We seem to be attracting the wrong sort of businesses to Sydenham. They come along, add nothing to what is here and often close in a short space of time.
In addition shops constantly break council guidance on roller shutters etc, but many shops either ignore or simply don't know there are even guidelines available. Many shops in Sydenham don't know it's a conservation area (looking at it, why would they?) and we don't have a good (any) town centre manager to push this.
How about producing a welcome to Sydenham pack for businesses with surveys of what people actually want in our high streets, surveys of shopping behavior and local demographics. These packs could also include the council guidelines for shop fronts, or something a bit more inspirational and local along the What If Project we started here with some numbers for how much it costs to have a well designed shop front and testimonials for what a difference design makes. These could then be handed out to commercial estate agents, new businesses that are opening or intending to open in Sydenham. They could also be used to court businesses and attract them to the area.
Advice on security shutters, information on how it affects your insurance, advice from the police, crime reports can all go in there. It would be good to have all this information online so it's google searchable, so commercial estate agents can link into it but also to produce a hard copy to personalize it. It should be well designed and 'the business' professional.
We are talking to other boroughs about it (What If Sydenham looks like being What If All Over London at the moment) so in addition to just becoming a dad a few days ago we will be busy.
So I'm sure this post will get some negative comments like 'it will be unworkable'. But for a change, rather than pour water on a spark, why not fan the flame?
If we think this is a good idea, how can we make it happen, will the council/local societies back it (they already know about this idea) and how can we improve/build on it?
This may be a good thing to try to get funding for (deadline the 14th November) from the Outer London Fund. Anyone can apply for it if they get backing from the council for their bid.
WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
A very good idea.
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Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Hi leenewham, as you say I can't play devil's advocate, boo hiss, can I try to be constructive at least for now 
and suggest what I see as your thoughts put into a list, viz:
- Syd is a conservation area
- Shopfronts including roller shutters should/must comply with council guidelines
- Shopfronts - can offer advice on costings
- Shopfront shutters - can offer advice on effect on insurance (you sure about that?)
- What shoppers want - do you mean what they buy? as I guess they buy from shops which survive or such shops wouldn't, or do you mean what potential shoppers might buy from aspirational ideas of "suitable" shops?
- Surveys of shopping behavious - not sure how this would be encouraging as many seem to drive off elsewhere [edit] and those who already shop locally are presumably happy with the shops they shop at. Confused by this as people seem to get cross when "more of the same" arrives plus also taking existing customers rather than generating a new market.
- Surveys of demographics - would this be made up from info voluntarily given, in which case could be biased, or by access to registers of one sort or another, e.g. the electoral register or DVLA whatever?
-Shop front testimonials - from whom? Chain stores which already have a defined brand image? If not, who? Local shops who say their business has increased threefold whatever since installing or tarting up their shop front?
- Would estate agents just sit on such leaflets if for whatever reason for whatever customer the info might be more offputting than a draw (selling point)?
Have I missed any points?
Trying to be constructive, honest. Have to see it from an investor's viewpoint where they'll often be looking for what might put them off rather than what turns them on, so definitely wouldn't want to hand them a stick to beat you with by giving out too much information which they could start to pick away at. Surely prospective companies either do or should be doing their own research, just in case they don't believe publicity blurb.
Sorry, I'm failing dismally. Come back and explain the master plan more methinks.
I'm afraid I don't know what the What If Project is. I know of course of your excellent suggested shop front designs for both occupied and vacant shops.
Many congrats to you and the Missus on becoming a new Dad [edit] Should have said new Mum and Dad of course, doh. My son's first word was Dad, even though I was trying relentlessly for metamorphosis or curtains. Darn. Best wishes to all
and suggest what I see as your thoughts put into a list, viz:- Syd is a conservation area
- Shopfronts including roller shutters should/must comply with council guidelines
- Shopfronts - can offer advice on costings
- Shopfront shutters - can offer advice on effect on insurance (you sure about that?)
- What shoppers want - do you mean what they buy? as I guess they buy from shops which survive or such shops wouldn't, or do you mean what potential shoppers might buy from aspirational ideas of "suitable" shops?
- Surveys of shopping behavious - not sure how this would be encouraging as many seem to drive off elsewhere [edit] and those who already shop locally are presumably happy with the shops they shop at. Confused by this as people seem to get cross when "more of the same" arrives plus also taking existing customers rather than generating a new market.
