New Cinema for Lordship lane?

[StraferJack]

No one is singling picture house out

To be sure, many many businesses pay far less than living wage

BUT

the staff have grouped and called a strike. That's not a small feat. And that's what deserves support. It just so happens picture house are the employers in this case

[LouiseC]

I've worked in the Retail and hospitality industries since the age of 15. Until you get to a more senior management level the pay is poor and the majority of Retailers currently operating in London don't pay the LLW, is this right? No, however the flip side is that businesses in London also pay much higher overheads (in particular rent) than out of London so to increase wages by on average 20-30% would potentially see the closure of many small businesses and equate to jobs being lost. To slowly implement the increase over 18months as the Picturehouse was intending to do seems he most sensible strategy to ensure they could achieve this for their staff but plan their budget so it wouldn't be at the sacrifice of jobs. I completely appreciate how the team feel, I've been there but we need to look at the bigger picture.

[Zebedee Tring]

I have already expressed my support on this thread for the concept of the Living Wage. However, I would be glad if someone would answer the following questions:

(a) Assuming that the ED cinema get planning permission, if, at the time that it is due to open, Picture House is not paying its staff the Living Wage, would you prefer that the cinema stay shut?

(b) If you would prefer this, are you prepared to ask all other shops in ED who do not pay the Living Wage to close their doors?

I have already asked whether anyone knows what percentage of ED businesses do not pay the Living Wage. Any answers on this? If people ARE concerned about the Living Wage issue, they should be pursuing this issue as well. Or are they just playing gesture politics as far as Picture House are concerned?

[Otta]

Paying living wage would ultimately lead to less jobs.

Leading to harder work for those lucky enough to keep their jobs.

I want people to be paid a good wage, I really do (having done my time working for minimum wage), but the reality is that it would benefit some and mean less jobs for others because businesses are unlikely to take the hit out of their profits.

[worldwiser]

Since almost no-one in London pays the LLW, you can fairly assume that almost no-one in ED does. My main point was that, given Picturehouse is clearly a progressive employer in saying they'll phase in a rise to LLW over 1.5 years (something practically no-one else is proposing) the strike is unwarranted. If everyone went on strike because they wanted the LLW overnight, London would cease to function at all. LLW is something that has to be achieved over time and Picturehouse stand among precious few employers who seem to have committed to this. Their employees don't know how lucky they are to have the prospect of soon being paid better than anyone working a comparable job in London.

In answer to ZT, I'd prefer the legal creation of paid jobs to no new jobs. So if they're only going to pay 7.24, that'll still be better than most other equivalent employment nearby or elsewhere. So let them open. As for the rest of ED, hopefully employers will progress towards the LLW but vocal lefties do need at least to accept that businesses run the risk of swift collapse if they move far away from their competition. And that surely serves nobody's interests. The LLW is very easy to support but far harder to put into practice.

[charlesfare]

Yeah, those are fair points really.

[Zebedee Tring]

I agree, WW. This backs my argument that having a go at Picturehouse alone is aiming at the wrong target, since they seem to be among the few employers who are committed to LLW.

[James Barber]

No, Otta. When the minimum wage was introduced it did not lead to lots of jobs being lost. It led to poor people having a little more money which they spent on local services creating more jobs. This is why even the Tory party now support the minimum wage having previously predicted huge job losses. The Living Wage is a logical extension of the minimum wage. I hope that the minimum wage will ASAP be raised to Living Wage rates. It is crazy that we all pay more taxes to pay for benefits to subsidise low wages. I'd sooner pay sensible honest prices to employ people on sensible wages.

Back to cinemas. Can't wait for the Picturehouse to submit its planning application and open before Christmas.

[unlurked]

The planning app' is in, don't tell me you missed it!

Maybe when you tout for businesses to come to ED, JB maybe you should set a condition that they pay LLW, like LBS. Unlike Waitrose who don't even recognise TUs. . .

[ianr]

Application now online: http://planningonline.southwark.gov.uk/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=9554210

[hpsaucey]

Otta Wrote:

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

> Paying living wage would ultimately lead to less

> jobs.

>

> Leading to harder work for those lucky enough to

> keep their jobs.

>

> I want people to be paid a good wage, I really do

> (having done my time working for minimum wage),

> but the reality is that it would benefit some and

> mean less jobs for others because businesses are

> unlikely to take the hit out of their profits.

Outdated and discredited argument ... thank god!

And ... back to the thread????

[Robert Poste's Child]

unlurked Wrote:

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

> unlike Waitrose who don't even

> recognise TUs. . .

Bit confused by this, though I realise a digression from OP - thought Waitrose staff were all partners in the business with full voting rights on all major decisions, so maybe that's why?

[James Barber]

Hi unlurked,

The planning application has been submitted but it hasn't yet been accepted and 'registered' by planning officers. This step can take anything from a day to months or never. Until its 'registered' no planning officers will be assigned and no public consultation is started and the planning application clock doesn't start ticking.

When it has been accepted and 'registered' then East Dulwich councillors will encourage residents to respond to the public consultation.

[Zebedee Tring]

Is there any news yet on the progress of the planning application for the cinema?

[Vik]

Looks like it's been registered and a case officer assigned.

[unlurked]

Zebedee Tring Wrote:

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

> Is there any news yet on the progress of the

> planning application for the cinema?

Don't you know how to use the Southwark website? It's quite easy really. But, ooh just can't wait, beyond nirvana.

[Zebedee Tring]

The planning application is advertised in today's Southwark News.

[Jakido]

What would be the best way of supporting the application?

[James Barber]

The planning application has been accepted into the planning application system to be considered. You can see all the planning application details and drawing etc here:http://planningonline.southwark.gov.uk/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=9554210

VERY EXCITING another step has been taken towards an East Dulwich cinema.

If you support or object ot this planning application please email [email protected] and copy me. Subject line would ideally state 14/AP/1101

[jimbo1964]

Yay!

[VicCraven]

Hi James.

Just to be clear, when you say 'has been accepted' you mean has been accepted to be considered rather than accepted as definitely happening?

Vic :)

[James Barber]

Yes, accepted into the system to be considered. I've amended my original post for clarity. Many thanks VicCraven for clarifying.

[MickieBrownEyes]

Like the Facebook page and post a comment expressing your support - https://www.facebook.com/EastDulwichPH

[Jennys]

I have tried to comment (favourably) on this proposal on the Southwark website (using the link which was provided here) but it keeps asking me to set up a new email account which I don't want to do. Has anyone else had this problem?

[db1066]

Horray! Planning has passed and a new EAST DULWICH CINEMA will definitely be opening soon. Build it and they will come. This has been a true dream come true and I'm sure it will benefit the whole community at large. What a great amenity we now have in Dulwich for all of us to enjoy!