A grant awarded to Brixton on the 5th March from the Mayor’s High Street Fund has left locals feeling confused and uncertain. £869,000 has been allocated to the area, the largest sum of the ‘Action for High Streets’ project.
The funding is to be made available to any organisation that wishes to make changes to their local high street, including business improvement schemes and community organisations.
Main focuses for the Brixton area are public wi-fi availability, the world’s first local currency cash machine, and support for street market traders.
But the timing of this funding has created a divide amongst the local community. The eviction of the railway arch business holders and the ‘Future Brixton’ project has led traders to question the Council’s motives.
People are concerned that money spent in the area will push up prices and commercialise Brixton. Many local business owners feel out of the loop, and unsure of what the funding means for their own long standing businesses.
Local resident and worker Ellis, 29, said the changes divide opinion. “I think it’s good in a way, it’s good for commerce. But on the other side, it makes everything very expensive, and people who live here are forced to go outside. This is a problem.”
Station Road Market has become a spot for artisan deli’s and high-end wine bars, alongside food stores and shops that have existed there for over 30 years.
Ismail, 45, owner of Faiz Food Supplies, thinks that redevelopment of the area is vital. “I’ve owned this business for 15 years. I think development is good for business because five years back this market was dying out.’”
47 year old Steve, a fruit stall holder in Brixton market, has made it clear that nobody knows what is really going on with the funding, or what the redevelopment means for him. “We bought the area up, we’re the ones who kept it kicking for 30-40 years, and now they want to come in and take over.”
The grant, to be divided amongst various causes and organisations, is one of 42 to be given across London boroughs.
