WHAT SHOPS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE HIGH STREET
sydenham high street
I would be careful what you wish for Annie. As someone who grew up somewhere where this happened, part or full pedestrianisation could be a disaster. The high street would lose so much passing trade. Who would see the improvements when they hopefully happen and then realise it is a half decent place to shop, if only us locals are using it on foot, or see other new developments and additions by chance?
The high street would never be pedestrianised, it's too important a route for cars and it's not a very busy high street. Oxford street isn't pedestianised and look how busy that is!
Having focal points and replacing horrible 1970's buildings with a town square sounds like a great idea in a perfect world. This thread has some great ideas and it seems clear that the vast majority of people would like the high street to improve.
Having focal points and replacing horrible 1970's buildings with a town square sounds like a great idea in a perfect world. This thread has some great ideas and it seems clear that the vast majority of people would like the high street to improve.
Personally I would like the Somerfield replaced with a Tesco Metro. That's just my personal preference as I dont particularly enjoy shopping in Somerfield.
While I am not totally averse to the odd PoundShop (if you have children, as I do, they're great for things like glitter and biscuit cutters!) I think 3 is a bit excessive! I would like to see the larger one near Boots replaced with an Early Learning Centre or an independently owned toy shop.
I would've thought a video shop would do well on the High St so I was very surprised when Apollo closed down. That would be the other item on my "wish list" but I guess there wasnt a need for one or Apollo would still be open? The Blockbusters has closed in Forest Hill so video shops are a bit thin on the ground.
While I am not totally averse to the odd PoundShop (if you have children, as I do, they're great for things like glitter and biscuit cutters!) I think 3 is a bit excessive! I would like to see the larger one near Boots replaced with an Early Learning Centre or an independently owned toy shop.
I would've thought a video shop would do well on the High St so I was very surprised when Apollo closed down. That would be the other item on my "wish list" but I guess there wasnt a need for one or Apollo would still be open? The Blockbusters has closed in Forest Hill so video shops are a bit thin on the ground.
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nork1
- Posts: 287
- Joined: 9 Jul 2006 12:49
- Location: Banned myself - can't be bothered with the Greg/Ulysses show anymore
Wahey! The obsessive class and demographics statistician is back posting under a different name.City_Slacker wrote:Nork1. So, some people can't afford an 8 quid breakfast. Boo hoo. I can't have Brad Pitt's looks and an e-type outside my front door. Life's not fair. Get over it. Just because I can't have these things, I don't resent other people who do.
Your name begins with 'G'. Do I win £5?
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City_Slacker
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 24 Nov 2007 11:39
- Location: Sydenham
You know, the actual mix on the high street isn't necessarily bad. What could stand to be improved is the aspirations of the businesses themselves. For example, I think every high street could do with a decent chippie, but ours is pretty indecent. I feel like the owner and his/her staff should be sent off to Olley's in Herne Hill to see how an unpretentious chippie that really cares about food quality operates.
Our greengrocer is pretty good, but could catch the big local food trend by pointing out the produce that's come in from Kent and what the variety is. Obviously some of the stock is going to be coming from further afield, but you'd have to hope that at this time of year at least a few types of apple would be locally sourced (and even, dare I say it, organically produced).
I'm quite passionate about food and cooking, so personally I'd like to see a fishmonger returning to the high street. Hell, I'll take a fish van once a week if necessary - just make the fish super-fresh and the smoked haddock undyed, and I'll be there with bells on.
There's room for all sorts in Sydenham. It's nice that those who have a few extra pennies to splash around are starting to get a few places where they can spend them locally.
Our greengrocer is pretty good, but could catch the big local food trend by pointing out the produce that's come in from Kent and what the variety is. Obviously some of the stock is going to be coming from further afield, but you'd have to hope that at this time of year at least a few types of apple would be locally sourced (and even, dare I say it, organically produced).
