3 Responses to Spotlight on King’s Cross – From the Homes & Property Section of the Evening Standard

1. Helen Pinkerton says:

   March 5, 2010 at 6:55 pm

   As a resident of York Central (13 years) and a parent of an 11 year I was rather shocked to read the comment made by David Salvi of Hurford Salvi Carr. My email to him is below, along with this response. Maybe the reputation of Estate Agents should remain intact in this case…

   —–Original Message—–
   From: Helen Pinkerton [mailto:helenmkpinkerton@yahoo.co.uk]
   Sent: 04 March 2010 23:42
   To: David Salvi
   Subject: Article – Homes & Property

   Spotlight on King’s Cross

   As a resident of King’s Cross since 1997, this recent article caught my eye. Even more so when I saw that the building I have lived in for some 13 years was mentioned (York Central).

   So far so good, I thought, until I got to the para headed Schools. Your off the wall comment “Schools aren’t an issue in King’s Cross because this isn’t much of a family area,” caused great upset in my household. You obviously have not done your research. There are three primary schools within walking distance of our flat and as you say only one secondary school which is actually in Camden, not King’s Cross. There are an abundance of families in King’s Cross who, if they are anything like us have huge worries over where to send their 11 years olds off to state secondary school. The choice is extremely limited in this area, we should know, we have a son approaching 11.

   You must not have had the opportunity to read the article before you were quoted. Sarah McConnell herself writes about the King’s Cross Partnership planning to build houses and flats to attract more families.

   The comment you made brought negativity to a very positive article and also I imagine many families who do live in King’s Cross took some offence to your comment.

   One should think twice before commenting on subject matters where your research people obviously haven’t done their research thoroughly. There ARE families in King’s Cross, just no good secondary schools, but that doesn’t mean we pack our bags and move away.

   Helen Pinkerton

   ——————————–

   Dear Helen

   I can assure you that I was equally shocked and disgusted by the comment on schools not being an issue at Kings Cross attributed to me in Wednesdays Evening Standard feature on Kings Cross.

   I have known Sara McConnell for over 10 years and was delighted to assist her with this article. I spent 20 minutes in a telephone interview describing the best addresses in the area including Keystone Crescent, York Central and St Pancreas Chambers as well as streets and restaurants in WC1 and N1 that play a key role.

   At no stage was I asked about schools and the comment attributed to me was not mine.

   I totally agree with the sentiments in your email and until I reached the subheading ‘Schools’ I thought the article read well.

   I have two teenage boys in comprehensive schools in London and I do understand how important schools are to peoples life’s and the wider community. In fact we are lobbying for a new nursery school to take premises in Limehouse and in January I was delighted to have attended the opening of a new school playground at the Sir Christopher Hatton School at Rosebery Avenue which we sponsored along with other local businesses and parents.

   You are right about advising on thinking twice when talking to the press and I am always careful in which journalists we are prepared to talk to. In this instance I have no idea why Sara or the Evening Standard would firstly attribute the quote to me, second why they would even say or make up such a quote as it was out of contact with the rest of the piece and thirdly why I was not given the credit for providing so much of the of the factual information contained in the piece.

   I am not surprised you felt so strongly to have contacted me and although damage has been done to my reputation I am pleased you have given me the opportunity to be able to put the record straight.

   regards

   David

   Reply
2. Sophie Talbot says:

   March 7, 2010 at 12:34 pm

   No secondary schools? How about the EGA for starters………

   Reply
3. Helen Pinkerton says:

   March 8, 2010 at 9:59 am

   Sophie – Without going in to detail, there are quite a few very good state schools in the area – but they are girls school(EGA Marylebone to name two). The area lacks co-ed and boys schools.

   Helen

   Reply