The New York Times makes the case for London galleries to simply go with the real estate trends and not bemoan the rising cost of premises in Central London. Whether galleries move to thriving districts South of the Thames or give up premises altogether and focus on art fairs, as Jess Wilder of Portal Painters did, the change merely reflects shape of commercial patterns in the city and the art market:

“West End is just not justifiable,” Ms. Wilder said. “The trade is not what it was in the ’70s or ’80s, when Americans would pop into a shop and buy something on a whim.”

Her focus on art fairs is “going fine,” she said, adding: “Nobody likes change, but it’s perfectly possible to do it. We live in a world where we do business in a different kind of way.” […]

“A lot of galleries have moved out of the center, but it has been sensationalized in the press,” said Alexandra Donaldson, director of Quintessentially Art, which advises collectors. “It’s just the nature of London.” In fact, she added, “London is increasingly becoming the most important hub for galleries.”

For Galleries, a Central London Presence Is a Dying Tradition (NYTimes.com)