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Plans for parks sponsors come under fire
PARKS chiefs have been a given a hands-off warning over plans to allow Tavistock Square and Russell Square to be sponsored by big businesses.
The West End Extra can reveal how Camden Council wants to cash-in on the portfolio of central London green spaces it manages by seeking advertising tie-ups.
Firms will be given the chance to have their logos on signs and welcome boards in exchange for investment.
Companies will also be given the chance to hire out parks for exclusive use on a daily rate – a move which would see the public temporarily pushed out.
Park users and opposition councillors believe the proposals – to be discussed at Camden Town Hall next week – are a step too close to commercialism.
Philip Nelson, chairman of Friends of Tavistock Square and the secretary of the Friends of Bloomsbury Square, said: “This runs contrary to the ethos of these open spaces, against what the Victorians created them for.
“They are spots of tranquilty and to me they are sacrosanct.”
He added: “I’m all for companies doing their bit in fund-raisers if it is to help pay for a new fountain – but we don’t want somebody sponsoring a few litter bins and then suddenly its the ‘McDonald’s Tavistock Gardens’.”
Friends member Dame Joan Bakewell added: “My heart sinks at this whole super-commercialisation of every blade of grass in the planet. I hate it.
“Why should sponsoring companies make money out of the land that belongs to ordinary people?
“It just means that very rich people have a bigger say than most of us.”
Labour councillor Theo Blackwell said: “Unless this is checked, not only our streets but our public gardens could be ruined by commercial advertising for fast-food chains or worse.”
Lib Dem finance chief Councillor Ralph Scott said: “If Nike, for example, came to us and said to us that they could pay for some equipment in schools or our leisure facilities and in return they could use our open spaces or have a logo somewhere in a couple of parks, that is something we could explore.” |
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