The Battle of Broadway Market

Most people have heard about the protests going on in Broadway Market over the last three months. Since November members of the local community have been occupying Francesca's Cafe and held many protests and public meetings and generated nationwide interest in the campaign. The focus has been on two longstanding businesses which have been at the mercy of property developers looking to cash in on the gentrification of Broadway Market - Tony Platia was evicted from the cafe he has run for 31 years and Lowell 'Spirit' Grant has been threatened with the same treatment. Tony & Spirit are popular local figures who ran shops used by local working people who can't afford to use the new boutiques and upmarket cafes that have sprung up in Broadway Market. Their situation is the consequence of Hackney Council's pro-big business policies - over the last decade the council has been selling off its commercial properties to rich investors at knock down prices often leaving long term leaseholders in the lurch. The effects of this can also be seen across South Hackney as former public buildings suddenly become yuppie flats.

Hackney Independent are proud to have been part of the protests, working side by side with a diverse group of locals to fight for justice for Tony and Spirit.

We see the Battle for Broadway Market as part of a broader fight against the processes of gentrification and 'Regeneration' which have had a disastrous impact on the lives of working class people in Hackney.

Welcome to Real Community Politics

Most people in Hackney feel pretty disillusioned by mainstream politics. The dismal turnouts at elections show how far removed the major parties are from the reality of people's lives.

What has happened in Broadway Market over the last three months has re-awakened many people's interest in local issues. This is because events have been led entirely by residents who have had enough of the empty promises coming from Hackney Town Hall and taken matters into their own hands.

What has been achieved has demonstrated the power of independent action. The Occupation of Tony's Café captured the imagination of the press and has been reported in most newspapers in the UK as well as in many other countries.

The astonishing re-building of the cafe on Boxing Day after the developer evicted protesters and tore it apart demonstrated the power of collective action. This defiant act strengthened the resolve of those involved and made them more confident.

Locals also organised two public meetings where Councillors were exposed to people's anger about the sell-offs in Broadway Market. These well attended, highly charged events were a long way from the meaningless 'consultation' sessions that New Labour love to talk about.

As we go to press popular pressure has forced Hackney Council to re-open investigations into its commercial property sales and it looks more and more likely that Spirit will win a court appeal to stay in his shop and home. Tony's Cafe has been evicted once more but protesters have vowed to continue putting pressure on the developer and have already leafleted his home village in Kent.

What's been clear is that local people have been setting the political agenda. Tory Councillor Boff has been openly supporting the campaign and seems keen on photo opportunities. To his credit he shows more concern for locals than Labour but his party subscribe to the same free-market principles that are tearing our area apart. It is easy to be critical when you are in opposition. New Labour are even worse. Initially they showed no willingness to find a solution for Tony or Spirit but are now publishing pre-election material that claims they have supported the campaign all along. What a lie! This is battle has been waged by the people for the people.

Who is Involved with the Protest?

What's been unique about the occupation of Tony's Cafe is that ordinary working people have been central to its success - not just the 'activist' types usually associated with this kind of protest. We spoke to some people involved about what moved them to act.

"I've lived in Hackney all my life. Tony's was a place I used around here. Loads of pensioners liked using the place. Tony was pushed out as he didn't fit in with the 'new' Broadway Market. I've made real friends in this group who are working together for something they believe in."

Betty, Grandmother, aged 76, Regents Estate

"Before I just existed where ever I was and not been conscious of what's been going on around me. This has expanded my social awareness and I've made so many new friends in the area. It's also been a great experience, fighting against property development and corruption. I've never been involved with anything like this before".

Mother of 3, aged 42, Regents Estate

I'd been really unhappy about the changes in Broadway Market for ages. When I kept meeting Tony in the street and saw how his life had been messed up I felt like enough
was enough and it was time that people took a stand against the developers and the council. It's been brilliant and we've been amazed by what we accomplished"

John, aged 34, Ada Street

"This is where I was born, I've seen the changes going around. People have come in and taken over everything and local people are moving out. My family has been pushed out right and left. What those people did to Tony & Spirit is totally out of order. If all of us had got together in the first place this would never have happened. If you don't like whats happening around you have to stand up and be counted. It's been nice to see those responsible having to look over their shoulders as everyday people take over"

Floyd, aged 45, Broadway Market

To get involved or to find out more go to: http://34broadwaymarket.omweb.org

Locked Out of Acton's Lock

Residents of the Whiston and Goldsmiths' estates - and especially those in Debdale Court - are less than impressed with Hackney Council and British Waterways over the proposed development at Acton's Lock. Squeezed between Debdale Court and the Regents Canal at the Eastern End of Whiston Road, the five-story building will comprise 25 flats and a restaurant.

