Festive Lights To Cheer Up 'Dead' Part Of High Road

Councillors bring sparkle to local businesses with early Christmas present

Chiswick Councillors approved funding for “additional festive lighting" next year on Chiswick High Road in a bid to cheer up an area that traders claim is "dead" with so many shops closing.

The decision, at the Chiswick Area Forum meeting (Jan 21) comes in response to a petition signed by small business owners who complained that they were not getting the benefits currently enjoyed by shops in other parts of the High Road.

Christmas lights in Chiswick

They represent traders at the end of Chiswick heading towards the Goldhawk Road and claim they have to sweep the pavements themselves, put up Christmas decorations and try to attract customers themselves. Meanwhile businesses in the Hammersmith & Fulham borough close by enjoyed lower rates and better services, they complained.

"That part of Chiswick High oad, is dead as it is, with so many shops closing
down. The business rates have gone up so much in the past few years, and we all
feel we are not getting anything back from what we pay.

"We pay almost the same rates as shops further down the road, but don’t even get a single light put up on the streets. So, from all of us at this end of the High road, we request Christmas decorations to be put up so at least customers could notice up a bit more," said their petition.

A total of 27 people including local businesses, signed the petition sent to the Council last November and forwarded to the CAF.

It requested that festive lighting be extended from Chiswick Lane to Goldhawk Road. The councillors decided to also include extending the festive lighting from Devonshire Road off the High Street to Glebe Street. Councillors were told that an indicative quote has been received from Hounslow Highways of £9,000 for the purchase of festive lights with annual installation and maintenance costs totalling £5380.

Cllr Oulds

The meeting heard that funding options are available from the Community Engagement Budget of which £4,851.75 remains uncommitted and also £81000 from S106 Economic Development Funding is available for Business Support.

The traders hope it will add to the attraction of the High Road and surrounding shopping area and support small businesses that are experiencing a difficult trading environment with increasing competition.

The Chair of the Chiswick Area Forum, Councillor Robert Oulds said in response, “Thank you to local shopkeepers and Business owners for this petition. We are happy to approve funding for this project and support Chiswick trade and Business. Not only will this help and promote Chiswick even more but it also means Christmas has come early!”

January 23, 2014