January 2008 Archives

I’d really like to know how you’re coping with the initiaitive launched by Ealing Council to persuade householders to recycle more of their rubbish.

A raft of measures were introduced at the end of 2007, to make collection of waste disposal within the borough more environmentally friendly. This included for the first time the collection of plastic and taking all of the rubbish on the same day.

I believe there were some complaints but the the town hall has been quick to point out it was a tiny percentage and no more than usual.

Council leader Jason Stacey said the some of the problems in December were down to new bin crews who did not know the ‘nooks and crannies’ of the borough’s geography.

And apparently Cllr Stacey make sercret visits to 10 roads each week to get an idea of of the progress being made in his bid to clean up the borough.

So, let me know if you’re getting the help you need to recycle rubbish or are you confused?

As you can see by the comments made on my previous blogs re: major stores leaving Ealing Broadway, there is a big debateto be had on how to keep the quality shops in the borough.

Obviously this all ties in with the proposed Leaf development by Glenkerrin, which has sparked strong feelings on both sides.

And it all points to 2008 being quite a pivotal year for the borough.

HOW ironic that in the midst of the sale season, we learn that some of the best stores in Ealing Broadway are due to move out in 2008.

And the reasons being mooted for this shock decision includes higher rents and the competition from the up coming White City shopping centre in Shepherd’s Bush.

The stores due to leave are all under the umbrella of the Arcadia Group, owned by retail billionaire Sir Phililip Green. They include Burtons, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Evans – Miss Selfridges having already closed.

Obviously this is a hammer blow for Ealing Broadway but surely it can’t be that much of a surprise as accusations of complacency continue to abound.

The business community and those responsible or involved with the shopping centre management must now be galvanised into action and start protecting the Broadway Shopping Centre from losing any more big names.

It’s now time to wake up from slumber and make sure Ealing does not slip any further down the list of top shopping centres in the country.

Becuae at the end of the day it is in all of our interest to make sure that Ealing remains a thriving economic hub and the Gazette will be fully behind any initiatives that aims to do that.

Let me have your thoughts on what should be done to protect the shopping centre and I'll be happy to pass them on.

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