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UN intervenes to save Latin Village!
The very reason why I was attracted to London as a place to live and work in the first place was because of its vibrancy and diversity.
It had a bit of everything from all over the world, hidden gems that were waiting to be uncovered. But in the recent months of travelling to and from the city, I’ve seen nothing but 'regeneration plans' and building sites that are turning the city into some sort of assault course.
All thanks to gentrification of course. Now while I understand that it has always been present in London, the increase in recent years has been ridiculous. Things have been taken to a whole new level- costing people their lives and livelihood whilst also turning London into some sort of stale concrete city, unrecognisable from any other. Why the need for two Starbucks on the same street? There’s enough H&M’s on Oxford street for the whole country to shop at.
Shopping centres, apart from demolishing the cities character and people’s cultures offer nothing new. I don’t know about you but I am sick to death of seeing chain retailers everywhere. It’s becoming quite suffocating even in a capitalistic city like London.
In the most recent fight between developers and campaigners, the UN has had to intervene to protect Pueblito Paisa market or better known to Londoners as Latin Village.
The market that compromises of 61 units, is tucked right next to Seven sisters station but almost instantly transports you to Latin America, has been on the 'regeneration' radar for almost a decade. Latin American immigrants who run the market have fought numerous battles, even being backed by Boris Johnson during his time as mayor are finding it increasingly difficult to fight the good fight against wealthier corporations- namely Grainger's PLC. Who have reportedly offered stallholders a “generous package of support.”
Clearly not generous enough if it’s triggering a separate UN investigation. Surya Deva, chair of the UN's Working Group on Business & Human Rights spoke of the greater impact to Channel 4 News, “I think this is an issue which is not merely about developed cities – it is an issue which has global implications [over] the displacement of people from their properties and land.”
Despite this, the Compulsory Purchase Orders issued by Haringey council last year still stand as does the planned demolition. Now all that’s left for the owners is to wait with baited breath as the UN investigates the on-going gentrification happening in London.
Image Credit: savelatinvillage
