So, here’s our lowdown on the top toy shops in and around Uxbridge to help you tick off that Christmas list.

🎁 The Entertainer – The original. The OG. A Bit of a Legend

You can’t have a top toy shop list without mentioning The Entertainer. This high street favourite has been around for years and years and is always chock-full of toys, games, puzzles and seasonal must-haves. They’ve got all the big brands, friendly staff, and loads of choice – what more could you want from a toy shop?

🧸 Smyths Toys – Worth a Trip

Just a short hop outside of the town centre, Smyths Toys is well worth a detour. They’re famous for having a massive range of toys and brilliant prices, which is perfect if you’re after big-ticket items, bikes or any of the latest gaming accessories. Do your whole Christmas shop in one hit? Smyths is the place to go.

🏪 Toy Town – The High Street Favourite

Toy Town has been around since 1980 and is now one of the biggest independent toy retailers in the whole of the UK. It’s a local favourite, and they’ve got loads of the classic toys and games you know and love – we’re talking LEGO, Barbie and Disney all in one place! And what’s more, they’ve also got a nursery area and loads of toys for all ages, so you can really take your time finding the perfect gift.

🪀 DHS Toys – Support a Local Hero

Hidden away in The Pavilions, DHS Toys is a little gem that’s well worth a visit. They specialise in all sorts of collectibles, (we’re talking Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Dragonball Z) and they also stock all sorts of educational toys and gear for little ones. They also do party balloons and all sorts of other fun stuff. By shopping at DHS, you’re supporting a local business that really cares about kids.

🎨 New Kids on the Block – Kenji & Miniso

Uxbridge has recently welcomed a few new kids on the block that are just perfect for stocking fillers and a bit of quirky fun:

• Kenji – full of bright colours and loads of super fun toys & gifts that kids just can’t get enough of. Heavily Japan-inspired, why not pick up a sushi-cat plush?
• Miniso – loads of affordable gifts and cute toys, collectibles, and all sorts of novelty bits & bobs

Not traditional toy shops as such, but perfect if you want something a bit off the beaten track.

🛍️ The Hidden Gem Toy Areas

You might not even know this, but you can also find loads of toys in some of the other shops in Uxbridge – Argos, The Works and even TK Maxx all stock a cracking range of toys and games, and often at bargain prices, to boot. Great for a last-minute dash or for finding a bargain or two.

Welcome to Uxbridge’s Winter Wonderland of Toys

If you step into Uxbridge, you’ll find that it’s a veritable wonderland of all things toys. It’s home to loads of the UK’s biggest independent toy retailers, including DHS Toys and Toy Town, so you know you’ll be in for a treat. From Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh to LEGO, Barbie and all sorts of educational fun, Uxbridge shops have got everything you could possibly need – and lots more besides. Many of the shops also do online shopping, so you can browse from the comfort of your own home or in-store.

Plan a visit to Uxbridge and get ready to discover a world of toys, games and collectibles – perfect for making some magical Christmas memories.

So, which toy shop in Uxbridge is your favourite? Have we missed some hidden gem? Let us know, and happy christmas shopping! 🎄✨

The post The Best Toy Shops in Uxbridge – Just in time for Christmas 🎄 appeared first on My Uxbridge.

like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Waterstones has returned to Uxbridge

At the time, I remember thinking: how can a refurbishment take that long? With new buildings springing up in a few short months, it seemed an eternity to wait for a bookshop to reopen. I wondered whether Intu (as it was then called) might follow its Debenhams downsizing strategy — cutting the standard for the restaurant, or perhaps yet another in-store Costa. Some feared that Uxbridge would lose its last major bookshop.

During those months of closure, the independent Barnard’s Bookshop in Windsor Street quietly carried the torch for local readers. Many residents, unaware of its presence, rediscovered the charm of an independent bookseller while Waterstones’ future hung in the balance.

Then the pandemic struck, and any hopes for a swift reopening faded. For years, the site remained empty — a sad reminder of the changing face of the high street.

But now, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Waterstones has returned to Uxbridge. After more than five years, the doors have finally reopened. The new store occupies a single, spacious floor, filled once again with the shelves of beautiful books that readers have missed.

For long-time customers and book lovers in Uxbridge, this reopening marks more than just the return of a retailer — it’s the revival of a cultural cornerstone. If you’ve been lamenting the loss of Waterstones, now is the perfect time to show your support, explore the new layout, and celebrate the welcome return of books to the heart of Uxbridge.

Waterstones Uxbridge

The post Waterstones Returns to Uxbridge After Five-Year Hiatus appeared first on My Uxbridge.

