Is the condition of our town centre putting off hotels and property developments from mentioning that they are located in Brentford? I suppose you can't blame them, with the current state of the town centre. I hope these businesses are exerting some pressure on Hounslow Council and the MP to progress the development of the town centre.
For example here are some organisations that I've noticed that do not mention Brentford in their marketing/sales information:
It's ironic that this development is on the site where Thomas Layton, the Brentford councillor and local benefactor once proudly lived.
St George, the current developer of the 'Kew Bridge Development of luxury appartments and penthouses on London's riverside' has no mention that it is in Brentford. In its location and lifestyle section it chooses to look towards Kew, Strand-on-the-Green and Chiswick.
The London Syon Park Hotel was opened this month in Syon Park, 200 metres west of Brentford Bridge.
On its website it is very careful not to mention Brentford at all. Even in its contact address it doesn't mention it even though its post code TW8 8JF is a Brentford one. There is not even a mention of Brentford's glorious history and certainly not a shopping experience in the town centre!
The Great West Quarter development on the great West Road does mention it 'is in Brentford just on the patio of Chiswick', but chooses to emphasise it is close to Chiswick, Kew and Richmond.
The Premier Inn, London Kew hotel is next to Brentford's old fire station and 500 metres from the town centre. It prefers to be known as a Kew hotel and does not mention Brentford in local attractions on its web site.
The Travelodge London Kew Bridge hotel is next to St George's church opposite Waterman's Park. It prefers to be known as a Kew Bridge hotel, as it thinks it has a better ring than Brentford.
It is as if Brentford has been cleansed from some Brentford organisations' marketing material. It would be good if these businesses were to exert pressure on those who can effect a speedy development of Brentford town centre.
We need a more effective initiative from the MP, Hounslow Council and the local Chamber of Commerce to make the current Brentford town somewhere that we can all be proud of, something to match our glorious town's history.
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Ashamed to mention Brentford? I think North Kew is the killer alternative name. West Chiswick is OK; there already is a South Ealing; East Isleworth doesn't do it.
Excellent article, Duncan! I don't want to describe my town as 'West Chiswick' and you have highlighted how silly these firms are being in their coyness.
It is hardly surprising that businesses are ashamed to align themselves with Brentford. The High St and area south of the High St is a disgrace. The area should be regenerated with a matter of urgency. It has been neglected for far too long.
