London shops and shoppers believe change is inevitable

THE morning after Europe awoke bleary-eyed to a new year and a new currency, there was a feeling of inevitability among Londoners about the coming of the euro to Britain.

Shoppers and shopkeepers alike in one of only three EU capitals not to convert had not failed to be touched by euro fever.

"I do think it's a good idea for us to join the whole of Europe in such a momentous decision," said investor relations manager Suzanne Austin, 39, on her way to work near Oxford Street.

"It makes sense. I don't have any sentimental attachment to the pound.

The euro is a good idea for European travellers on business or pleasure."

Shopper Vicky Kingston, 33, a mortgage underwriter, agreed but had some misgivings. "I think we will become more used to it now that Marks and Selfridges are accepting it and we will join eventually," she said.

"But I think it is good that we've waited. If it goes smoothly for other countries then we can join. If it doesn't we've had the benefit of waiting to see. I have to admit I didn't want to lose the pound, but everyone else seems to have accepted it.

If I had euros in my pocket now I wouldn't feel as bad as I would have done a year ago."

Madhu Patel, 46, who runs a newsagents off Oxford Street, said tourist pressure would force Britain to join. "My biggest lot of customers are Americans. When they come to London they also go to Brussels and Paris. they are very demanding customers and when they have problems spending euros here they'll start pressuring shops to accept them.

"Shops that refuse will lose a lot of money.

"I think it would be a good thing for British business if we joined. You can't stand alone these days."

Hoteliers Martin and Linda Owen from Northumberland agreed.

"We are very pro-euro," said Mr Owen, 45. "We've got to get in line with the rest of Europe. It will simplify everything. We run a hotel and we are trying to make life as easy as possible for the tourists who visit us so we are accepting euros. Not to do so would look very backward and very negative."

Property dealer Edward Joory, 60, who was perusing the currency convertor in the window of Marks & Spencer, was less positive. "I think it's a very good idea for travellers to the Continent but I don't think that's a reason to give up the pound," he said. "What's the advantage? We deal with dollars as well, does that mean we should change our currency to the dollar?

"If you're driving around Europe to different countries it's brilliant but I don't see the hurry for us to join."

Actor Michael Byrne said: "I am terribly upset because I've just been in France and they've changed all the toilets over to euros. You put in your euro coin and you don't get any change back. It's very upsetting.

"Generally I think joining the euro is a good idea. It is unifying Europe economically, which is the best way to unify."

Copyright 2002
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