Queensway Market to close for Whole Foods store in four months

Queensway Market, a collection of independent businesses in Kensington & Chelsea, will close in four months to make way for a Whole Foods store. The Amazon-owned grocery chain will replace the market’s restaurants, shops, and community spaces, which include Malaysian, Uzbek, Brazilian, Syrian, and Persian cuisines.

Tenants received lease termination notices from landlord Bourne Capital on 20 March. The initial deadline was later extended by six months after negotiations. Bourne Capital told The Standard that the redevelopment had been known for years and the notice was not a surprise.

Read Next in News London5 min read

Brent completes 155 affordable homes for homeless households in Alperton

Shillibeer House, part of a 461-home redevelopment, now houses 96 families previously identified as homeless

Normah’s and other businesses face uncertain futures

Normah’s, a Malaysian restaurant in the market, has become a local institution. Reservations for July and August are fully booked, with slots opening at 10am and selling out within minutes. The restaurant has gained recognition from food critics and appears on lists of London’s best Malaysian eateries.

Other businesses in the market include a computer repair shop run by Mohamed Gamal Ramadan for 25 years, a Persian rug seller, and an antiques dealer. Jorge Cubillos, who operates a migrant support office, has assisted tens of thousands of people in his 18 years at the market.

Related Borough Coverage5 min read

Camden approves Blitz Club demolition for 80-room aparthotel

Former Covent Garden nightspot that launched Spandau Ballet and Boy George will be replaced

This is life. Of course it’s sad, but there’s nothing we can do.

Mohamed Gamal Ramadan, computer repair shop owner

Redevelopment part of wider changes in Queensway

Queensway Market’s closure is part of broader redevelopment in the area. Nearby, the Whiteleys shopping centre has reopened after a multi-million-pound renovation, now featuring luxury apartments, a hotel, and high-end retail. Vabel Townhouse, a development of 28 luxury homes, has also opened nearby.

Bourne Capital is a member of the Queensway Steering Group, which owns much of the street. The group’s plans align with the area’s shift toward luxury housing and retail. Mostafa Lotfi, a Persian rug seller, said he does not know where he will relocate, as the market’s low rents and community atmosphere are difficult to replicate.

What happens next

Queensway Market will close in four months. Tenants must vacate by the extended deadline, though it is unclear whether any will receive relocation assistance. Whole Foods has not confirmed an opening date for its new store. Bourne Capital has not responded to questions about alternative spaces for displaced businesses.