Bloomsbury Square

• AS so many of us in central London live in properties without gardens, we greatly value the green spaces which are available to us, not least the historic Bloomsbury squares.

These elegant green spaces have made it possible for countless generations to take some time out from the fast pace all around and enter into a place of tranquillity.

With pollution levels in some of our residential streets, such as Bury Place, exceeding double the safe level set by the World Health Organisation, the importance of keeping the squares intact and easily accessible to everyone throughout the year is more important than ever.

However, this long- accepted principle is now under threat by a proposal to run a commercial Game Fair in Bloomsbury Square over three days in November.

Billed as a festive event, and aimed at least in part at “affluent Londoners”, neither the organisers, National Game Fair Ltd, nor Camden Council, seem to be aware, or care, that a themed event around the concept of hunting down animals for sport, turning them into expensive delicacies for those who can afford them, and showcasing them in their local park might not appeal to everyone.

The highlight of the game fair is a restaurant “experience”, doubtless only for those who can stretch to the cost of purchasing a ticket.

Hosting such an exclusive event in a public square is adding insult to injury. It is hard to imagine that the installation of 120 cabins and a marquee to serve 150 people, together with an anticipated footfall of 18,000 in this small area, will not cause some damage to the delicate environment of the square.

In total, the square will be inaccessible to local residents, children and visitors for an additional six days. Occasional, genuine, community events, at an appropriate scale and with due respect for the environment, are welcome but we are concerned that the proposed game fair will set a precedent for hosting similar elitist events.

The motive, clearly, is to generate income but the squares are ill-suited for events of this scale and character and this could end up costing considerable amounts of money to put right.

Camden has a duty to safeguard and promote the interests of the community as a whole and to commit itself now, more than ever, to protecting our much-loved green spaces.

HELEN McMURRAY
Secretary, South Bloomsbury Tenants’ & Residents’ Association