The Truman Brewery in heritage ‘Smash and Grab’ on Brick Lane

‘Smash and Grab’ in Brick Lane. Aided by Tower Hamlets Council?

On Thursday 28th January, the East Yard of the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane was cordoned off. In the next couple of days, JCB’s moved in and removed the historic paving in the area. A week later Tower Hamlets Council confirmed that the works were a breach of planning control, in a statement issued by the local conservation group, Spitalfields Trust.

According to Tower Hamlets Council own 2009 Conservation Area Appraisal, the pavings that were removed had great historic value:

“The central area of the court also retains large areas of early and well-laid setts, their forms and locations markings, to a degree the location of lost brewery buildings. These historic and well-crafted surfaces possess great beauty.”

In a statement commenting on the removal of the historic paving, Spitalfields Trust said, “LBTH planning enforcement refused to issue a stop order to allow a proper investigation.” They went on to say, that only after the works were completed did the Council “execute a belated U-turn”.

The Battle for Brick Lane

The above ‘smash and grab’ chapter, is the latest in a long series of confrontations between the owners of the Truman Brewery and local activists dubbed the ‘Battle for Brick Lane’. The owners have recently submitted a planning application to covert part of the site into corporate offices and retail space with no housing.

Opposing the application is a coalition of community groups and activists, accusing the owners of pursuing a policy of social cleansing. These groups in turn have come up with their own community plan for the site, with a website and exhibition.

*DATE EXTENDED* Due to the sheer volume of responses from all of us. The council have decided the proposal will now be discussed at a committee so there is still now an opportunity to submit YOUR objections! LET’S KEEP THIS GOING #SAVEBRICKLANE pic.twitter.com/yvt5r1voij

— Nijjormanush (@nijjormanush) December 19, 2020

Accusations of ‘Gangster Capitalism’ by the Truman Brewery

The debate around the planning application has become quite heated. Local Tower Hamlets Councillor Puru Miah recently released a video interview, where an employee of a tenant of the Truman Brewery accuses them of using strong-arm tactics, in order to push through the application.

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Serious allegations of harassment and intimidation of mainly Bangladeshi residents and businesses by individuals claiming to act on behalf of the @trumanbrewery

Hoghlight of testimony 👇#SAVEBRICKLANE pic.twitter.com/Z6nDkakPXk

— Puru Miah 🌹 بابر کی اولاد (@PuruMiah) December 18, 2020

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I've written to the @trumanbrewery that they help rebuild the trust of the Community.

1. Withdrawal of current planning application
2. Publish full name and details of all agents acting on behalf of its planning application.
3. Renew Banglatown C&C lease.#SAVEBRICKLANE pic.twitter.com/4v6YjKhWmr

— Puru Miah 🌹 بابر کی اولاد (@PuruMiah) December 18, 2020

Recently the Runnymede Trust published a report documenting decades of regeneration policy in the area, which has led to the demise of small independent businesses in the area, titled ‘The Death of Brick Lane.” The Runnymede Trust have issued a letter objecting to the application, labelling it as social and racially’ cleansing the area.

We oppose the current application by Truman Brewery to Tower Hamlets on the basis of the development's race and class-based exclusion of the local Bangladeshi community #SAVEBRICKLANE pic.twitter.com/AjoVRW7BuX

— Runnymede Trust (@RunnymedeTrust) December 18, 2020