Can't comment on the pet shop but the reason White Wood shut would seem to be more to do with recession than premises costs. They were at least six months in arrears. An imponderable is whether enough footfall would have been generated by a Sainsbury's local to keep it open.

As for Forest Hill with its Sainsburys you need look no further than this thread for anecdotal evidence to support the notion that it generates footfall there too (post 194, thanks hoona).

Forest Hill is also, arguably, having a bit of a transformation. Lots of new businesses, local ones and prospects for others (even heard mention of a new deli and possibly even a butchers today). Though a new swimming pool and the Horniman must help, I do not find it credible that all this would be happening without Sainsbury's or a shop like it being present.

I am not an advocate of Sainsbury's btw and am not spreading the welcome mat. As mentioned before, if you have any inside info on a local business who could fill this gap in the market, then please say so. If not then this could be the parade's best option in a flat economy. The alternative is more closures through lack of business - that is surely far more of a deterrent for new traders than lease rates.