- Surveys of demographics - would this be made up from info voluntarily given, in which case could be biased, or by access to registers of one sort or another, e.g. the electoral register or DVLA whatever?
-Shop front testimonials - from whom? Chain stores which already have a defined brand image? If not, who? Local shops who say their business has increased threefold whatever since installing or tarting up their shop front?
- Would estate agents just sit on such leaflets if for whatever reason for whatever customer the info might be more offputting than a draw (selling point)?
Have I missed any points?
Trying to be constructive, honest. Have to see it from an investor's viewpoint where they'll often be looking for what might put them off rather than what turns them on, so definitely wouldn't want to hand them a stick to beat you with by giving out too much information which they could start to pick away at. Surely prospective companies either do or should be doing their own research, just in case they don't believe publicity blurb.
Sorry, I'm failing dismally. Come back and explain the master plan more methinks.
I'm afraid I don't know what the What If Project is. I know of course of your excellent suggested shop front designs for both occupied and vacant shops.
Many congrats to you and the Missus on becoming a new Dad [edit] Should have said new Mum and Dad of course, doh. My son's first word was Dad, even though I was trying relentlessly for metamorphosis or curtains. Darn. Best wishes to all
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Hi Mosy,mosy wrote:
I'm afraid I don't know what the What If Project is. I know of course of your excellent suggested shop front designs for both occupied and vacant shops.
Many congrats to you and the Missus on becoming a new Dad [edit] Should have said new Mum and Dad of course, doh. My son's first word was Dad, even though I was trying relentlessly for metamorphosis or curtains. Darn. Best wishes to all
The What If Project is the what you describe above: http://whatifsydenham.wordpress.com/
And thanks. I have forgotten what sleep is. I'm hoping his first words are zzzzzzzz rather than wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Probably the best way to attract new business to the High Street would be:
Phase one
Create a website resource that potential investors could be referred to, containing:
a) investment news (who's moving into the high street) and infrastructure news (what the utilities are doing which may affect passing trade)
b) key demographics data for the area - i.e. footfall on high street and station; population mix;
c) links to currently available retail units, sourced from estate agent websites
d) other useful stuff - local planning rules, grant providers etc.
Phase two
(This is where some of the more hand-wringing among you might get upset. Well, tough)
Target mid-market franchise chains to put Sydenham on their database as a "hot area" for franchise holders invest in. I'm thinking Gourmet Burger Bar, Pizza Hut etc. That’s a realistic market to aim for, given the size of the shop units and the demographics of the area.
This may actually involve someone taking a stand to a franchise fair, and "selling" Sydenham to representatives of "clone town Britain". Ideally, the cost of doing so would be paid for by some form of community fund.
Phase three
(hand-wringers can relax now can relax now)
With increased high street footfall achieved by enticing "clone" (i.e successful, viable etc) companies, you can now begin to market the high street to the cutsy, upmarket, independent companies. These independent providers will probably take on the more "difficult to let" / small retail units that don't neatly fit into the franchise format.
Anyone “up for” helping to create such a website?
Phase one
Create a website resource that potential investors could be referred to, containing:
a) investment news (who's moving into the high street) and infrastructure news (what the utilities are doing which may affect passing trade)
b) key demographics data for the area - i.e. footfall on high street and station; population mix;
c) links to currently available retail units, sourced from estate agent websites
d) other useful stuff - local planning rules, grant providers etc.
Phase two
(This is where some of the more hand-wringing among you might get upset. Well, tough)
Target mid-market franchise chains to put Sydenham on their database as a "hot area" for franchise holders invest in. I'm thinking Gourmet Burger Bar, Pizza Hut etc. That’s a realistic market to aim for, given the size of the shop units and the demographics of the area.
This may actually involve someone taking a stand to a franchise fair, and "selling" Sydenham to representatives of "clone town Britain". Ideally, the cost of doing so would be paid for by some form of community fund.
Phase three
(hand-wringers can relax now can relax now)
With increased high street footfall achieved by enticing "clone" (i.e successful, viable etc) companies, you can now begin to market the high street to the cutsy, upmarket, independent companies. These independent providers will probably take on the more "difficult to let" / small retail units that don't neatly fit into the franchise format.
