Another independent store bites the dust - West Hampstead's Atlanta Food & Wine to be replaced by Caffe Nero branch

Published: 14 April 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

SHOPPERS in West Hampstead are reeling from the loss of yet another independent high street shop to a national chain.

Atlanta Food & Wine, one of the last independent retailers in West End Lane, has closed its doors following the arrival of Sainsbury’s two weeks ago. 

Staff said they could not compete for trade with the supermarket giant, which opened with huge fanfare on March 11 in premises formerly occupied mini-market Best One.

Best One, part of a franchise, was forced to close after being unable to compete with the arrival of two Tesco Express stores in West End Lane and Fortune Green.

Now Caffè Nero has confirmed it will occupy the property left vacant by Atlanta as West Hampstead shoppers are left to lament the loss of small businesses from their area.

Marcia MacLeod, who lives in Dennington Park Road and writes a blog about consumer rights, said: “I’m absolutely distraught. With the independents, if you want something different, they will try and get it for you. They are usually managed and staffed by the owners and families, and are usually friendly and helpful. Because the multinationals can pay higher rents, it becomes a vicious spiral. The landlords see what the chain stores can pay and put up their rents to the point that no little guy can survive.”

West Hampstead councillor Gillian Risso-Gill added: “A frequent complaint from residents is the lack of variety in shopping in West Hampstead with too many coffee shops already. The last thing needed is another national chain that will threaten the businesses of the local independents.”

Last year Barbara and Tihomir Dizdar, who ran Dizar gift and jewellery shop in West End Lane for 17 years, were forced to close after being unable to compete with the rising rents.

Jitendra Thakorlal, former chairman of the area’s traders’ association who had been in the high street for 36 years, also left last year to open up new premises in Cricklewood. Mr Thakorlal ran Uttam gift shop until its closure in 2006 and then family-run estate agents The Agency.