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Portobello market 'dying a slow death' at hands of chains
Portobello market is dying a slow death at the hands of chain stores, according to traders who have peddled their wares on the street for years.
More than 5,000 people have backed a campaign to save the market from the growing proliferation of high street 'clone stores' such as All Saints, which opened last month leaving more than 150 traders without a home.
The market is visited by up to 60,000 people every Saturday but antiques dealers fear that trade could disappear within five years if more independent shops are lost to chains.
Chris Hickey, who runs a gallery just six shops down from All Saints, is helping run the 'Save the Portobello Market' campaign and has had support from locals, tourist and even celebrities such as Richard Curtis and Emma Freud.
He said: "It could be the death of the market. This is the last bastion of markets of this sort and it's starting to be eaten away by big developments.
"The All Saints store is enormous. It's far too big for the area. People have seen this monstrosity and are outraged."
Campaigners handed over their 1,965 signature petition and 1,800 letters of support to Kensington and Chelsea council on Monday.
A council spokeswoman said: "The council must operate within national planning laws which are set by Government. Under these laws an antiques gallery and a fashion retail store both fall under the same classification and planning permission is not required."
All Saints declined to comment.
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Portobello just wouldn't be the same without the market
Without the Market the area be wouldn't be the area anymore. It would be just like any other high street - same old chain stores, same old "Oxford Street" type stalls. You could be anywhere. The visitors wouldn't bother to come after a bit - and they would be right. At the moment this is a very special part of London - lose it and its gone. The goose will have sat on its golden egg and smashed it.
I dont think All Saints have really helped. Theyve removed all the stalls on Westbourne Grove infront of their shop fronts - not that you can see into the shops anyway as they are all covered with sewing machines. Their clothes maybe good but why are there 3 shops of them