Ken Livingstone's visit to Croydon at the end of January will focus some much-needed attention on the area, according to a South London business leader, writes Patrick Bruce.

South London Business (SLB) chief executive David Main told the Guardian he welcomed the Mayor of London's visit as a way to raise local concerns, which he feels often get ignored in the media's focus on the city's centre.

He said: "We contribute a lot to the capital's wealth, and I think we deserve a bit more attention."

He hopes Mr Livingstone's visit, which sees him address businessmen from Croydon, Sutton and Merton, would contribute to a "drip-drip" effect of raising the area's profile, and getting the mayor's Plan for London changed.

As previously reported in the Guardian, Mr Main has criticised the mayor's plan as underestimating the area's future economic expansion, and not giving enough attention to transport links and the retention of employment sites in South London.

He said SLB, a joint venture between South London Economic Development Alliance and South London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was working hard to bring attention to the business community's concerns and get their message across to the mayor.

Mr Main said: "City Hall is south of the river but most of the politicians' attention in London is the central business district."

He added: "We understand other areas need assistance, but we are a net contributor to the UK economy, about six per cent, and that's bigger than Wales."

January 29, 2003 13:00