Shop local to save our high street

Small business owners in west London said today they fear their high street could be gone in as little as five years if people do not change their shopping habits.

Independent shop owners in Chiswick say soaring rent costs, "greed culture" among landlords, internet shopping and parking restrictions are making it difficult to lure customers away from big chains and supermarkets.

They also said that initiatives such as Mary Portas's government report into the state of the British high street were not enough to save struggling business owners at a time when both customers and retailers are being squeezed.

More than 40 shops in Turnham Green Terrace have joined forces to take positive action with a "market day" tomorrow to highlight the benefits of using independent shops. Organisers said they hoped the event would help "galvanise" residents who have "forgotten how to shop".

Andreas Georghiou, 45, market day organiser and owner of Andreas Fine Fruit & Vegetables, said: "Although Chiswick is perceived to be an affluent area of London, a lot of shop owners have had to close or are having to fight with landlords.

From 7am we've got parking wardens giving out tickets, that's not helpful. Really my belief is the next five years are probably the most important for independent businesses. If we don't do something there'll be nothing to do about it because we won't be there."

Tony Tropp, 50, owner of Sports Centre, said: "In our industry we're suffering from becoming a bit of a showroom. People come in and try stuff on and then go online and try to buy it at the cheapest possible price." Rodney Macken, 47, owner of butcher Macken Brothers, said parking facilities were crucial for independent shops.

He said: "If people can't find parking and drive round and round looking for it they just end up going to the supermarket, but you won't get the quality you get here. The unfortunate thing in Chiswick is that there isn't a central car park."