Too many estate agents on Sydenham Road?

roundasapound · Post by **roundasapound** » 29 Aug 2013 12:34

Hi Everyone, it's been an age since I last posted on here. As always, the forum is very insightful into the events occurring within Sydenham.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that there are way too many estate agents on Sydenham Road? Last time I checked there was Hunters, Pedders, Mann Countrywide, Robinson & Jackson, Acorn, Uniplan, Property World.. did I miss a few?

They are all clustered into such a small area from the Co-op to the roundabout.

It feels like Sydenham is turning into estate agents, bargain buckets shops, cheque/pawnbrokers and charity shops. But why so many estate agents in such a small vicinity?

What does everyone else think?

JulietP · Post by **JulietP** » 29 Aug 2013 13:12

I actually don't think the estate agents are the problem. Like them or loathe them, they're a sign that an area is on the up. And Forest Hill, East Dulwich etc. have just as many estate agents, and they have vibrant, lively high streets.

But I agree with you about the betting shops, pawnbrokers and chicken shops, but the only way we can get rid of these is not to use them: there's obviously an audience for them, or they wouldn't be there!

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 29 Aug 2013 13:17

There is another one opening up too.

The issue I have is that they occupy many of the best sites (corners). Peddar really should have been a cafe or restaurant (or Kente should have swapped places with them).

But yes, there are too many. Same with chicken shops etc. They infect high streets like a virus. Buy a franchise and away you go, find a high street with a few other chicken shops and you know you have an audience. Parking limitations help businesses like these are they are quick 'in and out' shops.

roundasapound · Post by **roundasapound** » 29 Aug 2013 14:39

Hi

thanks to you both for replying.

You both made some good points. Whilst I agree that estate agents are a sign an area is on an "up", I agree with Juliet that there are too many of them and they are taking all the prime positions on the main road.

I forgot to add, we also have too many funeral parlours on Sydenham Road as well.

I don't doubt we have some really good shops, I would like to see more variety on Sydenham Road, because too much of one type of shop limits the choice we all have.

Dulwich.. are you referring to Lordship Lane? Juliet.. they have a lot more variety of shops so you don't notice that there are as many estate agents.

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 29 Aug 2013 15:10

I think the tarted up Uniplan is quite impressive.

Can you have too many estate agents?

Sydenham · Post by **Sydenham** » 29 Aug 2013 15:14

Whether you have too many estate agents or not you can always call them:

http://all-sorts.org/nouns/estate_agents

sydenhamboy · Post by **sydenhamboy** » 29 Aug 2013 15:40

Yep, agreed - too many but (like people have said) it indicates an area on the up and they seem to tidy the area up; the latest addition (the yellow and black one) actually looks alright. Unlike a pound store or a random pawnbrokers which have a run-down look about them. The Tescos (love it or hate it) looks ok (better than a Costcutters or an 'Uncle Joe's Mini-market' (I made that one up, but you know what I mean)). The high street is generally looking much better at the moment. Can't wait for the arrival of the trees. I think the work on the Sydenham road is really making a difference. We totally need it to attract a couple of 'quality' new business ventures (we have quite a few cafes already) so (yawn!) a 'nice' pub/bar and perhaps a deli or something. I think Well-Being should push it's deli stuff a bit more (and get a better facia). We're an urban, inner-suburb - it will always have suburban 'London' shops like poundshops and betting shops (as does East Dulwich) it's just a question of getting the balance right. Even Hill Top Cafe has had a make-over. So that's a sign other places are 'upping their game'. Rant over.

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 29 Aug 2013 16:10

Now Hill Top Cafe

Did that not used to be called Rumbling Tum ?

Steveofsyd · Post by **Steveofsyd** » 30 Aug 2013 20:15

Totally agree on all points.
Too many but a sign of an area on the up
They do make an effort with their appearance - no one will give business to a tatty, dodgy looking one.
Agree about Pedders as I've mentioned in another thread . Perfect for a cafe or small restaurant as they have an outside terrace. How wonderful would that have been once the lights and trees are in place.
I think Lewisham must be the most ignorant and short sighted planners in London.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

chrisj1948 · Post by **chrisj1948** » 30 Aug 2013 21:34

leenewham wrote:But yes, there are too many. Same with chicken shops etc. They infect high streets like a virus. Buy a franchise and away you go, find a high street with a few other chicken shops and you know you have an audience. Parking limitations help businesses like these are they are quick 'in and out' shops.

