It's progress because it's better that what you've got right now. If an independent grocer were competing against sainsbury's for that space, then I would understand all this talk about keeping the chains away. But that site has been vacant for months. That picture post card high street we would all love is not going to happen. The economy is not going back to 2007, and if honor oak never got that perfect high street in the boom, it's not getting it now. The priority, it seems to me, is to encourage any investment on that high street that will offer worthwhile services and break the trend of decline.

Here here roadrunner!

It would be interesting to know if there were any interested parties since these premises have been vacant. There are a lot of assumptions with no basis in reality on these threads; evil landlords, rising rents etc.

Almost any shop is better than an empty one. If those newsagents stocked products that locals want, then they have nothing to worry about. If they choose to continue as they do, then they probably won't survive beyond the charity of locals who believe they are supporting local business.

As nice as the The White Wood Shop was to look at, I'm not surprised it closed down either. With such nice furniture, they should have set up a website and extended the reach of their business. Have to keep up with the times really.

Any news on Sainsbury's? Thought the target date for a decision was today...

Still no news?

It will probably be referred to a Planning Committee.

Faffing while the high street dies, in other words.

Cannot believe that the Old Bank and Tandoori site has been empty for so long.

The family Super Market guys looked really stressed out when I popped in for a few bits. They are saying the High Street is getting quieter and quieter. I must admit I am not bothering so much to walk down. There seems to be less reason to every month.

Are you all saying you wish the Domino's application had gone through now?

Steady on Hoona... let's not get dizzy ;-)

I guess what I'm saying is that we were all so sure the site would be snapped up by some amazing restaurateur. Likewise Indobangla and Sainsbury's...
What none of us banked on was a dying high street.
I'm just wondering if big chains (Domino's and Sainsbury's), which we all thought would kill the high street, would actually revive it. Just a thought

Sainsbury's and Domino's are two very different beasts, though. Sainsbury's will get people to come to the High Street. Domino's will not. So can't see Domino's helping with the liveliness of the high street.

What I would love to know is just how much are they actually asking for in rent on these sites? Anyone got any figures, and comparative ones for nearby sites? I think that may well be a contributing factor to them not finding a taker.

This post was last modified: 30-03-2012 11:25 AM by Tinkerbell.

I am with you hoona, I thought it might backfire but still great little shops on the parade, but as I said from the start any occupied shop is better than an empty one and coming out of the station late night with a staffed pizza place is better than a dark empty corner, of course a gastro pub would be nicer but may take much longer to marterialise

I don't think people said Saino's would kill the highstreet did they? Only those with no decent argument did if I remember.

Stopping Domino's was a good thing, and the 3 shops which have a planning application to turn into 1 is still ongoing

Things are just taking a little longer than we all want is all

Keep the faith!!!

Tinkerbell, some figures for you...
Honor Oak Pets: £1042 pcm unfurnished
Old Bank: £2875 pcm unfurnished
Indobangla: £2459 pcm unfurnished (let agreed)

Not sure about White Wood Shop...

This post was last modified: 30-03-2012 11:34 AM by hoona.

I understand that this planning application is still open for comments and a decision has been delayed due to the petition that pushed up the number of against after the original cut off (now 80 against v 30 for).
Im sure we can push that 30 number higher -so if you support this application please email planning@lewisham.gov.uk referencing: DC/11/79057/FT stating that you support the application and reasoning.

I really do believe that the increased footfall that will come with a large and popular store such as sainsburys will benefit local businesses and provide much needed employment in the local area. If the against campaign is successful I fear the parade will stagnate with empty units.

just to echo some of the comments, i believe that sainsburys will be a good thing for the high street and will definately increase footfall particulalry from people that use HOP as a transport hub. Michael has provided a local example where a Tesco opening has created a mini shopping environment.

Dominoes was a good thing to stop due to Bikes, no significant increase in Footfall etc.

although we all want a pretty high street filled up with nice independant stores but for that to happen we all need guarantee a level of spend in these shops to keep them in business. I walk past some of the recent openings that people were very vocal about needing in our high street and wonder whether any of the vocal people actually spend any money inside now its open or do they just walk past thinking it looks pretty instead.

Link to lease on old White Wood shop:
http://www.hoopernaylorfriend.co.uk/docu...artics.pdf

Yes, I think the rent and rates are discouraging suitors.

As for existing businesses, most do not have the items that we want or need. In the case of the Deli, we do use them, but sparingly as they have pitched their prices a little too high for our pockets at least. Maybe that is their strategy for covering their own high lease...

A Sainsbury's at this stage would be very welcome indeed. It would give the area the boost it needs - good businesses will benefit from this. We are looking at a dying high street otherwise.

hoona - thank you very much for the reply to my question, very useful to see!