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| . | p2 A half-mile stretch on the B104 road is one of the most popular places for eating and drinking in north London. Better known as Stoke Newington Church Street, it attracts hundreds of people - mainly at night and weekends - from well outside the area. It's not surprising, there are around 50 pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars in the part that runs from Albion Road to just around the corner into the High Street. It's also well known for its arts and crafts, music, fashion outlets and bookshops. It attracts a lot of attention and, as a result, quite a bit of controversy. Some think it far too luvvie and precious - not the 'real' Stoke Newington. Others, probably a majority, believe that it has livened up a previously dull area. We decided to talk to some of the people in and around the street to see if we could find out how it has developed and, more importantly, where its future lies. Is it destined to become merely a strip for night-time noshing and boozing surrounded by expensive apartments? Robbie and Carol Richards, owners of the Fox Reformed, moved to Church Street in 1981 to set up the original Fox's Wine Bar. Some friends told them they were mad, a few said it was a brilliant idea. After twenty years of fluctuating fortunes but with plenty of good experiences, Robbie concludes that both views were probably correct. He remembers well the boarded-up, rotting buildings and the unfriendly male-dominated pubs with no central heating. Many people used to go to lslington if they fancied a drink. At the start Robbie's licence was opposed by every pub on the street, three breweries and a temperance society. Despite the knee-jerk opposition, the licence was granted, although they were not allowed to sell beer or spirits. The Fox expanded to become La Fin de Ia Chasse, specialising in French-style cooking. The recession hit Robbie and Carol hard as consumer spending dropped, particularly in middle-class households with mortgage problems.They decided to cut back to concentrate on good wine and a more limited, but still extensive, menu. Robbie worries about the future of the street. 'It's dead during the day and only comes alive at night. Dracula could exist here quite happily - and probably does', he adds. Far fewer people work in the area than ten years ago and the lunchtime trade has dried up. The Fox Reformed now opens at 5 pm (mid-day Saturday and Sunday) with a lively clientele of wine drinkers, diners, backgammon players and one or two at the bar who dispense Johnnie Walker wisdom without extra charge. Robbie, who is also secretary of the Church Street Business Association wants to see a 'balanced daytime/night-time economy' with places for local people to live, work, shop, eat and drink, Is this the impossible dream? Peter Bradford, Marketing Manager of Fresh and Wild, the new organic store and cafe at Wilmer Place, hopes not. They feel they have a responsibility to the community and are not interested in out of town developments or malls.The decision to establish their sixth store here was partly determined by word of mouth, including recommendations from employees in their other stores who live in the area. What does he feel about the possible lack of trade during the day? He said he has his 'fingers crossed' that Fresh and Wild will attract people to the street in the daytime. One of the more traditional businesses to have survived is Newington Studios, photographers, at 161 Church Street. Colin Gauld-Clark came here in 1971, the year of the Arsenal double, and he remembers houses being painted red and white with fathers and sons thronging the street going to the match on Saturdays. A family could do almost all of its shopping in the street. Queues formed in the early morning outside the bakers opposite (more recently Little Folk and soon to become another coffee shop), Peco's was a butcher's shop and there were a number of greengrocers. The latter seem to be making a comeback. The street was always busy during the day. Colin's business carries on, 'ticking over quite nicely', mainly due to the loyalty of his customers who come back time and again. He certainly could not rely on passing or irregular trade in the street. Two aspects of modern life have increased his business, for very different reasons. Babies now need passports and a nice picture of smiling baby impresses the parents, who are likely to return. On an unhappier note, the number of muggings in the area means that older people come in quite frequently for photos for replacement bus passes. Donagh Wyley of Ryan's Bar is a new boy on the block. He's only been around for 14..continued on next page |
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by Tim Webb