What has piqued market traders and the Portobello faithful is that what used to be a characterful antiques arcade is now a bloody great AllSaints, that high-end-yet-high-street super stylised fasion brand. Traders had accepted their eviction from the Lipka Arcade under the impression they would be allowed to return. Imagine their dismay to find the putative refurb see their basement stall pitches merged into one big bland high street shop.
In immediate response to the petition, RBKC has published a statement expressing its support for a change in planning law to enable local authorities to protect small shops against amalgamation and listing its own efforts to promote the market and its local businesses. Eagerly awaited is the response of the Cabinet Member for Planning and the Executive Director for Planning and Borough Development who will respond to the petition's specific concerns "in due course".
Ironically, this was the week RBKC announced that come the end of the month, local loyalty card - the Wedgecard - would be introduced borough wide, to support local businesses.
The petition has been handed over but you can still support Portobello Market by becoming a friend (free and easy), join the Facebook group if you like that sort of thing and support the market by going there.
