Attempts to take the tables and chairs out of a restaurant which had refused to pay a controversial business levy has been defended as 'standard practise' by the E11 Bid director.
Shah Ahmed, owner of the Star of India in High Road, Leytonstone said he was intimidated by the bailiff action on July 29 where he was forced to hand over £835, including court costs after he refused to pay the annual fee in May.
Today, (August 11) E11 Bid director Fawaad Shaikh hit back at the criticism for enforcing the collection saying ‘I don’t like free riders’.
Mr Shaikh said the use of bailiffs was standard practise to keep money collection as efficient as possible and all traders would be treated the same.
He added: “We have so far collected over 90 per cent of the levy and only a handful of businesses haven't paid.
“I don't like free riders who think they can get away with it, thinking they are above the law and relevant regulations."
The E11 Bid attracted criticism for not aiding the community-led Leytonstone Festival, which lost council funding this year, but the director claims he was never approached for sponsorship or financial support.
The business development company has been found to be around £80,000 in debt despite collecting a levy totalling £65,000 a year from 300 businesses since 2008 and receiving public funds from the council.
However, the director pointed to the services the E11 Bid were looking to provide to Leytonstone with the levy collection.
“We have just signed a service level agreement and with the CCTV unit of Waltham Forest to have nine of our own cameras monitored during set days and times,” he said.
“The service has been effective since July, this is one of the key priorities local businesses highlighted and this is one of the things we are doing to reduce crime and fear of crime in the area.
“We are also upgrading the banners in the town centre, working with some service providers to offer discounted services to local businesses and are in discussions to support the E11 outdoor market.”
Fawaad Shaihk (second left) with town centre manager Dawayne Williams, other E11 BID workers, John Chapman, Gianluca Rizzo and Daniel Olar in 2010.
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