Far from
being satisfied to leave things exactly as they are, the Friends of Queen's
Market have worked tirelessly to engage with others to see how Queen's Market
can be cherished and improved.
Back in
2006 Friends of Queen’s Market submitted their first renovation
proposal called 'A Forward Looking Traditional Market' to Newham council, but
this was flatly ignored by them.
Queen’s
Market make a profit of over £250,000 per annum
which has not been reinvested into the market to ensure its long term future.
As a result the community have only been offered a “Hobson’s Choice” of St.
Modwen Plc and none other.
Management and sustainable design with local participation are at
the heart of this community. Leading experts tell us the current 1960’s building structure is
sound and functions for its purpose.
Things
have moved on considerably from our 2006 proposal, and with the help of
professional architects, planners, spatial
designers and landscape architects we aim to compile an alternative plan for Queen’s Market which does
not exclude any social group, whilst incorporating the needs of traders and
shoppers alike, for a multi-ethnic market, suitable for London’s world class status.
We
understand the extraordinary dynamic of the market and in order to survive
another 100 years positive change in is needed. St.
Modwen simply have no experience in creating sustainable and successful street
markets and are certainly not needed or wanted in East
London.
There are a number of improvements that the council could easily make to
Queen's Market straight away: 1) Introduce an inductive loop system for the deaf and people with
hearing difficulties.
2) Replace one of the stairwells with a glass lift.
3) Remove structural clutter (especially on the ceiling) that impedes
access to natural light.
4) Ensure that the toilet facilities are properly maintained.
5) Improve signage to the market, including the posibility of signage at
Upton Park tube station.
If you
know of any groups who are willing to help in offering professional advice,
funding or who want to twin with our market please contact us today.
Here is a
list of groups in conversation with Friends of Queen’s Market as we
compile an alternative plan for the 110 year old market.
Glass House - Community Led Design http://www.theglasshouse.org.uk/
Glass House have confirmed they are able to offer us valuable advice,
support and training and are compiling a programme of workshops.
FoQM want to see our precious market cherished,
marketed and celebrated.
..................................................................................................................
OUR2 POINT OBJECTIVE: 1. To oust the St
Modwen redevelopment plan for Queens Market. 2.To keep the market in the public/not-for-profit sector with community
controlled development and management. This
is our charter as agreed by a committee vote, held on 13th August 2007.
..................................................................................................................
For a
fascinating insight into the GreenStreet area be sure to read the following
article by Paul Barker:-
http://society.guardian.co.uk/communities/story/0,,1860519,00.html...............................................................................................................................
At Queen's Market people have a
passion for fresh, healthy food.Good food matters
Where do you like to shop - can
you suggest any good local markets?
Andi: I've just discovered this place called Queens Market, near West
Ham (in London).
It's just unbelievably brilliant and the people there are so great. They've
fought off closure from big supermarkets, all with a huge smile on their faces.
The produce there is wicked.
As featured in Neneh and Andi Dish It Up, BBC 2 8.00 pm
(11/4/2007)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/dishingitup_interview.shtml
.......................................................................................................................
http://www.heureka.clara.net/tenerife/eating-out-in-puerto.htm
.......................................................................
The
following editorial by Roger Foss is from What's On In London, 16th
March 2006.
Everyone
knows that the great divide between London
and just about every other capital city in the world is its amazing diversity.
It's what makes London
unique. Take the wealth of street markets, from Brixton in the South to Camden in the north
selling everything from okra to chav ear-rings. Markets don't just add local
colour: the stalls and small shops sustain individuals and local communities in
a million and one different ways. That’s why this week we've focussing on the
danger facing Queen's Market in Upton Park. London's most ethnically diverse
street market is threatened by the regeneration plans of Sir Robin Wales, the
Mayor of Newham, who wants to knock the stuffing out of it by handing the
entire site to private developers who aim to replace it with an Asda/WalMart
superstore, posh apartments and a shopping mall. He only has to go down to
nearby Stratford Shopping Centre to see how regeneration leads to degeneration.
Once cobbled Angle Lane,
lined with shops and market stalls, meandered between the station and Stratford
Broadway. But inthe name of 1960's progress Sir Robin's predecessor at what was
then the West Ham Council bulldozed the lot and replaced it with the hideous
mall that everybody hates to this day. Today Dickensian Angel Lane is a just a memory
to older East Enders. Were it not for a successful campaign, Covent
Garden market almost went the same way in the sixties. But Sir
Robin does have a breathing space. He must listen to the locals. Otherwise London will edge one step
closer to losing its identity.