It was given planning permission by Hackney Council in August, however Residents of Debdale Court, whose block will be dwarfed by the new building and whose views of the canal will disappear, have told Hackney Independent that the first they were aware of the proposed development was the receipt of a leaflet late in 2005, after planning permission was awarded. This makes a mockery of British Waterways commitment to consultation. Their website gushes: "Our canals and rivers pass through local communities across the length and breadth of the country. Waterway development is often closely linked to community aspirations and social issues at the local level. It is essential that the views of local communities are fully represented and effectively listened to. We are committed to getting the processes of dialogue and accountability absolutely right." Right.

Typically, such rhetoric about 'consultation' hides the reality on the ground. 'A similar development was proposed here about five years ago,' says a Debdale resident, 'but a petition and local pressure stopped it. There's been no consultation with residents this time round. There's no-one at Hackney Council who'll tell you what's going on.' Hackney Council has decided to invite resident input into policy about the sale of its commercial properties, having been forced to by recent high-profile campaigns in Broadway Market and Dalston Lane. Hackney Independent would like to see this extended to all new developments in residential areas. Acton's Lock is yet another example of 'regeneration' impacting negatively on the local communities it is supposed to benefit.

'Hip Haggerston' - Whatever next?!

On January 21 an article appeared in the Independent newspaper that would cause any sane person to choke on their breakfast. Entitled 'Hipper than Hoxton: why Haggerston is the place to be', it took its lead from the new edition of the Lonely Planet guide to London.

In this book Haggerston was described as one of the "chic new neighbourhoods" that makes the capital such a "dynamic and buzzing place".

This fabulous claim was based upon a review of one restaurant, a pub and the "thriving Saturday farmers' market". In the Independent article a declaration of war was read out by the owner of the Cat and Mutton 'gastropub', Kevin Cooper: "Actually we are pretty much on the frontline of gentrification. The White Lightning brigade - the cider favoured by drunks and derelicts - have not entirely disappeared, but it's now so much better than Shoreditch."

Thanks for that contribution Kev. We would call for a boycott of the pub in protest but nobody with any taste would be seen dead in the new Cat and Mutton anyway.

Still, the benefits of progress and change mean that we can now pay £3 for a cup of Caffè Latte - even if we do have to drink it in the ruins of a community.

Why are the Learning Trust messing with Haggerston School?

Haggerston School increased it's number of pupils gaining five A*-C grades by 14 per cent compared to last year, making it the most improved school in the borough.

Last July, there was a big demonstration of parents and pupils against the Learning Trust's plans to make Haggerston a mixedsex school. The Learning Trust walked out
of a meeting before Christmas, refusing to discuss the issue with parents.

So why, when it is so successful and there is so much opposition from the local community, does the Learning Trust want to force changes on Haggerston School? It's most likely that this is a first step towards making Haggerston School a City Academy - they know there'll be even more opposition to an academy, so they'll force changes on Haggerston as it is in order to run it into the ground.

The Saturday Market Debate

The Broadway Market Resident and Traders Association (BMTRA) have taken issue with Hackney Independent's views and argue that the Saturday Market is positive for
the regeneration of the area. We have therefore given Louise Brewood, Chair of the BMTRA, the opportunity to put the BMTRA's side of the story so you can decide what you think of their arguments.

Do you still stand by the view that the Saturday Market is positive for the regeneration of the area around Broadway Market?

Yes I do. I believe it's an amazing catalyst for bringing people together. People from all types of background, financially, economically, socially. It's beginning to become a platform for the community. It's real urban space because it's grown up itself. My fear though is that the property market would go nuts and it has. It's gone nuts quicker
than we anticipated.

Are you acting in the best interests of the local community?

