The removal of a significant proportion of the few remaining small businesses and amenities is a kick in the teeth to all those fighting for positive change in the face of social deprivation in Merstham.
Loss of meeting spaces and areas for social engagement – shops, food outlets, the launderette – contributes directly to increased isolation, loneliness and disenfranchisement especially among the many elderly, disabled and financially compromised, not to mention our many unpaid caregivers who are tied to the immediate locale in their care of dependents.
In my relatively short time in Merstham, I sense an atmosphere of hope, of things gradually improving. This is a community on the up; hopeful people from all walks of life that want a safe and sociable neighbourhood.
The loss of these shops will make a significant negative contribution to the decline of an established community at a point in time when hope is rising, and many people are doing their best to resist social decline and strengthen what remains.
What I've said thus far are not my words, and by the way I agree with them 100 per cent, these powerful words were written by the new Reverend of All Saints Church in Merstham, Dr. Nigel Griffiths, in a letter to Woodcote Estates, the landlord of The Oriental and the whole parade on Nutfield Rd.
The Merstham community feels the same as the Reverend.
It's incredible to think that the dynamic Ms Susan Wong, the owner of The Oriental, has cooked for Merstham for 23 years. She should be given awards for running a successful and cherished business. Instead, she is being threatened with eviction and she hasn't seen any support from this council, she told me, “I blame the council, they don't care for the loss of the parade and small local businesses.”
I've spoken to the other shop owners who have been pushed out. Here are two other accounts:
Mr Eduard Pena the owner of Sparkle Laundrette, said the landlord, Woodcote Estates, destroyed his business and this has affected his family. He said, (AND I QUOTE) “Lots of disabled people or elderly people are left with no laundry help in Merstham. We are doing collection and delivery for some (from Sutton) but we can't help all of them.”
Mr Neil Munday, the director of Susy Radio told me that Woodcote Estates changed the length of their lease at renewal, reducing the length from 10 years, to 5 years, to 3 years and then 1 year with 1 month get out clause. The situation was untenable, so Susy Radio was pushed out.
The Executive Summary in your Agenda Papers states that this petition calls on the council to do everything that they can to retain this takeaway and restore this parade of shops?
So what can this council do to Save The Oriental and restore the parade of shops. Well here are three suggestions:
Suggestion A: The council knows that it can press ahead with an immediate Article 4 Direction to remove the Permitted Development Rights for change of use. This council doesn't need to wait between 12 and 24 months for a Retail Needs Survey that will state what everyone knows: The community needs these shops.
Suggestion B: Since being elected I've become acutely aware of questionable investment decisions this council has made like Horley Business Park. What can be a better investment than purchasing this parade of shops and the residential units above them? A win/win situation.
Suggestion C: The former leader of this council Mark Brunt posted on Facebook, and I quote, “The only option I can see is an application for an Asset of Community Value.”
I'm sorry to add at this point, there are concerns about the links between the national Conservative party and property developers.
A recent report by Transparency International said the Conservatives nationally have an “unhealthy financial reliance” on property developers. It received £61m in donations from individuals and companies related to substantial property interests between 2010 and 2020. And then in 2021 the Housing Minister decided to deregulate permitted development rights on high street premises which has meant developers who want to buy and demolish shops, takeaways, laundrettes, cafes, hairdressers and replace them with private homes can do so without planning permission.
So I hope the Reigate and Banstead Conservatives distance themselves from the national party.
At the last Full Council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to consult on an Article 4 Direction to protect our Town and Local centres. This council needs to vote again as one to support the community in Merstham.
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