The Humdingers café in Hornsey Road has won the prestigious “Best Blooming Business” award in 2022, but the award-winning garden is facing numerous challenges. The owner, Robert Hunningher, has expressed frustration with the constant threats of theft and licensing laws.
- Plant thefts have been a recurring issue
- Criminal activity is a major concern
- Disputes with the council over plant placement
According to Mr. Hunningher, the garden was created to bring more oxygen and bees to the street. The vibrant garden features a variety of plants, including cherry, apple, and pear trees, as well as pea shoots and runner beans.
“we’ve had people sleeping in here, people nicking plants, everything. The reason I bought the yellow ones was because they’re a bit more spikey. This made me buy plants that if you grab it you’re going to hurt your hand. It’s a bit rubbish, I’d rather not do that.”
Mr. Hunningher attributes the thefts to the value of the plants, which he estimates to be around £80 each. However, he believes that the true cost of the thefts is the destruction of the garden and the sense of security that comes with it.
| Threats to the garden |
Reasons |
Consequences |
| Plant thefts |
Value of plants (£80) |
Destruction of the garden and sense of security |
| Disputes with the council |
Placement of planters |
Restrictions on use of the garden |
Mr. Hunningher has also expressed frustration with the council’s lack of support for the garden. He believes that the council should provide constant community support officers to prevent theft and ensure the garden’s safety. “All the shopkeepers feel a bit let down by the council not doing their job properly. I think there should be constant community support officers around here. We had one great one when we first moved in, but he died of cancer.”
In addition to the challenges facing the garden, the café has also been offering its space for free to creatives who want to host events. This initiative aims to bring the community together and promote the garden’s beauty. “It’s really nice, it reminds me of Mum. We’ve got cherry, we’ve got apple, and we’ve got pear. We’ve got pea shoots and runner beans. The whole idea is that you walk past and you can get something free to eat.”
Councillor Rowena Champion, Islington’s environment chief, has acknowledged the issue of plant theft and has expressed her support for the garden’s efforts. She has stated that the council’s anti-social behaviour team, alongside the Met police, work hard to prevent theft and that they have been speaking with Humdingers about their planters.
Definition:
Plant theft:
the act of stealing plants, often for sale or personal gain.
Definition:
Licensing laws:
regulations that require businesses to obtain a license to operate, often with restrictions on activities such as plant placement.
Definition:
Community support officers:
officials who work with the community to prevent and address issues such as crime and disorder.
The Importance of Community Support
The issue of plant theft and licensing laws has highlighted the importance of community support in maintaining public spaces. The Humdingers café’s efforts to bring the community together through events and initiatives demonstrate the value of collaboration and mutual support.
- The Humdingers café offers its space for free to creatives who want to host events
- The garden has become a hub for community activity and social interaction
- The café’s efforts demonstrate the importance of community engagement and collaboration
In conclusion, the challenges facing Humdingers, a café with a vibrant garden, serve as a reminder of the importance of community support in maintaining public spaces. By working together, businesses, residents, and local authorities can address issues such as plant theft and licensing laws, and create vibrant and sustainable community spaces.
