OUR front page story reveals something of how the Liberal Democrat-controlled city council is currently operating. Two long-established shops are set to be evicted from Kings Walk shopping arcade because they do not fit to the ‘arty vibe’ that the council wishes to create.

But using the Freedom of Information Act the owners of one of those shops have secured emails between council officers that appear to show a rather callous indifference to their future. There is even no permanent replacement secured for one of the units, and the council will have to rely on ‘pop-ups’.

The council has been rather clueless over creating an ‘arty vibe’. Setting aside that both the Chinese market and the emporium readily fit into such a designation, it reveals ignorance on how such neighbourhoods are created. They come from the bottom up not imposed from the top down by council officers.

Kings Walk was evolving nicely before the council got involved. They should leave it alone at least in the short-term and let it evolve before the plans for Silver hill materialise at some point...

READ MORE HERE: City council slammed by Kings Walk traders set to be evicted with no replacement in sight

 

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