We already had huge reservations about the effectiveness of the ‘Brixton Pillars’ campaign – which saw rows of metal billboards being erected in front of the closed businesses along Atlantic Road and Station Road – but it’s disappointing to see that they’ve been allowed to fall into neglect.
The billboards were designed to drive shoppers to the remaining businesses that hadn’t been closed down by Network Rail’s unpopular redevelopment plans, but as we commented earlier, we found it to be a seriously flawed strategy:
In an attempt to drum up trade for the surviving businesses surrounding what’s become known as Brixton’s ‘Dead Zone’, a billboard advertising campaign under the curious name of ‘Brixton Pillars’ was created.
It seemed a pretty misguided campaign from the start. Unsupported by any kind of social media presence – no Facebook page, Twitter feed or even a website – no one quite knew what ‘Brixton Pillars’ meant, and there was no way to find out anything about the initiative.
The only online reference on the billboards was the #brixtonpillars hash tag, but there’s been nothing posted there since before Christmas (apart from our tweets asking for information, which have all been ignored).
The billboards were woefully ineffective too, conveying very little useful information to passers-by. Each one was dominated by a huge meaningless logo, endlessly repeated slogans and precious little detail about the businesses they were supposed to be promoting. There wasn’t even a map telling people the location of each shop.
To add to the farce, back in March 2017 the billboards were all taken down and then put back up again a few days later.
Graffiti and tagging now covers most of the boards along Atlantic Road.
Ironically, the hoardings covered up the interesting street art that was painted on the shutters of the shops fighting closure, so the street now looks far worse despite the Brixton Pillars campaign.
Here’s some more photos of the current state of the billboards:
Brixton Arches background & resources:
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Get involved:
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Background:
The vote to redevelop Brixton Arches: smear campaigns, doublethink and foregone decisions
Brixton’s A&C Deli: the inside story of a small business destroyed by gentrification, Network Rail & Lambeth Council.
About the Save Brixton Arches campaign:
Save Brixton Arches official website
Save Brixton Arches: online petition
Facebook: Brixton Community United
Twitter: #savebrixtonarches