Taste of Palestine Food Stall Plan Meets Resistance


Shops and residents object to licence bid by Chiswick Lane junction


The location of the planned pitch. Picture: Google Streetview

October 29, 2023

There has been significant pushback from local shops and residents to a bid to open a falafel stand near the junction of the High Road and Chiswick Lane.

Mr Fakhri Shaban Yussif Eid has submitted an application for a licence for the Taste of Palestine food stall outside 81 Chiswick High Road.

Hot food would be prepared at the stall which would operate Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

People living nearby have objected on the grounds of the blocking of the pavement, lack of notice from the council about the application, the potential for littering and cooking smells coming from the stall.

Businesses in the area have also made objections including the owner of Blo Bar who said, “The introduction of a falafel stand in close proximity to our premises not only presents an unsightly visual disruption but also jeopardises the aesthetic appeal that our establishment lends to the intersection of Chiswick High Road and Chiswick Lane. We are genuinely concerned that such an endeavour could attract rodents to the area.”

DIY shop Brewers said that the stall would reduce its visibility and discourage customers from visiting due to cooking smells entering the store.

Cllr John Todd made an objection on behalf of the recently established My Place café. He said, “The proposed stall would obstruct an attractive and safe pedestrian walkway used by many. LBH Benches are provided for pedestrians to relax. They don't want the cooking fumes to permeate their airspace.
I want My Place to be able to compete with others on an equitable basis post a huge investment.”

Cllr Joanna Biddolph added, “Street stalls have been shown, over and over and over again, to damage bricks and mortar food and drink businesses. This one will do the same. Licensing should not put at risk any of the borough's existing bricks and mortar businesses in Chiswick in favour of a street stall.”

The application is due to be considered at a Hounslow Borough Licensing Panel meeting on Thursday 9 November. Should the licence be granted the stall would still need to obtain planning permission for use of the pavement.

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