Guardian journalist Dave Hill talks to Lillie Road business owners

5/3/2014

Guardian journalist Dave Hill talks to Lillie Road business owners who feel that they are in the front line of the Earls Court redevelopment. “There's a nice way and nasty way of dealing with business people like me. I think what they're doing is harassment."

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2014/may/01/earls-court-project-capco-local-small-businesses

4 Comments

Bootupsound

5/5/2014 01:46:14 am

I really hope that the businesses affected are able to communicate what they have been offered by CapCo as it is in everybody's interest.Fairness must be applied, and seen to be applied.
What is worrying is that a form of commercial cleansing appears to be taking place. Surely the businesses that Capco want are successful businesses, and not just pretty businesses eg florists, coffee shops which look good. Of course they are as welcome as anybody else, but existing businesses should be supported and encouraged as they know the turf, the people and have survived with their own business plan. Increasing people's rent, and effectively forcing businesses to close should be the opposite of what the council wants, and a Tory one at that. Come on CapCo all companies have got a right to exist, Earls court exhibition centre was being let out to you, how would you have liked a doubling of the rent. Why antagonise the locals, you need to have them on side if you are going to realise this project.
While I'm on the subject I read everywhere how proud CapCo is of the recent Covent Garden project; but it appears to me that there is a great difference. The Royal Opera House was left in place, and the new flats business outlets were built around it. That is why it was more successful, they left the prestigious old building in place, kept its heart. While Earls Court Exhibition centre is to be removed. The exhibition centre is similar to the Opera House in that it brings a lot of people together, to entertain, but even more important it is for the masses and not just the richest of the rich. It would be so much easier if Capco could say we've listened to the people, and will go back to our original idea, of keeping the convention centre. Then they can give it a lick of paint and show the world how important to them local businesses is, and their commitment to London and British Economy. It would remove vast swathes of complaints, and make it far easier for the councils. Bearing in mind that a potential new Labour council at Fulham and Hammersmith have committed to renegotiate the planning permission, this would remove uncertainty. Nobody is against a successful company like CapCo doing its business and making money, their success is also important for the economy. Surely avoiding the need to destroy Earls Court Exhibition Centre will remove a lot of fears from the locals of dust, noise and general unpleasantness for at least 6-12 months of demolition. This must have a great expense involved which could be offset against the loss of profit from the sale of the properties in its footprint. People like to live next to historic buildings, especially art deco ones, and will make the properties even more attractive, and sellable. Having the Exhibition centre so close will keep the area vibrant, and avoid it being a Chinese/Russian dead investment zone. CapCo think of all the thousands of people going past your beautiful new properties 251,000 people saw the Ideal Home show over 2 weeks. What an advertisement for your new projects. Don't turn off the stream of visitors, they could be your lifeblood for the future. Its a win win situation, and your actions can be seen to be on the side of Londoners.
And please think about the existing tenants in social housing, please work with the council and the owners to be able to offer them an equivalent property, try to keep neighbours together, so that these people can have something to look forward to. This might mean a small reduction in the profit, but if the tenants are willing to move, and the exhibition centre stays, the whole project will flow so much easier. There will be less action of the part of all those against the project, and the sour taste left in all our mouths will be sweetened.

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Guardian journalist Dave Hill talks to Lillie Road business owners

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