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Hackney hits back at 'TV snobs' Hackney hits back at 'TV snobs'
(about 7 hours later)
Hackney has accused television producers of "middle class snobbery" as it hit back at a survey branding it the worst place to live in the UK.Hackney has accused television producers of "middle class snobbery" as it hit back at a survey branding it the worst place to live in the UK.
The London borough came bottom in the Channel 4 survey of the UK's 434 local council areas.The London borough came bottom in the Channel 4 survey of the UK's 434 local council areas.
But the area's directly-elected mayor, Jules Pipe, rubbished the survey, which is based on crime, environment, lifestyle, education and employment.But the area's directly-elected mayor, Jules Pipe, rubbished the survey, which is based on crime, environment, lifestyle, education and employment.
Past shows had said Hackney was a great place to invest in property, he said.Past shows had said Hackney was a great place to invest in property, he said.
WORST PLACES TO LIVE Hackney Tower HamletsMerthyr TydfilNewhamIslingtonMiddlesbroughNottinghamStrabaneBlaenau GwentManchester Source: The Best and Worst Places to Live in the UK: 2006, Channel 4WORST PLACES TO LIVE Hackney Tower HamletsMerthyr TydfilNewhamIslingtonMiddlesbroughNottinghamStrabaneBlaenau GwentManchester Source: The Best and Worst Places to Live in the UK: 2006, Channel 4
The borough replaced Hull, which was ranked the worst place to live in last year's survey.The borough replaced Hull, which was ranked the worst place to live in last year's survey.
Property pundits Sofie Allsopp and Phil Spencer will present the full results in forthcoming show The Best And Worst Places To Live In The UK: 2006. Property pundits Sofie Allsopp - sister of the better-known Kirstie - and Phil Spencer will present the full results in forthcoming show The Best And Worst Places To Live In The UK: 2006.
London boroughs dominated the worst in the list, with four of them - Tower Hamlets, Newham and Islington - in the bottom five, joined by Methyr Tydfil in South Wales.London boroughs dominated the worst in the list, with four of them - Tower Hamlets, Newham and Islington - in the bottom five, joined by Methyr Tydfil in South Wales.
'Vibrant arts''Vibrant arts'
Mr Pipe defended Hackney, saying: "This kind of programme panders to the worst sort of middle England snobbery.Mr Pipe defended Hackney, saying: "This kind of programme panders to the worst sort of middle England snobbery.
"Of course Hackney has problems, as do all inner city boroughs, but it is an amazing place to live."Of course Hackney has problems, as do all inner city boroughs, but it is an amazing place to live.
"It is diverse and exciting with fantastic architecture, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and a bright future as an Olympic borough."It is diverse and exciting with fantastic architecture, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and a bright future as an Olympic borough.
"If Hackney is such a terrible place, why have Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp made several programmes in the past about what a great place it is to invest in property?""If Hackney is such a terrible place, why have Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp made several programmes in the past about what a great place it is to invest in property?"
'Bohemian feel''Bohemian feel'
Neil Leahy, of north and east London estate agents Keatons, said Hackney's property market was booming.Neil Leahy, of north and east London estate agents Keatons, said Hackney's property market was booming.
"It's the only London borough that hasn't seen a price drop in the last four years," he said."It's the only London borough that hasn't seen a price drop in the last four years," he said.
"It's got a great atmosphere, a bohemian feel, fantastic markets and nightlife. Schools are improving and, all in all, it's a great place to live.""It's got a great atmosphere, a bohemian feel, fantastic markets and nightlife. Schools are improving and, all in all, it's a great place to live."
But Mr Spencer said the results were all based on official data.But Mr Spencer said the results were all based on official data.
And Ms Allsopp said: "All the research is rock solid, we look at every single local authority, all 434 of them, and the figures speak for themselves."And Ms Allsopp said: "All the research is rock solid, we look at every single local authority, all 434 of them, and the figures speak for themselves."