New openings on Forest Hill Road

[yeknomyeknom]

There are two buildings getting done up between the Galleon and the CoOp. Does anyone know what might be occurring?

[Nigello]

One - the old bookies' - looks almost ready to open. A worker told me (kind of - he didn't really understand me) that it was going to be a restaurant. One of the buildings getting revamped may be a residential property. I am glad FHR is getting better but lament the crappy, poorly-maintained (but large and full of potential) pavements.

[yeknomyeknom]

That's a good point about the pavements. I've reported it to Southwark. When I've done this previously hey are quite good at fixing issues within 3-6mths. Fingers crossed.

[Nigello]

I think that some of the pavement belongs to each individual business, hence the non-uniform nature. I just think a little bit of joined-up thinking or cooperation between the proprietors could work wonders, but it would need a person to drive it forward from the council. I call upon Renata Hamvas to explore (but if she is not the right councillor, I will stand corrected).

[yeknomyeknom]

I love that you "call upon her" like a magical entity, a fairy godmother. Hilaire.

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think that some of the pavement belongs to each

> individual business, hence the non-uniform nature.

> I just think a little bit of joined-up thinking or

> cooperation between the proprietors could work

> wonders...

...or bylaws.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi, l will look into this and get back to you in 2017.

Renata

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Nigello, as you thought, the shops are owned and the forecourts do belong to the individual freeholders who are responsible for their maintenance/repair. The pavements and forecourts have been surveyed by the Council and where forecourts are in disrepair, owners have been informed and told what needs to be done to them. The area is not a conservation area and so there isn't a benchmark way the forecourts need to look (they need to be safe though). I can't see owners replacing their paving just to make then look more uniform (it would be at their cost). Where issues with the pavement have been identified this is going to be fixed.

Thanks

Renata

[B&G]

Renata, can anything be done about the co-op? I am delighted to see they've treated themselves to a new set of fridges (after a visit from the food safety team), but the front is a disgrace? They use blue tarpaulins as some sort of recycling disguise, but I don't think I'm alone in spotting the junk underneath.

Thanks

[Nigello]

THanks, Renata.

Could you turn your attention to the cafe, near to the Herne pub, whose front is full of tagging and which has encouraged tagging - I think - on the green, pulldown shutter at the newsagent. It just seems a shame when other businesses are trying hard to give the strip a push that some shops simply CBA to clean themselves up - even if the council is doing it for them at zero cost.

[Renata Hamvas]

OK B&G and Nigello,

Renata

[yeknomyeknom]

Anyone had any more news on what businesses might be coming? Lots of work but no clues.

[alice]

one a letting agency

[yeknomyeknom]

Oh bummer. I thought it was just to let.

[DovertheRoad]

I quite like this strip now. It's definitely improving fast. Watsons General Telegraph is a very decent pub too. Had food and beer there recently and was impressed. Nice feel too.

[yeknomyeknom]

Looks like it is going to be an office after all. Shame.

http://www.primelocation.com/to-rent/commercial/details/42978340#zmqT2l6IVHAw00MG.97

[B&G]

Estate agent it is then.

Also, the Co-op is due for a mini upgrade (and will be closed for 2 weeks in March), followed by a proper refurb this year. It'll include storage to the rear so those damn crates won't be cluttering the place up... Also, hopefully it'll be wheelchair / pram friendly.

[yeknomyeknom]

Ooh that's good news re the co op. I am hoping for a little chi chi restaurant like Pedlers on Mr Bao to open locally. Wishful thinking I fear.

[Nigello]

Are cars allowed to park on the (very wide) pavements there? I thought that if there is no dropped kerb, it's not allowed. I have seen them and wondered whether there are exemptions on that parade (near to Dunstan's Road).

[B&G]

I don't think so Nigello. Do you mean outside the hairdressers? I see people there from time to time but assumed it was staff.

A Mr Bao would be fab..!

[yeknomyeknom]

Does anyone know when the co op will be back open? It's been ages and is sorely missed.

[dbboy]

It is due to reopen on the 27th

[yeknomyeknom]

Fingers crossed. Thank you.

[B&G]

Any idea what the newly refurbed shop next to Potager is going to be?

[welshio]

I was chatting to the workmen there at the end of the week before last and they were saying it was more likely to be around Weds 29th. If they'd dropped behind schedule that early on in the refurb then I wouldn't hold my breath for it re-opening on time.

I hope that they have come up with a good design for the interior, it's my nearest corner shop and I've been suprised how many times I've missed it while its been closed.