Decision Looms on Street Food Market Application

Licensing panel set to decide on Richard Johnson's proposal for monthly event

Richard Johnson pitching his street food concept to the Dragons. Picture: BBC

March 5, 2023

Whether or not Chiswick gets a new monthly street food market is set to be decided at a council meeting this week.

The borough Licensing Panel made up of local councillors will determine on Tuesday (7 March) whether Richard Johnson’s bid to hold the new event on the fourth Sunday of each month will be approved.

The Chiswick-based entrepreneur and food writer recently appeared on BBC Dragons Den when he unsuccessfully pitched his idea of street food based events.

He wants to hold a market with up to 64 stalls stretching from the Hogarth statue to the old police station. The licence if granted would run for a period of six months and could be renewed automatically by officers unless there are complaints about the operation of the event.

He says in his submission with the application, “For four hours a month on the 4th Sunday, in the Old Market Place, we’ll showcase the amazing street food traders, restaurants, retailers, growers and producers that we have on our doorstep - with food demos and fun for the kids - and try to establish our home as a proper foodie hub. The sort of place that gets noticed by the Sunday supplements – a market that the people of Chiswick will be proud of.”

Cllr Joanna Biddolph has submitted a representation against the application raising concerns about the effect another market could have on the existing bricks and mortar businesses in Chiswick, due to ‘unfair’ competition. She also feels Mr Johnson has provided inadequate and insufficient information with regards his plans for the market. She says she has arranged two meeting between Mr Johnson and local café and business owners and that their opposition to his proposals had hardened due to the lack of detail he gave.

She also contends that the loss of parking space in the centre of Chiswick while the market would be taking place leads to a decline in revenue for existing businesses during what should be one of their most lucrative times of the week.

There were 12 additional representations against the market proposal with three in favour. Those against are generally claiming that the existing markets already cause additional noise, littering, parking problems and congestion and that a fourth one would be too many. They also concur with Cllr Biddolph’s view that the market would cause unfair competition. Concerns were also expressed about the possible impact on the Dukes Meadow Chiswick Food Market, a community event which also runs on a Sunday.

Those in favour believe markets have helped revitalise High Road after the difficult period during the pandemic and the extra footfall it brings to the area means that all local businesses benefit.

One restaurant owner submitted a comment saying, “I do fear the Street food market will help to put a nail in the coffin with some of us, particularly as Hounslow is not offering support , larger pavement licence or any business rates rebate – the situation really is quite dire for many.”

Data was submitted which showed that the restaurant had performed better over the last year on the Sundays without a market.

The objection continues, “Our overheads are 10 fold to those who sell food at the market, and this proposed loss of trade is utterly catastrophic to many independent business who cannot sustain the quiet weekdays without the 4th Sunday – the payday Sunday trade should be our best day and see us through the week. Everyone is suffering with the cost of living crises, utilities, cost of food increases and to have additional direct competition to reduce the available the spend a consumer has will be felt by all of us.”

A representation on behalf of the Mid Chiswick Society/Friends of Chiswick Common said a survey recently conducted had shown that half of members were against the food market taking place with 28% in favour.

It continues, “Attitudes to the Markets are mixed - which many residents pointing to the difficult issues with parking. People who live in Elliott Road and Windmill Road in particular find that both traders and visitors take over the free parking spaces on a Sunday and people are expecting Sunday visitors who pop out to church or their allotments cannot then return to their homes. Many are elderly. 65% of respondents say it has been more difficult for them. People feel that if the market were to be approved - they would have to have parking restrictions on Sunday and that in turn would create other issues.”

The manager of the Borough Kitchen shop on the High Road wrote in favour of the application saying that takings were boosted on market days.