Concern at Technopark losses

12.34.51pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 30th Nov 2007

One in ten business units in the Lee Valley Technopark lay empty, costing Haringey Council £406,231 per year in lost revenue, according to new figures unearthed by the Liberal Democrats. At a recent meeting of the Council the Labour-run administration admitted that in the past five years, of the 42 businesses currently present, 24 businesses had left the site, with only 12 opting to move in. The Lib Dems say that this is evidence of Labour's continuing failure to deliver successful regeneration projects, costing taxpayers hundred of thousands of pounds and with little return.

Cllr Wayne Hoban, Lib Dem Regeneration and Enterprise Spokesperson, comments:

"Technopark was unveiled in 1992 as a flagship project that would revolutionise the area in the dot com world. Fifteen years later and we are left with a site that has never been full and is steadily losing tenants. Unfortunately for the borough, the "easy come and easy go" slogan that the Council advertises the units should read "easy come and most gone". The bubble has definitely burst and the Council should be doing more to make sure that this site does not go to waste and that the taxpayer does not."

Cllr Carolyn Baker (Harringay Ward) adds:

"Almost 1 in 12 adults are unemployed in Haringey and unemployment is significantly higher than the national or London average. The Technopark development was meant to bring much needed jobs for local residents but has failed to deliver."

Notes:

Please follow the following link to the Techopark website http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/business/commercialproperties/technopark/vacant_units.htm

Please follow the link to written question 8 tabled for the Council meeting on 26th November 2007 http://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.asp?ID=472&T=9&J=4