The historic, albeit conditional, agreement reached last week between the London Borough of Hounslow and builder Kier Development was explained in full at an extraordinary general meeting of the tenants' association by borough property manager (Western International Market) Graham Smith. As the Journal went to press, letters were being hand-delivered to market tenants to inform them whether or not they would be relocated.
Although Smith would not be drawn on which tenants had been offered places at the new market and which had not, he outlined that strict criteria had been adhered to.
'The majority of tenants have been offered relocation,' confirmed Smith. 'We drew up the three criteria with Western International Market Tenants' Association and have stuck closely to those.' The first consideration was use. In order to be invited to relocate companies have to be engaged in the fresh produce, flowers or food wholesale business. 'Over the years the market has branched out and some space has been let to non-horticultural businesses such as a cash-and-carry and a car-repair shop,' explained Smith. 'So those uses do not fit in.' The second and third criteria addressed financial concerns. 'We considered the financial standing of all our tenants and looked at their accounts,' said Smith. 'Then we considered their rent-payment record. We have to be sure that the companies have strong financial operations.' The borough's decision was bound to ruffle a few feathers among traders and some of those who have not been invited to relocate were already making their feelings known to Smith at the market this week. There is little available to them in terms of an appeals process however as all space has already been allocated. 'This selection process was carried out over a couple of years with the tenants' association and has been constantly reviewed,' said Smith.
He also made clear that the council will not be putting people out of business overnight.
'Tenants have at least two-and-a-half years to try and relocate to other premises,' he said. 'Some may also seek to amalgamate their businesses with those that have been invited to relocate. And tenants are also free to assign their lease in the meantime if they wish to another business or surrender it to the council.' Once it became apparent that a number of the businesses that were not on the relocation list were run by members of ethnic minority communities, the joint working party took appropriate steps. 'We involved the Hounslow Racial Equality Council (HREC) a year ago so that we could be sure that the steps we were taking were reasonable,' explained Smith. 'And the HREC advised us that the criteria are entirely fair and our decisions were in accordance with them.' The borough also had a successful meeting with the Greater London Authority this week in advance of any planning application and to explain why a new market was needed. 'It was certainly a very useful and positive meeting,' said Smith.
Meanwhile, those tenants that have been offered relocation appear generally to be happy. Charles Rees of Vitacress Sales summed up the feelings of at least some of his fellow tenants.
'We are very pleased and this has come not before time,' he said. 'We will be looking at the detail a bit further with our solicitors but it is a great step forward. A lot of work has gone into this by George Bray and the tenants' association and we thank them for that. At Vitacress, we are really pleased to be included in the new produce and flower markets and we can't get there soon enough.'
