Yes, it does.

there are lots of empty shops in Kirkdale as opposed to Sydenham Road.

I would avoid anything there is already lots of and go for something that is wanted and missing.

So no fried chicken, greasy spoon, hairdressers, nail bar, newsagents with phonecard posters plastered over the window etc.

There are some really beautiful shops in Kirkdale. Whatever you do please pay homage to the shopfront and make it look beautiful. It will be cheaper too. Backlit illuminated signs are not allowed in this area.

Shops that most people I talk to want to see are:

A deli (possibly with a cafe attached).
A bicycle shop.
A Thai Restaurant (we don't have one nearby).
Kids clothes store.
There are lots of musicians in Sydenham. Everynight you will find lots of people leaving the train station with cello cases, violin cases etc. In Kirkdale there is a piano shop, but we have (incredibly) no music shop!
There are also lots of artists in Sydenham and the surrounding area, but again, incredibly, there is no art shop!

Hope that helps and good luck.

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