Forum Topics

Full structural survey

I am looking for a full structural survey to be done on a potential house purchase in Chiswick. Does anyone have any suggestions of a local firm/ person please?

Margot Crowther ● 9d0 Comments ● 9d

An Evening with Annabelle Croft in aid of The Upper Room  Thurs May 22

The final event in the series is coming up and will be @ St Michael & All Angels this coming Thursday May 22.We've managed to get to a couple of these talks this year and over past years and can say that we have enjoyed them all - and its even better when we know that these are all in aid of a good cause.I hadn't realised until I read the blurb that Annabelle Croft had herself spent some time living on the streets...  so she must have seen and experienced and learned of some of what the homeless experience.  Do also take a look at the rest of The Upper Room's website to see what they do.  They also have a wish list of the items they are short of so if you can help out with any of those or offer anything else do get in touch with them.https://theupperroom.org.uk/news-and-events/   

Philippa Bond ● 18d4 Comments ● 11d

Where to get Stamps.. while post office is shut.

With the prolonged closure of the Post Office, where can I buy stamps.Waterstones was out of them. The other bookshop didn’t have them. Nor Tesco. So I had to traipse down to. WH Smith, also under threat. It was only a birthday card but it was a fairly frustrating walk up and down the High Street.A couple of shops directed me to the Post office! So which shops reliably sell stamps in Chiswick? I assume that ultimately Sainsburys or Rymans will provide facilities if the Post Office stays shut.

Jackie Elton ● 14d7 Comments ● 12d

Ear wax removal

Can anyone recommend any of the ear wax removal services (syringing, microsuction etc) in the area please? I was hoping to get it done on the NHS at my GP surgery, but it is no longer offered, and looking at some websites, the difference in prices seems to be enormous, with some charging a small fortune just to check if it's even necessary, before making further charges for each ear. As we hear so much about unqualified and rogue medical practitioners, I'd preferably like someone who knows what they're doing, who will make things better rather than far worse, and won't try to flog me expensive hearing aids in the process (which I don't believe I need!). Thanks in anticipation!

Richard Evans ● 14d7 Comments ● 12d

Beware Chiswick Property Developer.

Sadly, Kam or Kambiz Babaee, the well-known TV personality billionaire property developer has been made bankrupt.  It has been published in The Gazette Notice ID: 4554512 – He is local to Chiswick. I hope he doesn’t owe anyone on this forum any money or is working on your property.

Jenny James ● 463d12 Comments ● 12d

Please object today to increase in height of Hogarth roundabout IMG redevelopment 

Urgent: object today Friday if you don’t want Hounslow Council to allow our beloved views of St Nicholas Church and Chiswick’s riverside to be ruined by giving planning permission to a 10 floor building on Hogarth Roundabout. Please help to save this cherished corner of West London…👉Please comment on Hounslow’s planning portal here https://planningandbuilding.hounslow.gov.uk/NECSWS/ES/Presentation/Planning/OnlinePlanning/AddApplicationComment?applicationNumber=P%2F2024%2F2610 (BTW don’t use paragraph returns in your comments - their system won’t allow it) 👉 Or easier still, email your views to Planning.objections@hounslow.gov.uk. The deadline is today Friday 25 April 2025.The background: The old IMG building at 1 Burlington Lane on Hogarth Roundabout has been empty, sad and dilapidated for a long time and we need new housing but the proposed 6 and 10 storey building which Hounslow Council’s planning officer is recommending for approval is totally out of scale to this residential area. The developer Jaysam Contractor Ltd already has planning permission to build 106 flats on 6 floors but is now asking to add 4 new floors. Only 6 of the units of the 132 will be affordable!As you can see in the picture above, the block will loom over the historic views and quaint streetscapes of St Nicholas Church, the many Listed buildings on Chiswick Mall, Church Street, Hogarth’s House museum, Chiswick House, the Lamb and Breweries, the streets of the Glebe Estate, the gentle recent development at Chiswick Gate behind the IMG (an example of a new development which respects the scale of our area).  Many of you who love walking along the Thames Path will know the famous views of Old Chiswick from across the river from Barnes towpath shown in below in print and more recently. If you love Chiswick riverside and are concerned about the impact of this proposal, please help by commenting to Hounslow. Many thanks!Sophie

