Streatham: Back in Business

Fatima Doumbia 14 December 2015

Internship Final Academic Paper Dr. Jyoto Saraswati

Streatham: Back in Business Table of Contents

Part I: Preface………………………………………………………………………….3

Part II: Streatham’s Resurgence (2000s-Present)……………………………………..4-6

A. Registered Business Comparison with Greater London and United Kingdom

Part III: Influences of Streatham’s Boom in Business……………………………….6-10

A. Age in Population Comparison with Greater London and United Kingdom B. Median Gross Income Comparison with Greater London and United Kingdom C. Unemployment Comparison with Greater London and United Kingdom

Part V: Weakness of Streatham………………………………………………………..11

Part VI: Personal Account from Interview…………………………………………11-12

Part VII: Conclusion and Future of Streatham…………………………………….......12

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Part I: Preface

Today, Streatham is one of London’s most dynamic constituencies and has

experienced a lot of development since early 2000s until now. Prior to the 2000s,

Streatham was well known for its garment industry and retail businesses, which made it a

big site for consumerism in South London. Due to the decline of its garment industry,

Streatham began to decline not only in its once spotlight of retail, but also decline in

business innovation and entrepreneurship as a whole. With businesses escaping the

Streatham’s busiest streets, this led to the removal of population and its deterioration in

infrastructure. By the 1990s, Streatham had low rates in business start-ups and

infrastructure issues making it an unpopular destination for settlement or business

regeneration.

With the turn of the century, Streatham did begin with its many issues and

declining rates, Britons named Streatham High Road, one of Streatham’s busiest main

roads that connects to other parts of London such as Brixton, Clapham, Croydon, and

Gatwick Airport, was named Britain’s worst streets in 2002.1 However, Streatham was on

the verge of making a dynamic recovery that it had not seen in decades since the 1950s.

Presently, Streatham has changed drastically since 2011 due to investment from the local

government to rebuild Streatham especially its town center. Its newfound economic and

business enterprise has allowed Streatham to emerge as the dynamic constituency it used

to be. Streatham has not only seen investment in business innovations, but also in its

infrastructure.

1 “Britons name ‘best and worst streets’”, British Broadcasting Company News. 20 September 2002. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2270840.stm> URL.

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This paper will assess the following: (i) Streatham’s resurgence in business and its

capital, (ii) factors that contributed to its redevelopment such as education attainment,

median income gross, demographics (age and ethnicity), and unemployment with

comparative analysis with Greater London and United Kingdom (iv) current weaknesses

of Streatham, (v) personal accounts from business owners in Streatham, (vi) in response

to its progress and weaknesses where will the future of Streatham be heading within the

next ten years, (vii) conclusion of Streatham’s business foundation and further notes on

continuing research on Streatham. The factors that will be explored in this paper are by

no means the only influences that are attributed to Streatham’s recent development.

Based on my research, these were the factors and important aspects that could be

attributed to Streatham’s current success in business development and entrepreneurship.

The goal of this paper is to provide a rationale for Streatham’s significant

development with the use of factual evidence and personal narratives. This paper will

deal with empirical data, but shows a fair balance between numbers and real life

examples.

Part I: Streatham’s Resurgence

Streatham suffered many years of decline to the neglect and upkeep of its

constituency. The removal of businesses placed Streatham at risk for so many other

factors to occur such as decline in population and its decay in infrastructure. Local

government officials and residents thought as a start if Streatham could rebuild its main

centers, it would become more appealing for current residents to stay and potential

residents to consider Streatham as a location for living. This became the long pondered

strategy plan amongst residents and concerned individuals as in regards to where the near

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future of Streatham was heading. Business in Streatham would flourish and reappear has

a result of the community’s infrastructure development.

In 2011, Streatham’s road to recovery was more evident due to its selection to

receiving through the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund more than £370,000 to aid

in redeveloping their town center and economy.2 Following this award, Streatham was

also awarded another £2.6 million through the local government and council, Lambeth.