Hillingdon Council is calling on local residents to share their views on its proposed 2024/25 budget plans—so if there’s something you’d like to see improved, now’s the time to speak up. The consultation, which is open to everyone, gives people the chance to help shape where funds are allocated, what services get prioritised, and how their community can thrive in the year ahead.

There’s a clear message here: those who get involved have an opportunity to influence real change in their neighbourhoods. From improved leisure facilities and environmental initiatives to better support for families and young people, this is your moment to highlight what matters most. After all, if you don’t tell the Council what you’d like to see, you can’t really grumble when it doesn’t happen.

The consultation period is designed to be straightforward and accessible, ensuring that everyone—no matter their background or schedule—can make their voices heard. By taking a few minutes now, you can help create a budget that reflects local priorities, values, and aspirations.

So why wait? Offer your feedback and contribute to a brighter, better-managed community. Your suggestions today could help shape Hillingdon’s tomorrow.

https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/13874

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Take part in our consultation on the draft Uxbridge Vision, which will help guide future development and attract investment to the area. 

In collaboration with the local community, we’ve created this new vision to ensure the high street and surrounding area continues to thrive by making it an even better place to live, work and do business.

The post Uxbridge Vision: Have your say appeared first on My Uxbridge.

The Beck Theatre, a cultural landmark in Hayes, West London, may soon face closure as Hillingdon Council reviews its assets. The Beck Theatre, Opened in 1977, and since then, this cherished venue has been the borough’s only major theatre, hosting numerous prestigious acts over the decades. However, with tightening budgets and the arts often being the first to experience cuts, the theatre’s future now hangs in the balance.

Trafalgar Theatres, the company currently managing The Beck, has been in discussions with the council since 2023 to negotiate a new lease agreement, one that could offer stability and safeguard the theatre’s future. Unfortunately, the deadline for these talks has now passed, and Trafalgar is making arrangements to return the theatre to the council when their lease ends in January 2025.

A representative from Trafalgar Entertainment said: “Trafalgar Theatres has been diligent in exploring all options that would allow us to continue operating The Beck and we have been steadfast in our solutions-oriented and collaborative approach to protecting this flagship cultural venue.”

While Hillingdon boasts two other theatres—the Winston Churchill Theatre in Ruislip and the Compass Theatre in Ickenham—these venues, located in the north of the borough, are council-run. Performers are required to rent space and provide staff to manage the facilities during performances. In contrast, the Beck Theatre is the only professionally run venue between Hammersmith and High Wycombe, making its potential closure a significant cultural loss for the area.

Local residents, arts organisations, and performers have voiced concerns about the impact of losing the Beck Theatre. Many fear its closure would create a void in the local cultural landscape, further isolating this part of West London from the city’s vibrant arts scene.

As community members rally to save the theatre, petitions and social media campaigns are already in motion. A Facebook group titled “Save the Beck Theatre” has quickly gained hundreds of supporters. (Facebook Group: Save the Beck Theatre)

The closure of the Beck Theatre would be a devastating blow to West London’s cultural scene. As Hillingdon Council continues to deliberate on the future of its assets, many are hopeful that the theatre’s rich legacy and vital role in the community will secure its survival for future generations.

Below is a statement from Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council

For some months Hillingdon Council has been in confidential discussions with Trafalgar UK Theatres Limited about the renewal of its contract which was due in June this year.  

“Trafalgar UK Theatres Limited is owned by Trafalgar Entertainment Group which is a multi-million-pound profit making organisation, majority owned by Barings LLC a US based global asset management firm. The latest published accounts of Trafalgar UK Theatres limited shows it has retained earnings of £18.856 million and made a profit of £1.869 million in the period ending April 2023. 

“Trafalgar currently pays no rent for the use of the theatre building and has very limited repair liability, the cost of which has been borne by Hillingdon residents. In addition, the council has been paying a subsidy towards the theatre’s operations.  

“Quite naturally, as part of new terms, the council has been seeking new operating arrangements as we should not be subsidising a privately owned commercial entity with council taxpayers’ money.  

“Trafalgar’s accounts show healthy opportunities for further income generation, and we are seeking new proposals that would reduce their reliance on grant funding from the council.  

“At 12.58pm today we received their notification letter which expressed their desire to pull out of the Beck Theatre management with effect from 13 January 2025. The same letter asked that both parties agree not to publicise Trafalgar’s decision regarding ceasing activity at the Beck Theatre until after 25 September and we are bitterly disappointed with their decision to make this public in this way. 

