I agree with jazzer - looking back at pictures of the Lane right up to the mid-80s does show a different place entirely. Demographics change and no doubt the look of the Lane will too, but right now it is unloved and the same standards that apply to, say North Cross Road, do not apply in SE15, which is wrong. Everyone deserves to shop in a clean and welcoming environment and the Lane is not always that, what with its litter, rotting vegetable matter, masses of scrawl on walls and shutters, etc. Maybe Southwark think people with limited budgets don't mind as long as their pounds go further. I hope not, because this would be condescending and discriminatory, even.