Now, Streatham needed to find a legitimate and efficient plan to maximize the potential

use of its monetary funds and capital resources. With the use of funds, the donors made it

clear to what the raised capital would be used for. Both funding from the local

government and its council, Lambeth was strictly to be used for rebuilding the main parts

of Streatham. This consisted of its main points of infrastructure: (i) the Streatham High

Road, which holds most of the businesses within the constituency, (ii) roads, streets, and

pavement creating greater accessibility within Streatham, (iii) public spaces such as

Streatham Library and Streatham Ice Arena. The funding more specifically matched up

with earlier sentiments over what Streatham’s development should focus on providing an

atmosphere that is pleasant for mass consumerism within the constituency.

As a result of the incoming funding, Streatham has rebuild its most important

places of navigation, study, and recreation. Before, Streatham used to be congested on the

High Road experiencing significant delays crossing from the neighboring constituency

into central London. This was a main site to use the necessary funds to aid in its

decongestion. Within the past few years, Streatham High Road was reconstructed on

fixing the pavement and sidewalks making it accessible for pedestrians, but also vehicles

2 Rachel Blundy, “Streatham town centre to receive cash boost” Streatham Guardian. 3 August 2011. Accessed 1 December 2015. <http://www.streathamguardian.co.uk/news/9175267.Town_centres_to_receive_cash_boost/> URL.

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to navigate more efficiently on the main road. The new Streatham High Road’s expansion

includes handicap accessibility, lane for TFL buses and cyclists, and enhanced lighting

during night hours. Even though, Streatham High Road may be congested at times during

peak hours, the ease of navigation is friendly than it was before reconstruction. The

rebuilding of the Streatham High Road is actually one of the main positives in

regenerating business life in Streatham. Most of the small businesses in Streatham are

located on the High Road making it a convenient location for businesses to be created

around this area.

In addition to the ease of traffic on the High Road, Streatham invested £1.4

million of its given funds in rebuilding its main library.3 It reopened its door in March

2014 providing a public space for residents to have access to a literary and communal

resource center. Lambeth publicized this new development with specific instruction on its

amenities and what it consists of. The new Streatham Library has library-hosted events,

free Wifi, unlimited usage of technology including enhancement devices for those with

disabilities, accessibility for disabled individuals through a new entrance, a reading hall,

and community rooms for rent to hold sessions and events. The library is a strategic place

for business development, as the library becomes a center of exchange and promotion for

businesses. The investment also continued with the rebuilding of its former Streatham Ice

Arena, now the Streatham Ice and Leisure Center opened again on November 2013

providing a recreation center worth £26 million4 not only for residents in Streatham, but

also neighboring resident of other constituency to use. This recreation has been a meeting

3 “Streatham Library”, Lambeth Council, 11 December 2015. Accessed 12 December 2015. <http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/places/streatham-library> URL. 4 “Streatham ice rink and sports centre opens”, British Broadcasting Company News, 18 November 2013. Accessed 1 December 2015. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24984921> URL.

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point for residents of Streatham and nearby to use enabling Streatham to generate even

greater revenue. The overall development that Streatham has experienced brought about a

new huge supermarket Tesco in efforts to provide business and accessibility of good to

Streatham’s residents as well as 250 new homes and 1,000 jobs followed.5 The conditions

within Streatham have provided a better environment for growth in business and

entrepreneurship.

All these major and significant improvements have a led to positive growth within

the constituency overall especially compared to early 2000s. With the investment all of

these areas previously stated, Streatham within its constituency has been experiencing

positive increases of businesses.

Figure 1: Registered Businesses from 2010 to 2014

Years Streatham London UK

2010 2920 331540 21003702011 2930 334395 20808602012 3185 359880 21491902013 3250 372375 21675802014 3600 400930 2263645

Net change on year*

350 28555 96065

% Change on year*

9.7% 7.1% 4.2%

Source: ONS, UK Business: Activity, Size and Location, Table B 6.1 and House of Commons Library calculations [http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html?definition=tcm%3A77-21554]

This chart provides statistical data of business in Streatham prior to and after

investment within the constituency. It provides us with an overview of how well

Streatham did relative to its London and the whole of the United Kingdom. In 2010, 5 Ibid.

