The iconic Shepherd’s Bush Market is poised for redevelopment, with plans to introduce new stalls, shops, and housing. Traders express divided opinions, with concerns about losing the market’s traditional charm and potential shifts towards upscale establishments.
The Save Shepherd’s Bush Market campaign group raises alarms about likely rent increases for traders post-redevelopment. Despite assurances of a support package, anxieties persist about the shift to ‘open market rent,’ potentially impacting livelihoods.
An anonymous cafe owner cautiously supports the redevelopment but worries about rent hikes, emphasizing the need for a delicate balance between development and preserving the market’s character.
The real estate company behind the plans assures that new leases will protect traders, delaying the shift to open market rent until around 2031. The Managing Director emphasizes the commitment to preserving the market’s unique character and history.
While concerns prevail, some traders, like the Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants Association chair, see the redevelopment as a positive step, citing the market’s recent decline.
As the Hammersmith and Fulham Council reviews the plans on December 5, the fate of Shepherd’s Bush Market hangs in the balance, awaiting a decision that will shape its future.
