Our Patch March 2015 | Page 3

Our Patch april 2015 Contents Welcome to our patch from John Horton E Cover story: NOTHING BEATS A RATTLING GOOD STORY TO FIRE THE IMAGINATION Janet Ellis, the former Blue Peter presenter, is one of a small army of readers touring local homes and encouraging youngsters to discover the bliss of books BUILDING BLOCKS: TELEVISION CENTRE PLANS 4-5 The former home of the BBC is being reborn as a creative and residential hub PARTNERS: 10–13 Shop local! We bring you eight more local businesses and their free offers 20 Stunning Victorian family house has been extended and improved – and even boasts a fancy Ecospace office pod 18-19 The Hammersmith ship that trained boys for a career on the high seas TO Why chef Andy Needham is packing them in at his King Street eatery A leading builder reveals what home owners are asking for these days PUBLISHED BY Horton and Garton www.hortonandgarton.co.uk Editor Geoff Cowart DESIGN By:design 020 8753 4482 DISCLAIMER We thank our advertisers for supporting Our Patch, but Horton and Garton does not accept responsibility for goods or services offered by advertisers Printed by Hammerprint Distributed by Letterbox Distribution T 17 before & after: RENOVATION TRENDS 14-15 FEATURED PROPERTY: IFFLEY ROAD, W6 11 FROM THE ARCHIVES: HMS STORK DOCKS From the Apollo to Bush Hall, the best in theatre, music & activities LE FEATURED PARTNER: L’AMOROSA What’s on: 6-9 Property grid: The search for your dream home in Hammersmith or Shepherds Bush starts here! NEWS UPDATE: 21–22 After 25 years a much-loved primary school headteacher is saying farewell 23 veryone is counting down the days to the General Election on May 7. Politicians are canvassing for your votes, but the real questions everyone would like answered are: ‘What is really happening in the sales and rental market?’ and ‘Are prices going up or down?’ The answer is that sale prices have peeled off up to five per cent since the golden period of Spring 2014, however there still remains a shortage of properties to buy, across all price ranges, which is keeping Zone 2 asking prices robust and our market place moving. In 2015, we have already seen an increase in rental prices across Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith We are seeing very strong demand for family houses and one bedroom flats with demand outstripping supply and several cases of sealed bids for rental offers. Currently we are seeing very strong demand for three (or more) bedroom family houses and one bedroom flats, but each new rental property is attracting interest from eager prospective tenants with some lets being agreed within 48 hours of going live. Spring is just around the corner. The run up to Easter is traditionally prime time to list your property to the market. The professional guidance and accurate advice from your estate agent has never been so important. So if you are a landlord or vendor do contact us and we will be delighted to offer you the latest market update.