I can confirm that White Stuff is opening in the old Walsh Glazing site. I have a friend that works for them and he's advised that they've been meeting quite a bit of resistance from the local residents as they are so against chain stores. I can also confirm that the store next to Green & Blue's Wine Bar is to be taken over by Green & Blue so the wine bar may be extended. The Wine Bar will be on one side and the wine shop on the other. Much better! Fighting against the opening of chain stores is a tough battle. Being the person that lead the protest against Caffe Nero opening (see my petition: http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/8081.html) I have learned a few lessons on this subject. The main one being that residents DO have a voice if we stick together and DO take the time to voice that opinion to the right people: your local council members. Dulwich Community Council Beverley Olamijulo Tel: 020 7525 7234 Fax: 020 7525 7498
[email protected] http://www.southwark.gov.uk Town Hall Room 3.16 Peckham Road London SE5 8UB Personally I'm not against ALL chain stores, just the big one's that vanilla-ise the face of ED and take away its character, thereby making it look & feel like every other chain store in London and forcing other smaller operators out of business. After all, let's be realistic, we can't fight against EVERY chain store so it's a matter of choosing your battles wisely. I don't see White Stuff as a big issue personally but I wouldn't want an M&S unless it was replacing one of the supermarkets that are already there. ****************** Ultimately I as a resident would simply like more say in which stores open and which one's don't. I believe Northcross Rd is already governed by a law that allows the local residents more say in the stores that open on that street. This is what I want for Lordship Lane. This is what I'm fighting for and this is the message we need to get to our local council. ****************** Dulwich Community Council has a mailing list that you can put your name on that will keep you in the loop for ALL planning meetings to do with East Dulwich and surrounding areas. Drop an email to the address above and request that they put you on the list. If you have any specific concerns you want to raise with your local council then get along to a meeting. Details of the next one's are: Next scheduled main meeting Date: Monday November 6 2006, 7pm Venue: Christ Church, 263 Barry Road SE22 (780 kb) Next scheduled planning meeting (decisions made for specific planning applications): Date: Thursday November 16 2006, 7pm Venue: Herne Hill Baptist Church, Half Moon Lane SE21 (479 kb) NOTE: If any of you expressed your distaste to Caffe Nero opening earlier this year, then you should get along to the meeting on the 16th as the final decision as to whether it's class of use should be changed from A1 to A3 (and hence, allowing them to continue trading) will be made there. I hope this helps you, the residents of our community, understand better how to get our way when it comes to how our community is shaped in the future.
