Still Open in Hammersmith and Fulham
Shopping centres, gyms and markets welcoming visitors this weekend
The outbreak of coronavirus has caused the closure of facilities across Hammersmith and Fulham, including theatres, music venues, libraries, cinemas and churches.
However a surprising number of places, including shopping centres and gyms, remain open to the public.
Here's where visitors are still welcome in our borough.
As of Friday morning, Westfield Shopping Centre remains open, with a message on its website saying: " We are following the official advice of the World Health Organisation and Public Health England and in line with this, our centre remains open.
" Our top priority is to protect the health of all visitors, retailers and employees within our centres. We are taking a number of precautionary hygiene measures such as reminding employees and visitors in our centres of the guidance given by health authorities, equipping all welcome desks and receptions with hydroalcoholic gel (hand sanitiser).
" We have also increased the frequency of cleaning / sterilising of common areas or “touch” spots such as tactile screens and door buttons. We are also carrying out regular deep cleaning to prevent the spread of infection and create a safe environment for people to shop, work and eat.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep you informed on any changes to our centres."
You can read the announcement in full here.
In Hammersmith, Kings Mall is still open, though it says visitors should check individual stores for any changes to opening hours and temporary closures. Sainsbury's, within the centre, like all its stores is setting aside the first hour for elderly and vulnerable customers whose health is most at risk from Coronavirus (COVID-19). That hour is 8am till 9am from Monday till Saturday and 11am till midday on Sundays. Find out more here.
The West 12 Centre, Hammersmith Broadway and Fulham Broadway are also still open, with the Sainsbury's in Fulham Broadway also introducing elderly hours first thing every morning.
As of Friday morning, these leisure centres are still open:
Fulham Pools
Linford Christie Outdoor Sports Centre
Hammersmith Fitness And Squash Centre
Lillie Road Fitness Centre
Phoenix Fitness Centre And Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool
GLL, the social enterprise which runs the centres in association with the council says: "As a valued Better customer, we want to let you know that the health and well-being of both our staff and customers is paramount.
" We would like to reassure all of our customers that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that we protect against the risk of Coronavirus, so that we can continue to provide facilities and services to your local community.
" We are working closely with local public health authorities and all official updates from the government, so that we can keep you up-to-date of what is happening.
" However, things are changing daily – so we recommend that you regularly visit your local centre page for more information of what is happening at your local centre."
Find out more here.
Private health clubs across the borough also remain open as of Friday morning.
As of Friday morning, Fulham Palace is also open. The historic palace has released a statement, from CEO Sian Harrington saying: " We wish to confirm that the café, shop and garden are open as usual. Unfortunately we have had to close our museum and historic rooms and postpone public events, talks and tours, as we are operating with reduced staff and volunteer numbers and we do not have the capacity to keep the whole site open.
" The health of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our highest priority, and we are following all official guidelines and safety precautions advised by the UK government. We have increased our hygiene practices and we are confident that we have a safe environment for all visitors, volunteers and staff.
" This is a very unpredictable time, and the situation is changing daily. We will be reviewing our opening arrangements on a regular basis – keep an eye out on our social media, upcoming newsletters and on this page for further updates."
Details and opening times
- Botanic garden
Green spaces will be hugely important in the coming weeks, and our garden remains open for everyone to enjoy, while observing social distancing measures. Access to the site remains through the main entrance on Bishop’s Avenue from dawn to dusk, and through the gates at All Saints Church and Bishop’s Park from 7.30am to 5.30pm. - Walled garden
Additional precautions mean that our walled garden has reduced opening hours of 10.15am to 2.30pm daily and the vinery will be closed. - Cafe
Our cafe remains open 9.30am to 4pm with additional precautions in place. - Shop
Our shop and visitor welcome remain open, at the Tudor arch, open 10.30am to 3.30pm. - Museum and historic rooms
Our museum and historic rooms will close to the public from Friday 20 March for just over four weeks. We hope to reopen again on 19 April.
Sian adds: " As you will already be aware, these coming weeks and months will be a difficult time for the Palace. The impact on the hospitality, arts and culture sectors is potentially more serious than on many others. We hope that this message will reassure you that our doors remain open and our business carries on.
" As an independent charity we receive no government funding. If you can donate to support us during these uncertain times it will make an enormous difference. You can do so here.
" We hope you will continue to enjoy our beautiful site if you can, and we will keep you updated as we review the situation. Take care of yourself, your family and friends and stay safe."
Parsons Green Walk-In Centre, on the east side of the green, is still open as normal providing healthcare from experienced NHS nurses, who can treat a range of minor injuries and illnesses. It has now stopped offering treatment to people who present with a cough or fever.
Its opening hours are 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Find out more here.
Shepherd's Bush and North End Road Markets remain open as does Brook Green Market and Kitchen, taking place on Saturdays from 10am till 3pm at Addison Primary School.
Brook Green Market says on its website: " In this current climate, with coronavirus, our farmers’ market will be open as usual this weekend and going forward until we are told to close by the government.
" We will be taking all necessary precautions to safeguard hygiene and welfare.
" Our market is open air with plenty of space so one can keep a distance from other people and we wont have the queues that supermarkets do.
" Our food is direct from farms, and small producers so no factories.
" You can wash your hands at the market as will all our traders be doing regularly."
Elsewhere, The Queen’s Tennis Club in West Kensington has closed its restaurant, and its gym has cancelled classes. But general use of its tennis courts and gym are still available.
The Hurlingham Club remains open but asks its members to refrain from visiting if they have reason to believe they may be carrying the infection.
The Polish Social and Cultural Association in Hammersmith has cancelled all events, but its cafe is open.
Riverside Studios in Hammersmith has cancelled all events, and it has also now made the decision to close its Studio 8 Cafe and Bar and Studio 7 Coffee Shop. However Riverside TV Studios and the adjacent restaurant Sam's Riverside are operating as usual.
All this information is subject to change in this fast moving situation, so check with all these places before visiting.
If you are venturing out, you should follow the latest advise from the NHS o the coronavirus, which you can read here.
Written by contributions from Owen Sheppard, Local Democracy Reporter
March 20, 2020