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Public gardens fears after weekend damage
COMMUNITY leaders have hit out at a “corporate strategy” of hiring out igardens after Soho Square was left bald following the weekend’s Gay Pride celebrations.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed what many feared – that the council is cashing-in on its public squares and gardens.
Businesses say British Airways, which sponsored the party in Soho Square, should pay to returf the lawn.
Malcolm Rasala said the party had undone one year’s work by gardeners, who had “lovingly restored these lawns after last years drought”.
In a letter to Sir Simon Milton, the council’s leader, he wrote: “If not my company will not buy BA tickets again and we will run a campaign to other companies in Soho advising them to boycott BA too. We very much hope this will not prove necessary.”
Ron Whelan, chairman of the Mayfair Action Group, said: “The reality is that the council has decided to sell the use of these public assets to the private sector, with no discernible benefit to the community.
“The condition of Hanover Square Gardens, and to a lesser extent Berkeley Square, has systematically deteriorated because of the letting the gardens out for commercial use.”
Leith Penny, director of Environment and Leisure, said: “By allowing private events to take place the council is able to generate a small income which goes straight to our parks and leisure department to improve facilities for Westminster residents and visitors.” |
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