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Streatham stood at 2,920 registered businesses and by 2011 at the announcement of the

funding Streatham would receive the amount of registered businesses had only reach an

additional ten. Within a year of redevelopment, Streatham experienced a drastic increase

of 255 new registered businesses and continued to increase steadily each year with 9.7%.

Streatham’s 9.7% was significantly above compared to the citywide and regional rate of

7.1% and 4.2%. In other words, Streatham within the past five years has been increasing

its businesses twice as more than the national average. The investment in Streatham’s

redevelopment did cause some positive results for the constituency promote business

investments in the constituency after implementing reconstruction strategies.

Part III: Influences of Streatham’s Boom in Business

1. Demographics

Figure 2: Age in Population in 2012

Streatham London UK

Age Group Number

% Number % Number %

0 - 19 25710 21.8% 2039100 24.5% 15140400 23.8%20 - 64 82990 70.3% 5331900 64.2% 37723700 59.2%

65+ 9300 7.9% 937500 11.3% 10841000 17.0%Total 118000 100.0% 8308400 100.0% 63705000 100.0%

Source: ONS, Parliamentary Constituencies Population Estimates, Mid 2011 (Census Based) General Register Office for Scotland. Mid 2011 Westminster Parliament Constituency Estimates [www.nomisweb.co.uk]

This chart depicts the population demographics based on age in 2012. It is

assumed that Streatham’s active workforce population is within the ages of 20-64. This

group makes up at least 70.3% of Streatham’s overall population meaning that Streatham

has a potential and capable workforce that can be independent and work actively within

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this range age just before retirement. This is higher than London by 6% and United

Kingdom by 10%. Streatham has a higher chance of mobilizing their active workforce

since they have an abundant pool of labor force. This leads us to ask does Streatham

provide enough employment and business opportunities for this large population of

potential employees or employers. There is a possibility within the 70.3% of the

population; some work in neighboring areas or other parts of London.

Figure 3: Ethnicity in Population in 2011

Source: Qpzm Local Stats UK, Streatham Hill Demographics (Lambeth, England), 2011 [http://streatham-hill.localstats.co.uk/census-demographics/england/london/lambeth/streatham-hill]

This pie chart includes a brief overview of the different ethnicities in Streatham

within the population from 2011. More than half of the population is born in England

with 59.10% and continues with its ethnic minorities of 3.8% South America, 2.9%

Jamaica, 1.7% Ireland, 1.6% Nigeria, 1.4% Scotland, 1.2% Ghana, 1.1% Wales, 0.9%

Australia, 0.8% India, and 25.5% as other. Streatham does have an ethnic population that

makes up 40.9% of their total population that were born outside of England. This may

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have an influence in the diversification in businesses within Streatham. Certain

businesses built by the ethnic population could be based in foreign goods, exchange, and

services that extend to an international global market. For example, opening up an

African and Caribbean food market would need the supply of imported goods from either

Jamaica or Nigeria. It will be beneficial to the cultural development of the community,

but also encourage potential consumer from other areas who may not have these stores

near them to travel to Streatham to obtain such goods.

2. Median Gross Income

Figure 4: Median Gross Income Per Week in 2015

Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2015 Provisional Results [http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/ashe/annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings/2015-provisional-results/index.html]

This chart provides a median gross income that demonstrates Streatham’s median

income in 2015 compared to the citywide and region’s median income. Streatham’s

median gross income is higher than these both citywide and regional’s gross income. This

may demonstrate that the cost of living in Streatham is expensive on average that workers

within that constituency have to be paid a little more to make ends meet. With

Streatham’s increasing economic development, the cost of living may have skyrocketed

leading to constituents’ salary having an adjustment to afford basic living costs. This only

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Median Gross

Income per week

Streatham London UK

£s per week 650 620 530

factor in particularly for employees’ salaries and does not factor in self-employed

individuals’ or business owners’ incomes.

