| Topic: | Reply | |
| Posted by: | Andrew OSullivan | |
| Date/Time: | 31/08/23 08:25:00 |
The scenario there is slightly different in that restaurants there were opened in the knowledge that they were next to markets. Here, for the payment of a relatively small sum, new competitors have appeared at a time when trading conditions were already very difficult. We have already lost recently in the vicinity of the market The Italian Job and Ngon Deli and Vinoteca came very close to shutting. It is unlikely that a dip in trade one Sunday a month will be the primary reason another restaurant shuts but there seems to be a broader view among local businesses that the council is not very supportive and this is likely to be factored into a decision about whether to try and continue operating. To be fair the councillors on the licensing committee do seem to be trying to meet the needs of both sides of this issue but if it is decided to extend it after the initial trial with local businesses saying that it has impacted their trade, then the council should be considering ways to reassure businesses in Chiswick that they value their presence. |