Originally posted by hatboy
I think some small business people feel reluctant to criticise Merrit for fear of damaging their livelyhood. Thankfully many others do not.
Yes. In my experience local people are being very careful. However, the bulk of Coldharbour Lane daytime business (the parade from Ritzy to Dogstar) signed a strong petition against the proposed Merrett nightclub in the old Brixton Cycles building, including Pat at the Albert.
Many know they'd face rent rises should there be more night economy development on this stretch of Coldharbour Lane. Shops like Bookmongers would be under threat.
Do people really want to exchange Bookmongers for a Merrett nightclub called WALLPAPER offering Brixton an "exciting ICA-type experience" with "A-list guests" chillin2 "ambyant sounz?"
The petitions are with the Council planning department. 300 other people signed too, mostly local residents.
Then there's the problem raised by GODSMACKED above:-
Should only a fraction of the allegations be true Lawrence Merrett is not "Mr Upright Citizen." Is he likely to get violent towards those who disagree with him, who question his expansionist plans or who urge a boycott of his companies? Is there a history of violence? Does Lawrence Merrett have a criminal record?
These strike me as sensible questions. Let's put a stop to Mr Merrett's alleged bad behaviour but, at the same time, minimise any possible personal risk to those who speak out.
Does anyone know how to discover if someone has a criminal record? It's very private information so, presumably, is handled with great care. There's also the question of spent convictions and ex-prisoners being allowed to make a fresh start.
Despite Mr Merrett's alleged behaviour I want to see his rights respected. He's clearly treated the community without respect and has attacked local democracy (e.g. all the proven planning violations - see the Lambeth Council Planning Committee minutes quoted above) but I don't want to sink to his level.
Also, I agree with the Editor about the undesirability of witch-hunts. I simply want Mr Merrett - an important Brixton businessman - to obey the law, to stop subverting local democracy and to respect the local community.
Not much to ask. Certainly not a witch hunt.