"Ridley Road. Here to stay! Luxury flats. No Way!"

An appreciative gathering of local people attended the first public screening last Thursday of the new film "Ridley Road 2020 - a market under threat" . The film was projected outdoors onto the Shopping Village building which features in the film and is the subject of a controversial redevelopment application which has attracted hundreds of objections from the local community due to the loss of affordable space for up to 40 small independent shops, the loss of studios of 60 artists and the loss of 50% of storage for market stallholders. In their place will be upmarket offices and 5 luxury flats.

The screening was not-for-profit community event taking place on public space with advice to people attending, consistent with government guidelines, about avoiding pandemic risks. Although the Council had confirmed that no licence was required to show the film its Events Office,  which was said to be closed and unable to deal with any applications for advice or support, informed us  that "colleagues are increasingly concerned that you intend to go ahead and they would require confirmation that event will not be taking place at Ridley Road in the current circumstances." No grounds for seeking to ban the event were given and so we could see no basis for cancellation.

The event was also the occasion for the #SaveRidleyRoad team to launch its new manifesto for the market. Many attending the film show signed up in support.

 

Not to worry if you missed the screening. Watch this space, and check #SaveRidleyRoad on social media, because we are planning more screenings - indoor and outdoor - and we hope to see you there