Families 'can't afford to live' on famous streets after being 'sold a dream'
That is the view of Liverpool MP Kim Johnson, who was speaking about the situation facing the residents of the Welsh Streets in Toxteth. The Welsh Streets are one of the few remaining 'original' tourist attractions for fans of The Beatles as they include the birthplace of drummer Ringo Starr, who grew up in Madryn Street in the area.
Ringo's former home and hundreds of others in the area are known as the Welsh Streets having been built by Welsh workers in the 1870s in order to accommodate Liverpool's growing population of dockers and their families. Having become rundown and neglected in the 20th Century, the houses of the Welsh Streets were saved as the community rallied to save them before they were regenerated by developer Placefirst.
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But despite being sold a vision of a dream community in which to build their lives and families, a number of Welsh Street residents now feel they are being driven out of the area by sudden and large rent increases. Some residents said they had seen their rent increase by more than 30% and will have to move out if this doesn't change.
Placefirst told the ECHO this year's rent adjustments "represent fair market rates for homes with added services and amenities."
Now the area's local MP, Kim Johnson, has waded into the row having met with a number of Welsh Streets residents this weekend. She is now set to meet with the boss of Placefirst to discuss the ongoing issues.
Ms Johnson was withering about the developer and its actions when speaking to the ECHO. She said: "They have sold these people a certain type of community but things have become far more transient because the rents are going up and people are leaving.
"People are very anxious and we have heard reports of bully boy tactics being used by the company. It feels like they want people to move out of these homes because then they can bring new tenants in paying increased rents from the start.
"There is also a bizarre lack of consistency here too, I have spoken to people living next door to each other who are facing totally different rent increases."
Speaking about the potential impact on the community, she added: "There is a massive risk to this community because of what is going on. There are people who have set up their lives here who now feel they have no choice but to move out. There is also a wider risk to the area as it could drive rents up elsewhere.
"People were sold a vision of a real community but that sense of community is being eroded because people cannot afford to stay here. We want to know what the rationale is for these increases, is it just simply to make as much money as possible?"
Responding to the MP's comments, a spokesperson for Placefirst said: 'We are aware of Kim Johnson MP's concerns and are in direct contact with her. We can update further on this once a conversation has taken place. We are also holding a series of one-to-one meetings with households at Welsh Streets on Tuesday to better understand their circumstances and where support might be needed.
'This year's rent adjustments came following careful assessment, and the figures represent fair market rates for homes with added services and amenities. The ONS reports that average rents in the North West increased by 9% in the year to April, which is very close to the average increase at Welsh Streets.
'There are individual circumstances – which we cannot discuss for privacy reasons – where rents required adjustment after sitting below market value for some time. Having listened to our residents' concerns, we have instituted a new policy whereby any market normalisation that results in an increase in rent above 10% can be spread over a two- or three-year period.
'We maintain an open dialogue with our residents and encourage them to speak to us directly if they have concerns or require support.'
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