SeanMacGabhann

ones on VHS and ones on Betamax?

???? is cutting quite the dash today, as far as postings per minute go...

it'll make fascinating reading I'm sure It would appear that, as far as voters and consumers go, we want much more efficient councils and employess in areas which suit us As employees ourselves however, all the evidence points to us not being the most efficient crew ever....

I think the West Dulwich Forum was set up with the best of intentions - some of the posters might seem a bit sniffy but I don't think it's downsouth's (which is the name of the admin over there I think?) fault. He came along to some EDF drinks and was a sound bloke. We had some lively economic debates on here if I recall Just seems some of the criticisms aimed at the WDF could easily apply here (apart from levels of traffic)

re: 5000 posts. Blimey Piers.... it seems like yesterday we were worried about 1500

Monica You've said you wouldn't post before - you're always welome back tho If you were a resident or shopper then you would most likely get a very similar reply - plenty of us residents and shoppers are at the shap end of some attacks. I'm not sure why you say it's not meant for local business owners. Several business owners are regular posters on here and don't seem to feel excluded Opinions are great but come on "dr poo" is a bit childish regardless of wether it comes from a resident/shopper/retailer does Healthmatters sell anything for thin skin? I need some myself sometimes...

BB - I expect karter and macroban might be able to advise from an insiders perpective But from mine - Has this person got friends already in the trade? As in...is he able to have a conversation with the likes of Mrs Robinson herself (for a fictitious example) to see what kind of margins are to be expected? I would say it depends on a number of factors. The recession will bite deeper than most people are willing to accept but maybe not quite as deep as some doom-mongers. The location of the premises would be key (you can see people spending money on this sort of thing in Clapham but maybe not Catford in bad times) as would the terms of the lease (imagine paying a landlord through several years of depression only for them to chuck you out as soon as the economy picks up. On the other side it might be a good time to get a cheaper lease) And how much backup fund does this person have - to weather the storm I would suggest they need plenty. Is that too negative? I would be extremely nervous if I was in their position, but if they have the spare capacity to weather throught it, it may even be the best time Good luck to them anyway

everyone has rights but no-one has reponsibilities - seems to be the order of the day Good post as well BN5 - I've no answers but it's thought-provoking.

fair play that person! I think Mr Admin is waiting for the first person to hit 5000 posts * looks in Keef's direction *

Given that nobody "needs" most of the things we spend our spare cash on, that line of argument isn't really relevant You pretty much know from the outset if Dr Boo is going to sell you something you want or don't want - so it then comes down to service. Price-wise I don't think any boutique size store is going to match online or bigger stores in malls - but we can all race to the bottom-line and end up like the Seven Sisters Rd in Tottenham if we really want. No thanks. I don't want to just open my wallet either and let people help themselves - and if I thought small shops like this were making a fortune I would avoid. But it's probably "doing alright" at best. Service wise - it's a mixed bag. I know what people mean about feeling as if they are followed and it can be a bit inimidating - but having been in a few times now I find them all really chatty and relaxed. I don't think they have changed - it's my perception which has

which they will no doubt charge for!!! It's just a money-ma.... oh no wait.. I'm on your side BN5 (tu)

shoshntosh The whole "chain" thing has been the subject of mighty debate on here in the past (then again, what topic, no matter how innoccuous, hasn't been mightily debated on here?) I'm against identikit streets more than "chains". But obviously the more chains (and the bigger those chains are) then the higher chance of living in everyswhereville In the case of Locale I'm prepared to give it a shot. I don't think it's been franchised yet (only opening it's 4th place?) so I'm unlikely to be seeing too many of them any time soon. Would my attituide change if they were being rolled out a la GBK or Pizza Express? Probably. But to do that they would probably have to change the company top to bottom and fit a model whereas at present it just seems like a business building slowly and carefully - nothing wrong with that IMO. They are still in control of all the things that matter - food sourcing, response to local requests etc (all the things that franchises lack) As to wether it's any GOOD or not - I have no idea as yet - but I will check it out

"I won't lies to youse" - Nessa

always works when you do it to me CWALD...

do monica do but if late is enjoying the treatment...

ahem,on the subject of 2 Irishmen, for the record STB and myself were NOT the 2 Irishmen in question, as described by EDYank at the end of this thread 2 drunken Irishmen?

good spot on "Tidy" - I've been saying it non-stop for last week. Great first couple of episodes to series 2

I saw the game live and appeared to be the only one who thought that Mascherano lost it only after the red car - prior to that, he didn't seem to be too "in-yer-face" although he had no business running that far to get involved

Yikes BN5 - looks like 99.9999% of male population still in with a chance (on weight grounds anyway)

"This is the newwwwwwwws!!!!!"

why spadetownboy you charmer you, but isn't that the new film "In Bruges" ? In Bruges - Colin Farrell & Brendan Gleeson but back on topic (even tho it's in The Lounge) fair play to wallet. Being "upstanding citizens" isn't a Bad Thing, STB Lady MacGabhann has "lost" her wallet/purse on more than one occassion - upstanding citizens have been very helpful to her

And you claim that I am one for generalisations? ALL?? fackin' 'ell

I can't pass this opportunity to agree quids both quids AND seanmlow! In the last 5 years the Harverster/Grove has gone from being an old-skool Harvester (not great but solid food and cheapish prices) to a short-lived "posh" menu to where it is now - somewhere in between but with prices at the higher end of the scale Steaks are in the ?13-?15 range BEFORE you add sauces - for that money I want Franklin's quality steak and what Harvester offer is a long way off that Service is often well-intentioned but a bit poor quality too

I'm with BB on this one (apart from the writhing bit - I get it, I'm just not interested)

only sheep here is .... well, never mind. What exactly constitutes a genuine mistake? I see wanton and flagrant disregarding every day - genuine mistakes, very few anyway - here is one scheme TfL are investing some of the money in - you of course, won't approve http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/5730.aspx Not to mention the fact that despite repeated asking of the question you haven't once come up with ANY scheme to manage parking/traffic