The remains of the Carpetright store are damped down by firefighters following the Tottenham riots in August 2011. Picture: PA/Max Nash

Tottenham’s multi-million pound regeneration may not benefit local people and businesses, it is feared.

A number of residents at the West Green and Bruce Grove Area Forum raised concerns that the planned Spurs development and its surrounding area, as well as the money being poured into the area in the wake of the riots, will fail to improve the lives of those already in Tottenham.

Residents queried whether jobs on the construction projects, in the new supermarkets and shops would go to local people in desperate need of work, as has been promised, or to those living outside of the borough.

They were also worried about what would become of the businesses already in Tottenham, which were struggling to keep afloat already, once larger businesses started to move in,

Cllr Alan Strickland, cabinet member for economic development and social inclusion, tried to allay people’s worries. He said the council were “challenging all our big regeneration partners” to make sure they fulfilled jobs promises, while their own Jobs Fund should support local businesses and create work.

He said: “I want to reassure you that the support of existing businesses is very much on our minds.”