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I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “NotoNandos”

"I will help the campaign against Nando's on Church Street N16 by writing to my representatives and objecting to the alcohol licence but only if 10 (at least) other local people will do the same."

— Rob, Resident of Stoke Newington (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 4^th April 2008
69 people signed up (59 over target)

Country: United Kingdom
Postcode area: N16 (view map)

More details
I'm a local resident of Stoke Newington called Rob who is sick of seeing every shopping street turning into a carbon copy of each other as huge multi-nationals move in and crush small local businesses. Help us stop any more chains from coming to Stoke Newington Church Street by stopping Nando's opening. We have until Friday 4th April (So not long) to object to the alcohol license. Use the site www.writetothem.com (this site generates a fax which is sent and which BY LAW they are obliged to reply to you - which is not the case with normal email) to write to your representative, and cc in (or mention) who else you are writing to. In your own words tell them why you don't want an alcohol license being granted. It could be noise, alcohol addiction, too many licensees already, opposite a primary school and surrounded by playgroups...etc

Comments on this pledge

• Nandos ripped lovely fittings and tiles out of a beautiful Victorian pub in Kentish Town Road. That's the kind of people they are.
  a.d. francis, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• there are more than enough fried chicken shops around Stokey, we'll be up to our ears in chicken bones if they open anymore! also there is a Nando's on Kingsland Rd anyway, so go there if you want something fowl in a bun!
  lucy feather, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Hmm, wonder if we could get Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall involved? Not entirely sure if the pieces of chicken corpse littering our streets have ever been part of a "happy" chicken (doubt very much if they've ever been part of a chicken).
  MrsM, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• The representatives have no obligation by law to respond to these emails or faxes. The pledge is misleading.
  
  If you oppose chain stores in Stoke Newington, will you pledge never to shop at Fresh and Wild?
  Matthew, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Nandos is not really that bad. Its the thought of carbon-copy corporate domination everywhere I go. Angel is rubbish now, so is Camden and Spitalfields. Want more small interesting shops!
  jacqui jameson, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Sorry Matthew, didn't mean it to be misleading. By law the council have to collate the complaints and the subsequent actions. I'll change the pledge. When I set it up I was led to believe that that was the case. As far as F+W go it's a bit late. But just because there are already three chains does that mean we just throw the towel in? In a few years you'll be moaning about how Church Street has half the number of shops and loads of empty units...
  Rob Daly, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I have to agree with Jacqui jameson, on this one. Its the idea that Stokey becomes just like any other high street that I'm apposed too. Tesco's has snuck in next to the police station in the high street. I think restaurants in general need to be curbed in Church street. We need diversity, some interesting and useful shops. More than a lemon and a kebab at 4am!
  keith Van-Loen, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Please let's keep some parts of our city free from corporate cloning! There's probably not much wrong with one chain store moving in onto Church St. The danger is that if one is there, the others will follow. If Nandos can, why can't Starbucks, McDonalds or O'Neil's? Dear Council and Mayor of London, let's protect diversity and small business in real life, not just on the flashy brochures you send out in the run up to the elections!
  Dennis Talanov, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• As well as contacting the local councilors, let the licensing department have your comments too. Their email is: licensing@hackney.gov.uk , and address: 263 Mare Street, London E8 3HT.
  
  By law they can take into account comments relating to the following areas only:
  • the prevention of crime and disorder
  • the prevention of public nuisance
  • public safety
  • the protection of children from harm
  
  More info on the application is at:
  http://www.hackney.gov.uk/eb-la2003-mar2...
  peter lumb, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I think there are far more things to worry about than a Nandos on church street. There are numerous restaurants, and pubs that sell alcohol and I don't hear anyone making a big deal over it. Maybe the people who are complaining would be happy if they put another Expensive Organic shop or yet another cafe in that space. I would rather a Nandos there than a strip club, night club or a place for sex offenders.
  M Falaiye, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• This whole endeavour really smacks of nimbysism. What's so bad about Nando's? I dont recall much complaint when there was a branch of Texas Fried Chicken (or similar) a few years ago where the Tea Shop now is. If people really care about the type of traders to be found on Church St they won't go there will they?
  Chick Chick Chicken, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Thanks Rob. I, too, favour a vibrant, diverse Church Street. Whether or not SN High Street maintains its culture depends as much on people as places.
  Matthew, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I bought my first house in N16 it was 50k. Yes this area is forever changing. Fresh and Wild is part of a chain, also Savills Estate Agents, OddBins but I guess they are okay -'cos they attract the right sort of people?
  
  Things change - you can no longer buy a house here for 50k.
  We may get a Nando's - get over it people.
  Amused, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Bumped into those lovely people from the council on Saturday night outside the offending premises. The current owners took down the council notices informing people how to oppose the licence. New notices have been put up and for any of you who haven't had the opportunity to inform the council of your objection the time for raising your protest has been extended.
  MrsM, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• If anyone is interested there's another site up and running to protest.
  
  http://www.boycottnandos.org.uk/pledge/p...
  MrsM, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• This anti Nandos campaign is crude snobbery.
  
  I have lived in N16 for 14 years and I have watched the profile of the area change in that time.
  
  The latest influx of the white middle class are just revolting and this campaign is a symptom.
  jm, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Isn't jm's comment a wee bit, er, racist?
  a.d. francis, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Hi a.d.francis, yes I think it is and there is no place for racism or any other prejudice on this site or as part of the notonandos campaign - Shall I delete it? Not a big fan of censorship but opinions like that are pretty shameful.
  Rob Daly, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I don't think jm's comment should be deleted, he's entitled to his opinion, surely?
  Amused, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• i'm with 'amused' on this one; i don't defend jm's views but he's free to express them.
  a.d. francis, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• OK, as long as you would say the same had he/she put "The latest influx of the Blacks/Polish/Gays are just revolting and this campaign is a symptom."? I'll leave it up then.
  Rob Daly, 7 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I prefer that these corporate food-chains be kept out as much as possible.
  Chris McCabe, 6 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• A Quote from nef Clone Town Britain survey results
  "We can choose to take action that will lead to thriving, diverse, resiliant local economies across the UK; or, we can do nothing and condemn ourselves to bland identikit towns dominated by a few bloated retail behemoths. The choice is ours"
  
  Lets not make church street another clone street.
  Melanie Richards, 6 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Diversity? You nimbys are killing it!
  Davey Gravy, 6 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Re: snobbery/white middle class/nimbysism etc etc. Youre missing the point - we're tired of chain stores dominating the streets of Britain!
  
  PS. Im live in N16, am working class and live on a council estate.
  Jacqui Jameson, 6 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I also think this campaign is a little pathetic and inspired by snobbery. I agree with the comments above. There are already numerous chain outlets on Church St, so what is the problem with another one? Where were all the objections for fresh and wild or all the estate agents, bookies chains or oddbins?
  anthony, 5 months ago. Abusive? Report it!