Artists, Feasibility, SE26: Public Money, Graffiti

[art4]

The aim of the SEE3 pop ups in Sydenham:
"The Shop Revolution aims to facilitate meanwhile use for empty shops, develop pop up shop opportunities and act as a springboard for new businesses looking to trial their business idea on a high street. We are currently focussing on Forest Hill, Kirkdale Village and Sydenham.

The aim is to renovate up to 12 empty shops for a pop up project which will generate a buzz in each of the town centres, and stimulate long term demand for retail properties."

Let's make it clear, I believe the following to be true: Most of the shops involved in the pop ups are now let or in the process of being let.

Here are the Portas Pilot Principles:

http://www.maryportas.com/portaspilots/mary-portas/

Which include:

Key Criteria For The Vision:

- Anchored in shoppers and locality
- Supported by the audit
- Financially viable
- Sustainable
- Scalable
- Aligned with town planning

Key Aim For The Vision:

- Drive Footfall
- Weekly Essentials
- Social Needs Based Services

[art4]

I don't think an high end gallery selling high end art is right for Sydenham, it doesn't matter whether the pilot project shops stayed or not. I don't see what has to do with SEE3.

See3 has it's issues, I'm not saying it's perfect (it certainly isn't), but it deserves support (and it needs to co-operate and listen) in order for it to make effective change. I'm not seeing that support from these posts Joanne.

I know that because of the pop ups and SEE3, some exiting new businesses are coming to Sydenham due to the EXTREMELY hard work going on behind the scenes.

You may not like the current show, but wait and see what's waiting in the wings…

To the outsider it appears that nothing is happening, if it is and SEE3 are involved, are they? if so then it would be wise of them to let people know. If plans are known then others may also want to offer suggestions or could help to attract new business.

I visit the SEE3 web site regulary http://www.see3.co.uk/. There are no shops to let and 'Pop Goes Syd' was last updated nearly a year ago.

[michael]

I still don't understand why an email apparently from a forum contributor has led to the same old criticisms of SEE3. We've heard it all before and yet the town centres have continued to benefit from the increased activity and renovated shops brought about by the funding made available through the Portas scheme as well as other investment.

Would Sydenham have been better off without Portas? Of course not.

As for graffiti art, over on se23.com there are a load of people complaining that there is not enough graffiti in Forest Hill and mourning the loss of the subway art. Joanne has a different point of view, which is fine, but it is worth listening to the views of others as well who feel that much of the art in the town centres has been positive. Who should decide what street art is acceptable? Should I take up the offer of street art on the street piano in Forest Hill and look for artists to decorate the subway? All views welcome.

[Rachael]

Michael mentioned the Forest Hill street piano - for those who don't know, it's outside the station and is an idea of simple genius. Every time I go past someone is playing. There are lots of pictures on Twitter. It seems to just make people happy.

https://twitter.com/Jimsthename/status/ ... 3872493568

[Annie.]

They have a piano at Herne Hill as well,apparently is a fantastic atmosphere (so my daughter tells me) not sure if it is permanently there though, but what a lovely idea, music can totally change the day for the better for me.

[leenewham]

It would be great to have it here. If anything it makes more sense here. We have the arts festival, music festival and a piano shop.

I'm surprised see3 haven't done it in Sydenham.

Who would like that in our newly refurbished station Parade?

[michael]

It would be great to have it here. If anything it makes more sense here.

I agree Lee. I loved the idea when I first heard about it over a cup of coffee at the Montage, and it was the SEE3 project that made this little innovation possible, through the 'Jack in the Box' team of Deborah and Caroline. The piano was bought from the shop on Kirkdale, the stools were donated by other shops. And I'm really pleased how well received it has been (and that it is still in one piece). And it certainly fulfills the Portas criteria of making the high street somewhere more fun and attractive. Just a small enhancement that can give people joy.

As far as making more sense in Sydenham, can I remind you that Horniman Museum has a world class collection of music instruments including some fantastic keyboards. It makes sense in Sydenham, but it makes at least as much sense in Forest Hill.

[Rachael]

Lee - how very dare you!

It makes sense to have one in Sydenham as well.

Why is there one in Forest Hill? I suspect because we have a bunch of innovative traders that come up with creative ideas. Michael can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the piano is a collaboration between the traders and SEE3 rather than originating solely with the latter.

And the FH piano has a bit of shelter under the bike shed at FH station. Is there somewhere equivalent in Sydenham? Would be nice in one of the squares but probably too exposed.

[michael]

Why is there one in Forest Hill? I suspect because we have a bunch of innovative traders that come up with creative ideas. Michael can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the piano is a collaboration between the traders and SEE3 rather than originating solely with the latter.

