A crossroads in West London. Does that sound exciting? Maybe not. But Gillette Corner is more than just a place where roads meet. It’s a place where history and innovation intersect.
Gilette Corner is the intersection of Syon Lane and the Great West Road. It marks the western end of what was once known as the “Golden Mile.” This area was famous for its Art Deco factories and office buildings in the 1930s.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the magnificent building that dominates this corner: the Gillette Building. This Grade II listed Art Deco masterpiece was designed by Sir Banister Fletcher. Its frontage is said to resemble a razor. The building was purpose-built in 1936 for the Gillette company.
Notice the high brick tower topped with a four-faced neon clock. That clock made the Gillette Building a prominent local landmark. Day and night it can be seen from afar. For decades, this was the European headquarters of the Gillette Company. From here in Gilette Corner, they oversaw their European operations. In 1958, over 1,000 people worked here. Think of the ideas hatched and the innovations launched within those walls.
Before the Gillette factory stood here, this area was mostly open fields. An Ordnance Survey map from 1936 shows an 11-acre field at the junction of Syon Lane and the Great West Road. The factory’s arrival transformed the area so much so that the junction was named after it. The area became known as Gilette Corner.
Syon Lane itself has a history. It was turnpiked in 1767 and straightened twelve years later. Back then, Syon Lane ran past Osterley Park and led to Southall. There once was a small hamlet south of Gillette Corner called Syon Hill. It had perhaps eight buildings.
Interestingly, no other commercial buildings could be built further west from Gilette Corner along the Great West Road. This was because the land was owned by the Church Commissioners. Syon Lane railway station was even built to serve the workers at the factories here.
During World War II, Gillette contributed to the war effort. The company placed ads in local newspapers asking for scrap brass. They melted down the scrap metal and donated the proceeds to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Gillette stopped production here in 2006. Manufacturing moved to Poland. But the building remains. In 2013, it was sold to Gillette Corner Holdings. There were plans to convert it into a hotel and business park.
Before our story concludes, remember the Better ‘Ole transport cafe. It stood on the northwest corner of the junction from the 1920s to the 1950s. It featured a mural based on a World War 1 cartoon.
Gillette Corner is more than just a crossroads. It’s a testament to industrial innovation. It’s a landmark recognized by its distinct clock tower. As we move on, remember the legacy of Gillette Corner. Remember its impact on West London.