Anyone “up for” helping to create such a website?
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Dickp
In principle, I'd definitely be up for this. I don't think it's necessary to take side swipes at those you imaging wringing their hands - ultimately all businesses will need to be viable, and you shouldn't stop people saying what businesses they would like, as long as they don't unreasonably try to stop other businesses that other people, and in particular those with money to invest, might also think will work.
I have thought a fair bit about how this could be done, starting with a large data set of businesses in the area, derived from Companies House and VAT records. There'd clearly be a web database involved, but an "I love Sydenham", still less a Traders' web site is not necessarily where I would start. I did at one point mock up a Sydenham Traders' Association web site in Wordpress, for which there was £1,000 of funding available, and our former Town Centre Manager encouraged me to submit an invoice so that my work could be paid for. I found this fairly alarming, since it was not particularly good - just on morning's work (there'd been rather more work beforehand, behind the scenes, clearning up the data set). It told me that those involved had little idea of how to spend money for such purposes, and I also realised that if I had taken the money, it would make me very vulnerable. I proposed instead organising some events to discuss how Sydenham Road should adjust to the web, out of which some well thought through specs for a web site might have emerged - and also a greater awareness of how businesses could use existing web sites, such as this Forum, which is clearly dominates real public discussion about Sydenham Road.
My ideas did not get anywhere, not least because many of Sydenham's great and good feel very antagonsitic towards this Forum, and were looking for somewhere they could put across the messages they would prefer. I very much want initiative such as you suggest to promote business here, but to be credible, anything would have to be realistic - e.g. not having a fit of the vapours if market forces meant we got a Pizza Hut. (I'm puritan enough to want sill to oppose pay-day loan businesses - maybe that's somewhere we'll have to agree to disagree). However, Cllr Chris Best's response to the idea of a Traders' web site was to ask me if she would be able to publish on it - in the same way she has a column in the Sydenham Society newsletter. Given Lee's experiences with the Outer London fund - it seems, accordng to LB Lewisham that Catford is more outer than Sydenham - we can be fairly sure that contributions from Chris would not necessarily be in the best interests of Sydenham's economic revival. As readers of the Forum will be aware, under her leadership, the Sydenham Assembly sees spending £12,000 on a mosaic as more relevant to High Street vitality than anything we are thinking about here.
You also need to think about what would be involved in such a project. It's okay for you and me - hopefully others - to be up for such a project, but it requires management. It would need to be paid for, by someone with serious economic interest in doing so. There are provisons in the Localism Bill currently passing through Parliament designed to create a greater economic interest for local authorities to help business - essentially, business rates will go direct to the authority. However, Lewisham is one of the most residential of inner London boroughs, which I think says something about an ingrained lack of interest and understanding of business. It would take a miracle for Lewisham to change.
The alternative is the private sector - but this cannot mean the businesses we know, and sometimes love, but the commercial landlords, who are the only ones who will capture the value of increased rentals. When building my data set I envisaged finding out who the freeholders were, with the idea of marketing anything to them. It would be possible to do this, and via the Land Registry can be done quickly, but at a cost of £4 per property. To use such data, you'd then have to think about copyright issues, and what sort of legal entity would own it.
Realistically, I think there might be a market opportunity for someone building a business based round such a data - essentially it would be a specialist local marketing company. But to attract good people, it would have to be able to pay whoever did the work, and made it happen - so not a 'community' solution, even though I think it would be as valid a member of the community as other profit-seeking local businesses - Billings, The Dolphin, Kenté, Slatters aka The Cake Store, Penge Food Centre - you add your favourites.
Alternatively, in a less structured, 'community' way, we can continue to post ideas on this Forum, which is already, IMHO, a valuable local resource.
In principle, I'd definitely be up for this. I don't think it's necessary to take side swipes at those you imaging wringing their hands - ultimately all businesses will need to be viable, and you shouldn't stop people saying what businesses they would like, as long as they don't unreasonably try to stop other businesses that other people, and in particular those with money to invest, might also think will work.
