‘A Decade of Achievement’

The London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) held a tenth anniversary awards dinner in July 1991 to celebrate the policies of the Tory Government in the docklands area. A range of policies were applied to ‘enterprise zones’. Big business ensured that small scale industries – a vital source for local employment – could not compete given the rise in land prices.

A table set for the 'decade of achievement' LDDC dinner, 1991.

Guests were treated with a selection of fine wines and free BT phone cards. Local communities opposed the LDDC as they viewed it as a vehicle designed to benefit business. In all, there was a net loss of jobs and housing. There was nothing for local people in terms of jobs or housing whereas big business was able to use the enterprise zones to avoid planning restrictions and tax.

Protest opposite the 10th anniversary dinner. Docklands, 1991

Protesters make their point in the rain (above) as Michael Heseltine looks onto the dining room (below) where awards were later given out to various businesses.

LDDC anniversary dinner 1991

The rhetoric of regeneration always promises opportunities for the local population. The promise of jobs and decent homes has accompanied the development of Olympic sites but failed to convince locals.