One has to be a bit careful about condemning chicken shops. I am reliably informed that Morleys, for example, is a very superior one and draws people from far away places like Lee and Catford!

Regards
Chris

biscuitman1978 · Post by **biscuitman1978** » 31 Aug 2013 09:31

Steveofsyd wrote:Agree about Pedders as I've mentioned in another thread . Perfect for a cafe or small restaurant as they have an outside terrace. How wonderful would that have been once the lights and trees are in place.

I think Lewisham must be the most ignorant and short sighted planners in London.

That's a completely ill-informed comment and an unfair criticism of the planners at Lewisham Council.

Planning permission isn't required to change the use of a property from a bank (the previous use of the Pedder unit) to an estate agent (the current use), so how do you think the 'ignorant and short sighted planners' might have stopped the change?

In fact, Lewisham Council was willing to allow the change of use of the property to a restaurant or cafe (which does require planning permission). As Pat Trembath noted in another thread:

Pat Trembath wrote:With regard to the old HSBC building, now Pedders. After the bank closed Cllr Chris Best wrote to Sturge and Co, who were marketing the building as A2, and suggested that they apply for a change of use to A3, stating that there would be no objections from the council nor the Sydenham Society if this were to happen, but to no avail.

That doesn't sound like 'ignorant and short sighted planners' to me.

Steveofsyd · Post by **Steveofsyd** » 31 Aug 2013 16:39

I stand corrected...thanks for telling me off.
How do we then get Sydenham to change from having such a poor selection of establishments. What is Sydenham doing wrong that ...say Crystal Palace is doing right - it's so lively there with a wonderful selection of pubs and restaurants
Is there any way that the Council can prevent certain types of establishment opening that are already here in great numbers? How did Lordship Lane change...I lived there in the 70's and 80's and it was pretty dire.
Look at Station Approach. There is now another "corner shop" with 2 already on the high street around the corner next to each other. Another on the corner of Newlands, then the Costcutter, Tesco, Co-Op and I was informed Sainsburys are now moving back to the Greyhound Square. Speaking to the shop keepers there I hear that hardly anyone goes into the new shop...it's simply not needed.
I'd love someone to explain what is happening.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

mikej · Post by **mikej** » 2 Sep 2013 10:31

sydenhamboy noted

we have quite a few cafes already

maybe, but we need some more restaurants - open in the evening as well as maybe a bar or two.
At present there's little choice after 1930.

marymck · Post by **marymck** » 2 Sep 2013 10:55

Personally, I think it was a great shame the former Italian restaurant site was losr to a n accountant's office. That site was a great position for a restaurant and, under the right management, would have had tables outside to achieve a much livelier atmosphere and high street presence.

Usual problem though: change of use application not required.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

hairybuddha · Post by **hairybuddha** » 2 Sep 2013 11:05

Agree it was a real shame that Italian closed down. But I always felt the space was far too big for what it was trying to be. It must have had updwards of 100 covers and there was never more than half a dozen tables filled at any one time. Recipe for disaster.

The big trouble with outside seating down there of course is the road. It's far too noisy and smelly to make it an attractive proposition.

Eagle · Post by **Eagle** » 2 Sep 2013 11:16

Re Italian restaurant. I assume you mean The Monte Casino.
Had some great meals in there in the 70's and 80's.
Great shame if closed, but guess the owners retired.

marymck · Post by **marymck** » 2 Sep 2013 13:01

No eagle, I meant the big one on the corner, named after a revolutionary fisherman with an unspellable name. Closed about a year ago. Lovely pizzas, but served on cold plates.

Road no more unpleasant than any London restaurant and people have no problem sitting outside those, or the sylvan post. I understand there was trouble with the golden lion over golden lion's rubbish piled up by the wall though. Maybe that's why they couldn't use the garden. Shame, because it was hard to tell when they were open.

Anyway it's an opportunity lost now.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

hairybuddha · Post by **hairybuddha** » 2 Sep 2013 13:44

marymck wrote:Road no more unpleasant than any London restaurant

This obviously is not true. But completely agree on the pizzas, they were great!

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 2 Sep 2013 15:07

Eagle, Montecasino is now Trattoria Raffaele, Dominic is often to be seen in the new restaurant which is now run by his son.

Do you ever venture down to Lower Sydenham on your way from Kente to Beckenham or Penge?

hairybuddha · Post by **hairybuddha** » 2 Sep 2013 15:12

There be dragons, Lee

Sydenham Town Forum

The Community Voice for London SE26 since 2004