Councillors and MPs call for Newham Council to reject proposals for Nando’s in Canning Town Library
A decision to turn the Grade II listed building into a chicken restaurant has been deferred for more community consultation. Picture: Rachael Burford - Credit: Archant
Newham councillors have written a letter opposing proposals to turn Canning Town Library into a chicken restaurant.
At a meeting tonight (Monday), proposals will be put forward to turn the ground floor of the Grade II listed building into a Nando’s.
37 Newham councillors, along with MPs Lyn Brown, Stephen Timms, and London Assembly member Unmesh Desai, have signed an open letter urging the council to reject proposals.
It states: “We believe the building’s heritage should be reflected in its future use and the building should be used for other more productive heritage and community orientated purposes. “We have nothing against Nando’s but believe there are other local alternative sites that the council can offer to them.
“We therefore call upon the mayor of Newham to keep this building, which is owned by the council, out of this planning process and consider other uses.”
Trade union GMB has also rejected the proposals, claiming the move shows “disregard” for east London’s history. The GMB was created after its founder, Will Thorne, gave a speech at the library in 1889.
On Twitter, Rokhsana Fiaz said she only found out about the proposals when an article was published last week.
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A Nando’s spokeswoman said: “We know the library building means a lot to the community. That’s why we’re planning to keep as much of the building’s original features and character as we can.”
