downsouth

Another thing to consider is where one of these establishments varies from the norm they take a huge financial risk - often of their own money. Not many are prepared to do that. I for one wouldn't try to be "too different". Even Le Chandelier is very safe even though it tries to appear different. Same old cakes, drinks and platters available elsewhere. The real difference is the expensive as yet to be paid for decor.

DM - Yes please. Sean - Don't be, there's another pleasantries to go round. Allfornun - the place crawls with children everywhere, under tables, on the walls, from the drains.. it's disgusting!! I think the food is probably aimed squarely at that market and judging by bums on seats today - it seems to be working.

Nah we won't agree... but that's what makes life that more interesting having your views challenged and having to review what it is you yourself believe. I am all up for free trade where such freedom is multi or bliateral. For instance I don't believe that companies from counties which are restrictive/prescriptive re their own FDI should be allowed to own or buyout UK companies i.e Russian, Chinese, India etc... They have so many stipulations etc.. that it is not a level playing field. Also, I never agreed with the whole call centre and manufacturing thing - from first principles - give customers what they want. Customers want quality over price to a degree. Customers expect to speak to people at the end of the phone who they believe have some degree of proximity to them in terms of location and not "John" in Mumbai. It makes people feel as though they are being poorly duped. This whole bubble has been built on China producing things we don't need. Now we are locked into this bubble and if such things were made here it would create inflation. It was made possible by greed. Better labour laws are needed. Not onerous but fairer to UK workers. See I am not all right wing! Many businesses have gone elsewhere. We are still top for FDI in Europe due to a deep capital market and a rampant consumerism unknown in Europe. I agree with your description of Ireland but come on, compared to where they were? Any fall will be temporary. Re red tape, we are not as bad as some but there is far too much HSSE and all thes rest that is not needed. Cut it back to the requsite i.e. Age, Sex and Race discrimation. Some HSSE but honestly if you saw the budgets for the stuff - they've created industries and many lawyers are chewing off the fat. But in closing, no we won't agree but that's cool. You have made me unlock my caring side and show him some daylight, albeit for a few moments to feel that breeze on his face, then he was marched back to the dungeon by callousness and gluttony.

For once I agree 100% with DM.

Can't say I've noticed generally but we did dodge a whole lot of **** today. It's not that hard to poop and scoop is it?

To bve honest we are struggling for that something different. It is now a variation on a theme that we really like. But some variety...please. Where is Bourdain's Les Halles?

Point 1: EC brethren - that's not true. I think you'll find the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland have been taking our jobs/businesses re foreign direct investment for some years now. Their tax rate for corporations are half ours. Google the performance of Ireland over the past 20 years and you will see a direct correlation. they are now wealthier per capita than the UK. I'm talking about the London Development Agency which is the economic arm for the Mayor. Not some birght eyed bushy tailed no nothings - I have plenty of those friends too. There's no self-interest there not with red ken at any rate. I disagreed with the lower down jobs going and it goes for the jobs up the chain. Facts are it won't change. Admittedly call centre jobs are coming back to the UK now after so much discontentment. What is the point of saving a few million when you have a profit of hundreds of millions or billions. So they have farmed some roles back here. It is a complex area that I'm not the expert on but what I do know is that we are not set up for business. That is where wealth comes from and a distribution direct or indirect of wealth eminates.

I agree. it is a Cafe in the park for 'all'. Some families might be a bit stretched to order hand kneaded garlic bread with sundried tomatoes (I think it's called a bruschetta ;-)) It is what it is. I take my little one there sometimes if he's hungry but am under no illusions. More often than not we eat in the usual places with the 'same menu' with th same prices, but that's what we likes.

No, just not put them up where there's no need. The flower bed it quite nice as it is is.

I agree. Everywhere I've been recently East Dulwich, West Duwlich, Herne Hill or Peckham it's been the same damn menu. Not to say I too don't love my fat home made hamburgers with caramelised onions and rocket but surely some variety? In saying that, the other half had a yellow prawn thai curry in the Rye Hotel which I thought was slightly different from the norm. But homogenity is the flavour of the month. Is that not simply what people want?

glued like hair spray

The zebra crossings in particular i.e. the on on East Dulwich Road (where Goose Green is)? I hang a right from LL and always look across for anyone walking from the right. At the best of times people don't see pedestrians and IMHO I think this will make it worse.

