Threat to real shops

Published: 20 May, 2011

• ONE of the things I’ve deplored most in years of frequenting the West End has been the decline of the specialist bookshop. 

The Alternative Bookshop, Collet’s, Sportspages, Cinema, all gone.

Now it’s reported that musical theatre shop Dress Circle is under threat because of a 35 per cent rent hike.

I deplore the way that reasonable profits have been replaced by greedy money-grubbing.

Landlords should be publicly named, shamed, and made to explain themselves.

Local authorities should also set an example by not imposing high rent or charge increases.

Council rents are not too low. Market rents are too high.

Money could come from leaving the EU, slashing overseas aid, and higher taxes on alcohol, tobacco and petrol for a start!

MARK TAHA, SE26