Islington News: Newsagent | Highbury and Islington Tube Station | Eviction | Harendra Bhatt

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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 20 February 2009

?Reyhan Altun of Highbury Creperie, Igor Novac, Adrian Spurdon of Sanders Florist, Cllr Terry Stacy and Harendra Bhatt

Newsagent pledges: I’ll fight eviction to the last

Network Rail admits threat to traders a ‘commercial decision’

A NEWSAGENT facing the loss of his kiosk outside Highbury and Islington Tube station is preparing to fight to the last breath to maintain his livelihood after Network Rail admitted the eviction of forecourt traders was motivated by money.
Hundreds of people have signed a petition backing Harendra Bhatt’s news kiosk, Highbury Creperie, Sanders Florist and a mobile coffee stand, which have been ordered to move out by July to make way for improvements to the station forecourt.
In a letter to Mr Bhatt this week, Network Rail conceded that forcing the businesses to shut was a “predominantly commercial decision”.
Islington Council’s Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor Terry Stacy has called on Network Rail to live up to its “moral responsibility” to protect the under-threat businesses, particularly during the recession.
He is pressing London Mayor Boris Johnson – a loyal customer and friend of Mr Bhatt – to intervene to save the businesses, some of which have been trading at the station for up to 40 years. Cllr Stacy said: “The mayor is in an unquestionable position as chairman of Transport for London to bash some heads together. Residents want these traders to be allowed to continue trading.
“It’s insulting that they are willing to evict someone who’s been here for 20 years so they can let it out for more money. When they replaced the paving six years ago they let these businesses move around so they could carry on trading. It’s arrogance. In the present environment Network Rail has a moral responsibility to these businesses.”
Mr Bhatt counts transport minister Lord Adonis, journalist Peter Oborne, television presenter Clive Anderson and actress Sue Pollard among his customers. He said: “I’m hopeful we can resolve this amicably. I’m not giving up. I’ll fight to the last breath.”
Reyhan Altun, of Highbury Creperie, said: “We’re going to lose our jobs and we’ve got children. We’ve got no other qualifications. We’ve borrowed money from our friends. It’s really hard for us. Our children are really upset.”
Igor Novac, at the mobile coffee stand, said: “It’s really sad for the people who work here because this is the best coffee around and it’s reducing their choice.”
Mr Johnson was away this week but a spokesman said: “We would urge Network Rail to listen to the views of local people and to show consideration of the fact that these traders are a valued part of the community. It will benefit no one to harm their trade during this tough economic climate.”

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