Park Royal, Brent/Ealing
An extensive industrial and commercial estate in the far north of Acton, between the Western Avenue and the Grand Union Canal
The London HQ of drinks conglomerate Diageo
Formerly the village of Twyford, the present name derives from the Royal Agricultural Society exhibitions held here from 1903 to 1905. Munitions factories were built on the site during the First World War, and it developed as an important industrial estate after hostilities ended.
Employers included HJ Heinz and Waterlows printers, and there were stadiums for greyhound racing and football. During the 1970s and 80s several of Park Royal’s factories closed and parts of the area became derelict.
The Park Royal Partnership has been working to address the area’s problems by encouraging new businesses to move in, and by improving the quality of the built and landscaped environment. Contrary to the general trend towards exclusively high-tech business parks, manufacturing industry continues to play a part.
Drinks conglomerate Diageo has a swish office block in Park Royal but in 2005 it closed the neighbouring Guinness brewery, built by Sir Giles Scott in 1934, owing to excess production capacity.
Park Royal is also known to the public for its Asda superstore and the Royale leisure park, which includes a nine-screen multiplex and a 36-lane bowling alley. The complex lies on the opposite side of Western Avenue from the main estate.
