Forum Topic

New Traffic Measures are Harming Your Town

Dear Forum Members.The recent changes to traffic and parking through Turnham Green Terrace, Devonshire Road and Fishers Lane are severely impacting local businesses like mine, and will, I fear negatively impact the business prospects and local employment of local independent businesses such as mine in the medium / long term unless improved / changed/ removed asap.Our footfall last week was down by about 50%. I had 5 client appointments cancelled due to lack of parking and access.The road is dead to both traffic AND shoppers.A win for the anti traffic lobby, a lose for the pro, local economy lobby.The global pandemic shouldn't be used to further un-democratic, un-consulted single issue politics that put small independent businesses like mine at risk for the benefit of a social experiment. The  heart of your town is at risk. What do you love about Chiswick most? is it the lack of traffic or the variety, bustle, service choice and personalities in your local traders.We need your support now more than ever - please don't let us down.I urge you to Shop Local, I also urge you to fight for your local shops.regardsSimon Johnsonhowever

Simon Johnson ● 2282d86 Comments

Dear SimonI wholeheartedly support Chiswicks independent traders and see these traffic measures as potentially detrimental to the free movement of customers to our shops. Can you say which is your shop ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

I agree completely, to be instigating these measures is beyond stupid and I do not understand why the councils want to harm local businesses to such an extent, it makes no sense and in terms of traffic reduction seems counterproductive as closing fishers lane pushes traffic along the terrace..... who can we complain to?

Jane Kay Etherington ● 2282d

Try emailing:Hanif.khan@hounslow.gov.ukMark.frost@hounslow.gov.ukSteve.Curran@hounslow.gov.uk Also your local Councillors:First name.surname@hounslow.gov.uk

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

As I am observing the government warnings about using public transport and getting a cab to Chiswick to collect heavy shopping is going to be very difficult now I order everything online and hope to pay in cheques likewise. The only reason I am likely to go anywhere Chiswick shops is if I need to draw cash once or twice  a year. I suspect many will do likewise.  My local dry cleaner  and the vet are the only local businesses I'll visit.

Claire Moran ● 2282d

ClaireIt's such a tragedy that our local independent businesses are probably going to be the losers from these ill thought out traffic schemes and more people shopping online because it's far easier and less stressful than easily getting to your shopping destination.But wait perhaps cyclists 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️ will save the day and do loads of shopping in Chiswick ? 🤣🤣🤣

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Distancing is still 2m.  Many people are not ready to venture out.  There are questions as to whether opening up has been too fast.  A change is already here.

Philippa Bond ● 2282d

I too feel that this undemocratic road planning is going to help the death of the high street and create more pollution because of the traffic jams. Only 20 per cent of people who own a bike use it, but the "cycling lobby" have a disproportionate voice in the life of the Chiswick residents.

Sophie Atkinson ● 2282d

So sad to being a guinea pig of what's already obvious to be a failed policy, and not being able to do anything about it. Too many UIs serving their lunatic purpose.

Adam Pycz ● 2282d

“Coronavirus: Millions of over-50s could be told to stay at home to avoid second nationwide lockdownPeople between 50 and 70 could be given personalised risk ratings, taking into account factors like age and medical history.“

Steve Taylor ● 2282d

Sorry, but I couldn’t disagree more Simon.The days of city folk visiting their local shops in cars are over.And rightly so.Our kids deserve to grow up in and around safe streets, not being at risk of being mown down by cars, or choked by their fumes.And we do too.The challenges that retail faces are very real, of course. And I do not underestimate them. But there are so many more issues at play than whether or not folk can park outside your shop - digitization, quality of service, the imposition of masks, a looming recession, folk generally being terrified of COVID to name but a few.It’s truly absurd to suggest that just become I am anti-traffic I am I also anti local economy. That’s how you alienate potential local customers.The Council could do a much better job with the aesthetics of all their recent changes, for sure. But having a go at people who simply want to cycle safely isn’t the way to fix this.

