Comments on: Next Meeting of the East End Trades Guild

By: indian gossip

indian gossip — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:41 +0000

face the same issues as everyone else – independent trader , small cap , limited membership, deeply vested interests ( third generation business ) RISING COSTS without rising access to market – cannot see how mummifying the trader would help ( my children simply do not want the small business as they say it restricts them to the choices they have ) . Use the internet ? devise a new product that can travel ‘miles’ . Form a co-operative and operate like a small supermarket ?? every single one of these options has associated costs that has to come from centralised funding ( in the absence of a bank – has to be tax payers through the local borough council or central government ) @GossipIndia talk to me , tweet ?? need answers !! AliM

By: James Brown

James Brown — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 21:52:16 +0000

Totally agree with M@ but I also feel that the East End should not become a heritage site.
I think that the East End is an evolving ‘High St’ in which new independent businesses should be protected from the same threats as the cherished long established businesses. Evolution on the High Street is a good thing as long as its not enforced by extortionate rents and compulsory demolition for redevelopment.
I would like to see the East End stay a busy and vibrant place where individuality, old and new is embraced, and to keep the homogeneous outposts of Westfield at bay.

By: M@

M@ — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:12:05 +0000

I’m not in retail and know very little about the pressures of running a shop, so the following idea might be naive or rubbish. Apologies if so, but I thought I’d air it anyway.

You know how English Heritage confer listed status on buildings of architectural or historic interest? How about lobbying for a similar government-backed scheme to protect long-established small traders? So the trader would get some kind of protection against over-the-odds rent increases, and from nearby building developments that might be detrimental to trade. I don’t know what the best criteria for ‘listed trader’ would be…perhaps the shop is at least third-generation, or established in the same premises for over 50 years, or whatever.

Anyhow, that’s my two cents.
M@

Matt Brown
Editor, Londonist

By: Melvyn Brooks

Melvyn Brooks — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 06:01:19 +0000

I wish you every success. Melvyn H Brooks Karkur, ISRAEL

By: Margaret

Margaret — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 05:10:35 +0000

Good luck, East End Trades Guild. I hope your meeting and plans go well