West Hampstead – ‘Chain store threat to our small shops’
London, UK — West Hampstead is becoming a community of “cafés, estate agents and chain stores,” shoppers have warned as another independent shop announces it is to close its doors for the last time.
Barbara and Tihomir Dizdar, who have run Dizar gift and jewellery shop in West End Lane for 17 years, say they can no longer afford to stay open after being hit by rising rents and the repeated closure of the Jubilee line.
The couple plan to continue their business on the internet as well as opening a stall at Portobello market. They say the cost of running an independent shop is too high for most to survive.
“West Hampstead has been a lovely area to work in and the people are great so we’re very sad to leave, but with the recession the cost of running a business like ours is just too much,” said Mrs Dizdar.
“Our rents have doubled since we’ve been here and we basically missed out on a whole year of trade with the Jubilee line closures. On top of the recession it was just too difficult. We’re not a necessity shop so we’re the first thing that people cut back on.”
The couple are not the only familiar faces to leave West Hampstead as Jitendra Thakorlal has announced he will stand down as chairman of the traders’ association after 36-year link with the high street.
