Dear Supporters,
The following is a letter sent on the 1st July 2024 to the Mayor of London from the exciting new leading community group known as 'Friends of Shepherd's Bush Market' (FoSBM). 'Friends of Shepherd's Bush Market' welcomes all those who share and support its views to join together to protect and save the character and businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market. Whether you are a market trader, an employee, a local resident, a customer or visitor of Shepherd's Bush Market, or simply a supporter who wishes to make a difference, then, please contact Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Market at friendsofsbm@gmail.com
or fill out a membership form by clicking here
1st July 2024
Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Market (FoSBM)
friendsofsbm@gmail.com
The Mayor of London
City Hall, 110 The Queen's Walk
London, SE1 2AA, United Kingdom
Previous Correspondence of Concern Sent to The Mayor of London
Dear Mr Mayor,
The members of ‘Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Market’ object to both (i) YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.'s planning application reference GLA 2023/01093/FUL, and (ii) the sale by LBHF of the land formerly known as the Old Laundry Site Area, to YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. It has been alleged that YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.’s planning application reference GLA 2023/01093/FUL is supported, yet evidence shows otherwise. The land swap deal was agreed by LBHF Cabinet on 13th May 2024, yet documentation states that the market businesses have consistently objected to the prospect this sale and the encroachment of boundaries between the Old Laundry Site Area and Shepherd’s Bush Market. The following affirms the ongoing evidence of this case.
Before March 2022, the SBMTA held a strong membership of market tenants and a SBMTA committee of eight committee members and two honorary committee members. Mr Horada was the chair of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association (SBMTA) from 2006 to 30th March 2022.
Orion Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd./YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.’s actions and proposals raised deep concerns relating to matters involving (but not limited to) prejudice and inappropriateness towards the market businesses and its community.
Regular and detailed written communication of the concerns was sent from the SBMTA to the Mayor of London. These correspondences were also sent to the Greater London Authority and the Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
Taking a snapshot of the correspondences that were sent from the SBMTA to the Mayor of London within a 7-month period, from 25th May 2021 to 26th December 2021, thirty-six comprehensive letters raised concerns and complaints regarding YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.’s actions and proposals. These letters were not only sent to the Mayor of London but also to the Hammersmith & Fulham Council and various politicians and groups.
The table below individually lists each of the 36 SBMTA letters that were sent and received by the Mayor of London (Dropbox links to view each of the letters are also provided, so you may review the raised concerns).
It should be noted that far more correspondence, raising relevant concerns and further unresolved matters, were sent to the Mayor of London, the GLA, and the Hammersmith & Fulham Council, all whilst the SBMTA held a strong membership under the chair of Mr James Horada.
1.
· 26th December 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0648 - Mr Lloyd Lee - Waiting For Answers Regarding SBMTA's Correspondence Reference IL Ref 0621 - 4th of November 2021
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/c04z4z3u6ko96g4gbxmwo/26th-December-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0648-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-Waiting-For-Answers-Regarding-SBMTAs-Correspondence-Reference-IL-Ref-0621-4th-of-November-2021.pdf?rlkey=r5aiqnt7kpsz3q5d5k1xgu0rb&dl=0
2.
· 17th December 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0645 - Review on the Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s draft Supplementary Planning Documents
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pu5u16wyf4g4x7ytnjgdf/17th-December-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0645-Review-on-the-Hammersmith-Fulham-Councils-draft-Supplementary-Planning-Documents.pdf?rlkey=8iliimar5a4lwbgt5vb3aur4l&dl=0
3.
· 12th December 2021 Reference IL Ref 0641 - Meeting Between Yoo Capital & the SBMTA At 9 AM on 19th November 2021 at The Yoo Capital Offices
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ocmz897zxiz5qsdxjcgmf/12th-December-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0641-Meeting-Between-Yoo-Capital-the-SBMTA-At-9-AM-on-19th-November-2021-At-The-Yoo-Capital-Offices-copy.pdf?rlkey=qrhlfllyxp0ljt2g3nhpr7pof&dl=0
4.
