Having commented on the appalling state of the market due to its pigeon population, I expected the usual reaction - nothing.
Imagine my surprise at hearing reports that the post featured in my previous comment has been cleaned and the floor around it disinfected.
I'm looking forward to the installation of bird spikes in the very near future.
Showing posts with label Hospitality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hospitality. Show all posts
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Play "Dodge The Droppings" at Greenwich Market!
For a long time now, one of Greenwich Market's greatest attractions for visitors and traders alike have been daily games of "Dodge The Droppings".
The market's population of flying rats have always been a wonderful source of entertainment, but that joy is reaching new heights now that the management no longer take any action to reduce their numbers.
The posts that visitors pass on entering the market bear witness to the pigeons' active bowels and the management's neglect.
...and here's a close-up of the top:-
Here are a few facts about feral pigeons:-
I'm sure the council won't turn a blind eye to this forever, so perhaps GSM should ask their lessor to take action as soon as possible.
The market's population of flying rats have always been a wonderful source of entertainment, but that joy is reaching new heights now that the management no longer take any action to reduce their numbers.
The posts that visitors pass on entering the market bear witness to the pigeons' active bowels and the management's neglect.
...and here's a close-up of the top:-
Here are a few facts about feral pigeons:-- Feral pigeons carry significantly more diseases that are harmful to humans than the brown rat. Over forty diseases can be passed from feral pigeons to humans.
- The best-known infectious disease passed from birds to humans is psittacosis, which has symptoms similar to pneumonia and typhoid fever and is caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci.
- Feral pigeons have been shown to transmit cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis and bird flu.
- Other examples of potentially infectious diseases transmitted by pigeons are salmonella and tuberculosis.
- Feral pigeons are a source of allergens, which can cause respiratory illnesses like pigeon fancier's lung and allergic skin reactions. It is possible for these illnesses to be spread to people through contact with pigeon droppings, feathers, pigeon parasites, or where dead infected pigeons get into food or water sources.
- Spores from pigeon droppings can be carried on the wind and inhaled as dust, causing a flu-like illness in healthy people and posing serious problems to those with low immunity.
- Droppings not only cause buildings to look unsightly, but can also cause long-term damage.
- The presence of pigeon droppings, particularly when wet, can contribute to pedestrian accidents on pavements. Many stone and cobbled surfaces are particularly badly affected when wet.
I'm sure the council won't turn a blind eye to this forever, so perhaps GSM should ask their lessor to take action as soon as possible.
Thank you Greenwich Hospital
I don't often offer thanks here, but in only a couple of months the scaffolding (see "Market? What market?") is coming down. The core of the holiday season may have been blighted by the unintentional concealment of the market, but the newly patched and painted buildings do look the business.
Could this be taken as a sign that GH is leaning towards the preservation of what we have over the "redevelopment"?
Could this be taken as a sign that GH is leaning towards the preservation of what we have over the "redevelopment"?
Friday, August 01, 2008
Hotel de Fumer
And another thing...
If you were a potential investor in the boutique hotel and you came to see the site, just how put off would you be by the pall of greasy smoke generated by the market?
For the Hospital's sake, I hope they only come to visit on the three days when the market's shut.
If you were a potential investor in the boutique hotel and you came to see the site, just how put off would you be by the pall of greasy smoke generated by the market?
For the Hospital's sake, I hope they only come to visit on the three days when the market's shut.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Boo-hoo boutique
An operator for the boutique hotel that is intended to form part of Greenwich Market's renovation is being actively sought on behalf of Greenwich Hospital. On Christie & Co's website (http://www.christiecorporate.com/ccc/markets/hotels2/instructions/)they say:
Greenwich Hospital has instructed Christie + Co to secure a professional hotel operator for a boutique hotel opportunity in the heart of its exciting planned regeneration of Greenwich Market.Since February, Christie & Co have had a document available giving an outline of the proposal (http://www.christiecorporate.com/ccc/pdf/Greenwich.pdf). It contains some information that may make a potential investor run away when they know the transportation truth that afflicts Greenwich. The document states:
The proposed project will see the transformation of Greenwich Market into an upscale leisure destination, whilst retaining the essential character and historical context of the market.