.......................................................................
Towards a Forward-LookingTraditional Market
Sensitive solutions for a precious London asset
The FoQM proposal which was compiled by consulting
local shoppers, traders, shop keepers over afew years and with advice from
professional architects and consultants,experienced in building market places.
This can be obtainedby emailing: friendsofqueensmarket@yahoo.co.uk
Or call: 020 84724730
Newham Council and St. Modwen
have ignored the document and tell us it is not an alternative they wish to
consider. Since this was published in 2006 FoQM have continued to engage with
communities and welcome fresh ideas.
.......................................................................................................................
The Robinocracy of Newham
It is a
point of public record that Sir Robin Wales gagged his own Labour councillors
on the issue of Queen's Market at an open council meeting held 11th April
2005.This is all the more shocking in view of the fact that at that time of the
60 councillors 59 were Labour and 1Christian Peoples Alliance.
http://www.stratfordguardian.co.uk/search/display.var.592165.0.councillors_forbidden_to_take_part_in_market_debate.php
The
dictatorial behaviour of the Mayor of Newham has resulted in three Newham
Labour councillors leaving the Labour Party- each citing the conduct of Sir Robin
Wales as the main reason for their departure. They are:-
Sarah
Ruiz
Mike
Law
Abdul
Kareem Sheikh BEM (former Mayor of Newham)
The
thrasonical nature of Sir Robin Wales invariably means that he promises
mountains but delivers molehills.
Formore fascinating
insights intothe London Borough of Newham be sure to visit:-
http://forums.e-democracy.org
People are tired ofthe 'like it or lump it'
approach to democracy.
...............................................................................................................................
Flawed council proposals
It
isinteresting to note the following pointsin Newham council documentation.
Cabinet
Supplementary Agenda - 22nd December 2005Queen's
Market - Supplementary ReportonConsultation and Progress6.31
"A key aspect of the proposed scheme is Asda .." "They are an
established Yorkshire based company...."6.42 "The
proposed scheme focuses on principles at present and lacks detail..."6.52
"The Council'sTransportation section feel that much more work is required
on the details of the scheme.." ......................................................................................................................................
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/176698/save_queens_market/
................................................................................................................
The
following featured in the DailyTelegraph (14/2/2006)
'No' case to
answer for Asda
St ModwenPoperties has more than lettingLongbridge
to worry about. It's upset Queen'sMarket in Newham, which it wantsto shut and
with the support of Wal-Mart'sAsda, put up flats. The plans haven'timpressed
locals, who claim thedevelopers' presentation showed only white facesin one of
the more ethnicallydiverse areas in the capital. Such is the localire, the
market has landed apart in the new movie about Wal-Mart, The HighPrice of Low
Cost. I hear noteven free lap-top cases handed out at Newhammayor's jamboree
last week wonthem over.
Business Diary (Edited by Sophie Brodie)
...............................................................................................................................
Private Eye - 17th February -2nd March 2006Rotten BoroughsSir Robin Wal-Mart
Newham's
elected mayor Sir Robin Wales haspioneered a number of daft schemes, including
giving under-trained park wardenspolice powers (Eye1143).But none has
annoyed locals more than a plan to demolish the much-loved,100 year-year-old
Queen's Market in Upton Park and replace it with an Asda.
Thislively
market consists of 60 small shopsand 80 stalls serving fresh, very cheap fruit
and veg, including many exoticvarieties, and other goods to East
End people of all hues and views. But Newhamcouncil wants to lease
the site to developer St Modwen, sweeping away the existing market and
replacing it with an Asda and 220 luxury flats.
Although
the council says the number of stallswill not be reduced, and that the
developers have agreed to freeze pitch feesfor "a few years",service
charges will "need to reflect the actual costs of maintaining a quality
environment". Small traders take this to mean that they will be priced out
in a new, characterless and ethnically cleansed market.
Localcampaigners,
the Friends of Queen'sMarket, have had their planning objections and 12,000
signature petition dismissed out of hand by Sir Robin, who describes the group
as "an overtlypolitical campaign that has spread outright lies".
