Minutes 6th May 2009

CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Minutes of Main Meeting, 6th May 2009, Salvation Army Hall, Westow Street
Those present:

Ray Hall* (New Crystal Palace, chair)
Andrew Parfitt* (Honorary Secretary)
Anup Aryal (Gurkha Cottage)
Banny Baksh (Drumleague Ltd)
Dominique Baksh (Drumleague Ltd)
Sharon Baldwin (Croydon Enterprise)
Simon Bashford (LB Croydon)
Taylor Battery (Training Points)
Matilda (Training Points)
Rose Biavatti (Braziliana)
Hannah Bougen (Full Spectrum)
Alistair Cameron (guest)
Kevin Carleton-Reeves (transport consultant)
Lindsay Chapman (guest, Metropolitan Police)
Sarah Dacre* (Amphlett Lissimore)
Francesca Farnesi (Frankie & Lola)
Cllr John Getgood (LB Bromley)
Katrina Gillard (guest, Gem and LocalSkillSwap)
John Greatrex* (Sainsburys)
Jerry Green (Haynes Lane Market)
Jason Hadden (guest, Parliamentary Candidate, Croydon North)
Claire Hall (guest, Metropolitan Police)
Bernie Jinks (Royal Albert Public House)
Charles Kejeh (De-Charles Resources)
Hester Lilley (Soltura Ltd)
Frank Lissimore* (Amphlett Lissimore)
Don Madgwick (Abbazappa Records)
Jenine Main (Salvation Army)
Barbara McLeish (Women In Business Network)
John Moye (Salvation Army)
Sue Nagle* (Bambinos)
Darryll Norwood (Crystal Palace Jewellers)
Ahmet Rashit (Alistairs Café Restaurant)
Gulen Rashit (Alistairs Café Restaurant)
Ms Rashit (Alistairs Café Restaurant)
Gail Richard (Funky Junk)
Riss v Rismanchi (Next Address)
Gavin Rookledge (Rook’s Books)
Jonathan Rowlandson (Jonathan Rowlandson Design)
Tim Sharville (Mango Swiss)
Catherine Shaw (Allbone & Trimit)
Joan Vernette (Friends Hair & Beauty)
Jane Watt (JAG Contemporary Design)
Dilly Williamson (Funky Junk)
* Management Committee

Apologies

Kathryn Bonds (Phoenix Community Centre and Chutzpah – Mint Jewellery and Silver)
Cllr Luke Clancy (LB Croydon)
Cllr George Filbey* (LB Croydon)
Stan Morris* (Shine Bright)
Silke Rudolph* (The Massage Practice)
Andy Stem (Bambino’s)
Zishan Zaman (Queen’s Hotel)

1.0. Introduction

Ray welcomed all and gave many thanks to the Salvation Army for providing a superb venue.
He noted that, as part of its 175th anniversary, the journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is asking its readers to name their favourite building of the last 175 years. In first place is… …the Crystal Palace. This goes to show what we’re sitting on, what we have the privilege of being part of. Ray said that his personal goal is to build a New Crystal Palace, and earlier today he had had a very helpful meeting in Mayfair to discuss his plans with a number of key people.

The minutes of the 7th April meeting had been received by all members and were approved as a fair record.

2.0. Five Minutes of Fame

2.1. George Pirintzi (Ethos Business Network)
http://www.ethosbusinessnetwork.com/CrystalPalace.html
George said that he has lived in Crystal Palace for six years. As a business coach by trade, he has set up the Ethos Business Support Network for local businesses. Its aims are a) to get people together, allowing entrepreneurs to meet and exchange contacts and ideas; b) to discuss particular problems affecting businesses and how to remove barriers to success.

George has been in business for 21 years. After a huge struggle in the first 18 months he has come through, learning from mistakes, and is very keen to share his experiences with others. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month in the “Black Sheep” bar, Westow Hill. The next one is at 6.15 p.m. on Tuesday 15th June. Anyone interested in finding out more is encouraged to get in touch.
george@EthosBusinessNetwork.com

2.2. Barbara McLeish (Women in Business Network)
http://www.wibn.co.uk/groupsnew/london?1=1&BlockID=2958846
Barbara said that there are four local groups – Dulwich, Lewisham, Beckenham and Crystal Palace. Their aim is to support any woman in business, through word-of-mouth recommendations and referrals. For instance, this can lead to the match-making of businesses, generating new collaborations and partnerships.

Barbara has been self-employed for 15 years, and also runs a part-time lettings agency. She supports the Crystal Palace area as much as possible, and the Chamber of Commerce has become involved through Sarah Dacre.

Meetings are held at lunchtime on the third Tuesday of each month, with the next being on the 19th May. People can visit twice before signing up for the membership group. All women in business are encouraged to attend.
Barbara.mcleish@wibn.co.uk

Ray thanked George and Barbara. He said that his ambition is for Crystal Palace to get on to the world stage, for people to want to come and visit the area from everywhere, for it to be one of the most desirable locations in London.

2.3. Matilda and Taylor Battery (Training Points, 14 Church Road)
http://www.trainingpoints.co.uk/
Sue introduced Matilda and Taylor with a personal recommendation – for their successful treatment of a shoulder injury.

Matilda said that Training Points offer personal training and sports massage. They had previously been in Sydenham, but Crystal Palace is much more vibrant an interesting. Amongst the many activities and services offered are martial arts, kick boxing, nutritional advice, massage therapy and facials. They have a focus on individuals and can develop tailor-made personalised programmes. Training can take place at the studio or in Crystal Palace Park.

