Days since other Party Leaders in Lambeth updated their blogs:

Labour - eight days
Liberal Democrat - 61 days

The time has come to speak up for the small businesses in our high streets in Lambeth. Many of them are in danger of disappearing under the sheer weight of 'samey' brand names, fast food outlets, and the ubiquitous supermarkets. If the big biggest retailers had it all their own way in West Norwood, we'd only need three or four of them to sell everything, to everyone, everywhere.

Much to my surprise a leading bicycling community activist in my ward has apparently swallowed the gospel according to the supermarket chains. He writes in the local press that he sees little value in a flower stall that is apparently an inconvenience as far as one major retailer is concerned. But, there are other voices in our community that value 'flower power' since more than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the flower stall by the cemetery gates to remain where it has been for the past 100 years. Cynics might say that people will sign any petition, but it does seem that the flower stall is regarded as a local treasure and highly valued by its customers.

A survey of my constituents in the neighbouring streets backed that priority with only a handful of people saying they wanted more supermarkets. Quite apart from anything else, the flower stall is a business that has been recognised for excellence by London's leading daily newspaper and is patronised by all sections of the community especially visitors to the cemetery. I should know, I go to enough funerals as leader of the Conservative Group on Lambeth Council.

In any case, West Norwood has already been 'supermarketed' with two supermarkets only a few metres from the old Jack Stamp's pub. Another one at Park Hall Road is even more convenient for residents such as my bicycling constituent and community activist - a self nominating profession which keeps the local newspapers busy for the price of a few beverages in local watering holes.

It is absolutely common ground that West Norwood's shopping offer could certainly do with improvement, but that means encouraging more independent retailers, such as the excellent fish shop, deli, fruit and veg sellers, photo shop, banks, and the existing supermarkets. Isn't it time someone took up the gauntlet for independent retailers?

Labels: blogging about blogging, community activists, small businesses