I have thought a fair bit about how this could be done, starting with a large data set of businesses in the area, derived from Companies House and VAT records. There'd clearly be a web database involved, but an "I love Sydenham", still less a Traders' web site is not necessarily where I would start. I did at one point mock up a Sydenham Traders' Association web site in Wordpress, for which there was £1,000 of funding available, and our former Town Centre Manager encouraged me to submit an invoice so that my work could be paid for. I found this fairly alarming, since it was not particularly good - just on morning's work (there'd been rather more work beforehand, behind the scenes, clearning up the data set). It told me that those involved had little idea of how to spend money for such purposes, and I also realised that if I had taken the money, it would make me very vulnerable. I proposed instead organising some events to discuss how Sydenham Road should adjust to the web, out of which some well thought through specs for a web site might have emerged - and also a greater awareness of how businesses could use existing web sites, such as this Forum, which is clearly dominates real public discussion about Sydenham Road.
My ideas did not get anywhere, not least because many of Sydenham's great and good feel very antagonsitic towards this Forum, and were looking for somewhere they could put across the messages they would prefer. I very much want initiative such as you suggest to promote business here, but to be credible, anything would have to be realistic - e.g. not having a fit of the vapours if market forces meant we got a Pizza Hut. (I'm puritan enough to want sill to oppose pay-day loan businesses - maybe that's somewhere we'll have to agree to disagree). However, Cllr Chris Best's response to the idea of a Traders' web site was to ask me if she would be able to publish on it - in the same way she has a column in the Sydenham Society newsletter. Given Lee's experiences with the Outer London fund - it seems, accordng to LB Lewisham that Catford is more outer than Sydenham - we can be fairly sure that contributions from Chris would not necessarily be in the best interests of Sydenham's economic revival. As readers of the Forum will be aware, under her leadership, the Sydenham Assembly sees spending £12,000 on a mosaic as more relevant to High Street vitality than anything we are thinking about here.
You also need to think about what would be involved in such a project. It's okay for you and me - hopefully others - to be up for such a project, but it requires management. It would need to be paid for, by someone with serious economic interest in doing so. There are provisons in the Localism Bill currently passing through Parliament designed to create a greater economic interest for local authorities to help business - essentially, business rates will go direct to the authority. However, Lewisham is one of the most residential of inner London boroughs, which I think says something about an ingrained lack of interest and understanding of business. It would take a miracle for Lewisham to change.
The alternative is the private sector - but this cannot mean the businesses we know, and sometimes love, but the commercial landlords, who are the only ones who will capture the value of increased rentals. When building my data set I envisaged finding out who the freeholders were, with the idea of marketing anything to them. It would be possible to do this, and via the Land Registry can be done quickly, but at a cost of £4 per property. To use such data, you'd then have to think about copyright issues, and what sort of legal entity would own it.
Realistically, I think there might be a market opportunity for someone building a business based round such a data - essentially it would be a specialist local marketing company. But to attract good people, it would have to be able to pay whoever did the work, and made it happen - so not a 'community' solution, even though I think it would be as valid a member of the community as other profit-seeking local businesses - Billings, The Dolphin, Kenté, Slatters aka The Cake Store, Penge Food Centre - you add your favourites.
Alternatively, in a less structured, 'community' way, we can continue to post ideas on this Forum, which is already, IMHO, a valuable local resource.
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
tim hows it a valuble resourse if hardly anyone know about it 
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
I don't quite understand. Lots of people know about this Forum. It comes top of the rankings when you Google 'Sydenham'. What's the point you are trying to make?Lisa wrote:tim hows it a valuble resourse if hardly anyone know about it
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Type in anything to do with small shops, business, high street and sydenham and you come to this forum.
So if someone was to research a local business (many don't) then if like the vast majority of the world use google to search for information they will come to this forum. Many people read this and don't comment. I had an email today from someone in that situation.
It is a valuable local resource. I'm surprised the Sydenham Society don't ask admin to run a feed of their site on here. It would be for the good of everyone to do so to further publicize what is going on.
So if someone was to research a local business (many don't) then if like the vast majority of the world use google to search for information they will come to this forum. Many people read this and don't comment. I had an email today from someone in that situation.
It is a valuable local resource. I'm surprised the Sydenham Society don't ask admin to run a feed of their site on here. It would be for the good of everyone to do so to further publicize what is going on.
