At Love Your Doorstep, we believe that listening to our community is one of the most important things we can do.
Every day, thousands of local people use our platform to share experiences, ask questions, raise concerns and celebrate the good things happening across Enfield.
On 3rd October, we decided to ask a simple question:
“Are you noticing a difference in general positivity and feeling across Enfield?”
The question followed May’s local elections, which brought a change in the political leadership of Enfield Council.
We wanted to understand whether residents were feeling more optimistic about the borough and whether they had started to notice any changes.
The Results: 50% Are Feeling More Positive
A total of 322 votes were recorded in our community poll.
The results show that half of those who participated are feeling more positive, while just over a quarter have not noticed an improvement.
A further 22% believe it is still too early to make a judgement.
While this was an informal community poll rather than a representative borough-wide survey, it provides an interesting snapshot of how some local residents are feeling.
The post also attracted 58 comments, sparking discussions about the challenges facing Enfield and what people would like to see change.
A Sense of Optimism, But Residents Want to See Results
Some residents expressed optimism about the change in leadership, although several acknowledged that meaningful improvements will take time.
One resident commented:
“Too early to tell but feeling a little more optimistic.”
Others highlighted the importance of councillors working together, regardless of political differences, and making decisions in the best interests of the borough.
There was also recognition that not every issue can be resolved immediately, particularly given the financial pressures facing local authorities.
For many, the message was clear: positivity is welcome, but lasting confidence will depend on what happens next.
Housing, Cost of Living and Pressure on Local Businesses
Housing and the cost of living featured prominently in the discussion.
Residents raised concerns about high rents, housing availability, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and the wider financial pressures affecting households.
The challenges facing local businesses were also highlighted.
One contributor spoke about the importance of growing Enfield’s business community, recognising the risks involved in running a business and the pressures that smaller businesses face.
Others discussed the wider economic system and whether more needs to be done to support independent businesses and create a fairer local economy.
These are issues we regularly hear about through Love Your Doorstep, where supporting local businesses and connecting them with residents remains a central part of our work.
Fly-Tipping, Roads and Public Spaces
For some residents, improvements to everyday surroundings are what matter most.
Fly-tipping was raised as a particular concern in Edmonton, with one resident calling for a major campaign to tackle the problem.
Other issues included:
There were also differing opinions about the direction of council policies, including environmental schemes and public realm improvements.
These discussions highlight how residents can have very different priorities and views about what constitutes progress.
Different Views, One Community
As expected, the conversation also included differing political opinions.
Some residents felt that problems facing Enfield were the result of decisions made by the previous council administration.
Others argued that many of the challenges were connected to national government policies, historic funding decisions and wider economic conditions.
There were also concerns expressed about the direction of the new administration, particularly in relation to environmental and public space projects.
What stood out was the range of views, with residents discussing not only who is responsible for existing challenges but also what needs to happen to improve the borough.
Why Community Feedback Matters
Love Your Doorstep has been connecting local people, businesses and organisations across Enfield for more than 15 years.
Through our community platform, we see first-hand how important it is for residents to have somewhere to share their experiences and be heard.
We also see the incredible work happening every day across the borough, from independent businesses investing in our high streets to volunteers, charities and community groups making a difference.
There is plenty to celebrate in Enfield, but there are also genuine challenges that need addressing.
The results of this poll suggest that there is some renewed optimism among those who took part, alongside a clear expectation that positive feelings need to translate into visible improvements.
With the May elections now several months behind us, it will be interesting to see whether residents’ views change as the new administration’s plans and decisions begin to take shape.
What Do You Think?
Are you feeling more positive about Enfield?
Have you noticed improvements in your neighbourhood, or are there things you feel still need urgent attention?
At Love Your Doorstep, we will continue asking questions, listening to our community and providing a space for constructive conversations about the future of our borough.
Because whatever our individual views, we all share an interest in seeing Enfield thrive.
💚 Love Your Doorstep – Connecting Enfield, Supporting Local and Celebrating Our Community.
