29th February 2016 Market Traders fight for their livelihoods in The Court Of Appeal On 2nd and 3rd March 2016 (Court reference: C1/2015/2785) The Traders from Shepherds Bush, one of London’s oldest markets, are preparing for the latest round in their legal challenge to overturn a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) imposed on their beloved 100 + year old market by The Secretary Of State For Communities And Local Government. The Market Businesses’ solicitor, Leigh Day, will be taking the challenge to the Court of Appeal in London, on Wednesday 2nd March & Thursday 3rd March 2016 (All are welcome to attend). This battle has been broadcast as “The fight for the livelihoods of market traders” and is well supported by many market traders throughout the country, the local community, visitors and customers of Shepherd’s Bush Market both new & old and from near & far. The traders had initially hoped for their original landlord, Transport for London (TfL) to put investment back into the much loved market however in 2014 Transport for London placed the future of the market and the traders in the hands of developers who wish to build 200 luxury apartments that will loom over the area. The developer’s scheme has proved to be a Trojan Horse of Disaster. Threating the value and worth of the long-standing and loyal businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market. For the past four years this threat has forced the traders to take legal battle and fight for justice for what is merely right and fair. The developer’s scheme has brought uncertainty and upset to the market businesses and since early 2014 the number of market businesses has drop terribly, along with daily footfall falling and loss in trade. In the past two years the developers have failed to manage the market adequately. Braking agreements and stipulation. Failing to issue Full Service Charge Accounts to all of the tenants thus raising further suspicions, and invoking numerous concerns due to their ambiguous behaviour. The lack of transparency and openness has caused much anxiety for the market businesses and the contradictory voice of the developers saying one thing yet doing another has reduced confidence and trust to a minimum. As one trader exclaimed “In only two years these developers have successfully ruined what was built by many, in the previous 100 years!” The scheme fails to implement the mechanisms, which are necessary to cradle the market businesses and allow them to survive through the disturbance and trauma that may occur during the next 3 years and beyond. There is a very real threat to the ethnic diversity of Shepherd’s Bush, to the small long-standing market businesses, to the livelihoods that support many hard working families and to the essence and character of Shepherd’s Bush Market. Please sign this petition and support for what is right and correct. Please save the Shepherd’s Bush Market Businesses!!