Regeneration of 'Shabby' Part of High Road Looks Set To Start

Gym and health food cafe plans opening under Empire House site

Hopes that the steady decline of the area of Chiswick High Road opposite Turnham Green have been raised after a new planning application has been lodged recently for a health food cafe and gym in the area. In addition, developer Lendlease has responded to pressure from local councillors to do more to revitalise the area including letting out empty premises for 'pop-ups'.

The application concerns the premises at 404-406 Chiswick High Road which formerly were occupied by Valentina Italian restaurant. A change of use has been applied for the site to allow more flexible use of the unit and fitness and wellness company The Alchemy Tribe, of which Chiswick based Sophia Johns is a director, have applied to set up a health food café and gym at the unit.

There will be a fresh juices and health food café at the front of the store with a ramp leading through gym area to changing facilities. There would be external loose seating that can be brought in during closing hours.

The associated application for advertising signage states that permission is sought from 12 December.

The new plans follows on from recent pledges from Lendlease that they would do more to improve the area which had become neglected after they abandoned their Empire House project. The issue was highlighted again when a series of photographs by Mike Abbott showed how shabby the area had become prompting local councillors to put pressure on the Austrailian company to take action.

The company has said that it has intructed its agent to market all the retail units for short term let or 'pop ups' although the plans for the Valentina site appear to be for a permanent business.

Lendlease told Cllr Biddolph and Cllr Patrick Barr (Homefields) they were "committed to ending this situation” and would see what they could do “to bring some life into the building."

The company arranged for the site to be cleaned and tidied at the back car park Essex Place, and removed illegal fly posters, cleaned the units and swept up leaves.

Cllr Biddolph, who met Lendlease as part of the Chiswick Shops Task Force initiative, Lendlease was told that Lendlease understood how difficult it had been for the nearest shops and traders whose businesses have been affected by the much reduced footfall along that section of the High Road. Lendlease has also promised the councillors that the retail units and the car park will be properly maintained.

If all the units are not Lendlease says it will screen them using images of local scenes but the aim is to let the units, to revitalise this part of the High Road.

There is no update on what is happening with Empire House long term.

“I am very pleased that Lendlease responded so quickly and positively", said Cllr Biddolph.

"I’m also glad of the prompt from resident Mike Abbott. Talking to landlords is an important part of the role of the Chiswick Shops Task Force – to reinvigorate the High Road, support our independent shops throughout Chiswick and encourage locals to put independent shopping on their shopping lists."

The recent condition of the retail units, as photographed by Mike Abbott

October 22, 2018