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Tim
Essentially, my idea bypasses both existing shop owners - and even existing landlords. If they have failed, collectively, to improve the high street by now, it's because they don't have the money, or the will, to do so. So I'd like to improve the high street without them – by encouraging new investors to set up shop, as and when newly-vacant units become available.
In reality, my idea wouldn't require much in the way of investment, at least up front, apart from in relation to time. The” new investments” and “infrastructure news” stories - which I'd be happy to help write - would be mainly sourced from planning application notices posted locally. Likewise, the new vacancies news feed would be collected by simply looking out for estate agent advertising hoardings, and linking to their online advert. The demographics and useful info data would be largely static.
Regarding my comments re the hand-wringers - I am afraid that's deliberate. Having got the promo site up and running, I'd then want to attract funding to finance the taking of stand at London-based franchise fairs, with a view to making contact with both franchise opportunity managers and would-be franchisees. So, if you are the kind of person who would oppose a new Specscaver, Pizza hut, or Rymans opening on the high street on the basis that you find the "clone town concept" objectionable, then I simply wouldn't want you involved in this project. And I think it’s only fair to state that up-front.
So, are you interested? I'm away this weekend but happy to go for a beer at some point later next week to discuss.
Essentially, my idea bypasses both existing shop owners - and even existing landlords. If they have failed, collectively, to improve the high street by now, it's because they don't have the money, or the will, to do so. So I'd like to improve the high street without them – by encouraging new investors to set up shop, as and when newly-vacant units become available.
In reality, my idea wouldn't require much in the way of investment, at least up front, apart from in relation to time. The” new investments” and “infrastructure news” stories - which I'd be happy to help write - would be mainly sourced from planning application notices posted locally. Likewise, the new vacancies news feed would be collected by simply looking out for estate agent advertising hoardings, and linking to their online advert. The demographics and useful info data would be largely static.
Regarding my comments re the hand-wringers - I am afraid that's deliberate. Having got the promo site up and running, I'd then want to attract funding to finance the taking of stand at London-based franchise fairs, with a view to making contact with both franchise opportunity managers and would-be franchisees. So, if you are the kind of person who would oppose a new Specscaver, Pizza hut, or Rymans opening on the high street on the basis that you find the "clone town concept" objectionable, then I simply wouldn't want you involved in this project. And I think it’s only fair to state that up-front.
So, are you interested? I'm away this weekend but happy to go for a beer at some point later next week to discuss.
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Dickp
What you suggest could be the local marketing business I also suggested. In fact, an actual one contacted me recently to ask if I could supply the data set I mentioned, for a project involving another local business. I replied that the data set had been sent to me by a Council officer for non-commercial purposes only - and that it was now rather out-of-date - but copied in the officer who'd sent it, and someone from the SE London Chamber of Commerce, suggesting we explore how to proceed commercially. So far no response from any of them.
I'll contact you to arrange a meeting anyway.
What you suggest could be the local marketing business I also suggested. In fact, an actual one contacted me recently to ask if I could supply the data set I mentioned, for a project involving another local business. I replied that the data set had been sent to me by a Council officer for non-commercial purposes only - and that it was now rather out-of-date - but copied in the officer who'd sent it, and someone from the SE London Chamber of Commerce, suggesting we explore how to proceed commercially. So far no response from any of them.
I'll contact you to arrange a meeting anyway.
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Having sent a link to this thread to the Council officer I mentioned, he just emailed me back, writing:
It would of course be better if local government officers could themselves come on Forums such as this, instead of just reading it, which of course they do, and use them, in person, to put out the messages they are paid by the public to put out - i.e. the point I made previously on another thread. It would result in a more effective, cheaper, and more responsive Council. Set officers free to serve the public - and make public where the Council is more or less effective.
Instead, official channels of communication are tightly controlled by a few senior Councillors and officers. Are you listening, Liz?
I'd be interested to know of any experiences anyone has had with this - given the changes to the business rates system envisaged in the Localism Bill, it's something Lewisham should be investing in.We have a new Business Advisory Service which can provide free advise services to businesses which business in Sydenham might want to use. Details are at http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/b ... fault.aspx
It would of course be better if local government officers could themselves come on Forums such as this, instead of just reading it, which of course they do, and use them, in person, to put out the messages they are paid by the public to put out - i.e. the point I made previously on another thread. It would result in a more effective, cheaper, and more responsive Council. Set officers free to serve the public - and make public where the Council is more or less effective.
