COMMENT: The Stratford miracle

Go back 30 years and Newham, of which Stratford is part, was one of London’s most downtrodden Boroughs.  Yes, its major soccer team, West Ham United, had somehow struggled into the old First Division for a shortish tenure, but in truth it has never really recovered from the bombing of the Second World War, and the demise of the Royal Docks.

Take a look today.

It has its own airport, London City, a station on High Speed One, which includes Eurostar, and with Westfield, Europe’s largest indoor complex.  And best of all, the legacy of the Olympic Park, something for future generations. 

Early yesterday (Sunday 29 July) your Editor took himself to Excel, well known to all in the travel trade as the home of World Travel Market.

At nine in the morning the place had a real buzz about it, the halls, mini indoor stadiums very busy for boxing, judo, table tennis, and weightlifting.  Transformed from the Excel that we know.  Everyone smiling and Her Majesty’s Forces giving an air of security.  The many, many visitors from abroad were very happy.

London itself was bustling alive with tourists and sports enthusiasts in huge numbers.  Both nations and commercial organisations were using the opportunity for promotion.

Later the Olympic Park itself was crowded with casual visitors in spite of the downpours, a sharp contrast to Beijing where only spectators with event tickets were allowed anywhere near the stadiums.  In London a carnival atmosphere was the order of the day. 

The London Olympic and Paralympic Games have some weeks to go but so far so good.  The 2012 Games were won on a promise of sustainability and a heritage for children as yet not born.  All the omens are good.

BTNews would like to make a suggestion to Mayor Boris Johnson.  Create a legacy of difference.  Introduce a London Festival every four years perhaps combining sport and the arts.  A legacy of his forthright tenure and a reminder of what London achieved in 2012.  It will be a commercial success too.

What has happened at Stratford is truly a miracle. 

Malcolm Ginsberg

Aer Lingus & Ryanair

The European Commission has confirmed that it will decide on 29 August whether to permit Ryanair’s latest bid, its third, for Aer Lingus.  Ryanair’s first offer in 2006 was blocked by the Commission due to competition concerns while the second attempt, in 2008, was rejected by Aer Lingus’ shareholders.  Ryanair has a 29.82% stake in Aer Lingus.

The second largest shareholder, the Irish Government, said last month that it would consider the Ryanair offer – having rejected approaches more fiercely in the past. 

The Irish Government owns 25%, with Irish entrepreneur Denis O'Brien the next largest with a 4% stake.  Last month, O'Brien said that Ryanair's latest approach undervalued Aer Lingus and may be a ploy to initiate discussions with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, which owns a 3% stake in Aer Lingus.  The airline itself has also stated that the bid was too low, which may indicate a higher offer could succeed, one that would have to be acceptable to the competition authorities at the European Commission. www.aerlingus.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum