Nigello

The report in the Telegraph, I think, said Lidl was looking at "upmarket" areas and included Dulwich in that list. Whether it was speculation on the reporter's part I have no idea.

Blue Brick Cafe is good. It has chairs outside as well, but I'd say it is not the place to linger for hours with just a couple of coffees to keep you going: it's a small venture with limited space.

Classic Lofts

Perhaps they could move further into the centre of the Rye or practise way over the back part of it, near to the girls' school. That way, the sound would have further to travel.

a)

What he meant was that not every door can accommodate every kind of bar but it got mangled in my memory. Two dead locks - both at the appropriate part of the door - are also a good idea.

I think clockworkorange has my vote.

Someone tole me there was an article in The Times (which I do not subscribe to) that all the Boris buses in service will have no conductors. Would love to know what Heatherwick, the man behind the design, things of that. http://www.valshawcross.com may be able to help anyone who wants to complain about the buses or offer suggestions.

Zedd, It looks roomy outside at the back but quite compact inside, but the space out front is fenced off and a good spot to leave buggies/dogs on leads etc.

Not every door is suitable for a bar: it depends on the hinges, I was told by a reliable locksmith.

Chest

I remember the water works at the FH/Dunstan's Roads junction, when "temporary" lights were added to "help the traffic flow". The works finished, the lights remained. Stealthy Southwark?

Callie - wrap the food in old newspaper and put it into the brown bin. It takes hardly any time.

It's called Norris and Knight and is open now (but not Mondays).

Why can't business owners take the initiative anyway, without having to resort to handouts? Fair enough, if there is cash that is set aside for such things, do it, but its absence does not absolve an owner of a duty or responsibility to make things better. It makes me annoyed that some business owners (not many, but a few) let their properties be covered with tagging or have dodgy paving and do absolutely nothing about it.

It is good news, kristymac1: I like that there is mixed business and not too much food-and-drinkery. That strip is good because of its variety. I like having a DIY shop, a dentist, an old fashioned caff, a pub, a Co-Op (despite its eccentricities), a PO and a barber's shop etc., as well as restaurants and bistros. It could be made even better if the pavements were made even and perhaps a few trees - even in planters - were put in. Also, the bins are a bit stinky but at least they look nice and match the bollards.

The workman at the old launderette (near the Co-Op) said that it was due to open soon to serve "organic" but he didn't say as a shop or restaurant/cafe. There had been some flood damage from a flat upstairs so that was slowing things down but said it should be open "in a few weeks".

Let the synth meet the wave.....

Why not just ask, politely, that the "squatter" move to a more suitable table? It's easy and it works!

You could also use paper bags/carriers as long as your waste is not too wet, or is paper verboten in this particular bin?

New caff on FHR, nearer to the cemetery end: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1559065

I went past today and asked a man there - probably an owner/manager - when it was to open. He told me Thursday, from 0900 to about tea time. It'll be closed on Mondays and will serve hot and cold food. There is outside space at the back and it may open from 0730 in the future but it's not yet certain. It will be called Norris(s) and (K)night - no idea which way it will be spelt. Good luck to them!

"But if from the onset it looks like this is a thing for white middle classes, other groups (including white not middle classes) will just think it's not for them, and quite possibly resent the whole thing, maybe even opposing it." I think you'd have to be pretty churlish to oppose a public facility just because someone of your skin-tone does not appear in the preliminary funding-gambit video. Then again, such is (some) people's fragility and solipsism these days that I would not be surprised.

Tigres Pride is a voice of reason. My take is - as nearly always with these things - it is a class and not a race thing. Lots of this area's Caucasians are middle class; lots of this area's other races are working class and are much less likely to be involved in such undertakings, especially at their outset. I wish it weren't the case but it is (and I have no magic bullet).

Give it a pledge. A tenner or so won't be too much for most, if not, then a fiver. It'd be worth it if it were to happen.