I think you may have missed my previous response to Lee. Credit for the idea goes to Caroline, who was employed by SEE3 to bring new life to Forest Hill high street through 'Jack in the Box'. Caroline mentioned street pianos in Herne Hill and Kings Cross, and I immediately realised it was a great idea. Caroline sorted out the details of position, permission, and sourced a suitable piano, based on my suggestion of the local piano shop. And once the piano was in place local traders helped out with the donation of stools.

Although the piano is a very visible legacy of SEE3, it is one of the smallest things that SEE3 has done (not to diminish the work Caroline put into making it happen). So much goes on behind the scenes - bringing shops back into a fit state for use, training local business people, building up local markets which the right traders and location for the area, and organising marketing and publicity materials. All done on a tight budget and reliant on the goodwill of many of those employed (and not employed) by the SEE3.

[Rachael]

Thanks for the clarification, Michael. Is Jack in the Box solely focused on Forest Hill? The erstwhile Jill being the equivalent for Sydenham?

[leenewham]

Lol. Oh dear, I've enraged the forest hill posse!

Come on Michael, you know kirkdale high street is ours it's a piano from a Sydenham shop in forest hill.

Seriously, well done to all involved. The piano is a great idea. I wish we had more creative thinking along these lines in Sydenham.

Can we have one as well as forest hill?

[Rachael]

Lol. Oh dear, I've enraged the forest hill posse!

You come to our postcode, you drink our coffee and then you diss our musical credentials. Pfft.

[michael]

Thanks for the clarification, Michael. Is Jack in the Box solely focused on Forest Hill? The erstwhile Jill being the equivalent for Sydenham?

Exactly. They were meant to run concurrently, but that was not possible. Jack in the Box used many venues on the high street for the Film week, Valentine's week, Easter week and other activities. All these activities increased footfall to the high street and brought new customers to existing businesses. Once people discover the local gems in the high street they will hopefully keep coming back.

[leenewham]

Yep. Sure do.

Except the dissing bit.
Anyway, I thought you lived in Sydenham Rachael? Have you defected? Is the grass greener?

[Rachael]

Thanks for the clarification, Michael. Is Jack in the Box solely focused on Forest Hill? The erstwhile Jill being the equivalent for Sydenham?

Exactly. They were meant to run concurrently, but that was not possible. Jack in the Box used many venues on the high street for the Film week, Valentine's week, Easter week and other activities. All these activities increased footfall to the high street and brought new customers to existing businesses. Once people discover the local gems in the high street they will hopefully keep coming back.

Sydenhamites may not know that Forest Hill has positively been hopping with pop-up events over the last year. Perhaps we should keep it to ourselves.

[Rachael]

Yep. Sure do.

Except the dissing bit.
Anyway, I thought you lived in Sydenham Rachael? Have you defected? Is the grass greener?

I'm in Forest Hill, Lee. SE23 postcode. I can see SE26 from my doorstep, just not in it!

[leenewham]

Yes, it has.

Sydenham does seem to be lagging behind forest hill. The new businesses moving into Sydenham and kirkdale are great, but Sydenham seems to be lagging behind with creativity and ideas, or rather, implementing them.

Traders are far more involved in fh see3 than in Sydenham. We need more engagement with shops and it's difficult todo as they need to be willing. You can't force it.

Bringing this back to the op, I think there is a serious point here that needs to be addressed:

What was the outcome of the portas audit, or was one done? What is the future, the long term vision for Sydenham? What is the problem that needs solving?

In kirkdake the elephant in the room is footfall. It's not good. But I'll post more about this later.

See3 is about sharing ideas and solutions between 3 areas that lead to regeneration. I'd love this conversation to be brought out into the open. What can Sydenham learn from Fh? How did they get more traders engaged there?

I've had this conversation with See3 at meetings before and various suggestions have been made.

Is this a conversation worth having?

Are there any traders who would like to chip in with their thoughts?

[michael]

Sydenham does seem to be lagging behind forest hill. The new businesses moving into Sydenham and kirkdale are great, but Sydenham seems to be lagging behind with creativity and ideas, or rather, implementing them.

Not at all. Forest Hill still lacks a fishmonger and a health food shop, it could also do with the investment in streetscape that has gone into Sydenham.
Sydenham is full of creativity and ideas, just look at the Arts Festival for a single rather massive example.
There is certainly a discussion that needs to take place, but it is not the one from the OP. There are lessons to learn across SEE3 from the successes we have had in each area and SEE3 will make available reports on their work at some point soon (I think).
In the meantime Lee, I would be happy to buy you a coffee/beer and continue the conversation off-line. Last time I did this with somebody we ended up with a piano!

[leenewham]

There is no such thing as a free drink Michael!

My place or yours? I'm in ruislip manor in North London at the moment working with some small independent businesses (as we are closer to home too).

[broken_shaman]

we are currently not accepting photography

Why's that then?