|
Post by Mitch on Nov 28, 2005 10:56:53 GMT
As of Sunday evening the premises of Franscesca’s Café on Broadway Market have been occupied in protest against ongoing corruption allegations and aggressive gentrification in Hackney.
The café was due to be demolished at 8.00am, Monday November 28 to make way for luxury flats.
This is part of Hackney council’s sell-off of commercial properties. The estate agents appointed by the council have sold £225 million worth of properties for just £70 million, with the majority of these going to wealthy off-shore cartels who have made an absolute killing at the expense of the people of Hackney.
Tony Platia, a well-liked and popular figure in the community, has run Franscesca’s Café for the past 31 years.
Tony had first refusal on the property and repeatedly tried to buy it from Hackney council but was passed over in favour of a wealthy developer, Dr. Roger Wratten.
On three previous occasions local people rallied in support and prevented his eviction by bailiffs but in July this year, 10 bailiffs and 50 police turned up to throw him out.
Dr. Wratten is typical of the greedy developers that Hackney council chose to do business with. As the owner of a multi-million pound property portfolio his only interest in the area is financial gain - at the expense of the local community.
They are currently making a call to local residents & sympathisers to show up there - I wish residents all the best and full support down there.
Best Mitch
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Nov 28, 2005 12:35:13 GMT
Sheeesh Mitch! I try to grab the headlining news, and you got there first!! LOL.
Good Luck to the residents from me too!!
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Nov 30, 2005 8:42:16 GMT
OCCUPATION OF 34 BROADWAY MARKET – UPDATE – UPDATE – UPDATE -
THANK YOU…. First of all thank you to all local residents who have been so supportive of this action! Special thanks to the many who have donated time food, heaters and other useful things.
SUPPORT It seems that the majority of local people support what we’ve done. Many have commented on how angry they are that after 30 years Tony was forced out of Broadway Market and that Tony represents part of Broadway Market that is being pushed out as the area is gentrified.
DEMOLITION STOPPED – WHAT NEXT? Our first goal has been achieved! A group of local people have taken legal possession and secured the premises and on Monday 28th of November we prevented the scheduled demolition of Tony’s Café.
We have cleaned up the mess left after Tony’s eviction and made the place warm and welcoming for anyone who wants to drop in. Many people have already come for a cup of tea and t find out more about what’s been going on.
Also we have heard that Hackney Council have reviewed the original planning application for the site and come to the conclusion that it should not have been issued in the manner that it was. Our legal advisors are saying that the approval of the application was not a formal decision and we are now at the stage where the planning application can go to judicial review.
SECURITY Our occupation of the premises is entirely legal. However we have to keep it secure. Friendly locals are invited to drop in but we have to be careful not to let representatives of the developer come through the door and attempt to repossess the cafe and start demolition. Please beware that although the building is occupied 24 hours a day, the front door is always locked. This is a necessity because of the legal position we are in.
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Nov 30, 2005 9:28:58 GMT
Yowza, thanks for putting this up - it's inspiring isn't it.
Tell you what, I've forwarded this to Sal, hopefully to pass on to the Piccadilly Moving Group!!
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Dec 1, 2005 0:06:38 GMT
Great stuff!! They've done really well down there, haven't they! Inspiration indeed...
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 3, 2005 15:43:38 GMT
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Dec 3, 2005 18:12:14 GMT
Thanks Mitch!! I let you get that one in...lol ;D
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 12, 2005 14:56:39 GMT
Thanks Mitch!! I let you get that one in...lol ;D Twitter. Here's another article, a few wincing bits in it says Cottonwood on Libcom, I'd agree with him, but overall good coverage anywise: www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1660371,00.html Hackney Council isn't the only abysmally run council in the country - you can add Burnley Borough Council to the list! I don't doubt Burnley BC have made similar boobs highlighted in this article above made by Hackney - lost emails/memos la di da di da! They have a forthcoming public meeting this Thurs 15th Dec - I'm very interested to hear how this goes. Public meetings are good when they are called by RESIDENTS, not councillors, and this one comes from residents - in my mind it's more about putting pressure on councillors and property developers rather than them orchestrating events and essentially bypassing the issue. I'm pretty interested to see how this goes, especially in the lead up to a residents' Mast Public meeting up here.
