Approximately 50 to 60 businesses in Queensway Market have received notices indicating they must vacate the premises within weeks to make way for a Whole Foods supermarket. This decision has left many traders in disbelief, as they were only informed of the impending closure two weeks ago by their landlord, Bourne Capital.
Last July, Westminster City Council approved a planning application that would transform the market into a high-end grocery store owned by Amazon. Despite this approval, the traders had not been made aware of the closure until the recent notifications. Many of them have invested significant amounts of money into their businesses over the past year, which they now stand to lose.
„This is appalling and shocking,“ said Dawood Gordon, a regular visitor to Queensway Market. „These people have families; how are they going to pay their rent? You won’t find another place like this. It bothers me that the landlord is so heartless to go ahead with this.“
The closure is set to take effect starting in May, impacting a diverse array of businesses. Traders view this move as part of a broader trend of gentrification, which they believe is replacing one of Westminster’s last working-class community spaces with a corporation capable of paying higher rents.
Fida Aslam, the owner of the Malaysian café Kampong Bites, expressed her distress over the situation. „This is heartbreaking for me,“ she stated. „I started this business from my own kitchen and even slept in my car for four months after moving here to get it up and running. They should have given us more notice; I’ve spent £30,000 to make it a nice place, and now it’s gone.“
A spokesperson for Whole Foods confirmed that they have signed a lease with Bourne Capital but did not provide any further updates regarding the situation.
Dawood Gordon, 77, criticized the actions of Bourne Capital, labeling them as „heartless“ for proceeding with the plans to close Queensway Market. The market has long been a cherished location for both traders and customers, many of whom have built strong community ties.
Vito di Bari, another trader, expressed concern that the closure of Queensway Market would have devastating effects on families who rely on the market for their livelihoods. „This place is not just a market; it’s a community hub,“ he remarked.
Queensway Market has been a unique blend of shops, cafés, and restaurants, attracting a diverse clientele, including members of London’s LGBT community who travel from various parts of the city to visit local businesses.
Jasser Mohamed, who has operated multiple mobile shops in Queensway Market for the past 15 years, echoed the sentiments of his fellow traders, emphasizing the emotional toll of the closure. He noted that the market’s corridors are beginning to empty as traders prepare to leave.
Another trader, Zafar Odinaev, who opened the UK’s first Uzbek restaurant in 2016, anticipates that relocating his business will cost him around £100,000. He expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the landlord regarding the closure.
As the deadline for vacating approaches, many traders are left grappling with the reality of losing their businesses and the community they have built over the years. The situation at Queensway Market serves as a poignant example of the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses in the face of corporate expansion and gentrification.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Dimitri Karastelev auf Unsplash
