[Acrylic-bob]

>>If rents were raised to such an extent that a lot of traders had to move out, the investing company could claim that it was operating at a loss and close it down or turn it into something completely different (say a nightclub? Arena? something that would make quick money?).<<

HBC's response to falling rental revenues is one of the main reasons that the old outdoor market failed so spectacularly. The reason there were, and still are, empty stalls on the market is, plainly and simply, that the rents are too high. Further increases in site rents to generate profit for an investment company will kill the Market Hall altogether. I would have thought that a full Market Hall paying reasonable rents was preferable to a half empty one paying exhorbitant rents. Cheap site rentals would have traders clamouring to get a space. More traders = more choice = more customers. And hey presto! the market comes back to life!


If we can see this, and the traders can see this, why can HBC not see this?