These are the current important issues affecting the Portobello area:

Golborne Road
Currently the RBKC (Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea) 'strategy for Golborne Road improvements' is being re-discussed between the Planning Department and the consultants. Their difficulty seems to be the relationship between the stalls and the shops (here the Council seems inclined to remove stalls in favour of road traffic). Yet it must be stressed the Golborne Road is a vital part of the Portobello Market retail ecology and though it may appear shabby, at times unruly, this 'character-led' road (hence its fashionabilty) is an irreplaceable attraction and is a much-valued local resource. Our view is stallholders and shops must come first not the through routing of more traffic.

Toilets, Talbot Road
Currently there is a planning application for an underground coffee cum bar/ art-space. We really object to this, and so far there are over 40 objections to this unwarranted scheme. Moreover we also ask for this once free-public toilet to re-opened so the 40,000 visitors and stallholders can spend a penny, wash their hands, and change their children's nappies. And don't forget Portobello is in the top ten of London visitor attractions and has no dedicated free-toilet - a civic disgrace.

Woolworth's, Portobello Road
The company behind much development in the Portobello Road, UK INVESTMENTS, has recently had it's application to develop this site into a mix a of luxury flats and shops declined by the Planning Department. We are watching for any further developments and likewise wish to see Woolworth's continued presence on the market.

The Tabernacle
After recent senior management failure this much-loved Community-Arts centre is currently open on a temporary basis. But after a period consultation it could re-open more permanently as a centre for Carnival stakeholders and local people

Local Development Framework
Following over 350 local letters to RBKC, LDF consultation - which all said they wanted better planning and conservation for the Portobello area - a new draft is currently being re-written (which will become Borough planning guidelines). This we hope will halt the over-development of the area and help retain Portobello's unique diverse character for generations to come.

Shops and Rent Reviews
Currently a number of shops are facing prohibitive rent reviews in summer 06: these shops are on Portobello Road, Blenheim Crescent, and All Saints Road. All follow the pattern established at Lyndon's The Stationers where rent arbitration ended in closure. What seems clear is that landlords, both commercial and social (Notting Hill Housing & Octavia Housing for example), are seeking to maximise rental value towards Westbourne Grove levels - we think this is not only short sighted but against RBKC 'neighbourhood shops policy', which sets a fair rent for sole traders. Further if this practise of rent-reviewing shops with up to 100% increases goes unchecked, the eventual outcome will be the wider decline of Portobello area to be like Camden or the Kings Road, a mix of low-end fashion chains and coffee outlets and a cluster of bland brand retail against useable local shops.