Hounslow Council Leader Blasts Chiswick Shoppers

Enforcement officers visit retailers ordering them to adhere to government advice

Shoppers on Chiswick High Road (before the outbreak). Picture: Google Streetview

The leader of Hounslow Council has condemned the number of people who went to the shops on Chiswick High Road this Sunday (22 March).

He was driving through the area and later tweeted, “Just been to Chiswick High Road in the car, so many shops open as if it’s a normal Sunday, people buying books, paint, having their hair cut, clothes, antiques, bicycles, the only shops that should be open are supermarkets food shops takeaways and pharmacies. Others should shut now.”

Although all pubs and restaurants had shut by Sunday as well as many other businesses, some had chosen to remain open because the government instruction for them to close was not issued until the following day.

Hundreds of shops in the borough were visited by police and council enforcement officers over the weekend (21/22 March) encouraging them to act on government advice.

One Chiswick retailer responded, “I’m furious about these comments which are, sad to say, indicative of the attitude that Hounslow Council have had for some time about Chiswick. Most of the people on the High Road were there to buy food. They may have at the same time picked up other items but what might be a non-essential to one person could be vital to another at this time. Mr Curran is complaining about people buying books but many of them may have been doing so at the request of a person in isolation.

“There is a double standard here as parking enforcement officers remain on the prowl which means that many people feel they have to park in Sainsbury’s car park particularly older people who struggle with the new parking machines and who don’t have the support to self-isolate. There is plenty of parking space on the High Road where they would have a shorter walk to get what they need and would avoid the crowds.”

Another Chiswick business woman commented, “When Cllr Curran travelled through Chiswick the government was only advising shops to close not instructing them to do so. What he fails to understand is that, while his financial situation will remain secure thanks to what he is paid out of the exorbitant rates the Council collects from us, retailers in the area were already experiencing a tough time. For many shutting their shop means their income drops to zero and yet rent and rates will still have to be paid as far as most of us are aware at this stage.

“Often the choice was financial ruin or staying open while closely following government guidance on social distancing and cleaning our premises. We would never put our customers or their loved ones at risk. Obviously now that the government has made its guidance more unequivocal we will close as will other so-called ‘non-essential’ shops but we are grateful to the support we received from our loyal customers and Jo Biddolph who have been in our corner at this difficult time. If we ever manage to reopen this won't be forgotten ”

Local councillor Jo Biddolph is maintaining a list of what Chiswick retailers’ plans were during the crisis including delivery options and opening hours which she published along with a reminder about current government advice and which is republished on this site and being updated.

Some other retailers and residents supported Cllr Curran’s views saying it was wrong for certain types of businesses to be operating during the outbreak and they were critical of Cllr Biddolph's initiative.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Curran said police and enforcement officers had been visiting outlets across the borough to crackdown on guidelines being ignored.

“We’re working with the police and our enforcement officers. We have visited hundreds of businesses at the weekend and today (March 23) to remind them that they should be following the government and Public Health England advice,” he said.

“They are now responding much better…The majority weren’t sure and thought the guidance wasn’t clear. There has been a significant improvement with the vast majority of shops now shut, there’s been no issues with pubs and bars.”

In a TV address to the public on Monday, (23 March), Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that all shops selling non-essential items should close and officers will have power to issue fines to rule-breakers.

Cllr Curran added,“We are very clear on our position that shops unless they are an essential category – food shops and pharmacies – should not be open and they should be following the guidance.”

“We will use whatever enforcement action is necessary to encourage them to comply.”

The warning comes as the number of positive cases of Covid-19 has risen to 64 in the borough.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care as of Monday, March 23, 6,650 people in the UK have tested positive for the virus out of a total of 83,945 – a rise of 967 cases.

Markets such as Brentford market and Dukes Meadows market have also shut down as part of measures to stop the spread of the virus.

Cllr Curran said: “All the markets on council property will not be running in the foreseeable future.”

Parks remain open in the borough while the council leader said this will be “under review” in line with Public Health England guidance.

In a newsletter to residents, the council recognised green spaces as a “lifeline” for people needing exercise and fresh air, and asked walkers to follow the government’s social distancing advice to stay two metres away from people you do not live with.

Cllr Curran also sent a message to residents to “take care” and explained that the council’s community hub is hoped to be up and running by the end of the week with more details to follow.

March 24, 2020