• THE Belsize Village and its “streatery” is an initiative more than worthy of imitation, (‘Streatery’ up and running in Belsize village, but is it like Parisian dining?, July 10).

It’ll help save the livelihoods of those with mouths to feed and rent to pay and keep the streets clean at the same time.

Ask anybody around here who works, shops, eats, has their nails done, their clothes cleaned, their pet cared for, or their hair done, and they’ll tell you the square’s been an unofficial municipal rubbish dump for years.

Suggestions to the contrary are just (sorry) rubbish. As are references to some golden age of local festivals with Morris dancing and a Punch & Judy show. The last one was in 1989.

Those who wish to decry the efforts of those behind the streatery should think of the people who serve us every day and show a little common humanity. We’re living through a black-swan, once-in-100-years, event.

IAN WOOLGAR
Daleham Mews, NW3