· 18th November 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0631 - For the attention of: Yoo Capital – Mr Lloyd Lee & The Hammersmith & Fulham Council – Council Stephen Cowan - The Meaning and Significance of Yoo Capital’s Alleged Consultation Documents
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ogj1vt9lzvkbybpwtowah/18th-November-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0631-For-the-attention-of-Yoo-Capital-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-The-Hammersmith-Fulham-Council-Council-Stephen-Cowan-The-Meaning-and-Significance-of-Yoo-Capitals-Alleged-Consultation-Documents-copy.pdf?rlkey=fasl879oi0jawplyadhetc6i8&dl=0
5.
· 4th November 2021 Reference – IL Ref 0621 - Concerns Regarding Yoo Capital Seeking Signatures from The Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5hmt0nnjrfsz8uwjbqzub/4th-November-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0621-Concerns-Regarding-Yoo-Capital-Seeking-Signatures-From-The-Shepherds-Bush-Market-Tenants-copy.pdf?rlkey=56dqa67yal5ugwwwrlzvpnbkt&dl=0
6.
· 3rd November 2021 Reference IL Ref 0619 - Re: 2nd November 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0618 - Mr Lloyd Lee - Proposed Meeting on the 19th of November 2021 at 9 AM
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9aiuq3f7r82li95xg94vc/3rd-November-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0619-Re-2nd-November-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0618-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-Proposed-Meeting-on-the-19th-of-November-2021-at-9-AM.pdf?rlkey=wnb94ijhwrexhwyv38p1m8nll&dl=0
7.
· 2nd November 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0618 - Mr Lloyd Lee - Proposed Meeting on the 19th of November 2021 at 9 AM
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8x0psed42m7iulmijlqz9/2nd-November-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0618-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-Proposed-Meeting-on-the-19th-of-November-2021-at-9-AM.pdf?rlkey=sxlis5fsupiwnn0mvnyp2g75x&dl=0
8.
· 27th October 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0616 - For the attention of Yoo Capital – Mr Lloyd Lee - Re: 26th October 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0614
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gbgc95nvsxlh0qeyhu7nj/27th-October-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0616-For-the-attention-of-Yoo-Capital-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-Re-26th-October-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0614.pdf?rlkey=tglm2ul0ltdokwdmsm1hjqvsc&dl=0
9.
· 26th October 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0614 - For the attention of Yoo Capital – Mr Lloyd Lee - Request for a Meeting between the SBMTA and Yoo Capital
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n9xnv0e4z4g6tjmo641fw/26th-October-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0614-For-the-attention-of-Yoo-Capital-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-Request-for-a-Meeting-between-the-SBMTA-and-Yoo-Capital.pdf?rlkey=b5cpab90fwitggpze7qtaatye&dl=0
10.
· 22nd October 2021 Reference IL Ref 0613 - For the attention of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Community - Less Haste & More Transparency
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zsegqjky92nrkehokad9x/22nd-October-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0613-For-the-attention-of-the-Shepherds-Bush-Market-Community-Less-Haste-More-Transparency.pdf?rlkey=07s2tzh5x6q1pv9ifkt121ln3&dl=0
11.
· 22nd October 2021 Reference IL Ref 0612 For the attention of Yoo Capital – Mr Lloyd Lee - A Request to Meet
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2gnbcaxhetz12wf6rtn2e/22nd-October-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0612-For-the-attention-of-Yoo-Capital-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-A-Request-to-Meet.pdf?rlkey=bjeb2yqusdx5jbcvb1pfi6fco&dl=0
12.
· 12th October 2021 - Reference – IL Ref 0610 - The Condition of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Arches
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f8tbqr31a23enoybcsz4v/12th-October-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0610-The-Condition-of-the-Shepherds-Bush-Market-Arches.pdf?rlkey=t8yske7jy83xzy6r02ohhdukv&dl=0
13.
· 28th September 2021 Reference IL Ref 0603 - Yoo Capital’s Consultation Process
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o9hc6usyijgp4gjgvteoe/28th-September-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0603-Yoo-Capitals-Consultation-Process.pdf?rlkey=2tp1rq8a36vez8gczn1k97ncm&dl=0
14.
· 21st September 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0597 - Uncertainty regarding Yoo Capital’s Commitment
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sf6t4k83smpykg5d2qq4r/21st-September-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0597-Uncertainty-regarding-Yoo-Capitals-Commitment.pdf?rlkey=isez53a2g9ti1vyq7vu5rchp7&dl=0
15.
