HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY to the Covent Garden Area Trust. Set up in 1988 in the wake of the removal of the GLC - a major landowner in Covent Garden - the Trust was given a 150-year lease on the main ex-GLC buildings of the Piazza - the Central Market, Bedford Chambers, the Museum block as well as buildings in Floral Street and James Street. Its role is to continue the wise management polices of the Covent Garden Action Area Plan, an enlightened planning document hammered out between the GLC, Westminster and Camden Councils and the local community.

Last year, the Trust was tested to the limit. In October Scottish Widows, freeholders of Bedford Chambers, took the Trust to arbitration over the Trustees' refusal to allow a 700-seat restaurant in the building. After a week of hearing evidence from both sides, the arbitrator decided in the Trust's favour.

At around the same time the Trust published its Environmental Study of Central Covent Garden, a highly researched and useful handbook of the Piazza and the surrounding streets. Partly funded by Westminster City Council, English Heritage and Guardian Properties, copies of the Study now cost f30 from the Trust offices. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Trust can apply to the Administrator, Leana Pooley, at the new office at 44 Maiden Lane, on the corner with Southampton Street. There is a balance of Trustees between local councillors, representatives of organisations such as English Heritage and the Royal Fine Art Commission, owners of local businesses and Residents. Subscriptions are reasonable: £1 for residents; £3 for non-residents and £25 for a business. Senior citizens who live here pay nothing. Why not join and support the Trust's work for the next 140 years? Or for as long as you can!

 

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