But citizens still voice concerns over the development's effect on community
Westfield: Friend or Foe? That was the chant of West London Citizens protesters outside the gates of the Westfield development this week as a group of more than 50 local residents waved placards demanding guarantees from the shopping mall giants that they will pay the living wage to all its recruits and are committed to employing locally.
Testimonies, including one from Andrew Slaughter, MP, were given by those who are concerned about the effects the development will have on the local community.
Westfield, the corporate giant behind the mega mall currently being built in W12, was heavily criticised when they erected advertising hoardings along Wood Lane that displayed only white models even though a large percentage of the local residents are from minority ethnic communities and contrary to their their promises to ensure the local community benefits from the development.
Media coverage and criticisms by the Commission for Racial Equality and LUL, caused the developers to bow to pressure and add black faces.
Local Lib Dems Liberal Democrats welcomed the decision by the Westfield Group to change their advertising so that it reflects the diversity of the neighbourhood however, they remain concerned that they still may not recognise their responsibilities to the local community.
Hammersmith & Fulham Liberal Democrat spokesperson Jon Burden said, "We welcome Westfield Group’s change of heart. However, their failure to reply to our letter and their apparently negative attitude to the challenge is worrying. They could have chosen to apologise for the oversight, show appreciation for identifying it, and taking action to remedy it. Instead, their defensive action indicates that they do not really care about our community, its people or it needs; unless a controversy is created in the media!”
July 25, 2007
|