· 13th September - 2021 Reference IL Ref 0593 - Yoo Capital’s Commitment
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8fzi47j3uul138n4qb6rl/13th-September-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0593-Yoo-Capitals-Commitment.pdf?rlkey=oiw449w2fpnf1cpzsl14y00ac&dl=0
16.
· 8th September 2021 Reference – IL Ref 0590 - Concern regarding Yoo Capital’s Proposals & The Condition of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Arches8th September 2021 Reference – IL Ref 0590 - Concern regarding Yoo Capital’s Proposals & The Condition of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Arches
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4vp5cacdpdkt0wdfnudtu/8th-September-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0590-Concern-regarding-Yoo-Capitals-Proposals-The-Condition-of-the-Shepherds-Bush-Market-Arches.pdf?rlkey=dc1tz2mnfzevxhvef2mml4j5j&dl=0
17.
· 30th August 2021 Reference IL Ref 0587 - Concerns regarding Yoo Capital’s Housing & Office development raised at the Zoom Meeting held on the 23rd of August 2021 with the SBMTA & Yoo Capital
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jbvf25qee7jjhrztscrg5/30th-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0587-Concerns-regarding-Yoo-Capitals-Housing-Office-development-raised-at-the-Zoom-Meeting-held-on-the-23rd-of-August-2021-with-the-SBMTA-Yoo-Capital.pdf?rlkey=e0qlwsf0qetpmhw4ak5qadog9&dl=0
18.
· 10th August 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0579 - Yoo Capital’s Proposals
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u0gcze4s2qmdwusdsmfzs/10th-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0579-Yoo-Capitals-Proposals.pdf?rlkey=73fyzcf826elaldvpwy9g14al&dl=0
19.
· 18th August 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0584 - Zoom Meeting - Monday 23rd August 2021 at 7.30 PM
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z4q1ac4tz8n4kv1t0scfa/18th-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0584-Zoom-Meeting-Monday-23rd-August-2021-at-730-PM.pdf?rlkey=6pgomiv96eizoxmxhxggb8mqa&dl=0
20.
· 15th August 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0582 - Concern Regarding Yoo Capital’s Proposal’s Affecting Shepherd’s Bush Market
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/91ntrqcxvfc31xn2kworg/15th-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0582-Concern-Regarding-Yoo-Capitals-Proposals-Affecting-Shepherds-Bush-Market.pdf?rlkey=h7c97yzgwu221e2v292lwqf0s&dl=0
21.
· 11th August 2021 Reference – IL Ref 0581 - Zoom Meeting at 7.30 PM on Monday 23rd August 2021
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/e9gridsq54jjsyzq9k2x0/11th-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0581-Zoom-Meeting-at-730-PM-on-Monday-23rd-August-2021.pdf?rlkey=j540s6vy0z2hof6c4ct5i2x2l&dl=0
22.
· 10th August 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0579 - Yoo Capital’s Proposals
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2z2o7p2gg57gmqynkgkyh/10th-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0579-Yoo-Capitals-Proposals-copy.pdf?rlkey=cp9wn8utzgmm7hrjrj0z9uinq&dl=0
23.
· 6th August 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0574 - Yoo Capital – Ms Louise Page-Jennings & Mr Lloyd Lee - Yoo Capital’s Proposals
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bnnqp3e52kqek435p132l/6th-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0574-Yoo-Capital-Ms-Louise-PageJennings-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-Yoo-Capitals-Proposals.pdf?rlkey=jwg2p0dhe8t9zl50ych5z4l5d&dl=0
24.
· 3rd August 2021 IL Ref 0572 For the attention of Yoo Capital – Mr Lloyd Lee - A Further Request for Yoo Capital’s Proposals
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y2evhkwyzuhtqbvlncxlx/3rd-August-2021-IL-Ref-0572-For-the-attention-of-Yoo-Capital-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-A-Further-Request-for-Yoo-Capitals-Proposals.pdf?rlkey=nufxh7dfcisula8pab1c6kgef&dl=0
25.
· 2nd August 2021 - Reference - IL Ref 0569 - Discussing & Resolving Issues - Shepherd's Bush Market
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/of803gk5fa70vetax9d5z/2nd-August-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0569-Discussing-Resolving-Issues-Shepherds-Bush-Market.pdf?rlkey=cubf6w4rgeh6dkw4voucpb29l&dl=0
26.
