Hard-edged, authoritative, compelling, that's the nature of commerce. A true force of nature that does not, will not accept resistance on one hand - it's gonna get done, regardless; on the flip side, clearly in thrall ( in fear of ceding advantage no doubt) to what the other big beasts are up to: if they're doing it, then so are we and going to be in there just as hard, or harder, if it's contested territory which is in play.

Slowly, Portobello Road (close to where I live, therefore close to my heart) is being pasteurised; the corporates are slowly tunneling into this quirky and goofy and charming Souk. Today exotica, tomorrow a shopping mall? My fingers are crossed - please not. London's shoppers need somewhere tart, somewhere piquant, somewhere for quirky odds and sods. Let Bluewater and Thurrock do what they do best, and Portobello what it does. Two different shopping experiences, let's ensure it stays that way.

Portobello Road needs endangered species recognition right now. West London's Bazaar can't be covered in the equivalent of shopping kudzu vine - more mobile phone shops, chain boutiques, franchised coffee outlets .