The creators of Benefits Street have approached the residents of Derby Road, St Mary’s, for the sequel of Benefits Street, to be named Immigration Street. The show will focus on the diverse communities within Southampton.
Talking to the Daily Echo, David Bane, the secretary of the Southampton Council of Faiths said: “Southampton has a history of immigration. We have had people come to this city for years and I think in a way majority of people see it as a real added value to the community – we have around 47 languages spoken here.” Bane added that the organisation was “cautious” and “we need to be careful”. Many other influential members of Southampton’s community have also expressed their concern with regard to Southampton being the location of Immigration Street.
However, others, such as Khalid Farooq, of the Derby Road-based Pakistan Welfare Association, has said that: “I think it’s good. It shows the multi-cultural environment of people living in Derby Road.”
The production company hoping to launch the sequel to Benefits Street has said that it has not made a final decision on the location of filming. A Channel 4 spokesperson has also added that: “The title and location are not yet confirmed and discussions are ongoing with local people”.
Benefits Street, a five-episode series, sparked much controversy upon its broadcasting in early January. Channel 4, the channel that hosted the show, were accused of making ‘poverty porn’ and Ofcom received hundreds of complaints.
Watch a clip of Benefits Street below.
