SEE3- new developments

[Joanne]

SEE3 does not just comprise of Chris Best.

For example:

Michael you follow the posts on the Forum regularly, you are involved with SEE3. Is that right?

If so why are you not contributing, why is no one from SEE3 doing this?

Instead we find out there are further bids via SEE3 which have not been widely discussed and are not shared.

That’s crazy. There appears to be a wealth of experience on this Forum alone which could be useful. Traders input, various skill sets and some pretty diplomatic people.

I think a meeting with a well-informed Agenda is useful.

SEE3 don’t appear to be doing that.

This is something that I can coordinate, get this Agenda together too first, but I think it is highly preferable for SEE3 to do so - instead involve us in this way.

The aim being to build a bigger and more informed team.

[P1971]

Chris I'm right behind you with the fact that traders put themselves at risk by voicing our opinions I think this is the reason why not many traders reply.

I've never had any dealings with Cllr Chris Best but am aware that she seems to have a bit of say so in Sydenham which in my opinion regarding the traders decisions I think is unfair. I've heard this from various sources but will leave it up to others to say publicly if they choose.

Our local Cllr in FH Paul Upex is very supportive in what we do as is FH Society. They support all our decisions and advertise what we are doing but don't get involved with what we choose to do as traders.

#Edit I'm just adding to this as there seems to be a time limit on posting and i'm back and forth.

I will add that I'm happy with what SEE3 have done in FH but mainly deal with Louise.

I'll also add that in 2013 when I ran the free Santas Grotto the lantern parade was cancelled which I believe was down to Chris Best and as far as I know no other SEE3 core team which effected FH as well as Sydenham.

I completely agree with Chris Archibold aka Mr Sugahill that the best way forward for Sydenham is to let the traders be the traders with no third party input unless they ask which is how we work in FH. FH Society is always on hand to help out when we ask so I will give a massive and thumbs up to them and likewise to our local Cllr's including Alex Feakes last year who have always made us aware they are always there to support us but only do when we ask.

Sorry for the essay all and hope you have a fab evening

[Joanne]

Welcome back P1971

[P1971]

Thank you Joanne a truce it is

[sugahill cafe]

And It's Mr Archbold to you there is no 'i' in the middle mine is the posh version

[P1971]

Hahaha Chris nice to get this thread back on a positive note. I'll see you soon down to earth fellow Xxx

Speak soon kind sir Archbold X

[Tim Lund]

I think and do not understand why people seem afraid to speak out, I'll give an example.. i have received support via pm for my posts but the same folk are not saying the same thing publicly Why not?. I probably have more to lose than most (customer wise) but feel the need to speak out as i do not agree with a lot of things that go on here. It is also hard to believe that only myself & Joanne see this... or are we just the only ones not afraid to speak out? I am in no way a trouble maker (i bet some of you think this) i just want what is best for the area as a whole i have lived here for 46 yrs and have had a business here for 7yrs. Count me in regarding a meeting and i also agree Joanne this is not about trying to tread on the toes of see3 or any other local organisation although in the case of see3 who's toes? The only member i am aware of is our councilor.

Chris A - it's not fear which prevents me from speaking out, but wanting to get a positive result. Forum regulars know there's not a great relationship between Chris Best and me, and some of the senior figures in SydSoc. I can point you here to when, long before SEE3 started, I concluded that something needed saying about Chris' approach to local businesses and investors. But the last time I spoke to Chris B I suggested it was time to move on, and offered to help to the extent I could with SEE3, but she was not ready for this. However, as long as she, an elected councillor, concerns herself actively with local businesses, she will have clout with the local Council, and it makes no sense to attack her. Also, there are other people who have put a lot of effort into SEE3 and the Sydenham Arts Festival, and attacking these initiatives is going to alienate them.

As one of the people who has supported you by PM, and been round to your business, I say here publicly that I am as ready to help you with any initiatives to support local businesse as I am to help Chris Best, should she change her mind about me. When I started the thread on Favourite Sydenham Businesses of 2014, 2015, ..., I wrote at the outset that I saw it as for SEE3 - or any other local groups who likes it. Such a group could be one you organise, but if SEE3 could find a way to run with it - or something like the Penge Tourist Board - then it would cut out a lot of the work of building up contact lists, make communications with the Council easier, and get better access to the very effective communication channel which is the Sydenham Society enewsletter.

If you want to organise something independent of Chris Best, SEE3 and SydSoc, I understand, and I would also support you, but only as long as you avoid unnecessary public conflict, such as writing this

these decisions are all made for us by either Clr Best,see3,Sydartfest,The Bookshop or Syd Soc i believe this set up has been around since the 80s and is finding it very hard to change.

I wouldn't mean you were afraid, just businesslike.

[P1971]

Maybe at the risk of being unpopular. Chris Bsst maybe you should step down and let the traders get on with stuff.

I will carry on and post this and hope I'm not putting myself in jeopardy, but if I am I am.

Happy Tuesday All XXX

Like Chris has said before me we put ourselves in the firing line as traders and have a lot to loose, but think it should be said how it is.

