May 2016
brixtonblog.com
OPINION 9
BRIXTON BUGLE
COMMENT
Rebel, rebel – let’s hope so “Rebel, Rebel” is the theme of the new Brixton Design District which will put us on the creative map as never before. Good. But are those two words just a catchy refrain that links us all to a pop icon, or are they a call to arms? Let’s hope it’s the latter. As you can read on this page, small retailers and independent cafés are not the only businesses to be forced out of town by soaring property prices and rents. As yet another burger chain opens in Brixton, it is time to ask once again if the unique essence of the town needs protection. If Brixton becomes yet another soulless suburb populated by chain shops and restaurants the current residents cannot afford, we risk being stranded as the caravan of hipsters, gentrifiers and property developers moves on to the next hotspot. The Bugle happens to be familiar with the offices from which this month’s opinion writer was priced out. Her new space in West Norwood with great views of its famous cemetery and an excellent in-house café are a better and a cheaper place to work – even though she plans to return to us. Brixton must not lose the start-ups and creatives that helped to inspire its current upward trajectory. What goes up very often comes down.
Julie Macauley in her West Norwood studio
Will I recognise my old friend in a year’s time? A new category is being added to the stories of Brixton’s small businesses forced out by rising rents, ‘regeneration’ and profiteering. Julie Macauley of John+Pearl posted her story on the company blog. Here it is … Brixton has been in a tug of war with the council and Network Rail for some time now over gentrification, rent hikes, social cleansing and lack of affordable housing. I always wondered if I was part of the problem, being a white Scottish girl with a jewellery business in south London. Some would say Yes, others may disagree. Either way, Brixton has always been open to trade and creative types, so I felt at home. Then in the depths of January, I was told that management of the Brixton studio we
rented were doing a rent review. We have been based there since launching in 2012 paying a fair rate, so expected a rise. But they increased it by 65 per cent. Sixty. Five. Percent. Over the last four years, I have found that if you are involved in making Brixton what it is, nowhere is more welcoming. If you are going to tip the steel drum players at the tube for making the packed pavement a better place, they will keep playing there. If you use a local seamstress to adjust your jeans in Granville Arcade, she can keep doing her thing. If you are struggling to lift something and you ask for help, you will get it. If you try plantain, ackee, saltfish or even just buy your onions (with Brixton Pounds!) in the market on Electric Avenue, you will help the local economy and get a better deal than in Sainsbury’s. You have to contribute to support a place. You may not visit Brixton to buy a carpet or a fridge under a railway arch so you may not care about these stores being forced to close. You should, however, care about removing the people behind the businesses. It deserves a thought or a conversation, even if it is over a cocktail in a new Brixton bar. Just don’t think that it doesn’t concern or affect you. With all this protectionism, let’s also not forget that there is ugliness in Brixton too. Crime, rubbish and racism can go. You have to try not to rose tint everything that exists in a single idealistic snapshot of time. The argument on change in Brixton is not binary. There is no right or wrong side to be on. Change happens, and there are good
and bad parts to the way it happens. In Brixton, it’s the unthinking pace of change that feels wrong and is tipping the balance away from the diversity and creative edge that made Brixton attractive in the first place. At least for me. Chains, unimaginative new-build flats and services will survive. But creativity is being squashed out. The marble cake that London was – a brilliant healthy mix of different people – is starting to become … a bit samey. Brixton Pounds are keeping money in the community - buy some online or pop into their shop on Atlantic Road Anyway, our landlord wouldn’t budge on our new rates so last week, we moved up the road to West Norwood. I’ll miss Brixton and I have plans to try to return next year (is that re-gentrification??). Things always change and yes, you do have to adapt and develop, but with sensitivity and whilst respecting the essence of what makes something worth holding on to. I hope I recognise my old friend when I come back next year.