Forum Topic

What shops do you remember, and wish were still in Acton

As a once established family business owner in Acton - actually in 2 locations, in different decades. What shops, that once existed in Acton  - you wished were still around. I'm not going to mention my 2 shops -  until the end - unless others do.

Victor Bell ● 4926d36 Comments

Tony Bros ice cream

Robert Murray ● 4926d

Vanilla, Woolworths & Cut & Style hairdressers -which was next to Londis.

Apple Leiper ● 4926d

Edmonds

T Beme ● 4926d

Preedy and the dolls hospital ( more a toy shop and newsagents ),

Glenn Young ● 4926d

Wish Tony Brothers was still trading on Churchfield Road, and Young's bakers (I used to have a Saturday job there as a teenager).

Jo Poole ● 4926d

Although it's been a long while since they were here, I wish Waitrose would return to Acton.  Also miss the jewellry shop that used to be on Churchfield Road a few years back (moved to Kingston, I believe).

Kim Bobsin ● 4926d

The deli/sandwich place that used to be where Tiffin and Fresco now are,  think they were called Lehanes OMG their BLT Baguetts were to die for,  I used to drive from Ealing especially to go there!

Jen Morty ● 4926d

Any of the shoe shops that were here in the early 1980s, the wool shop on Churchfield Road, the large stationers/newsagents in the High Street near to where Woolworth's was (I can't remember the name, might have been Martin's), the jewellers in Acton High Street near to Grove Road where my engagement ring came from 32 years ago!(I think it was possibly one of your shops Victor?) Poores back in the town centre would be good and FADS - always useful for paint etc.I think Acton in the 1980s had a much better collection of shops!

Amanda Knights ● 4926d

Red & Green bookshop - opposite the Oaks. Although they had barely more books than me, it was nice to have them there.

Sara Nathan ● 4926d

Yes I loved Red and Green bookshop too.

Chris Hurley ● 4926d

The proper market in Crown Street, which was built upon.This had everything, plus an excellent second hand furniture shop near to its entrance.

Dee Cook ● 4926d

Pumpkins in Crown Street. Excellent florist and coffee shop.  Dave, the manager, had a real flair for design.  Not long after they opened, someone smashed their front windows.  Dave's response was to tape up the glass, put a coffee pot in the window and add a notice saying 'Look what some people will do to get to our coffee!'  Grace under pressure indeed.

Gill Hothersall ● 4925d

The Odeon!!http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1385/682903562_a3d12a7dd7.jpg

Phaddaeng Thumraksa ● 4925d

Phaddaeng Thumraksa ● 4925d

Our PriceThe Spastics Society

David Wright ● 4925d

1: Tony Brothers Ice Cream2: Maison Marguerites....fresh bread and cakes3: Snellgrove the jewellers4: David Greig for hand cut fresh meats/cheese5: Woolworth.These are just a few...........

Ellie Rose ● 4925d

there was a dreadful bakery on Churchfield Road that I have NO wish to see return.Iced buns and quite a lot of flies.

Sara Nathan ● 4925d

Oh a cinema where Morrisons is!  I would love a cinema in Acton (yes I know there is the Park Royal one) but a nice one like the Everyman cinemas........wouldn't it be wonderful as the Redback/Acton Arms a perfect site.

Jen Morty ● 4924d

Or as part of Glynne's Art Centre in the Library (QV)

Sara Nathan ● 4924d

Kentucky Fried Chicken further down the High Street when the chicken was scrumptious and real in the 1970's.

Serena Cameron ● 4924d

Converting the Bingo Hall in the High Street back to a Cinema would be great as it must have looked quite nice in it's heyday.

Tony Crumpton ● 4924d

It would have to be a serious multiplex - Nowhere except Leicester Square still has - or fills - cinemas that size.It could take what, four screens, at least

Sara Nathan ● 4924d

It would make a great cinema but it wouldn't need to be all cinema.  A couple of screens, a cafe, a gallery, bookshop... we can dream!

