By Elena Egawhary
TRADERS on Upper Street whose shops are being sold by Islington Council have vowed to fight against the decision.
The parade of independent shops which runs between Islington Fire Station and Cross Street are just some of the 247 properties included in a portfolio about to be sold to a property developer for £45 million.
In a process that has been described by many of the Upper Street shop owners as unneccesarily complicated, traders have been given the option of buying their property from the council if they can match the price offered by the developer.
But, owners can only bid for their property based on an estimated value, and so do not know how much to offer to match the developer. Traders must also provide evidence of their financial standing if they wish to be successful in their bid.
Jason Delf, owner of the Chest of Drawers furniture shop in the parade, said: "We welcome the fact that the council has decided not to have sealed bids, but we really feel they should be doing more to ensure that the process is transparent and clear and not open to corruption.
"Evidence of our financial standing will go to the council as well as the company they have contracted to manage the site. We simply feel that this process cannot guarantee that our financial details will remain confidential from a future developer."
Traders believe that if they are not able to buy they will be forced out by a new landlord, and independent shops will be replaced by more profitable and financially reliable stores.
Mr Delf said: "One doesn't have to be a genius to work out that a developer is most interested in profit. The reality is that there is huge pressure to increase the rent and that chains such as Starbucks provide a better return and security then independent businesses like ours."
Danny Williams, of The Salvation Army charity shop, said: "It's sad that this is happening. there's a real community spirit amongst the shops here."
Many of the independent shops have been trading for over 20 years on Upper Street and have developed a loyal customer base.
Ben McManus, joint owner of Diverse Hair, said: "We're making our customers aware of the implications of the council's decision, and asking them to write to their councillor. We're in the lap of the gods at the moment.
"The council have got us over a barrel," he added. "The sale of these shops will affect a huge number of people and they should be informed of what is happening."
Thursday, 8 March 2007
BUSINESS - Traders vow to fight Upper Street sell-off
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Windmills just hot air
By Cordelia O'Neill
ISLINGTON Council's plan to install a wind turbine on Upper Street are to go ahead in spite of criticism from energy experts.
Two consultants told a sustainability committee meeting last night that the council should invest in energy saving measures such as draft excluders and loft insulation instead of “gimmicks.”
Planning permission has been granted early for the turbine to be built above the municipal offices on Upper Street, as long as no complaints are received from residents.
Islington Council, currently London’s most polluting borough, has invested £3 million of their 2007 budget to a new climate change fund, in a bid to drive down carbon emissions.
But critics estimate that the turbine will generate just 5% of the energy needed to run the building, and will waste precious resources.
Labour councillor James Murray said: “It’s basically a waste of money. When you have finite resources you have to concentrate on what’s effective. There wouldn’t be a problem if the offices were just more energy efficient to start with."
He added: “A wind turbine would be the icing on the cake. But you need to bake the cake before you can ice it. It’s a drop in the ocean. The turbine won’t power more than a couple of light bulbs in a basement toilet.”
But council leader James Kempton said: “We can’t be complacent on this issue. The council may be the biggest polluter, but 95 per cent of the emissions in Islington come from other places. That's why it is so important we all work together.
"I look forward to seeing lots more renewable energy across the borough, from solar panels to wind turbines, to biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps.”
YOUR VIEWS: Islington speaks out on sex shops
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."
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."