Hammersmith and Fulham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Hammersmith and Fulham Council has rejected efforts to list Shepherd’s Bush Market as an asset of community value, disappointing local campaigners.
In an effort to protect the site’s future in light of developer Yoo Capital’s authorized renovation plans, Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Market applied for ACV certification earlier this year. Since its opening in 1914, the market has serviced a variety of neighborhoods, and the organization sought community ownership of the business.
The Hammersmith and Fulham council rejected the application for three reasons, chief among them being that it “fails to demonstrate why the markets are considered to be ‘social interests’ and not standard retail services.” Officials also pointed out inconsistencies in the application materials and the inclusion of Transport for London’s operating land.
The Friends’ market tenant, Atila Kirilov, was disappointed that the council
“has sided with billionaire developers over market traders and the local community.”
In order to preserve the culture, diversity, and social significance of our historic market, he said Friends of Shepherd’s Bush Market would continue to unite traders and community people where the council has failed.
The Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association, which asserts that it represents the majority of traders, rejected the proposal, calling it “another PR stunt” intended to postpone urgently needed revitalization.
New stalls, forty council homes, a nine-story commercial building, and aesthetic enhancements are all part of Yoo Capital’s redevelopment plans, which were approved in December 2023. Construction will start in early to mid-2026, according to the developer.
Green Party London assembly member, Zoë Garbett backed the Friends, saying
“London councils must prioritise communities over developers and properly engage with local people who use and depend on these spaces.”
What are the Council’s stated reasons for rejecting the ACV application?
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has lately rejected a community group’s operation to designate Shepherd’s Bush Market as an Asset of Community Value( ACV), dealing a reversal to efforts aimed at conserving this major multilateral business.
The operation failed to demonstrate why the requests are considered to hold” social interests” rather than being standard retail services. The operation included functional land that belongs to Transport for London, which complicated the offer. There was disagreement within the operation documents submitted by the community group.
These reasons formed the base for the council’s turndown, despite community enterprises over the request’s artistic and social significance. The council’s decision aligns with approved redevelopment plans by inventor Yoo Capital, which include new booths, council homes, and marketable structures starting construction in 2026.