I'm quite passionate about food and cooking, so personally I'd like to see a fishmonger returning to the high street. Hell, I'll take a fish van once a week if necessary - just make the fish super-fresh and the smoked haddock undyed, and I'll be there with bells on.
There's room for all sorts in Sydenham. It's nice that those who have a few extra pennies to splash around are starting to get a few places where they can spend them locally.
Hi Julsb,
I had a conversation with the Greengrocers only last week about their apples!
I was concerned as the week before, an official from Defra was telling her off as they hadn't written the country of origin and class of fruit/veg on the price labels. He really was disciplining her saying, "...you gave me the same excuse last time" and "...you need to display this information to continue trading...." The problem is there's only 2 of them running the place and their stock changes depending on what's at the market that morning! It's worrying to think that such red tape might be deterring similar independent traders.
Anyway, at this time of year the apple come from France and later on from New Zealand and South Africa. I agree with you, I would definately buy more if the fruit was locally sourced, however short the growing season was. Did you know they sell Kent Cobb Nuts, but only for a month?
Then there's the organic debate: Obviously more expensive so wouldn't sell as quickly, would sit on the shelves longer and therefore wouldn't be as fresh.....
I had a conversation with the Greengrocers only last week about their apples!
I was concerned as the week before, an official from Defra was telling her off as they hadn't written the country of origin and class of fruit/veg on the price labels. He really was disciplining her saying, "...you gave me the same excuse last time" and "...you need to display this information to continue trading...." The problem is there's only 2 of them running the place and their stock changes depending on what's at the market that morning! It's worrying to think that such red tape might be deterring similar independent traders.
Anyway, at this time of year the apple come from France and later on from New Zealand and South Africa. I agree with you, I would definately buy more if the fruit was locally sourced, however short the growing season was. Did you know they sell Kent Cobb Nuts, but only for a month?
Then there's the organic debate: Obviously more expensive so wouldn't sell as quickly, would sit on the shelves longer and therefore wouldn't be as fresh.....
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castiron73
- Posts: 132
- Joined: 24 Oct 2006 10:05
- Location: Sydenham Thorpes
The traders need to communicate this information to the residents who want to hear it.
In successful high streets they put blackboards outside and on counters highlighting new products. They stay open a bit later for commuters. They have notices and websites saying what's coming into season, even recipe suggestions. Their displays make the most of the produce.
If the greengrocers (nice as they are and I'm a regular customer) can't even write on the source of their fruit and veg then they are not really making enough effort. Their cobb nuts will rot unless they sell them.
I was surprised to read on here that the butcher's by the library sources meat from their own farm. Do they not need our custom? Why have they not advertised this?
Should more traders post messages on here? I imagine some would shy away from new technology but it would help attract more custom. (I imagine the owner of Montecassino is delighted by the the new custom described on another post).
In fact, perhaps each shop could have a little blog, with a bit of background, a photo or two (from the bookshop gallery exhibition?), opening hours and email and phone details as a point of contact. The directory is already set up, but it's not up to date. Even better, given the appalling use of apostrophes, perhaps someone could write the blogs for them, paid for by the traders' association?
In successful high streets they put blackboards outside and on counters highlighting new products. They stay open a bit later for commuters. They have notices and websites saying what's coming into season, even recipe suggestions. Their displays make the most of the produce.
If the greengrocers (nice as they are and I'm a regular customer) can't even write on the source of their fruit and veg then they are not really making enough effort. Their cobb nuts will rot unless they sell them.
I was surprised to read on here that the butcher's by the library sources meat from their own farm. Do they not need our custom? Why have they not advertised this?
Should more traders post messages on here? I imagine some would shy away from new technology but it would help attract more custom. (I imagine the owner of Montecassino is delighted by the the new custom described on another post).
In fact, perhaps each shop could have a little blog, with a bit of background, a photo or two (from the bookshop gallery exhibition?), opening hours and email and phone details as a point of contact. The directory is already set up, but it's not up to date. Even better, given the appalling use of apostrophes, perhaps someone could write the blogs for them, paid for by the traders' association?