Gary Bland
Working in Bermondsey & Old Southwark to Make a Difference
Caring doesn't cost yet the rewards can be invaluable. Be selfish, say yes to helping others.
The Blue & Supporting Our Small Shops
The Blue and Southwark Park Road shopping is a sad representation of what is used to be. Many people once enjoyed the varied shops and products they could buy, along with the many stalls along the road, but the market has been dying a slow death for many years under the 'stewardhsip' of the LibDems, and now, it appears, under a Labour council too.
Changes are now being made with the section of the square (pictured right), being demolished; this includes destruction of the mature trees.
I am pleased the new Labour run council have taken immediate steps to make changes. I, and no doubt many others, will reserve judgement as to the benefit from the changes being implemented.
I wish them the very best for a successful administration. I hope they will invest the time, money and energy South Bermondsey and the Constituency deserves.
Pre-refurbishment
What Does the Blue Have?
"We are what we do... Not what we did. Now if we continue doing what we used to do, we can't be upset that we are still what we were, simply because we're still doing what we did!"
Damon Lofton
Ten Convenience StoresTen Take-Aways (inc. cafes)Three betting Shops
Why does Southwark Council's properties department think we need ten take-aways and convenience stores? Why on earth do we need three betting shops?
Where are our clothes and shoe shops? Where are our bedding and bathroom shops?
Where is our butchers? He was priced out of the market, and replaced his with a fish wholesalers, which stinks all day, but only opens at night.
"We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools and we will finish the job."
Winston Churchill - 1941
LOYALTY
There are many traders who have proven very loyal, especially during bad times. Posies, Blu1, Paul in the Chemist, Morgans, the greetings card stall, and Russell's fish stall, to name just a few. What loyalty has the council demonstrated to the traders? In a partnership loyalty and trust should run both ways.
The new 'The Bank' restaurant shows great loyalty in the area. It is owned by the owners of the Queen Vic and is a huge investment during an economic downturn. The owners are to be commended and supported along with all the other small businesses in the Blue.
LIPSTICK WON'T WORK
The council has spent a significant amount of money refurbishing the market square, and the square looks nicer than it did. under the LibDem mismanagement.
But is is not the look of the market that is the main problem, it is the lack of good shopping facilities, that is the problem:
we have no toilets therefore parents and pensioners tend to spend little time shopping or chatting to friends
the parking facilities are also not very good. The parking attendants seem to hide until they see a car parked on a yellow for two minutes and then pounce. Attendants ride up on a moped, slam a ticket on the car and then scoot off very quickly - it's just not right.
The Blue is a great area, but the choice of good and diverse shopping is not good enough to attract residents to shop, or people from outside the area to come and spend their money. I would like to help residents get justice.
"Today is not yesterday: we ourselves change; how can our works and thoughts, if they are always to be the fittest, continue always the same? Change, indeed is painful; yet ever needful; and if memory have its force and worth, so also has hope."
Thomas Carlyle
I'm not advocating The Blue should be 'poshed-up', but it does need to be smartened up by encouraging the right businesses and stalls to open up in the Square and the high street.
If the council continue to treat us with disrespect we will devalue ourselves by accepting it.
Always vote for principle, and not based on what you normally do. If you always vote for the same party and that party never or rarely deliver, it is easier to vote for change than to remain fooled to your history of bad decisions.
John Quincy Adams
"The industrial landscape is already littered with remains of once successful companies that could not adapt their strategic vision to altered conditions of competition."
Abernathy
You are viewing the text version of this site.
To view the full version please install the Adobe Flash Player and ensure your web browser has JavaScript enabled.
Need help? check the requirements page.
