RosieH

Hell I like a nice shop as much, if not more than, the next person. I'll fritter away my money on expensive cheese and fancy bubble bath, and personally am unlikely ever to set foot in Iceland. but I know people who do, and who value it for its low prices and worry that if M&S does move in then they're going to have to make the longer trip to Peckham to feed the family. By the by, re frozen food and obesity - frozen food isn't inherently unhealthy (Giles Coren in the Birds Eye adverts is right) - and a ready meal's a ready meal, whether it's from M&S or Iceland. I'm not advocating scruffy shops, but Iceland and Somerfield have their place,and I really don't want to go the way of Clapham (and to some extent Brixton) where the trendification of an area pushes up prices and forces out people who've lived there all their lives. It sounds like we agree on that, I love East Dulwich precisely because it isn't Clapham (and we don't have White Stuff and M&S).

did anyone ever go to Wordsworth in Camberwell? that was a great bookshop, staffed by friendly, helpful, well-read people: good books, nicely presented. but it went out of business because people didn't buy. do we really think that Chener would be rammed every Saturday if it had a lick of paint, or is it more that we want it to live up to the decorative standards we've come to expect from ED? I've only been in a couple of times and found it not altogether hospitable - at least you'd want to get it on with Bernard Black (just me?) - I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Gold Lee have really speedy delivery - their food can be a bit hit and miss though - starters are always good but I find their mains a bit gloopy. Chopsticks is better food i think, their chilli salt and pepper squid is also excellent, although sometimes when i've phoned in an order it's been an hour and a half wait for delivery, which is less than ideal. very excited though that the Thai Corner Cafe has started delivering - this may have happened a while ago and I've only just cottoned on, but I think their food's the nuts. they would get my vote.

can it be that we all really want to live in Clapham with no poor people?