The director of markets at Tower Hamlets Council has warned the London borough’s 10 iconic retail markets from Brick Lane to Columbia Road could be cut out of the Olympic 2012 celebrations if the area does not step up.
Speaking at the National Association of British Market Authorities’ (NABMA) annual conference in Buxton last week, David Saunders, who manages the 10 local authority markets, did not hold back his displeasure about the Aldgate East end of Petticoat Lane market, describing its appearance as “awful”.
He told delegates “we need to do something about it” before the Olympic event.
“The Olympic period is 28 days and there will be no compensation for any business or individuals that lose out financially because of it,” Saunders warned. “And it is possible that the draconian powers that be will decide that they don’t want a functioning market on the Olympic route and it will close.
“We know from our discussions with our market friends in Australia that it is not just the 28 days that can be beneficial: the Olympics will attract tourism afterwards. People will see the markets on the TV and will want to visit.”
No comments yet