At a stroke we’ve saved money, made businesses more secure, and created a safer place for everyone walking up from the tube by fencing off a tiny corner which had become a place where people lurked or worse, fouled.

Something had to be done because businesses were disgusted with the state of the area every morning and our street sweepers were spending time having to clean and disinfect it every day. So – working with the police and Islington Council we have installed railings, made the area secure and designed out the gcrime.

“The gate is a godsend,” says Stefan Carlberg of Caffe Mobile, who uses the area for storage. “Every day it was filthy and stank and obviously wasted money needing a daily clean. Phew!”