Source: https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/13464/Hillingdon-Council-statement-on-the-future-of-the-Beck-Theatre

Here is the Letter released by The Beck and Trafalgar Theatres:

Transcript:

BECK THEATRE

– HAYES –

18th September 2024

Dear friends,

It is with enormous disappointment that I’m writing to advise you that Trafalgar Theatres’ future at The Beck Theatre has been made untenable and we are now forced to make preparations to exit The Beck Theatre at the end of this calendar year. Whilst we do not know for sure, our concern is that the theatre may be at risk of permanent closure.

As you may know, The Beck Theatre is owned by London Borough of Hillingdon and operated by Trafalgar Theatres. Our agreement to operate The Beck is due to expire after our Pantomime later this year and we have been in constant dialogue with LBH since late 2023 to explore a new agreement that would give certainty and would protect The Beck for the future.

Trafalgar Theatres has been diligent in exploring all options that would allow us to continue operating The Beck and we have been steadfast in our solutions-oriented and collaborative approach to protecting this flagship cultural venue.

We have been clear with LBH that we urgently needed clarity from them on the future operation if we were to secure a high-quality programme from 2025 onwards – and provided them with a deadline for decisions – after which it would be impossible to do so.

We are deeply disappointed that this deadline has now passed without agreement. We must now start making exit plans to be activated once our agreement ends in January 2025. LBH have so far been unable to provide us with any clarity around any proposed alternative operation of The Beck, and our concern, therefore, is that The Beck may close its doors.

For nearly 50 years The Beck has been the cornerstone of Arts and Culture for Hillingdon, West London and beyond. Not just a professional Theatre with a world-class programme, but also a hub of creativity, creative learning and community outreach. There is no other Theatre like The Beck in the UK and no other venue of a similar scale with a 10-mile radius. The closure of The Beck would therefore be a devastating blow not just to audiences but also to the myriad local organisations, charities and communities that we support. I am deeply sorry that we find ourselves in this position.

Unfortunately, we are not able to advise on any future plans for The Beck. Should you have questions, however, you may wish to write to the Corporate Director of Place, Karrie Whelan on kwhelan@hillingdon.gov.uk who will be in a position to respond.

Thank you for your continued support of The Beck Theatre.

Yours,

Steve Sargeant

Theatre Director

Wikipedia: The Beck Theatre

The post Beloved Beck Theatre Faces Uncertain Future appeared first on My Uxbridge.

As we look forward to the coming year, it’s with great enthusiasm that we share some thrilling developments at The Chimes shopping centre. In a significant transformation, the former Debenhams space, sprawling over 75,000 square feet, is set to welcome two major brands, Hollywood Bowl and TK Maxx, marking a new era of retail and entertainment experiences for our visitors.

Welcoming Hollywood Bowl 🎳

Hollywood Bowl, the much-loved entertainment venue known for its vibrant bowling alleys and family-friendly atmosphere, is set to take over the entire upper floor of the redevelopment. Slated for completion towards the end of 2024, this new addition promises to be a hub of excitement and fun, offering the perfect destination for outings with friends and family, team-building events, and celebrations of all kinds.

TK Maxx, Uxbridge is Relocating 🛍️

On the lower mall, TK Maxx, the popular retailer renowned for offering big brands at small prices, will establish a spacious 25,000-square-foot store. This move from their current location at The Pavilions will provide shoppers with an even more extensive selection of fashion, homeware, and beauty products at unbeatable prices. The relocation underscores TK Maxx’s commitment to enhancing the shopping experience for their loyal customers.

Odeon Overhauled 🍿

But that’s not all! In addition to these new arrivals, The Chimes is also set to see further enhancements. The Odeon Cinema, an entertainment staple at The Chimes, is undergoing a significant refurbishment [long overdue in my book!]. It will be transformed into an Odeon Luxe cinema, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and offering movie-goers the ultimate in cinematic luxury. With plush reclining seats, superior sound and picture quality, and an upgraded concessions menu, the Odeon Luxe is poised to redefine the movie-watching experience.

Odeon will tackle the refurbishment in stages to keep the cinema open during the renovation, starting soon and completing in October 2024.

River Island Relocates 🏝️

Fashion enthusiasts also have something to look forward to, as River Island is expanding its presence at The Chimes, Uxbridge. The popular fashion retailer is upsizing to a new two-storey space, promising a more extensive range of stylish, affordable fashion offerings.

With these transformative developments, 2024 is shaping to be an incredibly exciting year for The Chimes. We are committed to creating a vibrant, dynamic space that caters to our community’s diverse needs and preferences. Whether you’re searching for the latest fashion trends, looking for a fun day out with the family, or planning a cosy movie night, The Chimes, Uxbridge is your go-to destination. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance your shopping and entertainment experience!

FAQ

Where is the bowling alley, Uxbridge?

Well, it’s not there yet, but it will be opening in the space of the former Debenhams store under the Odeon.

