There is no place like home...*sigh (Shepherds Bush Market)

Name: Gretta

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Product:	Shepherds Bush Market
Date:	20/05/01 (5143 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, Good transport, Variety

Disadvantages: Can be busy, Has a fair amount of tat

'Flowerpot, could you just pop out and pick up a few bits I couldn't get at Tescos?''

'How much is it worth'

''I'm your mother for flips sake, I shouldn't have to pay you''

'Ok, well I'm off out with Stewart/Lisa/Brittany/Jamie/the goldfish' (delete as appropriate)

''Right, fine, ok, you win, I'll give you £20, you keep the change''

'£30'

''You don't even know what I want you to get yet, you greedy beggar''

'Well Mum, there are soooo many important things I really should be doing today, like organising my CD collection…'

'' All right, I surrender, but don't you dare come home without the full list, here goes then, I need…
3 x metre of Sari fabric
I x Sacred Heart of Jesus car freshener
4 x small terrapin
1 x pair camp policeman oven gloves
1 x pound Sweet Potatoes
2 x packet of dumpling mix''

Mum smugly thinks she has won the battle, how could anyone possibly manage to collect such a variety of obscure gems within the space of a day. Surprisingly (well not really, as this is obviously the whole point of the opinion, but humour me for a second) the young chap/chapess concerned smiles a knowing smile and strolls out the house with a smirk knowing full well a convenient and cheap market where they can do just that.

We are of course talking about one of the many weird and wonderful markets of London. Shepherd's Bush Market has a tendency to be overlooked due to its close vascinity to Portobello, it's larger neighbour. However although Portobello is certainly bigger, and has a wider range of goods in many ways both retain a distinct flavour that allows them to complement each other.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH, SOUNDS QUAINTLY RURAL, WE'RE TALKING OUTSKIRTS OF LONDON RIGHT?

Well once up
on a time, but not any more. There is still a green, but no evidence of sheep; don't turn up in your wellies, you may get some odd looks! Shepherd's Bush is in West London, in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, surrounded by the likes of Paddington, Kilburn, Acton, Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea.

It's handily situated on the old Roman Uxbridge Rd (A4020), that runs from Bush out through most of West London to (surprisingly!) Uxbridge. The A40 also runs through. There are Hammersmith and City line stations at both ends of the market; Goldhawk Rd at the South end and Shepherd's Bush at the North. Shepherd's bush Central Line is also not far away, about a three-minute walk round the green. And the bus routes, are you ready? Deep breath, here goes…207, 607, 283, 260, 220, 49, 95, 237, 72, 295, 94. Phew, there, no excuse for using your car, this must be one of the best places for transport ever.

One warning, Loftus Rd Stadium is round the corner. Doubtless this means nothing to most of you, but any poor fellow supporters of Nationwide teams may realise that the Super Hoops, QPR play here. As we have been relegated to the second division we are likely to attract crowds on the vast scale of one old man, three youths in anoraks and a mongrel dog next year, but as Wasps Rugby Club also share our ground there may be traffic in the area some times. Would be a good idea to check the sports fixtures before leaving if you're very bothered about traffic.

SO, NOT A CATTLE MARKET THEN, WHAT IS IT LIKE IF THERE AREN'T ANY SHEEP?

Well, it's definitely a local's market. It's not hear to provide organic peppermint tea to passing commuters, it's a thriving mix, serving the multi-cultural local community, but managing to provide something for everyone. From both ends the main 'street' of the market is opened with a large red arch. The main path follows the tube, so the
re is a lot of noise, added to by the main roads that it's served by at both ends. Full of smells, popcorn, cocoa butter, pineapple, incense, although not all of them pleasant, I hate the smell of butchers! On the right side of the main path at the North end of the market is a little network of smaller streets, mainly selling clothes, but with some variety here too. Lots of little places to eat hidden away here. Messy, busy and bustling, you may want to avoid it on the warmest of days, but I'd ditto that for any shopping experience!


RIGHT, I'VE FOUND IT, SO WHAT AM I HEAR FOR AGAIN, WHERE ARE THE SHEEP?

Forget the sheep, please. Two main reason to come here. Firstly for anything that you don't mind picking up cheap. Secondly for the massive range.

Clothes
If you need holiday shirts or thin summer dresses this is the place to come. Also if your tiny ones have decided they really need a Thomas the Tank Engine T-shirt, or whatever the current phase is. The label will actually say something like Humus the Bank Penguin, but hey, the picture will be ok. Socks, knickers, vests, you name it you can pick it up, real cheap stuff, as well as relatively decent 100% cotton bits. Always worth a look for cheap but decent shoes/jackets. If you're after one offs or finding new up and coming designers visit Portobello, but Shepherd's Bush has a wide selection including some nice Caribbean and Asian influenced stuff that you just wouldn't find elsewhere. Shepherd's Bush Green also has some very cheap clothes shops; well worth checking out if you're on a budget and like to rummage.

