this view, but acknowledges that the roof extension will still be perceptible. From Bedford Corner, the new top storey would appear above the shops and cafes. Views from Priory Gardens and Bath Road, where the building forms part of the backdrop behind listed houses, have also been considered, with the design aiming to create a calmer and more coherent elevation.

Views across Acton Green Common before and after the building of the centre from planning documents

The applicant says the scheme has been shaped through discussions with Hounslow Council, the Bedford Park Society and the Victorian Society, with changes made to the height, massing and façade treatment in response to concerns about the conservation area. A Certificate of Lawfulness to confirm that the proposed use falls within Class E has been granted by the council planning team on 27 February.

Views across Bedford Corner before and after the building of the centre from planning documents

Charlie Gardiner, founder of OurHouse, said, "Our vision from the start has been simple, to create spaces where families feel at home. We blend childcare, leisure and lifestyle to make everyday life easier, bringing under-used commercial spaces back to life as vibrant hubs local families can rely on and feel proud to belong too.

"With strong demand and a unique approach, OurHouse is redefining what a family club can be."

James Seppala, head of European real estate at Blackstone, said, "In OurHouse we see a compelling, experience-led leisure concept, led by founder Charlie, CEO Nick Crosthwaite, and an exceptionally strong management team that have driven and continue to drive its success.

"Leisure is a high conviction theme for us and we look forward to a long-term partnership."

To see more details of the application and make comments visit the planning section of the Hounslow Council web site and search for reference P/2025/3644.