Main Content
Network Rail Tenant? |
Not a tenant? |
- The Guardians of the Arches is a collective of small business owners and operators based in railway arches around the country.
- Network Rail is the largest landlord to small business in the country. Its 5000-odd railway arches are home to a huge variety of trades - furniture restorers, metal-shop workers, café owners, hairdressers, tyre sellers, specialist food stores, artists, gyms, motorbike repair shops and everything in between.
- In 2017 Network Rail unveiled plans to sell off its arches in one job lot, leaving thousands of small businesses facing an uncertain future. That sale is due to be completed by the end of 2018.
- We formed Guardians of the Arches to represent the interests of those small businesses. Many have already been put under huge pressure through rent increase demands of as much as 350%. Others want assurances that their businesses won't be threatened in the future. What unites us is a determination to make our voices heard.
- We set out with a simple goal: halt the sale to ensure that our interests are taken into account. And since forming in May 2018, new have gone from strength to strength - with thousands of supporters backing us, hundreds of columns inches in the press, and government ministers taking on board our concerns.
- But to make sure we secure the future of the arches, we need your help!
How can I help?
Network Rail Tenant? |
Not a tenant? |
|
Our letter to Chris Grayling MP |
Our letter to Jo Johnson |
