'Soulless' Dickens Yard Criticised by Neighbours
Some claim it is full of 'super-rich' who don't care about the local area
A number of units sit empty under hundreds of luxury flats
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Dickens Yard promised to bring life to an old council car park but is “soulless” with empty shops and “super rich” residents who don’t care about the local area, angry neighbours have claimed.
Standing opposite the Grade II listed Christ the Saviour Church in the centre of Ealing, the site was completed in 2019. But it seems that three years down the line it is far from a bustling shopping district.
As of October 2022, at least ten shops stand empty, surrounded by some small independent businesses, and recognisable brands such as BrewDog and Gails bakery.
Rooven Pakkiri has lived in Pitshanger for 20 years, just 15 minutes away from the new development. He said he liked the development for “selfish reasons” as he can benefit from the new businesses popping up around the centre of Ealing.
He said, “It’s ‘nice’ – if you can say that with quote marks – because it is making the area more gentrified. Dickens Yard is great for small businesses because this area attracts those with higher salaries, you wouldn’t not know there is nearly a recession here.”
While the consultant can enjoy the cafes and restaurants that do exist in the space, it doesn’t mean he likes it overall. He added, “Most of the buildings are vacant, but they are owned because they are used as second homes.
“Dickens Yard and its super-rich inhabitants have nothing to do with the people who actually live in Ealing. It is beautiful to look at but it is soulless living, the buildings are haunted.”
Rooven Pakkiri in Dickens Yard
Meanwhile, Gar Boohig, from Ireland, has lived in Ealing for 16 months and loves the community feel of the borough – but agrees that Dickens Yard doesn’t have the same spirit.
He said, “Here in Dickens Yard it just feels a bit individualistic, Londoners do not chat to their neighbours and if you are going to have so much housing on top that is continued. Maybe if there were more offices there would be that community spirit here like you have in other parts of London.”
Mr Boohig, a private tutor for Examberry Tuition, visits Dickens Yard three times a week and added, “I do think Dickens Yard is really really good, but it is lacking something, for some reason, it is not kicking off around here but it has the potential. It might be because of COVID and maybe that will improve in the next few years.”
Gar Boohig has lived in Ealing for over a year and loves the community feel
With a number of empty shops making their mark on the modern streets, it’s easy to see why residents may feel the area could be better. However, business owners working in Dickens Yard don’t necessarily see empty shops as a negative thing.
Miguel Morales, who opened Reineta, a Spanish deli and coffee shop, in 2019, said that the development works for locals, with businesses that serve a purpose. He said, “We are really well placed, it is in the centre and we have good parking. The pedestrianised space offers a different experience for people. We live close to the neighbours and it is a good way of doing business without inferring with the community.
“Dickens Yard is not considered a destination space for people outside of Ealing, but probably one day we will be. The area needs businesses to serve the people who are living in the area, they need to make sense and if that takes longer then it takes longer.”
Miguel Morales (R) and partner Stan Islav (L) outside Reineta
The Spanish deli has cemented itself as a fixture of Dickens Yard. During COVID the shop adapted by serving takeaway coffee and delivering food via bicycle. On Fridays, they delivered meals to nearby residents looking for something different during the lockdown.
As restrictions changed, so did the business, managing to stay open for outdoor dining thanks to hot water bottles and pedestrianised walkways.
The deli is loved by locals and as a result, the 36-year-old is opening his second business in Dickens Yard – Rayuela, a Spanish restaurant serving the same high-quality food residents have grown to love from the deli.
But Mr Morales did acknowledge that other businesses have struggled to survive in Dickens Yard. Yet, he is keen for the area to welcome more independent retailers like himself.
He said, “I think it needs to be better but we know the neighbours and we have a good relationship with the management. It is important that they continue to give the spaces to independent people, it might be a risk but people will stay and continue working.
“It was us independents that continued during COVID. It is better for everyone if you have more independent businesses who live and work in the area too.”
A spokesperson from St George, the management company at Dickens Yard, said, “I am pleased to report that following the recovery from the pandemic, we continue to improve Dickens Yard by the signing of a number of new tenants.
“In the last 18 months we have seen Brewdog, DY Dental, Paws in the City, Mooboo Tea and Leon Beauty all open. Rayuela, the new restaurant from existing tenant Reineta, is due to open imminently.
“We have also signed Tian Tian, an oriental supermarket, to take units 17-19 Dickens Yard, which includes the former Jigsaw. They are due to take possession by Christmas and open in Spring.
“In addition we are under offer on a further 4 units, to include Trib3, a class based gym operator, a new restaurant and patisserie, as well as a dance school.
“By the time we complete these lettings, we will have only 2 small units remaining at available at Dickens Yard, for which we have interest in both.”
Megan Stanley - Local Democracy Reporter
October 21, 2022
