Changes On Way For De Joli Boutique

Bid to stave off closure by 'shopsharing '

The independent women's clothing shop De Joli is going to 'shop share' in a bid to stave off the threat of closure becuase of its rent increase. The shop has been nearly thirty years on Chiswick High Road.

The owner Diane Bardon said she is faced with a demand for a rent increase of nearly 40% and has decided to divide the shop in two, and is inviting interest from a trader to share the costs. She hopes to find somebody who would be selling items complementary to her clothing business, such as shoes, bags or accessories.

DeJoli has been in business on Chiswick High Road since 1989.

While she currently has a Closing Down Sale poster in her window, she said that she was actually selling off stock, as she will have less room for display when the shop is being shared with another trader.

She said it was "upsetting" to see that local estate agents, who could see just how bad trade was in Chiswick, with hardly any footfall and shops closing all around, continued to demand large rent increases. "This has got to stop if you want to save the little shops on the High Road."

She was overwhelmed with the support she was getting from Chswick residents. "It's a true community and this is what makes Chiswick a great place to work and live in."

May 25, 2018