Yes. Most definitely. If I didn't believe in what I was doing, I wouldn't be doing it.
The market came about because of about 70 people, most of them long-term residents of over 20 years or local shopkeepers, which includes Spirit and Tony. They wanted to bring in a handful of stalls that sold locally produced goods, environmentally friendly, because that's the sort of food they wanted and they didn't want to go to supermarkets. It was never meant to be this massive market but we expected it to take 6 or7 years to grow, we never expected it to happen in 6 weeks. It was a runaway success from day one.

What about people on low incomes?
Do you think the market's prices reflect local needs?

This is the biggest one.... people are beginning to change their opinion. The reason Broadway Market is such a success is because I wouldn't look at the market as a market. Initially it was really about having good quality food and my involvement was to make sure that a handful of stalls didn't clash with current shops. This is the only market I know in the whole country where the market is about the people who live and work directly in that street, everyone's had an involvement and a say. When people accuse me of the market being this and that I say to them "Have you been down there? Come down with me, let me take you into Henry's (on Broadway Market) there you can buy a really good piece of cheese, same as you can in the supermarket. Let me take you back to the supermarket to their finest range.
Their finest range is more expensive than what you're getting direct from the producers in my market". I tell everybody, if you want a cheap market you can go to the other markets. Ridley Road is a fine market. I know it's got problems but it is one of the country's biggest and best markets for everyday
stuff.

But it's not local for the people who live near Broadway Market

No. I agree but you've got that option. Why should local people have to go all the way over to Ridley Road market for affordable fresh food? Haven't you created an upmarket food ghetto on Broadway Market?

Yeah. That's what it was meant to do. Who let the market die in the first place?

Where are all the stalls that these people say should be here giving them what they want? Why did they go away in the first place? Because people stopped using this market. They went to supermarkets instead. They let it die. We all let it die. If any one from the local estates wanted to do (something similar) they could have done it too. We're just a bunch of ordinary people. They could've done it themselves. The longstanding businesses (on Broadway Market) would not have been here now if we'd not introduced the market.

What do you think are the social costs of gentrification?

Scary. It's not spreading wealth fairly and evenly. It's only providing for some, which creates resentment from others. And that's wrong. But nobody has the right to condemn a bunch of people who got together and did something they wanted to do as volunteers. Sadly, what we've done has kind of been sabotaged by those who do want to gentrify the area. Regeneration I do think is good thing but regeneration through gentrification is a bad thing.

How will you be using the revenue from the market to benefit the local area?

Simple things like raising funds for various projects. We try to support local events if we can and when the tsunami happened we raised 2 grand in less than 8 hours.
My personal dream in getting involved (with the market) was to do local things. Because we're a 'not for profit' organisation, anything we make has to be put back into what we're doing. Everything should benefit the local and wider community. We raised money at Christmas (around about £1000) and half that money went into putting on a half-days football tournament on the fields for local youngsters. Ultimately we want to get a local youth club up and running.

So meeting all local needs and not just a particular group?

Yes. Like my market. I believe that the whole market is important. Every shop and stall is part of a shopping experience and you must cater for all needs. Spirit and Tony would both tell you that without the market their businesses were struggling anyway. We have to meet all local needs and I believe the market does that. The area, sadly, is not doing that and that is down to politics and money and fat cats and that's wrong because if all this money's being made it should be going back into areas of deprivation.

Another view

In 2004, Hackney Independent published an interview with a local resident and the results of an estate survey which were critical of the Broadway Market Saturday Market. In the survey we found that most estate residents were glad to see some activity in the market, but clearly recognised that it is not aimed at them, ie that it is 'exclusive' and too expensive for the majority of local working-class residents. 83% of those surveyed on the Whiston and Goldsmiths estates said the market not aimed at us and 93% said the market is too expensive.

Hackney Independent, and many local people, are of the opinion that the Saturday Market is contributing to the gentrification of the area. The campaign for Tony's Café and Spirit's Nutritious Food Gallery has recently emphasised this issue. The 'invasion' of unaccountable property developers means that small businesses that cater for local people are being forced out of the market.

Those who are using the market have no idea that the area is becoming divided - between a working class majority who are having to put up with bad housing and run down services, and a new breed of rich, self-interested young professionals. This is not merely an accident of the property market. The gentrification of the area is something that is urged on by Hackney Council's regeneration plans. As they privatise public services, shut down community services, run down estates and close schools they want to bring in a new class of people with money to 'improve the area'.

