Spartacus

Today we are seeing the impact of increased taxes (employers NI) with tje UK unemployment rate rising https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxrp7znkdlo Unfortunately, to increase tax burdens will see the economy stall or a recession, as Angelina says, cutting spending, whilst painful short term, is a good way to bring down government borrowing. True, we don't want to see cuts to services but there are other areas of government spending that can be reduced and with AI impacting all jobs across all businesses, maybe it will also reduce overall staffing costs.

Laughing @march46 as you mention parking for shoppers in the same post as car storage. Which is it ? Make up your mind... Evidence, nothing on Lordship Lane but other areas where parking has been restricted or removed have reported anecdotal drops in visitors. Dare you risk it and ruin a thriving town centre?

I agree @first mate, pbg212's post does feel like a clumsy council intervention (and apologies if it isn't) In my experience, Lordship Lane works fairly well as it is, people tend to give way to others when walking past each other and generally footfall is good for a town centre this size. Reducing or removing parking would have a detrimental impact on businesses as it currently allows those who live outsude the town centre to use it, and if businesses suffer, so does the town centre offering. Personally, Southwark should leave East Dulwich alone to continue its organic growth as tinkering will only cause problems or drive out independents leaving only chains and charity shops🫣

Yesterday, that was me on the way to sainsburys Can't let the Romans catch me now can I

Ahh, the traditional smell of the BT air fresher, hint of urine, used to stop people spending hours in the phone box and queues forming. Although it is disgusting that people feel its their rights to treat a utility as their own personal litter bin and urinal. 😔

They said on the news this evening that organised displays start tonight and go on all week up to next Sunday 10 nights ! Used to be only 1 or 2 But its alright, we are still in a cost of living crisis 🫣

As it's Halloween tonight, are we out witch hunting and burning ? 🤣

Unless you are watching it 24x7 then its hard to qualify that its not being used. Unless you are a business overlooking it of course. Personally I am reassured we still have phone boxes as they provide a valuable emergency use. If you are mugged for you phone, you can call 999 from them, if your house or business is on fire and you run out without a phone you can dial 999 from them. Some people don't have a mobile so its potentially reassuring for them knowing they can call someone if they feel unwell whilst out. Just because some people don't see value in an object, doesn't mean others don't.

@Sue, I always had you as a naughty girl, and this behaviour has confirmed it. do 100 lines on the East Dulwich Fourm "I must stop over reacting to other peoples posrs"

Its part of a change all Doctor surgery's are undergoing. The goverment want to stop the 8am scramble for an appointment, and its not just restricted to the Gardens. Sadly, it does impact some who are not digitally savy.

Blimey Sue That was a rough neighbourhood if the birds were nicking your bottles. 😅

I always feel we lost something amazing when we moved away from home milk delivery with glass bottles using electric floats to driving to supermarkets and buying milk in plastic bottles. Hindsight says we should have valued the good old milky more

Great story Really wanted to see the championships but ticket pricess were mad

I wonder, if the budget is as painful as some predict, if there will be protests in the streets against the government which might result in either Starmer falling on his sword or chopping Reeves out with it

I see @Sue, a few drinks and dirty men in uniforms working fast and furiously to fill holes with their hot steamy stuff sounds a bit too much like your personal fantasy 🫣