In summer 2006 it emerged that Northcote Road in Battersea - London's second favourite shopping street" - was losing long-established, small independent retailers and businesses, as landlords redeveloped and rents continued to escalate. Several more favourites have recently gone and others are under threat.
NRAG's goal is to shape Council-led policies to ensure the protection of the extremely popular Northcote Road shopping area in a way that retains its exceptional charm.
We want to see:
- The creation of a retail conservation area for Northcote Road, where potential retailers are assessed on whether they will add to the vitality and variety of the road; the size of businesses controlled by retaining single shop frontages and shop sizes capped; a new planning category for food retailers introduced to ensure they stay as food shops if bought by new owners.
- The active encouragement of the major chain stores to develop in the contiguous Clapham Junction area on St John's Road, complementary to the small independent shops of Northcote Road.
- Some serious, investigative research of local residents and businesses into the issues faced by Northcote Road.
- Promotion, encouragement and growth of a thriving street market.
These points were all highlighted in our submission to The London Development Framework (LDF) public consultation at the end of 2006. CLICK HERE TO VIEW