Credit: Ewan Munro
Dozens of Hackney residents took to the streets on Wednesday evening to protest against the pedestrianisation of one of the borough’s main shopping streets.
Hackney Council has permanently closed the top end of Mare Street, known as Narrow Way, to buses following a seven month trial.
Demonstrators marched on town hall to present the mayor with a petition signed by thousands of locals. Traders say the road’s closure has crippled small businesses.
Pawan Chawla, who owns the Designer Baby shop on Mare Street, said: “We’ve lost 50 per cent of our business since the road was closed. We’re here to defend our livelihood. This street is supposed to be part of the regeneration project, but it’s geared to drive us out.”
Shopkeepers say that they have lost many long-standing customers, with elderly people particularly affected by the decision to outlaw vehicles.
Conservative councillor Simche Steinberger, who led the protest, said: “Shopkeepers are losing money here. I can’t understand it. Labour is ruining business in Hackney.”
Yet Hackney Council says it carried out a thorough consultation. Councillor Feryal Demirci, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said that 48 businesses and 960 residents were surveyed, of whom the “vast majority” supported a car-free Narrow Way.
But the street’s businesses insist this consultation was a sham.
Jabbar Hakim, proprietor of Sunfood supermarket, said: “It’s all rubbish. Speak to anyone up and down the street. None of us were ever asked.”
The council says it has no plans to allow traffic back onto Narrow Way. Ms Demirci said: “The comments received showed overwhelming support for the scheme, which forms part of our strategy to transform Hackney Central into a safer and more attractive place.”
