Hackney Wick businesses under threat ‘should alert London Mayor’

Hackney Wick. Photograph: Ella Jessel

Hackney Wick business owners are being urged to contact the Mayor of London Boris Johnson after he said he was “not aware” of any instances where local industry is under threat.

His remarks prompted the Green Party Assembly Member Jenny Jones to call on local businesses facing “rent hikes, short leases and notices” to write and make themselves known to the Mayor.

The exchange came as Jones questioned Boris Johnson, Chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation, last week on the loss of industrial employment in Hackney Wick and Fish Island.

Following up on her report into the loss of industrial land in London, Jenny Jones asked the Mayor why he was not supporting the “old businesses” in Hackney Wick such as the manufacturers, brewers, scaffolders and mechanics.

The Mayor responded saying he was “not aware” of any businesses who might be forced out by the area’s redevelopment.

Jenny Jones told the Citizen: “The Mayor is being told by his officials that everything is fine in Hackney Wick, and no businesses are being moved on.

“But I saw with my own eyes that this is rubbish, so I’d like to encourage any business owners and workers in the area that are facing rent hikes, short leases and notices to leave to all write to the Mayor about their situation.

“He needs to face up to the damage done while he is in the pocket of property developers.”

Business owners can email Boris Johnson at mayor@london.gov.uk copying in jenny.jones@london.gov.uk, or write to both at City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA.