Broadway Market Café occupied against gentrification

Monday, January 2, 2006

For several weeks, a group of local residents has kept Francesca's Café on 34 Broadway Market, Hackney, East London occupied day and night to prevent its demolition and conversion into luxury flats by property developer Dr Roger Wratten.

The occupation was evicted on 21st December by police and bailiffs, and workmen began a partial demolition, but a new group of supporters re-occupied the building on 26th December and have begun rebuilding it including new walls and a replacement roof.

The café was bought by Dr. Wratten from Hackney Council as part of a number of sales in the street, now surrounded by controversy, and was run by Tony Platia who had worked there for over 30 years. Hundreds of people have attended the café in the past few weeks to show support.

Sources

libcom group. "Broadway Market cafe re-taken by residents" — libcom.org/news, December 28th 2005
Oliver Duff. "Battle of Tony's café begins revolt against Olympic site developers" — The Independent, 30th December 2005
Hari Kunzru. "Market Forces" — The Guardian, December 7th 2005

External links

34 Broadway Market website
website of occupier Arthur Shuter with lots of background information

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