Keeping high streets alive

Published: 3 February, 2011

• IN reply to ML Sullivan (Why is no café allowed? Letters January 27) – a café is allowed at 225 Kentish Town Road but under the conditions laid down by the council for its classification (that it remains A1 Retail). 

If businesses are allowed to flout conditions we will end up with a high street full of take-aways and betting shops. When Itta Pizza took over the lease in 2008 the owners would have been fully aware of the conditions.

If Itta Pizza had been permitted to change to A3 Restaurant on the ground floor the entire large premises would have become a very desirable property for a large food chain. 

I’m sure Itta Pizza’s owners would say they would never sell but they’ve only been there for just over two years and who wouldn’t sell if offered enough money?

Kentish Town Road Action (KTRA) was set up in 2004 to fight the setting up of a large Paddy Power betting shop in the middle of the high street, next to the post office. We successfully opposed the application for a betting licence. Dozens of high streets are dying all over the country and that’s partly because retail shops are folding, especially independents. Our group aims to keep our high street alive by keeping an eye on all planning and licensing applications relating to the high street. KTRA meets four to six times a year. Anyone living in Kentish Town can join. Look us up on the council website.

CAROLINE HILL
Kentish Town Road Action