How has the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium been an epicentre for gentrification in the Tottenham Ward?
ENIC (English National Investment Company), chaired by Joe Lewis, have invested an estimated £1bn into a state-of-the-art 62,000 capacity stadium.
The stadium has benefitted the local members of the community through jobs and businesses within the N17 area. The stadium has increased match day revenue for local pubs, food vendors and retail outlets through the larger influx of supporter attending fixtures. However, at this moment in time, the divide between the “old Tottenham” and “new Tottenham” is most prevalent on the Tottenham High Road. On one side of the street there are low end food and retail stores, this completely contrasts with the other side of the street, which is home to the mammoth stadium.
The club has pledged to regenerate the local area by improving infrastructure through housing, schools and hotels. A Tottenham Hotspur spokesperson explained that this development would “include more than 1,000 new homes, many of which are “affordable, two schools and a 180-room hotel”. The club have also promised to inject an annual figure of £293m into the local economy which would involve the creation of 3,500 new jobs.
Why would this be so beneficial to the Tottenham region?
The area that has been accustomed to negative media coverage due to the past events over the last few decade will undoubtedly feel the benefits of this gentrification. Northumberland Park Ward charted as the 5th most deprived ward in London. Just over 75% of people who live in the area claim social benefits. Gentrification would not only improve the infrastructure of the area, but would also play a key role in offering opportunities to the deprived people who live in the ward.
What are the drawbacks?
Local businesses, especially the ones located on the Tottenham High Road have been dwarfed by the stadium. Many feel that rent prices will increase and will subsequently be forced out of the area. This sentiment is reciprocated through the people would live in the area, they feel that they will be driven out of the area as housing prices inevitably increase. The club have continued to buy up property within the vicinity of the stadium, which will eventually expand to a larger area. This has worried the inhabitants as they will again be moved out the area.
Will the stadium gentrify Tottenham?
A resounding yes. The stadium will supply jobs, build local businesses, improve infrastructure and eventually regenerate Tottenham. Deprivation will be diminished, but this may come at a cost to people who inevitably will be driven out of the area. The stadium will act as a cash pot for the local businesses who will thrive off the huge number of match day fans who travel to games every week and the 2.5 million annual tourists who will visit the club.
