Oliver Schick writes that there is a limit to how much footfall is beneficial. Plus letters from Iain Nelson and Tom Hardy The real causes of the problems seen in Oxford Street ( The long read, 22 October ) are high rents, the chaotic system of business rates and the replacement of many smaller footprints with larger ones; these are the main factors that have made the street less viable. The large flagship shops depend on being surrounded by good-quality small businesses to attract customers. Much of what the mayor of London is doing here is a de facto part-privatisation – stopping up a very important public highway for a large number of users of “unwelcome” modes of transport, to benefit private landowners. Continue reading...