Forman has become a legendary figure in the East End of London after he triumphed in a highly-publicised legal battle with former Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Forman's original premises were slap bang in the middle of where the main Olympic Stadium now stands and he was given a compulsory purchase order by the London Development Agency (LDA) to make room for the Games.

It was suggested the fourth generation salmon smoking family business move well away from the Olympic Park, but Forman resiliently stood his ground to secure a stunning location on the banks of the River Lea, offering premier views of the stadium.

His tenacity appears to have paid off as Foreman now looks set to make a fortune hiring out his key venue for corporate hospitality during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, with a figure of £1 million ($1.6 million) a day being mentioned, and Nike, Visa and a number of National Olympic Associations, said to be interested.

"Nothing has been agreed yet but I think it is safe to say that we have had a huge amount of interest from a number of major corporations about hiring the venue for the Olympics," Forman told insidethegames.

"It is obvious why there has been so much interest with this being the closest venue to the Olympic Stadium and one that offers premier views of the Olympic Park.

"However, we don't just want to do a deal for the Olympics and let it stop there. We are looking to secure a long-term deal whereby whoever hires out the venue for the Games will use it in the coming months and years afterwards.

"That will not only be beneficial for us, it will also be beneficial for them, with West Ham set to move into the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Park set to become one of the prime sporting locations in the world after the Games."


Forman intends to use surrounding land as well as party facilities incorporated in his purpose-built factory to expand on his gold mine.

Plans include temporary hospitality structures to cater for 3,000 people, a nightclub and luxury boats moored on the River Lea that separates Fish Island from the Olympic Park.

"We have already had a number of big events here including the West Ham press conference after they were preliminarily awarded the Stadium, but this is only the beginning," said Foreman.

"We offer a top class venue with our own family values and hospitality and that makes a winning combination.

"It is not about making as much money as we can out of this venue. It is about creating partnerships and having people here that share our values."

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