A Last Glimpse

Good-bye to a previous era.  The bulldozers ready on the edge of the part of Soho known as Tin Pan Alley.

Part of the Cross-Rail venture that will give London a much needed new underground linking east and west London will also remove large parts of areas in its wake.  The proposed new area that will surround the new Tottenham Court Rd station involves the loss of large parts of Soho.  To be replaced with ever more High St chains.

The save Soho campaign has lost hope that they will be listened to.  Read a little more about the history of area and those trying to save it here. 

The Old Market

A stone lion sits guarding the remanants of the stalls and food outlets that were part of the Camden Market overlooking the canal.  The stalls were demolished to make way for a new infant school and of course for new housing.  Progress I believe it is called. 

Chinatown

Most big cities have a vibrant Chinatown, London is no exception.  There are the restaurants, some good some average.  The stores where you can buy anything from dried fish, weird stuff in packets, fresh exotic fruits and vegetables and all the authentic cook ware you'll ever need to make your own Asian meal.  Then there are the festivals; dancing dragons, drums and waving ribbons.  Chinatown is a place we love and seek out in our big cities.
Chinatown London is under threat according to recent news reports.  The developers are moving in, rents are becoming out of reach for many businesses in Soho, and the new shiny apartments are springing up all around.  What will London 2020 look like Do you suppose?

Available for Cash

A grand old building of yesteryear.  The Ealing grand town hall a grade II historic building is up for grabs.  The council is now housed in a modern square block next door.  The cash strapped local body wants to sell the 150 year building, to a developer.  Hotel and designer apartments are the options they are considering.

In fact much of the street is being torn down and being rebuilt with modern tower blocks of hotels.  I counted 5 within a single kilometre.  Where are the art galleries and museums?  Bah who needs those? Its money the council is after. 

Good-bye

The Crown and Goose is a perfect place for Sunday lunch, and for twenty years has been a lovely cosy place to have a drink and chat with your mates.  Sadly this will only last for a few more weeks. 
The locals and the Camden Council have been battling to save their pub from the wrecking ball of the developers.
The battle is lost. The building  owners Barclay's Discretionary Trust have won the court battle which will see the Crown and Goose demolished to make way for the property developers.

The management and staff of the pub welcome you for a last tipple before the doors close for the last time.