The completed scheme will see the creation of a new, modern market, additional office space as well the boutique hotel.
Greenwich Hospital is seeking an operator to partner the planning application for the hotel, which will be submitted by the middle of this year, and also to operate the completed property.
Ideally located in the heart of Greenwich, the completed hotel will benefit from easy access to a number of high-profile corporate and leisure business generators, including the O2 Arena and Canary Wharf.and:
Greenwich is located approximately five miles south east of the City of London. Benefitting from excellent public transport links, via the Docklands Light Railway from Cutty Sark station, Greenwich has easy access to Canary Wharf and London’s underground system.Easy access to Canary Wharf? Via the Docklands Light Railway? You can tell they don't spend a lot of time trying to get from one side of the river to the other on these "excellent public transport links", can't you? To my knowledge the DLR service has been appalling for years - and I see no sign of it improving this side of eternity.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Compensation
I've been thinking. My conclusions are probably wrong as I haven't heard anyone else voice them, but I hope you'll indulge me.
The one fact I have, which started my addled thinking, is this: the shop owners within the market whose leases have extended beyond the start of the redevelopment have either been bought out or otherwise compensated for their trouble. Similar arrangements must also be in place for leaseholders of other properties on the island site.
This thought led me to two propositions, the first unconnected with the market's future, the second more interesting to market folk.
First, could this explain why Frank the Yank has acquired as much property as possible on the island site? He already had the Admiral Hardy and the INC bar before the redevelopment news first emerged. Since then he has added the Coach and Horses, the W Lounge (ex Powder Monkey) and George II to his portfolio. Say what you like about Frank, he's a very shrewd businessman.
Second, who is probably one of Greenwich Hospital's more significant leaseholders? Step forward GSM/USM, who hold the market's lease. The disruption caused to the market by the redevelopment will be huge. The current lease runs from 1997, when I would guess a clause about redevelopment would be unlikely, to 2012. I find it inconceivable that the leaseholders won't be in line for generous compensation for their trouble. In fact, I imagine they would be due an even greater wedge if the market had to be shut down altogether.
Given their behaviour of late I find it most unlikely that GSM/USM will have their lease renewed in 2012, so perhaps it may be to their advantage were the market to fail to be relocated and have to be closed down. Eric Reynolds is also a very shrewd businessman.
The one fact I have, which started my addled thinking, is this: the shop owners within the market whose leases have extended beyond the start of the redevelopment have either been bought out or otherwise compensated for their trouble. Similar arrangements must also be in place for leaseholders of other properties on the island site.
This thought led me to two propositions, the first unconnected with the market's future, the second more interesting to market folk.
First, could this explain why Frank the Yank has acquired as much property as possible on the island site? He already had the Admiral Hardy and the INC bar before the redevelopment news first emerged. Since then he has added the Coach and Horses, the W Lounge (ex Powder Monkey) and George II to his portfolio. Say what you like about Frank, he's a very shrewd businessman.
Second, who is probably one of Greenwich Hospital's more significant leaseholders? Step forward GSM/USM, who hold the market's lease. The disruption caused to the market by the redevelopment will be huge. The current lease runs from 1997, when I would guess a clause about redevelopment would be unlikely, to 2012. I find it inconceivable that the leaseholders won't be in line for generous compensation for their trouble. In fact, I imagine they would be due an even greater wedge if the market had to be shut down altogether.
Given their behaviour of late I find it most unlikely that GSM/USM will have their lease renewed in 2012, so perhaps it may be to their advantage were the market to fail to be relocated and have to be closed down. Eric Reynolds is also a very shrewd businessman.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A heated debate
As many of you know, USM's proposal for the temporary relocation of the market and shops revolves around a tent on Cutty Sark Gardens. This is, I believe, the same tent USM Supremo Eric Reynolds offered to Greenwich Gateway for the millennium. Presumably it will have survived its nine years in storage well and will have the desired "wow factor" when unveiled next year. I'll have more to say on this later; for now I want to confine my comments to the issue of heating.