Will there be a nine-hole mini-golf?

Yes! The Hollywood Bowl website states:

Our Hollywood Bowl Uxbridge centre will also have a 9 course mini golf course, bringing you even more fun and friendly competition!

https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/uxbridge/mini-golf

Make sure you sign up to their VIP mailing list for the latest news and exclusive discounts if that would interest you:)

Will there be arcade games?

The Hollywood bowl, Uxbridge website states there will be a “thrilling amusements area” that is most likely to include arcade games and amusements.

How many bowling lanes will there be?

There will be 22 lanes to bowl along, and as if that wasn’t enough, there will also be a 9 hole mini golf course.

Where will it be?

Where the old Debenhams store was, at the Odeon end of the Chimes shopping centre.

The post Exciting News as Hollywood Bowl and TK Maxx are coming to The Chimes, Uxbridge! 🎳 🛍️ appeared first on My Uxbridge.

Here’s the thing – I hear someone complaining about it with entirely incorrect information every day. In the last month alone, I have heard of people confused in almost every aspect. From the woman who said, “I’ll have to pay £12.50 per day, and my car is a 2019”, to the person that ran out to buy a new van and thinks they may need another new one next year.

The trouble is, there are a lot of questions, and it’s not as cut and dry as it could or should be. So we are going over some of the points you need to consider. Today is the 2nd means you can now register to scrap your car if you don’t fall into the bracket that could before the 21st.

“Now, any London resident living in one of the 32 London boroughs or the City of London with an eligible vehicle can apply to scrap a car or motorcycle, as you no longer need to receive certain benefits to apply.” – https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/scrappage-schemes

Luckily, you don’t need to pay the ULEZ charge if you are parked inside the zone and don’t drive.

Understanding the ULEZ Expansion

The ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) expansion is coming to Greater London at the end of the month. With its imminent arrival, there’s been a noticeable surge in misinformation and confusion. The last thing anyone wants is to be slapped with unexpected bills or, worse, to pay when they don’t have to. This article aims to demystify the ULEZ expansion, discussing what it means for you and determining if you will be affected.

What is ULEZ?

Before diving into the specifics of the expansion, it’s crucial to understand what ULEZ is. The Ultra Low Emission Zone is a designated area in London where vehicles must meet strict emission standards or pay a daily charge. This initiative was designed to improve air quality in the city by reducing the number of polluting cars on the road. The ULEZ has been in effect in central London for a while, but on the 29th of August, it will expand to cover Greater London too. Yes, Uxbridge & Hillingdon will be affected.

Why is the ULEZ expanding?

The initial ULEZ was confined to central London. However, with the program’s success in reducing emissions and improving air quality, the decision was made to expand its reach. This expansion aims to cover a more extensive area, thus benefiting more residents with cleaner air and promoting a shift to cleaner transportation methods.

Will my vehicle be affected?

The main concern for many is whether the expansion will affect their vehicle. Vehicles are assessed based on their emissions, specifically:

– Petrol cars, vans and minibuses must meet Euro 4 standards.
– Diesel cars, vans and minibuses must meet Euro 6 standards.
– Motorcycles, mopeds, and other L-category vehicles must meet Euro 3 standards.

You can check if your vehicle meets the ULEZ standards using online tools provided by Transport for London.

And that is the only way to check. There’s kind of an age thing, but it’s based on the standards.

Check your vehicle here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

What are the ULEZ charges?

If your vehicle doesn’t meet the required standards, you’ll be subject to a daily charge:

– Cars, motorcycles, and small vans: £12.50
– Larger vehicles like lorries and buses: £100

These charges apply 24/7 and can add up quickly, so being prepared is essential. God forbid you went out every day for a month without realising you were being charged. Because then you would get a fine for each day that is £90 if paid within 14 days, and £180 if you don’t. I’m not sure how quickly they send out those fines, but I’m pretty sure you could soon rack up the debt if you don’t realise you should be paying.

More info on ULEZ penalty charges here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/penalty-charges-for-ulez

Exemptions and Discounts

Some vehicles qualify for a temporary discount or are entirely exempt from the ULEZ charges. These include:

– Vehicles for disabled people are exempt (only until the 25th of October 2027).
– Historic or classic vehicles registered before 1979 are exempt.
– Some speciality vehicles also get exemptions.

It’s essential to check the complete list of exemptions on the official ULEZ website to ensure you’re not paying unnecessarily.

More info on discounts and exemptions for ULEZ expansion: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions

What are the Euro 6 Standards?

Source: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emissions/euro-emissions-standards/

And while we may not see a change in the specs soon, with Euro 7 specs being released next year, this threshold will be moving – even if not every year.

