10 Membranes

» Brixton Gets It's Own Currency

Brixton is getting it’s own micro-currency that can be used only in retail outlets in the area. Part of a scheme to support local business, the idea is brilliant, and also slightly alarming. Brilliant because it suggests that the multiple fissures in the London’s geography are finally etching themselves into substantial local differences. Soon a broken London will consist of small, mutually unintelligible baby fiefdoms; Highgate warring with it’s neighbour Hampstead, while Stepney and Bow form an alliance to stave off Poplar, reeling from an unfortunate financial run in with the might of Docklands. This is also why it’s worrying. Still, I can wait to get my hands on some of the notes, which could feature, amongst others, Linton Kwesi Johnson, James Lovelock, David Bowie and members of the Clash, all one time residents of Brixton.