Plans to revitalise Shepherds Bush Market and the surrounding area have been approved by Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council’s planning applications committee.
The market has been in existence for 100 years but many traders feel that it has been in decline for some time. Now, developer Orion Shepherds Bush Ltd (OSBL) will give the market a complete facelift and ensure that it thrives for another 100 years.
At last night’s planning applications committee meeting, OSBL was granted outline approval to regenerate and widen the market to create more space for larger pitches. There will also be an increased number of market stalls to create an even more diverse mix and lighting and security will be improved.
At the Uxbridge Road end of the market, a new public square will provide the setting for the refurbished Bush Theatre which has moved into the Old Shepherds Bush Library building.
OSBL has promised to maintain the independent character of the market by building on the individuality of businesses that have traditionally traded at Shepherds Bush. Their strong, local character is a vital ingredient of the market’s appeal.
The developer believes that the improvement plans will bring about approximately £3.2m a year in increased retail expenditure.
Several market squares will be created and new homes will be built. The Market Square will feature different types of national cuisines. This new square will accommodate pop-up shops and temporary trading space for start up or small businesses. There will also be spaces for open air events, seated areas and lavatories.
New shops will be built on the east side of the market for traders whose premises have become dilapidated and crowded.
OSBL is committed to protecting and maintaining market trading during the construction period.
In addition, the entrance to the market from Goldhawk Road will be extended.
All businesses based at 30 to 52 Goldhawk Road have been offered the opportunity to return to the new Goldhawk Road shop units that will be delivered through a phased construction programme. The new shops will be set back from the road to make the market entrance more visible.
OSBL investigated refurbishing the existing Goldhawk Road premises but concluded this would not meet the wider regeneration targets as the properties fall far short of modern standards.
Each Goldhawk Road business has been contacted by OSBL on a number of occasions to ascertain their preferred arrangements for moves that will accommodate their business requirements.
H&F Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, said:
“There is very little doubt that Shepherds Bush Market needs significant improvement if it is to survive. People have been telling the council for many years that it needs to be protected and enhanced and these plans will ensure that it will flourish, with more people visiting and market traders enjoying a more secure and prosperous future. We fully recognise the market’s rich heritage and character and this scheme will build upon its diversity to reaffirm the market as one of London’s leading tourist destinations.
“Shepherds Bush really is on the up as a place to live, work and visit. The town was recently named as one of London’s most desirable places to live and that is partly due to the market regeneration and the Shepherds Bush Green revamp that is due to start imminently.”
Richard Olsen of Orion Shepherds Bush Limited said:
“We’re very pleased with the outcome; it’s good news for the market and the area. The proposals will see the market regenerated and enhanced by introducing much needed investment and positioning it at the heart of a new high-quality mixed-use scheme. Our proposals seek to build upon its historic legacy, maintaining the diversity but at the same time implementing essential improvements to ensure the market becomes a destination in its own right.”
The Bush Theatre’s move forms the centrepiece of the council’s exciting vision of creating a new cultural quarter to complement the extended market.
The new public square at the Uxbridge end of the market will become a venue for outdoor performances, generating cultural activity and attracting more customers to the market.
Madani Younis, artistic director of the Bush Theatre, said:
"The regeneration of Shepherds Bush Market will act as a catalyst for the future prosperity of the area and I'm delighted that this exciting scheme will be taking place on the doorstep of our new home on Uxbridge Road. As the company enters a new phase and the building evolves, we look foward to fostering an ever closer relationship with the market and embracing the opportunites this generates for culture in the Shepherd's Bush area."
OSBL will build an elegant terrace of modestly sized houses that will protect Pennard Road residents from any noise that the enhanced market creates. ‘Pennard Mews’ as it will be known will create a private and attractive space to the rear of homes along the west side of Pennard Road in the manner of a traditional West London Mews.
In total and including Pennard Mews, 212 residential units will be built.
OSBL has given written assurances across a range of key areas of concern for the traders. These include:
- A phased programme of work so that the market remains open at all times
- Fixed rent levels for the first three years of the project
- All existing leases honoured and a service charge cap
- A business continuity fund of £500,000 for market traders to promote trade, support businesses and compensate for losses during the construction period
- A specialist market management company will be appointed and a market management strategy adopted to support existing traders and encourage new ones as well as protecting the market itself
- Further discussion with market traders on designs of new stalls
- The new stalls will be of no less size and value than the current ones and be within the character of the market
Market traders have been quick to give their support to the plans:
Hamid Tipu runs a fruit and vegetable stall in the market and said:
“I am really looking forward to an improved market. Overall, the market is dying and the traders just sit here all day long waiting for customers. The regeneration will bring the market up-to-date and give it the kick-start that it really needs.”
Aslam Malik of Moon Foods Cash and Carry, which is situated close to the Goldhawk Road entrance to the market, said:
“I have been in the market for 29 years and it is in desperate need of regeneration if it is going to survive. All of the traders here are looking forward to the future now that these plans have been approved – it is really excellent news.”
The plans have also been commended by one of Shepherds Bush’s leading estate agents.
Simon Waller, sales manager at Winkworth on Uxbridge Road, said:
“There is a real sense that Shepherds Bush is an up-and-coming place to live at the moment and we are seeing many people trying to move into the area from the traditionally more affluent areas on Holland Park and Notting Hill.
“The planned regeneration will give the market the shot in the arm that it so desperately needs. I know that all of the local businesses are in favour of the improvement scheme and are talking about it amongst themselves. It really is an extra feather in the Shepherds Bush cap.”
These outline plans will be further developed by OSBL over the coming months, with a more detailed application likely to be submitted later in the year. OSBL will be continuing to meet stall holders, local businesses, residents and visitors in order to inform their proposals.
If the detailed application receives approval, construction work is likely to commence in Summer 2013. There is likely to be some early start on improvement works to the market
OSBL is a joint venture between Orion Land and Leisure and Development Securities PLC.
