Market Traders Say Westfield Could Benefit Them

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But more must be done to point shoppers in their direction

Shepherd’s Bush Market traders say the new shopping centre could benefit them - but only if steps are taken to encourage Westfield shoppers to also pay them a visit.

While road signs have appeared this week, directing motorists to Westfield London, market traders say little has been done to direct shoppers to them.

“If they do something for the market, it will attract customers, but if they ignore us, the small traders will be finished,” said stall-holder Surjeet Duggal. “They have put up signs advertising Westfield and they could do the same for us.”

“If you come out of the Central line station, the signs indicating where the market is are misleading and there are no signs along the Uxbridge Road showing where we are. Are there going to be signs on Wood Lane?" said Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association Chairman and owner of Dave Horatha & Co. draper’s shop, James Horada.

Traders say their landlord, Transport for London, has invested millions of pounds on new transport links to serve Westfield but has not invested in the Market.

“Why haven’t they advertised their own market? TfL make a million and a half profit a year from us but they don’t put it back into the market. TfL don’t make any effort – it’s irrelevant to them. They have a market which could be a great benefit but they’re turning their back on it. They should pay attention,” said Horada.

They also accuse Mayor Boris Johnson of failing to keep the promises he made when he visited the market during his election campaign: “Boris promised to look at rents and regenerate the market. Since he’s been elected, he’s done nothing,” said Duggal.

However, traders said the renaming of the Hammersmith and City line station to Shepherd’s Bush Market was a step in the right direction. “It’s a good thing. It makes people aware there is a market here. I hope it brings people into the area,” said Mr Sehota of Footsie 101 shoe shop.

Despite their concerns, traders we spoke to said they did not think they would be adversely affected by the new shopping centre.

“We offer a different kind of service (to Westfield). If people go shopping in Sainsbury’s, they might not talk to anybody, but we talk to our customers. We’ve known our customers for a long time,” said trader Laura Sakstein.

“I’m not worried. Our prices are cheap and maybe more people will come,” said Mr Singh of the Guru Kirpa furniture shop. “They cannot beat our prices. What we sell is the same quality – we get our furniture from the same factory as the big stores. If they (the shops in Westfield) have to pay high rents, they will have to charge more,” he said.

Mr Sehota expressed a similar sentiment: “They won’t be able to compete with us on price as the rents are high in there. It’s going to be the top end of the market. Branded stuff isn’t cheap and I do very little branded stuff. I hope it will bring people to the area – we might benefit from it. On the other hand, it can only get better – it can’t get worse.”

Shepherd’s Bush Market has suffered from a sharp downturn in trade in recent years. “The market used to be fantastic in the 1970s and 1980s,” said Horada, whose shop has been in the market for almost 90 years.

“If Westfield are getting 70,000 footfall per day, we would be happy to get the crumbs off the table,” he said.

In response to the traders’ complaints Transport for London say they have invested heavily in the W12 area: “TfL have invested £30 million in transport improvements coupled with £170 million from Westfield and this has resulted in a big improvements in transport for west London businesses and residents. These improvements will benefit the whole community including Shepherd's Bush Market. The Hammersmith & City line station has recently been renamed as Shepherd's Bush Market to assist in the promotion of the market and better identify the area on the Tube map as a visitor destination but also to differentiate it from the Central line station. Directions to Shepherd's Bush Market are advertised on local bus stops and shelters around Shepherd's Bush, as well as inside both Underground stations in the area and the recently opened London Overground station.”

We asked for a comment from the Mayor’s office but have received no reply. 

Yasmine Estaphanos

October 30, 2008