Goldhawk Road Traders Send Out Last Call for Help

Local people asked to write to Secretary of State by April 2

Shopkeepers at 30 - 52 Goldhawk Road have sent out a last minute call for help to save their premises.

Aniza Meghani, of Classic Textiles has led the campaign to stop the their premises - a historic terrace built in the mid-19th century - being demolished as part of the redevelopment of Shepherd's Bush Market. She says:
" Please everyone, this is our final call for help. You can make a difference by writing to the Secretary of State by the deadline of April 2."

Aniza's appeal for help comes after Hammersmith and Fulham Council  issued the Shepherd's Bush shopkeepers with a Compulsory Purchase Order notification, which means the council has begun the process of applying for the order to forced them out of their properties.

The latest move comes despite the High Court ruling last year that Hammersmith and Fulham Council acted illegally. You can read the full story here.

The council however, has said that plans by developer Orion to regenerate the market will go ahead, and that all the businesses based at 30 - 52 Goldhawk Road will be offered the opportunity to return to the replacement shop units.

Aniza says: " The council says the traders are 'getting a good deal'. Why then are they all so implacably opposed to selling up?"

And she adds: " When a court says you have acted illegally and you are due back in court in a few months for round two, should you really proceed with the business that got you into trouble in the first place?"

The traders say letters supporting their cause must be received by the Secretary of State by Tuesday April 2, so ask supporters to put pen to paper as soon as possible. The address to write to is:

The Secretary of State for Local Government
National Planning Casework Unit
5 St Philip's Place
Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2PW

March 27, 2013