Should Windrush Square be renamed Ritzy Square?

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Slight diversion, but there's a great little booklet/pamphlet available in Lambeth libraries called "Windrush Square" by Alan Piper of the Brixton Society. Only 16 pages and has the history of the square and the buildings around it, as well as some great photos of the square in previous incarnations. You can get it from Minet library (and possibly other Lambeth libraries - ref 942.165 in the local history section)....as soon as I return it later today, that is.

A few interesting snippets from it:

The water feature is controlled by an anemometer on one of the lighting masts, to switch it off if the wind is too strong.

That's good. Would hate to be shot to the other side of Brixton by the water feature if the wind picked up a bit

 

[editor]

You should post your comments to the blog.

Why? The debate's taking place here.

 

[quimcunx]

Why? The debate's taking place here.

Wut? Someone has written a blog. Some people have some criticisms about the blog but you think they should only post their criticism on an unrelated website and not at the blogger on the blogger's blog where the blogger's readers can see it?

 

[editor]

Wut? Someone has written a blog. Some people have some criticisms about the blog but you think they should only post their criticism on an unrelated website and not at the blogger on the blogger's blog where the blogger's readers can see it?

How is this site unrelated to the topic? It's where all the discussion has been going on for months!

 

[quimcunx]

How is this site unrelated to the topic? It's where all the discussion has been going on for months!

I'm not saying it's unrelated to the topic. It's unrelated to the blog. Someone has blogged on a blog. It makes sense to put your comments about the blog on the blog so that the blogger can read them and the people who read the blog can see them.

If the council have got my name wrong on my council tax bill should I just mention it on here or should I tell the council?

 

[Brixton Hatter]

To be fair, there's probably loads of people that read Brixton Blog who don't know about Urban and could probably benefit from some different views...

 

[RaverDrew]

How about the old men who rant and rave and fall over and have to be stretchered out of the Beehive?

Oi, less of the "old" please

 

[editor]

If the council have got my name wrong on my council tax bill should I just mention it on here or should I tell the council?

I think you should knit a pair of panties with the message inside and send them that.

 

[quimcunx]

To be fair, there's probably loads of people that read Brixton Blog who don't know about Urban and could probably benefit from some different views...

Well exactly. If they have stuff wrong on their blog, correct it on their blog otherwise the people who read the blog won't know there are errors or omissions.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Oi, less of the "old" please

I was under the impression you tended to be 'thrown' out rather than 'stretchered.'

 

[CH1]

I was under the impression you tended to be 'thrown' out rather than 'stretchered.'

Sorry I got confused - still reminiscing about Lembit Öpik's recent wrestling bout! - check it on Youtube - it's horrific. Can't understand why the LDs didn't run him against Boris. He's the only one who could out-Boris Boris.

 

[Gramsci]

Someone at the residents meeting tonight was complaining about the Ritzy using part of the square and "pushing out" the local community etc. There's a bit of a minor bunfight on Twitter about it. I can't say I object to the Ritzy using their bit of space but since the summer has come (sort of!!) it's a real reminder there isn't enough seating in the square for it to be truly used and enjoyed by all locals.

Her point at meeting was that the square was a public space for everybody. So why is one bit cordoned off? Also she was using it as example of how these improvements to Brixton are not helping those who have been around a long time. It was pushing them out. Also meant that it was excluding those with little money. It was all part of gentrification of area.

See Brixton Blog have piece on it.

It was not the main topic of the meeting. The meeting was about Planning and Regeneration of Brixton. Might sound boring but it was not. Her point needs to be seen in context of the other discussions that evening. Which were about how people have a say in developing and improving there area. Without this ending up as a place Barrats can make a mint out of building luxury flats.

She also asked earlier in meeting about how social and economic issues could be included in Planning. And asked if Barratts were employing local people.

So she was voicing concerns about the direction Brixton was moving in. How she felt people like her were not having much influence.

Also how the Council was not answering needs of local people from long standing communities like hers.

 

[Gramsci]

Well exactly. If they have stuff wrong on their blog, correct it on their blog otherwise the people who read the blog won't know there are errors or omissions.

The Brixton Bloggers lurk here a lot.

 

[Gramsci]

There's been some debate on Twitter about the way that the Ritzy is helping itself to the space in Windrush Square.

Cue one king size facepakm-inducing tweet from
Alex Bolton
@KentishTownie 'NW5 residing, marathon running BBC journalist whose opinions are entirely his own.'

View attachment 20089

Yes, that's right mate. It was full of savages before the Ritzy commercialised the space.