Nick Jefferson ● 2282d

Sorry, but I couldn’t disagree more Simon.The days of city folk visiting their local shops in cars are over.And rightly so.Our kids deserve to grow up in and around safe streets, not being at risk of being mown down by cars, or choked by their fumes.And we do too.The challenges that retail faces are very real, of course. And I do not underestimate them. But there are so many more issues at play than whether or not folk can park outside your shop - digitization, quality of service, the imposition of masks, a looming recession, folk generally being terrified of COVID to name but a few.It’s truly absurd to suggest that just become I am anti-traffic I am I also anti local economy. That’s how you alienate potential local customers.The Council could do a much better job with the aesthetics of all their recent changes, for sure. But having a go at people who simply want to cycle or walk safely isn’t the way to fix this.

Nick Jefferson ● 2282d

But where will you cycle to when the shops and restaurants have all gone?

Claire Moran ● 2282d

All I can do is wish you good luck Simon.As for the cyclist lobby " red is not just for Christmas" #taxinsureidentification

Peter Brown ● 2282d

Traffic = Business. Anyone who opposes traffic is anti local economy. Which obviously needs to attract non-locals to survive.

Adam Pycz ● 2282d

"Traffic = Business. Anyone who opposes traffic is anti local economy."Quite right!

Steve Taylor ● 2282d

Perhaps like other countries we should just sit in our cars in traffic jams and wait for the food sellers to arrive with their baskets?  Or only be allowed to drive on every other day.  How do you suggest that the number of cars are reduced?

Philippa Bond ● 2282d

I couldn't agree more.  We need our local businesses, and they need us to go to their shops & small businesses to survive.  As an oldie I am not going to be bringing my shopping home on my bike.  I emailed to Steve Curran about this and he suggested I apply for a disabled badge so that I can use my car to get to the shops!!!  Old age is NOT disability.  When local shops have to shut there will be more delivery vans on the road.  Fewer carbon emissions??? 

Victoria Lynch ● 2282d

I'm just about to nip up to the High Road for bird food, wine and other essentials, and will be doing so via the power of my own two feet (I live quite far south of the A4, am middle-aged, and not particularly "hench").

Mike Firth ● 2282d

Reports suggest that shopping footfall is down by about 60% generally because of people's virus concerns and so it's not really possible to attribute it to local traffic management schemes.

Peter Evans ● 2282d

You know the irony of all this? Last year despite massive opposition the council deemed it right and proper to  turn cpz areas around acton green to pay and display encouraging car driving and filling their boots...........marvellous

Peter Brown ● 2282d

Nick Jefferson Our kids deserve to grow up in and around safe streets, not being at risk of being mown down by cars, or choked by their fumes.I lived in a cul-de-sac off of Thames Road in the fifties. Yes we had a garden and I used that, but when all the kids wanted to play football we used the street.But we had to be very careful at dinner times and early evening as the drunk drivers used to think they could use our road to get to the level crossing.They use to tear around the corner and hammer down our short road and slam on their brakes on to avoid the very large heavy wooden gates at the end of the road.Due to the piss artist who frequented the local pubs use to make our road quite dangerous at times.Now the odd bit. When the drink drive laws came into force. It created even more traffic visiting the area and using our road as a car park, I cannot explain that, but at throwing out time, you would be surprised of how many doors a four door car had at. Midnight.

Bernard Allen ● 2282d

"Now the odd bit. When the drink drive laws came into force. It created even more traffic visiting the area and using our road as a car park, I cannot explain that, but at throwing out time, you would be surprised of how many doors a four door car had at. Midnight."I'm not sure I understand what the Dickens you are going on about, but I assume a four door car has four doors.Anyway, I really think the W4 Forum needs a sub-forum devoted to driving issues as this is all that some of the denizens of this area seem to care about.I would rather discuss shops, restaurants, wildlife (including the little egret I saw a few minutes walk away from my flat) but I appear to be in the minority as I could not care less that W4Resident#1 is unable to drive 200 yards to Waitrose.

Mike Firth ● 2282d

Thanks for that important update Mike :)....You can always start your own Egret thread. Better get it in now because once the place is totally gridlocked  there wont be any Egrets to talk about.

Peter Brown ● 2281d

I said this when the measures were announced but it is worth saying again: Nick as someone who is obviously in favour of the proposals how do you suggest someone who wishes to do a weekly shop for a family of 4 at the butchers, grocers, deli & fishmongers on TGT do it on a bike?  It will not work.  Some people may be close enough to an E3 bus stop that they can switch to going by bus (a good thing) but most people in Chiswick are not on the E3 bus route.  They will abandon TGT as a shopping destination and take their cars to Sainsbury's or Tesco's.I have seen this before.  The town I grew up in had a similar "brainwave" (mostly to raise revenue) to restrict parking in the town centre 20 years ago.  It took less than a month to kill the Town Centre, people simple drove to the next town to do their shopping.  The council were forced to reverse the policy inside 3 months but it still took the Town Centre 10 years and a £10+m redevelopment to recover.As a regular cyclist, I am very much in favour of promoting better cycling.  But killing parking at local shops is the wrong way.  This will probably kill TGT as a shopping destination before Xmas.

