The old chemists next to the old HSBC

multisync · Post by **multisync** » 30 Mar 2009 15:18

The real disgrace is that this shop is owned by a current high street trader - someone with every aim to respectability - leading member of the Federation of Small Businesses, member of the health trust etc. What about obeying the law mate?[/quote]

As I heard this shop was owned by someone who already owns three chemists in Sydenham Road,who maybe thought that was enough in Sydenham.But why let someone destroy the front of this lovely shop.On another thought the "bazar" type shop on the opposite side of the road has closed and that has quite an old front to it

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 30 Mar 2009 18:41

Has anyone got an answer from LBL yet.
Could be the fine will so small that the owner is not bothered.

As I have said if he does open a cafe with new windows we can take out Latte's elsewhere.

parker · Post by **parker** » 31 Mar 2009 20:21

By carrying out work without permission on a listed building like this or in a Conservation area could leave the owner, developer and building contractor liable to prosecution, fines upto the damage that it is worth and possibly imprisonment by Lewisham. This means Lewisham can also require them to restore the building to its state of how it was before work commenced or to mitigate the effects of the damage under a 'listed building enforcement notice'.

As it is in a conservation area if the shop front falls so far into disrepair that it is at risk of being destroyed or unreplaceable Lewisham would then have to serve an 'urgent works notice'. This would enable Lewisham Council themselves to carry out any work which is 'urgently necessary' and then recover the cost from the owner.

I dont see the owner having 'Lattes' to sell if we inform Lewisham of our knowledge regarding the shop or indeed the owner themselves, on a less sinister note im more of a Cappucino man anyway!

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » 27 Apr 2009 13:03

Any more news on this? All seems the same to me, boarded up and little going on. Is the shop front safe? When is the new cafe opening? Will it be a Sema's stryle plkace of more sugahill-esque?

Questions questions.

G-Man

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 27 Apr 2009 16:14

The have uncovered the original sign (which is beautiful) and the frontage appears to have been restored. Have a look down the side, you can get a glimpse. Hopefully they will adapt the old signage for the new shop, it will look great!

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 11 May 2009 18:43

...Hmm, they haven't, they stuck a shiny blue plastic thing on it which looks awful. What a shame! I hope it doesn't end up looking like a tacky mess. Fingers crossed.

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 11 May 2009 19:20

I was really hoping that this...:

...would become something like this (thanks to Steve Grindle for the images!)

It would have been a lot cheaper than replacing the shopfront!

Annie · Post by **Annie** » 11 May 2009 20:18

But be honest, they have saved the front as best that could be expected, the sign has changed but the top window part is the same still showing Machrays.

We shouldn't really expect the new owners to keep the old name instead of what they wanted to put there.

At least it is another shop being used a?

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 11 May 2009 20:22

The bottom one is a quick visual I did Anne, it's not how it looks now (it's still boarded up). It's just an idea for how it could possibly look.

It is still boarded up!

Annie · Post by **Annie** » 12 May 2009 14:08

Sorry------

Haha, well you tricked me well and truly,

I was trying to work out what your objection was.

I thought they had done an overnight re-ferb and i had missed it.
anyway in that case i like your version!

poppy · Post by **poppy** » 12 May 2009 14:34

It is still boarded up Lee, they have kept the mouldings, thankfully, and the signage area, as yet no words, is a very deep blue. I can't remember what colour the surround has been painted...

I like your mock-up. Have you thought of offering your services to local traders or shown any of your ideas to the town hall manager?

sydenhamboy · Post by **sydenhamboy** » 12 May 2009 14:45

Fabulous design.
That mock up is exactly what the street needs. Can you redesign the whole street? I want it done by the time I get home. So I can pop into the Deli on the way home !!!

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 12 May 2009 15:22

Yes would be great design combining the old and the new. What a great compromise.
Hope someone shows to the owner.

Annie · Post by **Annie** » 13 May 2009 14:34

Perhaps you should send your version to the new owners.

Thats really clever the way you did that Lee.

parker · Post by **parker** » 13 May 2009 17:58

When i seen the picture of 'The Deli' my heart skipped a bit thinking that it actually happened, i do hope it will turn into something like that, or even a good bakery would be nice. It will be an indication that things are on the up. I cant believe big companies arent snapping these places up with all the regeneration about to happen, also its right across from the station.

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 13 May 2009 21:10

Hmm, I think we might be onto something here!

The above visual took 40 minutes start to finish.

Combining traditional elements of a shop frontage and making them look contemporary isn't difficult or expensive. The same goes for any signage or shop front.

Bad design is expensive. Not only does it devalue your own business, it has an effect on the whole high street.

Much as I am in favour of the improvements to the high street that are coming (touch wood), replacing the pavements etc wont make a huge difference to the high street unless the traders buck their ideas up. Some places get it spot on such as Sugahill (their sign cost £200!), some spend far much and get it completely wrong such as Smart Chaps, a traditional barbers. Their wooden frontage (while obviously not original) was right for their business, but they replaced it with one that makes them look like a Kebab Shop!

I have no idea what the new owners of the chemists are opening as, although there has been speculation in here about a cafe. If anyone knows who is the owner I'd love to speak to them. Please PM me if you know.

Juwlz · Post by **Juwlz** » 13 May 2009 21:37

Like it.

Ronski · Post by **Ronski** » 13 May 2009 22:43

yeah that'd be great Lee, if only.

So what's at the top of peoples redesign list for the high street?

parker · Post by **parker** » 14 May 2009 00:26

I think it would really smarten the area as a whole by getting Lewisham to replace most of the road name signs, they are looking rather tatty and if changed could really make a perceptable impact for the better, Lewisham need to work on their landscaping.

Also im still not happy with the alledged 'new' Somerfield, a lot more work could be done to make it the definitive location to buy groceries, they havent changed much at all inside nor out.

Also, can we suggest some ideas regarding Station Approach, surely there must be some strong views out there regarding what to do with it regarding its ever important role in the new East London Line - Sydenham.

Chazza · Post by **Chazza** » 14 May 2009 09:30

parker wrote:I think it would really smarten the area as a whole by getting Lewisham to replace most of the road name signs, they are looking rather tatty and if changed could really make a perceptable impact for the better

I completely agree - why do they insist on splashing that vile shade of blue over every piece of signage in the borough? Bromley's dark green signage is much more tasteful.

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The old chemists next to the old HSBC