Task Force Set Up To Tackle 'Crisis' Facing High Road Shops

Chiswick at risk of becoming a 'ghost town' say concerned councillors and traders

Devonshire Road shops. Picture: Google Streetview

Local traders and three councillors have come together to set up a task force to fight what they describe as the crisis facing local shops.

They say that with about 20 empty shops in central Chiswick and more businesses set to close, the area is at risk of becoming a 'clone town' or a 'ghost town' and is on course to lose its unique identity unless action is taken. Independent traders who face high rents and rates, say it's time to fight back before they are forced to go out of business. And they have called on residents to make an effort to shop local.

Councillors Joanna Biddolph (Turnham Green), Patrick Barr (Homefields) and Gabriella Giles (Riverside) have now set up a task force working together with Chiswick traders, to support existing local shops; help address the decline in the number of shops in Chiswick; and reduce the number of new shops that set up, then fail. The task force was announced at last Thursday's (26 July) Chiswick Area Forum special meeting.

The task force team has held preliminary discussions with several business owners, with Hounslow Council and Chamber of Commerce, organisations that underpin independent businesses' success, and with individuals who have offered expertise and skill to support and promote Chiswick's independent shops.

Kate Frobisher of Urban Pantry cafe said, “We’ve been on Devonshire Road for almost 3 years and in that time a great number of its independent businesses have closed down. It’s been a real shame to see some great businesses close, but with rising rent and rates it’s increasingly difficult for small businesses to make any money.

"On top of this, other restaurant owners/managers that I’ve spoken to in Devonshire Road are finding it increasingly difficult to find good staff, potentially due to a loss of our European workers because of Brexit. I’m not sure that people are aware quite how hard it is for the local business of Chiswick at the moment. We’re hugely grateful for our loyal and lovely customers for their repeat business, as are the other traders we talk to on Devonshire Road."

Local businesses which have closed on that street alone include Abode, Bagista, Vape Emporium, Cardamom, Quantas, London zu, The Parlour, Canta Napoli, and Whisk.

Joanna Biddolph (above) said, “It is clear that current rents, said to be the market value are the market value for failure. We’ve seen new shops open then close a few months later, the shop owner having lost six figure sums on buying their lease; fitting out their shop; recruiting and training new staff; trying to build trade; and paying enormously high business rates for nothing in return.

"As for longstanding independent shops, some have closed recently, and others are under threat, unable to make a business case for the enormous hikes in rent their landlords demand,” she continued. “With chains moving in, and on roads that have traditionally been independent-led, Chiswick is at risk of becoming a clone town or a ghost town.

“Residents often don’t realise how tough it is to succeed here. One shop is being advertised at rent and rates that mean the retailer will have to make £3,000 a week just to open the door. That’s before buying stock, paying staff, turning on the lights, marketing to bring in customers, and trying to make a profit. If every resident were to make small but permanent changes to their shopping behaviour, buying from independents, it could ensure our independent businesses survive" , she added.

“It’s so easy to dash to a supermarket to buy everything there without a thought,” said Cllr Patrick Barr. “Yet, nipping to an independent shop or stall brings other rewards – a chat with the owner, advice on what to choose, a more extensive range, surprisingly competitive prices – and it supports a business that brings character and difference to our lovely area. We have so much choice in Chiswick but many businesses are under threat because we just don’t use them often enough. The cliché “Use It or Lose It” could not be more apt,” he said.

“It’s surprising how many people in Chiswick don’t know about our independent shops,” Cllr Gabriella Giles said . “If you live in Grove Park or Strand on the Green, for example, we use our local shops because they are nearby and pop up to the western end of the High Road for more extensive shopping because it is the easy option. We forget about Devonshire Road, Turnham Green Terrace, other roads off the High Road and shops elsewhere in Chiswick. The same is true wherever in Chiswick you live; the nearest shops tend to be where you go. Part of our campaign is to put all these roads and the fabulous shops on them on the map so more residents are persuaded to use them,” she said.

Gabriella Giles

They are now drawing up an action plan with local businesses. The campaign has four major priorities;

- influencing policy makers, nationally and locally, to ensure that policies support, rather than hinder, our independent retailers
- explaining to landlords and agents that huge leaps in rent drive out independents and are changing Chiswick’s shopping streets and character for ever
- guiding businesses looking to set up shop in Chiswick on how to make a success of it
- persuading residents and visitors to change their behaviour and put independent shopping on their shopping lists.

“The point is that this must be driven by our traders. A lot of advice and business support is geared to office-based businesses; it does not work for retailers. We want to use our positions of influence to change that and make a positive difference for Chiswick. It’s about getting it right for Chiswick’s wonderful local shops, cafés and restaurants – and encouraging local residents to support them," they say.

July 26, 2018