Library closure

I've not really got involved in this as others are doing a determined job, but interesting article in AFP about the campaign etc.

Little Picassos

So we thought we'd go to 8 Station Terrace for lunch and were surprised to find it wasn't there any more, and something called Little Picassos was instead (but not open).

When did 8ST close? Admittedly it could have been months ago, as we've not been out tor restaurants much recently!!

I think it's a shame, 8ST was the one sort of thing we definitely don't have in KR.

Helen Wood likes Brook's

I don't know who this actress is, but a few Queen's Park/Kensal Rise references in this interview.

Chamberlayne Road late night shoopping

Tonight until 8pm (8th December)

The Shop & pubs

With a small one now in tow we don't go out much, especially on Saturday evenings. So we took the opportunity of grandma in town to try out The Shop. We had two cocktails, and they were very nice and not too expensive. It looks good in there. Obviously aimed a young crowd with loud music (the horror) but the staff seems friendly and we had a good time.

We then mean to go tot the Chamberlayne, but had to abandon that as it was too busy. And this is now a problem with the Greyhound shut, there is only really one 'pub' in Kensal Rise, with the others quite a way south (the Island is quite near I guess)

Also, there seemed to be (was on the bus so didn't have a good look) something selling clothes, perhaps a charity shop, on Chamberlayne Road towards Kilburn Lane.

Pop-up roast at The Shop

I saw it in this news story, but the actual website is here.

Road traffic accidents

A grim subject, but this map lets you see where all road traffic accidents in the UK have taken place (you have to scroll down the page). There's more than you might expect.

The eyesore between the Dinner & Florist about to be no more?

Rik in the comments below:

72 and 74 chamberlayne road (the 2 derelict shops between the Diner and the florist) are about to be sold - it is currently licenced as a drinking establishment (used to be a British Legion) but it could get a licence as a restaurant.

Sale is progressing with exchange to happen soon - so says the selling Agent.

New shop?

Not a lot going on. There's a planning application for 103 Chamberlayne Road,which was that fostering agency. No details, so I'm not sure what it is?

Harvist to reopen...

Thanks to the comments box, it looks like Harvist is to reopen, with an Italian theme. Sounds good as Olive Branch never really got going and its a major thing lacking in Kensal Rise.

Quick update

A reader kindly says there is some activity at Harvist, so perhaps it is going to reopen? I'd kinda given up.

Also I saw over someone shoulder a big feature on Kensal Rise in one of the London free papers - but annoying I can't find it online anywhere.

ArtNW10

This weekend (1/2 October) is ArtNW10, formerly NW London Art Trail, an open studios event at various locations along and near Harrow Road.

Kensal Rise Residents' Association

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it, but if anyone else fancies popping along let us know what was discussed in the comments:

Kensal Rise Residents Association
1st meeting 7PM Wed 14/9/11
- email for details rik.smith.uk(at)gmail.com

More frequent updates

We went to Queen's Park Day, which was as fun as ever and lucky with the weather until the end (apparently it was almost called off earlier in the week).

I bumped into a number of readers of this site who were too kind to criticise the lack of posts but I feel guilty so will try harder.

Sadly not a lot to say. There's a new health centre of sorts on Wrentham Avenue, I've not tried the Caribbean restaurant on Station Parade so can't comment on that. Anything else going on?

Shop fronts

Not entirely sure why someone would think these were their favourite shop fronts but here's a record of 2011 Kensal Rise (well Brent and other parts but Kensal Rise is quite prominenhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gift)

All London bus stops now have 'next bus' information

Not necessarily at the stop, but you can get it on the web or (more helpfully) a web-based mobile phone.

I've always wanted this for the bus stop on Kilburn Lane that you wait at for buses from Queen's Park tube to Kensal Rise.

Here are its details

New restaurant

There's a new Caribbean restaurant where Olive Branch used to be. Only saw from afar but its frontage looked quite nice.

Not a lot else to say, a bit of a Notting Hill Carnival shutdown this weekend, but seemed some good parties on at various pubs. I've realised I miss the Greyhound pub, never really got into the Diner and for its faults the Greyhound was a bit more pubby than the Chamberlayne.

Anything else new? No updates on the 'Waitrose'...

Brief update

A commenter says that what was Olive Branch is to be a jerk chicken shop.

Dock Kitchen is hosting its usual London design week event in September but I can't find the details at the moment.

It's Queen's Park Day on 11 September.

The Shop, a bar, seems very popular.

The debate continues in the comments to the post below about whether there will be a Waitrose in Kensal Rise. I'm sceptical, but there is a little evidence.

The new shop

There's been rumours it's going to be a Waitrose and then an M&S and then a Waitrose and so on. I fear these might be nonsense - surely the corner is not the wealthiest area and not really the sort of place either shop would go, lacking passing trade. I guess the flats themselves will provide a ready market. Anyone heard any concrete news?

UPDATE: See comments for an apparent mention in Ladbroke Magazine of it being Waitrose. Nothing here in their new list of shops, but that is definitive.

I'm back!!

