Herne Hill community group threw an ironic birthday party to mark 10 years of disrupted business for local restaurant due to five telecom boxes that were installed right outside the shop front.
Ten years ago, five telecom boxes were erected on the street directly outside Guyanese restaurant, Umana Yana, on Croxted Road in Herne Hill. Restaurant owner, Debbie Monfries said the boxes, which were installed by media giants Virgin Media, O2 and Vodafone, completely obstruct the view of the restaurant from the street.
So despite being dubbed as ‘South London’s best roti place’, since 2012, business has been “massively affected.” “We get lots of regulars but these boxes mean we are not seen very well by new people walking by who don’t know we’re there,” Debbie explained. “It’s been horrible – it’s massively affected my business.”
She added that whenever they do maintenance, she is forced to close because of the restricted access to the path.
A previous petition from 2017 that called for the removal of the boxes gathered 2,000 signatures from neighbours and customers, but never went anywhere.
Now, Debbie says this is her last chance to save her beloved business. “I am desperate – I need all the support I can get!”
Debbie says this is her “last chance” to save the beloved local
Herne Hill campaign group Save Umana Yana have helped to revive the campaign to remove the boxes once and for all. They’ve relaunched a petition and set up a fundraiser to support the restaurant in their fight. Save Umana Yana organiser, Sophie Mason is a customer and on hearing Debbie’s story, she was determined to help.
Help Save The Best Caribbean Roti Shop In London! They are destroying our business. Today its my business, who's business next? @hernehillforum @HerneHillSoc @DulwichForum @DulwichPark @DulwichSociety @BrockwellFriend @NewsShopper @PeckhamPost pic.twitter.com/VgUg8jte2y
— Umana Yana (@UmanaYana1) May 20, 2022
Sophie said: “It has been heartbreaking to see Debbie struggle on her own against all these powerful people for so long. The boxes have been ruining her business. They are loud, ugly, emit dangerous radiation, and should never have been installed there in the first place.”
On Friday, campaigners staged a 10th birthday party for the telecom boxes, to mark the length of time they’ve been disrupting business for Debbie. “They were thinking of the best way to get lots of people there and came up with the idea to have a party instead of a meeting. About 200 people turned up!” Debbie said.
The event saw locals show up to 294 Croxted Road to dance to the tunes of Anja Ngozi, Dean Bryce and other local musical talents, eat rotis, and call on councillors in both Southwark and Lambeth to help save Umana Yana.
The restaurant borders both Lambeth and Southwark Council jurisdiction. The boxes themselves provide connection to the flats on the Lambeth side. “I don’t even benefit from the boxes being there at all,” Debbie explained.
Recently, the campaign gained the support of local MP, Helen Hayes, who said she’s been advocating on Debbie’s behalf. “The refusal of large corporations to recognise the unfair impact of their actions on a small local business is unacceptable. I’m really pleased to see the local community is coming together to show their support. I will continue to do everything possible to get Debbie the support she needs.”
She wrote to Virgin Media appealing to relocate the boxes. Virgin Media’s response was that it would be ‘too expensive’ to do.
“So you’re telling me, they have enough money to fly to the moon and not to correct this mistake?” Debbie said.
The News asked Virgin Media, O2 and Vodafone for comment but received no response at the time of press.
Click here to sign their petition