Astarte in partnership with its platform member Yoo Capital Investment Management (YCIM), have sought to create positive community impact in Shepherd’s Bush Market, a 109-year-old market situated in the heart of west London. After becoming the majority owner of the market in 2020, YCIM launched an active programme of community consultation as part of the preparation of a proposal for the redevelopment of the market and its adjacent sites.
A consultation was conducted via drop-ins, online engagement, and a series of workshops and one-on-one meetings with market traders. A total of 33,000 people were invited into the drop-in events. The community’s feedback helped to shape the proposal, comprising of a redeveloped market as well as new housing and business premises in adjacent sites, that was submitted to the local authorities.
The broader outreach programme includes sponsoring school events, giving space to charities, and working with local organisations to coordinate community efforts. YCIM have also worked with an external firm, appointed to manage Shepherd’s Bush Market, to launch a ‘High Street Incubator’. The incubator is the first of its kind in London and offers free training to existing traders and Londoners with business ideas, as well as access to small format affordable trading space and ongoing support to businesses actively trading in the market.