11 Aug 2011

Bringing help to Tottenham’s riot victims

Lord Harris, whose Carpetright store in Tottenham was burned down on Saturday night, is joining forces with charities and local groups to help those who lost everything in the riots.

The burnt-out Carpetright store in Tottenham High Road (Reuters)

What the Metropolitan Police have characterised as the worst riots in living memory were sparked by the police shooting in Tottenham on 4 August of 29-year-old Mark Duggan.

By the weekend, Tottenham was in flames. The burnt-out husk of the 1930s Allied Carpets store on Tottenham High Road became the defining image of the first night of the disturbances in London.

What those who set alight to the white art deco store almost certainly did not know was that it was owned by Lord Harris of Peckham, chairman of Carpetright.

As well as being a wealthy man, the Conservative peer has a reputation as a social entrepreneur. He sponsors the Harris Foundation, which runs 13 academy schools in the London area.

The top floor of the same building, meanwhile, was run on a long lease by the Metropolitan Housing Partnership (MHP), a non-profit charity.

The floor was subdivided into 26 affordable home ownership properties – every one of which was destroyed within minutes as the blaze raged on Saturday night. All that those living on the top floor could do was run for their lives.

The burning Carpetright store in Tottenham High Road (Reuters)

Bringing the best out in people

Since the weekend, though, Carpetright and the MHP have come together to help the individuals, couples and families who lost their all.

Lord Harris told Channel 4 News he had had the chance to meet all of those left homeless by the blaze.

“When they get new homes, I will ensure they get enough money to keep them going for a month,” he promised.

MHP Chief Executive Bill Payne confirmed that money had been put in trust. “We’re giving an immediate cash payout today, and consulting over how to make the best use of the rest,” he said.

“People are being incredibly understanding and generous in the circumstances. We’ve seen the worst of people – but it’s bringing the best out in people as well.”

When staff from MHP and Carpetright, together with the local community in Tottenham, were asked to bring clothes, toys and toiletries for the children who lose their homes in the fire, the response was staggering.

“There was enough to fill a small sports hall,” according to Bill Payne. “It was very emotional – a real outpouring of support.”

The Carpetright store on Tottenham High Road before it was destroyed in the rioting

Incentivising young people

Lord Harris and Bill Payne are united in their view that a lack of meaningful ways for young people to use their time is at root of the present trouble.

Employers need to be incentivised to take on young people and give them hope for the future, says Lord Harris, while Bill Payne is adamant that education, training and work offers young people the chance to do something constructive.

“It would be great if we could get them all jobs, but we’re going to have to address where young people’s time is occupied.”

The Harris Foundation has also spoken to Education Secretary Michael Gove over the possible establishment of an academy for children excluded from their school.

“We could have a small academy for children who are excluded, rather than leave them on the streets. They wouldn’t learn French or Latin. If they’re over 14, you teach them how to become a bricklayer or mechanic – something they might enjoy doing.”

‘What are we doing about this?’

Bill Payne believes events of the last few days have shown there is a huge level of support from people for their communities: “They need routes through which they can channel their support and commitment.”

The challenge now, he says, is to capitalise on the groundswell of positive feelings that has surfaced in the aftermath of the unrest.

“When the immediate support has died down, we have to look as a society at what we are doing about this. It isn’t about being woolly liberals – we have to make sure that community voices are heard and that the best of those communities shines through.

“There’s a real danger that people start to stereotype the areas affected, whereas it’s just a few miscreants causing a massive amount of trouble.”