Sophie Sainty ● 38d10 Comments ● 12d

Chiswick Park Station

I feel Chiswick Park station is slightly unusual since we lack  safety intercoms from the  supplier of the online safety intercom systems which passengers should be able to operate on either platform by pressing a red or blue button for information or emergency.The staff however remain very helpful which is greatly appreciated.All of the network I believe have these safety buttons on every platform.Turnham Green has plenty safety buttons but Chiswick Park only has one I believe near the ground floor ticket office.I  also feel passengers would feel much safer if they knew they could easily access an emergency button on either platform  and we need to avoid a major incident occurring and not being reported quickly enough

Tony Antares ● 259d23 Comments ● 12d

Recommendation to post small parcrls

The dilemma with the post office CHR …..Please, Can anyone recommend a good place in Chiswick (!) where I also get a tracking number?Mail Box CHR charged me for a letter recorded plus tracking £18.—. I  almost fainted. 

Katja Urban ● 14d11 Comments ● 12d

Architect recommendations

Hello, can anyone recommend a good, local architect please? Straightforward job - kitchen side return and conversion of a garage to a garden room - so hoping to find someone competent yet reasonable in terms of cost. Many thanks!

Rachel Bliss ● 13d1 Comments ● 12d

Costume designer

Does anyone know of a costume designer who could help design some witches' costumes for a ski race in January?

Andrzej Kowalski ● 18d4 Comments ● 13d

Preservation of Chiswick Trees

Noticed today that the local authority has plans to remove a tree on Grove Park Gardens - photos in attached links:https://ibb.co/Z6DcbDRFhttps://ibb.co/V0zf7sVMI think it's fair to say that Grove Park Gardens - along with many parts of Grove Park and the Chiswick wider area - very much enjoy(s) its/their trees. Not to mention the local fauna.Furthermore, in more recent times, the trees help to obscure from view many of the new constructions at Kew Bridge.Is there anything we are able to do to ensure long-term preservation of these trees?Surely there are more-optimum means of attending to tree root issues (i.e. a little adjustment, rather than removal of the entire tree).

Charles Vessey ● 14d4 Comments ● 13d

M and s again

It was Tuesday - in Hammersmith- yes I arrived at 10 am- early but all the things I needed to buy were out of date today or tomorrow- some of them were out of date yesterday- this is not good and people should realise this is totally out of order. Please put these things with a longer finish date on the shelves - some people do not have other people living with them… even at the back they were the same .

Helen Bamberger ● 20d14 Comments ● 13d

Picture Framer

Now that the wonderful Derek in Barnes has retired, does anyone know of a good picture framer locally?

Andrzej Kowalski ● 18d6 Comments ● 14d

Sir Keir Starmer MP

This man of many pseudonyms, Free Gear, Never here, Two tier, has this week flip-flopped his stance on immigration, imitating Nigel Farage on the damage this uncontrolled invasion is doing to our country. How he must regret scrapping the Rwanda deterrent.His falling in the polls is so steep he really had no option but to change his tune on "Smashing the Gangs" and "Stopping the Boats", two futile slogans his tepid Home secretary aped.Our PM has only two true beliefs, a fact the general public are now beginning to realize:He sits at the alter of the Court of Human Rights (but not necessary victims rights) and Arsenal Football Club.

Denis I. Fox ● 18d13 Comments ● 14d

Trade War on Chiswick High Road

If you haven't already realised that giving your custom to local owned businesses gives you a better experience, is better for the national economy and helps bring in more tax, then now is perhaps the time to take a close look at where you shop.There are better alternatives to Starbucks, KFC, Five Guys and Chipotle. There is every reason to avoid ordering through Deliveroo and Uber Eats and if you use ride hire Estonian owned Bolt is cheaper than Uber.On the other side of the coin, if there are Canadian and Mexican businesses we can support please post here.

Anita Blake ● 119d74 Comments ● 15d

Chiswick Post Office closed - why?

Does anyone know why the Chiswick Post Office is closed?It said on the door "due to unforseen circumstances..."I was there 2 days ago when it was busy and open.