Conclusion

The ULEZ expansion is a significant step towards a cleaner and healthier London, and while the rollout may seem… rocky, we can probably all agree that less pollution is a good thing. It would have been nice if the Scrappage scheme was offered to everyone from the start, and we have less than eight days to scrap a car and get a new one – but what can you do?

While change often brings about concerns and confusion, being informed is the best way to navigate these new waters smoothly. Ensure you know if your vehicle is affected, be aware of potential charges, and always stay updated on exemptions and discounts to avoid unnecessary expenses. Let’s all work together for a greener future!

Let us know what you think about the ULEZ expansion below.

*Disclaimer. This isn’t legally binding, and we have nothing to do with TfL. Defiantly check official sources to reach your conclusions.

The post The ULEZ Expansion is Here. Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on My Uxbridge.

But everything takes time for a very small team with not much funding. So… what should we work on first? What would you like to see on this site? How can we make it work for you? Feel free to add a comment below, or send an email. We would love your feedback.

It will allow us to prioritise great content that you want to see, and push back the content you don’t. Any great ideas that we haven’t mentioned above are also welcome. You will earn eternal gratitude (and a mention if you like).

Thank you all

Luke @ MyUxbridge

The post Making MyUxbridge work for you appeared first on My Uxbridge.

Make sure you look at our Moving to Uxbridge guide for more info on the area.

Firstly, If you have friends or family that may want to visit you after 6pm, this might not be the place for you, but more on that later.

Parkwest has been here for about 10 years now, Parkwest and the newer Bellway estate next door, make up a large, dense park of West Drayton. So it is extremely likely that it has come up if you have been searching to rent locally.

Parkwest: Who lives here?

Besides me I mean. Who am I anyway? Here’s the thing, there are a few different types of people living here that you’ll come to recognise.

In amoungst the private renters and the owners that aren’t landlords, there are a lot of managed apartments. On the floor of the house I live in alone, there are about four managed apartments of the seven flats.

How do you tell which are managed apartments? Well, the easiest way is by the fact that the cleaners regularly come around, knocking on the doors to check noon is home before letting themselves in.

Basically, a managed apartment is like a glorified hotel room where you actually have a kitchen that you can use. Kinda.

The other way to tell is because your neighbours will likely change between 1-3 months. So they may well annoy you, but probably not for long.

So far we have had construction workers, rail workers, IT guys and a few other business people that have lived next to us.

Occasionally the people at either end of our corridor will know each other, and they will drink together and wander home in the early hours of the morning.

Neighbours. Being Nosy. Netflix.

It’s hard not to be a nosy neighbour, and I have to admit that watching a guy trying to close and lock his front door for 5 minutes, before staggering off drunkenly, while the door is still not even closed. I don’t mean not locked, I mean the latch is out, so that the door isn’t even closed. He has locked the deadlock, and pushed the door, which still opens, before he walks off frustrated at the whole thing. It’s pretty much as good as anything Netflix has to offer.

The next best late night/early morning entertainment has got to be when I hear one of our Asian neighbours, with thick accent, try and communicate with a drunk Irish guy, also with a thick accent, that is slumped – possibly dead – outside his flat (about halfway down our corridor).

After our Asian neighbour, gets a grunt of a response from the Irishman, a sign of life, the neighbourly neighbour helps the man to his feet and walks him to his door. The Irishman throws his keys towards the door, maybe he thinks that’s how keys work in this building, but the other man picks them up and unlocks the door for him.

They are talking, I can’t really tell what about, or if they understand each other. The drunk Irishman says something, and then the the guy invites his saviour in. The good samaritan, politely declines, but the Irishman doesn’t want to take no for an answer.

The two men eventually, one of them reluctantly – enters the apartment. I wait for a few minutes to make sure I don’t hear any thrown punches, bodies hitting the ground, gun shots or loud words, before getting bored 30 seconds later after none of the above happens.

I enjoyed my five minutes of Netflix live, and go back to my life.

The rest of the apartments are made up of council tenants, many of which are fairly longterm, and then there are those that are housed here while more permanent accommodation can be found.

Parkwest: The Apartments

The apartments are all pretty nice, most of them have laminate floors throughout, and range in layouts depending on the number of rooms and various other factors.

Parkwest: The Kitchens

One thing to note, however. If you are looking at the flats on an estate agents website, Rightmove, Zoopla, etc. You need to be aware that the kitchen cupboards are deceptively small. These aren’t the cupboards that you would get in a house, or that are available to buy in B&Q. These cupboards are baby cupboards. So that in pictures when you see four cupboards on the wall and four on the floor, you think; that’s not too bad. But when you start filling them. Your dinner plates barely fit. That’s when you realise you’ve been duped by this dollhouse furniture.