Justin Stephenson ● 2281d

Mike FirthWhen you get four or five pissed people all trying to get into a four door car, you will find that their coordination isn't very good.So closing a car door seems to become rather difficult, so one door can be opened and shut many times before it opens again then the person throws up over the pavement, then shuts the door once. I don't really know how the did it.The Joys of living near a Private Cub, and four pubs.Anyway not a nice subject so will not mention it again. 

Bernard Allen ● 2281d

Move to East Sheen or Barnes - there you can park for 30 mins max. I think it is - pop in, buy and move off again.  Visiting Frazers in East Sheen to take your vacuum cleaner in for a service or get a lamp mended.  Visit Sheen Uncovered for a special bra.  In Barnes there's M&S, Cook opposite, a lovely card shop, gifts, speciality chemists, greengrocers,a cheese shop, small Sainsburys, a fishshop - round the corner more shops overlooking the green including specialiy butchers and bakers as well as another excellent greengrocer.  Kew Village too is pretty good and of course Richmond itself has parking available.    From Grove Park as a Blue Badge driver - much easier than battling up to C.HiRd, TGT, Devonshire Rd and then being unable to park!

Jennifer Selig ● 2281d

The E3 is no use to me yet I can easily shop on the High Road and TGT on foot.

Carl Wynne ● 2281d

Erm, we walk Justin.Or we cycle.And we are, sorry to say it, a family of 4.We put our back packs on here in Grove Park and we walk or cycle to the High Road.Sometimes it rains. Most of the time it doesn’t.But we get on with it.Like nearly every other generation of Chiswickians before us.Because (whisper it) it’s really not that far.....

Nick Jefferson ● 2281d

I ride. I drive. I walk. Being able to do all affords convenience needed to maximise my use of local traders. Maybe, we get the local shops to validate discount parking (but for a max 60 mins or so) as they process customers. Non shoppers pay (already existing) inflated parking costs, and people are encouraged to shop local. Perhaps, even going a step further, rather than parking being paid for during key commute times, it's banned unless you get validated by critical services such as clinics, chemist's etc.....you can still drive to Mackens, but just not when cyclists, busses and other commuters are going to work. Its a crammed city, we all want to be here and we all want it to be be a nice, friendly, diverse place. We're never going to not get on each others nerves, but at least we can be safe and sound while we complain as we get on the train, bus, bike or footpath, but only if we still have them and the convenience they afford the difference folks we live amongst.

Brad Smith ● 2281d

Your smugness is amusing, Mr JYou’ll be walking a lot further when all of your convenient amenities close down.....because, (whisper it) they willAnd we are, sorry to say it, a family of 5 ..... happy walking and cycling .....

Madeleine Hazard ● 2281d

"It’s truly absurd to suggest that just become I am anti-traffic I am I also anti local economy"For this dynamic you can thank your fellow cycling brethren.Whenever anyone asked a question about cycling initiatives they were immediately branded anti-cycling. My heart goes out to Simon and any other business owner in Chiswick and beyond. Your dismissal of his travails is staggering. Simon is a retailer, a niche one at that, and he has been a member of this community far longer than many. I am less familiar with retail sector data. But as an example, trade for the hospitality sector is down nearly 90%. Every business needs all the support we can muster. And the moment you remove any business infrastructure another challenge gets introduced. At a time when challenges arise by the minute and rules change in the blink of an eye.Simon's input is welcome and necessary. And yet you chose to threaten him with one of my favorite patronizing tropes: "that's how you alienate potential local customers." How's that? By not sucking up to your agenda at the expense of his business? At the expense of his livelihood and investment in the community? At the expense of his staff? By sharing his experience???So while you demand he kneel down to advance your cause, try doing the same and engage with him constructively to figure out if there is an interim or less draconian response.These are unprecedented times. And yet we see the council and the cycle lobby continue on as if everything is normal. There is absolutely no data for the current circumstance. Zero. We are all in uncharted territory. And rather than pull together, some opt to continue to divide. Which is pretty much what you just did. Thanks, neighbor.

