Save Kristi's Shoe Repairs!

The Issue

Kristi's Shoe Repairs has been a part of Ilford station for over a quarter of a century providing quality shoe repair services to commuters and local customers. Kristi's is not just a local business with a loyal customer base, it is part of the Ilford Community and as a small local business Kristi's pays it taxes to the local community.
The upgrade of Ilford Station as part of the London Cross Rail project is a welcomed improvement for the people of Ilford and London as a whole. However instead of embracing this small local business, TFL and its subsidiary Crossrail are evicting Kristi's from the new station. Despite my many requests, TFL and its agents have not offered Kristi's any space in the new station.
Unless there is a change of heart by TFL, Kristi's at Ilford Station will close its door for the last time in 2017. With your help by signing the petition to save Kristi's we may be able to persuade TFL to include this small and successful local business alongside the many corporate retailers that are being brought into the newly developed Ilford station.

 

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Demetrios PapiPetition Starter
Media enquiries
This petition had 2,500 supporters

The Issue

Kristi's Shoe Repairs has been a part of Ilford station for over a quarter of a century providing quality shoe repair services to commuters and local customers. Kristi's is not just a local business with a loyal customer base, it is part of the Ilford Community and as a small local business Kristi's pays it taxes to the local community.
The upgrade of Ilford Station as part of the London Cross Rail project is a welcomed improvement for the people of Ilford and London as a whole. However instead of embracing this small local business, TFL and its subsidiary Crossrail are evicting Kristi's from the new station. Despite my many requests, TFL and its agents have not offered Kristi's any space in the new station.
Unless there is a change of heart by TFL, Kristi's at Ilford Station will close its door for the last time in 2017. With your help by signing the petition to save Kristi's we may be able to persuade TFL to include this small and successful local business alongside the many corporate retailers that are being brought into the newly developed Ilford station.

 

avatar of the starter
Demetrios PapiPetition Starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Mike Brown
Mike Brown
Commissioner, TFL
Responded
“23 March 2018 Dear Mr Papi, I am writing to you on behalf of Mike Brown and Gareth Powell of Transport for London (TfL) to give you an update on the likely timing for the acquisition of Kristi’s Shoe repairs at Ilford station. As you may know, the new station entrance on Cranbrook Road is designed to accommodate future passenger flows and safeguards for future growth within Redbridge. As a result, due to limitations on the size of the site, the new entrance will not be able to accommodate any business units in the layout. The new station building will include greater space for passenger movement, more ticket barriers and larger ticket hall; three new lifts to create step-free access from street to platform and wide doorways onto the street to replace the single one currently in use. The redevelopment and improvement of Ilford station has long been part of the Crossrail project and the introduction of Elizabeth line services will significantly improve journey opportunities for the residents of Ilford. Owners and occupiers of Ilford Station were included in the procedures of the Crossrail Bill when it went through Parliament and given the chance to petition the Select Committee which examined the legislation. Since the Crossrail Act was passed in 2008 I know that colleagues from TfL’s Operational Property team have been in contact with you and your independent surveyor, paid for by the project, to assist you through the acquisition process. We have confirmed that you can continue trading until the site is needed by the project, which will now not be before summer 2018. We will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible. In the meantime, please continue to liaise with your agent and I wish you well in securing alternative premises to relocate your business, including those advertised within the TfL-managed network. For all issues relating to relocation and compensation, please liaise with your existing contact in TfL’s Operational Property team. Yours sincerely Howard Smith Director Operations, Elizabeth line”
Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Leon Daniels
Leon Daniels
Managing Director, Surface Transport, TFL
Mike Gapes
Mike Gapes
Ilford MP

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Petition created on 31 December 2016