West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Published: 1 June 2007
Concern’s growing over state of gardens
• I WOULD like to draw your readers’ attention to the sorry state of Hanover Square Gardens.
Even though they have yet to recover from the devastation caused by last year’s series of ‘events’ being held there, I am astonished to see that they are being closed yet again for the whole of June, to allow another series of events to be held.
When we first moved to the area, in the mid-1970s, the gardens were truly a delight.
Westminster Council took over the running of them in January 1998, and since then they have been in terminal decline.
I seem to recall gardens like these,
and others such as Berkeley Square, and, of course, the Parks, were supposed to be an amenity for the general public – particularly those who live and work in the immediate vicinity.
This principle has clearly been overturned, and I would like to know who has been responsible for this.
I would also like to know how much money is being charged for the hire of these gardens and parks, and what happens to the money.
I have written to Westminster Council about this.
Although Councillor Glenys Roberts has been very sympathetic, there has as
yet been no official response.
I would therefore urge your readers to also ask the council as to how much money is made from the hiring out of these public amenities, and what exactly happens to the money. RON WHELAN
Chairman
Mayfair Action group
Brook Street, W1
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