| Author |
Message |
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, 18 February, 2007 - 03:11 pm: | |
Has anyone else noticed that Willmotts recently boarded half of HOP with 'Managed By' signs in minging yellow and blue? I understand that estate agents get publicity by issuing 'for sale' and 'sold' signs, but Willmotts seem keen to simply remind ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE that they have dominion over the vast majority of rental property in the area. The result? A messy, ugly, pebble-dash of rubbish signage on practically every building on the parade.
Thanks Willmotts - while the rest of the shops and restaurants on the parade are doing their best to attract new trade in the face of escalating rental payments (anything to do with you...?), you seem intent on ruining the area for everyone.
Keep up the good work. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 18 February, 2007 - 05:18 pm: | |
This can however only be done with the permission of the property owners- most will probably not be aware that their building is being defaced in this way , probably months after the last let has been done. The managed by boards can stay around for a long time. The other thing to bear in mind- which I discovered when I lived in a block of flats is that some agents put up these boards even when they have nothing to do with the property- a ruse for free advertising. And even when their last sale was some months ago......... I did collect a few once and took them back to the agent in question. |
Fhssecretary
Joined 12-10-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, 18 February, 2007 - 05:27 pm: | |
Just noticed this today. Glad it is not just me who thought "what the..."
They really are taking the mick here. There is a sign on almost every single building at first floor level and the signage is now the most prominent thing in sight as you approach. Even if they did have the market cornered to such an extent that they have a bona fide reason to go and fix a sign to almost every building...which I doubt.
This is a deeply antisocial act and an abuse of the tolerance extended towards agents' signs. Am I correct that planning permission is technically required? Something really needs to be done if they can't be trusted to use the signs responsibly as opposed to what appears to be a semi-permanent conversion of HOP into "Wilmotts Park". |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 19 February, 2007 - 12:23 am: | |
Hi All
I totally agree that Wilmotts are really taking the biscuit - I live in HOP and the sight of these boards are really defacing what is a nice parade of shops...really annoying..I feel like popping in and ask them about this. |
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 19 February, 2007 - 09:50 am: | |
Good news. Just spoke to the planning enforcement office at Lewisham Council and reported the problem. It appears that you can only put a board up advertising a going concern (for sale / to let / let by) and have to remove it within 14 days of the completion of a transaction. Putting a board up simply saying 'Managed By' is, it appears, a violation of that law in itself, but leaving the boards up indefinitely is really naughty.
The nice lady I spoke to said she'll write to Willmotts and give them 24 hours to take them all down.
Go on nice lady - sock it to 'em!! |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 19 February, 2007 - 03:13 pm: | |
Jbird, that is great news - well done!! Also there are a few of the offending signs up in Gabriel Street and I am sure there are others up outside other residential properties in the area, hopefully this will make them act. I will keep them peeled!! |
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 19 February, 2007 - 04:27 pm: | |
Thanks Tersie - I'll do the same.
Quick update: the lady from the Council called to say she had spoken to Willmotts and they had promised to remove all the signage immediately. Full marks to Lewisham Council on this - they were approachable, understanding, acted incredibly quickly and kept me up to date with progress. |
Ghis
Joined 02-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 19 February, 2007 - 05:00 pm: | |
Result! Well done. |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 19 February, 2007 - 07:04 pm: | |
Thats really refreshing to hear Jbird...as we all know if can be an absolute nightmare to deal with the LA's. Anyway 10 out of 10 for Lewisham and a big pat on the back for you! |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 19 February, 2007 - 07:08 pm: | |
BTW I would really like to know the history of these characters, from speaking to local shop keepers they sound like a bunch of sharks hell bent on driving rents up and people out, do they own the whole parade?? |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, 20 February, 2007 - 06:23 pm: | |
Just drove down HOP and there are no boards to be seen!!
A success story! |
Gman
Joined 22-10-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 20 February, 2007 - 07:25 pm: | |
I agree, why people use Willmots to sell their houses when all they want to do is convert the High Street to resi to make more fees is a mystery to me.
I live on Gabriel St and noticed that various sold or managed by signs were up for more than 14 days and this is not allowed under the Estate Agency Act 1979.
Probably should have made a call but well done Jbird. |
Ghis
Joined 02-01-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 21 February, 2007 - 09:27 am: | |
Just walked to the station and only one left! I counted 14 the day before! What a result. I guess they could not get to the one left, maybe it will disapear soon too. |
Ana
Joined 30-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 11:15 am: | |
Julie Sutch by the way is our local town centre manager, it is through her that I managed to get the christmas tree two years ago and planters onto the parade last summer, she has organised meetings with Leisham Council to help the parade and we have a shopping list of things we are working on to get honor oak on the map, we must be doing something right as everyone is hijacking the good name of Honor Oak - i believe the Honor Oak has been replanted on the corner of St Germain's and Brockley rise now at the Forest hill end of Brockley rise! |
Ana
Joined 30-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 11:22 am: | |
Julie Sutch was responsible for getting Wiillmots to bring the boards down, this is the second time I have had to contact her about this as Willmotts do take the biscuit.
They have also prt up commercial rents by 50% and this has forced traders into difficulties.
If anyone wants to persuade the landlord to change his agents to a landlord more understanding of local needs and not mainly operating in West London to a local one eg. Sebastian Roche then i can forward your requests on through info@barequal.com |
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 12:36 pm: | |
Just called Willmotts and asked them to take the Gabriel Street signs down. |
Hoppy
Joined 05-12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 06:50 pm: | |
i have asked for the bovril road too |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, 08 March, 2007 - 11:12 pm: | |
Hi All
I have still noticed the dreaded signs on Gabriel Street - the requests by you good people have fallen on deaf ears, can't believe the cheek. Will call them! |
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 09 March, 2007 - 09:50 am: | |
Hi Tersie,
They were gone when I walked up to the station this morning (I think - I was a little bit bleary). Maybe the two pronged attack worked? |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Friday, 09 March, 2007 - 05:22 pm: | |
Think so - will still keep em peeled if any other pop up.
Cheers
T |
