Borough traders better off at Tower
Regarding Borough traders’ potential move to Olympic Park (30 October, p35), over the past six months, serious Borough foodies have been quietly decamping to a “new” Borough Market near Tower Bridge, SE1, a short walk from the original.
Such respected Borough suppliers as Monmouth Coffee, Neal’s Yard Diaries, Tony Booth and Fern Varrow, together with St John Bread & Wine, are now to be found at Maltby Street (www.maltbystreet.com).
Occupying railway arches and with plans to share the soon-to-be-completed Ropewalk warehouse/market hall (www.ropewalk-se1.co.uk), the vendors are happy with SE1.
A noted cheesemonger said: “You couldn’t drag the Borough Market foodies to a retail shopping mall with a supercharged biofuel tractor.”
Westfield’s comments are, perhaps, wishful thinking.
Adrian Amos, London Architectural Salvage & Supply Co, LASSCO Brunswick House, 30 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall, London SW8 2LG
Bye bye Brum?
Regarding Lisa Pilkington’s blog “Business Birmingham = big jobs” (5 November) about attracting inward investment to Birmingham – attracting new business and expansion of existing business is important. However, it is equally important to ensure that existing companies remain and continue to commit to Birmingham.
Many organisations are under pressure to reduce or exit existing commitments – will Birmingham be the option that is chosen to vacate?
Paul Allsopp, web comment
Warning on TIF income
Regarding Jackie Sadek’s blog “The big question is how to get the private sector to re-engage with regeneration” (4 November), as ever, Jackie Sadek has provided a sound insight.
However, on the issue of partnerships, I believe there is a problem in terms of tax increment financing – can this be over-hyped?
Look to the US where they got their projections wrong about the finance available from business rates. Are there any lessons to be learnt from the colonies?
Alex Kendall, web comment