David Lesniak ● 2281d

Simon,Overall, footfall in general is down 50% compared to pre COVID. What you are seeing might not be out of alignment with that. Of course the effect will depend on the type of retail, but to see any meaningful change due to traffic restrictions you'd need to compare retail on the High Road with Devonshire Rd and Turnham Green Terrace.There was an unplanned experiment on the effect of traffic restrictions on retail in one of our nearest neighbours, Barnes, due to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge. The Barnes Community Association did a survey on the change in turnover in Barnes, SW13, and Hammersmith, W6. They found that comparing the year after closure with the year before, sales rose by 21% in Barnes compared to 9% in Hammersmith. Certainly the overwhelming evidence is that traffic restrictions overall improve retail turnover, with Barnes just the most recent and nearest example.Details are here: https://www.barnes-ca.org/community-blog/theimpactoftheclosureofhammersmithbridge

Tom Pike ● 2281d

Hello Tom and your Math Skills.Simon's footfall is -50% week-on-week, making it 25% on pre-covid levels.Your 'overwhelming evidence' is against logic, common sense and laws of nature, basically saying that less traffic converts to higher sales, thus, zero traffic should generate an infinite number.But maybe Barnes is different. Do you suggest Simon should relocate or stay? He may get very rich quickly according to your logic.

Adam Pycz ● 2281d

If turnover had fallen by 75%, I would have thought Simon would have stated that. That reduced traffic in the case of Barnes led to higher sales does not imply no traffic means infinite sales! What it clearly demonstrates is your claim that traffic drives retail is not evidenced by what has actually happened Barnes.

Tom Pike ● 2281d

Compare TGT with the High Road? Where is the logic in that? These schemes will impact different roads in new ways all across Chiswick and well beyond. I should think retail footfall is likely to rise in Richmond  Sheen  Acton and Barnes if it's easier to park and get to the shops there than it now is in Chiswick.

Claire Moran ● 2281d

Unfortunately, Tom, the fact remains your "data" is pre-COVID and thus irrelevant. There exists no data for the current circumstance. Not rocket science so even I can understand that.

David Lesniak ● 2281d

I'm an investor in Brewdog and for their shareholders they publish weekly like-for-like sales figures for their bars and shops (like for like being same week last year).They had 21 locations between 50% and 100% down on last year, mainly city centres, financial areas.26 locations were between 0 and 50% down on last year.8 locations were between 0 and 150% up from last year.The two best performing locations were in Clapham and the stellar performer was Northcote Rd, up almost 150% like for like from last year.  Northcote Rd was closed to traffic.

Michael Robinson ● 2281d

Of course the effects of COVID are entangled with the traffic restrictions as far as any changes in turnover are concerned. That's what makes the Barnes experience so relevant as being both local and very recent. Clearly traffic restrictions led to a boost in business there, independent of COVID. That's very relevant evidence, and not from "my 'data'" but rather from information gathered  by the Barnes Community Association. If the evidence had been the other way round, you would have been able to claim it as backing your case that car traffic and high-street retail go together.Do you have an explanation as to why Barnes saw an increase in retail sales despite a fall in car traffic?

Tom Pike ● 2281d

Your 'overwhelming evidence' is against logic, common sense and laws of nature, basically saying that less traffic converts to higher sales.Well there is a hell of a lot of worldwide evidence that is seemingly against the laws of nature.Better call Mulder and Scully.

Tony Smart ● 2281d

It's not just the Brewdog Pub on Northcote Road that's seeing retail growth on that street:https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/18588086.plan-pedestrianise-northcote-road-lockdown-brings-business/

Tom Pike ● 2281d

With traffic restrictions on TGT and now Fishers Lane, more drivers are, allegedly, taking South Parade. Are South Parade retailers experiencing an uplift in trade as a result?

Ken Munn ● 2280d

kids will be mown down by speeding motorists on unsuitable roads as people try to drive around the restrictions - they are far far more at risk of ill thought out planschoked by fumes - move out of zone 2 london then

Mike Chisholm ● 2280d

"Do you have an explanation as to why Barnes saw an increase in retail sales despite a fall in car traffic?"Because people in Barnes could no longer easily drive to Hammersmith to do their shopping ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2280d

Which retailers exactly, BP?

