By Kevin Widdop
AS the debate over a new sex shop on Upper Street takes centre stage at this week's council meeting, Islington Now asked locals what they thought about the prospect of Adult World in their midst.
Michiela Hoholcova, 25, a nanny from St Paul's Street, said: "Kids can't go inside anyway, so I don't know why parents would have a problem. Sex shops are normal. I don't know why people would have a problem with it."
Esse Smith-Jones, 24, an employee of Cancer Research on Upper Street, said: "Why the hell not? Sex shops are usually in more subversive areas, like Old Street, but I think there is a kind of seedy vibe around here anyway. But I don't see anything wrong with it."
Ben Roberts, 27, who works in PR on Angel Street, said: "I don't have a problem with it. There are much worse problems in the world than worrying about the opening of a new sex shop. It is a business, after all."
Lucas Cardoso, 26, who works in Old Street, said: "Personally, I don't have a problem with it. It's up to the parents to tell them that such things exist in the world. I'm very open-minded, because I lived in Amsterdam for a while."
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
YOUR VIEWS: Islington speaks out on sex shops
Disabled man faces eviction
By Kevin Widdop
A DISABLED actor and writer will be made homeless within days to make way for young people coming out of council care, Islington Now has learned.
Firdaus Kanga, 47, who suffers from osteoporosis, has been given an accelerated eviction order to leave the purpose-built two storey building on Purley Place, off Upper Street in Islington.
In place of his house, the council are planning to build ten self-contained one-bedroom flats for young people leaving local authority care. The Community Housing Group (CHG), who own the house, says there is currently no demand for more disabled housing in Islington.
"I have always said that I would never compete with someone on the basis of need," said Mr Kanga.
"I don���t want to revenge or embarrass CHG, but I have been living there for ten years now. It comes down to how one human being treats another and I don���t feel I���m being treated fairly.���
The planned move has caused controversy in the local community, and Islington Council has said that it is going to undertake an assessment of how disabled housing is allotted.
Mr Kanga says no plans have been made yet to provide him with alternative accommodation.
His neighbour of ten years, Ranjit Krishna, 47, said he was appalled at the eviction of Mr Kanga.
���This is about one little guy taking on the housing association," he said.
"The Community Housing Group want to decommission the house and then make an assessment about whether there is a need for disabled housing in Islington. Surely they���re doing it the wrong way round?���
A petition against Mr Kanga's eviction was signed by 50 people and presented to the council last year.
Council planning documents state that the site will be for ���supported accommodation for young people leaving local authority care". Night support officers will be based in the front facing office, "to provide security and support to residents.���
The hostel has not been welcomed. Late last year the Islington planning committee rejected the council���s application because of concerns about the potential threat to the safety, security and privacy that the proposed hostel would cause the community.
Retired Graham Clipsham, 60, who also lives on Purley Place, said: ���Why should potential criminals be put before the disabled? An organisation with the word ���community��� should surely be acting in the interests of the community.���
A spokesperson for CHG said: ���I can confirm that the plans at Purley Place are to create ten self contained units for young people with support requirements in the borough.
���CHG are committed to Mr Kanga���s welfare and will continue to work with him and Islington Council to find alternative accommodation that meets his needs."