SE22 Councillors: Supporting local businesses
An amended version of this was published by SE22 magazine.
It has been a difficult year and a half for small businesses across the country. The council’s data suggest that 70% of businesses lost over 75% of their revenue in the early months of the pandemic. The council has tried to plug the gap, issuing over £12.5million in 1500 grants to businesses in the SE22. But we know that in many cases this has not been enough to make up for lost trade.
We are entering a new phase in the pandemic, with restrictions lifted and life beginning to feel a bit more normal. The past year and a half has left scars. We cannot bring back the 130,000 lives tragically lost to the virus but we can begin to repair the economic damage at least. This is a key focus for Southwark Council and for us, your local Goose Green councillors.
Engaging with local businesses
In May, we showed Cllr Kieron Williams around East Dulwich, on his first trip to the area as the new Leader of Southwark Council. We met with local businesses on Melbourne Grove, Grove Vale, Lordship Lane and North Cross Road, finishing the day at Franklins. Businesses told us how difficult things were with lost trade and last-minute decisions by the government making planning all-but-impossible.
We also organised an online community meeting to discuss how best we can support our local high streets. Businesses and residents came together and put forward a range of different ideas, from better cycling provision to changes to waste collection. It became clear that although many businesses share similar concerns, East Dulwich’s various high streets face different issues.
High street plans – shaped by the community
Our community meeting in East Dulwich has led the council to adopt a new approach to the local economy, with High Street Forums. These will be regular meetings to bring residents, businesses and community groups together with the different parts of the council that shape our high streets: from transport and business support to bins and street cleaning. They will be hyper-local, focused on creating a high street plan for just one or two streets. The council wants to roll these out across Southwark but the first two will be here in East Dulwich: one for Melbourne Grove and Grove Vale, the next for Lordship Lane and North Cross Road. By the time of publication both forums will have had their first meeting. Keep an eye out for changes and improvements!
Bright ideas
Success is measured by actions, not conversations. Although we are keen to keep these discussions going, we already have some projects in the pipeline. Following suggestions from businesses, we are looking to start a small Saturday market on Melbourne Grove, to both serve the local community and to attract visitors from other areas. For years, people have complained about the junction of Lordship Lane and East Dulwich Grove, so we are investigating the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing and new traffic lights. Ideally, we’ll be able to make it safer for pedestrians whilst also speeding up the flow of traffic. Finally, some of the best ideas just need a bit of funding to get started. That’s why the council’s High Street Recovery Fund is allocating between £1,000 and £25,000 to projects designed for high street renewal.
What do you think? If you have any ideas for our high streets please let us know.
P.S. At the time of writing, the council’s ‘Streetspace’ consultation is about to close but I am yet to see the results. Watch this space for more information!