Clothes Giant H&M to Bring Some Polish to Dull Ealing

Amid fears of rising rates from struggling independent traders

Worldwide fashion brand H&M is coming to Ealing! The news comes just in the nick of time, as empty shop fronts take their hold in the struggling centre.

The colourful fashion house has the 66th most recognized brand in the world, worth $11 billion. The Swedish clothing company is known for its fast fashion clothing for women, men, teenagers and children, that are both inexpensive and fashionable. H&M has more than 1,700 stores in 34 different countries and employ over 68,000 people.

The chain store will move into a new purpose built store in Ealing Broadway Centre. Work is set to start soon to extend the first floor area of the former Currys Digital store.

A spokesperson for H&M, formerly known as Hennes, said: "H&M is pleased to confirm that we will be opening a  new store at Ealing during Autumn 2009."

Meanwhile, independent traders from Ealing Green prepare themselves for feared hikes in business rates across ealing.

Ealing Green shop owners are about to meet officers from the Valuation Office Agency to thrash out rates that have suddenly doubled to recompense a Government inspector miscalculation.

Executive Director of Ealing Broadway Bid, Steve Breen, spoke of his concernfor local business.

"We're there to represent our businesses and we want to put the best case we can," he said. "We're confident that the agency will listen. At this stage they're very aware of the current climate."

January 30, 2009