Tower Hamlets Council has ordered the removal of all tables and chairs on the Bethnal Green street
Posyer Street in Bethnal Green, once a series of disused car mechanics has become a strong cultural community and hub for indie businesses. The likes of De Nadas Empanadas, Rogue Sarnies, La Tostadora, Focaccia Mia, Ida’s Kitchen, Sodo Pizza and the Vagina Museum all call the street home, and the new branch of Burnt is joining very soon.
But their ability to operate successfully has now been put at risk by Tower Hamlets Council, who has ordered the removal of the outdoor tables and chairs along the street, which will impact footfall for these businesses as well as strip away the vibrant atmosphere of the area. This decision has been made at a time when the hospitality industry is facing increasing financial pressures – Tower Hamlets is raising its business rates by 68.2% – and it flies in the face of the Mayor’s drive to support al fresco dining with his Summer Streets fund.
As Annabel Martinez Fox, co-founder of De Nadas Empanadas says: “Apart from damaging hospitality businesses at a time when we really need help, the removal of pavement and chairs on Poyser Street just doesn’t make sense. Together we’ve turned a road of disused car mechanics into a thriving hub of cultural and eating spots, one that the whole community – and beyond – can enjoy. We’d love the council to see the bigger picture and work with us to champion this Tower Hamlets success story”.
Annabel, along with a number of Poyser Street’s other business owners, has launched a petition to call on Tower Hamlets Council to protect al fresco dining on the street by granting pavement licences – you can show your support by signing it here.
