Minutes 10th March 2009

CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Minutes of Main Meeting, 10 March 2009, Los Toreros, Westow Street
Foreword by Ray Hall, Chair of the Chamber

Andrew Parfitt has prepared an excellent set of minutes for our last Main Meeting, which was on Tuesday, March 10th, with Los Toreros as a terrific venue.

Stephen Carr, Leader of Bromley Council, spoke very well. We have a good friend in Stephen - and he knows he has a good friend in our Chamber. Together our goal is to achieve very tangible benefits for the community we all represent.

The minutes set out what was said and discussed. One thing I would have liked to have emphasized at the end is how key Stephen has been to progressing the New Crystal Palace project towards the prospect of it actually coming into being.

June 2007

Very soon after introducing the idea to Stephen, he was so convinced of its importance for South London, that he arranged a meeting of some 30 senior Councillors and officers from his own borough of Bromley and also from the borough of Croydon. It was held in June 2007 in the Council Chamber in Bromley's Civic Centre.

Sue Nagle spoke and told of the support locally for the New crystal Palace and I, with two colleagues set out the vision and business case for the proposal. The result was not only the 'enthusiastic personal support' of Stephen and of Mike Fisher, the Leader of LB Croydon, but also Stephen stating his support very clearly to the press and the LDA.

For me that was a turning point - a very significant and crucial one indeed.

'Gutsy' courage

Stephen did that knowing of the then LDA's position and also knowing of the backcloth of opposition to any development on the top site. The size of that opposition is now known to be small - but Stephen did not know that then.

As part of the minutes, therefore, I would like to openly applaud Stephen for his insight, his leadership and his 'gutsy' courage. South London is a better place because of him.

I look forward to our Chamber working with Stephen and his colleagues in making Crystal Palace a place the whole of our capital and indeed our nation can feel proud of. That goal is being fulfilled - and I would thank every member of our Chamber for the role each is playing. We are getting there.

Blessings and appreciations as always

Ray Hall

CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Minutes of Main Meeting, 10 March 2009, Los Toreros, Westow Street

Those present:

Ray Hall* (New Crystal Palace, chair)
Andrew Parfitt* (Honorary Secretary)
Heatyh Alkis (H.D. Plumbing)
David Alston (journalist)
Ramesh Appadoo (Grand Bay)
Matt Atkinson (Full Spectrum)
Paul Bartholomew (Le Cargo)
Vivienne Bartholomew (Vien)
Sharon Baldwin (Croydon Enterprise)
Banny Baksh (Drumleage PMC)
Sebastian Baksh (guest)
Matthew Ball (Electron Repro Ltd)
Simon Bashford (LB Croydon)
Taylor Battery (Training Points)
Hannah Bourgen (Full Spectrum)
Andrew Brenson (guest)
Denis Brown (D’Solos)
Kevin Carleton-Reeves (transport consultant)
Cllr Stephen Carr (Leader of LB Bromley)
Mario Charalambous (Mario & Bambos Barbers, Westow Street)
Cllr Luke Clancy (LB Croydon)
Margaret Condon (guest)
Cheryl Curr (Town Centre Manager, Orpington, LB Bromley)
Sarah Dacre* (Amphlett Lissimore)
Efisio Fronteddu (Mediterranea)
John Greatrex* (Sainsburys)
Abbi Greene (Mind in Croydon)
Jerry Green (Haynes Lane Market)
Jenny Hall (guest)
Stefan Inglis (Antenna Studios)
Nadia Jones (Croydon Enterprise)
Stephen Kaye (Thornton Springer)
Charles L Kejeh (De-Charles Resources Ltd)
Frank Lissimore* (Amphlett Lissimore)
Don Madgwick (Abbazappa Records)
Marianna (Braziliana)
Bradley Millington (Lambeth and Upper Norwood Joint Library)
Girish Mohile (guest)
Sue Nagle* (Bambinos)
Stuart Packer (Voiceover)
D Patel (Sefgrove Chemist)
Kirit Patel (Sefgrove Chemist)
Shinali Patel (Sefgrove Chemist)
Ahmet Rashit (Alistairs Café Restaurant)
Nick Revel (H.D. Plumbing)
Gail Rickard (Funky Junk)
Gavin Rookledge (Rook's Books)
Andy Stem (Bambinos)
Soula (Los Toreros)
Tim Taylor (Glitter and Twisted)
J Vermette (Friends Hair & Beauty)

* Management Committee

Apologies

Cllr George Filbey* (LB Croydon)
Mark McLaughlan* (The White Hart)
Stan Morris* (Shine Bright)
Silke Rudolph* (The Massage Practice)
Tim Sharville (Mango Swiss)

1.0. Introduction

Ray welcomed all to Los Toreros, and thanked Soula for providing an excellent venue. He noted how, at the previous meeting, local business people included speakers of over eight languages. This diversity extends to geography: Crystal Palace spans five boroughs and a show of hands amongst those present found that members lived in Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth and Lewisham (although not Southwark).

