Speeches+-+Mital+Patel

My parents own Cosmos newsagents on West Green road. We have worked and lived there for almost 25 years. If the proposed Grainger plan is accepted then we lose twice, we lose our business and our home.

When the council announced their plans almost 5 years ago the residents and traders were left with a lot of doubt and very little reassurance. In those 5 years there has been insufficient consideration and consultation with the local businesses and residents of Ward’s corner. This has personally affected our business and home life, and the whole process has left my family feeling like the council has in effect washed their hands of us.

It was the lack of interest by the local authorities during the last 20 years that has lead to the deterioration of Seven Sisters and West Green road. We all welcome plans to improve this area, but why does that have to happen at the expensive of existing residents and traders?

Local shops are a dying breed in London. Our local businesses provide products that reflect the diversity of our community and they feed into the local economy. But now all of this is at risk.

As a coalition we are trying to put the emphasis of the proposed development back onto the residents and traders. There is so much culture in our town and this should to be reflected in our area and in our businesses. Regeneration should be about inclusion and benefiting the many, and not about profiting the few.