Helping Local Shops

11.53.13am GMT Sun 28th Feb 2010

Local Liberal Democrat's kicked off the new year with a "Survey of Shops", asking retailers around Askew Road how they are faring in the recession. The team, including our Hammersmith Lib Dem candidate in the forthcoming parliamentary election, Merlene Emerson, set out on what turned out as one of the coldest days of the year to speak to shop-keepers.

They told us that much can be done to improve local business from better signs for parking along Askew Road, to tree-planting and benches to improve the local environment for shoppers. Merlene says "I will be asking the Council to introduce these ideas and to do more to help our local shops."

The team would also like to thank to all those who responded to our survey of residents about a Sainsbury's opening on Askew Road. The majority of residents who responded do not want chain stores in our area. They told us that they are concerned about extra traffic and deliveries, that there are already enough chain stores in the area, and that small business are under threat. We will use the information from the survey to pressure the Council on planning issues.