1.1. Minutes of previous main meeting

The minutes of the 10th February meeting were approved as a fair record. Ray noted how the minutes provide an invaluable record of the history of the people who comprise the business community and the progress we are making.

2.0. Five Minutes of Fame

Ray invited two local business people to make short presentations:

2.1. Shinali Patel is the daughter of the family who run Sefgrove’s, the chemists on Westow Hill, about which she is passionate. Her parents decided to open a shop when they married and the community feel to Crystal Palace encouraged them – in particular the wide range of shops. Now there are lots of closed shops, but there is still a strong community feel.

When her parents started, they bought fixtures and fittings from a local grocery store. They did no particular market research but simply built up the business through hard work, determination and above all providing a good customer service. She looks forward to helping advise the family business over the years to come.

2.2. Stefan Inglis established Antenna Studios in 2002.
http://www.antennastudios.co.uk/mambotest/
It is located off Haynes Lane in an old timber yard that had become derelict and occupied by squatters. With a director, Stefan established a rehearsal studio and they have diversified into recording, with a dance studio and two fully-fledged recording studios. They aim to be honestly priced for people in the community, including spare-time musicians with a passion.

The dance studio is multi-purpose, suitable for different types of dance. There is something for everybody. Recently, they have been working closely with the mental health unit at NHS Oxleas. Each week the unit hires the studio for social events and educational courses. They are moving towards being the Antenna Creative Community Trust, being able to provide space and equipment for everyone.

All applauded the presenters for their contributions to the community, wishing them every success in the future.

3.0. Matters Arising

Ray noted that:
• at the next meeting on Tuesday 7th April, nine local businesses would be invited to present five minutes of fame.
• Andy Stem is coordinating a free organic festival in the Triangle on Saturday 28th March, with market stalls, food and a wide range of music.
• John Greatrex will be organising a Crystal Palace Festival week from the 6th to the 12th June and will be providing further details to a future Chamber meeting.
• Sue has copies of the three books which were presented to James Cleverly at the 10th February meeting, containing the 108 individually-signed petitions from local businesses in favour of the reinstatement of the Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace.
• Ray circulated a photograph of Sue presenting the petitions to James. He said that James was very appreciative of the substance of the case made by the local business community, and the mature way in which it was presented.

Nadia, the district centre manager, said that Croydon Enterprise would be having a road show in the Salvation Army hall from 8.30 to 11 in the morning of Tuesday 17th March.

4.0. Main Item: My Vision for Bromley and Crystal Palace - Stephen Carr (Leader of Bromley Council)

Ray noted how Croydon Enterprise, based at 18 Church Road, are very supportive of the local business community. And in front of their offices is the border with Bromley, the largest of the London Boroughs in area.

Ray welcomed Stephen, whom he had first met about three years ago as part of his engagement with the South East London Chamber of Commerce. He has been very impressed by the way in which Stephen is approachable and listens, and how he cares for all his borough, even the extremities such as Crystal Palace.

Stephen said that he was very pleased to be present. He congratulated Sefgroves and Antenna Studios for their presentations and the community spirit they demonstrate. There are many opportunities for businesses to work more closely with councils and a huge potential from the international brand name of Crystal Palace. Bromley was fortunate in having other unique destinations such as the Biggin Hill Airport heritage centre and Downe, the home of Charles Darwin, for which an application had been made to be a World Heritage Site. Now is the time to re-establish the importance of Crystal Palace.

Vision for Bromley

The size of the borough provides opportunities and challenges. Parts are young and vibrant, others contain the largest proportions of older people in London. Stephen’s mission is to deal with all the issues and all the residents of the Borough. He is absolutely committed to Crystal Palace and the local area. There is a wonderful atmosphere here of which we should be rightly proud. Businesses can stimulate growth and opportunity with the potential to succeed.

Stephen became the leader of the council in 2004. His aim is to Build a Better Bromley, not just bricks and mortar but a clean and green borough, in which people of all ages feel safe in their communities and in which town centres are vibrant and thriving.

This week saw the launch of the Bromley Means Business initiative. As a brochure sets out, this sets out the strategy for the council’s engagement with small and medium businesses. It demonstrates the commitment of the council and its enabling role. Small and medium enterprises are vital – a full range of business activities is needed to sustain the reputation of Bromley as the Best Borough.

There is a very finite pot of money. But through Area Action Plans, thriving town centres can be maintained. The investment in Westmoreland Road, Bromley South, shows the commitment of the council to businesses. And £1 million is being spent to enhance the potential for business in Orpington High Street.

It is crucial that Bromley maintains its clean and green image, building where necessary but conserving and enhancing what is good. Recycling matters hugely – Bromley is keen to work closely with local businesses to reduce the need for landfill.

It is also important that Bromley allows children and young people to achieve their potential – for instance attracting university graduates back to live in the borough. And that older people are supported to be able to live independently and with dignity.