From the beginning, when the traders found out they were expected to do business in a tent by the river, it has been their contention that the tent must be heated in winter. Given the exposure of the location, this was always a requirement for traders and the comfort of customers.
Throughout the various meetings that the traders had with Greenwich Hospital and others it was always a given that the tent would be heated. Kate Jaconello, Nick Raynsford M.P., and Councillor Maureen O'Mara have all made the heating a sticking point. In meetings, Eric Dolby and Martin Sands of Greenwich Hospital have expressed their agreement with traders over the matter.
In the minutes of the KSCG meeting of the 19th November 2007, at which Eric Reynolds represented USM, it was noted that:
Five minutes on Google with the search term "marquee heating" turns up loads of sites offering such a service and lots of advice. Further research unearths some genuine experts in the field of temporary structures. I recommend:
All would be delighted to provide a proper temporary structure; heated, cooled, lit, ventilated, insulated, secure, etc.
Note to Greenwich Hospital: Ditch Eric and his tent - surely this is important enough to get it done by professionals.
From the beginning, when the traders found out they were expected to do business in a tent by the river, it has been their contention that the tent must be heated in winter. Given the exposure of the location, this was always a requirement for traders and the comfort of customers.
Throughout the various meetings that the traders had with Greenwich Hospital and others it was always a given that the tent would be heated. Kate Jaconello, Nick Raynsford M.P., and Councillor Maureen O'Mara have all made the heating a sticking point. In meetings, Eric Dolby and Martin Sands of Greenwich Hospital have expressed their agreement with traders over the matter.
In the minutes of the KSCG meeting of the 19th November 2007, at which Eric Reynolds represented USM, it was noted that:
The market would be housed in a tented structure that would be suitable to meet the requirements of the stallholders, e.g. heating, access, lavatories.For some reason Eric Reynolds has been heard to hum and haw subsequently about the heating issue. The minutes of the KSCG meeting of the 28th April this year make Eric's objections clear:
There were some concerns about the operational aspects of the tented structure. This included concerns about servicing, security, heating, sanitation, water supply and health & safety. In addition it was pointed out that having both ends of the tent open to the elements could create a wind tunnel effect through the structure.Eric gave further voice to his objection to heating at the first meeting of the Community Liaison Group (CLG) on the 10th June, where he revealed the glorious tent to a wider audience. According to the minutes:
It was commented that a temporary structure would be difficult to heat and in addition it was illegal to heat temporary structures. It was suggested that the entrances could be arranged such that a wind tunnel was not created.
It was questioned whether the tented structure would be heated or not. It was commented that it was not practical to heat an un-insulated structure aside from the fact that it is against building regulations to heat a temporary structure.Illegal, indeed? Against building regulations? Who says? Have you been a naughty boy again, Eric? As the recipient of one of their honours, surely you could have asked one of your RIBA contacts for clarification before trotting out this line again. You might even have asked one of the architects who are always present at KSCG meetings. Failing to check your assertion that it's "illegal to heat temporary structures" and "against building regulations", when both are false, makes it look like you're lying to the committees. As anyone who's ever been to an outdoor event in the inclement months knows, temporary structures are heated all the time.
Five minutes on Google with the search term "marquee heating" turns up loads of sites offering such a service and lots of advice. Further research unearths some genuine experts in the field of temporary structures. I recommend:
All would be delighted to provide a proper temporary structure; heated, cooled, lit, ventilated, insulated, secure, etc.
Note to Greenwich Hospital: Ditch Eric and his tent - surely this is important enough to get it done by professionals.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Rather more entrancing
Re "Entranced", I just unearthed pictures of the market's entrances taken just last year and I thought you might like to see them for comparison.
