CLLR Stuart Barnes seems to think that building offices in York Central will create jobs; and that the greater the commercial floor space, the more jobs will be created (York Central will not deliver jobs York needs, January 30).
Wrong. This is an extremely naive and misinformed view. It is nothing more than wishful thinking.
Without an agreed occupant, construction of offices creates nothing but empty buildings.
It is the utmost folly to believe that new offices, of whatever quality and design, will, of themselves, automatically bring highly paid jobs to the city.
Despite numerous requests for tangible proof of a significant demand for substantial office space in York, including FOI requests, no real evidence has been forthcoming to support the hypothesis that new offices are needed, or that if provided, they will result in increased employment.
The recent conversion of so much existing empty office space in the city to residential use is a clear signal that people who actually own these assets and carry the commercial risk attached, do not accept there is a viable market for office floor space.
Newly built empty offices do not create jobs. It is entrepreneurs who create jobs. Those “wicked capitalists” who embark on enterprises in order to make a profit.
Labour should not be calling for more speculative office blocks at York Central.
Instead they should be putting their efforts into encouraging and supporting free enterprise because that is where real jobs are going to come from.
Matthew Laverack,
Lord Mayors Walk,
York
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