'We're not communists, we just want a variety of shops in West Croydon'
LABOUR councillors have denied they are trying to create a communist regime in West Croydon by dictating which businesses should open in the area.
The attack was launched by Councillor Vidhi Mohan, cabinet member for communities and economic development, as the cabinet approved a £1.5 million, three-year investment programme for West Croydon on Monday.
The clash came after Labour councillor Stuart Collins complained that, since the riots, London Road was becoming a haven for betting and pawn shops.
He said the council should be looking at being more proactive in suggesting what types of businesses should be opening, to ensure there was a proper mix in West Croydon.
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Cllr Mohan said: "This is not a communist system where we say what sort of shops should be there. It is up to market forces to decide."
But Labour councillor Toni Letts told the meeting: "I would like to think we would want to be a progressive authority and want to encourage a variety of businesses in the area, rather than every other business being a greengrocer or pawn shop.
"That is a not a communist idea, it is economic sense."
Cllr Mohan was equally dismissive of a challenge made by Labour member Louisa Woodley about £174,000 being spent over three years on new initiatives, including the employment of a West Croydon safer, cleaner co-ordinator.
She said: "A total of 87 businesses in London Road were affected by the riots and I think it would be better if more of the money was spent on helping them."
Cllr Mohan defended the new post, claiming that other money was being directed at helping riot-hit businesses and that the co-ordinator's financial package would play a key role in reducing crime and making West Croydon cleaner and safer.
The £174,000, when broken down, includes up to £88,000 for the co-ordinator post, £50,000 for supporting victims of business crime, and £21,000 for helping businesses join the Croydon Safer Radio scheme.
The scheme provides businesses with a radio handset which they can use to report incidents directly to the council's 24-hour CCTV control room.
Of the investment package approved on Monday, about £1.4 million will come from the Greater London Authority as part of post-riots investment fund, with a further £179,000 coming from Croydon Council's match-funding.
In addition to the co-ordinator role, about £550,000 will go into job creation and £280,000 into helping develop new businesses.
11 Comments
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by GuyFawk
Sunday, February 24 2013, 11:23AM
“re: napopfro
I agree good proactive planning would benefit Croydon in general. However, I am sick and tired of chris_wilcox's gross hypocrisy along with so many so-called socialists who cry like babies and effectively are the ruin of Great Britain today, even worse than the bankers!
Labour - the Envy Reflex party!”
by napopfro
Saturday, February 23 2013, 3:55PM
“I'm flabbergasted. In what way is it communist to suggest that there needs to be a balance of retail outlets in an area? Who would want to live in an area filled with betting shops, pawn shops and take aways? These type of premises are a blight on our society, and most of all they affect the poor and most needy. Not just in West Croydon, but all over the borough should there be a limit to the number of the types of businesses in an area. GuyFawk, I can appreciate that you have different political values to Chris, but I'm sure that if you put your personal prejudices aside you would have to agree that a bit of pro active planning could make a huge difference to what is currently a rather unpleasant area to shop, and improve life for those who live and work there.”
by GuyFawk
Saturday, February 23 2013, 12:11PM
“Is the Labour party and its Labour party members Holocaust deniers or are they racists?
Mao Tse Tung, China 1893 - 1976 - nearly 40 million died under his Communist regime.
Joseph Stalin, USSR 1879 - 1953 over 40 million people died under his Communist regime.
Pol Pot, Cambodia particularly the Khmer Rouge between 1975 - 1979 when 2.4 million people died under his Communist regime.
In total in recent history over 100 million people have been killed worldwide under dictatorial communist regimes while during the same period over 30 million people have died under Fascist regimes (notably Adolf Hitler when 20 million people died between 1939 - 1945).
But do not concern yourself for according to chris_wilcox the fact the Labour Party shares offices in Ruskin House, Coombe Road, South Croydon with the murderous Communists should be of no concern for the Communists pay their own rent. Now doesn't that put your mind at ease!”
by nickcvr
Saturday, February 23 2013, 11:45AM
“Chris: don't feed the troll.”
by GuyFawk
Friday, February 22 2013, 1:14PM
“o0ps sorry, 1945 - even earlier!”
by GuyFawk
Friday, February 22 2013, 1:14PM
“re: chris_wilcox
The 2nd World War ended in 1949, earlier than the 50's in fact more than 60 years ago.
Labour - the Envy Reflex Party - with supporters like chris_wilcox who does not give a Sugar Honey Iced Tea about anyone unless they can cry like a baby and whine about anyone who can be successful without labour - the Envy Reflex Party.”
by Chris_Wilcox
Thursday, February 21 2013, 8:48PM
“@GuyFawk:
Are you on drugs? Seriously? You sound deranged.
The Gulags closed in the '50's. 60 years ago now. How is that 'recent'?”
by GuyFawk
Thursday, February 21 2013, 6:11PM
“Yes, chris-wilcox has assured us all the fact the Labour Party shares offices with the Communists in Ruskin House, Coombe Road should be of no concern because the Communist pay their own rent and the fact the Communists are the biggest mass murderers in recent history should not worry anyone. Apparently Labour are so concerned they accept all groups with open arms no matter their tainted history they are to merge forces with the BNP and any other Fascist Party that wants to join. Apparently Communist or Fascists murderers are all the same to Labour.
Labour - the Envy Reflex Party - only good in opposition, completely incompetent running anything including a Party in a brewery.”
by Chris_Wilcox
Thursday, February 21 2013, 10:44AM
“Mohan just isn't that bright.
If you have better shops showing up in West Croydon you'll attract a different group of shoppers. Fill it with betting shops and chicken shops and all you'll get will be gamblers and drunks.
How on earth is wanting better choices in what is placed where Communist? It used to be called 'effective town planning' before these lazy Torys came along, stuck their feet up, and left it all to an out-of-control and uncaring market.
It was an out-of-control uncaring market that created the Banking Crisis of 2008 after all. When will these Tory idiots learn?”
by bagpus123
Thursday, February 21 2013, 9:20AM
“Dont see what all the fuss is about, there was a betting shop on the corner of st james road and london road before the riots”