N Roberts ● 4923d

Hmm - back to thinking about Glynne's Arts' Centre in the Old Library.

Sara Nathan ● 4923d

Back to Victor's original theme.....Acton High Street, 1970s (and a bit earlier!)http://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk/collage/app?service=external/SearchResults&sp=Zacton+high+street&sp=170497&sp=X

Amanda Knights ● 4923d

Great pictures.  Hard to believe thishttp://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk/collage/app?service=external/FullScreenImage&sp=Zacton+high+street&sp=28843&sp=X&sp=2became thishttps://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Acton+Hill+Kebab+%26+Grill,+High+Street,+Acton,+London&hl=en&ll=51.508332,-0.275391&spn=96.890722,270.527344&sll=51.48931,-0.08819&sspn=0.756758,2.113495&oq=acton+hill&t=v&hq=Acton+Hill+Kebab+%26+Grill,+High+Street,&hnear=Acton,+Greater+London,+United+Kingdom&z=3&layer=c&panoid=kTKvkJygEZKy80mUemkj8w&cbll=51.508332,-0.275391&cbp=13,-419.7784634267103,,0,-12.375888374825621

N Roberts ● 4923d

I am with Ellie Rose - those were worthwhile shops.  Leave the library as a library and return the swimming baths. Dolly Edens greengrocers too.

Tina Ayres ● 4923d

Thanks to everyone for taking us back to memory lane, reminding us of all the wonderful shops we had in days gone by. A big thanks to Amanda Knight for correctly guessing one of the 2 shops I ran -  V.S.BELL Jewellers (1970's - 1990's). As for the 2nd shop - unfortunately no one mentioned it -  Variety Store - Curtain shop (1990's - 2010). Mavis Walker - where were you to mention me.In closing, I would like to express why Acton went downhill. As is still evident with some street signs -  ie Grove Road - Acton was it's own Borough. Ealing, give us what once was ours and and let's get Acton back to where it should be.

Victor Bell ● 4921d

IF only they would Victor.  As an Actonian it would be lovely to get Acton back up to the standard it once was and decent shops etc. If only.... and yes its Ealing Council to blame as they refurbished/renovated Ealing Broadway and ignored Acton completely and sadly they still do but Ealing Broadway and especially West Ealing are seriously deteriorating since Westfields creation.

Tina Ayres ● 4921d

Victor - you may not know that Mavis died last week. Her funeral is on 3 April.

Chris Hurley ● 4920d

I agree Victor about the reasons for the decline of Acton.  Miss Woolies for the sweets and Tony Bros melon ice cream!

Ana Strachan ● 4919d

Wimpey was the biggest and the best one around situated where the oaks is now! Remember Tony Bros icecream was amazing, very much missed. Maison Margariette's the cake shop (always got our birthday cakes from them. The Ritz restaurant was soo good, spent childhood birthdays in there with the family. I think you may see some clips of some of the shops and characters from a video that The Who produced on Acton.  Titled "Stardom in Acton'. Search youtube Pete Townsend stardom in acton if anyone interested.

Maria Fitzsimmons ● 4915d

I recently came across an old article by A.A. Gill on Acton, where he said:  'Well it just so happens I have been to Acton, I had a friend who chose to live there - Lionel Bart.  He'd grown up in the old East End and said he liked Acton because it was still in black and white.  All the shopkeepers look like Stanley Holloway, he said, and they could still twist the corners of brown paper bags properly.  Things like that are a great comfort when you approach the evening of your life.'

Gail Peters ● 4914d

I remember the jewellery shop, I bought my engagement and wedding rings there over 20 years ago as well.I also remember a small greek restaurant called The Vine where morrisons car park is now...I used to go there with my husband regularly before we got married.  Its funny how areas changed over time

Marta Nunes ● 4914d

I remember Snelgroves - my late Uncle purchase our bridesmaids gifts there, signet rings for my sister and I.  Now its a cafe!

Tina Ayres ● 4914d

2 restaurants gone but not forgotten - The Standard Indian and The Coffee Pot, Thai

Chris Hurley ● 4914d