Saturday morning, I popped up bright and early to make it over to Shepherd’s Bush for a regeneration walking tour. Everything worked out fine to get me there on a bright but cold morning. After 20 minutes of waiting for a tour guide and/or anyone, I gave up and explored on my own.

Sheperd’s Bush is undergoing a change from the aussi flop house reputation that it held a few years ago. The new underground station, mixed with the redevelopment for the 2012 games and a new Westfield shopping mall claiming to be the next wave of shopping in Europe is all there. Mixed in is a large ethnic community serving up great food and great market finds.

Sheperd’s Bush Market Station (with the new Westfield)

Sheperd’s Bush Market:

Stalls:

Okra!

Meat (halal of course)

Haven’t seen one of these sellers yet except in Whitechapel

Sheperd Bush Green has a lady clearly not understanding the DO NOT FEED sign for the birds:

The new Westfield sits behind the green, rising up above the houses. It would be easy to miss if you were not looking down the street.

Welcome to the mall (after a flight of 50 stairs!)

Living wall with fountain outlines the outdoor eating area (and masks the sounds from the trains and houses below)

The view on the other side of the wall:

Loving the phonetic spelling concept for Oaxaca

Welcome to Westfield

Lots of sunlight and interior eating cafes

More cafes and wine bars:

Stores have the ability to be two stories high within one floor:

Hollister is coming:

Deluxe Shopping Area with champagne bar and oh la la shops from around Europe

First impressions are that the mall offers a wide open space for shopping that upon reflection feel almost airport course like. It would be interesting to see the ratio of restaurants to shops as it felt like you could get a drink every few steps (though you needed to sit down rather than purchase a buy and go option).