noticed that this morning whilst stuck in traffic. good news.

What a mess our high street looks now thanks to the vandals. How many months will we have to see that for! Will also set a precedent for others to do the same.

Very poor behaviour.

Spotted on Twitter this morning... Someone has issued a not-so-warm welcome to Sainsbury's.

I for one am quite excited about the prospect of fresh chicken being available round the corner in HOP. Wasn't me!

the graffiti is embarrassing to residents of HOP. now who is sucking the heart out of the community?

ps thanks for vandalising the street i live on.

Totally agree, what plonkers. We have to live with that now.

Link to the graffiti photo...

Let's not live with the graffiti!

I reckon we should paint a nice mural on the hoarding. We'd have to ask permission I guess. I'm happy to donate a can of paint if anyone's interested.

KFC at the Old Bank next...

It's painted over now

I think any of us who were at the meeting are very much aware of who is responsible for this vandalism. I would have preferred to make him lick it off but spending another couple of hundred quid on top of all the costs already accumulated in trying to fill three empty shops seemed quicker. Hopefully the next photos will include his bitter and angry face so we can all express our contempt personally.

I don't see any actual development going on yet! I am not around in the daytime, am I missed it all

I had a similar thought until I realised that the upshot of this episode has been to further advertise the arrival of Sainsburys (see Twitter). Ironic isn't it?

daveherne... I saw some movement in there today!

Looks like the shop that is not covered up to the left of the boarding is also getting cleared out of the old furniture etc so things are moving.

Yes. I'm pleased to say we are finally underway. Apologies to anybody who is temporarily inconvenienced in any way but I'm sure the finished result will make it worthwhile. Thanks again to all those who lent their support and hopefully those who were against the development will be pleasantly surprised at the benefits to the local community.

I am very pleased to say that Sainsburys are starting their fit-out next week and expect to open on 9th September. It will be very interesting to see the amount of custom which it generates from day one.

I'll be sure to use it as long as the meat stays good up to its 'use by' date, unlike a number of purchases from sister stores in FH and Syd. Hopefully a smaller store means produce has less time sitting about between storage and being put in the aisle coolers.

Some good news from Brockley. A Sainsbury Local has just opened behind the station, next to The Broca (coffee shop and foods) my friend who works there said if anything the shop is busier due to more footfall. Lets hope this is the same for HOP and our independent shops. Think for them it will be about diversifying or offering some different products or same products at better pricing.

That's encouraging news.

I can't see Hills & Parkes facing too much competition from Sainsbury's - their stuff (especially the incredible sourdough bread and ridiculously good ginger flapjacks) is a completely different league.

It's the likes of Honor Oak Supermarket I'm more worried about. I hope the owners there are able to make it work. I'll still pop in regularly for basics.

You are absolutely right Sparkles (though I would contend there is even better sourdough available in Honor Oak IMHO. Chacun à son goût).

I get the worrying impression that the Honor Oak Supermarket are setting themselves up for an excuse to sell up. After all, with their current offering, they can take on Sainsburys but they will lose *eventually*. I take no pleasure in saying this.

If on the other hand, they converted to a greengrocer, for instance, then I think they could succeed very well indeed. I don't think they want to do this, nor actually should they feel they have to.