RESIDENTS of a London neighbourhood say they are crying out for posh toffs to gentrify the area as it is "trapped in the '90s".
The people of Wood Green, North London, say that they are sick and tired of walking down streets of mobile phone shops and want to see more upmarket brands set up locally.
Gogen Karakulle, 65, who runs a market stall in Wood Green, told MyLondon: "This area is 100% trapped in the 90s. We need better shops. Ask anyone and they’ll agree. I’d like to see a House of Fraser, bigger department stores that we can actually spend time in.
"There are also no toilets. There used to be public toilets but they got rid of them because of squatters and drug use. It’s quite hard working out on the market stall and having nowhere to go.
"A lot of shops have closed, and I can understand why because we have a more diverse community now and we need certain shops to cater to certain needs. But we can replace the mobile phone shops with something much better."
Terry Granger, 58, has lived in the area his entire life and said that the local high street desperately needs redevelopment.
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He explained: "I've lived in the area for over 50 years so I know it really well. Before the shopping mall was built, there were houses. We used to have Wood Green Palladium, there used to be a theatre.
"I'm not necessarily saying it was better back then, but the space feels wasted because there are so many mobile phone shops now. A lot of the big stores have closed down.
"There was a Marks & Spencer, a Sainsbury's. Sometimes I get emotional looking back at the pictures because of how crap this area has gotten."
He added that the area "collapsed" when new parking rules came in, saying: "I’d like to see parking restrictions lifted, because people either can't afford parking or don't want to pay, so all the nearby restaurants just collapse after six o'clock."
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However, some are more optimistic about the future.
Andrew Witter, 57, said: "I was born and raised in Haringey and went to school in Wood Green. I'm still here because it really does feel like the centre of the community, but I do think the area can benefit from some updating.
"If we can put in infrastructure like WiFi, internet connection free of charge, that'll be really good. Maybe build a few places that people can spend time in, without having to spend their money. I think we need benches and green space.
"The shopping centre needs more communal areas, allowing people to sit and relax, or socialise without constantly spending money. That would really benefit us."
The local council have put forward several plans to help improve the community, including a £3 million investment in the Rising Green Youth Center.
Councillor Ruth Gordon said: "Wood Green’s High Street is buzzing, day or night. We’re trying to develop that nighttime economy a bit more because the more eyes you’ve got on the streets, the safer the street is."
She admitted that there are issues around anti-social behaviour, but said that these will only improve as the area gets busier.
Councillor Gordon concluded: "We've been working in partnership with our residents to generate a new vision for Wood Green, and I’m really excited about the plans that we have developed together to create more welcoming and green spaces, attract more diverse businesses and rethink the way we deliver services in the area."
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