The multifaceted face of neighbourhood change; diverse effects, strategies and perspectives among small migrant businesses in gentrifying Brixton

Abstract

International migration has been growing and diversifying in recent decades impacting both sending and receiving societies. Among migrants self-employment is a common source of income which is visible in the great number of ethnic businesses in major cities. Gentrification, tourism and place-consumption has been altering the residential and commercial landscapes of cities, not in the least ethnic neighbourhoods. Theory on migrant (or ethnic minority) business considers entrepreneurship to be shaped by the interaction between personal characteristics and well as the institutional and socio-economic context. Whereas many studies on migrant business focus on ethnic groups, this study investigates migrant businesses from various backgrounds in a particular neighbourhood. This approach sheds light on the various effects of neighbourhood change among a variety of migrant businesses. The aim of this study is to investigate the various effects of neighbourhood change on migrant businesses, the adaptive strategies employed by migrant entrepreneurs and the implications of these changes for the neighbourhood in Brixton, London. The data was collected using qualitative methods. Among the various participants neighbourhood change proves to be a challenge as well as a potential opportunity. While some business transform to more mainstream types of business, the future of many of the more traditional ethnic businesses is precarious.