Oriental City
Oriental City: a lost London gem
Oriental City didn't look like much. The breeze block building could easily be mistaken for a multi-storey car park or a self-storage warehouse, its facade blending in nicely with the other greys on the Colindale stretch of the Edgware Road.
But inside was an other-worldly wonderland of food and shopping, mostly from China but 
with contributions from all over Asia. In the restaurants and packed food court you could stuff yourself with Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Japanese, Indian and Thai food. Or you could enjoy a bit of non-chainstore retail therapy in the supermarket and jewellery, furniture and pottery shops.
Better class of mall
This place was a hidden London gem since it started life as the Japanese-owned Yaohan Plaza in the early 90s. It then blossomed into a broader-based emporium and attracted thousands of visitors, although it was never uncomforably crowded. However, a big site like this was irresistible to property developers during the boom (doesn't that seem like a long time ago?) and in 2006 the local council approved a plan to knock it down and turn it into a DIY warehouse and flats.
People were furious at losing this vital resource for the diverse local community and managed to hold off redevelopment until June 2008 when Oriental City finally closed its doors. Of course, the boom is over now, and the future of the site is unclear. A great place destroyed for nothing.
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Leave a message for us here.Messages
| Message: | 10/10 |
| Date and time: | 19/12/2009 at 22:56:13 |
| Sender: | Lola |
| I agree with everyone here, I live a few minutes away from what used to be Oriental City and each time I walk or drive past, I cannot help but feel sad. Such a wonderful, successful place, loved by so many was destroyed for nothing but, as you rightly say, greed! It is baffling, this place was like a haven and quite unique in many ways, I have not since found anything like it in London or anywhere else I must add! Shame... if only it would return.. | |
| Message: | 9/10 |
| Date and time: | 15/12/2009 at 18:16:40 |
| Sender: | Greggy candles |
| Oriental city is very much missed by myself and my friends,the massage centre,a ten minute massage for a fiver was just brilliant,the therapists were so qualified,i wish i knew how to connect with them all,i miss them............ | |
| Message: | 8/10 |
| Date and time: | 15/11/2009 at 17:32:15 |
| Sender: | Aran |
| When something like the closure of a unique and genuinely alternative place in which to shop and eat closes down, for the sake of some greedy cheap suits to make money, it makes me want to pack my bags and leave this silly country,,, which is what I think I will eventually do. | |
| Message: | 7/10 |
| Date and time: | 22/10/2009 at 17:17:29 |
| Sender: | Dave |
| I remember when Oriental City opened, I lived in Mill Hill at the time. What a tremendous place, full of diversity and great food (Not to mention the games room, lol) I went back there in 2007\2008 it was nearly empty! What happened? And 'Brent Council' well that tells you nearly all you need to know!! 'mikey' says it's reopening! I do hope so, next time I'm in the country I'll check it out! | |
| Message: | 6/10 |
| Date and time: | 09/10/2009 at 14:39:04 |
| Sender: | charlie li |
| why was the Brent Council so stupid as to destroy the Oriental City at Colindale. Friends of mine have come from as far as Norwich to eat there at the Zen Restaurant. I think the Council was nothing but greed for money. May they choke themselves with the money. | |
| Message: | 5/10 |
| Date and time: | 24/06/2009 at 09:56:37 |
| Sender: | JP |
| There used to be a shop which sold Japanese ceramics and laquer tableware. Does anyone know if they have relocated somewhere else? JPB | |
| Message: | 4/10 |
| Date and time: | 15/05/2009 at 22:02:39 |
| Sender: | mikey |
| It's reopening later this year thank god for that. Blame Brent council for the mess for agreeing for redevelopment. | |
| Message: | 3/10 |
| Date and time: | 30/03/2009 at 22:15:58 |
| Sender: | cameron |
| thanks for setting up this, lively place this used to be, now lost to ''development'' like everything in this city | |
| Message: | 2/10 |
| Date and time: | 30/11/2008 at 21:48:04 |
| Sender: | serah |
| how very sad that the orient city closed down, as if we realy need a nother B&Q! where am i going to get my durian now, please help. is there a supermarket that is simular to the one in O/c id be very greatful | |
| Message: | 1/10 |
| Date and time: | 12/11/2008 at 11:36:29 |
| Sender: | rada |
| iam looking for an address of nearest Orienal City from Edgware. the collindale one is close | |
