Affleck's Palace is about as individual as a park bench. There is an equivalent place in every major city.
Yes, the place may be full, but perhaps it is full of people 'hanging out' and 'forming bands' rather than buying stuff. It is a shop, not a church, museum or a free art gallery...it is as commercially orientated as my local butchers.
By the way editor of designer magazine... if I wrote an article telling you how to run your business how would you feel? That's what you've done to the owners of the building.
They have every right to charge whatever rent they want, THEY OWN THE PROPERTY. Market forces will prevail and the price they get will be a price someone, somewhere is prepared to pay. Just because the potential new owners may not have plans that fit into the cliched stereotype of alternative lifestyles, everyone starts moaning.
I have been in the place a few times, yeah it's alright, but to be fair, selling what they do at the prices they do (oooh, this old leather jacket stinks, is ripped and is too small, but it's VINTAGE, here, have my hard earned £80!!) they can either afford to pay higher rent, or they deserve to go out of business.
If the stall holders cared so much about their businesses, perhaps they can club together and buy a property in a less trendy (expensive) area and start their own emporium.
Nobody owes anyone a living, get over it, moan about something worthwhile.
Stewart (aka the voice of reason)
p.s Chumawumba and the levellers are pants. Especially the levellers, who by the way, are as money driven as your average investment banker. I know, I've met them and seen how they behave whilst 'at work'.