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 12, 2005 15:27:35 GMT
Details of forthcoming public meeting: A public meeting is being called for Thursday 15th December between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at St Michaels Hall, on the corner of Lansdowne Drive and Lavender Grove, E8. PUBLIC MEETING Come and Have Your Say! The Occupation of Tony¹s Café has raised many issues in the national, London and local press. We are calling a public meeting for local people to discuss these questions: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HOW BROADWAY MARKET IS CHANGING? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE DEVELOPERS WHO NOW HAVE A LARGE STAKE IN THE AREA? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE WAY HACKNEY COUNCIL IS MANAGING REGENERATION? All parties are invited: local groups, council representatives, developers Chair: Rev William Campbell-Taylor Letters of invitation havc been sent to: Chris Berry Interim Head of Planning, Hackney Council Jessica Crowe Deputy Mayor of Hackney Guy Nicholson Regeneration Officer, Hackney Council Andrew Boff Conservative Councillor, Queeensbridge Ward Bill Hodgson Labour Councillor, Queensbridge Ward (Chair of Planning) Arthur Shuter Local Advocate and Spokesman for Protest at Tony¹s Café Carl Taylor Hackney Independent Stephen Selby Broadway Market Traders and Residents Association Maria Flynn Regents Estate TRA Fred Filce Whiston & Goldsmiths TRA Dr Roger Wratten Stirling Properties Broadway Investments Hackney Ltd All parties will be invited to speak for 2-3 minutes on one or all of the issues. Questions will be taken from the audience. Thursday 15th December between 7.30pm and 9.30pm St Michaels Hall, on the corner of Lansdowne Drive and Lavender Grove, E8. photos from sunday afternoon: www.libcom.org/gallery/v/broadwaymarketoccupation/ updated news: libcom.org/news/article.php?story=broadway-market-occupation-11-12-05
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 12, 2005 15:36:05 GMT
If I could get to that public meeting I'd bring up the recent Audit Commission report undertaken on Hackney Planning Department. Full details here: www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=E702BB88-A965-4f8d-8EDF-34DE0311A7DA&SectionID=sect2#sect3"The service is a fair, one-star service due to the following. It has a good grasp of residents' needs and puts them at the centre of its policies. It works to make the planning service accessible to users. It takes consultation and engagement seriously, and has appointed staff specifically to improve relations with communities. It collaborates extensively with other council departments and with external partners. It responds to the diversity of the resident community with policies and procedures designed to ensure that they have fair access to services and their specific needs are taken into account. It is meeting some of its corporate aims; for example, it exceeds the London Plan target for the provision of affordable housing." What a joke! I'm not sure whether as a member of the general public you can complain to the Audit Commission (so called INDEPENDENT Local Government inspectors?). This report bears highlighting as a farce! Performance Indicators & Best Value remits are bearing down on Hackney Council, coming from the centre. Not surprisingly Bob from Hackney Planning wants to pass it on. Good luck for the public meeting. Best Mitch Burnley Voice (PS. I haven't put this on Libcom as I feel like shit every time I go on there now - hey ho!)
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 19, 2005 19:14:10 GMT
Hey Michele - Cottonwood on Libcom has said why don't we go down for a weekend in the New Year - says it looks like they're gonna be at the cafe for a while.
Reckon we could learn a lot from a visit - do you think Sal (as rep for Piccadily Moving Group) would be interested?? I think we'd learn a great deal from a visit.
I don't mind driving.
