A POPULAR market trader in a historic market in west London could be evicted this week as redevelopment plans from a multibillion pound company go ahead.

Meron Gwiggner, owner of the much beloved children’s books store Hone Books Galore, in Shepherd’s Bush Market, says she won’t be bullied by Yoo Capital, who have purchased the majority of the 110-year-old market site.

Gwiggner’s stall has been at its current space for 14 months and says she will not sign a new “dehumanising” and “unethical” lease – which she says violates her rights.

Speaking to The Voice, she said: “It’s the conditions and the terms that are inside the lease that are very disgusting and unethical.

“The new terms include they can have access to images on any device that I have.”

“Why should they go through my phone and be given the rights to this?” she asked.

The mum-of-two, who lives locally, said the new contract also insists she purchase new insurance – which covers any issues which will occur outside of her shop – something she strongly opposes.

She added: “I’m not the landlord, I shouldn’t be paying for insurance for what happens outside the shop.”

Gwiggner’s business has approximately 60 regular customers every week, with many being new mums from different ethnic backgrounds, and several local schools.

She said the redevelopment plans will rip the heart and soul out of the popular market and fail to meet the demands and needs of the diverse local community.

“I have books in French, German, Japanese, African languages and Arabic,” she said.”I only sell books for 50p if children come in school uniform. It is a place where people come and feel welcome. On Friday’s parents bring their children to sit and do homework. I sell children’s books, I sell, I swap, I give for free if needed.”

In September 2020, Yoo Capital Investment Management acquired over 75% of Shepherd’s Bush Market. Last December, the company was narrowly given the go-ahead for their plans by Hammersmith & Fulham council’s planning committee, in a 3-2 vote.

According to the firm’s website, 40 affordable homes will be built, along with office spaces and a life sciences incubator managed by Imperial College London.

The plans have raised concerns from the local community and over 800 people have signed a petition calling for the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to protect the market.

Additionally, over 500 letters of objection to the plans have also been sent to the Mayor’s office.

Eviction

Gwiggner is facing eviction from her stall on Friday 9 February, if she does not sign the new “ridiculous” terms and conditions.

However, the entrepreneur is standing her ground. She told The Voice, she was inspired to start her business during lockdown after ordering many books for her sons who are avid readers.

She says she wanted to provide books for those less fortunate than herself.

“I want to give access to books, to people who may not have the means,” she said.

This is not the first time Gwiggner has had to stand up for what she believes in.

In October 2023, she refused to sign a contract, which she claims said anyone could come in and out of her stall space at any given time without her prior permission. Those conditions were removed.

She is hoping for a similar result this time around is calling on the public to voice their concerns about the redevelopment of the market.

The market first opened in 1914, when John Crowe, a shrewd entrepreneur, invited traders to set up their stalls on Railway Approach.

Since then, the market has grown in popularity. It has become a cultural landmark in the west London area and provided different generations of families with an opportunity to trade.

The market is known for its stalls and shops which sell a variety of African, Caribbean and Asian fruits and groceries, fabrics, household items, luggage, affordable clothing, Caribbean flags and takeaway food and drinks from around the world.

‘Gentrification’

Local community group, Protect Shepherd’s Bush Market, is calling for Gwiggner to be allowed to continue trading on her existing terms.

Jake Simms, a member of Protect Shepherd’s Bush Market campaign group, told The Voice, the intentions of the multi-billion real estate company are just “to make as much money as possible” which will result in “rampant gentrification” and “social cleansing of working class and racialised communities”.

He said: “The reason why the market is so valued and loved in the local community is because traders sell affordable goods and that is closely linked to the diversity of the market.

“The vast majority of traders are migrants and it is a crucial function the market serves for migrant communities as well as working-class communities in the area. That is enabled by the affordable rents that traders currently pay, which is crucial to maintaining the character of the market.

“If Yoo Capital’s redevelopment goes through we will see huge rent increases and they will be looking to bring in whoever is willing to pay the higher rent.”

Simms said the group cares deeply about what happens with Gwiggner’s case and the future of the market.

He told The Voice, if nothing is done Shepherd’s Bush Market “will become a gentrified market.”

He is urging the customers who shop in the market to submit objections to the planning application  to the Mayor of London, through their campaign page.

This is not the first time market traders have pushed back at redevelopment plans of the market. In 2016, controversial plans for luxury flats next door to the market site were blocked by senior judges.

A spokesperson from Yoo Capital said: “Our traders are at the heart of everything we do at Shepherd’s Bush Market and we always act with the interests of their businesses in mind. Our ongoing commitment to and engagement with the traders is evidenced by the public support we have received from the Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association.

“We are currently in discussions with Hone Books Galore regarding a new occupational agreement in the market. We want to be absolutely clear that at no point has an eviction notice been served and we continue to engage with the trader to address their questions and concerns.

“Additionally, we categorically deny that any attempt has been made to access any tenant’s devices and photos on these devices – there is no lease, licence or any document related to Shepherd’s Bush Market that gives the landlord access to devices or photos.

“We are committed to maintaining a broad variety of traders at the market and supporting these businesses that marketgoers know and love and we are dedicated to preserving the character of the market, investing in its long-term future. Our investment will also see affordable housing and a new commercial building with a life sciences incubator for Imperial College London.

“The housing for the site will be 100% affordable, with all 40 homes set to be managed by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. 90% of the homes will be family-sized units, helping to meet the specific housing needs of the Borough.”