Call for a Business Strategy

Brentford Chamber recently took a number of Council Officers on a whistle stop tour of Brentford, showing the highlights and the lowlights with the aim of improving them. Below is the follow up letter we sent to Brendon Walsh as Director of Regeneration, Economic Development and Environment which summarises a few key issues. We would of course welcome any feedback from Chamber members.

Planning Process

The brickwork used for Block G of the Commerce Road development did not provide a contrasting arrangement as desired and as expected from the CGI imagery. The simplicity and the size of the block was expected to be mitigated by the variety of the brickwork. This did not happen for reasons that are unclear and contradictory. The planning department did not take any action, resulting in a development that did not meet the expectations created by the visual imagery. This raises questions about the planning application process, not just for the next phase of Commerce Road but for other large developments. The aesthetics of the appearance of large blocks have an enormous impact on the community. If we are to have such solid masses of buildings (to which we are strongly opposed) then better care needs to be taken when approving their appearance and making sure the design turns into reality.

It should also be noted that the reality never comes close to the pretty pictures of flats with balconies on as the balconies become full of bicycles, drying washing, barbecues, children’s toys and more.

Commercial Units

Companies using commercial units in Commerce Road site were evicted and more left before the development commenced. These businesses were offered no support from the Developer or Council to help their relocation and many businesses were driven out of Brentford. Remaining companies such as Octink, which is a hugely successful award winning company using local labour, face relocating away from Brentford in order to expand. There is no place within the emerging local plan or the London plan for the retention of small to medium commercial units such as those on Commerce Road and elsewhere in the neighbourhood.

Commerce Road, Reynard Mills, Catherine Wheel Road and Brent Way were once thriving business areas. Since talk of the “regeneration” most of these businesses have been forced out of the area. The A4 office buildings are not suitable for medium to light industrial and there does not seem to be any inclusion of this type of facility within the regeneration scheme or in Brentford at all. As a Chamber we see these small enterprises as vital to the lifeblood of the economic community and would like the Council to take a more pro-active role to ensure that commercial space is available for businesses to use. There seems to be simply no plan to ensure Brentford businesses that require more than mere office space are able to stay in Brentford.

Establishment of Retail Businesses

With new retail outlets now being built in Brentford (such as 3 commercial units on London Road) it is vital that we have a low initial rental period of at least 5 years to enable these new businesses to establish themselves and grow. Whilst in the short term this means accepting below market rent, the medium term will see businesses expanding and flourishing, which in turn will ensure they are able to stay in Brentford and eventually pay a full market rate. This must surely be beneficial to the Council and developers alike, as well as the community that uses them, rather than having transient businesses that are in and out within 18 months, leading to empty units and a depressed high street. The harsh reality could actually be, as with Thames Restaurant, units remaining empty for several years until a business is prepared to take on the rates.

Commercial Space in Car Parks

One idea that the Chamber are very keen to pursue is making the ground floors of the proposed multi storey car parks. We would like to see light industrial space created to house established Brentford businesses that fall outside of the standardised office space, of which there is an abundance on the A4.Within the Chamber are several members who meet this remit.

Ballymore Development

As observed on the tour, Brentford Dock has a very narrow canal width, compared to the broad expanse between the Island and Commerce Road development, so the proposed buildings will have a serious effect on Dock residents.

The height of the proposed buildings (currently at 10 stories, which does not allow for raising above flood level, basement and ground floors) will affect light to the south side. This means that the proposed leisure/restaurant areas public spaces will be predominantly shaded and therefore not the prime location it could be.

In conclusion,

Focusing purely on the business side of current and future developments in Brentford (whether they are seen as planning or regeneration), Brentford Chamber of Commerce would like to see:

• attractive buildings that mitigate their mass and density and therefore make the area appealing
• a serious strategy to help maintain commercial space in Brentford, in particular for existing businesses, with the suggestion of using ground floor of car parks;
• a retail strategy to help businesses establish themselves before being charged full market rent;
• a more considered application for the development of the area south of the high street.