p.s. I can understand the ‘fear’. I’ve lived in London for 9 years and the only three times I’ve been robbed were when I lived in East London, (Old Street & Mile End) they took my Dior bag on one occasion, one LV on another and my iPod. Shoreditch chic and Hoxton is really helping the area’s reputation but the Hackney area is really further out to the east and no matter what you say, for some people who aren’t dressed with an East London chic look, you feel out of place and it all looks a bit dodgy. So I don’t believe the comment was derogatory or meant to arouse harsh feelings but purely just what the writer felt. I’m not posh at all but as a girl I feel much safter walking around Battersea or Camden in the early hours of the morning than I do in Hackney. However, nothing’s as bad as Brixton.

Wot snobby arrogance – wot fear? – afraid of poor people? – just because you’ve just found this outlet doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a history.

Do you think posh clothes are manufactured by thin, blond waifs in Bond Street or Mayfair? or by poor people in the back streets of Thailand? or the east end of London?

As far as I recall this “nondescript warehouse” used to be Burberry’s factory! – so they probably still own the premises – the east end of London was the centre of the ‘rag trade’ – my dad worked on duffle coats in 50s/60s.

This outlet has been there since I was a kid (mod) – gosh, over 45 years ago – pre-history! It’s had a resurgence (possibly cos of chavs) but I thought it’d closed when Burberry’s stock took a nosedive (went out of fashion) and moved their manufacturing abroad (even cheaper). This outlet was always a coach stop for Japanese tourists who love all things Burberry.

Nice to know it’s still open – will have a butcher’s soon – think about where your clothes are made!