as far as the traders making an investment in the high street, several are looking to do just that. They (we) are also in the process or re-establishing / re-energising a Sydenham Traders Association that will help give the traders a "stronger" voice towards the council as well as the ability to make changes independently.
Poppy, I am not sure which curtains reference you are asking about, but we are trying to get the council to fund a scheme/initiative in which vacant shops windows would be filled with "Flower Design Blinds" or a frosted film with a design printed onto them (like flowers or ivy etc...)
We certainly do not want to have the Naborhood Centre curtains to appear elswhere, or even remain where they are for that matter.
i found this example of a raised planted plinth surrounded by tar that i feel could be adapted to our 6-8 m roundabout.
the plinth can be of the same paving planned for use on the pavements...i think it was a light coloured concrete paving stone. 5 or so randomely placed skinny trees. add some uplighting to the paving or lighting to the trees and voila you have yourself a very cheap, low maintence, contempory space which ties in with surrounding high street and adds some much needed greenery to the area....
even if all i see is a greened grass dome i would be happy
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reference to looking behind the curtain....