KateA69

Coverage in today's Evening Standard - http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/protest-march-in-herne-hill-as-businesses-hit-by-70-per-cent-rent-hike-a3167921.html BBC London news planning to come down tomorrow as well.

I am not sure, they might have a different landlord, who has seen what Dulwich Estates have done and are trying to capitalise on it

Having spoken to about 30 retailers today in Herne Hill they are all concerned about their livelihoods. Just Williams isn't just about the kids, its about the whole community, and people's livelihoods, their jobs. It takes a huge amount of guts, innovation to run your own business. So to totally focus on yummy mummy comments is to belittle the issue. Sure profits have to be made, but its about being reasonable and balanced. Do we really all want a community taken over by the big profiteering companies, that drive out the very shops that drew us to these great places we all live in. What happens when not only these shops go, but some of the essential shops, such as the local laundrette, for those that don't have their own washing machine, the local garage to fix cars, the local shoe mender - where we will get this stuff done - or are we looking at the next level of socio-economic cleansing? Using the kids as an excuse to switch-off frankly doesn't cut it as a reason to switch-off from this campaign when its people's jobs at stake. Everyone has a right to express an opinion, whether they are adults or children, and good on them for learning to speak out now when they are young, and not focus on more petty issues and become cynical adults.

Hi John K, sorry for slow response, I thought I'd responded yesterday. Take a look at what Bon Velo the local cycle shop posted on the Herne Hill forum regarding a rent hike thats being imposed on them http://www.hernehill.org.uk/news/bon-velo-and-why-independents-are-being-priced-out-area

Bon Velo have just been imposed a rent hike see their news article on this - http://www.hernehill.org.uk/news/bon-velo-and-why-independents-are-being-priced-out-area

Not sure which evidence you are requesting? If its the 70% proposed rent hike its worth reading Vicky the owner of Just Williams response to Dulwich Estates statement - http://www.hernehill.org.uk/70-rent-increase-dulwich-estates-has-driven-out-just-williams#new - I have also seen the email trail between Vicky and Dulwich Estates where the 70% is proposed, and her response.

Its worth reading the full article on the Herne Hill forum about this rather than this snapshot quote - http://www.hernehill.org.uk/news/herne-hill-cross-roads I think the point is that its the independent shops, such as Just Williams, that are closing due to 70% rent hikes imposed by Dulwich Estates a local charity. And Just Williams aren't the only ones that might close, not just in Herne Hill but in West Dulwich as well. These have contributed to making the area we all live in the way it is now. I'd hate for our High Street to become a MacHighSt with big chains because of a 70% rent hike that pushes the rental costs of these shops beyond their market value. We all know that profits need to be made, but its about balance, and being reasonable. Dulwich Estates currently own 3 of the key pubs in our area that are all closed due to delays in their decision-making etc. And yes of course there are bigger issues, and children are starving, which are also really important, if not more so, but its worth trying to campaign for both - local and bigger issues. Who hasn't on this forum ever bought something from a local supplier? Who hasn't benefited from some of the great local activities organised by local people such as street parties and festivals? Once the local independent shops have gone, we won't have that choice anymore.