MitchK

The planning application looks pukka so I have sent my objections to Southwark council by e-mail and would encourage those who feel strongly to do the same. I am very concerned that this will attract riff-raff to that part of Lordship Lane.

The Somerfield in Lordship Lane, so rightly described by Amelie as 'pitiful', will become a Co-op, so out of the frying pan and into the fire. I thought Somerfield were no longer opening new stores and were being phased out so am surprised/sceptical at this news.

I heard Boots are interested which would be great as they seem to know how to run a Chemist shop i.e. stock things that people want, open on a Sunday, have friendly staff. Unfortunately Co-op are definitely going to be keeping the Somerfield store, even though Waitrose would have bought it if Co-op were willing to sell.

If you know these people, please let me know. We have some post for them sent to our house in Blackwater street, right address on the letter but they do not live at the address, nor have they, at least for 20 years. Can't find them in the yellow pages. Thanks

Just a quick post to recommend the Magnolia. We went there for Sunday lunch and it was superb. Excellent roasts, loads of nice veg and good starters. Service is very friendly - one waiter even brought us toys for our baby daughter. Thought the atmosphere was good in there, not overrun with kids but certainly child friendly. A lovely place to spend a wet and cold Sunday. We will certainly be back.

Not sure it falls into the real ale category but I am a big fan of German Weissbier (e.g. Franziskaner or Erdinger). They serve it in the Crown and Greyhound and The Bishop.

Just typical of this country now. No one prepared to go the extra mile, no one prepared to take responsibility for their actions. Have you thought about

To be honest, if I drove a bus I think I would be miserable. Especially in South London. They really do attract the lowest of the low, especially at night.

Honestly, this used to go on when I was a student in Leeds. Gangs of Asian youths launching fireworks at people. I really find it surprising that fireworks are so readily available e.g. go to Sainsburys and they are on 2 for 1 offer. Fine, in the right hands they are not a problem, but too often they end up in the hands of out of control youths who amuse themselves by putting them through letterboxes etc. Surely, they should be banned. Fireworks displays are total rubbish anyway.

I quite agree but I fear that there is very little sense of history these days. People are more interested in who is winning on X factor or whatever reality rubbish they waste their lives watching. Where is our local war memorial and will there be a service?

(if not made up), then good stuff. I am glad we have some people taking action now.

This is the problem with having a Somerfield in the high street. Wouldn't have happened in Waitrose. What a bunch of lily-livered liberals. It's probably the highlight of the security guard's job to beat up some shoplifter. Do not deny him his fun!

Was you on the 40 bus? No I weren't.

Have you thought of ear plugs at night? Used to live by a busy road and they work a treat. Forget about doing anything about it like complaining. Nothing will happen. We need airports and we all use them. ED is not that bad for noise. Try South west london!

No, they are doing the right thing. The post office is becoming increasingly irrelevant. A lot of the services you can get elsewhere or do it online. They are overstaffed and over unionised - sack the lot of them, I say. Incorporating them into other shops e.g. WH Smiths makes a lot of sense.

This area isn't great for running. I normally drive to Richmond and do the Park and Wimbledon Common which is about 14 miles. Round here I would go up to Dulwich Park for a circuit or two, along College road and up Sydenham hill to Crystal Palace park and then back again. Not 13 miles but with a few detours you could probably get a decent run.

Why do gays need their own pubs nowadays? Just go to a normal pub like everyone else.

Would never buy fresh stuff in there. Milk and tinned food only if totally desperate. Can't believe how badly run it is. Let's see how the new owners do.

What has their skin colour got to do with it?

Well not just a choice between Co-op or Waitrose. Would not be surprised to see a Tesco Metro or Sainsburys local in there. I really don't think the store will be that attractive to Waitrose (too small, no car park) and they may look to go for other more attractive stores and let this one go.

A decent Vietnamese like the ones in Kingsland road up in Dalston. Superb food and great value. I love Greek food so would be happy with that. Get rid of the naff Mexican please - could that place have looked any more tacky and empty? Oh and obviously we don't need a choice of 8 curry houses so a good Chinese like Ping Pong would be good.

Great, thanks for the support on the boycott. Not yet ready to mount a picket line but who knows. I'm not sure the COOP will look to sell off the LL store to anyone once they have bought it as it probably a good little site to own. My other fear with Waitrose is that their profits will decline in the current economic environment as luxury shopping is going to be the first thing people cut down on. This may curtail their store expansion. But we can keep hoping.

Steve, I doubt it is sharp practice. More like total incompetence. It is an awful place and I have launched my own one man boycott (for what it's worth!). Anyway, CO-OP are buying them and will hopefully flog them off to someone decent like Waitrose although I fear that may be a forlorn hope. Just go to SMBS, Sainsburys or Budgens in future.

Agree with the response to Mr Liberal. Not sure what the solution to this knife crime issue - there probably isn't one - but trying to feel sorry for these criminals isn't it. There will always be poorer sections of society who lack the opportunties that the rest of us have but that doesn't mean we should treat them with compassion when they turn to crime. I am disappointed by the police though. You only ever see them when they are driving at 50mph with sirens wailing. They should be patrolling on foot more often.

Is this a school for toffs or oiks?