Here's the east end of Turnpin Lane:
Blighted by Frank the Yank's doors (not a problem when it was the Cricketers - see below) of course, but still a whole lot more inviting. Note the Greenwich Market sign above Frank's doors.
The Nelson Road entrance has Warwick Leadlay in place and the signs from hell missing:
Shame about the Teddy Bear shop - another victim of rising rents? Even in its closed state it still looks better than the Biscuit mess.
The College Approach entrance looks rather approachable:
Again, note the Greenwich Market sign between the two leftmost columns. A duplicate of the one above the Cricketers/Powder Monkey it helped people at the end of the street to spot the market. No misleading banner and no pall of greasy smoke either.
As promised, here's a picture of the Cricketers, with inward opening doors, before Frank the Yank got his hands on it:
Makes for a better entrance to the market, doesn't it?
By the way, how the hell did Frank the Yank get away with fitting outward opening doors?
Here's the east end of Turnpin Lane:
Blighted by Frank the Yank's doors (not a problem when it was the Cricketers - see below) of course, but still a whole lot more inviting. Note the Greenwich Market sign above Frank's doors.The Nelson Road entrance has Warwick Leadlay in place and the signs from hell missing:
Shame about the Teddy Bear shop - another victim of rising rents? Even in its closed state it still looks better than the Biscuit mess.The College Approach entrance looks rather approachable:
Again, note the Greenwich Market sign between the two leftmost columns. A duplicate of the one above the Cricketers/Powder Monkey it helped people at the end of the street to spot the market. No misleading banner and no pall of greasy smoke either.As promised, here's a picture of the Cricketers, with inward opening doors, before Frank the Yank got his hands on it:
Makes for a better entrance to the market, doesn't it?By the way, how the hell did Frank the Yank get away with fitting outward opening doors?
Entranced
In one of yesterday's posts I remarked upon the difficulty visitors have finding Greenwich market. Having found it, however, they may still be put off bothering to enter.
Three of the five entrances to the market are off-putting in the extreme. Worst of the bunch visually is the east end of Turnpin Lane:
To the right, there is the horrid scaffolding narrowing the already confined entrance by almost one-half. To the left, Frank the Yank has had his bar fitted with outward opening doors which are locked open, narrowing the entrance still further. GSM complete the hostile picture by having no signage whatever. Would it occur to you to look for one of London's great markets here?
On the south side of the market is the slightly grand Nelson Road entrance. This looks to me like an original Joseph Kay feature, only slightly marred by the pipes and cables routed through it:
The let down here is the emptiness of the shops on both sides. Warwick Leadlay's fascinating shop should be on the left, but I understand they were unable to justify the price hike by Greenwich Hospital when their lease came up. By the by, you'd think Greenwich Hospital, given their naval connections, would have nurtured Warwick Leadlay. Not only was the shop stuffed with maritime prints, model ships, Nelsonia and the wonderful Warwick himself, but Anthony Cross, his business partner, is on the council of the 1805 Club, a charity for the preservation of Georgian naval monuments.
The all but empty Biscuit store on the right is going for the "under offer" longevity award. The shop has been cluttered with Biscuit's promotional material for ages, but there's still no sign of life. Completing the unhappy picture, visible through the arch in the centre, is GSM's "we're only open on Wednesday and we only sell food, so bog off" sign. No surprise there.
And finally, Kay's splendid but restrained north entrance:
Greenwich Hospital isn't doing the portico any favours at the moment by framing it with scaffolding. But that just makes it hard for people to find the market, it doesn't stop them going in. That honour falls to the dead hand of GSM.
I know you'll be getting a terrible feeling of déjà vu, but here it is again - that accursed sign. At the risk of repeating myself; this is not a food market and it isn't only open on Wednesday. This sign puts people off. For **** sake GSM - stop being so intransigent and get rid of these blasted signs.
