Stoke Newington Business Association has been given a grant of £50,000 by Hackney Council to work on community projects.
The association was recently re-established by local business owners Kate Revere and Heidi Early after the success of the “See You in Stokey” campaign. They brought together 19 other local business owners for the association. Speaking to the Hackney Post, Revere explained that it was initially set up to organise a Christmas event.
“We just wanted to do something to bring the community together. Stokey is such a strong community and we wanted to show that off.”
Despite being supported with council grants, Revere was keen to stress, “We’re not in the pocket of Hackney council, we’re an independent organisation.”
She credited Cllr Mete Coban MBE for the help he has given the organisation. “He’s really supportive.” Revere explained that Coban had offered to help in her shop, Revere the Residence, during the busy Christmas period. She described how the councillors are very keen to support Stoke Newington’s local business economy.
Plans for the £50,000 grant include projects to support young adults with disabilities. The association are currently working on a yearly campaign with The Guardian’s sketch artist Henny Beaumont to highlight their work in local shops and weekend exhibitions.
This is an issue close to Revere’s heart. Revere’s own daughter has a disability, and her shop is a social enterprise that only employs disabled young people, or their parents. “You don’t see the worth that these young people have,” Revere said. She has made awareness of social issues a priority of the association.
They had meetings with Zehra Jaffer, headmistress of Stoke Newington School, about organising work experience in local businesses for disadvantaged students. They also hope to implement a mentoring system to encourage student’s families to shop locally.
Other projects include a regeneration of the Levy Memorial Ground, a small park just off Church Street. Revere hopes that “more love” can be given to the space.
As Stoke Newington develops, the association wants to ensure that a thriving independent high street remains part of the “Stokey spirit”.
“We’re rebels at the end of the day, we’re not Fortnum & Mason. I want to see Santa in drag, driving a dodgem car not a sleigh. That’s the Stokey we represent.”
