Not giving in without a fight
• IF I may be allowed to answer the letter in last week’s West End Extra urging me not to moan (Small shops can have the edge, August 3), I am delighted to learn of Jason Gale’s organisation – more power to it – but the greatest of independent businesses, large and small, occurred in Soho in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before the internet could be of help.
Soaring overheads forced contractors and shops to move to other areas or give up, while traders with 30ft frontages simply closed. Artisans retrenched to ever small premises, and finally disappeared.
People really didn’t give in without a fight, and I’m sure they’re not doing so now, but I’ve seen too many white-faced people confronted with too much greed not to be angry on their behalf.
When he has stood for hours waiting to be served in WH Smith by someone on a minimum wage, he may not regard this particular change as progress.
ALIDA BAXTER
Dufours Place, W1 |