Pauline

[sugahill cafe]

Tim i stand by that comment maybe there was a more polite or business like way to word it but i stand by it none the less. I also think tip toeing around when you have a point to make is a waste of time.But to attack? as you put it is not my intention it is an open forum anyone can reply, explain to me how i am wrong etc. I have explained to Chris Best that i use this forum as i see no other place as a trader to have a voice locally.
See3 has started retweeting a lot of the local shops tweets that's a positive step in the right direction, i think see3 should support all shops equally be a bit more hands on so we know who they all are & don't think i.e. This shop keepers covered in tattoos we can't work with them or there food's not very healthy let's not mention them i could go on but you get the idea. I know Jonathon popped in today & i will be meeting up with him soon i have an idea to run past him which could mean hopefully we could get involved in the next artsfest. Chris

[michael]

SEE3 does not just comprise of Chris Best.

For example:

Michael you follow the posts on the Forum regularly, you are involved with SEE3. Is that right?

If so why are you not contributing, why is no one from SEE3 doing this?

Instead we find out there are further bids via SEE3 which have not been widely discussed and are not shared.

That’s crazy. There appears to be a wealth of experience on this Forum alone which could be useful. Traders input, various skill sets and some pretty diplomatic people.

I think a meeting with a well-informed Agenda is useful.

SEE3 don’t appear to be doing that.

This is something that I can coordinate, get this Agenda together too first, but I think it is highly preferable for SEE3 to do so - instead involve us in this way.

The aim being to build a bigger and more informed team.

I'm not sure what exactly you are expecting me to be contributing. Often I'm not the right person to talk about what is happening in Sydenham. But I do try to respond when there is a need for information and I have that information available - as I did on the issue of the Animal Safari.

I have no problem with you, or others, organising a meeting to discuss specific issues in the locality, and I believe all assistance would be useful. Most of the organisations who are expected to do stuff are entirely voluntary; that includes civic societies, the SEE3 core team, traders groups, and others. If another group would be useful for Sydenham separate from the existing organisations then set it up - that's what SE23.com forumites did when we felt there was a need for a Forest Hill Society. I'm not entirely sure what gap is trying to be filled in Sydenham by this new group - and there is always a risk in duplication, but coming together to talk is always a good thing. Alternatively you may find that local assemblies and other public meetings are a good opportunity for people to have their say if they don't necessarily want to do things themselves.

The problem is rarely finding things to do, it is finding volunteers to take on these initiatives, especially when no budget exists to solve the problem. That problem can apply to almost any task from website maintenance to major infrastructure projects. Ideals and solutions are always helpful, but even more helpful is people with time and energy to take on such tasks without necessarily expecting to be paid for such roles.

It is quite possible that our aims are exactly the same - to get more people involved in contributing to town centre development, and it is not really for me to say which is the best way to do this. So if you think a new committee would help, set it up. If you think you are the right person to run it, then do it. You can even submit additional bids to the GLA (or others) for projects that you believe would have the maximum impact on the high street and the best chance of receiving funding.

Finally I'm going to disagree with Pauline on one point. Chris Best is not preventing traders doing anything. As you know yourself, if traders want to do something then they can do great things and make a wonderful contribution to the community. I see no evidence that SEE3, Chris Best, or anybody else is preventing initiatives from traders. If you believe this is happening (particular in Forest Hill where you and I have most experience) then you and I should discuss it off-line and work out how to change it. I am also very keen that traders do get on with stuff, without waiting for direction from Chris or anybody else, but I hardly need to tell you to do that!

[P1971]

Michael I have no problem at all with how FH Society work with the traders in FH in fact I think FH Society do an amazing job where the traders are concerned. I will be emailing you and Richard later on about something else which relates to FH only

The point I was trying to make is that I've heard from a few different people that one person seems to have the final say over what happens in Sydenham and I think when it comes to traders decisions it should be the traders that decide with support like it happens in FH which I think seems to work well.

Running for cover now with my nerf gun!

Only joking I get on very well with Michael

[poppy]

Hello, I have not posted on here for ages and have not had time to read all the responses to this but Joanne have you thought about finding out about joining the SEE3 team? - I am pretty sure it relies on local volunteers to help.

I think the Gunpowder and Cherry Pie shop struggled and another down near the library because they were in the wrong location.

These types of businesses need to cluster.

They were just too far down the high street and the former was extremely easy to miss. I am guessing those locations were chosen because of a lack of empty properties further up.

Maybe there needs to be cross advertising eg. the new pop ups should have advertising in shops further up the high street that are targeting similar shoppers but are not in direct competition - just one idea....

It seems pointless to me, and I might be slated for this, to tackle the bottom of Sydenham Road until the top is sorted out and becomes the place to shop and socialise then it should trickle down as more and more 'good' businesses set up here.

[Pally]

I agree about the general principle of focusing on a limited area in the main part of the High Street. I really hope that the Marketplace, now in the old Gunpowder and Cherry Pie space, can overcome any potential location difficulties.