Three of the five entrances to the market are off-putting in the extreme. Worst of the bunch visually is the east end of Turnpin Lane:
To the right, there is the horrid scaffolding narrowing the already confined entrance by almost one-half. To the left, Frank the Yank has had his bar fitted with outward opening doors which are locked open, narrowing the entrance still further. GSM complete the hostile picture by having no signage whatever. Would it occur to you to look for one of London's great markets here?On the south side of the market is the slightly grand Nelson Road entrance. This looks to me like an original Joseph Kay feature, only slightly marred by the pipes and cables routed through it:
The let down here is the emptiness of the shops on both sides. Warwick Leadlay's fascinating shop should be on the left, but I understand they were unable to justify the price hike by Greenwich Hospital when their lease came up. By the by, you'd think Greenwich Hospital, given their naval connections, would have nurtured Warwick Leadlay. Not only was the shop stuffed with maritime prints, model ships, Nelsonia and the wonderful Warwick himself, but Anthony Cross, his business partner, is on the council of the 1805 Club, a charity for the preservation of Georgian naval monuments.The all but empty Biscuit store on the right is going for the "under offer" longevity award. The shop has been cluttered with Biscuit's promotional material for ages, but there's still no sign of life. Completing the unhappy picture, visible through the arch in the centre, is GSM's "we're only open on Wednesday and we only sell food, so bog off" sign. No surprise there.
And finally, Kay's splendid but restrained north entrance:
Greenwich Hospital isn't doing the portico any favours at the moment by framing it with scaffolding. But that just makes it hard for people to find the market, it doesn't stop them going in. That honour falls to the dead hand of GSM.I know you'll be getting a terrible feeling of déjà vu, but here it is again - that accursed sign. At the risk of repeating myself; this is not a food market and it isn't only open on Wednesday. This sign puts people off. For **** sake GSM - stop being so intransigent and get rid of these blasted signs.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Market? What market?
I had to give directions to a couple of tourists the other day (an increasingly common task for locals). They were looking for Greenwich market. They were standing outside the Spanish Galleon. I wonder if their bafflement may have had something to do with the tarting up that's currently under way. And under wraps.
Here are some examples of what a visitor to Joseph Kay's splendid erection finds these days:
I'd like to pose a couple of questions to Greenwich Hospital. Given that you plan to start redevelopment in a year or so, couldn't this wait? If it had to be done, who thought the peak of the tourist season was good timing?
Here are some examples of what a visitor to Joseph Kay's splendid erection finds these days:
I'd like to pose a couple of questions to Greenwich Hospital. Given that you plan to start redevelopment in a year or so, couldn't this wait? If it had to be done, who thought the peak of the tourist season was good timing?
Monday, June 16, 2008
What a fine fellow
Greenwich Hospital have invited Eric Reynolds, the director of USM and GSM, to submit a proposal for the structure to temporarily house the market while the "island site" is redeveloped. I'm sure Greenwich Market is in safe hands; Eric was recently honoured by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The RIBA Honorary Fellowships for 2008 were presented at the Royal Gold Medal and Fellowships Dinner on the 12th February. Honoured for "his major contribution as a client to the urban regeneration of London and to the conservation of historic buildings", none other than Eric Reynolds.
I'm certain we can look forward to an exciting structure that will not only satisfy every requirement of the Hospital, the World Heritage site, the Council and the market traders, but will also draw huge numbers of visitors to Greenwich to gaze in awe at its latest attraction.
The RIBA Honorary Fellowships for 2008 were presented at the Royal Gold Medal and Fellowships Dinner on the 12th February. Honoured for "his major contribution as a client to the urban regeneration of London and to the conservation of historic buildings", none other than Eric Reynolds.
I'm certain we can look forward to an exciting structure that will not only satisfy every requirement of the Hospital, the World Heritage site, the Council and the market traders, but will also draw huge numbers of visitors to Greenwich to gaze in awe at its latest attraction.
Missing, presumed irrelevant
After an embarrassing first brush back in 2005/6 with the idea of town centre redevelopment which was noisily opposed and withdrawn, Greenwich Hospital regrouped to propose a more sympathetic plan.