Toiletries
Real wide variety from knock down price brands, to very cheap tat, to products that are hard to find elsewhere. Anyone looking for Black hair care products or darker toned make up ranges really shouldn't miss it. Lots of fun bits like funky cheap nail varnish and hairpieces too!

Food <
br>Stalls at both ends, one in the middle, and one round the corner by Blockbuster Videos that has some real bargains, well worth a look. And I'm not talking a pound of new potatoes and a few mouldy apples here. Anything and everything and so much competition that you get a super price as well. Every type of squash you can imagine, papaya, lemon grass, fresh ginger, plantains, the list is endless (and I can't spell any more of it!). To top all this there are also some excellent grocery stores with salt rubs, black eyed peas, lentils, spice mixes, dried orange, rice, ghee. There's a butchers and fishmongers, and a biscuit and confectionery seller (who sells broken biscuits, which always taste better somehow ;-o ) too. You really could pick up almost everything you need, and with Tescos just up Shepherd's Bush Rd you could stock up on the Cheerios and fishfingers the market isn't so great for. There are also two bakeries at the North end of the market on the Uxbridge Rd.

Household
Sheets, pillows, rugs, mirrors, woks, it's all here, a lot of it junk, but have a delve and you'll discover plenty that could be adapted for most homes. Basics like cushion pads or foam are real bargains.

Other
Pet shop, top shelf mags, haberdashery, toy shops, baby equipment, material specialists, hairdressers, piercing, jewellery, there isn't anyone who couldn't find something that they needed. This is all just in the market; the high streets at both ends expand your options, with delicatessens, sport shops, music shops, chemists, grocery shops specialising in the cuisine of a variety of countries, children's clothing stores, and much more within a short stroll.


OK, YOU'VE CONVINCED ME, NEST TIME I DESPERATELY NEED A SNOW DOME CONTAINING THE ACROPOLIS I KNOW WHERE TO COME, BUT WHAT IF I GET PECKISH?

Again, a massive variety of options. At the North end you have an Indian, Caribbean and
Fish and Chip Shop if you fancy a quick take away. The Pie and Mash shop, at the Goldhawk Road end of the market serves the traditional pie mash and liquor, or gravy if you've left your Delboy stomach at home. Donuts from the diner on the green are a must for me, but then I do have a thing about donuts. The locality is full of pubs, Walkabouts is a good one, worth sticking around for an evening out in, although if it's grub your after you'd better have a look around, there is a good selection. The usual fast food restaurants are an option if you walk up to the green. There are a few excellent restaurants, worthy of an evening meal, Blah! Blah! Blah (vegetarian), Esarn Kheaw (Thai, much nicer than it looks!), The Patio (Polish, real bargain too!), Adam's Café (North African on the Askew Rd is well worth the 15 minute stroll) to name but a few.

ANYTHING ELSE TO DO LOCALLY, IF I WANT TO MAKE A DAY OF IT?

Well, the aforementioned dismal football team, the Rugby and Janet Adocoke Leisure Centre give you some healthy options, as do the many local parks. The Shepherd's Bush Empire on the Green could turn your afternoon into an evening, as could many of the pubs. Super dooper, all singing all dancing, multiplex shopping mall thingy opening in the next few years, so that may attract or repel, depending on your opinion of these things. The BBC is only round the corner if you fancy a stroll, and a look over the walls of the local park (I think officially called Hammersmith Park, although known locally as BBC Park, people will know what you are talking about if you refer to it by this name) reveals the much vandalised Blue Peter Garden. As pointed out above, plenty of pubs and wine bars. The library is next door, perfect to relax after a summer mornings shopping.

WELL, THIS HAS ALL BEEN VERY CONVINCING AND GUSHING, AREN'T THERE ANY BAD POINTS OTHER THAN THE LACK OF WOOLLY FARM ANIMALS?

Ok, ok I own up, I'
;ve moved away from Shepherd's Bush and miss it terribly, maybe that accounts for my readiness to forgive it's drawbacks. It can be very busy and noisy, and there is a lot of tat to dig through. On busy Saturdays you may want to give it a miss, especially if you have little toddlers just finding their feet, as it can be very fast paced. And the smell of warm mangoes is to be avoided if you have a hangover or morning sickness. The usual ideas about not having a handbag etc. would be great for your own safety; as is the case in any busy shopping area, there are pickpockets. Some parts are covered, but on rainy days it won't be as much fun. It does also wind down a bit earlier on slower days, like Wednesday, so don't turn up to late! All in all though one of London's undervalued unique markets; get there before everyone else does.

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