Adam Pycz ● 2280d

I'd be very careful with the 'data' Tom. If you ever read your link in full, you should acknowledge that:1. Several businesses closed. New ones 'nearly replaced those closed.2. 40% of businesses reported a decline in trade, only 19% reported improvement.3. Several business owners were interviewed, and largely complain about difficulties.4. Barnes is not dependent on the bridge itself. In fact the high street is located much closed to Putney than Hammersmith.5. There's been a 'shop local' campaign going.6. There are no absolute numbers in the 'data'. You should know that %s can be manipulated or misread or both.

Adam Pycz ● 2280d

Because it’s easy to get to Barnes from south Chiswick.Some even pop over for fish and cips

Bernard Allen ● 2280d

Indeed, it’s a very plausible explanation that rather than drive further, a proportion of Barnes residents opted to shop locally.The results in this case are clear: improved retail growth and air quality, with an overall reduction in traffic.

Tom Pike ● 2280d

barnes comunity association...who are they?

Mike Chisholm ● 2280d

of course a pub will get more business.  im sure the empty shops wont though

Mike Chisholm ● 2280d

"barnes comunity association...who are they?"https://www.barnes-ca.orgThey are a Business Improvement District (BID) organisation for Barnes.As I understand it, businesses pay a levy to fund the organisation and they act as a focal point to organise activities and events to benefit the local businesses and area.

Michael Robinson ● 2280d

Ken, when Hammersmith Bridge closed the businesses around suffered badly but the lady in the Barnes pet shop told me that things had picked up as a result. A little.

Adrian Irving ● 2280d

and they have published data about the microeconomic boom?

Mike Chisholm ● 2280d

I’ve read it, and it’s interesting that retailers actually underestimated the actual growth in sales from closing the bridge. The bottom line is that a reduction in through traffic seems to have benefitted local retail. Clearly the loss in customers from further afield was more than compensated by the increase in local customers.

Tom Pike ● 2280d

No shock there. Add it to the pile.

Tony Smart ● 2280d

They sell good ice creams David

Tony Smart ● 2280d

To Urban Pantry, Vinoteca and Napoli all of which are thriving - funny that - maybe it is to do with the excellent service, the smile when you arrive and the delicious food/drink.

Ruth Mayorcas ● 2280d

Back to the original post Chiswick not Barnes......Chiswick was and is a thriving community Simon along with all the other wonderful traders make Chiswick. Hounslow council clearly have no idea of what makes a thriving community its the independent shops which sets it apart. Closing TGT, fishers lane less so Devonshire road is outrageous, having lived for over 30 years north side I have seen the demise of TGT it’s totally sad. For sure rents etc have played a role but stop beating up having a car. Other than issues on the A4 I have never seen an issue with TGT. The sad fact is as tax payers we fund the idiots at the council who have no clue about community, they are jobs worth civil servants who have no clue! Simon get a petition going every single real local will sign.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2280d

Two things:Good to know Michael is an investor in Brewdog. He benefits directly from promoting unhealthy drinking.Tom, once again, skews his own references. Thanks to Adam for also picking up on this. And no, Adam and I are not related, don't know each other nor are we dating. I suspect, though, we share some Polish DNA somewhere along the line.Wandsworth was far ahead of the curve with respect to letting traders access pavement. They waived fees entirely - no application fee, no usage fee.Other boroughs adopted the draft guidance before it was enacted. They were completely pro-active. The guidance set a cap of £100 all inclusive.Not so Hounslow. Up until too recently, Hounslow wanted applicants to pay the £123 application fee (already 23% above the cap) with an additional usage fee based on £54/square meter used. That was 10 days ago, if that. Wandsworth had its initiative up and running in time for July 4th re-opening for hospitality.Labour leader Steve Curran and the all-Labour cabinet failed businesses terribly by not getting out in front of the situation. It failed to follow the lead of other Labour councils. The online application portal did not work. Hopefully that is now resolved. As such, businesses in Chiswick are at least a month behind putting in place any new amenities to maximize trade let alone take advantage of the Eat Out scheme for hospitality venues. Businesses in Chiswick suffered needlessly as a direct result of Hounslow's tone-deaf policy, ignorance, lack of leadership and/or ineptitude. You pick.In this case, the info Tom refers to is specific to COVID yet he tried to present it as specific to schemes pre-COVID for pedestrianizing. My grandfather (the Sanderson in me) used to say people can be too smart for their own good. Makes them stupid. He was a mechanic. Sold Jeeps. Quite possibly one of the smartest men I knew.