Best Mitch
(taken from Libcom - this is a letter sent to Mayor/Hackney)
Mayor/Deputy Mayor
Thank you for the opportunity to represent the Council at the public meeting last night - it was a well attended (over 130) and lively affair which was ably chaired and I heard no concerns that views had not been able to be put. The event was filmed and sound recorded independently so there are indisputable records available of what was said. Cllr Boff was the only councillor who was able to attend. I was grateful for him reminding the meeting that there were some questions and matters raised which, as an officer of the Council, it would not be proper for me to comment upon or respond to. I issued the brief that you had seen before the meeting but had only taken 50 copies so not everyone had the benefit of being able to refer to that. It has been circulated to the meeting organisers and I expect that there will be some response to that.
You will not be surprised to know that there is still a legacy of low perceptions of the Council: people were quick to recall the days of corruption, financial mismanagement and administrative chaos and slow to recognise that things have moved on since 2001. In general, I felt that the audience wanted to believe that there had been at least negligence, if not corruption, in the sales of 34 Broadway Market (Franscesca's Cafe) and the Fresh Fish Shop run by the shopkeeper known as Spirit. The implication was that all property sales by the Council are similarly suspect. My report that nothing had been found that indicated any corruption was not accepted as the last word on the matter and of course I offered to receive any fresh information and ensure that it was properly investigated. The meeting was also concerned that in simply pursuing highest cash returns the Council had ignored the wider social and economic implications of its disposals.
The Ellingfort Creative Partnership and OPEN from Dalston drew parallels from their experiences of dealing with the Council to what they perceived had happened. There was some movement towards those groups sharing information with the Broadway Market Campaigners and possible joint action by those groups. There did not seem to be very much evident support for calls from representatives of RESPECT and Hackney Independent for forms of direct action. There were no takers for my offer to register the participants to become involved in the LDF process - perhaps they are all already so registered.
At the conclusion of the meeting, there was a nem con agreement to put two questions to the Council, which I undertook to pass to you and do so now:
1. Will the Council repurchase the Cafe and Fish Shop premises in Broadway Market? 2. Will the Council change its disposal policies to take account of the wider impact of property sales?
I hope that that is clear. If there is any more that you think that you need to know, please ask.
Meic Deputy Director, Law and Democratic Services London Borough of Hackney
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 21, 2005 10:25:22 GMT
Jeez, look at this - the heavy handed tactics of the State swarms in - the State acts on behalf of greedy property developers NOT local residents.
"The cafe was retaken this morning at 7.00am by police and bailiffs - there is a demo on Broadway Market this evening at 6.00pm."
"Please send out to as many as possible
URGENT!!!!! EVICTION OF OCCUPATION AT 34 BROADWAY MARKET
Sheriffs and Police broke into Tony's Café this morning, injuring one of the occupiers and have allowed Dr Wratten's men to start an immediate demolition. Within an hour the building was rendered unliveable.
We lodged an appeal yesterday with the High Court but the bailiffs ignored that and went ahead anyway. Two of the occupiers are at the courts right now trying to get a stay of execution but Wratten's men have done so much damage that it seems unlikely we could re-occupy the café.
The sad thing is that more people than ever were coming to the café and there was still a fantastic energy to the occupation.
We plan a show of local solidarity tonight at 6pm, outside the Café. Please come and show your anger and support!"
(Taken from Libcom)
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Dec 21, 2005 13:07:21 GMT
Bloody hell! Typical heavy handed attitude! Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier on this Mitch, haven't been on the site much in the last few days, too busy partying..lol...would have loved that visit to the Cafe too!!
