On the 14th of June a Tesla car crashed into the front of 1a High Street in Rusilip Manor, destroying part of the front of the Priory Cafe. The car has since been removed from the building, and the extensive damage is still open to the elements, propped up only temporarily and fenced off with some alumnium fence panels.
Both Ruislip Residents’ Association and Ruislip, Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society are concerned about the damage to the building.
It is a Grade 2 listed building within the Ruislip Village Conservation Area and it is vital that the necessary repairs are carried out as soon as possible and appropriately by an approved contractor. The building is situated within the historic centre of Ruislip so it is critical that the repaired structure will still blend in and be in sympathy with the surrounding architecture.
Some of the damage can be seen in this video, recorded from the pavement on the morning of 23rd June 2025.
We are informed by the London Borough of Hillingdon’s Conservation Officer Neil Robertson that the structural engineers (Gateley Smithers Purslow) are aware of the listed status, and they have begun discussions on the best ways to sensitively repair the building whilst retaining the historic fabric.
They have told the Conservation Officer that they are now drawing up a scheme for him to review, and that and discussed with the freeholders insurers are aware.
Blocked pavement
Ruislip Residents’ Association has made the case to London Borough of Hillingdon that the fencing panels around The Priory are denying pedestrians any access to the pavement. This means the adjacent Zebra crossing is effectively off limits, except for those that know there is a route through the churchyard.
A second building damaged by a car
Just a few days after the Priory Cafe was hit by one car, a home on Victoria Road in Ruislip Manor was hit by another. The house beside the roundabout at the Victoria Road and Torrington Road junction has been boarded up awaiting permanent repairs.
A sign on the roundabout from the Metropolitan Police asks for witnesses to the traffic incident on Wednesday 18th June at 12:28 to call them with any information or footage that they have – on 020 8543 5157
We politely request that cars remain on the roads, and that they keep themselves to themselves. By all means hit each other if they absolutely must, but please stop hitting Ruislip’s buildings! We want to look after our high street, listed buildings, and our homes!
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