17th August 2015 The Right Hon David Cameron, MP, The Prime Minister No 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA Dear Mr. Cameron In the latter part of April 2015 the Conservative Party announced their small business manifesto. You spoke about the ‘values of enterprise, the values of graft and putting in, and believing that reward follows effort’. You spoke of ‘working round the clock to build something, employing people and making a success.’ You said you would be fighting for the ‘people who put their lives on the line for their family, for people who work hard and who do the right thing.’ If your words are sincere then you have the fortunate opportunity to help us. We are the businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market and we are hard working people who have been grafting and sweating day in and day out for decades. We are the businesses that have strived from one generation to the next; we are the families who have done and continue to do the “right thing”. We are not only the backbone and spirit of Shepherd’s Bush Market but we are a classic example of the small independent businesses that the government should cradle and protect so we may develop to fulfill our potential. It is most upsetting that there is an injustice occurring presently to the traders of Shepherd’s Bush Market and that the livelihoods of many are being threatened, not to mention that the value and security of our honest businesses are being seized upon for the gain and profit of private property developers. When under the Conservative leadership of Stephen Greenhalgh, Hammersmith & Fulham Council invited property developers, Orion Land & Leisure to “involve” themselves in Shepherd’s Bush Market. What was hoped to be a proposal to aid and benefit the existing businesses of the market has revealed itself to be a “Trojan Horse”, which has proved to be a cancer on these innocent market traders. The Section 106 Agreement for the Shepherd’s Bush Market Area, which we understand was written in conjunction with the (Conservative) Hammersmith & Fulham Council and the developers (Orion) fails to provide the required levels of assurances to the existing Shepherd’s Bush Market businesses and does not have the adequate mechanisms to protect the businesses during and after the duration of Orion’s “scheme”. The inadequacies to protect the value, security and longevity of the existing market businesses were affirmed by Government Inspector, Mrs. Ava Wood. It was Mrs. Wood’s view that a Compulsory Purchase Order should not be issued for the Shepherd’s Bush Market area, however to our horror, Mr. Eric Pickles, Secretary Of State for Local Government and Communities, at the time, overturned the Inspector’s judgment and awarded the CPO. The Government Inspector’s report identifies a number of our concerns and it is tragic that the proposal of these developers, that was originally hoped would help the existing businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market, is not only damaging us but has already been the catalyst for over 10% of the traders to leave the market. The developer’s regeneration proposals for Shepherd’s Bush Market are feeble and not comprehensive enough. The “compensation package” for the market businesses during the predicted 3+ years of disturbance equates to no more than £30 per week for each business, which is derisory. There are no plans to address the terrible ingress of water, which flows into the retail area of the businesses that are located in the Arches, which are underneath the Viaduct. This is disappointing as the Arches are the original retail outlets defining the character of Shepherd’s Bush Market. However more disturbingly, there is no proposal to address the poor condition of the pointing and the brick work of the Viaduct, and the developer’s intention of removing the permanent market canopy, which runs the full length of the market, creates a realistic and troubling threat that bricks from the Viaduct could potentially fall and kill an adult or child. The developers wish to build 200+ luxury apartments (none of which provide social housing) on Shepherd’s Bush Market ground. We understand that the developers wish to make a profit from this property deal however this should not be at the detriment of the Shepherd’s Bush Market community. This David and Goliath scenario should not be allowed to happen. The presence of these developers has already caused much upset and stress and it is wrong that honest and hard working people such as ourselves are being forced to go to the Courts to prevent our businesses from being oppressed in this manner. We are a popular, well-loved local market. We serve people of all nationalities and all ages, from a wide spectrum of the community. There isn’t another market like ours in the country and when the developers “manipulate” it for the sake of 200 + luxury apartments, the essence of Shepherd’s Bush Market will be lost forever and it will be a great loss to more people than you realize. London is not just for the young with disposable incomes who pay for overpriced sandwiches on contactless credit cards, who are happy with their noses immersed in their smart phones. London is an incredible city that should cater for all; please do not forget the Shepherd’s Bush Market visitor who may be the elderly or the poor, or those who are of various religions and nationality, or those who seek good value for money and of course a familiar and friendly face. It is sadly evident that these developers have such little experience in markets such as ours, that they are willing to place all of our futures in jeopardy for their own profit. The developer’s proposals are astonishingly unjust, as the scheme’s lack of guarantees will accept the loss of all of the long standing, existing businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market. The existing businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market should not face the threat of being sacrificed or regarded as a mere casualty for the achievement of the developer’s plans. We are amongst the many small businesses that benefit this country and we deserve better. The businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market will continue to strive for fairness and justice in the same manner that we have strived to keep our businesses breathing for so many years. This mess regarding Shepherd’s Bush Market’s future is complex however those like us, who have dealt with the struggle of these developers, see the truth and wrongs hidden behind these complexities. You are certainly in a position to help us, Mr. Cameron, and if you truly believe in helping England’s small independent businesses then now is the time to ‘do the right thing’ for us and this 100 year old market. Yours sincerely, James Horada (Chairman) For and on behalf of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants Association