As more and more youngsters shut up shop and leave London for the more affordable climes of Margate, Manchester, or even overseas – it’s time we asked ourselves, what’s so special about London? And now, with the bleak tremors of a Brexit financial crisis threatening to shake up a generation who already feel pretty hard done by, even the idea of escaping a drab five-person-deep flatshare seems pretty far away, let alone financial security and owning your own home.
However, a positive mental attitude must reign supreme, and it’s imperative that young people fight back in order to support themselves and carve their own identity in the world – whether it’s the creative industries, events, or everyday hospitality. Handing the power back to the people are giffgaff, who highlight modern day economic struggles in their ‘Perspectives’ video series for Vice. In the third video, they meet the co-founder of London events brand Sink The Pink, Amy Redmond, who has turned her back on the capital and found solace in the flourishing art scene of faded seaside town Margate. A far cry from the extortionate rents of London, Amy and her husband Luke were able to invest in an old shop, which they use to throw a range of interesting events and artist residencies, whilst also making use of the living quarters above.
At the other end of the spectrum, there’s young husband, father and pizza chef, Jordan Hassell. Born and bred in the “£3-a-pint” northern railway town of Crewe, Jordan has always wanted to be his own boss and derive as much fun as possible from what he loves doing – cooking. Also feeling the pressures of fatherhood and having a family to provide for, Jordan has made it happen for himself – living somewhere affordable, picking up an old van and fitting it with a wood fired pizza oven and shopping locally for cheap ingredients. Putting the work in now, he looks forward with a view to opening his own premises in Crewe sometime in the future.
So, whether it’s pizza or parties, by setting their sights outside of the city, Amy and Jordan have both began their own life-enhancing journeys by sticking to their guns and choosing a different path. An inspirational film from giffgaff, it shows just how grit, determination and a will to succeed can make all the difference in carving your own niche, so what’s stopping you?
Like what you see? Watch more of the Perspectives series from giffgaff on Vice.
