SydenhamAssembly

TradersCircular

A big thank you to those traders who participated in the Sydenham high street Halloween event. Over 30 traders took part with PartyDaze handing out over 400 balloons, Kirkdale Bookshop over 250 bookmarks and the Cakestore numerous Happy Halloween cup cakes. The children had a wonderful time including participating in the best costume competition with the prizes donated by the Co-op and the medals by Classic Trophies. The SNT were out in force and helped judge the competition with Jim Dowd MP doing the honours. We have received some excellent feedback from all involved.

Sydenham Mosaic

Many of you will have followed the progress of a mosaic on the front wall of the building next to the Post Office. The building is going to be renamed The Sydenham Centre and the mosaic consists of different roundels showing key events in the history of Sydenham. The target is to raise £50,000 and £35,000 has already been reached so there is still £15,000 to go in getting sponsorship for further roundels. If you would like to sponsor a roundel or part of one please let us know.

Traders at Assembly meetings – It was fantastic to see so many traders at the last Assembly on 8 September at the Naborhood Centre. The Assembly really is the best way for you to engage with your public and find out what is happening in Sydenham and of course, how it affects you. So please continue to support your local Assembly and come along to your next meeting.

The next meeting of the Sydenham Assembly is Tuesday 29 November from 7pmat Sydenham Community Library on Sydenham Road SE26 5SE. At this Assembly we will discussing many issues all of which have an impact on your business. These will include:

  • The latest news regarding the high street improvements and Station Approach
  • Discussions about London 2012 and it’s impact upon Lewisham
  • Upcoming high street events
  • Updates regarding the library and Sydenham Community Radio
  • Learn about the Sydenham smiles campaign
  • See a Choir performance from a local school

The Assembly will also represent an ideal opportunity for you to network with other local businesses and organisations. So as you can see your attendance at this meeting really is important, so do please try to come along.

Sydenham Road Update

Scheme Delivery - The detailed design has now been completed and final checks are being made on the construction drawing set. Street lighting, street furniture and architectural detailing have also all been completed. The design is currently being put through the Stage 3 Road Safety Audit and once this is completed, and any required changes made, we will have a full, checked set of drawings and documents ready to go to tender.

Station Approach - The design team recently met with Network Rail to discuss progress of the land transfer. From the meeting it became clear that problems with resources within NR have delayed the transfer significantly. LB Lewisham have offered NR any support they might require in an effort to get the transfer authorised. Station Approach will be discussed at the next NR departmental meeting (every two weeks) and I will be having another meeting with them in the coming weeks to check progress in being made. The key task that NR needs to complete is to send the Office of the Rail Regulators (ORR) the results of the consultation with Train Operating Companies that was completed over the summer. There have been no objections to the transfer from the Train Operating Companies, so the ORR approval will be a formality once they receive the paperwork from NR.

Girton Road Car Park – As the only free car park remaining within the borough we are keen to keep it this way. By providing free parking we are helping to ensure that customers continue to shop in Sydenham and support local business. The Council is currently talking with both Co-Op and Lidl regarding a contribution of £5,000 each to keep the Car Park free.

Update from the Neighbourhood Community Safety Service

The Sydenham PSP - A Problem Solving Plan (PSP)represents a multi-agency way to tackle a problem within area onceit has been identified. In Sydenham the issue identified was anti-social behaviour (ASB) as a result of street drinking. The complaints initially originated fromlocal businesses, residents and shoppers.

Once the issue is identified we gather intelligence relating to the problem. In this case it is anti-social behaviour caused by street drinkers congregating in and around the Sydenham High Street (near to the Post Office, PFC andthe flower stall). There is also associated drug taking at 22a-24 Sydenham Road and at the toilet block near the train station.

We then work in partnership with other agencies such as the Police, Licensing Teams and partners such as LBBAC (Lewisham Borough Business Against Crime)to help eradicate the problem. The intention is always to reduce the number of calls to the Safer Neighbourhood Teamregardinganti-social behaviour linked to the identified issue.

Responsible Retailers Agreement – We are currently in the process of setting-up a Responsible Retailers Agreement (RRA) in Sydenham. This is an agreement between the trader, the Safer Neighbourhood Team, LBBAC and the Council regarding responsible trading in relation to the sale of alcohol. As part of the agreement the traders agrees not serve alcohol to known street drinkers or people under the influence of alcohol. In addition, the traders agrees to report any incidents relating to the sale of alcohol to the police.

As part of this agreement the police agree to investigate any identified incidents resulting from the agreement.

To find out more about the Sydenham PSP and RRA contact Tyrone Bankinson Neighbourhood Community Safety Officer on 020 83146505

Want to get more involved in Sydenham?

TheSydenham Town Centre Steering Groupmeets every couple of months in Kirkdale Bookshop for traders to discuss issues with the police and the Council. We have been discussing anti social behaviour including theft from shops and managing street drinkers using the Control Drinking Zone.

If you can’t spare the time for regular meetings there are ways to help the Town Centre Steering Group and Assembly even if it only displaying posters. If you have got more time then please get in touch to help represent specific parts of Sydenham If you have time to attend meetings then the Steering Group meets regularly, the Assembly meetings four times a year or why not be a volunteer for the Coordinating Group.

We are fully aware that we do not have enough local traders taking part in Sydenham so please come along and give a business view to the local community. By actively taking part in your Assembly you can help shape Sydenham’s future, find out what is going on in Sydenham and help decide local funding issues.

If you are interested in helping to drive Sydenham forward please contact Cllr Chris Best (Chair of the Town Centre Steering Group and the

Assembly) or the lead officer Paul Gale on 020 83143387 or email .

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