• ANYBODY reading the New Journal could be misled into thinking that the Stables Market collectively forms some kind of Unesco world heritage site, on a par with the Sistine Chapel or the Pantheon.

But rather than masterpieces in the market you will hear the ubiquitous sound of early 90s rave music and find T-shirts of Bob Marley smoking a reefer.

Rather than the evocative scents of classic Roman cuisine, visitors are subjected to the sickly smell of incense sticks and migraine-inducing tie-dye wall hangings.

The market needs refreshing and survives by selling the kind of tat that most of us would have thrown out long ago. And all to cater to tourists and students who ought to know better.

BETTY MEYER
Belsize Park, NW3