Don't Judge a Book by Its Colour: Chapter two
Celebrating achievements of businesses in Gillett Square
Part of our mission at Holistic Support is to highlight the black owned businesses in Gillett Square that benefit the wider community. Too often, parts of London have the heart and soul squeezed out of them as places that cater for the needs of the people are priced out of business as a result of ethnic cleansing. Some bravely battle on and one prime example is Moreno’s boxing gym, which provides classes for local children at affordable rates. Moreno’s business grew from offering individual boxing classes in parks to an established boxing gym in Dalston which opened in 2015. It has continued to grow expeditiously ever since. The heart and soul of the community is very much alive here. As well as offering the opportunity for Hackney to produce its own future boxing star, Moreno’s business services the wider community.
Small family owned businesses that have close links with the people who live and work in that area make a place an inspiring and nurturing community of people rather than a set of individual properties that earn high rents for people not necessarily always linked to the area. It is clear that the relationship between business and the community is symbiotic, as when businesses are supported and thriving so too are its residents.
Strangulation Effects of Gentrification on Businesses.
Moreno has experienced first-hand the realities of gentrification in London. He was previously forced to relocate out of Battersea due to rising rent. The crisis in rising rent imposed by private landlords not only affects its tenants but the services which the community has access to. It causes a vicious cycle, as when these establishments are squeezed of money their prices are forced to rise above a price that is accessible to the wider community. This is not an isolated phenomenon as multiple businesses on Gillett Square have had to relocate from South London, Robert Beckford the owner of the the thriving Jazz band next door moved to the area after being pushed out of Brixton. Gillett Square is currently an essential space in which the black community feels at home, reflected by number of successful black businesses, so it is crucial that we work together to protect the area from the same fate as Brixton and Battersea.
Importance of Role models :
In contrast, Moreno’s current rent differs from the current widespread trend of gentrification. Moreno’s landlord, Michael Gerrard believes in supporting business start-ups and hence does not inflict inflated rents on his tenants. Without the pressure of rapidly rising rent along with his determination to adapt and reinvest, Moreno’s business has been able to thrive, showing the potential businesses could possess without the pressure of that most businesses face with private landlords. Moreno has credited his landlord as an essential mentor and driving force in the gym’s business.
STAMFORD WORKS, Gillett St, London N16 8JH
Despite his current success, Moreno has witnessed the growing presence of gentrification in Dalston. The threat of gentrification also calls for further action from the community. In Gillett Square, the absence of services such as public toilets, a community centre and a responsibility from the council to keep the area clean are holding back the positive progression of the area for benefit of the residents.
Moreno’s story is just one example shows what could be made possible for the rest of Dalston. Unless more is done to fight against the destructive effects of gentrification, the loss of further vibrant community businesses will result in the loss of services, local role models and another blow to London’s beating heart.
More collaboration is needed between the businesses, residents, landlords, new developers and the council. Moreno’s business highlights the strength that can come when the locals businesses and people work in tandem with landlords. This alone, however, is not enough as the council has to take more responsibility in providing the services that the square needs, and the new developers in the area must be adaptable keeping an open dialogue with the residents so that it can deliver changes that do not strip the area of its DNA.