With about 20 empty shops in central Chiswick and more businesses set to close, Chiswick is at risk of becoming a clone town or a ghost town. That’s why three Chiswick councillors, one from each ward incorporating Chiswick, have set up a task force to tackle the crisis facing independent shops. Councillors Joanna Biddolph (Turnham Green), Patrick Barr (Chiswick Homefields) and Gabriella Giles (Chiswick Riverside) are working together, and with Chiswick traders, to support our existing local shops; help address the decline in the number of independent shops in Chiswick; and reduce the number of new shops that set up then fail.
Announcing the campaign at an informal Chiswick forum, Cllr Joanna Biddolph explained that the campaign is about four things:
- 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.
“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 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, adding that he will be encouraging a shift in shopping habits.
“It’s surprising how many people in Chiswick don’t know about our independent shops,” Gabriella Giles explained. “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.
The task force team has already had preliminary discussions with several business owners, organisations that underpin independent businesses’ success, and individuals who have offered expertise and skill to support and promote Chiswick’s independent shops. It is drawing up an action plan, with local businesses. “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,” Joanna concluded.
If you would like to help with this new initiative, please contact:
- Councillor Joanna Biddolph on 07976 703446 or [email protected]
- Councillor Patrick Barr on 07976 703263 or [email protected]
- Councillor Gabriella Giles on 07976 704129 or [email protected]
This news was reported by Chiswickw4 and The Chiswick Calendar. Read their news stories here:
- Chiswickw4: Chiswick at risk of becoming a ‘ghost town’
- The Chiswick Calendar: Chiswick councillors set up task force