Instead, official channels of communication are tightly controlled by a few senior Councillors and officers. Are you listening, Liz?
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
So, any progress with this? I hope so as it's a great idea.
Cheers
G-man
Cheers
G-man
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Who - if anyone - is actually in charge of business development in Sydenham? I think Penge has (or had) a town centre manager, but Sydenham, of course, is a different council and I've no idea how things work there.
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Penge still has a very good town (and nice) centre manager (I'm actually meeting with them later today). Penge won about £70,000 in the first round of the Outer London Fund to improve high streets.
Sydenham has the Sydenham Town Centre Steering Group. I'm no sure how many businesses it is made up of but it's headed by Cllr Chris Best (please correct me Chris if I'm wrong!).
Sydenham has the Sydenham Town Centre Steering Group. I'm no sure how many businesses it is made up of but it's headed by Cllr Chris Best (please correct me Chris if I'm wrong!).
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
I wonder if Sydenham has been neglected (and it seems over many years) because it is on the outskirts of the borough.
How many councillors actually live in the wards that cover the high street and upper Kirkdale for example? Does anyone know?
How many councillors actually live in the wards that cover the high street and upper Kirkdale for example? Does anyone know?
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
I disagree, Penge is going the same way as Sydenham,I was shocked when I went there last week. at how it looked (I havent been there for a while) More pound shops,mobile phone shops, a butchers that smells as you pass by,it just all looked like a run down area to me.leenewham wrote:Penge still has a very good town (and nice) centre manager (I'm actually meeting with them later today). Penge won about £70,000 in the first round of the Outer London Fund to improve high streets.
.
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Sydenham's local councillors at least all live in the ward. I don't think it's exactly fair, either, to say that Sydenham has been neglected - although it's possible that efforts made have not been well thought through. It also depends on what you expect from a High street. With reference to Annie's disagreement with Lee about Penge, what seems a failure to one person may not be to another.poppy wrote:I wonder if Sydenham has been neglected (and it seems over many years) because it is on the outskirts of the borough.
How many councillors actually live in the wards that cover the high street and upper Kirkdale for example? Does anyone know?
There is no question that Cllr Chris Best at least works incredibly hard for Sydenham - the question is whether her action points
amount to a coherent strategy, or whether the Sydenham Town Centre Steering Group Lee asks about is a suitable structure for implementing any strategy.• Better promotion and marketing of Sydenham – shop local campaign – Sydenham Smiles plus a loyalty card; traders web site; local newsletter covering SE26; use of Facebook -Assembly page, TNG Wells Park etc linked to other local web sites
• More events to bring residents to shop in the high street such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter; more community events such as “get to know your neighbours” day
• Open up the use of the Naborhood Centre for everyone in the community and promote the change of name to the Sydenham Centre
• Improving the look of the high street – start the renewal works asap; helping traders with signage; clean up flyposting; encourage a diversity of shops - more quality shops such as shoes and clothing
• Ensure better planning controls on change of use from retail; enhance Conservation Areas by keeping traditional look for shop fronts; work on traders agreement for licencing to 11pm; respect the residential area including a meeting with Zanzibar
• Ensure visible community policing and more feedback on the use of CCTV
• Mentoring and job opportunity schemes for young people
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
Hi Annie, I think you misread what I wrote. I said they had a nice Town Centre Manager (which she is, being a town centre manager can be a thankless task at times), I didn't say Penge was a nice town centre, I agree with you, it does look unloved.Annie wrote:I disagree, Penge is going the same way as Sydenham,I was shocked when I went there last week. at how it looked (I havent been there for a while) More pound shops,mobile phone shops, a butchers that smells as you pass by,it just all looked like a run down area to me.leenewham wrote:Penge still has a very good town (and nice) centre manager (I'm actually meeting with them later today). Penge won about £70,000 in the first round of the Outer London Fund to improve high streets.
.
Re: WHAT IF WE DID THIS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO SYDENHAM?
And I misread you tooleenewham wrote: Hi Annie, I think you misread what I wrote. I said they had a nice Town Centre Manager (which she is, being a town centre manager can be a thankless task at times), I didn't say Penge was a nice town centre, I agree with you, it does look unloved.
