Star date: 4th July 2015

ENGLISH CITIES FUND COMPROMISE OFFER TO MO'S SHOP

Community protests continued on Chapel Street today over the English Cities Fund (ECf) pricing out local shop, Shalimar, from the new Vimto Gardens development, which was financially supported by over £11million of public money.

However the Salford Star understands that the ECf is negotiating a compromise that might see Mo, who has run the convenience store for over thirty years, installed in one of the retail units underneath the 97 unaffordable new houses and apartments.

Full details here...

Today, for the second time in a week, local people came out to support Mo, who runs the local convenience store, Shalimar, on Chapel Street. The shop is due for demolition as part of the huge redevelopment of the area. But Mo, who has run the store for over thirty years, has been priced out of getting a retail unit underneath the new Vimto Gardens development next door – despite the fact that it has been supported with over £11million of public money (for full background see previous Salford Star article – click here).

People from the Islington Estate community who attended the demo were angry at the way Mo is being sidelined by the English Cities Fund, or ECf,– a body made up of Muse Developments, Legal and General and the Homes and Communities Agency, in partnership with Salford City Council.

"I came to this estate in 1988, he's seen my kids grow up and it's not just been a business to him" explained Lynda Hunt "Everything we've done at the local school he's supported, and he's a big part of this community and a part of our lives. He's the one who has given us the nod if any of our kids have started smoking, he even goes to people's funerals, all things like that.

"He's one of us and so is his family" she added "I think it's so unfair how he's been treated, it's horrible. He's helped everybody and it's a disgrace."

Lynda's sentiments were echoed by Kath Carde, who, for years, ran the local community centre at Canon Hussey Court... "I've known Mo since the day he moved in, and if anyone wants anything he'll get it, and he's helped a lot of people. I think it's bloody disgusting."

Just as the community protests are set to escalate, with a public meeting being planned, the ECf held a pow-wow this week with Mo to work out a compromise...

"They put different offers to us and we might be ready to accept one of them" Mo explained "That was going their board on Thursday morning and they should have replied on Friday but I haven't heard anything since. I hope they will get back to us as soon as possible so that we can move forward."

However, until Mo has written confirmation of an affordable retail unit at Vimto Gardens, the community protests are set to continue, with another demonstration planned for next Saturday.

* For further updates see the Save Mo's Facebook group

* Read the full background to the ECf on Chapel Street and an interview with Mo in the printed issue of Salford Star - click here