Council Defends its Record on Albany Parade Shops
Claims it has gone above and beyond in support of local businesses
Customers bid farewell to the supermarket on Albany Parade. Picture: Brentford TV
January 10, 2025
A senior councillor at Hounslow Council has issued a statement about the transfer of retail units at Albany Parade defending the administration’s record on the matter.
Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Assets and Development, was responding to criticism from business owners, local residents and Cllr Guy Lambert over the failure to securely transfer the leases of local businesses.
A number of shop owners including Dedar Singh who runs the Costcutter supermarket were forced to vacate units in Albany Parade just after the new year due to utilities being turned off. The building is due to be demolished as part of wider redevelopment of Charlton House and Albany House. Some had been expecting to move into new premises at Tintern House, which is part of the Brentford Project, but the signing of their leases has been delayed. This has resulted in significant extra expense, such as the storage of frozen food products, while being deprived of revenue because their shops have been forced to close.
The traders had been assured last August that they would be able to move to new units in ‘Block D’, which are currently empty, but they are now unsure whether they will continue to be able to continue to operate in the area. They are threatening to send a bill to the council to get recompense for the cost and lost revenue.
Cllr Lambert had already had the Labour whip removed due to ‘uncomradely’ comments he made in his weekly blog on BrentfordTW8.com about the lack of progress on the Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre and in a recent edition he published a statement on the issue of the situation with the retailers saying that he was working with residents to put pressure on the council to ‘unblock this as a matter of extreme urgency’, describing efforts thus far as entirely ineffective. He arranged a meeting for last Friday (3 January) and invited the council leader Shantanu Rajawat along with senior council officers, but he declined to attend saying he had previous commitments. A party was held on Friday with customers of the departing businesses bidding farewell.
Cllr Lambert said in his statement, “I am dismayed on behalf of the local businesses who have at least temporarily lost their income. I am dismayed that these allocations seem to have been made with no transparency or democratic overview from local councillors in Brentford West or Syon and Brentford Lock wards. I am dismayed that Brentford town centre is currently deprived of 11 shops that could provide some new life to an emerging redeveloped town centre. I am dismayed that the council, which is under serious financial pressure, is forgoing for many months’ rent and business rates which would be provided by these businesses once they are established in their new premises.”
He continued, “I know making this statement will be unpopular with the local administration, but IMO it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. My position in the Hounslow Labour Group, from which I am already suspended, has become untenable, so I have tendered my resignation from the group, which has been accepted and has brought also a threat that I will be automatically expelled from the Labour party. I have no confirmation that that is correct and in any case, I still support the Labour party and will stay until or unless I am forcibly removed.”
In a later update Cllr Lambert said, “After the potential tenants of ‘Block D’ were decided and informed in August or September about their allocation of units already built, all I have heard so far is that there is an ambition to get businesses operational within an unspecific number of coming months. I think the tenants have been told something similar, or less informative.”
Cllr Bruce responded to the criticism by saying, “The redevelopment of Albany Parade and the new retail units at Tintern House represents an opportunity to revitalise the town centre and support local businesses.
“As part of the planning permission for this project, Hounslow Council is required to allocate 20% of the retail floorspace to local businesses at a 20% discount on market rent for the first five years of their lease.
“This commitment is designed to boost the town centre economy and ensure it remains a vibrant and thriving hub for the community.
“The Council is on course to deliver significantly over this requirement by offering the same discounted terms to 11 local businesses that have expressed an interest and have received offers to lease the new units.”
He added that the council was working closely with the retailers to help them through the process and had not charged rent and extended the leases on their old premises as well as providing compensation to help cover the cost of relocation.
He pointed out that there was no automatic right for Albany Parade tenants to move into the new units at Tintern House, all local businesses have been given what he described as a ‘fair opportunity’ to apply.
Cllr Bruce continued, “The process of fitting out the new units is well underway, with businesses now working on detailed plans to meet the required standards.
“This is a necessary step to ensure the spaces are ready for long-term use and that they enhance the area for all. The Council also needs to balance the mix of businesses in the block to create a vibrant and successful retail environment, while safeguarding the integrity of these new facilities.
“The redevelopment of Albany Parade and Charlton House is tied to time-sensitive grant funding from the GLA, and demolition work will soon begin to move this vital project forward. The Council appreciates that this causes disruption, but recognises that the work is a necessary step towards delivering a modern, thriving, and inclusive town centre.
“The Council is committed to keeping residents and businesses updated as the project progresses and remain focused on ensuring the area’s future is bright for everyone in Brentford.”
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