The decline of Roehampton Village

Whenever regeneration of Roehampton is discussed, it's usually in reference to the Alton Estate. But Roehampton is more than just the Alton; this area has one of what I would describe as the last genuine villages within the bounds of Greater London.

Roehampton Village is incomparable to the Alton in terms of the affluence of most of its residents, but it is also a local shopping centre that boasts a diversity of shops. But recently that diversity has narrowed sharply.

In the past year or so, two of Roehampton's three pubs have closed (in itself no great loss as they were both causing problems for residents) which means that there are now only two in the whole of Roehampton. More recently, both of the village's flower shops have closed, as has Threshers: almost overnight, the parade of local shops at the foot of Medfield Street has gone from vibrant to nearly derelict. A delapidated house next door to The Angel pub was condemned over a year ago; that was the right decision but the council has just boarded it up and left it - I would advocate a compulsory purchase order and renovation.

There are some success stories - new businesses are trying to start up and the run-down terrace on Roehampton Lane between Ponsonby and Medfield Streets has been done up. But a lot of the new businesses that have opened in this area have closed fairly quickly and I genuinely believe that the village is now reaching a tipping point, with so many vacant properties as to risk a real decline from which it will struggle to recover.

I'm in politics because I'm an optimist - I don't believe that the village's problems are insurmountable or unavoidable. But I do think the council needs to remember the Village is part of Roehampton too, and not focus all it's efforts on the Alton, important though this is. What is lacking is local leadership - from the council, Roehampton's Conservative Councillors and the Tory MP. We need a can do, not a can't do attitude from the politicians; but it's just as important that Roehampton residents don't give up either: we can change things - but if anyone representing you tells you they can't, make sure you change them for those who can.