In January 2007 the Key Stakeholder Consultative Group (KSCG) was set up by Greenwich Hospital to "provide a forum for consultation on a vision for the regeneration and improvement of the Hospital's core property within the World Heritage Site, in particular the Greenwich 'Island Site' - including the market". Chaired by the Member of Parliament for Greenwich, Nick Raynsford, its original members were:-
I'm sure USM's founding (and only) director and KSCG representative Eric Reynolds was surprised to find no market traders' representative at the meetings and I assume only shock prevented him from expressing his outrage at this omission.
I am advised that the reason for there being no market trader at the meetings was that USM had informed the Hospital prior to the founding of the group that the traders were happy to be represented by USM. As far as I know, traders have still to find one other trader who had given their approval to USM's representation of them. No-one had been approached by USM for their approval. No market trader even knew that the KSCG existed until after the first meeting.
USM's claim to represent the market traders was indeed outrageous, but I doubt they were being truly duplicitous, Perhaps Eric was ill-advised by his people on the ground in Greenwich, though I'm quite sure Barmy wouldn't betray the traders and mislead his employer by suggesting that he had canvassed traders' opinion. In any event, I have no doubt that Eric would have been unaware of these shenanigans as he is a well-known admirer of designers and artists, which many traders at Greenwich still are.
Anyway, I'm delighted to say that when the situation was drawn to their attention, the KSCG immediately invited the traders to the table and their representative has performed the task with integrity and vigour.
In January 2007 the Key Stakeholder Consultative Group (KSCG) was set up by Greenwich Hospital to "provide a forum for consultation on a vision for the regeneration and improvement of the Hospital's core property within the World Heritage Site, in particular the Greenwich 'Island Site' - including the market". Chaired by the Member of Parliament for Greenwich, Nick Raynsford, its original members were:-
- Greenwich Hospital
- London Borough of Greenwich
- Greenwich Foundation
- National Maritime Museum
- Greenwich Town Centre Traders Association
- Urban Space Management
- Town Centre Residents
- Chamber of Commerce
- Greenwich Peninsula Partnership
- The Greenwich Society
- Nelson Bakewell
- Hopkins Architects
- Communique
- Drivers Jonas (2nd meeting)
I'm sure USM's founding (and only) director and KSCG representative Eric Reynolds was surprised to find no market traders' representative at the meetings and I assume only shock prevented him from expressing his outrage at this omission.
I am advised that the reason for there being no market trader at the meetings was that USM had informed the Hospital prior to the founding of the group that the traders were happy to be represented by USM. As far as I know, traders have still to find one other trader who had given their approval to USM's representation of them. No-one had been approached by USM for their approval. No market trader even knew that the KSCG existed until after the first meeting.
USM's claim to represent the market traders was indeed outrageous, but I doubt they were being truly duplicitous, Perhaps Eric was ill-advised by his people on the ground in Greenwich, though I'm quite sure Barmy wouldn't betray the traders and mislead his employer by suggesting that he had canvassed traders' opinion. In any event, I have no doubt that Eric would have been unaware of these shenanigans as he is a well-known admirer of designers and artists, which many traders at Greenwich still are.
Anyway, I'm delighted to say that when the situation was drawn to their attention, the KSCG immediately invited the traders to the table and their representative has performed the task with integrity and vigour.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Communiquétion
I sent Greenwich Hospital an email today to enquire about the Key Stakeholder Consultative Group minutes, which I think are a tad tardy:-
I note from your website that as of today (11th June 2008) the minutes of the KSCG meeting held on the 28th April have not been posted. I would be grateful if would let me know when they will be.Greenwich Hospital use an outfit called Communiqué to keep the media (and the great unwashed, for that matter) at arms length. That seems perfectly reasonable to me, as they shouldn't be wasting your money on PR staff when they can get someone else to do it for them more economically and effectively. One supposes that the newsletters, publishing of minutes and website are all handled by Communiqué, so could Greenwich Hospital please encourage them to Communiquéte?
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