Gary Malcolm ● 30d34 Comments ● 15d

Missing cat - Beaumont  Road

A young burmese cat has gone missing she is an indoor cat so doesnt know the area and is quite timid will post a photo when i work it out

Amanda burden ● 38d4 Comments ● 15d

Poundland closure date confirmed

I just walked past the Poundland store and Chiswick's worst kept secret is now confirmed. The store is shutting on 28 May. Very sad to see this happen. There is coverage currently on the front page.

Anita Blake ● 21d7 Comments ● 15d

Just a bus stop in Hounslow

Great last night to see often derided QPR's under 21 side turn over the Bees similar string at Loftus Road in the Premier Cup final. Contrary to some people's beliefs, Rs fans do not have a hatred of their out of London neighbours. That is generated by the half wit who does the match announcements at the GTECH and who will only refer to us a ''today's visitors''. No such problem last night as Brentford was mentioned as they should be given their recent success in the Premiership.

peter king ● 17d8 Comments ● 16d

71 Sutton Court Road aka I am an idiot

Hello W4-ersA parcel for me was delivered to 71 Sutton Court Road as I had forgotten to update my address despite not having lived there for over two years.I don't suppose anyone knows who lives there now? I'd like to get in touch with them and pay for a redelivery.CheersMike

Mike Firth ● 20d3 Comments ● 16d

Misconnected sewers in Chiswick

It's a long time since I was on a building site but I can tell you it is very unlikely that anyone accidentally connects a sewer pipe into a storm drain. If Thames Water are right and one in ten properties are affected by this, then this looks like a scandal as big the one about cladding.  Slap dash sub-contractors might have done the deed but the responsibility is shared between the main contractor, Thames Water and the council, none of which seem to be inspecting these things properly. If it one in ten properties then that could mean that it is half of new builds and conversions so, if I was a leaseholder in any of those I'd be discreetly checking if I had any liability to pay to make any misconnections good.

Andrew OSullivan ● 52d58 Comments ● 17d

Still Ignored

We still are ignored or just badly treated in chiswick Park Station.Second class passengers ?There is no excuse for the lack of Stop Information electronic posts at the station.There are none on either plaform but they seem to exist in abundance on every other station platform elsewhere.There is no legal ban or statute to prevent this since they can be secured safely and virtually out of site as displayed at every other station including overground stations.If a passenger had an emergency on the platform they will be stranded which of course is particularly cruel to the old and disabled.Please can this be rectified immediately since I would rather not involve councillors and MP’s at this stage.Thank You.

Tony Antares ● 22d7 Comments ● 18d

Towels/blankets for local animal charity

Can anybody suggest a local " ish" charity please which would take blankets and towels?Thank you.

Vanessa Cobb ● 19d4 Comments ● 18d

Newspaper litter

There appears to be a rather sick man who spends a great deal of time carefully ripping up free newspapers into about three or four segments and then throwing them on the ground causing masses of litter. Prime areas for his anti-social activities appear to be the Avenue, South Parade, Bedford Road, Acton Green, Acton Green Common and the open space around St Michael and All Angels Church. As a regular litter-picker utilising the LAGER blue bags, his actions are infuriating. I'd assumed he was a nocturnal creature but one of my sons saw him dumping papers on South Parade opposite Lavellis cafe about Saturday midday. He tells me he's a man about forty, wearing tracksuit bottoms and with brownish curly hair. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has seen him and knows anything about him. He's been doing this for several months now.

Thomas Edward Francis Sutherland ● 28d17 Comments ● 19d

Scam on Current Accounts

Please be careful of texts saying there has been recent activity on your account which was declined payment and a tel No to call, phone your bank on the usual phone numberto check.

Janice Evans ● 19d0 Comments ● 19d

Last night's racket

Anyone hear and know what all the horn tooting and engine reving was all about last night at around midnight? Damned annoying, it's bad enough at the weekend listening to the idiots racing up and down the A4 without a**e holes on a Monday night.

Jan Porter ● 20d0 Comments ● 20d

Qualified electrician needed

I'm looking for a qualified electrician (preferably NIPAT registered) that can come to my flat in Acton and fix some faults that were reported in a recent EICR check.

Danielle Fox ● 23d6 Comments ● 20d

Carpenter/handyman to box in boiler

Any local recommendations?

