Olympics story by Carl Anders, Wed, 01 Feb 2006 04:08:00 GMT


LONDON - Businesses located north of Stratford, in East London would not have to undertake massive relocation as Olympic organizers unveiled proposals that will concentrate facilities in one single location. Updated plans show that the Olympic Village will be further integrated with the Stratford City Development.

Additionally, Fish Island, which was to be a car-parking center, has been released and the broadcast center has been relocated to within the security zone, meaning that the number of businesses needing to relocate is down to 206 from the original 301.

"These improvements will help deliver an enhanced legacy for London and Londoners, which has always been the core of our vision," said chief executive of the London Development Agency (LDA) Manny Lewis.

"The changes also mean that nearly a third of the businesses - and 1,200 jobs - which we originally needed to relocate can now remain where they are. This will significantly reduce the impact on local businesses." However many businesses that will be "saved" say that most of the lease holders plan to sell so that luxury flats will be built up. This means that they are in loss either ways, "A lot of businesses told us they didn't want to move," said a LDA spokesperson.

"This decision will safeguard those businesses and save 1,200 local jobs." Commenting on the decision to shift the Car Park from Fish Island, London mayor Ken Livingstone said, "It obviously made sense. It would be daft to build a car park on Fish Island and move businesses when there were car parks already going up nearer our site. It took time to do the deal but we see it as win-win situation," he commented.

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