Comments on: Save Leila’s Shop

By: Roann Ghosh

Roann Ghosh — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:13:40 +0000

This is sad to see – I made a film about a similar situation in Covent Garden some years ago and it’s gutting to see more of the same in London.

I hope the decision makers see this and think again!

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/aug/12/covent-garden-i-find-it-flavourless-a-video-epitaph-for-food-for-thought

By: Bailey Jones (Joan Bailey)

Bailey Jones (Joan Bailey) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:18:23 +0000

Signed. Such disregard for organic community.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 06:05:04 +0000

Signed. Such a shame this is happening to independent businesses which are so vital to keeping communities thriving and unique. And then people complain our high streets are dying…

By: Stephan

Stephan — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:31:13 +0000

The company “advising” Tower Hamlets on these increases are Exigen Group, an insolvency and restructuring company based in Docklands. They have based the outrageous rent increases on what they have already done with council owned properties on Redchurch Street, where the mix of tenants has changed considerably at the expense of local independent businesses.

There is a huge and important difference however; … Redchurch Street has significantly higher footfall, all day, all night. With hotels, private members clubs, high street international brands, restaurants, cafes and bars. It is also home to a number of offices, including a major advertising agency and all the workers based in the Tea Building. At night it is a destination street in its own right, bringing in nearby City workers and those commuting from Shoreditch Overground, etc.

Calvert Avenue has an a very limited knock on effect from all of this. It really is a local street, with little repeat trade from visitors who might, sometimes explore a few streets up. It serves the East End for the East End and an inspiring example of regeneration by the people who live and work there. This should be celebrated by local government, not capitalised on.

By: Eve

Eve — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:21:57 +0000

Signed! I hate to see small community shops being pushed out by big biz – good luck Leila!

By: Jill Wilson

Jill Wilson — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:13:34 +0000

Outrageous!! Leila’s shop is great and has literally grown organically into a community hub which is much more likely to be successful than having something imposed from above….

Best of luck with the petition – and let me know if you need any protest banners made!

By: Caroline Murray

Caroline Murray — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:23:31 +0000

The greed of the local council is unbelievable. I have signed, even though I live nowhere near!

By: Lesley Ward

Lesley Ward — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:20:30 +0000

This is my comment on the petition:
‘We do not supply Leila’s shop, but as a small business that supplies similar shops in the South East, I believe that businesses like hers do not just support the local community, but also support small producers like us, who have similar values, who in turn support other small, local businesses like farmers, printers and packaging suppliers etc. The ripples reach out so much further than many people realise. Her shop will underpin so much more than her local community.’

By: Milo

Milo — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:42:21 +0000

Done. I wish everyone luck.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:43:36 +0000

It seems unbelievable that a successful shop should be expelled — for what? a local authority undertaking?