Two years ago the NHS Trust that runs Charing Cross Hospital put forward a plan to re-build it. Work was intended to start this year and be completed by 2021.
The idea was to build a new smaller hospital on part of the site and then pull down the existing rather ugly concrete tower block. There would be 500 fewer beds in the new hospital and some specialised treatments would be re-located to Hammersmith Hospital or Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital. The former is already a world leader in treating cancer. It all sounds rather sensible but the Labour MP and now Labour Council have mis-represented it time and again, telling the electorate that the hospital is to be closed. “Save Charing Cross Hospital” posters started appearing in windows. They have succeeded in having the plan put on hold until 2021 so, assuming the same time-line if it goes ahead then, it will be completed in 2025. The only good thing to come out of this is that the peregrine falcons will keep their nesting site on top of the tower a while longer.
Meanwhile the Beauty Parlour by the tube station has closed and I am curious to know what will replace it. Currently, there are two cafes (one French, one Polish), a branch of Paperchase, a chemist, newsagent, dress shop, Oddbins, butcher, convenience store, estate agent and dry cleaner. A fish monger would be a welcome addition.