New Tesco in Kirkdale?

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » 10 Oct 2008 14:50

There is an open invitation for tomorrow - doesn't matter if you post or not!

As for usernames, some people like to have a degree of anonymity, perhaps for security reasons, or perhaps to avoid their bosses at work knowing how much time they spend posting when they should be working! I don't think that's a problem unless a poster says something quite false or nasty.

Greg Whitehead · Post by **Greg Whitehead** » 10 Oct 2008 15:19

I absolutely agree Bensonby and Thomas that people should have the right to be protected. We all know the internet is a very dangerous place and I remember although I knew Leaf's name, amongst others, I fully understood her wish to remain 'hidden'. Even our revered Falkor had his own reasons for being a.k.a. (he possesses one of the sharpest minds and most personable demeanours of anyone I've ever met might I add).

What got me was I was laid bare. I hid behind nothing and I could substantiate my points and people could work out who I was. Yet the goonerchamps, nork1s etc would just argue and be stupid and just irk people (maybe they still are doing so). I never asked anyone to agree totally and I loved the debate but I was pretty much "well here I am, you know who I am, what my movements are and even, if you wish, my face" And do you know what, I never heard another peep from the cowards...They just hid behind their silly little names.

Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 29 Oct 2008 14:35

Ram tells me that the Tesco application is to be considered by the Lewisham planning committee on 20 November. Anticipating a favourable decision, Tesco have also applied for permission to erect anti-ram (NB small r) street bollards and for an off-licence.

nasaroc · Post by **nasaroc** » 17 Nov 2008 13:28

I notice that Costcutters in Kirkdale are currently renewing the outside of their store and have included a cash machine in the bright new hoardings on the outside of the shop. Let's hope they clean up and renew the interior of the shop as well.

Why is this happening I wonder? Could it perhaps be something to do with the new Tesco planning application? Isn't this exactly what we want on the high street - greater competition leading to higher quality shops and a wider variety of goods and services? How else are we going to see the transformation and revitalisation of our high street which so many of us desire?

Robin - I am delighted hear that Tesco have applied for a licence to retail alcohol. Let us hope that the misguided attempt by some locals to stop this application will fail. If the objectors succeed it could rob this area of a new store which could give a lease of life to an area of our high street that is looking increasingly forlorn.

danstevens · Post by **danstevens** » 17 Nov 2008 19:58

they've had a re-fit inside too. Does look better / cleaner. Not sure how long it will stay that way.

nasaroc · Post by **nasaroc** » 18 Nov 2008 12:56

Dan - great to hear they've cleaned up the inside as well.

But isn't this an indicator that most businesses only change when they have to - when a bit of competition appears on the horizon. I have to make changes to my company every few months to adapt to an ever-changing market and so do most businesses.

Why should our shops be any different?

The problem in Sydenham Road and Kirkdale is not that standards are so high that we have a variety of good quality shops. The problem is that we have too many poor quality shops because the standards are too low.

If any one of the people wishing to preserve the shops in Kirkdale can tell me how you raise standards without competition, I'd love to hear from them.

Rebelmc · Post by **Rebelmc** » 18 Nov 2008 22:15

Actually, as I understand it, the Costcutter refit has nothing to do with the impending Tesco.

I've been using this shop almost everyday for the past couple of years, so I'm on pretty good terms with the staff there; I asked them about the works and whether it was pronpted by the arrival of a competitor, and it turns out the whole thing had been planned since well before there was even a whisper of Tesco pitching up on their doorstep.

I didn't quite get the whole story (I was hampered by both being slightly deaf and wearing a crash helmet at the time!) but the general jist was that the refit had been scheduled for more than a year, but there was a hold-up to do with air extractors and the flats above.

So sorry nasaroc, you might well be generally right about competition causing improvement, but not in this particular case.

nasaroc · Post by **nasaroc** » 19 Nov 2008 09:26

I accept this fully - many thanks for the correction.

Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 19 Nov 2008 13:02

Ram has told me that the Tesco application is not after all on the agenda for the Lewisham planning meeting on 20 November. He's not yet found out why - does anybody know? He's heard a suggestion that Tesco might have withdrawn the application in the light of the current economic conditions.

Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 25 Nov 2008 08:29

No, the application hasn't been withdrawn, Ram tells me - it's merely that council planning and development officers need longer to look at it. Earliest possible meeting date now 18 December.

Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 14 Jan 2009 08:26

Ram tells me that the Tesco application is to be considered at the ?22 January planning meeting and that officers are recommending acceptance.

bag lady · Post by **bag lady** » 15 Jan 2009 18:56

There's a meeting on the 22nd of jan in the civic suite, Lewisham town hall at 7.30pm, objectors are requested to meet the representative of objectors at 7.15 to give their reasons for objecting.
According to a letter that I received from the Planning service.

dickp · Post by **dickp** » 16 Jan 2009 15:51

If you're planning to object, please ensure you object on the specific grounds you're entited to object to. (I'm sure they can advise on what appropriate grounds are).

I understand (though might be wrong) that the timing and frequency of the delivery trucks may be a valid consideration, because the planners can make compliance with their policy a condition of granting planning permision.

"I don't like multinationals" probably isn't a valid reason for objection.

sydeman · Post by **sydeman** » 17 Jan 2009 12:37

Personally i am looking forward to a Tesco coming to this site. I shop at Rams and think its a great convenience store, but it is'nt open in the evening, doesnt do much fresh veg and fruit, and the milk is often sour after a day or so. Yes the deliveries will be a problem, but lets face it, Kirkdale is'nt exactly the quietest road in the area, and sometimes gets very busy. Behind the proposed shop is also a semi industrial area anyway. I'm all for this being approved. Rather have a Tesco rather than a blank unit ready for graffiti. The units over the road in the High Street buildings are ripe for small independent retailers; maybe having a Tesco will bring more people into the area.

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 17 Jan 2009 13:39

It beggars belief that people are getting so excited about a two bit convenience store possibly soming to Sydenham High Street.

multisync · Post by **multisync** » 17 Jan 2009 18:55

But then you live in F.Hill and already have a Tesco [don"t use your credit card ] but it would bring more life to Kirkdale,no opposition

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 18 Jan 2009 10:27

Point taken about living in FH. Although many parts of FH are very close to the proposed store.
Also I would query Kirkdale. I have lived in the area for 60 years and the section between the Fox and Hounds was called the High Street. Maybe this has been changed, people seem to want to change everything.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » 19 Jan 2009 12:35

Also I would query Kirkdale. I have lived in the area for 60 years and the section between the Fox and Hounds was called the High Street. Maybe this has been changed, people seem to want to change everything.

Wasn't part of Kirkdale (around the Fox & Hounds) and the lower part of Dartmouth Road once known as High Street Sydenham, but was changed years and years ago?

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 19 Jan 2009 12:47

Yes Thomas I am sure it was and I assumed still is. Can see no reason why it would be changed

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » 19 Jan 2009 13:02

Further information about the name change can be found at Steve Grindlay's blog:
http://sydenhamforesthillhistory.blogsp ... 0Buildings

As we've managed to go off-topic (sorry!) I would suggest moving any further discussion to a new thread in the Town Museum.

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