Melanie Peters ● 20d0 Comments ● 20d

If you were thinking of using the tube this evening ...

Half the network is suspended following a power failure!On the bright side, the District Line is running.

Susan Kelly ● 21d1 Comments ● 21d

CHR Post Office 2.0

Just went there and it’s now completely closed. I really hope they don’t close it down 🥲🥲

Katja Urban ● 21d1 Comments ● 21d

Threshers/Wine Rack

Public service announcement.Thirty five percent off any three bottles of wine, still or sparkling until May 25th when they close.Hopefully I’ve got that right so E&OE

Tessa Russell ● 22d1 Comments ● 21d

Amplifier repair

I am looking for a person or small company who can come to a venue in Chiswick and carry out a repair to a small sound system.

Chris Lucy ● 23d1 Comments ● 21d

How easy is it to keep your landline number when renewing a broadband contract?

My (Plusnet) broadband contract is going to come out of its discounted period pretty soon. The renewal offer from Plusnet is cheaper, but it would be fibre provided broadband, rather than via copper/ADSL which is what I have at the moment.So, is there an easy way to keep my existing landline number? I don't have any issue with moving to VOIP, but I do want to keep the number I've had ever since I moved in.

Andrew Jones ● 24d7 Comments ● 22d

"Get well soon ... Councillor John Todd"

I was concerned to read John's Report on the front page of this website ...and then stumble across a photo of him lying in a Hospital bed!As many will be aware, John is a formidable Councillor with a long history of helping the Chiswick (and Hounslow Borough) community.May he respond to the best care and attention in Hospital and be back in his Chiswick homeland soon.Chin up John.

Jim Lawes ● 27d11 Comments ● 22d

Chiswick on Lidl's target list

I know these lists published by supermarket chains are speculative and don't usually indicate a live plan but Lidl is once again highlighting Chiswick as an area that they would like to come here. See the Metro article below:https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/29/lidl-reveals-500-000-000-uk-expansion-plan-supermarkets-unexpected-places-22991468/I think there is a real danger that if Chiswick does have a good spread of retailers including discounters, it might struggle even more. I was really hopeful Lidl would have taken the unit now occupied by Wren Kitchens by Empire House.Everyone seems to be aware now that Poundland isn't going to be around for long with M&S having acquired its lease and, for me at least, that was a big draw to the High Road.

Felicity Caborn ● 34d26 Comments ● 22d

The Mikado at The Tabard

Even if G&S isn’t quite your thing, this production is very engaging with some really great singing and very funny moments too. It deserves to be sold out . Go!

Stewart Jones ● 22d2 Comments ● 22d

Ants

Hi I’m looking for a recommendation for a locally based pest control operative. We have an ant problem on the first floor of our house.Any guidance appreciated.  Nick Jones

Nicholas Jones ● 24d5 Comments ● 22d

Deposit Return Scheme for Drinks Bottles & Cans (Plastic and Metal)

I just found this.  I can't believe how long this has been just kicked down the road.https://defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/01/31/introducing-the-deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers/Germany has a 98% collection rate.

Philippa Bond ● 24d0 Comments ● 24d

Rising heat levels on the underground

Hi guys,Has anybody ever fainted from heat exhaustion on the tube in summer/suffered from a heat-related instance or know anybody who has?New 2024 TFL data shows that in spite of measures put in place to reduce the heat, temperatures on the tube have only continued rising to up to 30 degrees - especially on the Victoria and Central line. I'm writing an article on this newly released data set and how our underground travel during a potential 2025 heat wave in summer may be impacted.It would be great to hear your thoughts!Cheers

Billie White ● 27d6 Comments ● 24d

Blimey! There's a mouse in my Polish soup!

I'm not joking either!It is a beetroot soup sold in one litre cartons. You don't get to see what's in the carton as you are just required to pull up the plastic fastener.The one litre carton has provided me with three portions of the soup.The first portion was poured into my soup kettle and after heating up... it tasted fineThe second portion the next day tasted fine too. "Clear beetroot soup ... that must be good for me!The third portion looked cloudy and left a strange residue on the inside of the soup kettle. I thought it might have been caused by a whole beetroot disintigrating along the line. Surprising that that final portion didn't taste too bad either.The empty carton is not suitable for regular recycling as it is manufactured with a silver lining.So I usual undo the gussett foldson the base and at the topand scissor the carton to smaller pieces for burning.Something was amiss ...as I unfolded the carton my eyes popped out as I saw some spongy foreign object and underneath ...a baby mouse!!I did survive that third portion and I currently feel very well....TO BE CONTINUED!