Maybe you’re used to flats with undersized/space-saving cupboards, but I really wish I had known before I moved in.

The thing that makes it worse, is that when I went to a viewing to “upgrade”. Looking at a two-bedroom apartment. I was horrified to find an even smaller kitchen than in my one-bed.

How. On earth. Does it make sense?

Our one-bed has five cupboards on the wall. Three thin (300mm wide), one medium? (40mm wide) and one big….ish (445mm wide). I implore you to go measure the ones you have on your wall! That will give you an idea of how big, or small, these are. But a two-bed flat having only three small wall cupboards!?

What. The. Actual.

We, also looked at a three–bed place, when we considered moving in with a friend of ours. This one was better, it at least had a bigger kitchen with more cupboards. It also had a utility room, with extra counter space, more cupboards and the washing machine. This could work for us… except there’s no undercroft parking. Read on for parking to find out why that is an issue.

Oh, and the sink. The flipping sink! It looks quite nice but isn’t really practical. If you are going to rent a flat with no dishwasher. Then be prepared to hate your life as soon as you start needing to wash-up in that tiny sink.

Parkwest: The Parking

Parking. Oh, holy mother of parking. The parking at Parkwest could be one of the biggest dealbreakers. I don’t know if it is any better at Bellway. That may be a topic for future articles.

He are the facts. There is very limited spaces in park west. Limited spaces means that you get one space per apartment, at least you do in one or two-bedroom apartments.

Unless it is otherwise specified, you only get a space in the outside area. A few of the buildings have undercroft parking, which is gated. Undercroft parking is better, though it still has issues.

The problem is, there is generally not enough space for the number of apartments in the area.

Friends of ours “rented” an unused space from a neighbour for a year. A wise choice after they were giving multiple tickets in their first week.

Again. NO visitors after 6 pm. They will get a ticket. I don’t care if it’s:

• Someone helping you move in
• Visiting for your birthday
• a health visit
• a booty call

But if you want visitors after 6 pm that drive. You should get them to park outside the estate and walk. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Parkwest: The Gym

The gym at Parkwest is small but rarely gets that busy, so small is fine. Unfortunately, three people make it seem busy.

I have used the gym quite a lot, and I will honestly miss it. It’s not the best, no. It has no free-weights, so no serious bodybuilders will go. But it has more that nothing.

It has two treadmills (though one is out of order at the time of writing), a rowing machine, elliptical machines, bikes, a machine to work legs, a lat-pulldown machine, and a cable machine for pretty much all weighted exercises.

Sure, the cable machine was missing some of the attachments I wanted to use on it. I bought some tricep pull down rope from Amazon (Amazon link) so I could work my triceps. But all in all, it’s not bad. Especially if you go at the right time, then it feels like your personal gym.

Parkwest: Concierge

Concierge is a godsend! Much like a hotel reception, they are there to greet and point people in the right direction. They also answer questions. But most importantly, they accept deliveries when you’re out, living your best life.

If they do accept deliveries, they will put a slip through your door while on their rounds between 8-10pm.

There are about two or three members of concierge staff, one of whom is lovely, and helpful. The other is more like I would be if I were doing that job.

The “Parks” of Parkwest

If you look at Parkwest, West Drayton on Google Maps, you’ll see that the layout of the estate is based around two squares. The houses are around the outside of said squares. Those Squares are “parks” or little green spaces for people to relax, play, and sit in.

They are actually quite nice, especially the front park. But like much of Parkwest, it is more about looking good from a distance, as long as you don’t scrutinise it.

The problem is, when we first walked around Parkwest, after moving in, we realised that many of the gates around the parks are permanently padlocked closed. Leaving only two gates open so you can walk through the estate. This also closes at about 9:30pm.

We are regularly sent letters saying that they will remove park prvialiges if people don’t start adhering to the rules! Such as no ball games etc.

There are a LOT of kids on the estate, which is far more apparent during the summer months.

We live in the Hurley/Jefferson block, and we have a ‘private’ courtyard between the buildings. You can only access it through the buildings, so you will only be sharing it with the residents of the two buildings.

During summer, the kids play out here, they are loud. They are kids. They are told off every few weeks, and their parents are informed that they are not to play in their unsupervised. I can see how a more-or-less private garden would be tempting as a cheap day-care while you catch up on your soaps. But I also see it as a dangerous area, that really wasn’t designed for kids.

Large curbs break up the geometric shapes of grass. When you see kids playing tag, frisbee, football, or cricket in the area, you can’t help but grimace every time a kid trips and narrowly misses the sharp angular stone edges.

