Jenny1

I left early - 21.30 - but the meeting went on for a bit longer. Yes - I think it would be a good idea to get minutes or a summary. Robin (who chaired the meeting) is probably best equipped to do that. Though I'm happy to come up with an amateur effort if needed.

I agree. It was an interesting meeting. Some good speakers talking about a variety of issues that matter. ie how to lobby to keep some kind of regular police office presence locally once the Lordship Lane station closes, and a report from the NHS on their (nascent) plans for the East Dulwich Hospital site. I'd recommend these meetings if you're interested in getting a full briefing on key local issues.

I would echo those who fear that the arrival of a chain like M and S could damage the valuable mix of shops we currently have on Lordship Lane and might help turn East Dulwich into a rather generic, less pleasant place to live. M and S is fine as it goes - but it really cannot offer anything we don't already have....and risks therefore damaging existing retailers and perhaps creating parking problems. The last thing we want is parking restrictions having to be introduced - it would spell death for much of what we like about Lordship Lane I think. One of the good things about the area is that it feels more like a proper town than an anonymous suburb. This is - I believe - because there seems to be a genuinely broad mix of people of various types and ages living here. This sense of a more 'real life' environment - not one dominated by one particular type or age of person - is fostered by the character and quality of the independent retailers we have and also the fact that there are shops - like Iceland - which cater for people who have to budget carefully. I haven't read the whole thread - so I don't know if this is an option - but I would have thought the continuation of Iceland would be a very good thing. It offers something that other shops on Lordship Lane don't. And that's what we need - as much diversity as possible. For those who want ready meals there's Sainsbury's - also some of the indy retailers do lovely ones if you have the cash - and of course if you're commuting there's M and S at London Bridge. It's the character of Lordship Lane that makes East Dulwich such a wonderful place to live. I've been here for 15 years - long enough to really value the retailers who kept the place going when the area was less fashionable - and also those who have arrived more recently and made it possible to buy any food you could possibly want without having to venture into a supermarket. We have to be quite thoughtful and careful if we want to retain the things that make East Dulwich special.