New office block will boost economy, say traders

WITH construction set to start next month, traders in Hammersmith believe a major new office block will give the local economy a much needed boost.

Builders will be moving onto the NCP car park, on the junction of Hammersmith Grove and Beadon Road, at the end of December to start work on the £50m development.

Once complete the site will boast a nine storey high building, which will house offices, two restaurants and a new landscaped public courtyard.

Currently the site is surrounded by billboards, and traders are hoping that the development will not only boost business but open up that part of the town, once it is completed in early 2013.

Aydin Kacmaz, who works at Doorsteps Snack Bar, on Hammersmith Grove, said: "We really want the building, because it will improve our lunch time trade. All round here business will benefit, and it won't be a problem to others as there are no residents here. It's going to be a boost for the economy and it looks like it will be a very nice building. They will also be opening that part of the area up, which I think is good."

Similarly Siva Prayan, who works at Beadon Wines, also on Hammersmith Grove, said: "As it's a big building coming, it will bring more people to the area, and more customers. We tend to get busy at the end of the day, when people finish work, so these new office blocks will bring a lot more trade. I think it will be good for the area."

The developers behind the project Development Securities PLC, are also planning on building an 11 storey office block, but will not start work on that until all the offices in the first block have been completed and let.

Due to the amount of building work due to take place in the area, concerns have been raised about the disturbance that will be caused.

Nico Palov, manager of Alexander Barbers, which is located next to the underground station, said: "We are worried about the distraction it's going to cause. I think they will be using the station forecourt to park lorries and drive them in, which will be noisy and dirty. If the lorries are stopping outside then they could hide the entrance of the shop. It's a big job and it's going to last for over a year. It's difficult times at the moment, and we pay huge rates to be here so it's definitely going to be a huge distraction."