Leader – cash from chaos
Narroway: a narrow-minded approach? Photograph: Hackney Citizen
The causes of the London riots which tore through Hackney two years ago have been much debated but new details of the flashpoints continue to emerge.
Last month a jury decided Mark Duggan, the man whose death triggered the nights of unrest and anarchy, had armed himself with a loaded pistol just 15 minutes before he was shot dead by police.
Hackney was one of the areas worst hit by the chaos which ensued. In the historic and civic centre of the borough, Mare Street and the Narroway, shops were ransacked in an unprecedented outburst of violence.
At the time the Hackney Citizen described “the clatter of helicopters overhead, the smell of burning vehicles and dark smoke haze”.
Businesses were boarded up, shutters were pulled down and shops closed early. No wonder takings were poor that week, and the economic climate combined with the rise of the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford have not helped matters for small businesses in the area.
The memories of the riot nights are still raw, so it’s no wonder the small independent local traders in the Narroway feel like it’s a slap in the face that the council has decided to plough most of the £2million it secured ostensibly to help businesses harmed during the riots into creating a swanky new fashion hub for big and expensive designer clothes retailers in the railway arches nearby. The kind of retailers who can probably afford to look after themselves, one might think.
It is the type of scheme that seems tailor made to inflame those who believe there is some organised programme to gentrify the borough, price out the poor and extirpate all traces of old Hackney.
The scheme has even been billed as east London’s version of Carnaby Street – a slightly outdated comparison perhaps as that street was big in the 1960s, but the impression remains that this new shopping destination will not be a place for everyone or in keeping with Hackney’s democratic, pluralistic vibes. It will be an exclusive hub for the well heeled, newer residents.
As such, the scheme generates the same kind of passions as the controversial plans for a private gated community in the heart of Dalston did when they were tabled recently.
The council says the fashion hub will help create jobs for local people, but the car garages that were there before did that too.
Our borough is changing fast, and some change is inevitable, and not all change is bad. But change that locks out part of the population, the older part that feels it cannot recognise its own area anymore, will only breed jealousy and frustration, the very emotions that helped fan the flames of the riots themselves, not that this should be any excuse for violence.
If the council wants to help local businesses it could start by focussing on the ones that are already here and struggling to survive.
I happened to be out drinking with someone from the council who has been involved in this a while back.
For what it is worth, they have been losing sleep over it and are angry that they are spending the money in this way.
Mine you, I doubt certain big white chiefs in planning are losing sleep as I am sure that they are helping out their banking chums.
If they get their way it’ll be a scandal http://www.hackneyhaute.com
“It is the type of scheme that seems tailor made to inflame those who believe there is some organised programme to gentrify the borough, price out the poor and extirpate all traces of old Hackney.”
A Pipeist conspiracy? 😉
Surely if money isnt used for the reason it was given it becomes a misuse of funds.
This is a scandal. to be honest I’d much rather have high crime rates and and none of all this b****s than a gentrified sloppy mixture with no character…
Trying to make us believe that crime is being solved – when it’s just being scattered elsewhere, along with the locals that none of the new comers want anyway. I HATE what’s happening to Hackney. Makes me cry.
This is what they spend their time doing . Corrupt?
AN OPEN LETTER TO LEADER CLLR LEVY & Mayor Jules Pipe OF HACKNEY COUNCIL submitted to Fix My Street Website cover to PM
19th March 2013 .
Dear Sirs,
I cannot afford to risk points on my license Blue Badge Holder because Hackney has harassed & bullied giving me unfair hearing with adjudicators & administrative sevices they commission & pay for [ London Councils Appeals / PATAS service ] directing adjudicators dishonestly for which I need compensation for stress on health too – am housebound without car as it is WAV for Mobility Scooter .
It was due to driving skill an accident didn’t happen when had to ignore sign as there would have been an inevitable collision / pile up probably fatal & feel you should be compensating me for causing undue worry regarding Threatening to use DVLA to stop driving taking away independence when it is you who cannot organise streets safely then refusing to address when pointed out [ Appeal Hearing] .
Months of my time has been wasted with Admin staff pretending they are their Boss NB NO discretion eg: MPs .Do Police want to Know? Conspiracy?
This contributed to cardiac arrest time dying 3x 6 years ago with no referral to cardiology because of negligent LA Policy & Cover up .
Here I actually avoided collision but because of Hackney’s fraudulent discriminatory policies am made to pay by intimidation of [ bailiffs] & downright delay from yourselves & MPs .
As can be seen from camera shot [ probably looked at by non drivers who are not objective or qualified ] When it built the pedestrian precinct Lower Clapton Road it left in position the laned traffic lights there with a sign directing drivers into collision by the sign for pedestrian precinct NB one lane to right. Is there an arrow into Precinct too?
You can’t sort out your nasty traps with cameras even when pointed out . What is the matter with you ?
Despite 1000emails & letters not one person has assisted consequently getting out of this nasty vile dump they call London.
Please compensate immediately or will double 2 weekly as your fines do £190 x 2 before Claiming for your malicious practice.
I went into the Aquascutum store out of curiosity and was quite bemused by the heavy-handed security — guards everywhere, and I was forced to leave my work satchel in a deposit box before entering!
The prices were astronomical and out of my reach, and I’m quite well paid…
Gentrification isn’t always bad, especially not when it brings a more diverse mix of people into an area, people who integrate and contribute to the community… this place felt very us vs them… not good at all.
Still, if I’m ever in the market for a £150 shirt…