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 22, 2005 11:18:39 GMT
They ain't giving up - look at Betty Shanks' speech below - fighting, inspiring stuff!! Also, Michele reckon we can still make that visit in the New Year! UPDATE - OCCUPATION OF 34 BROADWAY MARKET IT'S NOT OVER!!! EVICTED Sheriffs and police broke into Tony's Café this morning, throwing us out and allowing the developer's men to start immediate demolition of the building. Within an hour it was smashed up and rendered unliveable. Today, Dr Wratten and Hackney Council have given us a taste of the type of "development" that they are offering Broadway Market: a broken down, vandalised wreck where once there was a focus for community, resistance and fun. It is disgraceful that the council let this destruction go ahead. Ignoring our pending legal appeal, Wratten's men were allowed to reduce half the café to rubble. Throughout, basic safety procedures were ignored, injuring one of the occupiers and endangering passers by. The process was halted this afternoon by Health and Safety officials, but clearly Wratten doesn't care much about his new neighbours' welfare. WHAT NEXT? Despite this set back, we aren't going to descend into defeatism. There has been overwhelming support from local people for the occupation. Thank you to everyone again for keeping this going for nearly 4 weeks! We intend to keep up our campaign. We will carry on pressuring Hackney Council to reverse the original decision by which Dr Wratten came to be owner of 34 Broadway Market. They have him get away with demolishing the place, but if they can't give Tony his cafe back, then we demand that they give him the land. Other people on Broadway Market are still under attack: Spirit (of Nutritious Food Gallery) must not be put through the same brutal process that we have seen here today. We demand that his shop is returned to him and that the Council commits to a radical revision of their planning policy. Up in Dalston the ruthless demolition of buildings to make way for more yuppie flats is going on right now. We demand that the council puts a stop to this immediately, and offer our support to everyone involved in resisting this ongoing landgrab. ITS NOT OVER - SAVE TONY'S CAFE! DEFEND SPIRIT'S SHOP! The destruction of Tony's cafe is just part of the story. Under the name of regeneration, we see sells off and corruption, affordable housing replaced by yuppie flats, vital services shut down or privatised. If the council doesn't start taking the wider community's interests into account, then we will take this fight further. And we won't stop until we get some justice for the rest of Broadway Market and the working class people of this area. From the BBC News website news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4549972.stmProtesters who locked themselves inside a cafe for four weeks to save it from demolition have been evicted. Builders started knocking down Tony's Cafe in Broadway Market, Hackney, shortly after protesters were forced to leave just before dawn. Residents fear that the popular cafe will be turned into luxury flats as part of the area's "gentrification". Hackney Council told BBC London that they sold the property some years ago to help clear its debts. Campaigners say the cafe is a institution in the community. "People are sick of very little being done for low-income families," said campaigner David Stanton, who said other properties were under threat. "This is something that's not going away and the council knows it." "It's for the rich," said Betty Shanks. "I'm ashamed that the council, who say they're for the working class, can come and along and take the cafe away." This is from a prepared speech that wasn't read out - we didn't put any batteries in the megaphone... opps! 'I just want to say - this occupation has not come to an end because of our mistakes. We fought tooth and nail from beginning to the end. It's a credit to all those involved, many of whom have families, jobs and other commitments, that they were able to provide so much time and energy to the occupation. 24 days ago those that took the café numbered just 8 people. By the end the active supporters numbered in their hundreds. The solidarity shown was outstanding. For all those involved it's really opened our eyes to what is really happening, not just on Broadway Market but also in Hackney and the rest of the country. This isn't a democracy, it's a dictatorship of money, and if you don't have money you count for nothing - you're just a third class citizen. But for those of us that don't have wealth then what we have is each other. All those involved have had a taste of unity and success. We had the forces of darkness, for a few weeks at least, on the ropes and we were hard hitters. The organisation that has grown up around the occupation will not disappear overnight. Whether it is Roger Wratten, the council, useless local councilors or the many forces at work that have or are currently conspiring together to wreck this community, that will be a well-organised response and the campaign will continue.'
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Dec 22, 2005 16:17:27 GMT
Thanks Mitch, I think a far away visit to London would do me good at the mo. feeling a little 'down' if you know what I mean...sorry, it's affecting my ability to post on here today
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 22, 2005 20:05:55 GMT
Thanks Mitch, I think a far away visit to London would do me good at the mo. feeling a little 'down' if you know what I mean...sorry, it's affecting my ability to post on here today You doing fine dude - you been doing too much!! Fancy a crapmas visit from me this weekend. Mel, Cotty and me are coming to the Istanbul (I owe you a few quid), Plus Eileen's having her do on 2nd Jan. I've just remembered Lets minuteos - eek I'm off for a beer! xx ;D
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Dec 23, 2005 2:38:15 GMT
Lol, Mitch...thanks for cheering me up with yer posts and emails...great to hear Mel's gonna make it to the Istanbul and Cotty too...btw, belated Happy Birthday, Cotty!! I saw it on the site and didn't get round to posting to you!!! Sorry!! Well, I suppose the Minutes can wait a minute or two...lol, enjoy yer beer!
