| . |
p3
 It is great to see
the launch of Church Street's own paper, N16. A community like Church Street deserves its
own newspaper.
After all, we have everything else: some of the best specialist small
shops in London, selling everything from musical instruments to speciality cheeses; some
of the nicest restaurants; Clissold Park, including the zoo; a library; and a lively
buzzing community. As a radical politician I hope I am in the tradition of the radicals
and nonconformists who have always lived in Stoke Newington. And as a Stoke Newington
resident and mother, I love Church Street.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Hackney Council has recently given permission for the
United Reformed Church opposite the entrance to Abney Park Cemetery to be developed into
residential accommodation. Would commercial use, i.e. a few more shops, have been more
appropriate? Let us know,
The 73 bus, a much-loved if uncomfortable form of transport, is one of
the few ways out of Stoke Newington to the West End. To make us more accessible to the
outside world, plans are currently being considered to develop new bus routes between
Church Street and Highbury Corner/Finsbury Park, using low platform shuttle buses. About
time, too.
While on the subject of transport ideas have been put forward to pedestrianise
Church Street between the Rose & Crown and Bouverie Road. This would probably
mean goodbye to the infamous new roundabout at the top of Albion Road (although few
drivers seem to notice it, anyway).
The cafe in Clissold House has reopened and is being run by Hackney
Council. Although it has been criticised for poor service, on our visit we found the staff
friendly and efficient. It's also attractively decorated. Still no licence, though.
Debate is currently raging about whether any more restaurants should be
permitted on the Street. The 'For' lobby believe: that the more eateries, the more people
will be a attracted to the area. The 'Against' feel that any new space should be given to
retail outlets. Over to you, Hackney Council.
Church Street traders are at loggerheads with the Council over street advertising
boards. The council considers them obstacles, which also require licences while
the businesses, see them as free vital promotion. Another battle looms
The Quality Bars of Church Street (Steptoes, Booth's, Tup and Rose &
Crown) have launched a campaign for safer drinking. Bag-snatching from bars and
restaurants in the Street has been escalating dramatically, and these landlords are making
every effort to prevent people becoming victims of the thieves.
Robbie Richards, of The Fox Reformed, has launched a local charity -
Stoke Newington First - aimed at supporting local projects and initiatives. If your
venture needs support, write to him at 1a Kingsway House Albion Road, London N16 OTA
Clissold Residents Association reports that trees are at last being
planted in Clissold Park. The Association has donated a Cedrus Libani (Cedar of Lebanon).
It also says that the 'bubblers' which were installed to aerate the lakes are working well
and should prevent the clogging that has occurred in recent summers. |
. |
