This week 30 years ago: Islington’s rich/poor divide exposed in poll that showed 30% of people didn’t have a fridge
Islington Gazette: May 13, 1988 - Credit: Archant
A council poll found Islington was divided by rich and poor people. Who would have guessed it!
In the Gazette’s words, the image of Islington’s as a “yuppie paradise full of Porsche-driving trendies” took a knock with the 500-page document based on 4,000 interviews with tenants and homeowners.
It found 50 per cent of people hadn’t been on holiday in the past year, 40pc didn’t have an oven or washing machine, 30pc didn’t have a fridge or freezer, 23pc couldn’t afford proper central heating and 7pc struggled to scrape enough cash to feed themselves.
Council leader Margaret Hodge said the survey would help councillors “plan the services that the people of Islington want”.
The survey also produced one amusing result: more than 20pc thought Islington Council ran the police force.
You may also want to watch:
In seperate council news, town hall history was made when Cllr Valda James became Islington’s first black mayor.
Most Read
- 1 Islington mum speaks out about blaze that wrecked her 17th storey Old Street flat
- 2 Meet Islington's 2021 civic award winners
- 3 Islington Council urges: 'Raise repairs before Partners hands back homes'
- 4 70 firefighters tackle Old Street tower block blaze
- 5 State-of-the-art £4m facility in pipeline for Islington Boxing Club
- 6 Islington election hopeful faces trial on intimidation, cocaine and ABH charges
- 7 Man arrested after police officer hit by car in Dartmouth Park
- 8 Man wanted in connection with Kings Cross sex assault
- 9 Music production school leaves Abbey Road for move to Angel Studios
- 10 Highbury performer marks World Burlesque Day with free classes