Has London become too commercial (part 1)?

Travelling home with a colleague the other day we were discussing this and that and, apropos something or other, she declared that in her view 'London had become too commercial'. As she sought my view on this, my reply was in the best Sir Humphrey (of the brilliant Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister comedies) mode: well, yes and no.

London is one of the world's great cities, and a destination for visitors from all over the world. As international travel has become easier and less expensive, so people have sought to visit places they have heard about and which excite their curiosity and fantasy in one way or another. Shopping has also become an international pastime, with people travelling great distances in pursuit of the latest fashion, a bargain, style. And London has been well positioned to satisfy these urges.

This is not new. Ever since the fashions and lifestyle of the swinging sixties appeared in the media London became a bit of a magnet. Over the last 30 years people have been coming in their droves, attracted by London's unique mix of history and modern living. The much maligned EU has also contributed to this effect, with Eurotunnel another factor. And, of course, Greater London area residents have found it easier to reach the centre of town and access its many delights.

London had a choice: respond or ignore, and face the consequences.

London has responded to this by modernising, becoming more international and, by necessity, more open to business. In order to accommodate and look after the ever-increasing visitor numbers more (and better) hotels have been built, more (and much better) restaurants have been created, more shops have been opened. With the improvements in the general infrastructure the standard of everyday life in London is being improved immeasurably.

But it is true that London has become more corporate: the high streets are dominated by chains, especially in the catering game, and while their standards may be higher than in the past this uniformity leads to blandness. So, good news and bad news...

Is this all bad? Is London worse than it was ten/twenty/thirty years ago? Think about it over your cup of coffee and let's continue the discussion another time, but remember one thing: life does not stand still, and neither does our environment, urban or otherwise, no matter what we prefer.