Five new Special Policy Areas (SPA), which took effect from November 10, have been designed to ensure they remain home to the specialist traders which have become part of the area’s identity.
The British Antique Dealers’ Association chief executive Marco Forgione described the move as a “huge relief”.
But concerns remain that landlords may still be able to find ways around the SPAs. Asian art specialists Jonathan Tucker and Antonia Tozer, who run a shop on Bury Street in St James’s, told ATG: “This is great news, so long as developers don’t succeed in finding a way round it.”
Under the new rules, the council will be permitted to reject planning proposals it believes could threaten the character of the areas and is seeking to protect specialist traders to prevent an invasion of global brand stores which have changed the make-up of some streets. This move comes after the London art and antiques trade has already suffered at the hands of redevelopment in areas such as Mayfair’s Cork Street.
“Extortionate rental increases”
Philip Mould, who recently moved to Pall Mall from Mayfair, said: “This policy is genuinely heartening. Over the past 10 years too many galleries have been forced to relocate due to extortionate rental increases and redevelopment of the neighbourhood.
“But policy and practice are different things. If the rules are applied stringently, landlords will have no choice but to reduce rents to a viable level for the trades in those areas.”
Currently, tapestries and textiles specialist S Franses is facing an uncertain future as plans by the Cavendish Hotel to create two shops on the corner of Duke Street and Jermyn Street mean it could be forced to leave its home of more than 25 years.
Simon Franses, grandson of founder Sidney, is concerned the new SPAs could be ignored by some landlords.
He said: “In our situation the landlord is working with two planning consultants to circumvent the new policy. It is complicated but it shows that people are already working to undermine a valuable policy.”
The case will go before the council next month.
Franses has begun discussions with fellow gallery owners to form a local pressure group, the St James’s Art District Association.
The Crown Estate, which said it supported the idea of the creation of an association, is leading a £500m investment programme to “refine and enhance” St James’s. Anthea Harries, a Crown portfolio manager, said the “focus on art remains a constant in St James’s and [we] will continue to work closely with galleries to maintain this”.
Alongside Mayfair and St James’s, the SPAs cover tailoring heartland Savile Row, the medical district of Harley Street and the embassy thoroughfare of Portland Place.
Westminster City Council deputy leader, councillor Robert Davis, said: “We are using our powers to protect some of the capital’s most valuable assets and create an environment where specialist traders can thrive.”