Sorry for the lack of posting again, this time I was away on a Baltic cruise for two weeks and then on my return found my computer was not working. It's kinda fixed now.

So I see The Shop, Chamberlayne Road is open, but I've not been in. There's a mini-review here.

The large block of flats is getting finished and there was an interesting comment on one of the posts below about the council's failings with respect to providing low-cost accommodation. Also any news on the store below it?

I see Harvist remains unopened - is that for good?

There's been some library events - I see Phillip Pullman was speaking at one.

We're out and about in the Rise today so I'll update on anything new we find.

New food market at Dock Kitchen

Details are here with first Friday (24 June). http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Metro 88

Thanks everyone for the links (see comments in post below) for this.

The London Overground is working on Sundays

I knew it had its new fancy timetable, with frequent trains to Westfield and Claphan Junction, but I did not expect to see trains operating on a Sunday in my lifetime or indeed my daughter's lifetime (she is 7 months old).

Of course the proof is in the pudding, so I will report back after actually trying to use one of these semi-mythical creatures later today.

Quint fashions

We've learnt that the above, on Chamberlayne Road, is to become a sports therapist office with treatment rooms. Not quite sure what that means but at least it will look good.

Anything else gong on? Harvist hasn't reaopened, does that mean it's not going to? Also the new apartments on Kilburn Lane/Chamberlayne are very high, aren't they? Towers over the area if you are coming from Ladbroke Grove (I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing).

Finally what used to be Miro's and is becoming a new bar has given us some more information 'Gonna be a cocktail bar with a twist! Art prints for sale and available for private hire.'

Update

Aside from the bar replacing Miro's, there's not a lot to say.

The wife says the cocktails at the Alice House are very good, and that she keeps seeing rats near Minkies.

That office near Miro's finally opened, not sure what it is, I think someone said something about an architecture firm.

The block of flats on corner of Chamberlayne and Kilburn Lane are being completed, was it going to have any shops at the bottom?

That's about it. We walked through Queen's Park the other day and noticed the paddling pool doesn't open until late May, and people were being told off for having BBQs. It all seems quite quiet.

Not a lot of New Things

Only that something is happening in what was Miro's...

Anyone else got any news?

ps Thanks to a comment, it's going to be a bar and has a Twitter site.

Parking

This year I had no reminder of my parking permit coming up for renewal, and now, eight days after I renewed it, I have still not received it. The parking office does not answer the telephone or reply to emails.

Anyone else had a similar experience? I expect there is chaos at the introduction of the new variable parking fees.

ps I spoke to some neighbours, none who got reminders. One went to the Parking Office and said it was a horrible mess. Why does the council introduce these schemes if it can't handle them?

Lucky Chip burger van

In the truely useful fashion for which this 'blog is internationally famous, my review comes as I think the Lucky Chip burger van has finished it Harrow Road/Chamberlayne Road stint, but apparently it is travelling around and will be back in May so you might see it again. The burgers were very tasty, with a lovely relish, and nice beefy burger (all sourced from the Brooks Butchers on Chamberlayne Road) and the chips were classic US diner style. In all we were very pleased with our meal from there, and it's a great idea.

Car Clubs

The Council has announced its consultation on new parking charges, and basically it seems very similar to their previous ideas, except (I think) cars from car clubs can now park anywhere. I don't know whether this means their own spaces will be scrapped. I asked the council about their relationship with the Car Clubs and they kindly sent me this briefing note. Apologies for the formatting. I should add that I'm a bit of a sceptic about car clubs, and still would like to know (if it is possible) how many journeys those 3,000 (can it be true?) residents make. But if there are only 45 cars, and no money has been given it seems a reasonable scheme. This briefing paper I found very helpful.

---------------------
Briefing note– Car Clubs
1. General
Car clubs have been around for a number of years. There are a number of clubs but 2 operate using “on street” parking bays in Brent. They are:
(i) City Car Club:

Brent contact: Mr J Hampson
Email: www.citycarclub.co.uk
(ii) Streetcar:
Brent contact: Mr J Finlayson
Email: www.streetcar.co.uk

Car clubs are commercial operations and the Council has no information about their operating margins, profits or employee salaries. Aside from any information that may be available through a Companies House search this information would be commercially sensitive.
Car clubs are essentially variants of car hire operations that offer vehicles for shorter hire periods from remote (from their offices) local bases. These bases (or bays) are located off street and on street. The ratio between on and off street provision varies but is believed generally to be 60/40 (60% off street, 40% on street).
Car clubs and their membership terms are not confined to Borough boundaries.
2. Car clubs in Brent
There are an estimated 3000 car club members in Brent and 42 “on street” car club parking bays. Most of the bays are located in the south of the Borough, where there is greatest demand/membership, at the locations shown in the table below:
Ward Mapesbury Kilburn Queens Park Kensal Green Brondesbury
Wren Ave
Station Parade
Ashford Rd
Dawlish Rd Glengall Rd
Victoria Rd
Coventry Close
Canterbury Tce
Chichester Rd
Chippenham Gdns
Burrows Rd
Liddell Gdns
Dundonald Rd
Harvist Rd
Lonsdale Rd
Salusbury Rd
Kimberley Rd
Lonsdale Rd
Leighton Rd
Rucklidge Ave Peter Ave
Phillimore Gdns
Milverton Rd
Chatsworth Rd

