Islington Tribune
Publications by New Journal Enterprises
spacer
  Home Archive Competition Jobs Tickets Accommodation Dating Contact us
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
Islington Tribune - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 30 March 2007
 
Traders face sale obstacles

MANY members of the community will have received a letter from Islington Council’s Lib Dem executive in response to their support for the ‘Save Our Shops’ campaign started by Amwell Street traders and carried forward by Islington Traders Group.
In the letter the executive rightly sought political kudos for its capitulation to the demands of the affected leaseholders. We will now be given first option to match the market value as determined by a competitive bidding process between property developers.
It remains imperative that the public who have supported the cause of saving this diverse facility within our communities should be aware that the council’s preferred method of disposal is still en bloc sale to a single bidder.
The council’s proposed process continues to present significant obstacles to leaseholders who have expressed an interest in purchasing their freeholds.
Widely disparate preliminary guide prices, restricted time-scales and total lack of guidance as to the council’s requirements in letters of reference do not show support for small businesses.
This process has been foisted on business leaseholders without consultation or assessment of impact. In the last three months, 200 businesses have been forced by the Lib Dem executive to be constantly vigilant in order to protect their livelihoods and homes.
The electorate should be aware of this and warn their councillors that they are squandering Islington’s capital assets and any political capital they may retain
This is happening at a time when the Lib Dems nationally are supporting the Sustainable Communities Bill to try to stop and reverse the trend of closure of local shops and services in urban, suburban and rural communities.
DALE BARTER
Chairman, Islington Traders Group

I WAS interested to read yesterday that nationally Lib Dem leader ‘Ming’’ Campbell is supporting the Sustainable Communities Bill in Parliament while locally Islington Lib Dems are forcing shopkeepers out of their properties, many after more than 25 years.
“Ming” has been calling for local high streets to keep their character. I’d like to know why this doesn’t apply in “flagship” Islington?
TIM MCLOUGHLIN
Highbury Grange, N5

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Islington Tribune, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@islingtontribune.co.uk. Deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.
 
spacer














spacer


Theatre Music
Arts & Events Attractions
spacer
 
 


  up