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Dec 25, 2005 0:59:53 GMT
On behalf of Hackney Independent I would like to extend seasonal greetings to yourself and your families. The last month has seen us involved in a frenzy of activity in Shoreditch, and the New Year promises more of the same. We have immense pride for all those involved in the occupation of 34 Broadway Market, which at last brought onto the national stage the true nature of ‘regeneration’. The campaign around Broadway Market will continue over Christmas and into 2006. We ask you though to consider donating to the organisation in order to assist in our political work. Unfortunately, the paypal function on the website is still broken, but please send cheques payable to ‘Hackney Independent’ to PO Box 47000, London, E8 4WW. We also ask you to consider playing an active role in Hackney Independent. Contrary to the opinions of our Mayor, London, for many, is a hellhole. We have the worst poverty levels in Britain, with Hackney being the third poorest borough in the GLA area. As the occupation of 34 Broadway Market has proved – money speaks for money, the devil for his own. It’s time to go on the offensive – there is much at stake. From the website: 34broadwaymarket.omweb.org/modules/wakka/HomePageOn Wednesday morning the occupation in defence of Tony's Cafe at 34 Broadway Market was evicted. Despite this setback we are going to go on fighting for Tony to get his place back and to defend Spirit's shop. This isn't the end, it's just the beginning! CHRISTMAS PARTY You are cordially invited to our Christmas Party on Tuesday 27th at 1pm, outside Tony's Cafe. There will be music, food and drink, and maybe a few festive surprises. We will also be outside the cafe again on Saturday 24th from 11am. Come and get a Christmas card! MAKE A DONATION Whilst we appreciate that Christmas is only days away and that money is tight for everyone, we urgently need to raise funds to keep the campaign going. Please make a donation if you are in Broadway Market over the next few days. There are collecting tins at 27-29 Broadway Market (Supermarket & Off-Licence) and at 71 Broadway Market (Spirit’s Nutritious Food Galley). Please give generously. Thanks again to everyone for their support so far! Pictures of the eviction of 34 Broadway Market: gabriellemotola.com/client/BroadwayMarketDemolition/ Subscriptions: [Hackney Independent]
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Dec 28, 2005 11:02:08 GMT
Fantastic - they're back in.
We could poss do a Burnley anarchist jumble sale or something up here to raise a bit of cash to send down in support?
Wot say all?
You could even send or fax one to Dr Wratten, with your personal yuletide message. ;D
Address: Dr Roger Wratten, Little Pix Hall, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook, Kent, TN18 4XT. Fax: 01580 752 441 Landline: 01580 752 674 Mobile: 07714670 378
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Dec 29, 2005 7:22:53 GMT
Sounds like a great idea Mitch!
