Chris Pretty on the closure of the Prettys Green Grocers on Northcross Road.

[Jah Lush]

Agreed. It's her property. She can do as she pleases.

[LondonMix]

If she lives above the shop then fair enough but in general a recurring fine should be paid for leaving building empty.

[Louisa]

It's her shop. It's been like that for years. She made it clear she's happy and doesn't want to rent out the bottom half. So many busy bodies around here, if I was her I'd be at my window telling you nosey sods all to p^*$ off and do one. "Land banking" what a load of b@||@?%$.

Louisa.

[daveybigpotatoes]

Old lady deciding what she does with her shop = no one else's business.

Investor deciding what he wants to do with his shop = crime of the century.

It that a good synopsis?

[bob]

That lady has lived there more than 50 years she should be left to live out the remainder of her life in peace.

Bob S

[Louisa]

Good point.

Louisa.

[daveybigpotatoes]

Thanks

[Otta]

daveybigpotatoes Wrote:

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> Old lady deciding what she does with her shop = no

> one else's business.

> Investor deciding what he wants to do with his

> shop = crime of the century.

> It that a good synopsis?

Forget the little old lady bit, as that makes it too emotive. But for me, anyone living in a property they own, who choses not to allow a shop on the ground floor is within their rights legally and morally to do so.

An investor who buys up space and makes certain verbal promises is still within their rights to go back on their word, but it is morally questionable.

Either way though, I don't think these two cases can be compared like for like.

[bob]

Agree with Otta you can't compare the two like for like.

Bob S

[aandl]

I am so so sad to hear this. I go to Pretty every week and love the fact that I can get organic veg at a reasonable price. ED is changing so much and I'm not sure I like it...

[esme]

New post on Twitter by @madame_claude:

'Save pretty's fruit n veg... Email landlords Chris or rod @evanspearson.co.uk'

Would be a real loss if they closed. Overheard chat re poss relocation but at mo unlikely owing to extortionate rent/leases - e.g. Haus of Wood premises c.?48k. Unrealistic for most small businesses, sadly landlords getting greedy resulting in empty premises such as former 'Scooped' on Melbourne Grove nr ED station :(

[Earl Aelfheah]

It does seem strange how we have these huge rents being demanded at the same time that there are a number of empty properties. What happened to supply and demand?

[Otta]

Well if the businesses all moved to cheaper properties, the landlord would probably be forced to drop the rent. However, in terms of location in Dulwich, that's a pretty hot spot.

[Sue]

aandl Wrote:

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ED is changing so much and I'm not sure I like it...

xxxxx

Nor me :(

[nicolajaneG]

So sad, I've been buying veg there for 18 years or so. A real loss

[NewWave]

the rents being asked for are ludicrous. Yes the area is up and coming ( or up and come?) However it is still just a local high street. ED is not Notting Hill ,Primrose Hill,Heath Street in Hampstead etc etc.

Small independent businesses are still struggling and despite the up-turn in the property market most working people are still having to keep a eye on their finances, so It bewilders me how the landlords can expect what are after all small local shops to turnover enough to be able to pay the rents demanded.

I estimate (working in retail as I do) that one would need to turn over in excess go 150k PA to be able to afford almost 50k rent, staff costs, insurance,stock,business rates etc etc,AND get any decent profit

I foresee LL and ED becoming a mix of chains and empty shops and all the nice interesting independents moving out to Sydenham at this rate.

[Otta]

The landlords couldn't give a shit about small local independents or the area and the people living in it. They will let to the highest bidder.

As I said earlier, ED is becoming a victim of it's iwn success.

[Earl Aelfheah]

In the case of the toyshop, they did move out and it's still not got a permanent tenant to replace it. Surely the landlord must be considering whether they've set the rent too high?

Otta Wrote:

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

> Well if the businesses all moved to cheaper

> properties, the landlord would probably be forced

> to drop the rent. However, in terms of location in

> Dulwich, that's a pretty hot spot.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I really hope you're wrong on this, but fear you may not be.

NewWave Wrote:

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> I foresee LL and ED becoming a mix of chains and

> empty shops and all the nice interesting

> independents moving out to Sydenham at this rate.

[*Bob*]

How so?

If the shops become empty, the rents will go back down.

[StraferJack]

"If the shops become empty, the rents will go back down."

oh BLESS, *bob*, bless

[*Bob*]

I know, I'm so naive. It's this old-fashioned supply/demand thing I heard about once.

[Jeremy]

NewWave Wrote:

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

> I foresee LL and ED becoming a mix of chains and

> empty shops and all the nice interesting

> independents moving out to Sydenham at this rate.

I think that crystal ball of yours is getting a bit ahead of itself... I don't think LL is the target for chains that some people seem to think. The units are small, and the area is not well connected. LL will probably get an M&S and a couple of other things at some point, but it's not about to become overrun with Topshop and Nandos.

[Crissy]

There always room for Chris (and other business that get charged extortionate rents) in South Norwood, Penge and Crystal Palace. :)

[NewWave]

Jeremy Wrote:

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

> NewWave Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I foresee LL and ED becoming a mix of chains

> and

> > empty shops and all the nice interesting

> > independents moving out to Sydenham at this

> rate.

>

> I think that crystal ball of yours is getting a

> bit ahead of itself... I don't think LL is the

> target for chains that some people seem to think.

> The units are small, and the area is not well

> connected. LL will probably get an M&S and a

> couple of other things at some point, but it's not

> about to become overrun with Topshop and Nandos.

I can see more of the 'niche' chains, Giraffe,Byrons,SpaceNK, Jack Wills,Neals Yard,Cath Kidson, Lola's Cupcakes etc....not as grim as Nandos and Top Shop which no doubt will head for Rye Lane once that area becomes more gentrified but they are chains none the less, no matter how 'tasteful' their product.

I'd rather go to Dr Boo, Roullier White,Mrs Robinson for that sort of thing any day.