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BRIXTON BUGLE YOUR FREE
No 49 | DECEMBER 2016
Published monthly in and for Brixton
ISSN 2397-852X
COMMUNITY PAPER
Arches blight and big rate rises alarm council traders and music venues
FEARS FOR BRIXTON BUSINESS Brixton and its traders are facing a double threat from huge business rate increases and the blight on the centre of the shopping district created by Network Rail’s closure of its arches. Some traders on Brixton Station Road, who are worst affected by the arch closures, say their trade is down by more than 50%. The council has demanded a meeting with Network Rail (page 2) over delays in starting work on the redevelopment of the arches. Network Rail has blamed the delay on legal action by the four remaining arches tenants who have refused its offers to end their leases. A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We have always been clear that the proposed redevelopment scheme would be completed within 12 months of our having vacant possession of all of the arch units. “While the majority of our tenants have now left their arch and are planning to return after completion of the scheme, four of our tenants have begun a legal challenge. “This will inevitably impact upon the timescale for completion of our overall scheme, however we are progressing with enabling and other necessary works to the vacant arches in order to remain as close as possible to our works timetable. Lambeth Council is
OLYMPIC HOPEFUL Brixton fencer Tarriq
aware of this. We very much regret the inconvenience caused to our tenants who have vacated and have signed contracts to return to a redeveloped unit and will continue to support them throughout this process.” Asked why, if Network Rail was going to have to work on the arches while a pawnbroker and betting shop are continuing to trade in them, it could not work while other traders had not vacated, the spokesperson replied: “We could not phase this work and still make the project economical, which we have to do because we are tax and farepayer funded.” Scott Leonard, founder and creative director of The Champion Agency in Brixton, said small companies faced business rate increases of a third or more. “We’re in a very uncertain period within the country – to then levy them with a tax of up to 30% higher than what they’re currently paying is not acceptable,” said Leonard. Lambeth council and the Brixton Business Improvement District (BID), representing more than 600 local businesses, have both warned (page 12) of the serious consequences of business rate rises due to come into effect on 1 April next year. The council said some businesses face increases of 45%, with an average increase of 35% in Lambeth.
Brixton resident, musician and entrepreneur Levi Roots joined Lambeth mayor Saleha Jaffer and Brixton Business Improvement District to switch on the Christmas tree lights outside Morleys. There were carols from a choir from Corpus Christi school
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