Albeit unwittingly, the Saturday Market, by excluding local people, is, we believe, contributing to the process of gentrification. Indeed, even the new coffee shops and boutiques that have opened on Broadway Market over the last few years will eventually themselves fall victim to increased rents and property development if this process is not arrested. No-one wants to see a street of Starbucks and Estate Agents that you can find in any other 'regenerated' street in London.

Hackney Independent say the Saturday market is accelerating the gentrification process, pushing working class people out of the area by increasing the cost of living and the price of housing.

Another Bunch of Merchant Bankers Running Our Borough?

"Have You examined Your wealth situation from the tax optimisation angle? Do You want to increase the post-tax returns on Your portfolio?" These are questions global financial firm UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland) asks it's customers. So why is it you can't move around Hackney without tripping over them while much of the borough doesn't have a bank branch or even a cash machine any more?

UBS has funded Circus Space in Shoreditch since 1992, provided 120 reading volunteers for Amhurst Primary School, mentored top executives at Hackney Primary Care Trust and has sat on Hackney Council's audit and finance committee - but that's not all.UBS will spend £2 million on the new Bridge Academy and will have a major say in how it runs. The government will spend around £28 million on the Academy and Hackney Council will provide the land - snatched from the pupils at Laburnum school - to hand over to the Academy. City Academies have been criticised across the country because they bring private companies into education, mark the end of state comprehensive schooling, and some Academies have actually made the schools worse!

UBS also funds Hidden Art/Mazorca, and had someone on their board of directors in 2002. Hidden Art/Mazorca runs Open Studios events each year in Broadway Market and has contributed to the Saturday Market. They were given free use of empty shops by Hackney Council on Broadway Market in 1999 for their Open Studios event, not long before the street was sold off to developers like Roger Wratten. Hidden Art says it puts "its force behind the Borough of Hackney's regeneration", we've seen what regeneration really means from what's happened to Tony and Spirit.

But what is UBS? It's a global financial firm with profits of £3.5 billion a year, and total assets of over £750 billion. And why is it so interested in Hackney? Well UBS themselves say it's not just for the good of Hackney's people: "UBS is a business. And a business, at some time, expects returns". The money UBS spends in Hackney is a fraction of their massive profits and gets them great publicity across the world, and distracts from everything else they do - managing investments for their superrich clients so they get maximum returns and pay as little tax as possible. Mayor Jules Pipe said Hackney Council has a "strong partnership with UBS", so it looks like they'll be getting more and more involved in our children's education and much more across the borough - but do we want them to?

. £100 million - fines paid by UBS for conflicts of interest and illegal currency trading in the US 2003- 2004
. £240 million - the bonus fund set aside for 120 analysts at UBSm hedge fund Dillon Read for 2006 - about £2 million each.

TO KEEP SPIRIT IN HIS SHOP & HOME

ROOTS REGGAE PARTY
WITHSOLUTION SOUND SYSTEM
SATURDAY 25TH MARCH
21-23 SEDGWICK ST E9
10PM TILL LATE
TICKETS £10 IN ADVANCE
FROM 71 BROADWAY MARKET
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE CAMPAIGN

About Hackney Independent

 
Hackney Independent is a local community-based political organisation. Throughout the year, we deliver thousands of copies of this free newsletter to homes across the Haggerston, Hoxton and Queensbridge area; giving you the news you won't hear from Hackney Today or any other official local publication. We have also stood candidates in the local elections, regularly take part in community campaigns, and organise practical stuff like advice sessions and support the Hackney Independent Kids' Cinema. Unlike the council or property developers, we won't tell you how good things are while our homes and schools are sold off, and valuable local facilities are closed down.

We want to carry on defending homes and facilities for ordinary people in Hackney - but we can't do it without your involvement. You can assist in a number of ways, such as by helping deliver or producing our newsletter, getting involved in our other activities or just by keeping us informed of what is happening in your part of the area or estate. Or maybe you have your own ideas or suggestions for helping out.

If you would like to know more, get in touch with Carl Taylor on 020 7684 1743, write to us at Hackney Independent, PO Box 47000, London E8 4WW, or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .