SIR,—Mr. John Bctjcman, in your issue of March 4, draws
a gloomy picture of the prospects of future shopping facilities in the centre of the City of London. Its rebuilding may of course result in fewer shops than in the past—one misses, for example, that cosy little shopping street, Walbrook, which often presented one with variety of goods and many fellow shoppers—nevertheless many groups of shops remain. Off Gracechurch Street is busy Leadenhall Market, Lime Street, part of Fen- church Street, Cannon Street Station approach. There is also part of St. Paul's Churchyard and Ludgate Hill. Off Moorgate there is the well- equipped Copthall Avenue. In these places shops of all kinds will doubtless be available still, whilst Liverpool Street and part of new Broad Street, with the splendid arcade there, offer excellent facilities.
Your contributor states that 'The new City will be a dead place and no encouragement given to an enjoyable lunch-hour.' From long experience of the City, I cannot agree with that sad prediction. In addition to shopping (or as a substitute therefor) the City worker may enjoy, at least, a rest in the beautiful garden at St. Paul's Cathedral, or in Finsbury Circus; stroll to London Bridge and watch the ship- ping moored there; visit the art gallery at the Guildhall or read quietly in the splendid library there; inspect the panels in the Royal Exchange; look at some of the remaining City churches. Finally there is the public gallery at the Stock Exchange. It would he interesting to know how many of those who have worked in the City have failed to find it interesting.— Yours faithfully,
W. 1. BAKHURST
57 Halt whites Hill, Enfield, Middlesex
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