Out with the Old... Network Rail tell businesses to vacate Atlantic Road arches

[friendofdorothy]

I was walking down Clapham today and saw these: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sD_UQts_uf1rKgiQuGojBjQ!2e0

A sign of what's to come if we're not careful.

I was invited out to Clapham last week end - every other shop/ unit is a restraunt or bar - so few of them are shops now.
The high street was a wash with drunken young people. Made me feel old and out of place.

 

[editor]

Fucks sake.

Although quick maths adjustment: 400% increase, not 600% I think.

I'm rubbish at maths. So should I change it to 400%?

 

[Rushy]

Nice idea. For it to be particularly visible you would need to get the high street to join in. Hard work though as they are largely national chains.

If they don't participate it risks looking like business as usual.

 

[Rushy]

I'm rubbish at maths. So should I change it to 400%?

If his unit is also halving in size, yes.

 

[mrose]

I was walking down Clapham today and saw these: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sD_UQts_uf1rKgiQuGojBjQ!2e0

A sign of what's to come if we're not careful.

I just made the connection with "Paradise Row" under arches in Bethnal Green, the best picture I could find is on here as it's too new for Google streetview apparently.

I'm horrified, have just read through all 12 pages with my stomach churning - I only just moved here, went to A&C for the first time today! I can't stand this very sickening trend, turning London into a shiny soulless new city exclusively for those who can afford it.

I really liked the Valentine's cards idea - are we still waiting for more information before expanding the campaign beyond the petition?

 

[editor]

Nice idea. For it to be particularly visible you would need to get the high street to join in. Hard work though as they are largely national chains.
If they don't participate it risks looking like business as usual.

I think it might prove to be a bit of an ask for the bigger retailers, but it would still have a pretty big impact if all of Atlantic Road, Station Road, Market Row, Brixton Village and the street markets etc closed down for the hour.

 

[Rushy]

But he only gets half his unit back, so 400%.

Just looking on street view, the cheque place looks like it only has just over one quarter of an arch as it is. It shares the Atlantic Road side with Topps dry cleaners and there is a cafe in the station road side. Can't see how it could be split in half again?

 

[prunus]

Just looking on street view, the cheque place looks like it only has just over one quarter of an arch as it is. It shares the Atlantic Road side with Topps dry cleaners and there is a cafe in the station road side. Can't see how it could be split in half again?

Ah, well, I was going by the article, which I assumed had assumed halving the space (otherwise there'd be no logical reason to say 600%). Looks like it might be 200% after all

 

[Baron]

More rent. less space.

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

I think it might prove to be a bit of an ask for the bigger retailers, but it would still have a pretty big impact if all of Atlantic Road, Station Road, Market Row, Brixton Village and the street markets etc closed down for the hour.

It would be unlikely that commercial enterprises that are not directly threatened by NR would show solidarity like that; it's not in their DNA.

 

[Ms T]

It looks like the old Atlantic Bar is going ahead with its refurbishment, which seems odd in the circumstances. the new owners are Antic iirc.

 

[shakespearegirl]

It would be unlikely that commercial enterprises that are not directly threatened by NR would show solidarity like that; it's not in their DNA.

Nour might, especially given community support helped them when they were in a similar situation. Some of the other businesses in the market, new and old, must be feeling at risk with this type of development even if they don't have the same landlord!

 

[gaijingirl]

It looks like the old Atlantic Bar is going ahead with its refurbishment, which seems odd in the circumstances. the new owners are Antic iirc.

that's really odd...

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

Nour might, especially given community support helped them when they were in a similar situation. Some of the other businesses in the market, new and old, must be feeling at risk with this type of development even if they don't have the same landlord!

I wish I could share that optimism but a shut down would be a very hard sell, perhaps a variation of it. I think editor mentioned it would last an hour that is within the bounds of possibility but I'm trying think of alternatives.
It's hard enough to persuade people to take strike action when it's in their interests to do so, again largely because of the short term economic cost.

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

Just an afterthought, the Ritzy campaign for a Living Wage was tactically brilliant; they were mobile in every sense, they were never boxed in and thus difficult to hit and the word got spread.

 

[Gramsci]

Just out of interest, how long does Omnis have to be there to get your support?

What is your view of Network Rails plans for the arches?

Correct me if I am wrong but sounds like you would welcome it.

 

[Gramsci]

Doesn't sound very Proper Brixton.

Why not?

 

[SpamMisery]

Of no fixed opinion. I feel empathy for the people who might lose their livelihoods but I don't object to shops changing. With a large caveat of 'I haven't read the proposal'

 

[Gramsci]

Brixton Rec squash social... It was probably a bit too Proper Brixton for a softy like me - them guys are hard as nails on court!