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Jan 5, 2006 9:50:14 GMT
The mayor of Naro, the honourable Maria Grazia Brandara, is intervening to help her fellow-citizen Calogero Platia, who emigrated long ago to London, where he runs Francesca Café on Broadway Market. On the 21st of December a demolition crew came to came knock down the famous local Italian café to make way for luxury apartments owned by rich English developer Roger Wratten. But the customers and admirers of Francesca Café arrived in large numbers and stopped the demolition from going ahead. Now the Italian café's customers have occupied number 34 Broadway Market, where coffee is poured, and, standing together with Calogero Platia, known as 'Italian Tony', they intend to defeat the plan to demolish Francesca Café, an important part of the history of Hackney's Broadway Market. Even the famous London photographer Gabrielle Motola has intervened in favour of saving the café, and the Libcom website has organized a real media battle for 'Italian Tony's' place. Daily updates can be found at: <http://www.libcom.org.gallery/v/broadwaymarketoccupation/>. Mayor Brandara decided to write to her London colleague Ken Livingstone, asking him to act to prevent the demolition of Francesca Café and to preserve the planning character of the famous Broadway Market. "A charming part of outer London", writes the mayor of Naro to the mayor of London, "should not be turned into a banal example of soulless modernity". Who knows whether this letter will have an effect on Ken Livingstone, who is famous as an anti-establishment politician, and could win regard for having preserved the urban fabric of Broadway Market. The mayor (the honourable Maria Grazia Brandara) originally posted here in Italian, thanks to whoever translated it. Speaks for itself really libcom.org/news/comment.php?mode=display&order=ASC&pid=131 34broadwaymarket.omweb.org/modules/wakka/HomePage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Jan 5, 2006 9:50:47 GMT
UPDATE 3RD JANUARY 2006 There was more media coverage of the community occupation in defence of Tony's cafe today: ITV London Tonight; The Evening Standard (again); RAI (Italian national TV news); and, forthcoming, The Hackney Gazette and The Guardian.
Re-eviction is imminent, however, so if you can make it down here to show your support anytime after 5am tomorrow morning, we'd appreciate it. It's not 100% it will happen tomorrow but the bailiffs have their orders now. If you can make it, please come down.
TV crews will be there from RAI and the BBC, as well as film makers and other journalists.
We will call the Health & Safety Executive as soon as there's any sign of demolition commencing – though perhaps this time Wratten will show his employees, passers by, and his tenants in the neighbouring flats the basic courtesy of following a few safety procedures. If not, the HSE will be informed immediately.
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Jan 19, 2006 12:02:18 GMT
More news from the Hackney Occupation/via Catch on Libcom www.libcom.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=91867#91867turned up on a Korean news site: english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?article_class=5&no=269273&rel_no=1 I didn't make the public meeting on Monday, but apparently 220 people turned up (about 50-100 more than last time), the council wouldn't do shit, and people were either heckling applauding or crying for much of the evening. Oh, and the vicar charing it told to the deputy mayor of hackney they'd "fucked up" Big update here: 34broadwaymarket.omweb.org/modules/wakka/HomePage Apart from all that, there's a good chance that Wratten will put the building (and the ones around it) to auction some time in March - don't have much information on that. Also, at the first meeting was a guy who's trying to deal with similar sell-offs and some huge commercial developments (14 storey buildings) in Dalston - right near the junction and new tube station site. More little shops (musical instrument shop, bakery) have been pushed out - anyway website here: opendalston.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Jan 19, 2006 13:03:14 GMT
Thanks for the updates Mitch!
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Feb 23, 2006 12:19:15 GMT
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Feb 23, 2006 15:10:28 GMT
Hi Mitch,
Thanks for posting this here...i've just received an email from them about the same thing and posted it in the 'events in 7 days' threads!
Good luck to them all down there...
|
|
|
Post by michele cryer on Feb 23, 2006 15:11:33 GMT
And yes, that news bulletin is superb! Deffo take ideas from it..
