I rather like 'chains' coming to East Dulwich (Lounged)

[Brendan]

Sorry just re-read this and realised that my earlier post was supposed to read: ?Why is it not appealing??

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Glad you cleared that up - I thought it was asking for a boon.

[Jeremy]

Brendan Wrote:

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

> Sorry just re-read this and realised that my

> earlier post was supposed to read: ?Why is it not

> appealing??

Because it's tatty. While it may hold a certain charm for some of us, in reality it will turn off lots of potential customers. I'm surprised that we're even debating this point.

[Caron]

I never seem to find what I want in Chener so I go to Amazon marketplace but I would love to spend ages browsing in a big bookshop like that brilliant one on Marylebone High St.

[dulwichmum]

Dear Caron,

You really should try Dulwich Books on Croxted Road, it is just fabulous. I spend hours in there, the imaginative window displays, engaging layout and terrific staff just draw you in. I know it might seem a little out of the way for some in East Dulwich, but it is well worth a trip. A local treasure. Chener is a useful resource, but it could be fabulous.

[dc]

DM's right - as usual.

For me Dulwich Books is best, Village Books (in the Village on Calton Avenue) is good and they are both streets ahead of Chener.

[dulwichmum]

Darling DC! How very kind. Can I offer you an olive with that drink?

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

The only chains I like are Lidl cos its cheap and the fresh food is better than the others, WHSmiths because they sell a huge range of weird magazines you can't get anywhere else and Woolies cos it's ... well Woolies.

Hate the rest of them.

Has anyone read Tescopoly? Interesting book.

[dc]

Edited - way way off topic

[Emily]

Chener books looks horrible, and is a depressing place to shop. Who'd want to browse there? The Village bookshop is fab, full of interesting books, in an inviting cheerful environment. The way the books are displayed is actually helpful and inspiring, guiding you towards books you might otherwise not have considered or even heard of, instead of resembling a particularly underfunded public library as Chener's does. For children's books Tales on Half Moon Lane is also an amazing example of a perfect local, independent bookshop, and is thriving, with its welcoming atmosphere, displays that make you want to buy the books and extremely helpful staff.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'll agree that Chener looks tatty beyond need AND the perpetually leaking roof didn't help - but beyond that surface I think it's pretty good

The big table with what I imagine are the recommendations of the shop is usually pretty well thought out and the stock generally is both good and accessible. By accessible I mean I can browse the shelves, not "easy to read"

I think the Village bookshop IS fab but is also very very poky and uncomfortable if more than a few people are in there

[TillieTrotter]

The Dulwich Village book shop is brill. You give them an ISBN number before 4pm and your book arrives by 11am the next day. Cant get better than that.(tu)

[Moos]

Having previously lived in North London, I think it's fantastic that there are so many independent chemists' in this part of London. Go, Macey's. And yes, put your money where your mouth is -

Chains - Foxton's no, Caff? Nero yes,

Independents - Chandelier no, Neverending Story Bookshop yes.

[Andyng]

If you were a shop landlord would you

a) rent it to some grocers who might close down in a week

b) get good rent from a chain on a long lease whos less likely to go bust.

The rent will never be cheap enough for new indies I dont see landlords

reducing rents so that they can please the people of Lordship lane

with a organic coffee shop

I know what I would choose if I were in those shoes.

kford Wrote:

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

> ???? is on the money. The rents argument is the

> stongest against this trend. The big boys have

> such buying power and arrogance - look at Nero;

> they've swaggered into town without even bothering

> to sort out their planning permission. And

> Foxtons' two fingered gesture of a shop front

> speaks volumes for their attempts to integrate

> into the community.

>

> Support the shops and eateries that are already

> here - the good ones will survive and thrive, the

> dross will be replaced by new indies, if the rent

> is still cheap enough.

[SeanMacGabhann]

did I miss a meeting?

Why is that the only alternative to a chain? I was under the impression lots of non-chains have been happily in business for many years in the area?

[Zebedee Tring]

We could do with an M&S Simply Food, which would be much better than, say, Iceland.

Cheners is a good complementary bookshop to Village Books. Ageing hippy place as opposed to one for yummy mummies.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'm all for Iceland instead of M&S food for two reasons

1) The cost means that not just well-to-do have a place to shop

2) Nothing M&S sells can't be bought elsewhere on the lane (and better too) (and cheaper as well)

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Except Bearnaise Sauce I'll warrant!

[cazkid]

Definatly a NANDOS!

[clare]

Not directly on topic (but the owners currently live in East Dulwich and have done for years) Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace is a fantastic independent bookshop-lovely staff and extremly knowledgeable.

Try them if you are up that way ,or even if you are not go and try them anyway.

[kford]

Nandos? That must be the worst fast food in the world. Worse than KFC even. I'm off topic...

[Mellors]

I'd like a Waitrose rather than an M&S Food. I love their stuff, and its more reasonably priced.

[Jeremy]

> 2) Nothing M&S sells can't be bought elsewhere on

> the lane (and better too) (and cheaper as well)

I thought M&S spe-cial-ised in pre-packaged food, ready meals, etc... can't really think of any competition on Lordship Lane.

[Keef]

There's Iceland ;-)

[SeanMacGabhann]

Jeremy

I guess that is partly true although many people love to buy meat from M&S, spuds etc - all genuinely overpriced (as opposed to a perception of being overpriced)

But if people are genuinely clamouring for M&S ready-meals then that is another problem :(