Gursel Gurgur now runs the ever-expanding Best Mangal chain
Get down to North End Road and support your local traders – it’s business as usual on the high street – despite the emergency sewer repair works from Thames Water.
Traders continue to flourish on the historic road in the build-up to Christmas as pedestrians still have access to North End Road while Thames Water repairs a collapsed sewer close to West Kensington Underground station.
H&F Council has required Thames Water to expand its workforce and work 8am to 10pm seven days a week to fix the problem urgently and minimise disruption to residents and businesses.
The council is also using its advertising boards on the A4 and roadside dot matrix signs to stress that North End Road is open for business.
New lease of life
The council and the North End Road Action Group have been working hard to revitalise the area. The market is one of London’s oldest – celebrating its 130th anniversary this year – with its traffic-free seasonal markets earning a London-wide reputation.
“North End Road Market is back on the map as it goes from strength to strength, attracting new shoppers and traders to the street,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration.
Residents can see this for themselves during the next traffic-free Christmas Market on Saturday 9 December or by visiting some of the must-visit shops in North End Road.
Dickenson’s Quality Meats
365 North End Road
020 7385 8927
You’ll regularly find a queue of people snaking out of this popular butcher’s shop and onto the street. Dickenson’s has been offering some of the finest meat at affordable prices, including Christmas turkeys, for the past 39 years.
“We want to get people back into the kitchen and cooking healthy meals,” said Dickenson’s director, Duncan Turnbull. “So many people come in to us after finding recipes on the internet, asking for advice. We love to help our customers, so pop on down and say hello.”
The shop is gearing up for Christmas with their free-range turkeys and popular triple-smoked gammon and hock cuts.
Visit the Dickenson SW6 Facebook page for the latest deals.
Jaffa Bake House
381 North End Road
020 7385 1700
If it’s more of a sugar fix you are looking for, head down to the popular Jaffa Bake House.
The family-run bakery has French patisseries, savoury pastries, Arabic and Turkish bread, alongside loaves and baguettes to tickle your taste buds.
Cousins Mohammed Noofel and Mahmoud Shamallakh opened the bakehouse last year. The family previously ran a bakery on the same site in the 1990s, but have now returned to the double-fronted premises with their new offering.
“We’ve been in North End Road for the past 20 years, so it really feels like our neighbourhood,” explained Mohammed. “We’re learning from our customers.”
Best Mangal
104 North End Road
020 7610 1050
The newly-refurbished Best Mangal at 104 North End Road continues to bring a touch of Anatolian food culture to the street with a new tapas-style menu.
The Gurgur family opened the original Best Mangal restaurant in 1996 before launching sister restaurants at 66 North End Road, Fulham Broadway and Shepherds Bush Road.
Gursel Gurgur now runs the ever-expanding chain after working his way up through the family ranks. “I often source fresh fruit and produce for my restaurants from North End Road market,” said Gursel. “I’ve known the market and some of its traders since we opened our doors. It’s always been fantastic.”
The Fulham resident also brings the authentic taste of Lahmacun – a Turkish thin-crusted pizza – and Pide – the grandfather of pizza - to North End Road with his Turkish bread ovens. The restaurant specialises in fusing Anatolian food and the social dining culture of the Mediterranean.
And during the road works in North End Road, Gursel is offering customers a free bottle of house wine per table – redeem the Best Mangal free wine offer.
Green Bay Supermarket
228 North End Road
020 7385 8913
The recent H&F Brilliant Business-award winner Green Bay Supermarket is the capital’s first 100% vegan store.
Founders Paula Alcalde and Anderson Caicedo offer more than 1,000 plant-based products. From beer and wine to plant milks, fresh fruit and soup, the shop stocks a wide range of products, tinned foods, spices, pestos, granolas, yoghurts, eco-friendly cleaning materials, coffees, sauces and chocolates.
“We personally love being on North End Road,” said founder Paula. “The council have been so supportive since we opened our business and the area has become a mini-tourist spot with all the vegan businesses that have opened in the area in the last year.”
Other vegan businesses include Picky Wops at 347 North End Road.
Opus Carpets
106 North End Road
info@opuscarpets.co.uk
The independent family-run business has been trading for almost 50 years and continues to provide quality carpets and flooring as Hermione Granat works alongside her father Andrew in the family business, which was originally founded by her grandfather.
Curtain Fabric Factory
236a North End Road
020 7381 1777
Founder Martin Brilliant and brother Arnold have run the family business in North End Road for the last 21 years.
They offer a great selection of pure silk and velvet at affordable prices plus ready-made curtains in store. Customers can enjoy a comprehensive service that includes home visits, measuring windows, fitting tracks and poles as well as making and hanging curtains.
Travel advice for North End Road
The diversion routes for traffic travelling both north and south have been clearly signposted. They are:
Southbound - West Cromwell Road > Earls Court Road > Old Brompton Road > Lillie Road. No entry to North End Road from Talgarth Road.
Northbound - Lillie Road (westbound) > Fulham Palace Road > Queen Caroline Street > Hammersmith Broadway > Hammersmith Road > North End Road
Buses - The 28, 391 and N28 bus services are being diverted during the repairs. Thames Water has sent letters out to neighbouring properties to warn them of the work and road signs have been put out to ask drivers to take alternative routes. The council has also asked Thames Water to install additional warning signs along the A4 and to reinforce those along Fulham Palace Road.
For the latest travel information, visit the TfL website or follow @TfLBusAlerts on Twitter.
If you have comments, or complaints, please contact Thames Water on 0800 316 9800.