It is also leaves a bad taste as the lady who brought up the issue at the meeting was Black (youngish) . Also it was an issue to her as Windrush square was set up as asset for local people and to commemorate the Windrush generation. Which she clearly felt strongly about.

All Alex Bolton needs is a Pith Helmet

 

[CH1]

Her point at meeting was that the square was a public space for everybody. So why is one bit cordoned off?

And my point is that Brixton Hatter is quoting (elsewhere on these forums) the Environmental Services rates for pavement cafés, and yet Herr Linskey maintains that these do not apply in this case because Windrush Square is a "Park" and "Parks" have an informal agreement with the Ritzy to allow them to use the space free.
Which is correct? FOI anybody?

 

[newbie]

there was a cider van selling on the square the other evening, but it was a bit unclear whether it was a part of the Ritzy effort or in competition to it. Anyone know?

 

[Alo Licentia!]

And my point is that Brixton Hatter is quoting (elsewhere on these forums) the Environmental Services rates for pavement cafés, and yet Herr Linskey maintains that these do not apply in this case because Windrush Square is a "Park" and "Parks" have an informal agreement with the Ritzy to allow them to use the space free.
Which is correct? FOI anybody?

It's an open space. It comes under the Lambeth bylaws for open spaces, commons and parks, the same as the cafe in Brockwell Hall.

 

[CH1]

It's an open space. It comes under the Lambeth bylaws for open spaces, commons and parks, the same as the cafe in Brockwell Hall.

Trading
38. No person shall without the consent of the Council
provide or offer to provide any service for which a
charge is made.

So the council must have "given consent"
Does not say "the Council will charge" though, does it?

 

[quimcunx]

The Brixton Bloggers lurk here a lot.

But do their readers?

 

[gabi]

their reader's what?

 

[quimcunx]

*cough* now edited.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

there was a cider van selling on the square the other evening, but it was a bit unclear whether it was a part of the Ritzy effort or in competition to it. Anyone know?

yeah I saw that too - it was on Friday. Normally I'd be in there like a shot, but it was that crappy Swedish Rekorderlig cider, which is nearly as bad as Magners, so I gave it a wide berth. I assumed it was just a promotion for Rekorderlig, but given the whole of the town centre is an alcohol control zone, you'd only be able to legally drink the cider if you were inside the Ritzy's licensed area. So I guess it must have been connected to the Ritzy somehow.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

And my point is that Brixton Hatter is quoting (elsewhere on these forums) the Environmental Services rates for pavement cafés, and yet Herr Linskey maintains that these do not apply in this case because Windrush Square is a "Park" and "Parks" have an informal agreement with the Ritzy to allow them to use the space free.
Which is correct? FOI anybody?

I happen to know an FOI request has been submitted. So we will find out soon (within 28 days I guess!)

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

And my point is that Brixton Hatter is quoting (elsewhere on these forums) the Environmental Services rates for pavement cafés, and yet Herr Linskey maintains that these do not apply in this case because Windrush Square is a "Park" and "Parks" have an informal agreement with the Ritzy to allow them to use the space free.
Which is correct? FOI anybody?

So if they've been given permission to put their chairs out, does that automatically come with the authority to exclude non-paying members of the public from the space? If so on what basis?

Could be another angle worth looking at.

 

[twistedAM]

So if they've been given permission to put their chairs out, does that automatically come with the authority to exclude non-paying members of the public from the space? If so on what basis?

Could be another angle worth looking at.

I had a meeting there the other week. It was quite mid-afternoon time but I had my own bottle of water and no staff approached me.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I had a meeting there the other week. It was quite mid-afternoon time but I had my own bottle of water and no staff approached me.

Maybe there were plenty of chairs available and they therefore didn't need to turf you out to make space for paying customers?

 

[boohoo]

But do their readers?

I agree with you quimmy. Posts on here which are part of the debate about the Ritzy or anything else would be useful to appear on the brixton blog. As mentioned, how many people who follow the blog, post or lurk on here. Especially if met with the usual welcome...

 

[editor]

I agree with you quimmy. Posts on here which are part of the debate about the Ritzy or anything else would be useful to appear on the brixton blog.

It would be even more useful if those stores also linked back to the original debate, no?

 

[twistedAM]

Maybe there were plenty of chairs available and they therefore didn't need to turf you out to make space for paying customers?

Yeah probably. There was no one around. About two other tables taken.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

So if something is not sorted out, I promise you that I WILL get some sheep and form a
deputation of shepherds, with the Sun, the Mirror, the SLP etc. And your drunken toffs will
find themselves featured in the media in a way they may not like.
Might I suggest peace talks

(from Brixton Blog)



That's someone from here yes?