Thanks Louise, Sempronius and Chris Best

[Tim Lund]

Yesterday evening Louise - of this Forum - gave an excellent presentation at the Civic Suite, hosted by Lewisham's Economics & Regen Team, on marketing local retail businesses. Number one in her list of media to use, along with Facebook, Twitter et al., were Forums such as this. She also made the point about embracing the competition. Thanks to following this thread, I was able to make what she was saying that much more immediate by referring to Rachel's comment there that with two recommended restaurants, the next time she felt like an Italian, she'd be all the more likely to walk down to the lower end of Sydenham Road. So thanks to Sempronius for telling us about it.

So why does Raven Drone think this forum is becoming far too much a closed shop for his liking?

I don't think Forum regulars here could possibly be accused of having an automatic down on new businesses - look at the enthusiastic reception for 140 Interiors and Billings. OTOH, it's not unreasonable to be a bit suspicious about a new poster, especially when the owners of the business being promoted have gone through as many changes as this one in recent years. But looking at that thread now, with Sempronius coming back and saying something more about himself (that Latin ending definitely sound masculine!), it now feels for real.

I assume Robin's comment was just for laughs

Another suspicious looking posting - the style clearly shows that it was drafted by some advertising person. Who is this 'Chris Best', I wonder?

I think there are a number of reasons to have a pop at Chris, not least because she doesn't seem to be very good at sharing information, in particular embracing the openness of Forums such as this. So when she comes on here and shares her impressions along with other Forum regulars, it seems to me wholly positive.

This is Forum is not a closed shop. It is a vehicle by which any number of different sorts of messages can be put across - marketing, political, public information - even just having fun. Obviously retailers marketing themselves need to be able to take criticisms; if it's fair, it's valuable customer feedback - if it's unfair, their loyal customers will rebut it, and the retailer comes out looking all the better.

Local politicians should also use this Forum more. Chris can only do herself good by contributing as she did here, showing herself as a normal member of the public as well as one of Lewisham's Cabinet members. When there's a political message to put across, she and other local pols will have to be ready for the criticisms, but readiness to engage in argument, in public, will earn respect in itself.