Harrods does not need to plug any holes

It is very kind of you to offer us free advice “Harrods must plug holes in its strategy” (MW February 23) and I am sure you will understand if we politely decline.

Harrods has just enjoyed its most successful year in every respect, and I am confident that there is not a comparable business anywhere in the world that would not gladly exchange its results for ours.

This success is due in great measure to the substantial investment and personal leadership of the chairman, and anyone who knows anything about Harrods will recognise the evidence of Mr Mohamed Al Fayed’s constant commitment to his business in every corner of all seven floors – and in the store’s international outlets too.

Your article was misleading and erroneous. There is no “six-strong board”. Nancy Prall did not replace Trevor Bell as group marketing director . She did not leave after her three-month trial. Mr Al Fayed did not refuse to comment because he was never asked. I could go on, but I am too busy to give journalism lessons to your reporter, Ms Michele Simpson.

If Harrods has holes to plug, where does that leave the many British businesses that bump along the bottom year after year? Perhaps they might benefit from charisma and volatility, qualities Ms Simpson sees fit to attribute to Mr Al Fayed even though she has never met or spoken to him.

Michael Cole

Director of Public Affairs

Harrods

London SW1

Mr Al Fayed was unable to comment because Harrods did not put Ms Simpson through. The other “erroneous” facts came from an apparently impeccable source – Harrods’ press office. Editor