Compensate businesses for works nightmare, say local Liberal Democrats (Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats)

Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats <info@westminsterlibdems.org.uk>

Compensate businesses for works nightmare, say local Liberal Democrats

August 17, 2008 8:49 PM

Martin Thompson and Sue Baring on Westbourne Grove

Westbourne Grove businesses have been hit hard and deserve a better deal from the Council

Local Liberal Democrats Martin Thompson and Sue Baring are calling on Westminster Council to compensate businesses on Westbourne Grove for the protracted works that have hit them hard.

According to a survey of businesses on the street, carried out by the Liberal Democrats, a clear majority said that the Thames Water works had had a 'very negative' impact on them.

Businesses also reported that they had received little notice of such major works, which ended up swallowing up so much of the street for so long.

Twelve businesses admitted that they had been forced to sack people because their sales had been hit so hard, with a total of 18 job losses identified.

Commenting, LibDem campaigner Sue Baring said, "It is particularly saddening to learn that so many jobs have been lost. I hope that now Westbourne Grove is open again, businesses will get a big boost and those jobs will return."

She continued, "This has clearly been a very tough time indeed for businesses on Westbourne Grove. They have suffered a great deal.

"We are calling on the Council to use its discretion and make ex gratia payments to each shop on Westbourne Grove equivalent to their business rates for the year."

Fellow LibDem campaigner Martin Thompson added, "Westminster is fortunate in having a great many first-class shopping streets, and Westbourne Grove is one of th best. The range of shops and the high number of independent outlets makes it a wonderful place.

"After the hit the street has taken and given that the economy is looking a little shaky, a gesture like this by the Council would help a lot."