· 1st July 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0562 - SBMTA’s Referenced Correspondences in the past 2 Months & Zoom Meeting on Monday 5th July 2021 at 7.30 PM
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qf53dkiiju6cyv3m8vrnf/1st-July-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0562-SBMTAs-Referenced-Correspondences-in-the-past-2-Months-Zoom-Meeting-on-Monday-5th-July-2021-at-730-PM.pdf?rlkey=8tsfc6cvnflgm1eeybpumkcns&dl=0
27.
· 29th June 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0561 - Shepherd’s Bush Market - The Greater London Authority - Ms Tina Jadav
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4jtqiyjau5dwjzzu4n6ys/29th-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0561-Shepherds-Bush-Market-The-Greater-London-Authority-Ms-Tina-Jadav.pdf?rlkey=n5k2welkfw5gopsrgzg1ef1hd&dl=0
28.
· 29th June 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0559 - The Leader of the Hammersmith & Fulham Council – Councillor Stephen Cowan - Establishing Robust Safeguards For The Shepherd’s Bush Market Businesses
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5222y35kxsrl62qxor1c6/29th-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0559-The-Leader-of-the-Hammersmith-Fulham-Council-Councillor-Stephen-Cowan-Establishing-Robust-Safeguards-For-The-Shepherds-Bush-Market-Businesses-copy.pdf?rlkey=3dn33nrhkej5968czia8v5kvh&dl=0
29.
· 15th June 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0550 - The View Of 70 Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenancies Regarding the Service Of Classic Services Group Ltd. (IL Ref 0538)
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pxatzagq421mzfwh6uuhz/15th-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0550-The-View-Of-70-Shepherds-Bush-Market-Tenancies-Regarding-the-Service-Of-Classic-Services-Group-Ltd-IL-Ref-0538.pdf?rlkey=jqhhchde5fuu9zjb5fh78fpyv&dl=0
30.
· 14th June 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0549 - Yoo Capital’s Disregard Of The Market Community’s View
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2fz07lmvfaxv3zls3e3pz/14th-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0549-Yoo-Capitals-Disregard-Of-The-Market-Communitys-View.pdf?rlkey=xr4ylntjednwmkv60m67o3vgk&dl=0
31.
· 9th June 2021 - Reference IL Ref 0542 - Precis of the Telephone Conversation on the 4th of June 2021 with Ms Louise Page-Jennings from Yoo Capital
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/frcltz82a59we3vxcwfgi/9th-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0542-Precis-of-the-Telephone-Conversation-on-the-4th-of-June-2021-with-Ms-Louise-PageJennings-from-Yoo-Capital.pdf?rlkey=g1ogvgpwshbdgxujrfkh7i43f&dl=0
32.
· 4th June 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0537 - Yoo Capital’s Proposal Boards - Shepherd's Bush Market
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2t5mv6sxx0m6mmjwyyj3q/4th-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0537-Yoo-Capitals-Proposal-Boards-Shepherds-Bush-Market.pdf?rlkey=7bmg8l350zt19xd5pjn1mboh6&dl=0
33.
· 2nd June 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0535 - Yoo Capital’s Proposal Boards
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ju3qdawwjh08pjjmjq3hf/2nd-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0535-Yoo-Capitals-Proposal-Boards.pdf?rlkey=opvxwk593nb92pdyodqo783m0&dl=0
34.
· 1st June 2021 - Reference - IL Ref 0534 - Yoo Capital’s Proposal Boards & Feedback Form
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xkbhz24ffi40dnz12ggl2/1st-June-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0534-Yoo-Capitals-Proposal-Boards-Feedback-Form.pdf?rlkey=zdqsg2zoeparnuljuwiwckc5r&dl=0
35.
· 28th May 2021 Reference - IL Ref 0532 - Yoo Capital – Mr Lloyd Lee - Yoo Capital’s Plans & Feedback Form
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/v1uomcy4h2q5l1sl8zsvp/28th-May-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0532-Yoo-Capital-Mr-Lloyd-Lee-Yoo-Capitals-Plans-Feedback-Form.pdf?rlkey=4lt8rkwpf7k9ez9dd4hn9ulj0&dl=0
36.