Sustainable finances are vital. Stephen has met Tony McNulty to ask the government to postpone the 5% rise in business rates due in April. The increase in Council Tax has been limited to just over 2% and £2.5 million has been set aside to help deal with the impact of the recession on local services in 2009/10. There are no gimmicks – the aim is to maintain essential services against a background of declining budgets.

Vision for Crystal Palace

All of the above applies to Crystal Palace. But more specific local issues include:

Crystal Palace Park: There has been a chequered history. The Mayor’s option to take over the top site of the park expires at the end of March 2009, and appears unlikely to be exercised. Bromley will meet with the LDA and other interested parties to discuss how to take things forward. The New Crystal Palace concept is hugely exciting. If the Crystal Palace was good enough in the 1850s, it is good enough for us now.

Stephen is open-minded about development in the park. It needs to be sustainable, securing the long-term future of the park. In that light, it is a positive step forward that Bromley planning colleagues approved in December 2008 the LDA’s application to build 180 homes in the park, although in January 2009 this was called in by Hazel Blears (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government).

Stephen is fervently behind the New Crystal Palace. A viable working New Crystal Palace is the long-term solution to putting South London back on the map. It would be a privilege to once again see the Crystal Palace on top of the hill; from Tower Bridge to Knockholt it would be a huge benefit to us all.

Tramlink: The decision to postpone indefinitely the extension to Crystal Palace is hugely disappointing. It is time that outer London benefits from significant investment, and new infrastructure would be required by the New Crystal Palace. Stephen will be lobbying the Mayor to reconsider his decision, for it is crucial that the local area gets the investment it needs for jobs and opportunities in the future.

National Sports Centre: It is good news that it is due to re-open imminently. Although it is regrettable that it is not a host venue for 2012, its use for training by Olympic teams will help put Crystal Palace on the map. Because of the drain on resources of the Olympics, however, most of the longer-term investment in the sports centre will not come until after 2012.

Triangle: Bromley is to meet with the LDA and other stakeholders to consider creative ways forward to encourage investment into the borough. Working together as a community is absolutely critical. On the 7th April Stephen will be meeting Boris, and he will encourage him to visit Bromley and Crystal Palace.

In conclusion, Stephen can offer support and comfort. Together we can work to create a vibrant and thriving Crystal Palace.

Questions

Stephen answered a number of questions on a range of topics:

Crystal Palace Park: If, as seems likely, the top site remains in the control of Bromley after this month, Bromley will encourage applications for developments such as the New Crystal Palace. For the park requires about £700,000 to £800,000 a year to support, so a viable and sustainable scheme is needed. Stephen is totally bought into the Ray’s plans for the New Crystal Palace and can help make it happen – there is genuine support for something substantial to happen so as to put South London back on the map. It is essential that the local community helps too by working together to lobby for the proposal.

Subject to Hazel Blears’ decision, Boris and Bromley will allow housing to be built in the park. This will be of a combination of types, mostly flats.

Stephen said that there are still plans for the redevelopment of the National Sports Centre, but these would not be carried forward until after 2012. Although it would no longer be a national sports centre, there was still a need for a quality sports centre in South London.

Triangle regeneration: Creative measures are needed to prevent the domino effect of vacant premises and Bromley will be supporting local traders and working with local businesses. Attracting inward investment is vital for the community. Stephen is amendable in principle to the Bromley Means Business initiative also providing advice and support to businesses in neighbouring boroughs within the Crystal Palace community.

Sharon Baldwin noted that Croydon Enterprise is also very keen to work closely with all five boroughs and will help local businesses engage with all available sources of support.

Triangle traffic: Stephen is very conscious that local councillors from all the boroughs need to work together. He will ask Cllr Colin Smith to approach LB Croydon with a view to considering a new pedestrian crossing in Church Road.

Sue noted that the One-Way System had been brought in to service the Multiplex. In return, the community had received nothing. If the One-Way System were needed to serve the New Crystal Palace, then the local community might be more willing to tolerate it.

Cllr Luke Clancy said that Croydon would be very interested to work with Bromley on issues related to traffic and regeneration. He would like to take forward jointly an action plan for Church Road, for which Croydon Enterprise is very supportive.

Next steps: Bromley and Croydon will work very closely with the local community. Stephen will do what he can and he will raise with Boris the issue of South London not getting enough new infrastructure. Through lobbying and support, the aim will be to get more investment in Crystal Palace.

Concluding Remarks

Ray thanked Stephen for his excellent presentation and his willingness to answer a wide range of questions. He said that he greatly appreciated Stephen’s candour and support, and presented Stephen with a bunch of roses for his PA, Maggie Richardson, as a thank you from the Chamber.

Ray said that the aims of the local business community coincide with those of Bromley council. We should participate in designing a solution which can help get Crystal Palace back on to the world map. We should look to deepen our working relationship with Bromley and other local boroughs.

5.0. Date of Next Main Meeting

Tuesday 7th April, 6.30 for 6.45 p.m.: Alistair’s Café, 3 Westow Street.

NB – from April onwards, Chamber meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month.