Asda,
meanwhile, is described by the councilas "an established Yorkshire-based
company that has developed severalcommunity initiatives and is one of the main
sponsors of the Children in Need appeal". Nothing about the fact that the
chain is actually a subsiduary of Wal-Mart corp, America's biggest
retailer,criticised by the GMB union for"riding roughshod over worker's
rights". But as Sir Robin declared inthe Newham council
magazine:"Misinformation and conspiracy theoriesusually abound whenever regeneration
and development are proposed".
Sir Robin Wales(Mayor of Newham) with Nick Kay of
St Modwen Properties
St. Modwen (the" Patron
Saint of Degeneration") are clearly incapable of creating social spaces
and this is why an alternative in needed.
'Partners in grime'
It would
appear that both Newham council and St Modwen* are intent on letting Queen's
Market fall into disrepair. Cleaning has been cutback and pitches, and shop
units are being left vacant. It suits both council and developers to see the market
run-down, trade will then tail offand traders are far more likely to seek a way
out. It also creates the impression that the sell-off is a fait accompli. FoQM
will ensure that this outrageous neglect is fully exposed.
* Since
Summer 2006 St Modwen have been responsible for the management of the shops.
Retails units are being shuttered up and left unlet.
We
doubt whether 'Sir' Robin or Nick Kay have ever bothered to visit markets
such as La Boqueria and Santa Caterina in Barcelona,
hence the utter poverty of their so-called aspiration for Queen's Market.http://www.boqueria.eu/Eng/http://www.mercatsbcn.com
(In Spanish)
.............................................................................................................
Isn't it time you made a date with Queen's Market ?
SIDE BITS
MARKET SPYTraders
report increased harrassment from the council of late!
Why has
the market manager's shifts been cut back?
Why are
toilets at Queen's Market invariably closed?
Why are
retail units being left empty?
Why is
the market not being cleaned properly?
Why has
no lift been installed from market level to parking spaces above?
Mr Jonathan Owen of Quarterbridge has now beenhired
by St Modwen to try toconvince the market traders to capitulate to their will.
Apparently he is currently engaged in a little divide and rule. No doub the is
hoping for a sizeable commission should this disreputable scheme get the go
ahead. By all accounts he doesn't seem too concerned about any possible
impact on shoppers or local residents.
http://www.quarterbridge.co.uk
See if you can find out how many pieces of silver
Mr Owen is going to be paid if he manages to 'break' the spirit of the
traders and 'deliver' the market to St Modwen. No doubt Mr Owen will be
only too glad to elucidate matters.
Email:- jonathan.owen@quarterbridge.net orTel:-
01296 712233
'PLANS - available only on request'
In a June
2008 event (consultation?) asking the public to "Please come along and
view the plans" St. Modwen Developement Director Nick Kay brought
out plans only when asked (which were in boxes behind the sofa)
Commercial
Aspirations St Modwen have now decided to add a veneer of spin to
their increasingly unpopular scheme and are being accompanied by a PR
firm called Camargue whose brief is, to quote their website ,
“to inform and influence the media,business and political
stakeholders, employees, local communities and, whenappropriate, the general
public. Our aim is to help shape opinions, responsesand behaviours in order to
support our clients’ commercial aspirations.”
Addressing
Arson Traders
were rightfully concerned after hearing about ‘random’ fires erupting in Brighton’s West Pier, Camden Market and the Latino
Market, Pueblito Paisa in Seven Sisters (supporters of our campaign). In September
2008 FoQM invited St. Modwen and the fire prevention person from the fire
brigade to inspect the market for any risk areas of attack. St. Modwen has yet
to decide a suitable date of inspection- let’s hope it’s soon.‘Friends
of St. Modwen?’ In recent
times groups have popped up claiming to represent the traders whilst also being
in favour of the St. Modwen scheme (or in some cases just themselves). Our
insiders tell us these “sporadic”groups appear not to have a democratic
constitution, do not hold regular open meetings, nor AGMs, so who’s agenda are
they trumpeting? Veiled threats along with divide and
rule appear to be the order of the day.
When it
come to the the Newham Community Forums the subject of Queen's Market would
appear to be sub judice - why is this?
If you
can find out more about them, do keep us posted.
Whatever
the machinations of Newham council and its developer friends one thing is for
sure, the Friends of Queen's Market will continue to articulate the legitimate
concerns of shoppers, traders and local residents alike.
