Rents Soar as Demand to Live in Southall Rises
Big changes ahead for 'mini-Punjab' viewed by many as a safe haven
King Street in Southall. Picture: Ealing Council
January 3, 2023
People are so desperate to live in Southall, famed for its curry houses and Asian sweet shops, that they are willing to pay soaring rents to live there. Residents say the small town is safe haven for people from South Asia who want to feel like they are back at home.
Southall, often called ‘Little Punjab’, has one of the biggest Indian and Pakistani communities in London. In recent years, the town has also opened its arms to Afghan, Sri Lankan as well as Somali communities.
From elderly grandparents who move to be closer to their families, young students who miss home and busy shopkeepers who have been on the high street for decades, Southall is a bustling community. But, change is on the horizon thanks to new developments being built which will create thousands of new homes in the next few years.
Kamlesh and Satish Kumar have lived in Southall, near the border of Greenford, for 26 years after moving from Ealing. The husband and wife duo love the town and they don’t want to leave, but that wasn’t always the case.
Mrs Kumar said, “When we first moved here I wanted to move out as quickly as possible because I had moved from Ealing. Everyone always has a bit of ‘oh I lived in Ealing’ and thinks it’s better, but now this is my home.”
The couple, who work in the library, are keen to stay in Southall, loving the variety of shops and friendly community. Mr Kumar said, “There are nice people, it is very multicultural with different communities and languages.
“It is very friendly and if you need help they are ready to do anything. Everyone gets on here.” Mrs Kumar added, “You need a mixed community. It is good, you can see different people who talk in different languages.”
Earlier this month, The Economist claimed that Ealing was the most segregated borough in London after comparing ethnic population data. But, for those who live there, the community is far from divided, with cultures living alongside each other and joining together in celebration.
This is also supported by Ealing Council, and a spokesperson said, “We do not agree the borough is segregated, in fact the recent Shaping Ealing consultation, one of the biggest consultations ran this year, where over 10,000 residents took part, clearly indicated residents felt the opposite.”
The Dominion Centre and library is a central hub of activity, with activities for residents across generations and cultures. From Eid to Diwali to Christmas, the building on The Green welcomes residents from across the borough in celebration all year round.
Mr Kumar, as a customer adviser, helps residents across the borough who might need help with housing or other council matters. He said, “The elderly here can struggle with the language because they can’t speak much English.
“A lot of things are online now, and they really struggle with that too. That is why they come to our area, their family, and their community, is here and they can speak to people easily.”
Simran Gaba has been working in Southall for just two months but loves the area. She said, “It is just like a mini Punjab, it is like my home. There are a lot of people who know each other, everyone around me is from my community. I love it”
Ms Gaba moved to London from Cardiff 18 months ago, now she lives just a short train ride away from Southall in Hayes. Working as an estate agent, she said, “A lot of people are moving to Southall, they want to live near their community and near the temple, especially the elderly people.”
Khushviender Bhatia, who also works as an estate agent, said rents in the town are soaring because demand is so high. In the last few months, a two-bed home in Southall has increased from £1,150 to £1,450 per month but that’s not putting people off at all, who would rather work multiple jobs than move somewhere cheaper.
He said, “People love to come here because they are away from home and their community is here. All the Asian shops are here, selling the things they know and recognise. It is not that different, yes you use English pounds but it is the same stuff.
“All the religious communities are here, sometimes there are language problems so they are happier talking in their own language which they can do here. They have to survive, they do not want to live anywhere else, they are happy here.”
Having raised his children in the town, over the last two decades, he has seen the town develop and grow but he doesn’t want to leave. He said, “I want to stay here, I love it. My work is here, I know the people and the community.”
Although, he is worried about the growing population and what that means for those who already live there. The renovation of the Maypole Margarine Factory is set to bring at least 2,000 new homes alone.
He said, “Traffic is already bad, new people bring new cars and crime, crime is getting bad. The community is very mixed, some are friendly, but some of the young people are here to make money but that it is what you get.”
Mr Bhatia is not the only one concerned about the raising population, Yasmin, who did not want to share her surname, shared the same worries. She described the Southall community as becoming more ‘divided’ with fewer people coming into her shop.
She said, “It has really changed, it is not the same, it’s so dirty and there’s lots of crime. I work here but I would never live here. A lot of people who used to live here have moved to Windsor or Maidenhead –it’s really changed.
“It used to be so friendly, but you never get a thank you or a smile anymore. They are wary. It is quiet, we have not had a single customer since 10.30. It’s the recession, people do not have enough money to spend.”
But, as a Muslim woman, Yasmin fears the divisions are growing and thinks some people avoid her shop because of religious prejudice. She said, “People come in and ask ‘is this a Muslim shop?’ and then they leave.
“It’s because I’ve got our radio playing. I am not going to stop playing, why should I? When you go into their shops they are playing their radio.”
Ealing Council has been approached for comment.
Megan Stanley - Local Democracy Reporter