After a local campaign lead by Town Centre Manager Emma Robinson, local councillor Gemma Stockley and MP Zac Goldsmith, estate agents Chesterton Humberts have decided not to move into the vacant site at 49 Church Road. An online petition accumulated nearly 400 signatures and the local branch manager received many letters of protest from unhappy Barnes residents.

The company has released the following statement:

After listening closely to the wishes and needs of the local Barnes residents and indeed our own local staff, I’m glad to report that Chesterton Humberts has secured interest in our commercial property at 49 Church Road in Barnes from a thriving London-based artisan food business that I think would be an excellent fit for Barnes.

Although I cannot yet reveal the name of this business, negotiations are progressing well and I hope to be able to give a further update in the next few weeks.”

Robert Bartlet, CEO of Chesterton Humberts

Zac Goldsmith, MP for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, commented: “I have been in regular contact with the CEO of Chesterton Humberts and have greatly appreciated the way in which he has listened to and respected residents’ concerns about the mix of shops and businesses in Barnes. His response shows a genuine concern for the village and a real commitment to the people that live here.”

Robert Bartlett adds: “Having spoken to Zac Goldsmith about the issue, I recently reassured residents of Barnes that we would do all that we could to safeguard the commercial mix in the village by ensuring that another estate agent did not take possession of either of the shops that Chesterton Humberts has leases on in Barnes and so I’m very happy to have found a solution that suits both us and the local residents.

Our excellent team in Barnes will continue working from their current location at 133 Church Road, providing the high level of service that our clients have come to expect.” Mortlake and Barnes Councillor Gemma Stockley has said, “Thank you to Chesterton Humberts for listening and working with the local community. We are thrilled they have found a tenant for this key frontage site and their co-operation shows how working together across all areas of business builds a great centre and shopping area for the community.”