Out with the Old... Network Rail tell businesses to vacate Atlantic Road arches
- Thread starter :-D
- Start date
:-D
Peas & Cues
Thank you all who contributed their creative juices to this endeavor. After careful deliberation the decision is that Soupdragon has hit the nail on the head the most squarely.We look forward to seeing you soon to claim your prize
VIVA #savebrixtonarches
HASTA LA VICTORIA, SIEMPRE!
VIVA #savebrixtonarches
HASTA LA VICTORIA, SIEMPRE!
soupdragon
Well-Known Member
I don't know what to say, I'm overcome, I'd just like to thank my family...
The petition on change.org has just passed 20, 000 signatures!!!
It was interesting reading some of the comments from the businesses and traders being evicted:
http://westminsterworld.com/cheers-for-that-now-get-out-brixton-traders-told/
It was interesting reading some of the comments from the businesses and traders being evicted:
http://westminsterworld.com/cheers-for-that-now-get-out-brixton-traders-told/
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
From fb...
We're still in ' Death row ' but have had a 'stay of execution ' while Network Rail wait for the bad publicity they've encountered to die down ! Them and Lambeth Council must be hoping other significant things will happen to take the heat off them !
Network Rail need to cost the refurbishment of the Arches and need 3 months to do that ?? What they've never refurbed an Arch before ?? It's a smoke screen !
Network Rail need to cost the refurbishment of the Arches and need 3 months to do that ?? What they've never refurbed an Arch before ?? It's a smoke screen !
Baron
Active Member
If its this year or next year the result is the same. Families being forced from the business they took a risk on. Payed rent and local taxes. Supported local charities and local people. Now pushed aside because their faces don't fit any more. No loyalty from their landlord of over 35 years now some one else wants their arch and is willing to pay more rent. I wonder if they know what it takes to open up your own shop? To have no "safe" income. Not see your family because you have to work even when you get home. Disgusted but not surprised. Shame on NETWORK RAIL.
soupdragon
Well-Known Member
Any word on when they'll put their planning application in?
soupdragon
Well-Known Member
As in any time now (crocuses are out), or next year?
Whenever they decide to spring their final decision on you.
:-D
Peas & Cues
The last communication from NR about the timing of the application was, it was to be this springtime. That was quite early on in proceedings. They have pushed forward the date of notices going out by a few months, possibly due to the recosting of their development plans (also scheduled to take a few months). Whether these new costings have a bearing on the Planning Applications and when they're submitted, i'm not sure but seems feasable.
:-D
Peas & Cues
Public Service Request.
we are looking for volounteers to help draught a few standard letters.
They will be directed to the people on the back of the flyer we've been handing out, as well as a couple more pertenent additions to that list. They will go on our upcoming website, in order to make Lobbying the people a simpler process.
any contributions would be most appreciated
we are looking for volounteers to help draught a few standard letters.
They will be directed to the people on the back of the flyer we've been handing out, as well as a couple more pertenent additions to that list. They will go on our upcoming website, in order to make Lobbying the people a simpler process.
any contributions would be most appreciated
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
:-D
Peas & Cues
I love that film
soupdragon
Well-Known Member
Dil Green
Member
Happy to help (I am a local architect with a little experience on the planning side) - dil@dilgreen.net
Dil Green
Member
Just had a catch-up read of the last ten days or so. Seems like now would be the time to pile on the pressure - it will suit NR fine if they have the initiative, and once they submit a planning application it becomes a semi-judicial process - even if Lambeth turn it down because it makes political sense for them, NR have a free appeal to the National Planning Inspectorate who are not allowed to consider local politics - only legalistic planning issues - and it is unlikely that there will be any real grounds on which to challenge a planning application that consists of new shopfronts and the creation of a small arcade - so Lambeth will be able to honestly say; 'we can't stop it', and then many people will think its a done deal.
The key is surely to keep it a political issue - keep piling on the pressure that 20k petition signers give, and make some clear demands. Lambeth have a great deal riding on the Town Centre project, and must be made to understand that it might be de-railed (see what I did there?) if they don't put pressure on NR to act decently.
IMHO, demands need to include;
1 - proper consultation on the plans BEFORE planning application is made - ie NR talk to the traders about what size unit they want and where so that phasing can means something - see point 3
2 - legally guaranteed right of return (ie not just PR statement) - for which a money deposit is paid (this means there would be a contact that NR must uphold)
3 - A phased/rolling programme of refurbishment - not one big job, so that businesses are not re-locating for a year, but can move into newly refurbished units as they become available - this will mean that the traders need to discuss among themselves who needs what BEFORE talking to NR, to avoid divide and rule (actually, the moment NR start divide and rule tactics - talking to individual traders and making them 'special deal' offers - then we know we are really winning).
I saw the lawyer get a bit of a kicking back there, and I understand why, but I do think it will be very sensible if most/all of the traders club together and are represented by a single law firm - preferably one which will do some pro-bono work for the good publicity. I'm sure there would be a good response for a fighting fund. A barrister in our road wrote NR a strong letter about this - I could ask him if he had any ideas on firms to approach.
The key is surely to keep it a political issue - keep piling on the pressure that 20k petition signers give, and make some clear demands. Lambeth have a great deal riding on the Town Centre project, and must be made to understand that it might be de-railed (see what I did there?) if they don't put pressure on NR to act decently.
IMHO, demands need to include;
1 - proper consultation on the plans BEFORE planning application is made - ie NR talk to the traders about what size unit they want and where so that phasing can means something - see point 3
2 - legally guaranteed right of return (ie not just PR statement) - for which a money deposit is paid (this means there would be a contact that NR must uphold)
3 - A phased/rolling programme of refurbishment - not one big job, so that businesses are not re-locating for a year, but can move into newly refurbished units as they become available - this will mean that the traders need to discuss among themselves who needs what BEFORE talking to NR, to avoid divide and rule (actually, the moment NR start divide and rule tactics - talking to individual traders and making them 'special deal' offers - then we know we are really winning).
I saw the lawyer get a bit of a kicking back there, and I understand why, but I do think it will be very sensible if most/all of the traders club together and are represented by a single law firm - preferably one which will do some pro-bono work for the good publicity. I'm sure there would be a good response for a fighting fund. A barrister in our road wrote NR a strong letter about this - I could ask him if he had any ideas on firms to approach.
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"We are particularly concerned that this development will make it far more difficult for the current small businesses in the arches, independent traders of long-standing which form an intrinsic part of the local community, to continue to operate or at least be given a guarantee of return in a way that safeguards their future."
Mr Allan also expressed concerns that Network Rail failed to consult with the businesses before revealing their clear-out plans.
John Allan is chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=28232&headline=BIG support for smaller businesses
Mr Allan also expressed concerns that Network Rail failed to consult with the businesses before revealing their clear-out plans.
John Allan is chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=28232&headline=BIG support for smaller businesses
roland_sks
New Member
Hey all, new to the thread, old to the cause. Just spotted that Network Rail is going to be covered by Freedom of Information laws this week. Perhaps we can put in a request to see the real development documents and agreements so far? Certainly once planning applications are open we can ask to see. Info here:
http://www.foi.directory/featured/network-rail-to-be-covered-by-foi-act-from-tomorrow/
http://www.foi.directory/featured/network-rail-to-be-covered-by-foi-act-from-tomorrow/
editor
hiraethified
That site isn't working for me "Error establishing a database connection".
cuppa tee
Well-Known Member
seems alright now
editor
hiraethified
As plugged on Buzz:
Save Brixton Arches: threatened traders use street art to publicise their plight
Save Brixton Arches: threatened traders use street art to publicise their plight