3. Educational Attainment

Streatham definitely has an educated workforce relative to some of its other

neighboring constituencies. According to LocalStats UK in 2011, Streatham had the

following occupations from greatest to least: Professional 24.6%, Associate Professional

and Technical 19.3%, Managers, Directors and Senior Officials 11.7%, Business, Media

and Public Service Professionals 11.0%, Administrative and Secretarial 11.0%,

Elementary 10.2%, Business and Public Service Associate Professionals 9.9%,

Elementary Administration and Service 9.6%, Administrative 7.6%, Caring, Leisure and

Other Service 7.4%.6 Streatham has a mixture of diverse professional in most industries,

which may increase their potential to receive employment or even create their own local

business within Streatham. Prior to the redevelopment, these educated individuals

probably preferred to be employed elsewhere, but with the regeneration of Streatham

they may potentially look for other opportunities near home eliminating the hassle of

commuting since Streatham is looking more like an attractive destination for business

entrepreneurship and ideas.

4. Unemployment

Figure 5: Unemployment from May 2010 to March 2012

Streatham London UKClaimant Rate Claimant Rate Claimant Rate

6 “Streatham Hill Demographics (Lambeth, England)” Qpzm Local Stats UK, 2011, [http://streatham-hill.localstats.co.uk/census-demographics/england/london/lambeth/streatham-hill]

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s (%) s (%) s (%)May 2010 4142 6.2% 218734 5.2% 1502155 4.8%June 2010 3975 6.0% 212362 5.0% 1444096 4.6%July 2010 3970 5.9% 212521 5.0% 1441035 4.6%August 2010 3896 5.8% 214407 5.1% 1456023 4.7%September 2010 3876 5.8% 215599 5.1% 1439601 4.6%October 2010 3821 5.7% 213911 5.0% 1416785 4.5%November 2010 3779 5.6% 211769 5.0% 1413265 4.5%December 2010 3805 5.6% 209692 4.9% 1425192 4.6%January 2011 3941 5.8% 214710 5.0% 1505068 4.8%February 2011 3944 5.8% 220064 5.2% 1538187 4.9%March 2011 3957 5.8% 220974 5.2% 1526946 4.9%April 2011 4094 6.0% 226311 5.3% 1520806 4.9%May 2011 4094 6.0% 225851 5.3% 1504913 4.8%June 2011 4081 5.9% 224534 5.2% 1493077 4.8%July 2011 4200 6.1% 229946 5.3% 1541793 4.9%August 2011 4299 6.2% 235699 5.5% 1576835 5.0%September 2011 4341 6.3% 237548 5.5% 1578609 5.0%October 2011 4310 6.2% 237076 5.5% 1562501 5.0%November 2011 4268 6.1% 234860 5.4% 1558756 5.0%December 2011 4305 6.2% 233673 5.4% 1568849 5.0%January 2012 4361 6.2% 235177 5.4% 1649190 5.3%February 2012 4419 6.3% 239557 5.5% 1685989 5.4%March 2012 4429 6.3% 237138 5.5% 1666859 5.3%

Source: ONS, Nomis database and DWP Universal Credit monthly experimental official statistics; House of Commons Library calculations

Based on those who claimed unemployment (JSA) starting from 2010 to 2012

who were economically active ages 16-64 residents, Streatham experienced heavy rates

of unemployment with at starting rate of 6.2% above the citywide and region’s average

rate. We must acknowledge that this high rate was prior to any assistance from the local

government or Lambeth Council. At this time, Streatham was still experiencing poor

infrastructure and lack of business regeneration, little to no investment did Streatham

have. Streatham’s unemployment rate was still fluctuating between 5.8% and 6.3%

between these years even after rebuilding and investment. This is not a cause to be

alarmed considering that despite the funding being granted, it may have taken time to be

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allocated to the areas in which Streatham needed most rebuilding in. The rates potentially

may have continued to stay high similar to prior due to the time and planning that was

required to initiate strategy or build again area which would have positive benefits in the

months or years to come in Streatham.

