In recent years, many of Hounslow’s small family businesses have been forced to close down - but why? Some shop owners believe the cause of this problem to be that customers are abandoning small businesses to buy products more cheaply at large department stores. Meishu Huang, worker in Chinese takeaway Fung’s Kitchen, agrees:

‘We bought our workplace from a previous business that had to close six years ago… but I do think that family businesses are being traded in for big department stores (such as Tesco) for their wide variety of products sold at a cheaper price. ’

Marie, owner of a local Portuguese coffee shop in Hounslow, tells us that her business and others like it ‘suffer when business giants make themselves known to large audiences by advertising their products on television and easily accessible websites… people are more likely to order from a trusted brand they know with online reviews than they are to travel to a small shop for the first time.’

So what is it that attracts people to the idea of opening a family business when so many are having to close? Today, young people such as Meishu Huang, age 14, are inspired and attracted to the idea of ‘being their own boss’ and being ‘able to provide for their family, learning new skills as you overcome challenges and are rewarded with satisfaction.’

Could it be, with business giants advertising popular cuisine to the majority population, that there is a market for ethnic minorities small businesses can take advantage of? With an area as densely populated as Hounslow and near 50% of the population registering as an ethnic minority, this potential market seems to be large and growing with young teens such as Meishu soon to take advantage.