Backing Battersea
The council has given renewed support to the SW11tch Back to Battersea campaign. And more businesses have added their names to the campaign, which aims to reclaim Clapham Junction for Battersea.
The council has formally declared its renewed support for the campaign, launched last year, and has promised to continue to encourage Clapham Junction businesses and residents to identify themselves as residents of Battersea, in the borough of Wandsworth, rather than as residents of Clapham, which is in Lambeth. Businesses including estate agents Kinleigh Folkard and Hayward, clothing store Jigsaw and restaurant Fishworks have also pledged their support as the campaign picks up pace.
The confusion was caused when the station was first opened in 1863 and the railway companies decided to name it after the upmarket Clapham, rather than Battersea, which was perceived as being down-at-heel. But it is in SW11 – Battersea – and is nowhere near Clapham, which is a mile up the road and in a different borough.
Campaign organisers Cllrs Phillip Beddows and Tony Belton said:
We want to see Welcome to Battersea signs and are urging Network Rail to rename the station Clapham Junction (Battersea) to help travellers ensure they arrive in the place they intended - just as is done for Queenstown Road (Battersea).We want to make people feel proud of Battersea. It's a fun, cosmopolitan place to be and naturally we think it's better than Clapham.
We went along to Clapham Junction and asked members of the public what they thought:
I've been here nine years and if someone asks what area I'm in I would say Battersea. I think people who don't really know the area call it Clapham.
Anish Patel
It's good that people know about this. I know it's Battersea and a campaign will stop other people making the mistake of saying it's Clapham
Peter Cranham
Battersea's much cooler than Clapham. I think people want to be associated with places like Balham and Battersea because it's higher class than Clapham.
Anthony Clarke
I always knew I was in Battersea. I think we all mingle in as one – Clapham Junction, Clapham, Battersea. It's all one big vibrant, buzzing area.
Simon Lyons
I've lived here a long time and I think of it as Battersea – Clapham's further down the road. I think a lot of it is snob value.
Penny Hoskins
What do you think? Have your say on the Battersea v Clapham debate at brightside@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Picture: Campaigners travelled around the area on Valentine's night to encourage people to show their love for Battersea. Here staff at Tumnan Thai restaurant in Lavender Hill offer their support