'I love Tottenham' Tales: Pride of Tottenham

Video by BhamUrbanNewsUK

Part three in our series on Tottenham businesses and the riot recovery effort. 

Part III: Pride of Tottenham

The owner of Pride of Tottenham--a pub on the High Road--hasn't had much good news since Aug. 6, when he estimates rioters caused more than £70,000 of damage.

There was one good day of business, says Niche Mufwankolo, when Tottenham Hotspur played arch-rival Arsenal. Other than that the place, like the street itself, has been remarkably dead. 

Now there are reports Haringey Council will exempt those hardest hit by the riots from nearly eight months of the business rates they pay in order to operate.

"I think it might be something very big," Mufwankolo said. "But I haven't heard about it from them yet."

Finsbury Square Site Nears 'Saturation Point:' Occupy Press Team

'Occupy' organizers say the camp at Finsbury Square will soon reach its limits if it hasn't already.

An organizer at the 'Occupy' protest in Finsbury Square said the site is nearly full.

"We're almost at the saturation point," said Paul, 33, a member of the camp's shelter and security teams, who was laid off from his data analysis job in May. "That's why we're frantically moving things around."

'I Love Tottenham' Tales: Paradise Gems

Paradise Gems owner Steve Moore says Tottenham High Road "just seems quieter" since the riots

A second installment in our ongoing tale of businesses in Tottenham fighting to recover from the riots. 

Part II: Paradise Gems

On the morning of 7 Aug. jeweler Steve Moore walked to his workplace of the last 21 years on Tottenham High Road. The rubble was still smoking. After a night of rioting, Paradise Gems was gone, its safes buried, decades-worth of moulds destroyed.

Moore estimates he lost more than any individual trader in the borough--but, he says, don’t believe the destruction made him want to pack up and leave.

Haringey Council Press Release: Tottenham Business Rate Relief

Haringey Council  PR 4226    25/10/2011    [For Immediate Release]

Riot-hit firms offered a business rate reduction

In a huge boost to riot-hit firms Haringey Council is offering hundreds of traders a reduction on their business rates to help them cope with lost trade and damage.

Occupy Mongolia? Man from the Land of Genghis Khan Gets in on 'Occupy' Movement

Friend sent me a short article about a Mongolian official joining the 'Occupy' movement. 'Occupy Sukhabaatar Square' in Ulan Bator just might be next.

'I Love Tottenham' Tales: The Eye Pod

A banner from the 'I Love Tottenham' Campaign'

Everyone in the North London neighborhood of Tottenham agrees life has not returned to normal. But the riots that erupted in the area this August impacted businesses differently.

This week and next we’ll look at interviews with five area entrepreneurs from the past week, as they battle to recover from changes and damage to the borough.

Part I: The Eye Pod

In some ways the Eye Pod was lucky. John Se, who co-owns the Tottenham eye-ware store, says the business sustained only minor damage to a sign and shutters when looters took over the High Street on 6 Aug.

But he and his business partner are still worried about the future. Along with street traffic, sales fell after the riot and haven’t recovered. If they don’t improve, the shop will close.

“Of course we’re worried,” Se said. “It’s not really showing signs of going back to normal.”

Occupy London Spreads to Finsbury Square

Occupy London expanded to a second site at Finsbury Square in the city center a spokeswoman for the movement said.

The activists set up about 30 tents at the new site around 5 pm today during a ‘tour of corporate greed’ around the London, according to Occupy London facebook-page creator Kai Wargalla.

“Everyone was surprised” she said, “including the police.”

The protests, which started at and around St. Paul’s Cathedral on 15 Oct., are entering their second week.

St. Paul’s closed its doors citing safety concerns related to the protests.

Video: Assange's speech at Occupy London

Sitting behind someone isn't the greatest way to record their speech, but here's one angle of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange as he addresses demonstrators at Occupy London on Oct 15.

Occupy London Images

Photos of the Occupy London protest coupled with some digressions.

Julian Assange at Occupy London: in Photos

Wikileaks creator Julian Assange addressed a crowd of demonstrators from the steps of St. Paul's.

How to Avoid Being Arrested in a Protest Zone

A spokeswoman at the London Police media office offered some cautionary advice for journalists who want to stay out of trouble at tomorrow's Occupy London demonstration.

"If you're asked to leave somewhere and you don't do so," she said, "you might find yourself in a tough situation."

Occupy London Eclipses 12,000 Facebook-Follower Mark

Occupy London supporters speak at the 'Block the Bridge' demonstration last weekend.

The Occupy London movement tallied its 12,000th facebook follower today, with the number saying they will march on the London Stock Exchange this weekend approaching 5,000.

Video - Socialist Choir Sings in Support of NHS

A final image from the weekend's Block the Bridge protests courtesy of the Strawberry Thieves.



Anybody have recommendations for good, student-friendly (ie cheap/free) video editing software?

Block the Bridge, Block the Bill in Pictures

Images from the 09/10/11 UK Uncut demonstration on Westminster Bridge against proposed changes to the NHS.

Branding Occupy London

Even revolutionaries fret over new media. The challenge facing the dozen activists preparing for Occupy the London Stock Exchange--next weekend's Occupy Wall Street-style event--was whether to use the group's twitter handle (#Occupylsx) or website (Occupylsx.org) on banners.

Occupy Wall Street-Style Protests Set for UK

Activists unveil an 'Occupy London' banner at a recent gathering in Hackney.

MSNBC article about British activists preparing to Occupy London a la Occupy Wall Street.

Violence Overshadows Tottenham Riot Recovery in Local Media

The Tottenham Journal led with this headline, "Butcher killed with own knife," in the 6 October edition. Local crimes, primarily a series of stabbings, captured media attention during the last few weeks, while riot recovery efforts didn't get much press.

Source: Mongolian President Set for London Visit

Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj (right) meets a German delegation in 2010. Photo by Bundeswehr-Fotos Wir.Dienen.Deutschland

Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj will head to Britain in two weeks to discuss "cooperation between the two countries" (read: mining investment) with Prime Minister David Cameron, according to a Mongolian contact.

Gaurdian's 'Hackney Heroine' Profile

Very interesting profile in the Guardian on Hackney resident Pauline Pearce, who stood up to looters during the London riots. She traveled to Tuesday's conservative party conference in Manchester to hear and exchange views with Tory politicians.

Sounds like she held her own, but man, did she let people have it during the riots. Seeing her on youtube inspired plenty of people, me included.

Riot Facts from Tottenham

Selected facts from the "Tottenham Disturbances Information Sheet" in bullet form below, couretsy of the Haringey Council. (Last updated Sept. 19).

Some Funds, Little Hope --Tottenham Recovery Update

Riot relief money is getting to Tottenham High Street businesses, but some say the impact isn't enough. 

Pride of Tottenham pub owner Niche Mufwankolo claims about £4,000 in government aid has been transferred into his bank account.