Figure 6: Unemployment from January 2013 to October 2015

Streatham

London UK

Claimants Rate (%)

Claimants

Rate (%)

Claimants

Rate (%)

January 2013 4097 5.7% 221127 5.1% 1581838 5.0%February 2013 4146 5.8% 225630 5.2% 1613789 5.1%March 2013 4158 5.8% 223003 5.1% 1584468 5.1%April 2013 4079 5.6% 218528 5.0% 1538576 4.9%May 2013 4017 5.5% 213302 4.9% 1495758 4.8%June 2013 3848 5.3% 205895 4.7% 1439782 4.6%July 2013 3749 5.2% 201747 4.6% 1418674 4.5%August 2013 3689 5.1% 198119 4.5% 1389688 4.4%September 2013 3588 4.9% 191586 4.4% 1324725 4.2%October 2013 3463 4.8% 183189 4.2% 1268751 4.0%November 2013 3299 5.0% 175313 4.0% 1225109 4.0%December 2013 3222 4.0% 169696 4.0% 1203875 4.0%January 2014 3200 4.0% 170478 4.0% 1245616 4.0%February 2014 3168 4.4% 170587 3.9% 1247095 4.0%March 2014 3125 4.3% 166428 3.8% 1200144 3.8%April 2014 3000 4.1% 161007 3.7% 1146415 3.7%May 2014 2904 4.0% 156185 3.6% 1094149 3.5%June 2014 2760 3.8% 146922 3.4% 1024834 3.3%July 2014 2656 3.7% 144142 3.3% 1001003 3.2%August 2014 2585 3.6% 141737 3.2% 968977 3.1%September 2014 2508 3.4% 138224 3.2% 933105 3.0%October 2014 2411 3.3% 133345 3.0% 899866 2.9%November 2014 2357 3.2% 127586 2.9% 862854 2.7%December 2014 2312 3.2% 122929 2.8% 840993 2.7%January 2015 2359 3.2% 123275 2.8% 873466 2.8%February 2015 2348 3.2% 124532 2.8% 886069 2.8%March 2015 2272 3.1% 121453 2.8% 858413 2.7%April 2015 2235 3.1% 118918 2.7% 832008 2.7%May 2015 2227 3.1% 116506 2.7% 805557 2.6%

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June 2015 2169 3.0% 113566 2.6% 782517 2.5%July 2015 2077 2.9% 112260 2.6% 784544 2.5%August 2015 2112 2.9% 112603 2.6% 782794 2.5%September 2015 2068 2.8% 111998 2.6% 773224 2.5%October 2015 2038 2.8% 110128 2.5% 759307 2.4%

Source: ONS, Nomis database and DWP Universal Credit monthly experimental official statistics; House of Commons Library calculations

From the start of January 2013 to October 2015, we all of sudden see a steadily

decline in the rates of unemployment in Streatham simultaneously with the citywide and

regional’s average as well. As of October 2015, Streatham’s unemployment rate is still

slightly relatively high compared to the citywide and region, 2.5% and 2.4%, but not that

fair behind with 2.8%. This shows a positive change or some development occurring with

Streatham. It is safe to assume that the investment may have had some influence in giving

growth of jobs within the constituency, but overall Streatham has emerged in somewhat

of a healthy state than prior to before.

Part V: Weakness of Streatham

Despite Streatham having an overall high success rate in redevelopment, there is

an issue that Streatham is struggling to battle with in the midst of all its success, housing.

Housing has been a major concern not only amongst residents, but especially working

with the Member of Parliament of Streatham, Chuka Umunna. The constituency office

deals with loads concerning this issue of housing. Even though, Streatham did get enough

financial capital to fix certain parts of the constituency, not everything was fixed.

Streatham focused heavy amount of its rebuilding on its main and public areas has

previously stated, but neglected its other main issues such as housing infrastructure.

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Many housing estates have complained about this issue in needing the capital to

rebuild the infrastructure of homes, but since residents are already living there and it

would cost additional money to relocate them that Streatham and Lambeth Council does

not currently have. Many residents are living in obscene conditions where for example,

there is a hole in bedroom’s ceiling with water leaking when it rains and no construction

has been done to repair these conditions. Even after a year and half of notifying officials,

this resident of 68 years old is forced to sleep on their kitchen floor since repairs cannot

be commenced due to lack of funds and management issues. This is just one of the many

stories a good amount of residents have to face with Streatham’s housing estates inability

to fix construction and rebuilding issues.

