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

[lang rabbie]

A lot of Network Rail's small business tenants in railway arches outside town centres probably welcome the "three months either way" notice clause, that I think is now standard in NR's "Solutions" leases.

However for town centre retail sites on longer term leases, I had always understood that the six months notice to quit clause in Network Rail Property (formerly 'Spacia' formerly British Rail Property Board?) leases was only for works required for railway engineering purposes. Has the use of this clause to clear a site for non-engineering-related commercial reasons ever been legally tested?

Is there such a beast as a pro bono commercial property lawyer?!?

 

[soupdragon]

Is there such a beast as a pro bono commercial property lawyer?!?

You could try The Ethical Property Foundation - they may be able to put you in touch with a pro bono lawyer.

 

[soupdragon]

The interview with Patrick Butcher would suggest this is a national strategy they are going to pursue (if I'm understanding the bit about making it more like Hong Kong). I think Herne Hill traders may be in the same situation. How many other parades of shops are in NR arches nationally? Maybe there's a national campaign here? Shouldn't NR have a duty to consider the impact of their leasing decisions to surrounding urban contexts as part of their license?

 

[Gramsci]

....before i turn in, i wanted to say thank you to everyone for their kind messages of support that we've had all day. It's lifted us.

Brixton Rec Users Group email list have been informed about this with petition, Brixton Buzz piece and this thread.

 

[gaijingirl]

It's really encouraging how rapidly that petition is gaining signatures... heading rapidly towards 3,000 signatures already.

Is there more that could be done?

 

[Ms T]

The interview with Patrick Butcher would suggest this is a national strategy they are going to pursue (if I'm understanding the bit about making it more like Hong Kong). I think Herne Hill traders may be in the same situation. How many other parades of shops are in NR arches nationally? Maybe there's a national campaign here? Shouldn't NR have a duty to consider the impact of their leasing decisions to surrounding urban contexts as part of their license?

Herne Hill traders are in the same situation, although I think in their case there is structural work they has to be done. I note that Brindisa isn't affected by this as they're in the arches between Pope's Rd and Coldharbour Lane. Having invested quite heavily in Brixton I'd imagine they'd be very fucked off to be chucked out after a year. I wonder if that stretch is next though?

 

[Ms T]

It's really encouraging how rapidly that petition is gaining signatures... heading rapidly towards 3,000 signatures already.

Is there more that could be done?

We need to lobby our local councillors, and the local MP. Is it Chukka or Kate Hoey?

 

[CH1]

We need to lobby our local councillors, and the local MP. Is it Chukka or Kate Hoey?

Tessa Jowell (retiring)

 

[lazyhack]

Is there such a beast as a pro bono commercial property lawyer?!?

Try the Haldane society, there's some housing lawyers there that could probably help.

 

[Ms T]

Tessa Jowell (retiring)

Have the boundaries changed that much? She's my MP as it happens, but might be better off engaging the new candidate.

 

[colacubes]

Have the boundaries changed that much? She's my MP as it happens, but might be better off engaging the new candidate.

Yep - she became our MP at the last election when the boundaries changed (it was Kate Hoey before). Helen Hayes is the prospective candidate - she's a Southwark councillor at present. Definitely worth engaging her.

 

[CH1]

Yep - she became our MP at the last election when the boundaries changed (it was Kate Hoey before). Helen Hayes is the prospective candidate - she's a Southwark councillor at present. Definitely worth engaging her.

If she wanted a campaign to raise her profile it would seem a good one to choose.

 

[Ms T]

Yep - she became our MP at the last election when the boundaries changed (it was Kate Hoey before). Helen Hayes is the prospective candidate - she's a Southwark councillor at present. Definitely worth engaging her.

It's daft that Brixton is covered by 2 different MPs. Used to be 3 - I think we were in Streatham constituency before.

 

[editor]

It's really encouraging how rapidly that petition is gaining signatures... heading rapidly towards 3,000 signatures already.

Is there more that could be done?

There's a lot more than can be done. Signing something online helps raise a profile, but what really counts is actual protests, lobbying at meetings and other 'feet on the ground' campaigning tactics, plus regular press. I'm going to see then again and ask/suggest the kind of things that may probe effective - and, of course, people are free to post up their thoguhts and ideas here.

 

[gaijingirl]

let's just write to them all! I think Chuka is mine.

 

[gaijingirl]

There's a lot more than can be done. Signing something online helps raise a profile, but what really counts is actual protests, lobbying at meetings and other 'feet on the ground' campaigning tactics, plus regular press. I'm going to see then again and ask/suggest the kind of things that may probe effective - and, of course, people are free to post up their thoguhts and ideas here.

yes, I have been involved in this sort of thing in the past... I just wondered if anything was actually already planned (although I recognise that this news has only just broken). I guess I just feel so saddened by this news - the initial response is - must do something NOW! Great that you're doing stuff. Definitely happy to be involved in any protest - I'll bring down the whole family.

 

[colacubes]

let's just write to them all! I think Chuka is mine.

They're not supposed to get involved in constituency issues outside their own constituency so he could justifiably ignore correspondence on this issue. However, Chuka is shadow business Secretary, so if you write to him it should be in that context to try and get a response.

