Historical Black landmarks in H&F

242 Shepherds Bush Road, W6

The Palais was a dance hall and entertainment venue that was open from 1919 to 2007.

It was the first of its kind to be built in Britain and quickly became known to many as the mainstay of dances and later the punk and reggae scene in London.

45 Queen Caroline Street, W6

Built in 1932 as a cinema, the Odeon took on a exalted place in London’s music folklore.

Bob Marley played a series of gigs in 1976. It is now re-branded as the Apollo and is still one of London’s major live entertainment venues.

44 Uxbridge Road, W12

Opened in 1977, this reggae shop was home to the number one label for the sound of the Caribbean, and for Caribbean influenced Black British music.

Musicians such as Shaggy and Sean Paul had pop crossovers with this record label.

Between Goldhawk Road and Uxbridge Road, W12

Opened in 1914, the market is home to a diverse range of traders selling everything from food and fabric to household goods and electronics.

In more than a century it closed only once, in 1915, due to the First World War. It reopened in 1918 when ex-soldiers from across the empire were offered stalls to help restart their lives.

Near Shepherds Bush Market, W12

Home of the famous fabric quarter, the shops here are over 150 years old and businesses have been passed down through the generations.

From Swedish rag rugs and Scottish tartans, to bold African prints and Indian silk shawls, shoppers can find imported fabrics from across the globe.

81 Askew Road, W12

Reggae music pioneer George ‘Peckings’ Price was one of the first to import the sound of the Caribbean to London.

He set up a recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica, before moving to Shepherds Bush where he opened a shop in 142 Askew Road in 1972.

Peckings Records is still a thriving business in its new location at 81 Askew Road, and is run by his 2 sons, Chris and Duke.

22 St Peter’s Square, W6

Chris Blackwell, the founder of esteemed record label Island Records, brought the sound of Jamaica to Britain.

In 1973, the growing label opened a small basement studio here in west London where artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers and Steel Pulse recorded some of their most famous work.