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Forecourt eviction traders stage demo
HIGHBURY Corner traders fighting eviction from a station forecourt are to protest on Monday.
The traders will be joined by Islington South Labour MP Emily Thornberry outside Network Rail’s offices in King’s Place, Kings Cross, at 10.30am.
The small businesses, some of whom have been at the Highbury and Islington station forecourt for more than 20 years, have been told they must clear out by the end of July to make way for improvements.
But Network Rail, which is in charge of the land, will not guarantee their return.
The traders were told this week they must bid for the space in an open tender, but they fear they will be forced out by larger chains.
Harendra Bhatt, who runs the newspaper kiosk outside the station, is inviting supporters to join Monday’s protest.
He said: “We’re doing this because they don’t recognise the way we do business. I called a rent assessor to come and he said what I am paying is fair. “Network Rail want to railroad this through and cast us out, which is outrageous. This is why I don’t agree with the tendering process. I built up the goodwill for this business. Why should I let it go? It’s not morally right in the present financial situation.” |
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