The Grenfell Action Group has joined with the Radical Housing Network to demonstrate against the holding of MIPIM at Olympia in West London on 15th October 2014.
If readers are not familiar with the machinations of MIPIM they can read what these gangsters are up to here:
The Grenfell Action Group have subsequently written to the Leader of Kensington and Chelsea requesting information about our Council’s involvement with this year’s MIPIM and as to which Councillors and Officers from RBKC are due to attend, if any?
We have published the letter to Councillor Paget Brown in full below and we will update our readers when we receive a response:
Dear Councillor Paget Brown
Re: MIPIM UK Property Fair
The Grenfell Action Group have heard about the international property fair called MIPIM, which has been held every year in Cannes, France, and is now due to take place in Britain for the first time, at Olympia, London, from 15 to 17 October 2014.
As well as developers, lawyers, banks and investors, we have learned that representatives of housing associations and local councils also propose to attend.
Since the MIPIM UK website says that it is ‘the first UK property trade show gathering all professionals looking to close deals on the UK property market’ we were wondering why local councils would go. What kind of ‘deals’ would be likely to benefit tenants and local council residents?
We would therefore be interested to know if anyone from your organisation is attending, and if so, with what purpose.
We look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Grenfell Action Group.
Below is some additional information regarding MIPIM that we believe our readers may find interesting:
What is MIPIM?
MIPIM proudly describes itself as the world’s largest property fair, attracting around 20,000 investors, developers, local authorities, and banks each year.
It usually takes place annually in Cannes, France. This year will see the first MIPIM UK, to be held at London’s Olympia 15-17 October. Billed as ‘the 1st UK property trade show gathering all professionals looking to close deals in the UK property market’ – a gathering of professionals and elites looking to profiteer from UK land and property.
Join affected communities, the Radical Housing Network, the European Action Coalition for the Right to Housing and the City, Defend Council Housing, trade unions and a range of other groups to say NO to MIPIM: YES to housing justice!
Why?
MIPIM promotes an unsustainable business-as-usual approach to housing and land use that is privatised and profit-driven for the benefit of the richest 1% whilst destroying our communities and keeping millions in poverty.
We are facing a major housing crisis with prices spiralling out of control, cuts to essential housing support services, the bedroom tax hitting the most vulnerable, and public land being sold off to speculators. Meanwhile record numbers of homeless are forced to live on the streets.
Local authorities that attend are on the lookout for potential business partners and corporate interests who’ll collaborate on yet more ‘regeneration’ plans. We don’t want more boutique hotels, offices, luxury housing and shopping centres, we don’t want our neighbourhoods to be gentrified and entire communities evicted. We want quality affordable housing for all.
When?
Next organising meeting Tuesday 9 September – email londonnotforsale@gmail.com for venue
Public meeting Tuesday 16 September, 128 Theobald’s Road, Holborn WC1X 8TN
MIPIM UK 15 – 17 October, Olympia W14 8UX
Day of protest Wednesday 15 October from 9.30am
Friday 17 October from 5pm
Where? – Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London W14 8UX,
More info coming soon, see www.radicalhousingnetwork.org