Mark

oh, and in response to Yams original question "Do any of the food shops on LL stay open after 5.30" I tend to pop into the Dulwich 'Supermarket' opposite the Black Cherry. They have fresh fruit and veg out the front and loads more inside, I especially like their tomatoes that smell like tomatoes (rather than smelling of nothing like supermarkets do).

It may be worth asking the traders why they don't open later, there might be reasons/restrictions/circumstances that make it impracticable for them to do so. If they say there's no reason or support then it would be worth considering letting them know. Perhaps readers of this thread who are in ED during the daytime could pop in and ask some traders and then let us know why they don't stay open a bit later, even if it's just for one day a week. More than willing to promote local traders on the forum who do so.

A very simple system, you have one vote for the best customer service in East Dulwich out of the entire list. Then we count the votes up and the top five (or perhaps ten) go through to the final round when you can vote again for one of those. Only registered users only can vote. The Forum might be able to get enough money together for another trophy (same as the ones proudly displayed in the Black Cherry and Surma, have a look next time you're in there)

ok, so all shall be included. Have I missed any on that list? I'll gather up a list on this thread, then perhaps start it's own thread and get voting to start Monday (I also have to check that the voting system can hold that many nominees)

ok, I'll organise it and get Mr Admin to set it up. I guess first of all we need to gather a list of eligible shops, it won't be practical to list all shops /businesses in ED so send in your nominations, If there's loads of shops nominated then we might have to do it in two stages firstly a vote on all shops to whittle it down to, say, five then the best out of those five. Winner takes all. The voting system only allows one vote per user which keeps it nice and simple. What do people reckon, should we exclude pubs & bars as they have their own award? Should we exclude Indian restaurants as they have their own award? These are the businesses listed on this thread, are there any more?: William Rose Dulwich DIY Pretty Traditional Banfield fencing on Barry Road Mon Petit Chou Hope and Greenwood Val's Plough DIY Ralon stationers Black Cherry Tandoori Nights AJ Farmers Cheers Green & Blue The Never Ending Story Bookshop Crystal Palace Tavern The Garden centre on Uplands road William Rose Dulwich Carpets EDT Badger Bakery Spot Dry Cleaners Bellameys Roullier White The Card/Stationery shop on the same side of the road as Somerfield Grace and Favour Walsh Glazing Bells of Dulwich the picture framers on North Cross Road Yilmaz The Singhara (beauty place) Mrs Robinson Kebab & Wine Sopers The Gowlett SMBS Dulwich 'Supermarket' Health matters Ros in Review Caffe Nero Bells Blue Mountain Cheese block Mirash Prettys Mr Boo Franklin's ED Deli The cheese van lady Moxons Nicolas [edited once]

If people stopped leaving rubbish out where foxes could get at it (and people stopped feeding them) they wouldn't hang around much.

Not sure about the larger but they do good ales every now and then, they had great one last year called (something like) Summer Fresh which was a great refreshing lager substitute. Looking forward to the micro-brewery in Herne Hill.

I'm with you on that Damo. The Body shop has a good policy, they ask people if they need a bag rather than if they would like one. Makes people think a bit.

there are some bike racks by ED Train Station, there was some talk of them on this thread

By the way, I hope I'm proved wrong re. taking ages to sort the pool out it would be great for it to be done swiftly and efficiently. There's a PDF report here excitingly entitled(Leisure Centre Investment and Management Contract Business Case and Options Appraisal which talks about Fusion/Gym/Council/Expenditure etc

ahhh, the pool, one of my favourite topics. I believe the leisure centre's been awarded ?5 million to be done up however don't expect that to be pumped into it in the next year, you can read about it on Cllr Richard Thomas's website. It's great that it's got the investment but the cynic in me says we're going to have to wait a year for lot's of people to decide what needs to be done (and charge lots of money for their decisions) then start the refurbishment only to find out that the costs have gone up within a year so there will be a need for more money etc etc.

I agree Jeremy, perhaps that's something that the shop keepers could learn from us

perhaps we could create some signs for the festival that say things like: "Did you know on and around Lordship Lane at 6pm on a weekday you can buy: pens, toys, furniture, plumbing supplies etc etc"

Thanks Tillie an Co. There will always be criticism at companies and their staff especially local ones that have face to face dealings and the forum's an easy place to vent that criticism behind the safety of the internet. Please, I ask people not to discuss this recent issue of criticism even if they think they're right and even if they think it's in jest. Sleeping dogs and all that. Anyway this forum was created to be a happy place for the community and this thread is not about what's gone on, it's about raising the profile of all the local companies and what they have to offer for a week in May.

OK, what do people think of this: An unofficial week in May where everyone uses only East Dulwich businesses (where possible) Instead of going to Sainsburys etc you make a bit of an effort and just use the local shops. Instead of going uptown to buy presents you walk to some of the local shops and give them a go. Try out local shops you've never been into before (I might stick my head in the Irish shop just to see what it's like) Instead of meeting your friends in the Westend, get them down to East Dulwich for a night out. You don't use you car to pop to the shops. Walk and say hi to people on the way. Try out a local restaurant you've never been to before, or go back to that one you had a bad experience at two years ago. I have to admit that this idea has come about because of some unnecessary slagging off of local businesses and individuals on this forum that got out of hand and I feel bad about it and would like to try and make amends. Perhaps we could make it the 7-13 May, the week before the festival fair so we could discuss our findings at the fair. There's no planning or preparation required and it's free. It's unofficial although if local businesses would like to run promotions for that week they're more that welcome to promote them on this site for free. What do people think?

Hi tomk I mentioned Caffe Nero but I wasn't criticising them, I was just saying that I admire the fact that owners of local business such as the ED Deli, Green & Blue, the Bishop etc have the personal touch and show their passion for their business on websites like this one, it does take a certain amount of balls to do that. I couldn't imagine the owner of Caffe Nero coming on here and addressing issues but I may be proved wrong, in fact I did write to Caffe Nero head office and asked for their thoughts after their planning permission was turned down but I heard nothing back. I made no mention in my previous post of 'because they're independent they're honest' that'll be like saying 'because he's the President he must be right', I believe each case should be judged on the individual circumstances.

*takes Brooke by the hand and they fly off the the open window in a Peter Pan stylee to a remote far away paradise as they have lots of catching up to do* *gives Mikewbate a smile and a thankful wink on the way out*

Sorry, I didn't meant to be rude when I said bald, I too am of that ilk and I don't take it as offensive.

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What about all the trees on Goose Green?

Dulwich DIY for me too, friendly, helpful and they always seem to have everything I need And the "supermarket" place opposite the East Dulwich Deli, just a nod to say hi is all it takes to make you feel welcome in a shop. And they're helpful too.

*Bob* like you mentioned in your other thread, I'm trying to uplift the mood slightly. Let's think happy thoughts and places to twin East Dulwich with ...

"Town twinning is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_twinning A current list of UK towns/cities with their twins: http://www.twinning.org.uk/uk_twinnings.htm So just out of curiosity, where in the world do you think would be a good place to twin with East Dulwich?

A thread has been started (by Huguenot) here http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,14700 entitled Pubs that welcome kids... Cleverly that means that pubs that are listed on there can be avoided as well as attended depending on your preference

enters room and relaxes on big bean bag, grinning to himself having just discovered that he shares his birthday with Brooke Shields (who he used to fancy when he was younger).