Brixton businesses fight ‘gentrification’ eviction threat

(Picture: Brixton Buzz)

Network Rail, the biggest landlord to small businesses in the country, has told firms operating under railway arches in Brixton that it is seeking planning permission to revamp their units and is hoping refurbishment will begin “in the latter part of 2015”.

The work is likely to take a year, during which businesses will have to move elsewhere, and there are fears they will not be allowed back or will find it impossible to pay the higher rents that are likely to be levied.

We must vacate by September at the latest…they’re terminating all leases
Anabella Cardoso

To concerned locals, it is further proof that Brixton is being gentrified and is becoming unaffordable for people who have lived and worked there for generations. While the area was once synonymous with riots, it is now known for its swanky restaurants and bars and spiralling property prices.

‘Gentrification in the extreme’

Anabella Cardoso and her husband Jose, the owners of A&C Continental Delicatessen on Atlantic Road, fear it could be the end of an era. They have run the shop for 13 years, succeeding Jose’s Portuguese parents.

Ms Cardoso, 47, told Channel 4 News: “Network Rail told everyone yesterday, completely out of the blue, that we must vacate by September at the latest and that they’re terminating all leases.

“They’re prepared to give us £1,000 for relocation costs, which wouldn’t even pay for a van, and £14,000 in rateable value. Most businesses here are very well established. If you added up the number of years they’ve been here, you’re looking at hundreds of years, so this is insulting.

“The big chains are coming in now, it’s gentrification in the extreme. So we’ll organise ourselves, protest and organise a petition. I know my customers and the people of Brixton don’t want this.”

(Picture: Brixton Buzz)

Ms Cardoso said the rent she currently paid Network Rail was reasonable. She had been expecting to be asked to pay more at her three-yearly rent review “because Brixton is changing so dramatically, but I didn’t expect to be evicted”.

She grew up in Brixton and does not recognise it any more. “The competition’s a lot stiffer now for my kind of business. I can cope with M&S and Lidl, it keeps keeps us on our toes, but what’s happoening now is that Brixton is a destination. At weekends, it’s swamped, it feels like some kind of tourist attraction.”

Other businesses affected include fishmongers, ironmongers, nail bars and carpet shops.

It looks as though current tenants hoping to move back to their refurbished units will have compete with other businesses.

‘Clone town’

Network Rail said in a statement: “Tenants will need to vacate the arches later this year and Network Rail is advising them early to allow time to plan for the temporary closure of the arches for the refurbishment works.

“Tenants will be supported by Network Rail with a package of financial and professional support including assistance to find relocation premises. It’s important to add that we are not looking to turn the arches into a clone town and we are aware of our responsiblities not just to our tenants but also the rest of Brixton to get this right.”

Financial assitance for tenants depends on how long they have been there and the rateable value of their property. They will also be helped to find alternative premises.