In 1993 I realised I could no longer operate on the streets serving
food to blues dances and on street corners where the black community would
gather. A lot of laws were changing regarding street trading so
promptly I took the opportunity to find a base where I could lawfully operate
a full business. 71 Broadway Market became known to me as available to
let. Although it was a totally derelict building I thought it was worth
the sacrifice to put it into good use and because of my financial
status I was unable to actually take on any other property.
It took me six years from 1993 to renovate this property. Hackney
Council gave me a 10 year lease dating from 1995 to 2005. After renovating
the property, comprising of a 1 bedroom flat with a shop on the ground
floor, I began trading in 2000 selling fresh vegetables and fish and
Tropical food.
But in 2001 the Council decided to sell off the property. I was
notified one month prior to the date of sale, without proper directives of who
to contact to purchase the property. Eventually I was advised by
residents in the community how to purchase the place myself. I was told to
contact Nelson Bakewell who were the estate agents acting on behalf of
Hackney Council. I was told that I could attend their offices on the 13th
of December and submit my deposit of 10% of the cost of the property -
£100,000.
On the said morning I attended their offices, signed a document and
handed over my cheque of £10,000 with the sole belief that I had secured
the purchase of my property. I left the offices and went to the auction
rooms to observe the auction. Surprisingly my home was offered again
and sold for £85,000! I was ejected from the auction rooms because I
tried to raise objections to this. Six days later my cheque was returned
without any explanation.
I began writing numerous letters to the different departments of the
Council to try and find out who my new landlords actually were – but
couldn’t find out. But a year and a half later, the landlord’s agent
decided to start harassing me with Bailiffs and a large backdated increase
in rent – up by 710%. Because I wasn’t sure who I was supposed to be
paying the rent to and the increase was so high I was withholding the
rent – you can’t give money to people you don’t know and it was too much
money.
The case has been to court and the landlord has claimed that I owe him
£30,000. The court decided that this money has to be paid to the new
landlord otherwise I would be evicted. I have now no choice but to pay
back some of this arrears in rent which I’ve contested all along as
unfair. The court case is continuing however. I have legal advisors and I
still have hope that the courts will decide that I am the legal owner of
71 Broadway Market. In the meantime I am making the best of efforts to
pay off the arrears with the help of a fund raising campaign from the
local community who have been very sympathetic to my quest for Justice
in acquiring back my property from unscrupulous developers and the
mismanaging Hackney Council.
The next hearing takes place on the 6th December. I am still contesting
the ownership of the property with increasing legal support. Meanwhile
I am able so far to raise extra funds to meet my payments by
occasionally having parties and also selling T-Shirts.
I would like to invite one and all who acknowledge my taste for good
food from the late 70s until now to come along to my shop at 71 Broadway
Market E8, The Nutritious Food Galley. And also, for those who remember
me as a good party host, my next party with my friends and supporters
Jah Youth Roots Ambassador will take place at Chats Palace on Friday
27th October from 8pm-1am so please come early!
