Derelict Jackson & Nephew petrol station, Chalvey Rd East, 2014.

 

Nature reclaims unused urban space, poking through the seams in the asphalt, growing up the walls, pooping on the forecourt. This site was last operated by Shell, but has been unused for nearly a decade. Jackson and Nephew had been on the site since the early 30s, initially as a cycle repair business and later as sellers of petrol; in 1979 the old shop was pulled down and this petrol station put in its place. The sign still shows the old 5-digit telephone number.   

In the background stands Tower House, one of the relatively few high-rise blocks in Slough. Both the block and the petrol station site are earmarked for ‘regeneration’, with the latter having been surrounded by new building hoarding just this week. This view will soon change, both far and near.