Housing can be a potential area of disaster for Streatham in the wake of making

such progress especially if residents are living uncomfortably in their homes. A resident

can decide to relocate or demand another reassessment for another accommodation to

another constituency where their needs will be met more efficiently in a timely manner.

Streatham needs to find ways to work on housing or the constituency may face a decline

in population and residents. This can and will have overt effects on the business scene

and regeneration of Streatham. As residents leave, businesses can be affected with not

generating enough or expected revenue and investment will stop entering because of the

fear that it will not yield any results if a business is established in this area.

Part VI: Personal Account from Interviews

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Even though this paper provides a lot of factual and statistical evidence, it is

important to balance out the given information and support evidence with personal

narratives from business owners or resident that live or in Streatham every day. The

personal accounts given will be from business owners and residents of Streatham. These

two personal accounts provide a unique perspective based on how they carry out their

every day life in Streatham.

The first personal account I interviewed two Arab men, one was originally from

Morocco and the other, Algerian. I bonded with them while having a lunch break during

my internship at their first business in Streatham, The Filling Station. Their store

specializes in foods such as sandwiches, pasta, burgers, and pastry making. Both started

their business in 2012 after the infrastructure plans had commenced, building their shop

on the Streatham High Road. Both are also residents of the constituency as well and

noted that they were significant changes in the neighborhood since they moved in 2010.

“Streatham is changing surely, honestly it is one of the reasons [my friend and I] decided

to start up our business here. The High Road is such a lucrative place to build a business

with all renovations occurring each passing day.”7 Both found the High Road to be very

good in terms of generating revenue for their business, but noted some concerns with the

rapid development. “It is good that Streatham is getting better and helping us business to

have only residential customers, but also we need to keep in mind that excessive

rebuilding can create fierce competition for those who are already established. We are

small business what if in years we are competing with a major food supplier. These are

things to consider.”8 These business owners did provide some clear idea of the intrinsic

7 Interview from the Filling Station. Interviewed on 16 November 2015. Fatima Doumbia8 Ibid.

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benefits of redevelopment, but also some of their fear in their business journey while in

Streatham.

Part VII: Conclusion and Future of Streatham

Considering the issues that Streatham has had to face within the past decade and

its redevelopment, Streatham does have some good times ahead if it finds ways to keep

its economic growth and eliminate any potential threats that can harm this newfound

success. Housing can be one of them, but with investment in the housing sector,

Streatham can eradicate further issues with residents if it handed appropriately. Streatham

has shown some recovery, but still needs to achieve full growth. This can be achieved

potentially with the same means they have been using these past five years. Areas that

can be explored in researching more about Streatham and understanding the magnitude of

its growth could be with neighboring constituencies such as Sutton, Clapham, or Croydon

to better emphasize the overall economic growth of Streatham. Despite the challenges

Streatham faces, it is still headed in an economically upward direction and needs to

continue to provide an atmosphere that is conducive for business making.

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“Britons name ‘best and worst streets.’” British Broadcasting Company News. 20

September 2002. Accessed 1 December 2015.

<<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2270840.stm>>URL.

Interview from the Filling Station. Interviewed on 16 November 2015. Fatima Doumbia

Office of National Statistics, Statistical Data Charts, 2012, 2015.

“Streatham Hill Demographics (Lambeth, England)” Qpzm Local Stats UK, 2011,

[http://streatham-hill.localstats.co.uk/census-

demographics/england/london/lambeth/streatham-hill]

“Streatham ice rink and sports centre opens”, British Broadcasting Company News, 18

November 2013. Accessed 1 December 2015.

<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24984921> URL. “Streatham Library”, Lambeth Council, 11 December 2015. Accessed 12 December

2015.

<http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/places/streatham-library> URL.

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