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Mar 24, 2006 11:02:20 GMT
Here's the latest news of the campaign down in Hackney. Residents there I think are clearly seeing and fighting against corrupt local government planning departments who serve the interests of unscrupulous greedy private property developers like Wratten. The corruption of central government and it's policies filters all the way down to local government which is now business oriented and certainly not it appears accountable to residents- have we not seen it in our campaigns against Masts, the closure of hospitals and attempts by Burnley Borough Council to flog of Towneley Park for profit - that park belongs to the residents of Burnley! Read on: "On 1st July 2005, Mr. Calogero 'Tony' Platia was evicted from the cafe which he had operated at 34 Broadway Market, London E8 for 31 years. This eviction took place in the early morning, following three previous failed attempts. This arose as a result of an Eviction Warrant being issued after Mr. Platia unsuccessfully sought a lease extension at the premises which had been sold to a property developer by the former freeholders - London Borough of Hackney. The lease renewal application was unsuccessful as the developer convinced the Court that he had proper planning consents in place, both to demolish the existing building in a conservation area and to build a 4 storey plus basement building on the site. Subsequent inquiries showed that a Planning Application for permission to demolish was applied for 7 days after the Court rejected Tony's lease renewal claim. There followed a series of legal cases where attempts were made to overturn the previous Court Orders, but to no avail. Having gained possession of the cafe last July, efforts were made to prevent the demolition and the building was occupied on 27th November 2005 by a group of local protesters. Police and High Court Sheriffs evicted the occupiers on 21st December and began demolishing the building, until Health and Saftey stopped them. On 26th December protesters re-entered and rebuilt the damaged building. A massive operation by police and High Court Sheriffs recovered the building on 23rd February 2006. The premises have now been totally demolished, with the front wall at ground floor level being the only remaining structure. Further action is likely in the near future! Having taken away Tony's business, his home - and now the entire building - the developer - Dr. Roger Wratten, has taken further Court action and has seized bank accounts held in Tony Platia's name to make Tony pay Dr. Wratten the legal costs associatied with the destruction of his business and premises. But the £6,200 seized by this action was actually the property of Tony's grand daughter, being part of £10,000 banked for her future financial security when she was born 9 years ago. Every attempt has been made to encourage Dr. Wratten to see that this is wholly unacceptable and to reconsider his decision. Those attempts have failed. Dr. Wratten expects Tony - and Francesca aged 9 - to attend at Court on 10th and 19th April to beg for the money back. An appeal on behalf of little Francesca will be launched in Broadway Market, E8 on 25th and 26th March. If necessary, this will continue until and through the weekend of 1st and 2nd April. If we are able to raise the £6,200 which Dr. Wratten stole from Francesca, a statement will be lodged with the Court inviting Dr. Wratten to add the money to the estimated £40 million which he is already worth and to enjoy spending his ill-gotten gains. regards Arthur" 34broadwaymarket.omweb.org
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on May 22, 2006 17:38:29 GMT
Request received from the Broadway Market supporters below:
Sorry folks we'll try not spam you but we request that you donate five minutes of your time to write a short and polite email to the two names given at the bottom. Matters for Spirit at 71 Broadway Market are looking very urgent now.
Dear all,
Over the past few months there have been various discussions with Hackney Council, both its Officers and Councillors in seeking to resolve outstanding issues from the property sales fiasco.
I am currently in contact with them regarding the recommendations put forward by the Governance & resources Scrutiny Committee Panel Review to recover the 14 units in Dalston Lane which are currently owned by the same Bahamas based Company which owns Spirit's shop in Broadway Market. Those discussions are on-going.
But with regard to Spirit (71 Broadway Market) and Tony (34 Broadway Market) there has been no movement on the part of Hackney Council, although they acknowledge that the situation requires sorting out.
As many of you will know, Spirit won his appeal on 12th April 2006, although he still owed some £25,000 in rent arrears. His Landlords have now appealed against the decision of the Court. They will need to get permission to Appeal and a decision on this is expected within the next 7 days or so, although it is quite likely that they will get permission.
They are appealing the decision which, effectively, identified Spirit as an Assured Residential Tenant as they consider that decision to be unfair and flawed.
They are also appealing against the decision not toaward costs against Spirit.
Even so, they have also issued Notice of Seeking Possession of Spirit's shop and home on the grounds that he is an Assured Tenant with more than 2 months rent outstanding. So they have covered all angles. This was an ideal opportunity for Hackney Council to intervene and to try to resolve the situation. I put this to them and they now advise only that they 'will await the decision of the Court of Appeal before proceeding further'.
I would invite all supporters to write to Hackney Council or to e-mail them (see below) to protest at their inaction in dealing with the cases of Spirit and Tony and calling upon them to take immediate action to acknowledge past failings and to end the distress which this on-going situation is causing to both Spirit and Tony.
