Bell Green Shops. soon to go.

[Trawlerman]

Just heard that the little parade of shops / flats at Bell Green is finally being demolished in a few months [ / soon]

It has been gradually run down over a good number of years.
Once upon a time there was a decent chippy, a dry cleaners [v. friendly...still there..but not for long now], a Spa, a chemist / post office and a nice little newspaper shop [still there...not for long] .

Progress? Maybe. But a pity, nevertheless.

[Chazza]

Is that the parade with "Ja Mekit" at one end?

[Whiftoff]

Does anyone know what it's being developed into? Assume it's new block of flats.

[Trawlerman]

..'Jah Mekit' / a little baker's / cab firm is on the other side of the 'gap'... [the cul-de-sac with the Bell Green Medical Centre]

Believe the properties to be demolished will be replaced by a block of housing association flats.

[simon]

I may be wrong but I understood that the block was being demolished as part of the "regeneration" of Bell Green as the developers of the retail park didn't want any competing retail withina certain distance. Those developers have gone bust and i dont know whether the retail park is going ahead now but it does seem a bit daft to close down a number of, presumably, profitable businesses.

[Trawlerman]

In that particular section only two businesses remain.
I believe that the dry cleaners is leaving with very little in the way of compensation.

As I said, years ago there were a number of thriving outlets in that row... [B.S.>...Before Sainsbury's]

[bensonby]

so more housing....less infrastructure.

Surely newcomers - adding to the local population - will need the use of shops, buses, trains and so on. Not just at this location but elsewhere in Sydenham and London as a whole. Are they expanding hte infrastructure alongside the housing?

Doesn't look like it...

[Eagle]

Well said Bensonby.

Houses , houses and yet more flats is all we get.

[leenewham]

They are knocking down some pretty horrible buildings which look rundown (which are flats) to replace them with flats.

Hopefully the new ones are better and give the area a lift.

Just out of interest, has anyone ever been to the bell? It's never mentioned here.

[simon]

Went in once Lee, saw no reason to return. But that was a while ago.

[Eagle]

I believe went in The Bell about 35 years ago. It was then a tip.

[Trawlerman]

Flats and shops have been in the process of 'running down' for some time.
Perhaps something to do with nearby 'megastore'...?

No real thoughts on 'The Bell'...
Doesn't give a particularly inviting impression.

[bensonby]

They are knocking down some pretty horrible buildings which look rundown (which are flats) to replace them with flats.

Indeed, but will these new flats come with inbuilt retail units? (not, I admit, that the current ones are put to much use)

A trip to the planning website methinks...

[nasaroc]

It would be crazy to rebuild retail units at this location. Shops here have always been marginal - they've become practically untenable since the arrival of the Savacentre across the road. Build retail units and they'd largely remain empty.

To read some of the contributions above, you'd believe that this development was in the middle of the Sahara Desert rather than next door to a Health Centre, 300m from the largest retailer in the area and just across the road from a large bus "depot". Lower Sydenham rail station is a short walk away, served by an increasing number of hourly trains. Just round the corner at the lower end of Sydenham Road there are local shops (yes plenty are empty because of the marginal commercial nature of the area - so why build more?). Schools and churches abound. A park and library is 150m up the road. What extra infrastructure do you need? It's all there at the moment.

By the way Simon, you are entirely wrong in your assertion that this block has been demolished "as the developers of the retail park didn't want any competing retail within a certain distance". There was no such demand from the developer and this stipulation was never part of the Bell Green development. Where on earth did you get this idea from?

[simon]

"By the way Simon, you are entirely wrong in your assertion that this block has been demolished "as the developers of the retail park didn't want any competing retail within a certain distance". There was no such demand from the developer and this stipulation was never part of the Bell Green development. Where on earth did you get this idea from?"

In my defence nasaroc, I did preface my reply with "I may be wrong" and I obviously was! As to where I got the idea from; probably from here.

If the current occupiers are being adequately compensated and rehoused I have no problem with the development but I do wonder what is going to happen to wasteland opposite which was meant to be a retail park.

[Trawlerman]

My understanding is that 'compensation' is minimal. [As to be expected]

[Eagle]

If I am not mistaken the buildings in question only about 30 or 35 years old. Surely we should not be tearing down such new buildings. What a waste

[Trawlerman]

Owner wants, owner gets. That's business.

[leenewham]

Does it matter how old they are? They are pretty horrible buildings, hopefully the new ones are a bit of quality architecture.

This area of Sydenham needs a bit of a lift. If only they had built the properties near Sainsbury's, the designs I saw looked great.

[nasaroc]

Trawlerman - I simply can't agree with your cynical view in relation to this development. This simply isn't a case of "Owner wants, owner gets" as you suggest. A run down building with a number of unwanted retail premises will be turned into new homes. There isn't a element of crude commercial gain for anyone here.

Lee - couldn't agree with your more - horrible buildings removed; hopefuly attractive buildings to replace them. The properties planned for the corner of the Bell Green plot are very much "live" by the way - and look like they will shortly go to the planning committee.