Greenford was historically put on the map due to its trifactor location – there is arguably no better spot in London for access to canals, trains and the motorway. While all of these transport links make Greenford a commuter’s dream, this neighbourhood is more than just a great place from which to get somewhere else. With a rich Polish and South East Asian community, the area is a smorgasbord of delicious food spots such as the Royal Nawaab. Industry remains a key part of the beating heart of the area due to the industrial estates that dot the neighbourhood, with large companies such as British Bakeries, IMB, Panavision, and Royal Mail setting up in the neighbourhood. However, Greenford remains a key residential spot with schools and green spaces aplenty.

The history of Greenford really began in the 19th century, when industrialisation hit the area. Famous for being the town where aniline dye was discovered in William Perkin’s chemical factory in 1856, the dye industry was the first to cause workers to flock to Greenford. Later in the 20th century, this proliferated to baking and tea, as household names Hovis and J. Lyons and Co. set up to make the most of the useful canals, railways and roads that Greenford possessed. In fact, it was rumoured that Queen Elizabeth would only eat bread made in Greenford. Another lesser known Greenford product that doesn’t receive as much recognition as aniline dye is Readybrek, which was invited in the town in 1950.

You might not initially believe it, but music history was made in Greenford. Specifically, the Oldfield Tavern public house (which sadly shut down a few years back) was the favourite venue of the little-known band the Detours. After meeting a spritely young man named Keith Moon there one night, the band finally stood on stage on the 20th February 1964 as The Who.

Within the rich tapestry that is Greenford, the rates of petty crime are unfortunately rather high. Greenford has small pockets of crime usually around Greenford Hall and large shops such as Tesco and Lidl. Many are also clustered around West Avenue and the station. However, few of these crimes are violent.

Nearly 2000 new homes are due to be built in Greenford, along its segment of the Grand Union Canal, with many of the units already available for rent and sale. The new development will revive the derelict brownfield buildings of the former GSK site to provide around 1500 for-rent houses, and 500 to purchase. Tenure types will be mixed with a set of flats to be affordable. As well as allegedly producing around 1205 full-time jobs, the new development will also build a new primary school, nursery, commercial and leisure space. The development’s design is heavily oriented toward outdoor leisure and relaxation, with 40% of it consisting of pockets of green public open space, a canalside setting, play areas, new trees, a large water feature and a significant public square at the centre of the development. Rebranded as Greenford Quay, the development is expected to be fully completed by 2026.