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Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 19 April 2007

Small shops are great for our area

• IN reply to DW Goodridge’s comments (A Tesco would be good, March 29) and noting that DW Goodridge does not even live in Camden, may I say this – within 200-300 yards of the proposed site there are already a Sainsbury’s Superstore (O2 Centre), Waitrose supermarket (Finchley Road Station) and a Marks and Spencer convenience store (close to Swiss Cottage).
I have lived within 100 yards or so of the proposed site at Belsize Roundabout for over 25 years, and feel a Tesco would be very bad for the area.
Point one, there is no parking, except for a few meters, and the wardens are as fierce as falcons.
It is also on a five-junction roundabout, and Belsize Road is a major arterial route, especially for emergency vehicles, and the roundabout is a favourite of rush hour ‘rat-run’ motorists.
There are four local convenience stores – two facing and only 20 yards from the proposed site at the Britania Inn, which was there for at least 25-30 years, and locally popular.
The local shops are very popular, and not particularly more expensive than the greedy giants. Most of them open till 11 or 12 o’clock at night, and one is open 24-7, even New Year’s Day, and is run by a respected Afghani family in the manner of honest local shopkeepers. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve been grateful to them for short-period credit on a few small items even though I’m sure many have abused their kindness and trust.
And I’m sure there are myriad stories of their helping hand especially to those they know may be struggling. I resent the inference that all corner shops are trading unscrupulously. It’s just not true.
There is also a five-storey block of flats being built opposite on another disused site, which itself is annoying many residents, who’s opposition I sense will be very strong as they discover the facts.
The silver lining of DW Goodridge’s cloud is that now I too will be joining that opposition.
K Y MCKAY
Address supplied

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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