The Council has no records of the locations of “off street” car club parking bays in Brent.
3. Relationship between Brent Council & car clubs
The Council has no direct commercial relationship with the car clubs in the Borough.
Brent does not favour or advertise or direct enquiries to any particular car club.
The Council, in common with many other Council’s, does support the concept and operation of car clubs through general publicity and through the provision of “on street” parking bays. This is because their operation supports the Council’s (sustainable) transport and wider environmental objectives by encouraging lower levels of car ownership and a reduction in non-essential car trips.
Funding for the in direct support of car clubs operating in Brent is provided by TfL through Brent’s annual LIP funding settlement. TfL allocate funding to Boroughs because car clubs are seen as a integral element of the Mayor for London’s Transport Strategy. The Brent allocation was £45k in 2010/11. Expenditure on car club supportive projects is approved (annually) by the Highways Committee.
4. Is it lawful for a Council to support a private enterprise in this way?
The Council acts in a similar way to most other London Boroughs. There is nothing to suggest that this is not lawful. In a sense it is no different to Council’s providing bus lanes which support private bus operators. Certainly it is lawful to provide on street car club parking bays (assuming proper legal process is followed and DfT approved signage and road markings are installed).
5. Other
Council officers recognise that on street car club bays often take up valuable parking space and seek to provide a balance between encouraging the growth of car clubs and the parking needs of other road users.
Similarly the Council is aware that car club membership in the north of the Borough is relatively low and is considering how that could be addressed.
Although estimates vary, research undertaken by TfL does indicate that car clubs do reduce private car use and hence, over time, pressure on parking space.

Note produced: Adrian Pigott/Tim Jackson (March 2011).

Abbey Road

Slightly out of our area, but still NW London so I thought I'd mention it. Here's a shot of the Beatles before their famous Abbey Road photoshoot. Here is the same location today (I don't think you can directly link to StreetView images so you need to get it yourself).

My conclusion is that the crossing has NOT moved from its 1960s location, which is not what you often read.

Quick update

Not much to report. I see Brooks Butchers have removed their organic sign on the front, a commenter says we are going to get our first art gallery (across from the Overground station), the Italian cafe which was the organic shop is about to open, and the empty store on Chamberlayne Road opposite Wrentham Avenue is owned by the hardward store a few doors down but no information on whether its going to be something new.

New things

We noticed some new things while out and about

There's a Halal butchers next to the greengrocers by Tesco

The organic shops looks like it is about to be a cafe, although there is an advert for a hairdresser in it.

There is still work going on in shop next to the ice-cream/milkshake bar.

What do readers think about all these signs for 'save Kensal Rise library' that have been provided by an estate agent. Worthy cause, but a bit ugly perhaps?*

* See comments - apparently they made a generous donation.

Wine shop

I was about to pop out and buy a bottle of wine and realised Kensal Rise has rather poor choice. There's the corner shops, which are OK for popular chains. Tesco has a poor selection. In fact the best place might be the discount wine shop on the corner of Chamberlayne and Kempe. There used to be Miros, but that I believe has closed down and it was always more of a wine bar than wine shop (unlike Samson Miro).

Updates

Thanks for all the comments - for some reason the blogger software has stopped emailing them to me so I missed them until now. The blogging became less frequent recently for a number of reasons - I changed job to one where I can't do daytime blogging, we had our first baby (picture to come) and also I thought Park Life was rather saying it all!

So what's new? One comment on a very old post (about the Alice House opening, back in June 2010, which it now has done - any comments?) said that Miro's had closed down which is disappointing. After a run of new openings of shops, cafes and restaurants we've had a few closures in the last few months (such as the health food shop).

The London Overground seems finally to be fulfilling the promises - many more Clapham services and I think after May they'll be running through the day.

The campaign to save Kensal Rise library seems in full fight.

Finally, I've just noticed in our street the meter parking charges are rising - quite a lot - from 40p to 60p for 30 minutes.

Please keep commenting, especially if my newfound zeal shows signs of slacking again.

Street crime

Previously I posted that you see crime in your area down to a few streets, now you can see it on your street alone. Not for those of a nervous disposition. A BBC article is here and the actual link (type in your postcode and click search, then click on maps to the right) is here.

Car crashes into Harvist

My wife went to Harvist yesterday to go for lunch with her parents, and found it smashed up. Here's why - a Mercedes was driven into it at about 11am. That article suggests it wasn't an accident (I hesitate to say deliberate). Some photos here, here and a video here. It seems amazing no-one was hurt, but apparently so.

My wife also said on Thursday there were lots of police and an air ambulance. The only reference I can see is a Tweet saying there had been a 'pile-up'. Anyone know?

Mark Twain (sort of) supports keeping Kensal Rise Library Open

See here.