No room for charity in fantasy Highgate

editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
27 January 2006

Andrew Brightwell

HIGHGATE residents want more "real" shops in their village and fewer charity shops and estate agents.

A survey carried out by the Highgate Society about the future of the area shows residents are concerned by the loss of independent traders.

"There were many requests for more varied shops, especially a fishmonger, delicatessen and health food shop and fewer charity shops," the survey concludes.

"A total of 16 per cent wanted fewer estate agents on the High Street. More parking for shoppers is needed and there were a number of people who wanted Tesco out of the village."

A petition has already been organised by the Highgate Society asking Camden and Haringey councils to do more to stem the rising tide of estate agents.

Tesco has also come under pressure, with the society complaining about its delivery lorries blocking traffic outside its Highgate High Street and Swains Lane shops.

Robin Fairlie, chairman of the Highgate Society, said: "I think it is not so much a dislike of charity shops as simply a feeling that they tend to move in when other shops are failing. There is a trend for them to take up units that are unoccupied which is a symptom of less successful areas."

But there are just three charity shops compared with eight estate agents in the High Street and 20 estate agents in the whole village.

Luke O'Toole, a volunteer at the Cancer Research UK shop in Highgate High Street said he was very surprised by the finding.

He said: "Business here is going very well, so it seems a bit strange. I certainly don't see why there should be fewer charity shops. Most people seem very happy with what we are doing and we offer a good service."

Alka Ahuja, manager of the two Oxfam shops in the High Street, said: "We offer people something different in the village.

"We have gift shops, which sell a range of items and we have a bookshop. They give people a choice and provide an important service for the community."

andrew.brightwell@hamhigh.co.uk

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