David Lesniak ● 2280d

I have seen the demise of TGT it’s totally sad.Not time to try a different approach then that has worked in many places?What's going to happen if "do nothing" carries on?

Tony Smart ● 2280d

Real local = can only be arsed to go the the shops in my car whilst I pollute and congest where I live?

John Hall ● 2280d

" having lived for over 30 years north side I have seen the demise of TGT "Quite. Traditional retail has been slowly dying for some time. It's not to do with a two-week old restriction on through traffic and a reduction of parking.BTW. When I walked around the area last week there was plenty of available parking in TGT sidestreets like Chiswick Common Road and Thornton Avenue. Plus, of course, the usual two Mackens' vans parked on double yellow lines.

Ken Munn ● 2280d

"They are a Business Improvement District (BID) organisation for Barnes.As I understand it, businesses pay a levy to fund the organisation"Factually incorrect, Michael. Thanks, though, for providing the link you didn't bother researching. I did.The BCA is a 40-year old organization that morphed into an Incorporated Charitable Organization (CIO) in 2014. It employs a Town Centre Manager among others.Funding comes from any combination of membership, donations, fund-raising and Richmond council. Membership is available to either individuals, concession for over 65's and businesses. The annual business fee is £25 as is the Individual/Family rate and the concession rate would run you £18.This is wholly different to any BID in operation. BIDs charge businesses only and they are required to pay. Typically fees are a percentage of rateable value and are easily in excess of £25.I'd suggest you read your own resource. That's where you find the facts as opposed to your sweeping (and false) generalizations. Kinda calls into question the veracity of other "facts" you present.

David Lesniak ● 2280d

Thanks for the correction.  Would you agree that the Barnes association does similar types of activities that a BID does?It seems a pity that there is no similar organisation for Chiswick.Ever thought of organising something with Cllr Biddolph who has put years of effort into a manifesto for Chiswick retail? With your interpersonal skills and Cllr Biddolph's leadership skills, it will surely be a success.

Michael Robinson ● 2280d

...using Mastercard. What about Visa, what about cash payments? Do you think Mastercard has better information on one's business than the businesses themselves?You seem to do. As other 'fact' which serve your unfounded conclusions based on a basic error of attaching causation to correlation, among others such as counting %s.

Adam Pycz ● 2280d

What else have been they doing for years, beg your pardon? Under their own names, without donations or membership fees, they - and several others - are trying to defend common sense of policies, wellbeing of residents, and health of the local economy.To not much avail. Either the game is rigged or the silent majority just prefers the utopia: eradicate cars, shutdown shops, plough tarmac, and put bikes on monuments which will cure all. A dangerous cult dare I say.

Adam Pycz ● 2280d

Sorry, I’m getting a bit confused between Adam Pycz and David Lesniak.Ask one a question, get a reply from the other.

Michael Robinson ● 2280d

Barnes Community Association used comparisons of MasterCard payments, one year before closure compared to one year after. Mastercard certainly has more objective and quantifiable information than the sentiment of individual traders, and that's why BCA used this data.  For this period:London as a whole: 9% increase in MasterCard salesHammersmith, W6: 13% increaseBarnes, SW13: 21% increaseThose are the facts.There could have been an overall increase in credit card sales compared to cash, and an overall boost to the west London retail, so it's probably best to use the 8% difference between Hammersmith and Barnes as a indicator of the relative growth in retail in Barnes after the closure.There's no reason to think there'll be a difference if cash or Visa were used instead of MasterCard - they're just different ways of sampling overall sales. As for causation, it's possible that other factors apart from the bridge closure might have been responsible for the relative growth in sales, but it's not obvious what they might be. What is clear is that the closure of the bridge is associated with an increase in retail sales in Barnes, and the suggested reason is simple as explained in the BCA article: the bridge closure led to more Barnes residents shopping locally, more than making up for the loss in through trade.

Tom Pike ● 2280d

'Do you think Mastercard has better information on one's business than the businesses themselves?'Darn tootin Mastercard has better data.

