Tottenham Traders and Politicos Talk Recovery

Tottenham officials promised effective aide before listening to local business owners demand greater post-riot relief at a Tottenham Traders Partnership meeting last night.

Few proprietors said they received initial funds from insurers or government agencies, while several of the nearly 90 people in attendance claimed they continue waiting for assistance of any kind. Foremost on many minds were pending council tax fees.

Local sporting goods store owner Bulent Huseyin called for a one-year year exemption on the tax for affected businesses. “We shouldn’t have to apply or beg for it.” he said. “Everyone knows who was hurt by the riots.”

Haringey Council currently offers shorter-term tax relief; when asked, nearly ten audience members said they had applied, but none acknowledged getting the tax break yet.

Borough Councillor Alan Strickland, the cabinet member responsible for business and development in the area, said the council would consider suggestions and fast-track regeneration projects.

“We want to get the sense on the High Road that people are getting back to business,” he said. “Where businesses do come back, we want to improve not just repair.”

The council currently has aide money for small grants, including some from the central government that must be returned if riot victims do not claim it. However, financial support may not always be so accessible, Strickland warned. Council budgets have been slashed recently, and red tape surrounding certain funds, like those coming from the London Mayor’s Office High Street Fund, can make for long waits.

Rioters razed buildings, including the post office, job center, and a Fitness First center, damaging dozens of other businesses, when they swept through Tottenham High Road on Aug. 6.

Members of the neighborhoods’ business community and its political leaders agree the area has struggled to recover.

“What has happened to our community is catastrophic,” said Tottenham Member of Parliament David Lammy. “But, we will lift our heads up and come out of it.”