No it's not edifying but it is the real world. Unlike the trade unions the UK is in competition with our EC brethren and the wider world. India and China have been slowing picking jobs from lower down the chain but increasinlgy it's the higher value jobs going and many 'shared services centres' springing up. It's unfortunately the way of the world and globalisation is the name of the game. I have a friend who works for the economic arm of London and they have some real frightening projections if London and the Government don't get their proverbial in gear.

But then that is a wider question as to "what the tax should be". The tax is what it is. If you try to raise it higher or restrict set offs and the like business will move away. We had that issue where I work which after a restructure left the UK worse off than if the tax regime as attractive as other European systems. Now which would I prefer, a lower level of tax for companies but far more of them choosing the UK as their main office etc... or a higher threshold but less companies choosing the UK? I'd go for the former. Revenues are far more important not percentages and I personally think that is the hang up that too often people cite - be it the relative poverty debate or otherwsie. Absolutes are better than relatives. Better to have ?100 than 99% of 1p. On the wider question as to what tax should be that's a question that I don't think government's have ever really resolved themselves. We all like to bleat on - no offence intended - about the profits of big companies but we at the same time want to attract and retain them in the UK for 'high vlaue' jobs. See the uproar when car plants shut down - in the American vernacular "It's the tax system stupid". If and when they choose to go elsewhere - i.e for R&D as there aren't any decent tax breaks in the UK - we then hear the lambasting of the government who "should have done more". I am undecided as to the appropriate tax regime but working in head offices as I have for the past 6 or so years with the directors and head of functions I know that the UK will be the one to lose out should the Daily Mail, Mirror Et al get their pound of fleeting flesh.

If not a link to immigration then at least to one scare or another - I feel cheated? Just glad I didn't but the paper on that day then.

I work for one of the largest companies in the world and believe you me way pay a hell of a lot of tax. granted most of the corporation tax is paid in another jurisdiction for the parent company but even then the company pays billions to the UK government.

I would but Mottingham is a touch too far for me. I'm after either the plots in West Dulwich or Dulwich Common so that I can walk there.

Bear in mind that companies pay VAT, NI contribtutions, business rates, corporation tax, stamp duty and myriad of other taxes. Looking at corporation tax muddies the water. Also consider employment and the resultant benefits. And no, I do get peeved off that some people are super rich and I am not.

It is a terrible tragedy but as has been said before with the exception of the broadcasters and traditional broadsheets there has been no steady hand or objective commentary from the media. The 'filth' most folk choose to read has been all one way for the British middle class family who came 'a cropper in Protugal' and now predictably things will go the other way. Before long a 'freind' of the family or an acquaintance will say how x or y has always had a temper or there was that time that Madeleine was spoken to 'harshly'. These papers peddle in filth and don't allow for justice to take its course. Even on BBC brekfast you have these absurd questions being put to international fair trial experts as to whether the McCanns can expect a fair trial??? This Portugal not North Korea! How patronising and Xenophobic from the Beeb of all places. I'm just glad the interviewee reminded them of which country this had taken place and the laws (the same as the ones over here) in place to 'protect' any, if the time arrives, accused.

I saw the roundabout today and could just picture a silly tree obstructing motorists sight of pedestrians and other traffic - an accident waiting to happen or what?

Thanks for the advice. In the end we went to Blue mountain early on but a prawn/salmon combo seemed to have a bad effect on the other half so we stayed in for the rest of the day. I later went to collect fish and chips from the Sea Cow which seemed to agree with her much more. Interesting list of fish not now sold by the Sea Cow - Monkfish, Blue fin Tuna etc... some of my favourites (guilty blush). Checked out the Rye Hotel today - it was a long stroll from West Dulwich to peckham and back! Food was fab.

The Rye Hotel was a real kindergaretn today but I didn't mind. The only place I know guaranteed to be child free is Beauberry House in Belair Park - but for that privelege you will have to pay.

??

Indeed! As I sip on a pint of Wells Bombardier Satanic Mills - I love Friday evenings...

Sorry to be contrary again but in the 19th century everyone knew their place and I for one would not want to revert to that time. I understand the sentiment but not the facts. Is there an socio economic model today that you admire?