My apologies if you misunderstood my concern.

In order to be fair, the independent methodology involves hiring people to walk high streets and shopping centres, noting the status of shops and taking photos where they are permitted.

In many ways like a shopper, who I’d argue are able to see whether shops are opened or closed as well as an LDC researcher.

Indeed, a quick straw poll of shoppers this morning (which are most people, after all) showed that they don’t need a report to know the state of their high street, but they are concerned about what the future holds, will it improve or decline?

However, as I’m sure you know, what is more important is that potential investors have confidence in places like Wandsworth. That confidence is not created by a report that fails to provide any local context or analysis (and I recognise your previous offer to look at that if we become a client) but instead results in a media narrative of decline and crisis.

I stand by my point that by failing to provide any context to your data you fail to give an accurate picture of Wandsworth, and many other town centres. And if wanting to see the borough’s town centres accurately is “political self-interest” it’s a badge I will wear with pride.

With regards to the Southside redevelopment, planning permission was granted last year and work starts this year, with some tenancies already signed. You will have to ask the owners, Metro, for the precise timings; I’m more than happy to try and set up a meeting if it will help you produce a more accurate product when you come to republish.

Matthew Hopkinson