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History on our side… of the road
• COUNCILLORS Ian Wilder, Glenys Roberts and Frixos Tombolis have the right idea in my opinion (Government of the people by the property business, October 17).
The New West End Company leaves me with a nasty taste in my mouth.
When the NWEC decided to set up their organisation, to act on and represent the interests of Oxford Street (and surrounding streets), they forgot to include everyone else not involved in retail (for whom they solely represent).
The NWEC forgot the important point, that this side of Oxford Street is not all about retailers. Soho Square is office-based, Soho Street bars and offices, Hanway Street is mainly residential, so too is Gresse Street. The surrounding area behind eastern Oxford Street has been neglected for many years. So too have the businesses that have not been represented by the NWEC – anyone not retail!
We all know that Oxford Street is overcrowded, and that the pollution levels are increasing year after year. This side of Oxford Street has always been the “run-down” side, but we just accept it. It was quoted that Sir Philip Green (boss of Topshop etc) has most of his stores this side because the rents are cheaper. Good for him, is what I say! Who is the bigger fool for spending more on rent? (He also has the Fashion Retail Academy on Gresse Street to train hopeful retail students.)
With the thought of Crossrail storming ahead with Tottenham Court Road Tube station redevelopment, I have asked in the past who NWEC actually represent, as local businesses seem to be unaware of half of the proposals Crossrail are introducing.
The answer is this: NWEC is only there to represent retailers, so obviously it is not representing the majority of those who live and work around the easterly side of Oxford Street. Who represents the offices, the restaurants, the bars and clubs? Who represents the communities, the residents, the visitors?
How about the market traders, the kiosk owners and the theatres?
The concept of setting up the NWEC was great. However, the reality of such an organisation leaves one with more and more questions as to what they actually do. Shame on you Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas.
Try to restructure the NWEC actually to represent the people that matter on the easterly side of Oxford Street.
The easterly part of Oxford Street/ St Giles Circus and Tottenham Court Road is steeped in history. How many readers know about the burial of the plague victims, the Rookery, or that Tottenham Court Road was a Roman Road?
How about John Evelyn and his diary of the Great Fire of London? Or the hidden tunnels that were used by the innkeepers to transport barrels under the streets?
It is this history and this tattiness that has drawn us all here. We like the fact we have more history than the western side of Oxford Street. It’s such a shame the NWEC can’t see we need money spent, but without destroying the very fabric of the eastern end of Oxford Street’s history.
Crossrail will be destroying most of the junction of Charing Cross Road, Oxford Street and New Oxford Street to make way for a new station concourse.
The charm of the little streets behind Oxford Street will be lost forever. Did the NWEC tell you, or is this the first you knew about it I wonder?
CHRIS HOWARD
Gresse Street, Fitzrovia, W1
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