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London, United Kingdom- Despite the opposition to the months-long campaign to redevelop Brick Lane in East London, a local council committee voted to build shopping malls and corporate office buildings in a historic, multicultural area that has been a wave of waves. The location of the immigrant community.
There were 7,000 objections to the project. The project aims to rebuild the old building of the Truman Brewery, including objections from the East Bengal Heritage Association.
This week’s decision was criticized by activists and organizers who believed that the plan to rebuild and harm minority communities was part of a gentrification plan for working-class areas within London.
The Truman Brewery was founded in 1666 and was once one of the largest breweries in the world, transporting Indian Pale Ale (IPA) to British rule.
Since its closure in 1989, it has become a cultural center used by 300 major small businesses and operated by the Zeloof Partnership.
As far as the region is concerned, Brick Lane is the center of the British Bengali community and has been immortalized as a cultural melting pot in British history.
The previous settlers in the area came from the working class of France, Ireland, and Jewish communities. The Huguenot church in France was built in 1742 and was later used by Christian missionaries, and then it was consecrated as a synagogue in 1898. In 1976, the building was converted into a mosque.
Truman Brewery was founded in 1666 and was once one of the largest breweries in the world [Lawrence Bury/Al Jazeera]‘Very disappointed’
Nijjormanush, a group that organizes British and Bangladeshi people, has been opposed to the Brick Lane reconstruction plan and is “deeply disappointed” by the recent results.
“This vote is the negligence of the MPs and exposes a deeper level of corruption within the Tahamlet Council. This reflects the broader trend of the city councils, especially those dominated by the Labor Party, which fully support large companies and working-class constituencies. Gentrification plan,” a spokesperson said.
The wider gentrification of Brick Lane and its surrounding area did not start with Truman’s proposal. In recent years, the area has transformed from an inexpensive South Asian center to an expensive and fashionable settlement.
Nijjormanush members said that locals have described to them how decades of changes have made them “feel strange in what they have long called home”.
Poplar & Limehouse’s Labour MP Apsana Begum expressed on Twitter her disappointment at the decision to allow the plan to proceed.
“Although there are more than 7,000 local oppositions, including those from my voters, it is still a very disappointing decision. Local businesses and people will be expelled due to rising rents. The rich cultural vitality and heritage of the Eastern District should not be in Lost in the pursuit of financial gain,” she wrote on Twitter.
In Brick Lane, people tried to attract customers into their famous curry house, business as usual—but opinions were divided.
Mohamed, 20, the owner of Curry Bazaar, told Al Jazeera: “We have just recovered from the pandemic. For us, the harm outweighs the benefits. Shopping malls will bring more people to the area, but only for shopping. Center, not here.”
Curry Bazaar staff, such as the chief waiter of the restaurant (pictured), worry that the redevelopment plan will cause more harm than good to the company [Lawrence Bury/Al Jazeera]not optimistic
Munim, 34, sat outside an e-cigarette shop and told Al Jazeera that he had not yet decided on the reconstruction plan, but hoped that the local community would be considered.
“This may be good or bad,” said the resident who has lived in Brick Lane all his life. “I have been here for many years. If they have a plan that they can actually incorporate some of the work that is provided to young people here, then it will bring more to the community.
“I’m not saying that I support it, but they can make it look like it serves the community.”
Shamsuddin has been the owner of the Monsoon restaurant since 1976. He is 62 years old. He is optimistic but called for a shift in focus from construction plans to community funding.
“The shopping center is a good idea. You don’t need to go west [London] To buy things, you can come here and the community will benefit from it,” he said.
Shamsuddin has been the owner of Monsoon Restaurant since 1976 and he said this development project is a “good idea” for the local community [Lawrence Bury/Al Jazeera]Uncertain future
The Tower Hamlets committee stated in a statement that although the committee agrees to the plan, it will only obtain construction permits if the plan “creates public interest, including proposals for renewal of affordable workspaces and independent retail.” .
But Nijjormanush still doubts whether the project can bring any benefits.
The spokesperson said: “At the time when the Bangladeshi community experienced the most severe impact of COVID,” he was referring to the virus’s impact on Some communities“We don’t see how our community can recover from it.”
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