West London Market Set to Close as Whole Foods Takes Over Site
In a move that has left dozens of traders reeling, Queensway Market in West London is scheduled to shut down in the coming weeks. The closure follows plans by landlord Baine Capital to replace the vibrant community hub with a Whole Foods supermarket, an upscale chain owned by Amazon. Traders were handed eviction notices just two weeks ago, with a deadline to vacate by April 23, a decision described by many as "heartless" and devastating for local livelihoods.
Traders Express Anger and Despair Over Sudden Eviction
On a warm April afternoon, business owners at Queensway Market are reluctantly packing their belongings into boxes, facing an uncertain future. Dawood Gordon, a market regular, voiced his frustration, stating, "I think it’s appalling, it’s disgusting. These people have families, how are they going to pay their rent? You won't find another place like this." The market, long considered one of Westminster's last bastions untouched by gentrification, is now at the center of a heated debate over the corporatisation of community spaces.
Fida Aslam, owner of the Malaysian café Kampong Bites, has already decided to close her business after 18 months of operation. "This is heartbreaking for me," she said. "I started this business from my own kitchen and slept in my car for four months to get it running. They should have given us more notice; I’ve spent £30,000 to make it a nice place, and now it’s gone." Aslam highlighted the unique, family-like atmosphere of the market, where diverse shops, from hair salons to clothing stores, created a self-sufficient community she will deeply miss.
Financial and Emotional Toll on Long-Standing Businesses
Zafar Odinaev, proprietor of Uzbek Corner, a restaurant that has been a key attraction since 2016, faces significant losses from the closure. "To lose what we built over 10 years in just four weeks is awful," he lamented. Odinaev estimates that shutting down and relocating could cost him up to £100,000, with new sites demanding deposits as high as £60,000. He emphasized the loyalty of his customer base, who are urging him to stay, but the financial burden makes it nearly impossible.
Vito di Bari, who runs an LGBT boutique in the market for seven years, echoed these concerns, warning that the closure will destroy families and livelihoods. "This will destroy families and livelihoods, and they simply don’t care," he said. Di Bari noted that his shop serves LGBTQ+ customers from across London, offering products unavailable elsewhere, and fears the loss will have a ripple effect on the community.
Community Campaign Rallies Against Gentrification
In response to the evictions, a community campaign has been launched to save Queensway Market. A petition has garnered almost 600 signatures in just three days, with supporters aiming to resist what they call the "corporatisation of community spaces." Traders and locals argue that the move prioritizes profit over people, erasing a vital working-class hub in favor of a high-end supermarket.
Baine Capital has offered some traders a temporary reprieve, allowing a one-month extension or relocation to the northern end of the market for up to four months. However, many have chosen to leave early to cut their losses, citing the emotional and financial strain. A spokesperson for Whole Foods confirmed the lease agreement with Bourne Capital but provided no further updates, leaving traders in limbo.
The closure of Queensway Market underscores broader issues of gentrification and the displacement of small businesses in London. As traders pack up, the community mourns the loss of a unique space that fostered diversity and connection, raising questions about the future of local markets in the face of corporate expansion.
