Street festival chief resigns

Friday, 27 July 2012

By Ben Morgan

THE chairman of Brixton Splash has quit after threatening to “name and shame” businesses who have not sponsored the event.

Lee Jasper posted an article on his personal blog that hit out at Brixton businesses who are not financially supporting this year’s Splash street festival taking place next month.

It prompted an outcry from business owners, who say they already support their community through charity donations and other projects.

Mr Jasper, who was former London mayor Ken Livingstone’s race adviser, has apologised and said it was a personal “bad moment” born of frustration because he wanted to encourage debate about business support for the event. And now he has resigned from the Splash board for speaking out and upsetting Brixton businesses.

Mr Jasper had singled out a few businesses and accused them of not getting behind the street party event on August 5, after visiting the shops to drum up support.

In the posting, he said: “One particular shop owner or manager and his staff were offensive, rude and dismissive in their response. I was quite shocked by this particular response.”

He said some restaurants and cafes in Brixton refused to support the event.

He said: “There are some notable exceptions to this and we will be publishing a full list of those businesses that have sponsored Brixton Splash 2012 and those that did not.”

The owner of one of the businesses in central Brixton singled out said: “Even though it’s hard, I still do a huge amount for charities through the year.

“We sponsor the refugee council and three other charities, so there is only a certain amount of money to go around. “That’s the reason we have not sponsored the Splash.

“I allocate a certain amount of money for charity every three months and whoever comes to us first will get it.

I’m not a multimillionaire who can just write blank cheques.”

Mr Jasper’s comments had prompted an outcry, with angry comments appearing on web message boards.

Many were angry that he appeared to be speaking on behalf of the other Splash board members.

Speaking to the South London Press before his resignation, Mr Jasper said: “It was a bad moment on my behalf and it was something I said in frustration. It was written to encourage debate about businesses supporting the event and it was not written on behalf of the board.

“I’m happy to apologise to anyone I offended. I want all businesses in Brixton to be successful, but I also want them to support this fantastic event.”

Brixton Splash is one of South London’s biggest celebrations and attracts thousands of people who attend music and family events along Coldharbour Lane and Windrush Square. This year’s event will feature 50 years of Jamaican independence.

The Splash board has said the comments made by Mr Jasper in his blog are his personal views and don’t represent the views of the board members.

A spokesman said: “Lee Jasper has offered his resignation as chairman of Brixton Splash and the board have accepted it with immediate effect. We look forward to seeing our community once again celebrating everything we are proud of about Brixton on August 5.”

Email: ben.morgan@slp.co.uk

All content © of South London Press unless stated otherwise.

Be the first to comment using the form below.