A POPULAR market trader at Shepherd’s Bush Market has been evicted by the multibillion real estate investment firm.

Meron Gwiggner – owner of the children’s books store Hone Books Galore in the historic London market, lost her fight to stay in her premises and has been served with an eviction notice despite two weeks of protests held by people in the local Shepherd’s Bush in an effort to keep the store open.

The eviction letter seen by The Voice states: “Our client needs to undertake works to the Premises to address the water ingress issues. These works cannot be held up any longer, meaning that our client needs to take back the Premises from you.”

Gwiggner, previously told The Voice, that she refused to sign a new lease because it demanded access to images on any device she had.

In September 2020, Yoo Capital Investment Management acquired over 75% of the 110-year-old market. The company has categorically denied requesting access to images from the market trader.

Gwiggner said: “All I wanted was to continue trading on a simple rolling license. My plea for help to be heard is one that has been ignored.

“From the very beginning Yoo Capital wanted us out but I did not know that they would work so hard to bully us. It is exhausting.

“Shepherd’s Bush Market is one of the only remaining historical markets in this beautiful city. If Yoo Capital’s redevelopment plans are approved I will be the first of many traders to be pushed out. The Mayor must step in to protect our market and reject the plans.”

Community hub

The mum-of-two said her bookshop was being used by schools, new parents and children who visi the shop to do their homework.

The eviction comes weeks before the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is set to make a final decision on whether to approve landmark redevelopment plans for the 110-year old market.

Nearly 2000 letters have already been sent to City Hall in an effort to persuade Mayor Khan to reject the redevelopment plans, which include the construction of a nine-storey commercial building above the market shops.

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.

Local community group, Protect Shepherd’s Bush Market, has described Gwiggner’s eviction as “disgraceful”.

Imogen Tranchell of Protect Shepherd’s Bush Market said: “Meron’s beautiful children’s book store is the heart of our market and our market is the heart of Shepherd’s Bush. Meron has shown strength and courage in standing up for our local community.

“Yoo Capital’s decision to evict her, when she just wanted to continue trading with simple terms and conditions, is a disgraceful act of corporate greed. Yoo Capital have no interest in the diversity and culture of Shepherd’s Bush Market.

“Their redevelopment plans would push many more traders out and their 9 storey office block would blight the area. Sadiq Khan can halt this development and save Shepherd’s Bush Market.”

Regret

Andrew Thorpe, Managing Director of Yoo Capital said: “It is with regret that we have had to end Hone Books Galore’s Tenancy at Will. Over the last month, since Hone Books Galore’s licence for Shop 24 ended, its founder, Meron, has been contacted by members of the REimagine and Yoo Capital team offering both a proposed new licence and a new short-term lease of alternative accommodation at Shepherd’s Bush Market.

“The proposed licence and short-term lease contain provisions commonly used in commercial property transactions and are the same as those given to, and used by, other traders at Shepherd’s Bush Market as it is important to have consistency. 

“Despite making clear that these clauses are therefore non-negotiable, Meron requested that certain fundamental provisions be removed and has refused to sign either document.

“Without an agreement in place, we cannot continue to give Hone Books Galore a premises at Shepherd’s Bush Market. We remain committed to maintaining a broad variety of traders at the market and supporting the businesses that marketgoers know and love.”