| |
Sale paves way for clone town
• THE duplicity of Islington Council in orchestrating its forced sell-off of a portfolio of more than 200 properties, home to small businesses, voluntary organisations and doctors’ surgeries, is breathtaking.
The council has repeatedly reassured tenants that the sell-off will “only mean a change of landlord”, that they will be “protected” under the Landlord and Tenant Act and even that the council “does not wish to see Islington become a clone town”.
As Dale Barter points out, at the same time as giving those false assurances the council has been telling potential buyers of the portfolio that they can raise rents by an average of 54 per cent (with some rent increases of almost 100 per cent) if they take over the properties (Countdown to loss of shops, April 27).
The tenants simply cannot afford rent increases of this order. The sell-off will mean forcing the current occupiers out, and the council knows this – which is why it is also suggesting to portfolio bidders that rents could be boosted by turning shops into flats.
What the council proposes is nothing less than a betrayal of Islington. Whatever it plans to use the money for (and latest Audit Commission figures show the council is still failing to get best value), the livelihoods of hundreds of people and the very character of Islington should not be sacrificed in this way. Once these small shops and businesses are lost, they are lost for ever.
Small businesses have already been hit hard by the bias of the planning system in favour of big business (particularly supermarkets). We have already seen one in four independent groceries go out of business since 2000, and 50 specialist shops (butchers and bakers) closing every week over the same period. Since 1995, more than 13,000 independent newsagents and 700 doctors’ surgeries have been lost.
Voluntary organisations and vital public services will be forced to close or relocate when the rents are raised. This decision has no regard for the non-profit tenants, when these are the very organisations the council has a duty to protect and promote to ensure local people enjoy a diverse, supportive and secure community.
This is clone town Britain, and the council is helping to make it a reality here in Islington.
Unless you want to see your shops replaced by Starbucks and Foxtons, let the council know how you feel by contacting your councillor, or emailing andrew.cornwell@islington.gov.uk. Or send us your support to saveourshops@islingtongreens.org.uk.
JONATHAN HATHAWAY
Islington Green Party |
 |
|
| |
| Your Comments : |
| |
| |
| |
