Lime Grove demolition

The end of an era

2: Closed but Still Standing

The Metropolitan line at the rear of the studios was carried on a brick viaduct, and on the other side of it was the long-established Shepherd's Bush Market. The studios are prominent on the far right. Even the blue water tank on its tower is a conspicuous feature.
view from Goldhawk Rd end of Shepherd's Bush Market (12K)

view from junction with Goldhawk Rd (9K)
The studios dominated Lime Grove, and were visible for miles around. This was the view from the Goldhawk Road end of Lime Grove.

From Devonport Road, a street which runs parallel to Lime Grove. Scaffolding prior to the start of demolition is being erected.
view from Devonport Rd (10K)

North Block. Note: 'Gainsborough Films' logo remains (brick construction) (11K)
On the face of the North Block the "Gainsborough Films" logo, constructed in brick, still remained.

Adjacent to the North Block, a row of houses were BBC owned and used as offices. They are boarded up to be converted back to private dwellings.
BBC-owned houses boarded up. There was no direct access from main building to houses (15K)

the white painted area (Centre Block) is where the control rooms for Studio G were located. The grey area above at 4th floor level (North Block) is a walkway linking to the South Block. It had a corrugated roof (13K)
The white painted area (Centre Block) is where the control rooms for Studio G were located. The grey area above at the 4th floor level of the North Block is a walkway linking to the South Block. It had a corrugated roof.

The North Block showing the fire escape from the 7th floor offices used for "Nationwide" and "London Plus".
North Block showing fire escape from 7th floor offices (Nationwide and London Plus) (8K)

looking northwards. The boarded up Cash Office windows can be seen to the right of 'Checkpoint Charlie' (Centre Block). Note: 'Dirkan' site developer's sign on North Block tower (11K)
Under the white painted Centre Block are the boarded up Cash Office windows with "Checkpoint Charlie" to the left, and the main Reception entrance to the right.

On the right, adjacent to the "Checkpoint Charlie" cubicle (just visible at extreme right) is the scenery lift. This had access to the 1st and 4th floors, and was also used to ferry audiences up to Studio D for the "Kilroy" show.
North Block - scenery lift on right. This had access to 1st and 4th floor, and was also used to ferry audiences up to Studio D for the 'Kilroy' show (12K)

Main Reception - showing signs of deterioration. When the entrance canopy was demolished, the ceiling panels were removed for salvage (12K)
The main Reception entrance - showing signs of deterioration. When the canopy was demolished, the ceiling panels were removed for salvage.

South Block, Hospitality Rooms S7 - S10 boarded up. S8 and S9 were panelled with oak and used for political guests' hospitality.
[I used to park my motorbike down behind those railings when I worked there in the mid-1950s].

Film Despatch entrance (10K)

At the end of the South Block, the Film Despatch entrance with the Smith's Block entrance visible below the water tower. This gave access to the Presentation Block, Smith's Yard and the BBC Club.

Note the gatehouse on the left - this had to be knocked down first to allow the large cranes access to the site.

[photos: © Nigel Finnis]

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Preparing to Destruct!

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