Dartmouth Road is not dreary. It is, in parts, brilliant but there are things that detract enough from those bits to create an overall negative impression for many people. The issue of overall attractiveness of Dartmouth Road has a number of aspects in my opinion. key ones are:

1) The empty shops: Little can be done about except them getting back into use. This will be done when business people see a viable option in the premises. For this they need to see Dartmouth Road in use, which is where residents and visitors can help by using what we already have and showing that there is demand.

2) Other unattractive visuals: Those that are in use and have the grey shutters or untidy frontage could perhaps do more with their frontage like Agas, Sugar Mountain, Bunka, Stag & Bow, The Butchery etc has. But that is their decision as business people whether investing in that is viable and profitable for them

3) The traffic and inaccessible pavements: This can be done by TFL improving the phasing at the London Road junction lights and by Lewisham tackling the parking that narrows both the street and the pavement, especially on the section between Derby Hill and the lights. If traffic is more free flowing and pavements are unobstructed by parked cars / motorbikes, then shoppers are likely to be more predisposed to driving along or walking up Dartmouth Road. Tackling this with Lewisham would probably best come from our local council representatives and from Forest Hill Society

4) The state of pavements: The physical state of them is appalling in places (and fine in others) The damaged / badly maintained parts could put people off from going there, when combined with the other factors. Again this could be tackled by lobbying from our elected representatives and Forest Hill Society but as has been stated before its unlikely to gain much attention given the swimming pool investment (unless there are physical access issues for wheelchair users etc). The dirtiness of the pavements however is also our responsibility as a community as well as the councils. People drop litter constantly so whatever is done by the street cleaners is soon undone. Some shop owners regularly sweep and even wash the pavement outside their premises (they also clear snow & ice in winter). If everyone, especially the fast food joints followed suit, it would make a huge visual impact.

That's all very easy for me to say as they are not my businesses but my job gives me some insight so I can see it from several angles. I also use at least one shop on Dartmouth Road pretty much every day (in preference to the Tesco & other shops on Kirkdale which is as close) because it is convenient and the shopkeepers I use can often make my day through their enthusiasm and customer service.

For others who have further to go, tackling a few things could make their decision making process easier.