Southwark has remained largely unaffected by the demonstrations which brought the City of London to a halt and trapped many workers near the Bank of England.
Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota told Southwark's planning committee on Tuesday that there is a "very high probability" that the extension of Tate Modern on Bankside will be completed by 2012.
Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has urged local entrepreneurs "to seize the opportunities that the Olympics will create for you, for your businesses and for Southwark".
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