West Hampstead – ‘Chain store threat to our small shops’
Warning that ‘heart of the community’ is under attack as another independent outlet shuts
Published: 01 July, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON
WEST Hampstead is becoming a community of “cafés, estate agents and chain stores,” shoppers have warned as another independent shop announces it is to close its doors for the last time.
Barbara and Tihomir Dizdar, who have run Dizar gift and jewellery shop in West End Lane for 17 years, say they can no longer afford to stay open after being hit by rising rents and the repeated closure of the Jubilee line.
The couple plan to continue their business on the internet as well as opening a stall at Portobello market. They say the cost of running an independent shop is too high for most to survive.
“West Hampstead has been a lovely area to work in and the people are great so we’re very sad to leave, but with the recession the cost of running a business like ours is just too much,” said Mrs Dizdar.
“Our rents have doubled since we’ve been here and we basically missed out on a whole year of trade with the Jubilee line closures. On top of the recession it was just too difficult. We’re not a necessity shop so we’re the first thing that people cut back on.”
The couple are not the only familiar faces to leave West Hampstead as Jitendra Thakorlal has announced he will stand down as chairman of the traders’ association after 36-year link with the high street.
Mr Thakorlal ran Uttam gift shop until its closure in 2005, when repairs to a bridge disrupted trade, and opened family-run estate agents The Agency in 2006.
He left West End Lane last month to open up new premises in Cricklewood and will be replaced as traders’ chairman by Colin Slade of Penguin Boutique.
Mr Thakorlal said: “West Hampstead is changing and there are a number of businesses in trouble. Luckily, we weren’t in that position but we had a very good offer from a client so we decided to move on.
“It was extremely emotional after so many years to leave a community which we’ve been part of for so long. But we still have a strong connection with the area so we won’t be saying goodbye just yet.”
Following the latest closures, shoppers have lamented the long line of independent shops to disappear from West Hampstead.
Marcia McLeod, who lives in Dennington Park Road, West Hampstead, said: “Shop owners can no longer struggle against the greed of landlords and the council, all of whom seem to set the going market rate at whatever the biggest multinational in the area can afford. The result is a community full of cafés and estate agents, but the loss of local shops, which are the heart of the community.”
A Camden Council spokesman said: “The council values independent traders highly as they provide goods, services and jobs and attract visitors by giving real character to the borough.
“The council recognises the challenges facing businesses but does not have powers to control private rents set by landlords or business rates which are set by central government.”