How many empty shops are there in Hoe Street, Walthamstow?

Walthamstow was recently named as the best place to live in London by the Sunday Times.

One of the things that judges highlighted about Walthamstow was its "impressive retail offering" featuring "independent shops and restaurants".

Few roads offer more shopping and eating opportunities than Hoe Street but I recently visited to count the number of empty shops along this road to see whether independent businesses really do thrive in Walthamstow.

In Hoe Street alone, I counted ten units which appeared to be empty.

Spartaks Lounge is permanently closed (Image: Gianni Cirillo) At 40 Hoe Street was Spartaks Lounge, a shisha bar. Despite averaging 4.9 out of five star reviews on Google, the last one was written four years ago and the shop remains closed.

Only six units down was Momona Cafe, an Eritrean restaurant which also registered a high average rating on Google with 4.6, however the last review came three years ago.

I found independent coffee shop Keto Arcady was empty at 79 Hoe Street.

Goldsmith Personnel at 98 Hoe Street had 'shop to let' signs plastered across its front window and no furnishings inside.

Momona Cafe is permanently closed (Image: Gianni Cirillo) Another independent eatery at unit 122 - Tacos House - appeared to be closed. It says it is 'temporarily closed' on Google.

The most noticeable of empty units was a large petrol station with no signage, no working digital boards and orange temporary fencing around its perimeter.

Looking on Google Maps, it seems as though this petrol station has been out of use since 2011 although a hand car wash business had operated directly next door up to 2020.

Further down the road is a permanently closed pharmacy owned by  Private Firm Co Ltd. 

A former petrol station in Hoe Street (Image: Gianni Cirillo) Next door to the pharmacy was a derelict looking unit covered in black spray paint and a metal barrier.

Across the road from the newly refurbished Soho Theatre Walthamstow is 100 Per Cent U Hair Salon, which appeared to be empty.

A few units further down I found the remains of Friendly Cafe Bistro and Exotics Shop which, according to Companies House, was dissolved on July 2, 2024.

Waltham Forest Council has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Goldsmith Personnel is permanently closed and available to let (Image: Gianni Cirillo) Nathan Damson, owner of independent restaurant Andy's Burgers in Hoe Street, previously told this paper: "Across the country high streets are dying and local authorities are helping them die.

“If you look at the branding of Waltham Forest to people from outside the borough, it seems very independent-focused.

"But if you actually go into Waltham Forest and have a look around, you go ‘well hold on, why are there so many global brands in prominent positions?’"