Goldhawk Road traders warned the redevelopment of Shepherd’s Bush Market will destroy their businesses and ruin the character of the area, in emotional submissions at a public inquiry this week.

Thirteen shops are trying to overturn compulsory purchase orders which will result in their premises being bulldozed and their businesses moved to new units in the revamped market.

They argue they will not be given like-for-like terms and will lose their freeholds, meaning they will have to pay rent which they cannot afford.

Speaking at the two-week hearing, which began at Hammersmith Town Hall last week, Aniza Meghani, who runs Classic Textiles, told how her family escaped the tyrannical rule in their native Uganda in the 1970s with just £50 to their name, but had built their business after opening on the day and Prince Charles and Diana married in 1981. Now it is visited by people from all over the world who know of Goldhawk Road as the main textiles hub in London. She said the stress of being forced out had torn her family apart.

“The potential demolition of our business has had a significant strain on my family and I,” she said. “We no longer have time to meet socially as all our time is spent in campaigning for the non-demolition of Goldhawk Road. My nephew often attends the shop and, whilst still very young, has a good eye for business. I have no doubt that he will play a part in my business if it is not demolished. The demolition of Goldhawk Road will have a disastrous effect on my family personally in terms of income.”

Turker Cakici, who has been there for 42 years, said: “If Zippy’s Diner is demolished, there is no realistic prospect of my wife and I being able to afford to pay rent on any of the premises. I cannot find a property with the same square footage for £31,000 per annum, which is the current sum I pay to my landlord.”

Audrey Boughton said Cooke’s Pie and Mash, at the site since 1899, would probably have to close if it is moved.

She added: “A single pie and mash costs £4. We operate on a very small profit margin and are only able to maintain these prices due to the fact that we own our freehold and do not have a mortgage.”

Developers Orion insists it has offered generous terms to traders to move to the new market, which will include 200 new flats. It says its plans will breathe new life into the market, which it hopes will become the one of the most popular in London.