Forum Topic

Acton Central Station Coffee Shop

The little coffee shop in the station was open today when I walked past. Hope it doesn't dent Lavelli's trade - doesn't seem to be yet, big queue when I went in for my coffee.With Sainsburys opening too, and Nara, I hope it breathes a bit more life into Churchfield Road.

Andy Heeps ● 5243d23 Comments

Lavelli's can be a pain if rushing for a train because they have leisurely ideas not really suited to a takeaway. There must be enough custom for both with the train so flourishing.But the coffee needs to be really good. Anyone tried it yet?It seems not to be fully open - or to have decided to close by mid afternoon.

Sara Nathan ● 5243d

Lavellis is good but leisurely pace of serving & some customers who haven't obviously got jobs to go to, places to be etc take their time ordering which is annoying when you are in a hurry or wanting to go home after a long day at work!The station cafe could be a goldmine as either a cafe or a papershop come confectioners. Why nobody buys it and runs it properly is beyond me the same with the cafe in the park a dilapidated place that is never open & serves what exactly??Another gold mine waiting to be discovered but not enough thought or investment.God knows who owns both places at the minute.

Lesley Mfon ● 5242d

Gabrille runs the place in the park - though I think it is owned by the council. She gets discouraged in bad weather - and we haven't had anything else for months.I think a lot of mummies with buggies use her regularly though.The new coffee shop might be good with some energy injected. Anyone actually tried the coffee?It's quite small to stock papers etc and Londis is very good and only a step away.

Sara Nathan ● 5242d

The Council owns the cafe building in Acton Park and lets it out on contract (probably for 3 years).  This contract when the lease is up should be re-tendered - if the present leasee does not wish to continue.The station shop's business went broke - was there not a bailiffs notice on the door?  This business would be enhanced by a window opening on to the platform from which they could serve their goods. 

Dee Cook ● 5241d

I like Lavelli's bakery goods, particularly the croissants, but the coffee isn't great and I object to being subjected to ghastly piped Capital radio..Irritating and naff. Would be nice for Acton to have a place that offers something a little cooler and more chilled-out, atmosphere-wise, with proper Monmouth or Square Mile coffee and better muzak (if muzak we have to have) . OK, go on - tell me to go and live in Shoreditch then!

Cathy Johns ● 5241d

I am just so grateful to have Lavelli's as it has made such a difference - rather like the Rocket has - to what you can do just round the corner. But I agree the music choice is erratic - it isn't always Capital but there seems to be no policy.Can you imagine having a Monmouth-style place as well? We can but dream.

Sara Nathan ● 5241d

My cafe policy would be the enabling of unhindered chatting, newspaper reading and thinking, rather than muzak, as I hate being forced to shout above piped stuff, and don't really see the point of it, except for the staff, I guess. but burbling MOR radio is definitely the worst option. Ah, yes - decent coffee in Acton..... We must dream on, I fear.  Or hop on our bikes to Portobello Rd...

Cathy Johns ● 5241d

Nope - walking distance is critical. Have you tried the coffee at the new place at the Station?If my bookswap bookcase comes to fruition, we should never need to leave the patch at all!

Sara Nathan ● 5241d

I agree entirely about the walking distance. Like the bookswap idea! But can't read books over shouty muzak! Will try coffee at the Station asap.

Cathy Johns ● 5241d

Popped into Lavelli for a post-night shift coffee on my way home this morning. Depressed to see a Chiswick-style melee of pushchairs and screaming infants with all the chairs gathered round one end of the coffee shop. Went downstairs but the waitresses seemed to forget, or not know where I was... anyway, not best pleased. Monmouth, or a Store Street Espresso would be marvellous. No buggies.

Andy Heeps ● 5241d

discouraged she needs sacking by the council get someone who is interested on their payroll!

Lesley Mfon ● 5241d

It's difficult for any coffee shop isnt it. The mummies are really regular customers and constantly available. So I don't suppose they want to discourage them by banning buggies. But it is a pain in the neck for the rest of us.Can scarcely have a mummy coffee shop and one for the rest.

Sara Nathan ● 5241d

What would Lionel have to say? The man who wrote the immortal words "and now it's frothy coffee"? Probably get over yourselves!

Colin Carroll ● 5241d

It is a lease, dingbat so she is self employed, not a council employee....... as you would know if you had read the thread......

Iain Muir ● 5240d

I do not like your tone & insulting manner when you do not know me.

Lesley Mfon ● 5240d

Wonder if the yummies would go for Monmouth. Maybe we need to get on the case - or get an interested coffee-shop entrepreneur on it! As a former buggy-festooned  mummy I always feel guilty about tutting as I struggle through the buggy jam; not sure what the solution is - a few more alternative  options perhaps, so we're not all fighting for same space.(Doesn't seem to be a problem in Shoreditch.)

Cathy Johns ● 5240d

Lesley, I apologise if I have offended you. I found your post offensive as you kneejerked into a stereotypical judgement of what you presumed to be a local authority employee, wrongly in this case as you would have known if you had read the thread, and wrong as a judgement on LA employees and those contracted out at minimum wage who deal with the dirty end of our infrastructure. I suggest you engage brain before posting. PS, I doubt that 'dingbat' merits as insulting, merely a bit unhinged..... Iain

Iain Muir ● 5240d

who the hell do you think you are, your apology is not accepted and you need to crawl back under whatever stone you came out from, I can assure you that I am in no way unhinged and am a very intelligent person who did actually read the thread and you cannot know what i do or have done.

Lesley Mfon ● 5240d

I wonder who this Lesley is?  Expected the CAPS LOCK to be screwed down.

Nicola Howard ● 5240d

I am a person who wouldn't mind having a decent cafe in park that is open PUT CAPS LOCK ON THAT!!

Lesley Mfon ● 5240d

As long as they sell a decent cup of coffee.  Definitely not COSTA COFFEE.

Nicola Howard ● 5240d

OR STARBUCKS!

Lesley Mfon ● 5240d

Lesley - I think Iain was apologising by saying that HE might be seen as unhinged. I don't think he was suggesting you were at the same time.

Sara Nathan ● 5240d