If I’m honest, I am torn. Why not let the kids play in the parks? It is surely a better alternative to them playing in the street and around the parked cars. As they do when their park privileges are revoked, so the grass can grow back.

But at the same time, I understand not everyone wants screaming kids 8 feet from their window, and that’s the problem. There are a lot of very different people in such a dense living arrangement. And the fact the private renters are priced as premium living, while the majority of people in the surrounding blocks are temporary or permanent council resisdentsm means it will always be hard to please everyone.

Speaking of balconies…

The Balconies

Everyone gets one, but they are not all created equal. It doesn’t matter if you just spent 400k on an apartment, or you rent one. Parkwest, does not want you hanging your laundry out to dry.

You’re enjoying the summer weather, you want to dry some clothes in minutes rather than days. Tough. Hanging clothes on balconies will get you a strongly worded letter.

Sure, you can ignore it. Maybe you won’t get caught again. But it just seems so authoritarian. So unessessary.

Sure, it doesn’t look the best, but so what? People have to live.

I can imagine it being an issue when people start making clotheslines from their balcony to the opposite balcony, or to the trellis in the shared courtyard. But surely you can have a small airer. Put a height limit so it’s no taller than the balcony’s hand rail? Anything has got to be better than: No laundry on balcones!

The Conclusion

So, who is Parkwest for? Well, I guess it is for young professionals living and working either in Stockley Park or commuting into London from the nearby West Drayton Station.

If you don’t have a car and don’t drive, that is a bonus. If you don’t have friends or family that drive, that is also a bonus. Or, in fact, if you don’t have friends or family that will want to visit you after 6 pm.

Or maybe, it’s for people that just don’t have friends or family. Sorry whoever you are, but feel free to call me and we can totally hang out sometime. But I probably won’t come to you, because I know parking is a nightmare.

The post Review: Renting in Parkwest. The Real Issues appeared first on My Uxbridge.

We understand that you need to check EVERYTHING before you move, like where you will be living, what the transport is like, which school are in the area, and much more!

We decided to create this handy guide to welcome people to Uxbridge from the rest of the UK, and abroad.

With Uxbridge having higher-educational institutes such as Brunel University, and Uxbridge College, as well as many businesses being based here, there is always an influx of people moving to Uxbridge year-round.

We will be providing a menu for this article so that you can easily navigate around all the information, so you can look at specific sections that are relevant to you at the time.

Accomodation in Uxbridge

Firstly, where are you going to live in Uxbridge? That really depends on why you are moving to Uxbridge in the first place.

If you are moving here for work but is likely a shorter term stay, then you will probably want to rent in the area. If you are moving here to live, or move closer to family, then you may be looking to buy or rent a larger property.

If, however, you are moving here for education, then you may be interested in student accommodation, and affordable rooms to rent, or local apartments to rent.

Let’s dive in.

Local Estate Agents

There are many local estate agents that deal with local Uxbridge properties, so there should be no shortage of options. There are also some that specialise in university accommodation.

Estate agents in Uxbridge town centre:

Coopers Residential

Coopers Uxbridge rental properties

Coopers Properties to buy in Uxbridge.

Cameron Estate Agents

Gibbs Gillespie

Lakin & Co. Estate Agents

Andrews Residential

andrewsresidential.co.uk

Link Up Estate & Letting Agents

Linkprop.co.uk

Student Accommodation

Help with the Move

Moving can be stressful, so here are few things to help with the move itself. From local removals companies in Uxbridge to self-storage in the area.

Removals Companies

If you are looking for a removals company, then a good place to start is the BAR or British Association of Removers. It’s kind of like GAS Safe or CIPHE for Plumbers – it basically means the removals company meets certain standards, and you get an extra level of insurance for your move.

bar.co.uk

Comparemymove.co.uk

Moving Boxes & Crate Hire

Whether you are getting in a professional or doing it yourself, you will probably need some moving boxes, whether they are cardboard or the reusable plastic crates used by the pros.

Pluscrates.com

Pluscrates offer a range of plastic hire crates from 45p per week, with the “standard” sized crate coming in at 77p per week.

Teacrate.co.uk

Teacrate offer a similar range of crates, with the standard crate coming in at 89p per week.

Self-Storage

Self storage is all about large warehouses in less built-up area, and as such, there aren’t many in Uxbridge itself, but there are a few nearby.

Space Station

Space Station is located in West Drayton, but that is pretty close to Uxbridge.

space-station.co.uk

Safestore

Safestore is situated in Hayes

safestore.co.uk

Access

Access is also situated in Hayes

accessstorage.com

Schools & Education

There are many schools in the area, and also includes University campuses and college.

