6 FEATURE London Chat


By Roger Mills Relief at Ridley reprieve


There’s relief all round at Ridley Road Shopping Village where, following a crisis in mid October, traders have been told by the property’s owners they will be able to trade up to Christmas on the premises. Workers here already know


that the New Year could see the end of the, slated for redevelopment, gaf f. But the immediate future was put in doubt in October by the serving of Community Protection Notice (CPN) on the market following accusations it was a focus for anti-social behaviour. The CPN, issued by the


police, required the Shopping Village operators to install crime prevention measures including CCTV extension and security patrols, employ a fit and proper person to act as a supervisor and not lock the fire escape


during operat ing hours. Their immediate response


was to serve closure notices, saying that the CPN gave them no choice. Tenants who were understandably shocked immediately started a petition urging the mayor of Hackney Phil Glanville to take action. Clothing worker Mohamed


Bar ry, who handed the petition to the mayor’s office said: “We are still here and nobody has got back to us. We never see the landlord and nobody knew there was a problem with the police. We want to stay for another six months so we can get storage for our stuff.” In a statement Mr Glanville


stressed that the council had not par t in issuing the CPN going on: “I am appalled at the actions of the market owners. The letter they have sent business owners is misleading and a betrayal of hard working local businesses.


“They have chosen to use a


Community Protection Notice as an excuse to close the market early and damage a number of small businesses, rather than act as a respon- sible owner and work with tenants and the police to drive down anti-social behaviour. “I have wri t ten to the


owners and operators of the market asking them to stop its closure especially as, contrary to some reports, no planning permission to change this building has been granted.” But he was clear that the


council would work to protect the businesses of traders affected if the closure went ahead: “We’ve contacted all of the traders to offer them market stalls in the street market. We will fast track applications from anyone who wishes to take up this offer, and give them a 50% discount for the first six months – so far three traders have taken this up. For those


who are unable to trade from the market, we will help them to explore other options.” Happily it seems that the


council’s help may not be required immediately but a planning application to replace the Shopping Village with luxury flats and retail units has still to be decided by the council who are aware the critics see this as further gentrification of the area. Phil Glanville was also


quick to address these concerns: “We’ve already started a conversation with the Dalston communi ty about how we can manage the changes taking place – many of which are beyond the Council’s control – with pledges to champion existing


MARKET TRADER, NOVEMBER 9 - 22, 2018


businesses, protect Ridley Road Market and secure affordable workspaces. “The threatened closure


of Ridley Road Shopping Village shows why we need to hear the voices and views of everyone who lives, works and visits Dalston so that we can continue developing a plan that puts the local community’s priorities first.”


The Halloween spirit


Barking Market was planning on getting into the Halloween spirit with a family-friendly festive event on Tuesday 30 October. The market’s traders were


taking part in a fancy-dress compet i t ion, decorat ing their stalls and competing


for the honour of being the most ghoulishly dressed shopkeeper on the market. Hal l owe e n b u n t i n g


was ordered to be hung throughout East Street , Barking, as well as a whole host of fun activities for the children as the market was set to host its most spectacular Halloween event yet! Announcing the event


Councillor Saima Ashraf said: “I’m delighted to see Barking Market’s traders getting into the spirit of things by dressing up for the occasion” “Halloween is a great


time of year and a day that the whole community can get together to enjoy. I’m delighted to see Barking Market’s traders getting into


In Market reflections I review a book on the British Market Hall. Surprisingly London doesn’t have many – the book explains why – but Leadenhall is well worth a look...


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