We support Argun Printers and Stationers who are threatened with an early termination of their lease if they do not consider moving from their present premises on Mare Street to the derelict ‘fashion hub’. Their landlords are the Arch Company who purchased all the railway arches from Network Rail. The Arch Company has itself been taken over by Blackstone, an American Private Equity company notorious for their predatory investment strategy. Their aim is to maximise profits by turning the many arches into bars and restaurants.
For over thirty years Argun has been a central part of Hackney. As owner Farukh Adia says the attack on them is “an act that not only jeopardises our business but threatens the fabric of a community staple”.
Argun is situated on the edge of the Tesco site, 55 Morning Lane. MOPS has been campaigning for six years to make the community’s voice heard over the council’s redevelopment plans for this site, working for meaningful involvement in the planning and design processes and to put community needs where they should be – at the heart of any changes. The community’s need is for Argun to remain, to support businesses that have nurtured and resourced our community, and to prevent developers controlling changes to the future of Hackney Central.
MOPS have a long record of campaigning in the area and we will be organising to support the retention of Argun in its current location. We urge everyone to sign the petition against the forced relocation of the business and to join us on Saturday 7th February 11am-12.30pm outside the shop to collect signatures. The needs of Hackney’s residents and workers must determine what happens in our borough’s Town Centre.
morninglanepeoplesspace.org 