They are there every Sunday when I use Rec for swimming. Bunch of Afro Caribbean guys who see it a social get together as much as playing squash. One of the things I like about REC is that people see it as social space.

 

[gaijingirl]

They are there every Sunday when I use Rec for swimming. Bunch of Afro Caribbean guys who see it a social get together as much as playing squash. One of the things I like about REC is that people see it as social space.

I was definitely in the minority when i played there but I was made very very welcome. It was great. This is one of the reasons why I like playing sport so much.

 

[Gramsci]

Just an afterthought, the Ritzy campaign for a Living Wage was tactically brilliant; they were mobile in every sense, they were never boxed in and thus difficult to hit and the word got spread.

They did get a lot of support from their Union.

This does make a difference. Union had resources such as legal help, paid organisers etc on hand.

 

[Gramsci]

Of no fixed opinion. I feel empathy for the people who might lose their livelihoods but I don't object to shops changing. With a large caveat of 'I haven't read the proposal'

So you are sitting on the fence at this time.

Fair enough.

Just wondered as you making comments about Omni to Ed. I took that as you saying that the is kind of shop you want to replace longstanding business like fishmongers, the deli and the more recent cheap north African cafes in Brixton Station road.

 

[uk benzo]

Of no fixed opinion. I feel empathy for the people who might lose their livelihoods but I don't object to shops changing. With a large caveat of 'I haven't read the proposal'

But in reality, do you think the shops will change for the better? When NR put up the rental prices of each arch by 400-600%, who do you think will be able to afford that kind of rent?

 

[Gramsci]

View attachment 67534

This looks a great poster.

 

[SpamMisery]

But in reality, do you think the shops will change for the better? When NR put up the rental prices of each arch by 400-600%, who do you think will be able to afford that kind of rent?

Oh here we go....

I have been not stating my opinion because a) I'm not in possession of all the facts - not that that has ever stopped most of us on here posting our opinions and b) because every time I post on these highly charged situations I'm accused of being disruptive.

And think the consensus was it's 200%

[EDIT] reading back, I think the consensus was actually 400% although no timeline was given for being in the front half of the unit

 

[uk benzo]

Oh here we go....

I have been not stating my opinion because a) I'm not in possession of all the facts - not that that has ever stopped most of us on here posting our opinions and b) because every time I post on these highly charged situations I'm accused of being disruptive.

And think the consensus was it's 200%

I haven't accused you of being disruptive. Take a chill pill.

 

[SpamMisery]

No no no, not you

 

[SpamMisery]

Hmm, sorry that looks a bit more sarcastic on screen than it did in my head

 

[soupdragon]

I was talking to the traders now and think I might have a good idea for a community-wide action that could help keep up the press interest (and photo op).

Given that these evictions are going to have a bigger impact than just the immediate vicinity, I thought that a good way for other shops and locals to show their support would be to have a one hour shutdown across Brixton.

With all the shops closed it would provide a great focus on what's happening in the arches, provide a means for other businesses to show support and encourage people along to a rally that could be held outside the shops during that hour.

Thoughts anyone?

I think you might get some small shops that aren't affected joining in solidarity, enough to get a bit of a show. As others say, the chance of big shops shutting is v small. But I think something more visual and more directly aimed at Network Rail might get more press than just a shop shutdown plus rally. Is there a risk a shop shut down makes people say stupid things like "see they're putting themselves out of business all by themselves" etc

How about:

- Do a shop shut down so then the traders plus supportive Brixtonians, brass band etc, can make a quick trip up the Victoria line to NR's office on Eversholt street and serve them with a giant eviction notice... Get into the Standard and the Camden local press as well as SLP...

- Traders deliver a Valentine's day package of goods to the CEO of NR...

- We ride a dummy of NR's CEO out of Brixton on a rail (geddit?)...

- Brixton declares 'Clone Day', everyone dresses up the same, stalls serve grey food...

- Do some kind of survey of train customers at Brixton Overground asking them if they would tolerate the increase in fares that not losing the shops down below would entail, send it to the press under heading "Rail Passengers Would Pay More to Save Arches", get some debate going...

- We hijack a train and convert the carriages into a fishmongers, deli, carpet shop, Moroccan cafe etc... hmmm... ok out of ideas now

 

[tompound]

Just an afterthought, the Ritzy campaign for a Living Wage was tactically brilliant; they were mobile in every sense, they were never boxed in and thus difficult to hit and the word got spread.

I agree to an extent but going past every day I couldn't help but feel slightly dismayed that when it was open (ie. not on the strike days), the Ritzy seemed generally very busy and those who were boycotting it (myself included) seemed to be an insignificant minority.