 

[editor]

It also needs good, solid coordination between local media to represent a united front. That aspect could definitely be improved upon already.

 

[gaijingirl]

They're not supposed to get involved in constituency issues outside their own constituency so he could justifiably ignore correspondence on this issue. However, Chuka is shadow business Secretary, so if you write to him it should be in that context to try and get a response.

Yes of course, bearing his actual role in mind is a very sensible idea. I do find it frustrating attempting to with him - years ago he came in for a cup of tea with us, recently we wanted to get him to come to a local community thing I was involved in and basically it was felt there was no point in even trying. Shame really as some of our number had some very interesting questions to put to him.

 

[editor]

I wrote a bit here:
Saving the Atlantic Road and Station Road Arches – petition and updates

 

[Rushy]

An impactful logo and strap line which can be shown in windows of neighbouring shops would be good.

And printed on tote bags leanderman

 

[tompound]

There's a lot more than can be done. Signing something online helps raise a profile, but what really counts is actual protests, lobbying at meetings and other 'feet on the ground' campaigning tactics, plus regular press. I'm going to see then again and ask/suggest the kind of things that may probe effective - and, of course, people are free to post up their thoguhts and ideas here.

Yep, and talking to lots of people there will be no shortage of support on this. As you say co-ordination is key. Lots of good intention around but there will be priorities in terms of what needs to happen first and shooting from various angles won't have the same impact.

 

[editor]

Yep, and talking to lots of people there will be no shortage of support on this. As you say co-ordination is key. Lots of good intention around but there will be priorities in terms of what needs to happen first and shooting from various angles won't have the same impact.

Absolutely. If I hadn't have chanced upon the Blog's petition there'd now be two online and that does nothing for the cause. I'm writing to them now to ask if they want to coordinate further actions.

 

[editor]

The original story on Buzz has now had well over 20k page views and been shared 4.4k times in something like 24 hours. Now we (as in all of us) need to harness that reaction and make sure that we can out forward a sustained campaign. When the time is right, I think a proper street protest is definitely something that should happen (and I'm more than happy to help out with this).

This redevelopment to be stopped.

 

[Rushy]

Lots of good intention around but there will be priorities in terms of what needs to happen first and shooting from various angles won't have the same impact.

This. Patience is needed until the plans and terms have been clarified. This is happening in a couple of weeks I believe. It also won't help businesses if this is allowed to be hijacked by the "yuppies out" brigade. I am certain that a lot of the support will come from young recent arrivals as well as old faces.

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

I wrote a bit here:
Saving the Atlantic Road and Station Road Arches – petition and updates

I thought Bell spoke so eloquently there, the pertinent points being that Lambeth have known about this for sometime, that it is a commercial decision not a structural issue and if your face doesn't fit the gentrification model you are not welcome in Brixton even if you have been part of the community for a quarter of a century.

The £1,000 relocation payment is frankly breathtaking, it makes my blood boil.

 

[editor]

This. Patience is needed until the plans and terms have been clarified. This is happening in a couple of weeks I believe.

Which is what I've been suggesting. Like I said yesterday:

I think the plan is for the affected businesses to get together and talk and get as much information as possible about what's going on, and then invite folks in to help them with a strategy for progressing their cause, which I imagine will involve starting a petition, along with lobbying, press coverage, legal issues, talking to councillors etc etc.

I've offered my services and I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of other locals who are prepared to go out of their way to help protect these important local businesses.

It also won't help businesses if this is allowed to be hijacked by the "yuppies out" brigade.

I've seen absolutely no evidence of that at all, so I'm not sure why you're bringing it up.

But as far as I'm concerned, all interested parties are welcome to get involved in the campaign to save these shops. New, old, young, angry, rich, poor - all that matters is that they are united in their determination to save these stores.

 

[Rushy]

Which is what I've been suggesting. Like I said yesterday:

I've seen absolutely no evidence of that at all, so I'm not sure why you're bringing it up.

But as far as I'm concerned, all interested parties are welcome to get involved in the campaign to save these shops. New, old, young, angry, rich, poor - all that matters is that they are united in their determination to save these stores.

I was not thinking of you in particular or referring to anything you have done on this matter. I brought it up because it has happened before and is a common theme in this board and I felt it was worth saying. Like you say, it it's important that people are united in their determination. I'm glad that we agree.

 

[leanderman]

The original story on Buzz has now had well over 20k page views and been shared 4.4k times in something like 24 hours. Now we (as in all of us) need to harness that reaction and make sure that we can out forward a sustained campaign. When the time is right, I think a proper street protest is definitely something that should happen (and I'm more than happy to help out with this).

This redevelopment to be stopped.

Great.

Do we want 'this redevelopment to be stopped' outright?

Or should it proceed with existing stores given first refusal to return, and on similar rental terms?

 

[Rushy]

Great.

Do we want 'this redevelopment to be stopped' outright?

Or should it proceed with existing stores given first refusal to return, and on similar rental terms?

Or any other options?
I'd like to know what is on the table first.