|
|
 |
| |
Traders still face uncertain future
• WE would like to thank the people of Islington who have supported their local shops and services over the last few weeks.
The council has listened. It has changed the method of the sale so it will potentially be fairer for those leaseholders who can raise the funds to purchase the freehold of their property. Leaseholders will be given first refusal to match the value bid for their property by the property and investment companies.
The council has not changed the requirement for the leaseholder to express an interest in bidding for their property by noon today (Friday). If an expression of interest is not received, the property will automatically go to the winning portfolio bidder.
We hope the council will now treat all leaseholders fairly in the process over the next seven months.
At a council meeting, Labour councillors requested the sale be stopped and expressed concern as to where the funds will be used.
There has been no consideration shown for those who are not in a position to bid for their property. The council position is that leaseholders with a new landlord will have the same protection under their leases as they did with the council.
From the experience of council leaseholders whose properties have been sold to property developers, many of the leases are poorly drafted and provide ample opportunity for the eviction of leaseholders and redevelopment of properties despite council assurances.
We will definitely see changes to our communities over the next few years as a result of this sale.
We will continue to monitor the council’s actions in this respect, to audit the use of the funds raised and to ensure the sale of the borough’s assets does improve the standard and quality of education our children receive despite the loss of sustainable and viable communities.
DALE BARTER
Amwell Veterinary Surgery
Amwell Street, EC1
• WHAT’S happening to Islington? Everything is being sold off – council property, flats, shop and care homes. Anything to make money, but for what?
Councillors pay themselves up to £40,000, but to do what? There is nothing left to do. We don’t want fancy, high-priced shops in Amwell Street and Essex Road, only shops which provide our daily needs.
J JEAPES
Candy Walk, N1
• NO one can have missed defeated councillor Bridget Fox recently. She’s hardly been out of the papers “ending misery” in Essex Road but seems to have conveniently missed the misery that her party is creating in the road.
Under current plans, Lib Dem leaders are selling off 27 council-owned shops in Essex Road to a property developer. Consequently, 27 livelihoods are at stake and many more employees’ jobs.
Many of these traders have been there for decades, providing specialist, unique or general services. The loss of such shops will affect the special character of the road, with bland high-street stores likely to be their replacement.
Not only are the Lib Dems determined to persist with this sale, but they are rushing it through at such a pace that the tenants and leaseholders barely know what’s hit them.
So, since defeated Ms Fox wants to end Essex Road misery, may I invite her to join Labour’s campaign to get a fairer deal for the street’s tenants. Unlike the Lib Dem council, we want to see people and communities put before profit.
CLLR MARTIN KLUTE
Labour, St Peter’s |
 |
| |
|
|
|