· 25th May 2021 Reference – IL Ref 0530 - The Mayor of London – Mr Sadiq Khan – Unfair & Undemocratic
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7h565hmc2315dalgfmzep/25th-May-2021-Reference-IL-Ref-0530-The-Mayor-of-London-Mr-Sadiq-Khan-Unfair-Undemocratic.pdf?rlkey=exmhjz6xh6w2fjrikdyg3d24j&dl=0
The letter to MP Andy Slaughter titled “24th May 2022 - For the attention of MP Andy Slaughter - Freedom of Speech” was also sent to the Hammersmith & Fulham Council – Councillor Andrew Jones.
This letter may be viewed via the Change.Org Site
Save the Shepherd’s Bush Market Businesses Campaign that currently holds the support of 14,323 signatures, Link:
https://www.change.org/p/save-shepherd-s-bush-market-9b555bcd-4118-4e1d-a556-195f0e0caba0/u/30585381
A PDF copy of this letter dated 24th May 2022 may also be viewed via the Dropbox link:
The letter to MP Andy Slaughter raised concern about YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.’s written documents that propose to place the members of the SBMTA under a confidentiality agreement that may gag the voice of the SBMTA.
· The SBMTA’s letter highlights and quotes the YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.’s written documents, under point 17 it reads:
Clause 7.1 reads: ‘Subject to clause 7.2 below, no public announcement or communication shall be made (or permitted to be made) by any party concerning the subject matter or terms of this deed, the Revised Service Charge Agreement or any other Settlement Document other than to third parties who, by reason of clause 10 of this deed, have the benefit of its terms and no party shall disclose any information or documentation (in whatever form) relating to the other party (or, in relation to the Landlord, any member of the Landlord’s Group) or the businesses interests or affairs of the other party (or, in relation to the Landlord, any member of the Landlord’s Group)’.
· Point 18 reads:
The SBMTA understands that the landlord – Yoo Capital may wish to keep the terms and conditions of the proposed Service Charge Settlement confidential in whole or in part, however, it is argued that all matters regarding the Service Charge regime and the 28th of March 2003 Service Charge Agreement have always been public and should remain so, to retain openness, transparency, and understanding.
· Point 19 reads:
Yoo Capital proposes that ‘no public announcement or communication shall be made (or permitted to be made) by any party concerning the subject matter’. This looks to be attempting to cloak even the subject of this settlement. Subsequently, this is viewed as unreasonable and unacceptable.
· Point 23 reads:
Censoring the market community from communicating with the public is viewed as unacceptable and unconstitutional.
· The SBMTA’s letter under point 24 reads:
The latter part of Clause 7.1 reads: ‘and no party shall disclose any information or documentation (in whatever form) relating to the other party (or, in relation to the Landlord, any member of the Landlord’s Group) or the businesses interests or affairs of the other party (or, in relation to the Landlord, any member of the Landlord’s Group)’.
· The SBMTA’s letter under point 25 reads:
Yoo Capital’s proposals are viewed as an attempt to silence and muzzle the SBMTA or any of its members from disclosing any information or documentation or interests or affairs relating to Yoo Capital, or any party associated with Yoo Capital.
· The SBMTA’s letter under point 26 reads:
This very broad clause seeks for the SBMTA members to be legally gagged from discussing matters that reach far beyond that of the content of the settlement, extending to any affairs or interests which Yoo Capital or their associates may have in the future.
The letter to MP Andy Slaughter dated 24th May 2022, evidenced the concern that YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. sought to gag the voice of the market businesses. However, under the SBMTA’s Chair - Mr James Horada, YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.’s proposal to impede and manipulate the market community was rejected.
Upon Mr James Horada’s retirement as Chair of the SBMTA on 30th March 2022, numerous members lost their confidence in the new chair – Mr Peter Wheeler.
Consequently, the SBMTA committee of eight committee members and two honorary committee members fell to only three committee members (Mr P. Wheeler, Mr S. Duggal, and Mrs L. Sakstein) and the SBMTA members refused to pay their membership fees and left the SBMTA.
As all aware, the SBMTA’s constitution states “Fees shall be £40 per member per year. Non-payment of fees shall lead to exclusion from membership”.
The concern became increasingly suspected that YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. may have approached each of the remaining three SBMTA committee members (Mr P. Wheeler, Mr S. Duggal, and Mrs L. Sakstein) and may have struck a deal for these individuals to support YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. proposals and push the development through for their personal gain.
