Shepherd's Bush Market traders have won their Court of Appeal battle to have compulsory purchase orders (CPO) imposed on them overturned.
The announcement made on March 18 gives hope to businesses based at the historic market following years of uncertainty caused by planned redevelopment of the area by Orion.
They were concerned that they are being pushed out by losing their tenants’ security and by having additional costs and liability put onto them.
James Horada, the chairman of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association , said the decision beings optimism to the traders, and could result in plans going back to square one.
He continued: “We just hope that this judgement is a catalyst to bring common sense to this situation.”
Mr Horada said a separate unconnected hearing is due to take place in May, the result of which could decide how the far-reaching the Court of Appeal decision is.
He said: “The section 106 drawn up by the previous Conservative administration has been the thing that really damed us, it did not provide the mechanics to protect tenants. But depending on this other case, the judgement may take us back to the situation where a new 106 needs to be drawn up. And hopefully the Labour administration can draw up a fairer and more sensible 106 agreement.
'This gives us hope'
“There are still many concerns down on the ground level, but this win brings us hope that we can hold on to our livelihood.
“If we had lost then tenants would have had to start packing up and giving up on businesses run for generations.
“This give us hope. Hopefully it sends the right message to the developers, saying we are decent people and businesses and we should be treated with professionalism and respect.”
During the appeal, held on March 3, the tenants’ barrister David Woolfe and solicitors Leigh Day raised concerns over the CPO and argued the Secretary of State had failed to provide reasons for its granting.
Mr Horada said the failure to assure a rent cap for traders was also discussed, and the impact this could have on the market.
The decision comes after London Assembly Labour member Murad Qureshi handed in a petition to Boris Johnson calling for the Shepherd's Bush Market to be saved.
