Save Our Corner Shop Say Chiswick Locals

Marie's Store has been at the heart of the community for nearly 20 years

Residents in Chiswick have launched a petition to save a corner shop from being demolished and replaced with flats.

Local people say that Marie's Store on Cunnington Street at the junction with Antrobus Road, has been at the heart of the local community for nearly twenty years.

Marie, who came from Zambia to the UK when she was eighteen, lives alone and says she is determined to fight to keep her shop from closing. She received a letter from Ealing Council last week (May 23rd) informing her that an application had been made for planning permission to demolish the building and to construct three two-bedroomed flats.

She will also lose her home if the proposal goes ahead as she lives on the premises.

"I've been here nineteen years and I was just very shocked to receive this news out of the blue. But the local community has been fantastic- already we have over 200 signatures to a petition, plus more signatures online," she said.

One local resident who was visiting the shop told ChiswickW4.com that Marie was an important member of the community and locals were "shocked" that they might lose their local store. The shop sells newspapers, food, drink and cards.

"This would have a devastating impact on elderly people who come to the shop for various items as the supermarket is so far away and it would have an effect on people living in sheltered accommodation in Rothschild Road nearby. Many of the elderly people like to come in for a chat and often it's their only outing," said the woman.

Marie also holds keys for several elderly neighbours and for the local church. She hosts a community carol service every Christmas for the Acton Green Memorial Church.

Local people have also contacted councillor Harvey Rose to see if he can help.

Marie said she came from Zambia to live in the UK when she was eighteen, working firstly at her father's shop in Leeds. She has worked in several retail outlets in Askew Road and Hampton. She opened her own shop in Chiswick in 1993 on the site and since 2000 has run it on her own.

One local person who has written to Ealing Council has described Marie as "The Big Society in action" and said people were "shocked and appalled" at the news that the building might be demolished for flats.

The application can be seen on Ealing Council's website- reference PP/2013/1704.

May 28, 2013