Paris “doesn’t want to be like London"

The French capital of Paris has reportedly announced a series of measures designed to prevent “la Londonisation” of the city. Parisian authorities claim that the centre of their city is much livelier than its British counterpart because of a “varied network of shops and people” – and wants to ensure it stays that way by maintaining an adequate mix of “key workers” such as teachers, nurses, council employees and shopkeepers. According to The Times the scheme, which was approved yesterday, will also place restrictions on half of the city’s 71,000 shops so that, when a shopkeeper wants to sell up, the new owner will have to sell similar products. Therefore, the newspaper suggests, a food shop will only be able to be replaced by another food shop. Jean-Yves Mano, housing councillor, is quoted as saying: “I don’t want Paris to look like London, with a very wealthy population on one side and a very poor population on the other. It is the social balance that makes Paris what it is.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd