Letter: Dubious cafe culture
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I have followed with interest and enthusiasm your campaign to reclaim misused public spaces in London and introduce outdoor cafes, etc, a la continentale. A wonderful idea, but can we really cope with it?
A walk in Hyde Park yesterday, along the banks of the Serpentine, led me to discover the awful truth about how our most beautiful existing public spaces are ruined by shoddy facilities - namely the 'Waterside Cafe'. Shoddy plastic furniture, an appallingly dirty waterfront and, for the privilege of enjoying this dismal prospect, a charge of pounds 1 for a can of Coca-Cola served in an ambience which brought to mind the worst excesses of early motorway cafes.
What a poor unsuspecting tourist would think on being confronted with this landscape of guano and goose feathers I am embarrassed to imagine.
If this is typical of what happens when we are turned loose on our most beautiful assets, I think a campaign for converting them into car parks should be started.
Yours faithfully,
PETER HAMPSON
London, W2
14 June
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments