Brixton Cycles under threat (again).

[Gramsci]

Brixton Cycles,after having to move out of CHL, are now under threat again.There new shop is on Stockwell Road.Its part of the Stockwell Park Estate.The space was originally meeting rooms for the Estate.Part of the reason it was changed to a retail space was that it was felt that the presence of the shop was good for the estate.Also I believe some of the rental would go to the estate to help fund a youth worker.

The Estate will soon vote on a stock transfer to a Housing Association.The Council are now insisting that the shop stay with the Council and not be part of the transfer deal.On top of this the Council want to increase the rent (retrospectively!) to the extent that Brixton Cycles wont be aple to stay there.

Brixton Cycles have a petition in there shop.Bookmongers in CHL has one as well.

 

[rennie]

I herd about that! Bloody disgraceful!

 

[editor]

What the fuck?! If you see them before me, tell them that I'd be happy for urban75 to used in any way that it might help them (publicise their case/promote awareness events etc)

 

[Gramsci]

If you wish to email the local Councillors they are in Ferndale Ward

Cllr Imran Hussain [email protected]

Cllr Paul CGlone [email protected]

Cllr Sally Prentice [email protected]

 

[Gramsci]

What the fuck?! If you see them before me, tell them that I'd be happy for urban75 to used in any way that it might help them (publicise their case/promote awareness events etc)

Thanks.I did tell them Id start a thread on U75.

 

[tarannau]

Shite. It's not as though anyone's even managed to make a go of the old Brixton Cycles shop on Coldharbour Lane either. It's just a decaying store for barrels now.

You'd think the council would want to make life easier for a long-standing local business like this, not stick up new obstacles...

 

[IntoStella]

I shall go and sign the petition forthwith.

GGGRRRRRRR@LBL

 

[Gramsci]

You'd think the council would want to make life easier for a long-standing local business like this, not stick up new obstacles...

Looks to me that the Council wants to maximise its rental income.If that means pushing out long standing small businesses then thats the law of the jungle.

 

[rennie]

it's stupid.... brixton cycles attracts a lot of youths from the estate it's in and the area... if the bike shop goes, kids will be forced to look elsewhere for entertainment.

 

[tarannau]

I'd also wager that Brixton Cycles, with its distinctive cyclingwear (ok Tops) and excellent reputation has been far more effective at promoting positive perceptions of Brixton's vitality than any number of council-sponsored initiatives like the woeful 'bourguest' bridge branding nonsense...

 

[rennie]

they also run cycling groups which i presume will go if they go? How can this happen at the same tiem that Ken is trying to encourage cycling? Can we complain to the London Assembly?

 

[rennie]

I'd also wager that Brixton Cycles, with its distinctive cyclingwear (ok Tops) and excellent reputation has been far more effective at promoting positive perceptions of Brixton's vitality than any number of council-sponsored initiatives like the woeful 'bourguest' bridge branding nonsense...

every time I read that I immediately think of bourgeois!

 

[IntoStella]

.On top of this the Council want to increase the rent (retrospectively!) to the extent that Brixton Cycles wont be aple to stay there.

How can they do this? Is it legal?

 

[editor]

If you wish to email the local Councillors they are in Ferndale Ward

Cllr Imran Hussain [email protected]

Cllr Paul CGlone [email protected]

Cllr Sally Prentice [email protected]

Seeing as you know more about the facts than us right now, how about you slap up a template email and we can all start firing 'em off with gusto?

Would that be cool?

 

[IntoStella]

every time I read that I immediately think of bourgeois!

We've started calling it the Bourgeois Bridge.

 

[rennie]

:d

 

[Gramsci]

Ok tomorrow when I have time.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

spoke with L****** in the shop today - fucking outrageous

He was pleased (and pleasantly suprised) that this thread started so quickly. Whoevers responsible at the council needs to be named and shamed as the utter fuckwit they are.

 

[pinkychukkles]

That is really pants! That shop is such a positive aspect to the area. Gimme the template (and I'll sign the petition as well)

 

[aurora green]

Shite. It's not as though anyone's even managed to make a go of the old Brixton Cycles shop on Coldharbour Lane either. It's just a decaying store for barrels now.

Totally. It's dreadful that the old shop is left to rot.
Brixton cycles made the very best out of being turfed out of that shop and now this.
Lambeh council treat everyone like shit, yet again.

 

[Gramsci]

Im not sure what a "template" is but heres what I wrote in my email-feel free to use it.I went back to Brixton Cycles to check what they wanted and the fact that the rent will be doubled:

Dear Councillors,
I have been informed by Brixton Cycles(in Stockwell Road) that the Council wish to retain the shop unit they occupy if the stock transfer of the Stockwell Park Estate goes ahead.Brixton Cycles preferred option is to stay with the Stockwell Park Estate as part of the transfer.They would like to work with residents in the regeneration of the estate.

Secondly the Council have informed Brixton Cycles that the rent on the premises is to be doubled.This will mean that Brixton Cycles will no longer be able to afford the premises.

Brixton Cycles are a long established local business who have been loyal to the Brixton/Stockwell area.I have used them for many years.They are a friendly community orientated business and also one of the few existing Worker Cooperatives.The Brixton/Stockwell area retail sector has an unusually high proportion of small businesses as compared to other shopping areas in London.It is the diversity of this sector that makes the area unique.I feel the Council should charge a reasonable rent taking into account what a small business like this contributes to the area.

I also think that as Brixton Cycles wish to be part of the stock transfer(if it goes ahead)they should be included in it,

Yours sincerely,

 

[Gramsci]

If you wish to email the local Councillors they are in Ferndale Ward

Cllr Imran Hussain [email protected]

Cllr Paul CGlone [email protected]

Cllr Sally Prentice [email protected]

The Councillors email addresses

 

[editor]

Emails blasted off!

 

[ChrisFilter]

Sent to all, and slightly edited to seem a bit angrier.

 

[Bob]

I'd also try an email to Cllr Keith Fitchett - the head guy @ housing: [email protected]

My guess is that as the responsible exec member he has the power to stop this - and that his relations with Labour councillors are probably cool at best...

Some of you might remember he was quite helpful on one of those planning things on Coldharbour lane - in fact it might have been him who spoke up against the conversion of the old Brixton cycles into a club.

 

[rennie]

emails sent to all three

 

[gaijingirl]

ditto

 

[Pieface]

Emails gone to all 4 - they are a really valuable service those guys! Especially for me who knows nothing about bikes and rocks up needing advice on getting the wheels full of air

 

[Tricky Skills]

Petition signed today.

I went in to get a new tyre that’s about to blow on me. They asked ‘when for?’ I suggested tomorrow evening.

‘Tell you what – let’s do it now.’

Can't see the same kind of service being offered at Halfords.

 

[ChrisSouth]

Petition signed today.

I went in to get a new tyre that’s about to blow on me. They asked ‘when for?’ I suggested tomorrow evening.

‘Tell you what – let’s do it now.’

Can't see the same kind of service being offered at Halfords.

I don't see any kind of service ever being offered at Halfords!