Taxpayers Foot Bill For Billionaires River Upgrade

stefan perssons house

A billionaire fashion tycoon is at the centre of a row after more than £50,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent improving a private stretch of river that flows through his £9million estate.

Stefan Persson, 61, who owns the H&M fashion chain, has exclusive access to a mile of the River Kennet in Wiltshire, which is regarded as one of Britain’s best trout-fishing areas.

Access to the riverbank is limited to Mr Persson and his guests, who have included King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, and anglers who pay £1,700 a year for a permit.

But to the anger of local residents, the Environment Agency has spent £53,000 of public money on raising the riverbed, a move that will further improve the quality of fishing.

dStickboy Says: This is just wrong, if he is such a wealthy man why would he not pay for this upgrade himself? He must make a few bob from all those £1,700 permits.

With all this negative publicity I wonder will he give the money back?

I’d fire the person who gave this the stamp of approval and I’d also fire the person who signed the cheque.

via Daily Mail

Posted on May 10, 2009 | Filed Under Life