Pally wrote:leenewham wrote:They could revisit the pocket squares which are poorly designed, invest in the market and run it properly, pop up shops, business advice, local town branding or lower rents to encourage new businesses, shop front grants which can and do make a difference, encouraging a local bid group, marketing the area, creating a town centre plan, more trees.
Our cllrs should be fighting for the money rather than staying quiet to allow all the funding to fo to Catford and Deptford.
I agree that the Co-op is a massive issue, but disagree that it's just the wrong size. With the right business and positioning it could work. There are many other similar size supermarkets that work.
Lee's suggestions are eminently sensible and he clearly has some expertise! But as Stuart has said we have seen too much of money without expertise...and sadly, I suspect from Lee's previous comments at various times, he has given up! Shame really that formed whatever reason that expertise has been lost!
Yes - Lee's are great suggestions. They would be for sustaining footfall. The major problem is the deserted Co-op. If we could crack that then much would follow including the footfall to sustain.
Its easy to be negative that the store is too small/big and the likely grocers have interests elsewhere. Which got me thinking. The one thing that store has is visibility. It can look so good from coming up the road. Plus I think most of us would agree credible competition to Lidls would make a huge difference to the practical attractiveness of Sydenham. Maybe not so beneficial to the bottom line of property investors as a branch of Foxtons - but hey!
What is great about so many continental towns is the covered market. Not markets as we have known them in, say, Penge or Lewisham - but more like Borough Market with a wide variety of interesting foods imaginatively displayed in a clean, green well lit retail area. The dozen or so stalls having so much greater impact than any individual. A true and better successor to the Co-op. And one that is warm and dry 365 days a year for habit making - unlike the occasional pocket markets.
There would be huge problems to overcome. First the herding of cats to cover the substantial rent/rates. Secondly why would a successful market trader guaranteed income at, say, Borough Market, take a chance on Sydenham?
I can think of a solution or two that might work with a co-operative landlord (who is that?). People around here can probably think of better ones - or a completely different idea. Anyway that's my flag up the pole. Is anyone saluting?
Stuart