Shops in Wanstead High Street, London. Photo Workers.
A campaign is developing in Wanstead, in North-East London, to save its High Street. Redbridge council has decided, behind closed doors, to allow six seven-day-a-week market stalls along the street.
It claims the stalls will provide a good location for pedestrians using the pavement area, and that they will complement other businesses in the area.
Boran Kortelli, who owns greengrocers Harvey’s, said, “It’s not fair for us who pay ridiculous business rates and rent when stall holders are going to be paying way less.”
Local resident Paul Thackray said, “I’m sure that this will just be the start, then more stalls will be added, and we’ll end up with a load of boarded up shops who can’t pay business rates with a row of street stalls in front of them.”
A public meeting of over 300 on 27 September, and a petition already signed by 1,955 people, showed how unpopular the proposal is in Wanstead.