Sydenham ShopShop

[admin]

Castiron73 made a brilliant suggestion that we should promote vacant shop opportunities for new business (http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5720)

So on 1st February we plan to launch "Sydenham ShopShop" - a shopfront of available shops. To begin with we shall cover Sydenham Road from Trewsbury Road (the old Criterion Ice Cream Parlour) up to just beyond the wobbly roundabout at Kirkdale.

I will be photographing the shopfronts and setting up a thumbnail guide like this http://hurstwarne.com/retail.html leading to a full page on each property with details of agency, history, size, classification etc if known. It will have a feedback form so anybody can contribute any useful information.

We hope the relevant commercial agents will support us in this. Actually most of the property is in the hands of one agent so it depends on whether they can be bothered. But I first want to create something they can see and evaluate. If they want us to link to their website details perhaps we should ask for a nominal fee ~ £10. But I am open to suggestions on that.

I hope to have the first cut of the site up in the next 24 hours so we can start building content. I hope some of you may take time out to help in any way.

Admin

[admin]

The first cut is now here: http://www.sydenham.org.uk/shopshop/.

This was compiled from a walk down Sydenham Road this afternoon. As it is half day closing it was not always obvious which were shut and which were vacant. Anyway I would be very grateful if you could review the properties and tell me where I've gone wrong.

Alternatively if you can add any info there is a response page for each property. Also if you think we should have any extra headings.

Admin

[Steve Grindlay]

Congratulations, Admin, an excellent idea. Just a couple of typos; knowledge springs from a fount (apparently it is only those deeply immersed in IT who believe it comes from a font) and, of course, "helop" in penultimate line.

[castiron73]

It's excellent, Admin, the maps make it so easy to get your bearings. But I didn't know half these shops were empty as I walked past every morning. I just thought they opened later!
Perhaps a second section could be a wish list? Eg coffee shop, deli, baker, butcher.
With people's comments about where they currently go etc

[castiron73]

Hi Admin

I've been posting details of these properties from the agents' websites in my spare time. Is this useful or have you already got it covered? If it is useful, does feedback go to the specific property you are looking at, or into a general pool? I'm not sure whether I had to identify the property I was giving details for.

Also I came across another shop being advertised

http://www.propertyforinvestments.co.uk ... l0053.html

It would be good to have an easy way to send new property details to you via a form

Also perhaps a link to contact you in case of confidential queries from agents, landlords and retailers might be an idea, rather than having to register and pm you.

[admin]

Some kind person returned shop details from the response form. These now appear at:

http://www.sydenham.org.uk/shopshop/9011.html
http://www.sydenham.org.uk/shopshop/9013.html

Please keep them coming. I will also try and incorporate the other suggestions you have been making. The other thing we need to think about is how to promote Sydenham ShopShop. There is no point in producing pages, however good, if they are not used.

Admin

[annabel mclaren]

Would it be an idea to approach Julie Sutch and do a front page article with her picture and details of how prospective purchasers could get in touch with her? She could then outline the services she and the Lewisham Town Centre management team offer and this article could link to the Shop Shop site. Perhaps there could also be pictures and comments from those active in Sydenham Traders.

[admin]

I've been posting details of these properties from the agents' websites in my spare time. Is this useful or have you already got it covered?

Do pile on - I am filling what info I have straight into the property details. So if it aint there - its needed!

If it is useful, does feedback go to the specific property you are looking at, or into a general pool? I'm not sure whether I had to identify the property I was giving details for.

This currently goes to me. Annabel's suggestion of involving Julie Sutch (TCM) would be great and I wil try and talk to her next week.

Also I came across another shop being advertised
http://www.propertyforinvestments.co.uk ... l0053.html

I think this is just selling the freehold of the internet cafe with an inducement of hiking the rental in 2010 from £10k to £18k. Lets hope that doesn't create a vacancy.

It would be good to have an easy way to send new property details to you via a form. Also perhaps a link to contact you in case of confidential queries from agents, landlords and retailers might be an idea, rather than having to register and pm you.

This really ought to be a task for the TCM. Again I will feedback when we have spoken.

Admin