The concerns previously raised for years by the SBMTA before Mr Wheeler’s chairing, range from long-term affordability for the market businesses, Service Charge Disputes involving the landlord’s questioned expenditure charges, and the liberties and rights of the market traders. Within weeks of Mr Wheeler’s chairing from April 2022, the SBMTA (i) ceased to protect the concerns of the community, (ii) ceased all letters of complaint despite no resolution, (iii) and announced irrational and unfounded support for YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.
It has been alleged that the Hammersmith & Fulham Council and the current SBMTA committee have had numerous meetings to negotiate the new lease proposals with YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. However no evidence has been presented to traders or the community as to the detail of these meetings and discussions.
Do you have this evidence and if so, can you make it available to those who should be fully consulted on these matters?
The Yoo Capital development, if approved, would have a serious impact on the livelihoods of independent traders and the lives of the wider community.
(i) The consultation regarding Yoo Capital’s development has not properly included independent traders, residents, and the local community, as it should. Many feel that they have not had a voice throughout this process. There are clear stipulations within the planning process that should safeguard democracy and the interests of the community and yet, in this case, this has not happened.
(ii) Shepherd’s Bush Market is at the heart of Shepherd’s Bush and the wider West London community. For over 100 years the market has been a diverse and affordable place where people from all walks of life including working class, migrant and racialised communities can meet, shop, and belong. During a cost-of-living crisis the enormous social value of Shepherd’s Bush Market is something to be nurtured and cherished. We would hope that the planning system had ways in which the harmful impact of developments on this social value could be controlled.
It is alarming to see the Hammersmith & Fulham Council has been willing to permit the erosion of Shepherd’s Bush Market’s treasured character and attributes, to accommodate the ambitions of a speculative development that would offer no benefit to the local community.
The Hammersmith & Fulham Council should have broadened discussions beyond that of the developer, and the SBMTA which has been shown to be unrepresentative and perhaps even ethically compromised.
The membership of the SBMTA has plummeted under the chair of Mr Wheeler, and there is concern that the SBMTA’s membership numbers may have been misrepresented to elude the Hammersmith & Fulham Council from the issue that the SBMTA no longer held a majority membership of the market community from April 2022 and onwards. Numerous Market businesses have raised the complaint that the SBMTA may have incorrectly claimed to hold their support to the Hammersmith & Fulham Council when in fact they did not.
The Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s excuse that they did not consult directly with the market community is apparently because they claim they consulted with the SBMTA committee. This is viewed as unsatisfactory due to (i) the three SBMTA committee members, under the chair of Mr Wheeler, have not held the membership of the majority of the market tenants, and (ii) the integrity of the SBMTA committee is under scrutiny due to the personal alleged deals done with YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. that may seek the SBMTA committee’s approval of the planning application.
The correspondence sent from the SBMTA for several years, prior to Mr Wheeler’s tenure, before April 2022, under the former leadership of Mr Horada, states valid and legitimate concerns to safeguard the welfare and livelihoods of the market businesses. These significant matters still have not been resolved and remain relevant to the future of the Shepherd’s Bush Market businesses.
The SBMTA correspondences to the Mayor of London, the GLA, and the Hammersmith & Fulham Council, leading up to March 2022, retain their legitimacy and validity. The failure of current parties to familiarise themselves, comprehend, and address these concerns, is unacceptable. The livelihoods of the Shepherd’s Bush market businesses must not be ignored.
Under the current chair of Mr Wheeler, the SBMTA has failed to pursue the concerns and interests of the market businesses. It appears that one of the reasons for this may be because YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. has influenced the current SBMTA committee members to deliberately overlook and ignore the negative impacts of the proposed development upon the market businesses.
The details behind YC Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd.’s siege on the Shepherd Bush Market businesses warrant a thorough investigation. There has been a deliberate, systematic managed decline of Shepherd’s Bush Market since these developers have owned the site. Independent traders and infrastructure have been neglected and the market has not been allowed to thrive. Local governance in the form of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority need to protect the interests of the community in the face of this adversity.
‘Friends of Shepherd's Bush Market’ is the leading group including tenants, traders, customers, residents, and the wider London community. We ask you to access the links provided and read the above documentation and consider how you can use your powers, as Mayor of London, to ensure the long-term future of Shepherd’s Bush Market as a diverse and affordable market for the people of London. This is an opportunity for you to serve those who require your protection. As our Mayor of London, we ask for the opportunity to meet with you in person. We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Market (FoSBM)