Jim Lawes ● 207d61 Comments ● 25d

VE Day events in Chiswick?

Is anything happening in Chiswick this week? I saw something on the VE Day website about a Bell Ringing in St Nicholas Chiswick but no time shown and nothing on the Church website?Couldn’t find anything else.. would be great to have more info.

Jackie Elton ● 28d6 Comments ● 25d

Banning Wet Wipes Containing Plastic

https://www.thames21.org.uk/2025/04/thames21-reiterates-call-for-government-to-speed-up-introduction-of-legislation-to-ban-plastic-in-wet-wipes/Rishi Sunak's government announced that they would do this in April...  We're now in May and there is no sign of this happening and there is no timetable for it.  Many companies have stopped making them containing plastic which won't disintegrate when flushed but atick to other things and block loos and pipes and make wet wipe islands in the Thames.There was due to be a Wet Wipe Count at Hemmersmith Bridge on 30 April  - I wonder how that went?https://www.thames21.org.uk/2025/04/21-ways-thames21-is-fighting-pollution-in-the-thames/

Philippa Bond ● 27d17 Comments ● 25d

Rubbish removal

Can anyone recommend a reliable company to pick up some domestic rubbish (vacuum cleaner, textiles etc.) After Ealing council closed down the Stirling Road recycling centre, I am stuck without a car and an expired driving licence!

Liz Ihre ● 26d2 Comments ● 26d

Zip/bank cards

11-15 zip card in wallet with bank cards found - if you think it's your child's (local to Chiswick School) please contact the school for return.Thanks.

Jo Duddy ● 26d0 Comments ● 26d

Zip Oyster card found in Pleydell Avenue

11-15 Zip Card belonging to A Courquin.  Please contact me to arrange return.

Rachel Frampton ● 27d0 Comments ● 27d

Home Refurbishment - builder recommendation needed

Hello, I am based just of the High Road and looking for someone to do herringbone wood flooring, new doors, some updating to my kitchen, bathroom wall and floor tiling and installation of a new sink and toilet in my apartment.Can anyone recommended someone as I am having a terrible time of finding someone trustworthy and reliable? Many thanks

Jessica Andrew ● 27d0 Comments ● 27d

What Is A Woman ??

- It shows how far we drifted from common sense that it became necessary to go to a court to answer 'what is a woman' !

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 47d87 Comments ● 27d

Best place to see today’s VE flypast

Hello all, does anyone know where the best place to see the VE fly past in Chiswick might be?Our house is by Chiswick Park station and we’ve never seen anything from here so hopefully someone can share a better location!  TIA

Alison Foy ● 28d13 Comments ● 28d

Stag Brewery Approval very bad new for Chiswick

I was so sorry to hear that despite a thousand objections, the campaign against the massive Stag Brewery campaign has failed to convince the planning inspector.This very tall and dense development will totally transform the fell of one of the most tranquil walks by the river and urban life will intrude on the area for the first time. It is only to be hoped that it isn't the first of a series of riverside developments on this part of the Thames.

Diane Brown ● 30d6 Comments ● 28d

Cyclists please cycle responsibly.....

Whilst the 99% cycle responsible, I've seen so many cyclists riding around above 20mph and skipping red lights and pedestrian crossings. Please cycle responsibly, for your own sake, if you get into an accident with a 4 ton van your not going to win!

John Bird ● 33d28 Comments ● 28d

Mother’s Bakehouse

Paid them a visit yesterday (Friday). Despite not having the 'big' electricity cable needed to run their new fangled ovens (the road was closed as the workmen dug it up for said cable), they still managed to put on a decent show with baguettes, olive bread, cinnamon rolls and other stuff.

We picked up a baguette (still hot from the oven); crusty, reassuringly wonky, light and delicious. Had expected it to be very expensive, but not so. 

For the benefit of fellow Chiswickians, I'm going to try more of their offerings today, but for the baguette... it's a solid thumbs up.

