05/08/2026
☕ Support our local businesses – don’t price people off our local shopping areas.
One issue I’ve heard time and again from residents and business owners across Hounslow is the relentless rise in parking charges under the Labour-run Council.
Today I had the pleasure of holding a couple of meetings at Wild Bunch Juicery on Chiswick High Road. Along with Rhythm & Brew, it’s one of my favourite independent coffee shops. Wild Bunch is a fantastic family-run business serving excellent coffee, great food and a warm welcome.
Businesses like these are the heart of our communities. They create local jobs, bring people together and give our shopping areas their unique character. They deserve our support.
Instead, Hounslow Labour continues to make it more expensive for people to visit their local shops. Parking charges keep rising, alongside Council Tax and a growing list of other fees and charges. At a time when our local shopping areas are facing real challenges, the Council should be encouraging people to visit local businesses - not putting up more barriers.
What makes this even more frustrating is that, while asking residents and businesses to pay more, Labour has increased the budget for councillors’ allowances by over £200,000.
That sends entirely the wrong message.
As Hounslow Conservatives, we will continue standing up for our local businesses and pushing for policies that help our local shopping areas thrive - not drive customers away.
If you’re in Chiswick this week, I’d thoroughly recommend popping into Wild Bunch Juicery or Rhythm & Brew. Every time we choose to support a local independent business, we’re investing in the character and success of our community 💙