Universities

Brunel University

Colleges

Uxbridge College

Secondary Schools

Uxbridge High School

Bishopshalt

Swakeleys School for Girls

Vyners

Douay Martyrs

Primary Schools

Hermitage Primary School

ACS International School

St Helens College

Oak Farm Infant School

There are a lot more schools in the surrounding areas that are a short commute from Uxbridge.

Transport

Uxbridge has pretty robust transport links, including the Uxbridge underground station, a bus garage that is a terminus for quite a few busses and is also a stones-throw from Heathrow Airport.

Trains & Underground

Uxbridge tube station is located in the heart of Uxbridge town centre, with the bus garage located right next to it. Uxbridge station, built in 1933, is the western terminus for some Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines branches of the London Underground.

Busses

The tube station, is connected to a bus terminus with connections to Hillingdon, Hayes, Ealing, Ruislip, and Slough.

Uxbridge station has a few bus routes that serve the local area, including TFL Bus routes 222, 331, 427, 607, A10, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U7, U9, U10 and N207.

There are also 8 non – TfL (Transport for London) routes: First Berkshire & The Thames Valley route 3, Green Line route 724 and Carousel Buses routes 101, 102, 105, 580, 581 & 583.

Canal

The Grand Union Canal in Uxbridge was extended to Uxbridge in the late 18th century.

The Grand Union Canal, formerly the Grand Junction Canal, connects London with Birmingham and passes immediately to the west of Uxbridge, forming part of the borough boundary. The first stretch was built in the late 18th century from Brentford to Uxbridge.

Roads

The B483 road connects the centre of Uxbridge with the Swakeleys Roundabout junction of the A40. Uxbridge is also connected by major roads to Slough, Denham, Ickenham, Cowley, Iver Heath, Hillingdon Heath and Hayes.

Airport & Air Travel

Heathrow airport is only a bus ride away from Uxbridge, so this makes travel abroad a pretty simple affair.

The proximity to Uxbridge also means that cab/Uber fares, are kept to a minimum if you don’t want to go by bus.

You can also get the Heathrow connect train from Hayes station.

Food & Drink

Before moving to Uxbridge, you’ll probably want to make sure your favourite cuisine is catered for. Plus, you’ll probabl want to order food or go out for dinner during the move if you havene’t had a chance to unpack the kitchen yet.

Uxbridge has no shortage of places to eat, covering pretty much every cuisine in the town centre itself, and if you are willing to travel (or order using the myriad services available), then pretty much every cuisine is catered for multiple times.

Uxbridge town centre itself has Mexican restaurants, Italian, American, fast-food, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Portugese and more. We go over this in another article, but here are a few that stand out.

Restaurants & Eating out

Chiquito

Nando’s

Wagamama

Frankie & Benny’s

Pizza Express

Nona Rosa

Bella Italia

KFC

Pizza Hut

Zizzi

Five Guys

Red Iron Burger

Burrito Kitchen

Prezzo

Ask

McDonald’s

Burger King

Gastropubs Pubs & Bars

The Good Yarn – Wetherspoons

Bar Italia

Whelans

Cafés & Coffee Shops

Starbucks

Costa (x 5)

PopiAndy’s

M&S Cafe

Nero

Harris & Hoole

Café Giardino

Krispy Kreme

Millers Tap

Auntie Annie’s Pretzels

Local Links

Local Council

hillingdon.gov.uk

Local Media

Uxbridge FM

Hayes FM

Sources:

Years of living in Uxbridge 😉

Wikipedia

Intu Uxbridge

My London

The post Moving to Uxbridge, West London. The Ultimate Guide appeared first on My Uxbridge.

The Travelodge will have 81 rooms and is currently estimated to be completed in the summer of 2020.

The carpark alterations began on 23rd April, and a new temporary carpark has been added where the grass area of the Wetherspoons was.

This will allow them to make changes to the main carpark without too much interruption.

What about The White House Wetherspoons?

As it has already been a year since Wetherspoon closed in Stockley Park, and only now do we know for certain that a Travelodge will be built, we have to wonder what, if anything, will replace the Wetherspoons.

There had been so much talk about various budget hotel chains, such as Premier Inn taking over. Recent Premier Inns in the area have had a Beefeater attached, but Travelodge doesn’t always partner with a restaurant chain.

From the plans, the hotel won’t actually use all of the Arena, but is a large addition to it, with The White House location now acting as the site management office.

If the hotel isn’t going to use the space, then a hotel will make the whole area more appealing for a restaurant/investment of some kind, so I guess we will have to wait and see.

The Travelodge project is being completed by the Clegg group.

The post Travelodge Confirmed to be Coming to Stockley Park appeared first on My Uxbridge.