MARKETS END

tomas said...

Fury over portobello market PLANS Almost 34,000 people have backed a petition calling for action after 150 traders were ejected from Portobello Market and replaced by a chain store. The traders say it was promised they could return to Lipka's Arcade in the west London market once it had been "refurbished" by a developer. But the antique stalls were instead merged into a giant shop, now inhabited by fashion store All Saints. Marion Gettleson, who has run an antiques shop in the market for 50 years, said: "There are letters in which it was promised people could come back after work was done. That meant traders were willing to go quietly. "But when scaffolding was removed there was a massive, 10,000-square-foot All Saints in place of the stalls. "It is so utterly out of character with the neighbourhood it's breathtaking." Traders allege the development is improper because the developer said in his planning application that stallholders could return - something they say influenced the council's decision to give plans the green light. The final development is allegedly taller than was permitted under original plans, blocking a view to Notting Hill. Planning permission is being retrospectively sought for a fibreglass shop-front erected without authorisation. Kensington and Chelsea Council say no permission was needed to merge stalls. Among the 150 antiques traders, many of whom have now given up, was a woman in her 90s who had run a stall for several decades. Remaining traders say the changes to the arcade, undertaken by developer Warren Todd, threaten the character of one of London's top tourist attractions. There are already several All Saints stores in west London, including two in the nearby Westfield shopping centre.PETTYMARKET.COM BEST OF LONDON

14 May 2010 10:47