Gordon McDonald ● 37d8 Comments ● 29d

Photo booth.

Hi do any of you fine folks know where there is a photo booth locally please?

Keith Iddon ● 42d7 Comments ● 29d

photo booth

Anyone know where there is one in Chiswick?

david ward ● 29d3 Comments ● 29d

No postcode for young people

Reading about the new dementia care facility on Acton Lane made me wonder whether we have to start thinking about the dangers of becoming a hub for this kind of enterprise. I've nothing against old people, I plan to be one myself one day and care facilities have to go somewhere. However if Chiswick is perceived as specialising in them, there could potentially be negative consequences for us all. The police station development will see the loss of retail frontage on the High Road and this new development will also see the disappearance of the row of shops  along Chiswick Terrace. Fewer shops means less choice and ultimately a reduction in footfall. Two developments for older people combined with the existing homes around Fishers Lane is not necessarily excessive but, if this is the start of a trend, then we probably need to consider how this will impact the vitality of the area.

Felicity Caborn ● 48d32 Comments ● 29d

Ghosts at Lyric Hammersmith, recommend, closes 10th May

Just back home after a very satisfactory night at the Lyric theatre, good writing, great performances, reasonably priced, well run...book now as it closes on 10th May....so refreshing compared to what is going on in the West End, we paid £35 for good seats, the equivalent seats for Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre are £175.

Anne Paterson ● 30d1 Comments ● 29d

Recommendation for driving instructor

Can anybody recommend a local driving instructor please?

Jim Currie ● 30d5 Comments ● 30d

Jeremy Vine ends cycling commute posts

I've never been a huge fan of Jeremy Vine's approach to cycling with its emphasis on conflict with other drivers and danger to people on a bike. My personal view is that this can be counterproductive and that the best way to encourage people to cycling is to tell them how safe and stress free it generally is even in an urban London environment. That said we'd both agree that the more people that cycle the better and perhaps my approach is dictated more by me wanting to avoid conflict rather than any proper assessment of how effective it is.The question of the legacy of his posts is a tricky one. The reach of Twitter is probably much exaggerated. I don't visit it much now but when I do his posts often pop up. It is likely that the millions of views recorded are from a relatively small bunch of people on each side of the debate getting very worked up about them. There always seemed to be very low engagement for his posts when there clearly was a case of very bad driving but lots of traction when he was essentially aggressively enforcing his right of way and was annoyed a driver had forced him to slow for a fraction of a second.While the abuse that he got was unacceptable, it is not atypical for that seen on Twitter these days with its almost total lack of moderation. He was actively courting controversy so he must have known what was coming but I think he is right to walk away now.Overall, despite my reservations about his methods, I think he has made life safer for cyclists in London. The claim that he has made people hate people on bikes doesn't stand up. The people who describe themselves as cyclists on their social media profile do a good job of generating hostility on their own and they are a tiny sub-set of those who actually ride a bike on a daily basis. My own experience has been that motorists have become much more considerate of cyclists and aware of the rules of the road with regard to bikes over the last decade. That may in part be due to the rise of the Go Pro and awareness that any encounter might be filmed but Jeremy's posts will have served to reinforce that so I think they have served to make our roads safer for all if not actually saved lives.

Mark Evans ● 34d39 Comments ● 31d

Spain & Portugal Blackout

- a little bird who often has good information is making it known that they believe the point of origin for the blackout is a high voltage substation 'Elorrio' which is operated by Spains national grid operator. It was a cyber attack targeting the SCADA system injecting malaware that  exploited a known vulnerability in Siemens S7-1200PLCs. More info to follow.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 35d51 Comments ● 31d

Fracas In Grove Park Piazza

Last night around 8.15  - IC3 male approx 30 yrs old in a motorbike/moped helmet was shouting at a group of women ' you re civilians' repeatedly, and also 'you re women/females' and also 'you re weird'I only caught the tail end of it but I gather some argument had broken out because the women thought he was trying to rob from their car ?He stormed into the shop, grabbed a can of drink, threw money at the shopkeeper without knowing the price of the drink and stormed off shouting.Struck me as odd he was shouting about civilians ? ?

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 31d4 Comments ● 31d