Mayor's cash pledge for Clapham Junction

London Mayor Boris Johnson's offer of £50m to help rebuild town centres affected by this week's public disorder has been warmly welcomed by Wandsworth Council leader Ravi Govindia.

The Mayor, who visited Clapham Junction alongside Cllr Govindia and Home Secretary Theresa May on Tuesday afternoon, has today (Thursday) announced a £50m fund to help make major long term improvements to the capital's damaged town centres and high streets.

This regeneration fund will aim to build on the momentum created as repair and rebuilding work begins and is designed to ensure that affected areas are not just restored, but improved.

Part of the money will also be used to arrange apprenticeships for unemployed people in the affected areas to give them vital skills to move into work.

The Mayor said: "We have always recognised the importance of improving London's town centres and clearly after the destruction caused by the recent events across the city this is a bigger challenge than ever.

"That is why I am allocating £50 million to ensure that these areas are regenerated quickly and transformed into safe, attractive, vibrant and economically successful places to live, work and invest in."

Cllr Govindia welcomed the cash pledge and said he was confident that Clapham Junction would get its fair share.

He said: "I know from personally speaking to the Mayor on Tuesday that he fully recognises the plight facing businesses in Clapham Junction and he was of course able to see for himself the impact these disgraceful disturbances have had on our town centre.

"I am sure that the Mayor's assistance will be of huge benefit to Clapham Junction and I will certainly be making sure he is fully aware of the difference his help can make."  

Cllr Govindia also said that the Mayor's support would work in tandem with the package of measures already announced by the council to help businesses get back on their feet.

He added: "We are offering grants and loans of up to £15,000 to help local businesses rebuild their shopfronts after the damage they sustained this week.

"We want to do everything we can to help traders raise the finance they need to repair their premises while they wait for their insurance claims to be processed.

"And while many of our businesses have suffered over the last few days I am heartened to report that the atmosphere in all our town centres - and especially Clapham Junction - is very positive and for the vast majority of our shops it is business as usual."

The cash help for shops is being made available under the council's existing Town Centre Improvement Scheme which provides interest free loans and grants to businesses to refurbish and improve their premises. It is designed to make a difference to the business and add value to the property as well as improving the local area.

The town hall has also begun identifying those shops which could be eligible for a business rates exemption or reduction from the Valuation Office Agency. Council staff are offering advice to local firms on whether they are eligible and are assisting traders in making a claim.

For more information on the town centre improvement scheme visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/business or contact John Ruske by phoning (020) 8871 7031 or emailing jruske@wandsworth.gov.uk

For more information on business rates visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/businessrates, call (020) 7378 5941 or email brates@wandsworth.gov.uk