Concern over rising rents in London’s historic jewellery centre, Hatton Garden, made the evening news last Wednesday night (August 17).
London’s ITV news programme, shown at 6.00pm, spoke to Hatton Garden jeweller Lewis Malka, who is being forced to leave his workshop by the end of the year, due to rising rents. The item also featured an interview with London Diamond Bourse chief operating officer Victoria McKay.
ITV’s reporting of the issue around rising rents in Hatton Garden came just a day after the London Diamond Bourse announced its intention to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) with its members to discuss the future of the organisation past July 2019 when its lease runs out.
Ms McKay, COO of the London Diamond Bourse, said: “The jewellery quarter in London is significantly under threat and we are trying to come together as a community to solve these problems. We are going to hold a meeting with our 300 members to discuss the many options and whether a move would be viable.”
Although retailers might remain in the area, workshops would be forced out, said Ms McKay, who is on the board of the newly established Hatton Garden Business Improvement District. “It’s not a case of a mass exodus yet, but we do have a big problem as I think the workshops and offices will be forced to move elsewhere and then we will become fragmented,” she said.
Tuesday's (August 16) London’s Evening Standard also published an article which highlighted the plight of Hatton Garden as under threat from spiralling rents as a result of Crossrail.
A statement from Camden Council which was read out on the ITV news said: “We support the jewellery trade through a special local planning that has secured affordable workshop space for jewellers in the area.
If you would like an appointment, then please do call for a free consultation in our central London Hatton Garden office and we would be glad to try and help you. Our details are on the main page of the Lewis Malka London website.
Lewis Malka is a recognised expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB) You can follow him daily on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.