The contact details are as follows:-
Penny Thompson e:mail:- penny.thompson@hackney.gov.uk Chief Executive, London Borough of Hackney, Town Hall, Mare Street, London E8 1EA
Meic Sullivan Gould e:mail: meic.sullivan-gould@hackney.gov.uk Law & Democratic Services, Town Hall, Mare Street,London E8 1EA
Many thanks ********************************
here's the email I sent earlier, please do do the same in support. Cheers Mitch
It is with great sadness that I and others in our Community Action Group up here in Nelson, Lancashire have been following the case and appalling treatment of long-term traders Spirit and Tony on Broadway Market in Hackney.
We are very concerned that an important cafe meeting place may be lost to residents around Broadway Market, and that Spirit's business (and his home), which has been operating for a number of years in the area are now under threat.
On behalf of Little Marsden Community Action Group in Nelson, I would urge Hackney Council to take immediate action to acknowledge past failings regarding both Tony and Spirit who have been subjected to great distress, and to intervene to ensure that they will not lose their livelihoods and homes, and the community lose two popular trading operations.
We hope that you will intervene, and wish to make you aware that our full support and thoughts are with both Tony and Spirit in what must be a most distressing and terrible ordeal for them.
Yours sincerely
Mitch Little Marsden Community Action Group Nelson Lancashire
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Jun 18, 2006 10:09:41 GMT
I meant to put this up earlier, apologies for the delay. Just look at this bog standard reply from Hackney Council - they must have received rather a few emails and letters of protest to drum up this standard retort. But Ms Thompson fails to tell me how they went about endeavouring to ensure the freehold was purchased by Spirit & Tony - and how much this would cost. How they made that difficult, and in turn easy for private business partners to bully their way in - local councils it appears serve big business now not local residents: For the true nature of Hackney Borough Council check here: www.hackneyindependent.org"Thank you for your e-mail concerning Broadway Market, in particular numbers 34 and 71 Broadway Market. The Council sold these properties at auction in February 2003 and December 2001 respectively. At that time the Council was subject to statutory directions to sell its surplus properties in order to solve the financial crisis that had developed while the Council was under no overall political control. By law, Councils are required to secure "best consideration" whenever they sell property. The then sitting tenants (Tony Platia and Spirit Grant) both had opportunities to purchase the freehold to their properties from the Council before the freeholds went to auction, but in both cases they failed to secure the properties. The properties were put up for sale at auction. The freeholds of the properties therefore passed to the highest bidder at the auction. Both properties were sold by the Council subject to the tenancies held by Tony Platia and Spirit Grant. Those tenancies have since expired and the current freeholders have sought vacant possession of the properties. Tony Platia has left his former cafe and the Council has been assisting him to find replacement premises. Spirit Grant has faced possession proceedings and those proceedings are currently subject to an appeal and it is not appropriate for the Council to comment on that. Nevertheless the Council has been assisting Spirit to consider alternative premises if he is unable to stay at Broadway Market. There have been repeated allegations of fraud or corruption in relation to these sales but investigations have not revealed any evidence to support such allegations. The Council's Governance and Resources Scrutiny Commission undertook an independent inquiry of the Council's Property Disposals programme - its conclusions can be read by following this link: www.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/reports/s_ViewRptDoc.ASP?ID=9097 The proceedings of the inquiry are on the Council's website - follow the links from our home page: Mayor, Cabinet and Councillors „» Committee Reports „» and in Select a Committee choose Governance Commercial Properties Disposal Working Group. You will see that the inquiry also looked into other property disposals such as those in Dalston Lane. The inquiry's conclusions were accepted by the Mayor and Cabinet and were reported to the Council at the end of March and are being followed up by the new Council that was elected on 5 May 2006. If you have any evidence of corruption by Council officials please let us know so we can investigate. You may prefer to offer your evidence to the Police so that they can conduct an investigation. I should, however, point out that the Police had told the Member's Inquiry that they had considered all evidence presented to them and had concluded that there was no evidence of any criminal activity by any persons or organisations. Regards Penny Thompson Chief Executive www.hackney.gov.uk
|
|