Matthew Swain ● 2280d

Adam what type of business are you involved with? Is it based in Chiswick?

Sara Collins ● 2280d

"In this case, the info Tom refers to is specific to COVID yet he tried to present it as specific to schemes pre-COVID for pedestrianizing."Not at all - that's your attempted contrivance! The very simple point evidenced by Barnes (pre-COVID) and Northcote Road (post-COVID) is that restrictions on cars have lead to increased retail sales on the high street. I completely agree with you the council should have been much more proactive in helping retailers exploit this opportunity, and Wandsworth shows what's possible. I also hope that Hounslow make extra efforts to catch up given that time is very much of the essence.

Tom Pike ● 2280d

Sara, brownie points to you if you get an answer to this.

Matthew Swain ● 2280d

Here's a reason for not using data from card providers only.Since March I have been using my cards for almost every purchase as only one outlet that I used took cash.I estimate my card usage had more than doubled.Perhaps we should look at total takings when working out if businesses have more or less trade.

Paul Jennings ● 2280d

"He benefits directly from promoting unhealthy drinking."Remind us again what you sell David? Not that I have any issue with your pastries or cakes but I don't think these or beer will be appearing on lists of healthy food and drinks.Adam: feel free to answer on David's behalf like the last time.

Michael Robinson ● 2280d

"Good to know Michael is an investor in Brewdog. He benefits directly from promoting unhealthy drinking."Could you explain why Brewdog in particular promotes unhealthy drinking, compared to any other provider of alcohol ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2280d

Agreed, Michael, it is a pity there is no similar cross-party organization like that in Chiswick. It could be open to all residents be they owners or renters and all businesses who might wish to participate and contribute. And it could cross all political leanings with the sole purpose of making the entire community better. To me it could also unite all the various special interest groups who always seem at cross purposes, i.e., the individual resident associations who only seem to care about their patch.Would you agree it would be appropriate for everyone to contribute to such a fund as opposed to always getting the businesses to do the heavy lifting? You know, the businesses whose input you then want to silence. So really, why pay to be ignored?But I do thank you for the ever predicable barb in response to being criticized. All I did is use the link you provided, read through it and corrected you. And dare I note it wasn't me who responded on another thread "tough shit."That was all you.Have a lovely day.Y'all come back now, ya hear.

David Lesniak ● 2280d

Precisely, Paul.Also I can't help but notice that all recent fintechs including Starling, Monzo, Revolut, Transferwise et.al issue Mastercard cards, thus their market shares may be growing as pointed by Tom by the way. 9% on average vs 13% in Barnes. So we're talking of +4%. Which falls below the statistical level of significance, if this has meaning to Tom, hope it does.

Adam Pycz ● 2280d

Why not to me?

Adam Pycz ● 2280d

"Sorry, I’m getting a bit confused between Adam Pycz and David Lesniak."Internet can be quite complex at times, but we're here to help.

Adam Pycz ● 2280d

I had passed on their crowd funder. Good on Michael for investing in this company which aside from pursuing a Net Zero Carbon strategy and was also one heck of a Unicorn investment.

Matthew Swain ● 2280d

Sure Adam, you have some brownie point too,  I know a good place on a corner in Chiswick.Now,  back to Sara's question.... lets have an answer.

Matthew Swain ● 2279d

A software engineer with a foreign company. You?

Adam Pycz ● 2279d

Bet its AGM is quite something! Well, post-Covid anyway.

Ken Munn ● 2279d

"I also hope that Hounslow make extra efforts to catch up given that time is very much of the essence"Agreed. Sadly, Hounslow has an abysmal track record when it comes to SME business needs. The bedfellows they prefer are the likes of Glaxo, airlines, etc. Add to that, they have no clue how to create/design/curate a healthy high street.That Barnes study was impressive, though.

David Lesniak ● 2279d

"Adam: feel free to answer on David's behalf like the last time"I'm fascinated to watch Michael buy into his own hype. So convinced is he that my word is irrelevant he chooses to ignore me when I say I am not Adam. Truly extraordinary. What's the point, I wonder. What's the point?

David Lesniak ● 2279d

"but we're here to help"Amen to that.

David Lesniak ● 2279d

Thanks, David, and I share your frustration from the customer/resident end!

Tom Pike ● 2278d