Louisa

Foxy they must have done their homework and realised they could make something of this area, and IMHO they chose here to service the village as well as ED, FH and Peckham overspill. It's a no brainer, no other higher end supermarket close enough to the affluent surrounding neighborhoods and this store will therefore attract people from further out to come and buy here. It will not survive on a trickle of estate agents getting lunchtime meal deals and the odd passing person grabbing a ready meal on the way home. I just don't understand why they couldn't have factored in some sort of underground car parking facilities. The surrounding roads will be chaos. Louisa.

I walked to Iceland a few times a month, very rarely drove. The PO I walk to at least 2/3 times a week, that won't be happening now. I can't walk to LL a few times a week it's not practical. Louisa.

The M&S Foodhall is a slightly different format to the train station forecourt Simply Food. They tend to be bigger, and aimed at a different clientele. Hence my reservations when everyone was trying to say it wouldn't be a destination shop locally. Whether it is or isn't going to be, the fact remains, much like the Beckenham 'Foodhall' format which DOES have a car park, this store will NOT. Let's just hope that everyone uses it in passing to buy a few bits and doesn't choose to make a point of driving to it. If it's going to turn out anything like the Beckenham example, many people drive there to buy bits. Louisa.

I presume you are referring to Londis, bvpainter? Do they sell 6 eggs for 80p? A block of cheese for ?2? A bag of 20 fish fingers for ?2? A block of butter for 89p? Louisa.

Camberwell Road is ok, but I prefer the warehouse Iceland on OKR near toys r us. Very well stocked, and free easy car parking. But it doesn't detract from the convenience nature of the former LL store. A store most of us walked to, being replaced by a destination shop many will DRIVE to, which doesn't have parking facilities. Oh well, I can't keep moaning it's happening now. Let's see the result of this 'convenience' style store. Louisa.

Who remembers Steve's chippy at the bottom of Maxted RD close to the corner of Bellenden? Lovely guy he was, closed sometime in the mid/late 80's, he must have been there for 40 years at least. Louisa.

I believe it is the people who make the atmosphere of anywhere. A beautiful palace could be aesthetically pleasing on the eye but have the most depressing and unwelcoming of atmosphere's. This Iceland store may have looked bland and uninviting, but the wonderful members of staff made the place an absolute pleasure to shop in. You can put as many fridges and freezers as you like in this new place, it will not recreate that wonderfully friendly atmosphere of Iceland. Louisa.

I've walked past the new M&S various times in the past few days and I am shocked at the corporate ice cold look of the place. All the character has been removed. It's almost as though they went out of their way to 'prove a point' with this particular shop. Fridges everywhere, the entry/exit almost DOUBLED in size, why was this needed? Where will the trolleys go? The whole project is just depressing me more and more by the minute. I do hope everyone enjoys their ready meals and sandwiches at lunchtime. Such a sacrifice and for what? Louisa.

A quick browse of Southwark Planning shows that the co-op is now going to be upping it's game in response to the M&S opening further down the road. A complete re-brand shop fascia along with perhaps some internal layout changes? Looks like they won't be going anywhere just yet - game on it seems. http://planbuild.southwark.gov.uk/documents/?GetDocument=%7b%7b%7b!8Ag4MowQiQO1DHxLsuNrew%3d%3d!%7d%7d%7d Louisa.

Either way, I think the removal of Iceland was a disgraceful act of high street vandalism, removing a successful retailer to reinforce neighborhood retail change and squeeze a residential development in to boot. It all adds to the sacrifices ED has made to accommodate less retail diversity. The only good news to come in the last week has been the arrival of 'Really Maria', an indepedent which specialises in something we don't currently have locally. Louisa.

sela Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BigED who will have Iceland? M&S? I think they > closed as not enough customers. it's all business > minded those decisions. Iceland were forced out due to rent rise, they were more than making enough money and didn't want to leave. The landlord just wanted a more prestigious retailer and to redevelop the site. Louisa.

Foxy, I do believe they had some teething problems in their first few days, hence the apparent lacking I. Terms of service etc perhaps? No excuses being made, I'm absolutely sure she would be the first to hold her hands up and admit that. As for the lack of plates outside, I do believe they supply the grease proof boxes which are good for take out food and perhaps you could have requested the proper knife and fork along with plate for the additional cost, but I do believe they were having a few issues and perhaps weren't so attentive for said reasons. When I went in first time, she remembered me from underhill sema's after some prompting, and I was given a few cans of fizzy pop on the house along with a good old chat about the area and how much it's changed. She also told me about the Kennedys pies they're serving and where they come from etc. You can also order certain things over the phone to be cooked so it's ready for your arrival. I would urge you to give Rose a second chance foxy, perhaps return for a sit down meal? Louisa.

A lovely lady was playing her accordion today outside the Palmerston on the corner of north cross and lordship, think she may still be there? How lovely in this summer weather to have such relaxing music to accompany my walk to Londis! I was very impressed. Could have been mistaken for believing I was in the south of France not Dulwich! If you've not heard her, pop down before she goes. Louisa.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience foxy. It must be very rare to bump into rose on an off day, she's been nothing but lovely and friendly every time I've been in. Maybe you just went in on an off day? The fish and chips I had was very crispy batter and big chunky chips, about average pricing too. Louisa.

Yes underhill road had a fish & chip shop which was good back in the late 90's but then lost its way. Not sure what it is now. Rose who is in the new chippy on EDR worked at/owned the underhill one some years back. Louisa.

Good luck to this new craft shop. I don't miss the deli place one bit, it was the catalyst for the areas change, replacing a much loved second hand shop, which incidentally I still miss. At least this new place will be useable. We need a high street which offers retail diversity and I welcome this addition. Louisa.

Lordship Lane had a Starburger and a Wimpy back in the day. It also has a chicken favourite (same as KFC pretty much). Louisa.

Well I had a great experience at Rose's in east dulwich road. She's been in the area for years and used to own the chippy on Upland Road too. Louisa.

It was me. I was hunting for my stolen adult toy collection. *Bob* has hidden them in various bins and sent me on an X rated easter egg style hunt, the swine. Louisa.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/man-arrested-after-having-sex-with-parked-van-a3324961.html It's funny you know, when I'm having a Friday glass or two of vino, I always end up reading up some of the most peculiar things. Fortunately this was not in ED! Louisa.

Even as a Somerfield that shop was useless. But since the Co-op took over, it's just become even worse. The Co-op in Lower Sydenham recently closed down and was turned into a Budgen's, I wonder if something similar will happen to this branch? Louisa.

Yeah Co-op will be in trouble for sure. M&S are actually cheaper on many products anyway. They'll probably fight tooth and nail not to lose that unit though... Louisa.

Jeremy I think Sainsburys may be a little upset about M&S opening on the lane. It sort of takes away the convenience element for certain snacks ready meals and wines. I think sainsburys DKH may need to up their game, being so close to the station too. I think waitrose may be holding out on the success of M&S in this location before they take a punt on East Dulwich. Louisa.

Foxy do you have inside knowledge of this business too? You are incredible! You seem to have all the details to hand. I would assume it comes with the territory of being a fox! ;-) Louisa.

I think an overly enthusiastic local tried to snap an interior shot whilst peaking through the window! Louisa.