Chamber of Commerce "not just about building new Crystal Palace" (From Your Local Guardian)

Chamber of Commerce "not just about building new Crystal Palace"

6:30am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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Leaders of the Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce have denied the organisation is a front to promote plans to build a replica of the exhibition centre destroyed by fire in 1936.

Frank Lissimore, joint vice chairman of the chamber, said he wanted to dismiss speculation architect Ray Hall was abusing his position as chair of the business forum to promote his dream for a new Crystal Palace.

He said the group - which has some 60 people attending its meetings - was not "being led by the nose”.

"As successful business people, chamber members do have minds of their own, and debate is free and open at all meetings.

"The scheme has been discussed at length in only one meeting, at which Ray Hall very properly withdrew when it came to a vote. Chamber members have given their support in principle, but the detail has not yet been discussed."

He said the group spent more time on other concerns of the community, including the one-way system, the fate of the former Gala bingo hall and the hardships due to ever-increasing business rates and rents.