Community asset application for market rejected

"Ben LynchLocal Democracy Reporting Service LDRS A west London council has rejected an application to list Shepherd's Bush Market as an asset of community value (ACV). Earlier this year, Friends of Shepherd's Bush Market applied for ACV status in an effort to "protect" its future, after major redevelopment plans from developer Yoo Capital were approved. The group said ACV status would be the first step towards community ownership of the site, amid concerns that Yoo Capital intended on selling."

"Hammersmith and Fulham Council said its reasons for refusing ACV status included that the application "fails to demonstrate why the markets are considered to be 'social interests' and not standard retail services". The council also noted the listing incorrectly included land that belonged to Transport for London. Yoo Capital Atila Kirilov, a market tenant speaking on behalf of the Friends, said they were "deeply disappointed" that the council "has sided with billionaire developers"."

"A spokesperson for the campaign group Protect Our Places said the decision indicated "a clear disregard" for the market's economic, social and cultural role. The Shepherd's Bush Market Tenants' Association, which said it represented the majority of traders, described the ACV application as "another PR stunt and attempt to delay and frustrate the process of moving forward". Yoo Capital's plans for the market, which runs between Goldhawk Road and Uxbridge Road, include the introduction of new"

Friends of Shepherd's Bush Market applied for ACV status earlier this year to protect the market following approval of major redevelopment plans by Yoo Capital. Hammersmith and Fulham Council refused the ACV listing, citing that the application did not demonstrate the markets were "social interests" rather than standard retail services and noting incorrectly included land belonging to Transport for London. Supporters said the decision sided with developers and risked diluting the market's cultural importance, while a tenants' association called the application a PR stunt that delayed regeneration. Yoo Capital denied plans to sell and said redevelopment would preserve the market's heritage.

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