Can't something be done to make empty shops look nice? Isn't there someone responsible for the high street?
How about boarding up the empty shops and painting them to look like a real shop? Or doing something creative with it.
What about the council (or someone) taking over a shop, cleaning it out and having a display of art.
Or how about the owners of these derelict shops just cleaning them (Bikes behind bars or the pigeon poo covered old camera shop half way down the high street being prime examples).
Perhaps we could pursuade a signwriting/shopfitting company to take over a shop rent free so show off what they can do to other shop owners. So they get free advertising. The owner gets their property smartened up. We could work to get some publicity for the idea and it gets backed by the council. Everybody wins.
Also why don't we start a 'shop watch' so we can vote for 'best facia, cleanest shop, most improved shop frontage, dirtiest shop frontage, worst sign etc.
Just a thought. Lets get creative. Any ideas?
DERELICT SHOPS etc
There is a town centre manager - Julie Sutch (contact details are on earlier threads which you can search for) who I'm sure would be happy to hear suggestions. However I think you need to consider who has powers to do the activities you mentioned and what their interests might be. For example how would the Council be able to take over a shop cleaning it out and having a display of art? This would cost money - where would that come from? Which of their vital services would have their budgets cut to pay for this? Who would actually have powers to board up a shop and paint it? Lewisham Council did have a business awards scheme which included local shops recently - this was mentioned on the forum.
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sydenhamboy
- Posts: 264
- Joined: 8 Oct 2006 10:33
- Location: sydenham
What is happening with that 'world of depression' (I think that is the technical term) where the Appollo video store used to be? There is no proper sign outside and it just looks very 'under construction' and quite uninspiring. I'm all for second hand stores - nothing wrong with that - but this resembles a car boot sale. Without the car-boot.
Am I just being miserable?
Am I just being miserable?
Change of use/out of use is always going to be a problem in any high street. What would be nice is if the planning authority could insist on some mitigation. Anybody going round the roundabout north of the Elephant & Castle might be impressed at first sight by a row of Georgian shops. Actually it is a screen covering some very dilapidated shops. This also covers a protracted row between the University wished to demolish for teaching accommodation and the Georgian Society insisting the buildings should be retained.
Meanwhile it is a lot better than we see around the Greyhound etc.
I guess it would need some government legislation to give authority to the planning authority to insist we don't get the eyesore of ugly or decaying frontages
Stuart
Meanwhile it is a lot better than we see around the Greyhound etc.
I guess it would need some government legislation to give authority to the planning authority to insist we don't get the eyesore of ugly or decaying frontages
Stuart
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yummymummy
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 29 Oct 2007 15:55
- Location: Sydenham
To me the empty boards around the greyhound are crying out for some young Art! Children would love to see their art work on the boards as they pass the greyhound. And boards could be taken into schools for decoration/painting and then mounted after so that children are not on the busy street! How great would it be to see some of the local talent and it would really make a big difference to its current apperance!
Some of the stock in that shop is beyond belief. They even sell the complimentary slippers you get in Ibis hotels! I must remember to bring some back next time I go away.sydenhamboy wrote:What is happening with that 'world of depression' (I think that is the technical term) where the Appollo video store used to be? There is no proper sign outside and it just looks very 'under construction' and quite uninspiring. I'm all for second hand stores - nothing wrong with that - but this resembles a car boot sale. Without the car-boot.
Am I just being miserable?
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goonerchamp
- Posts: 167
- Joined: 28 Jun 2005 12:18
- Location: Sydenham, Sydenham where the f**k is Sydenham
HAHA I jess I jess 
I've been writing to Lewisham council about an empty derelict shop next door to me since November last year. It is infested with pigeons whom appear to be right at home. They are so loud they wake me up at sun rise. The councillors whom replied have passed my complaint on to the environmental health unit whom have done nothing. The pigeons are watching my every move and seem to know of my complaints, they've intensified there watch,'output' and noise. i think they're trying to intimidate me. They have the upper hand at the minute as i'm outnumbered, does anyone have any ideas ?
Unfortunately with big organisations things do not happen as quickly as they should and certainly not as quick as you would like. Usually when you chase up something no one has any record of your complaint etc.
When I am told that they have passed my complaint to 'so and so department' I immediately insist on speaking to that department. IF I am then put through (Usually find I am cut off); I then get a name of a person who will be dealing.
If you get a name and after a reasonable amount of time; if nothing is done 'name and shame' them on the internet (this site). You will be surprised how quickly things then get moving
When I am told that they have passed my complaint to 'so and so department' I immediately insist on speaking to that department. IF I am then put through (Usually find I am cut off); I then get a name of a person who will be dealing.
If you get a name and after a reasonable amount of time; if nothing is done 'name and shame' them on the internet (this site). You will be surprised how quickly things then get moving
Unfortunately Lewisham Council like to ignore individual people complaining. As one councilor told me, if they ignore you then eventually you will give up.
Best thing is to get lots of people to complain. Write to steve Bullock directly and if nothing happens, contact the local papers. They don't like that.
So what shop in particular is it? Post it here so we can all write and complain. Things happens when you come together as a group. On your own you stand no chance, the concil will just 'hope you go away'.
Best thing is to get lots of people to complain. Write to steve Bullock directly and if nothing happens, contact the local papers. They don't like that.
So what shop in particular is it? Post it here so we can all write and complain. Things happens when you come together as a group. On your own you stand no chance, the concil will just 'hope you go away'.
Thanks for all your advice and support. Just before i mailed the post above i re-emailed one of my local councillor's and shortly after heard a reply from him and the next day from an environmental health officer whom i am going to arrange to meet to show him the pigeon's and general decay. I'll keep you updated.
Pretty good going hearing a reply from both officials over the Easter weekend!!
I wonder if they log on to Sydenham Town too.
Pretty good going hearing a reply from both officials over the Easter weekend!!
I wonder if they log on to Sydenham Town too.
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yummymummy
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 29 Oct 2007 15:55
- Location: Sydenham
Lights on in the old chemist
I just wanted to ask if anyone knew what was happening with the old pharmacy? there were lights on in there this morning! is someone going to do some thing with this shop at long last???