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Traders in Portobello Road call on the council to act now
Thursday 11 March 2010
Date; March 10 2010
Source; Kensington and Chelsea Chronicle
ANGRY traders in Portobello Road are calling on the council to act now to stop more chain stores killing their small shops and market stalls.
This comes after a 17,000sq ft All Saints chain store opened up in Portobello Road in December on the former site of 150 traders.
Portobello Road shop owner Costos Kleanthous has led the high profile protest and accuses the council of turning a blind eye by not using their powers to help the traders.
He handed over the 7,750 name petition last week to borough councillors at a full council meeting.
In response to the campaign Kensington and Chelsea Council maintain that they have no power to intervene in the change of tenancy in retail premises.
Mr Kleanthous, chairman of the Portobello Antiques Dealers Association, said: "I am pleased we were able to hand over the petition to show how much support we have.
"I know the council are saying they don't have enough power to stop these big shops but I dispute this strongly.
"I feel they are not using their powers robustly enough and are hiding behind them.
"The market is a very special place and people rely on it and the customers that come to it for their livelihood - the council needs to protect this by acting now."
"The market is a very special place and people rely on it and the customers that come to it for their livelihood - the council needs to protect this by acting now."
In the last month the campaign has received incredible support with 26,614 people joining an online Facebook group called Save Portobello Market.
A spokesperson for the borough council said: "What is crystal clear already however is that under current planning law the Council has no power to intervene in the change of tenancy of retail premises nor in the nature of goods sold.
"It follows that it had no power to prevent the fashion store All Saints moving into a premises formerly used to sell antiques.
"It is this change of retailer that has prompted the petition and related campaign."
She added that the council have been lobbying for government changes to the law which will give local authorities more powers to stop small units being amalgamated and taken over by a large retailer.
She added that the council have been lobbying for government changes to the law which will give local authorities more powers to stop small units being amalgamated and taken over by a large retailer.
The council also provided a financial package worth £230,000 to the Portobello Business Centre to help business during the economic downturn.
Councillor Tim Ahern, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I urge anyone who is interested in supporting small independent shops to sign the online petition because it is Government that holds the ultimate solution to the loss of small shop units, not councils.
"In the meantime we will go on using such powers as we have to support our local shops and businesses."
Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate Robin Meltzer joined the independent traders handing in the petition.
He said: "These small businesses are part of our local heritage.
"They not only put us on the tourist map; they also make our Borough a more diverse and fascinating place to live."
"Real leadership is sorely needed from the Council now, to turn around the sad state of affairs we are witnessing in Portobello."
For more information regarding the trader's campaign visit www.facebook.com and search for Save the Portobello Road Market.