Taylor gave an impressive demonstration of how press-ups can be varied for various levels of fitness, from beginners to professionals. He encouraged all to come to the studio for a free initial training session or sports massage.

3.0. Reports

3.1. Crystal Palace June Festival

John Greatrex said that with the help of George Filbey he has produced some posters, which we would be very grateful if local businesses could post in their windows. He will issue further posters as we get closer to 10th June, the 155th anniversary of the opening of the Crystal Palace in South London. Ray said that he would like to see the Crystal Palace Festival becoming a renowned annual event.

3.2. New Corporate Image for the Chamber of Commerce

Ray thanked Tim Sharville (MangoSwiss) for his initial designs which are on display at the meeting and invited members to comment on them. The Management Committee will then make a final decision.

4.0. Main Item: Crystal Palace – Looking to the Future

Sue Nagle said that thanks to Ray and all members, we are becoming one of the strongest Chambers of Commerce in South London. We are fighting to make Crystal Palace great again. But we need to identify how we want Crystal Palace to be perceived, and its image. What do people think of when they hear the name Crystal Palace? Do we build on our past heritage and successes or start anew?

Crystal Palace is a huge brand name. We should capitalise on it, but how? Should we build on the legacy of Joseph Paxton, on the Conservation Area? Or market ourselves as an eating destination, with family-based shops and restaurants? And if the New Crystal Palace is built we would become a major tourist destination.

The photo boards on display show the huge variety in the area. We have choices to make – for instance, whether to preserve the light industry in the lanes of the Triangle or accept residential, whether our shop design should celebrate the old or go for something more modern? We should celebrate our heritage – for instance the surviving part of the original weather-boarded “White Hart” - and the wonderful photographs on display at “Pizza at the Palace” in Westow Hill.

Sue has lived in the Palace for most of her life. She saw the 20-year blight caused to the Triangle by the councils buying property in advance of planned road widening. Then the impact of the One-Way System. There have been years of struggling, but she wants the Triangle to be brilliant, to be an interesting and vibrant town centre. For together we can achieve this, people are really fighting to gain ground.

Because of all these problems, we are left with businesses with a strong determination or tied into leases. There is huge enthusiasm and passion, and Councillors are tapping into this. We need to know what we say to local politicians. Today is the start of the process of finding out what we want and how to achieve this.

Sue introduced an initial discussion about various themes relating to Crystal Palace. The following section simply records the views expressed: many points attracted consensus, but some represent individual feelings rather than the majority opinion.

Failings of Area

• One-Way System;
• Only one way to go;
• Lack of traffic islands;
• Parking restriction timing (one hour not enough);
• Free parking after 7 o’clock too late;
• Some customers need longer period of parking so suggest different restrictions i.e. one-hour, 90 minute and two-hour bays;
• Need consistency between councils – currently they allow parking at different times;
• Misuse of loading bays;
• Need for signs saying where Sainsburys parking is. And that it is free for two hours and not just for Sainsburys customers;
• Commuter parking – better to park in another borough sometimes;
• One way system is dangerous for pedestrians;
• The phasing of the lights makes it very dangerous. For instance, people jump the red light when turning from Westow Street into Westow Hill;
• Traffic goes too fast, especially in Church Road. For instance:
o traffic wishing to continue along Church Road at the lights with Westow Street, speeds up to get through the green light which means they are travelling too fast when they pass the entrance to Westow Park. One child already seriously injured here;
o traffic comes around the corner of Westow Hill and Church Road very fast and is immediately confronted with vehicles parked in the loading bay forcing them at speed to pull over into the inside lane. There has already been a serious accident because of this;
• Police awareness of problem - have to have two fatalities before speed cameras can be installed;
• Waiting time for crossing road inconsistent - need info, which is available from local authorities;
• Smiley face speed signs we can have!;
• Need for yellow boxes at corners of triangle especially outside White Hart;
• Buses overtake each other in Church Road by mounting the pavement;
• Traffic gets clogged up so that cars can’t go even when the light is green as cars are blocking their way;
• Need traffic calming;
• Two way section for Sainsburys customers is ridiculous and very dangerous;
• CCTV mis-sold. Used mainly to enforce parking. We were told it would be for our security and personal safety;
• Lack of information boards;
• Pubs open too late;
• Too many empty shops and commercial properties;
• No good sandwich shops.

Ideas

• More public toilets;
• Open up the closed toilets outside Sainsbury’s;
• Re-open underground toilets on The Parade;
• More cash point machines;
• Get regular markets under cover;
• Get a marketing director;
• Make bus lane on the Parade a diagonal parking car park out of rush hours;
• Need more facilities for young people;
• Make the park safe for teenagers;
• More flowers;
• More events;
• Need an attraction;
• Build a new Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace in One Word

• Diverse;
• Up & Coming;
• Chic;
• Vibrant;
• Leafy Green;
• Potential;
• Creative;
• Fabulous;
• Funky;
• Left Field;
• Violent;
• Undiscovered;
• Confused;
• Brand;
• Interesting;
• Passionate;
• Ambitious;
• Realisation;
• Fascinating;
• Community;
• Clean Air;
• Slumbering;
• Good Vision;
• Fresh Air;
• Failing;
• Village;
• Busy;
• Bohemian;
• Disempowered;
• Exciting;
• Positive Buzz;
• Cosmopolitan;
• Family orientated;
• Architecture;
• Deterioration;
• Fitness;
• Melting Pot;
• Historic;
• Awakening;
• Revelation.

Good Things

• The Park;
• East London Line extension due autumn 2010;
• Economic climate stopping developers using up every available piece of open space and light industrial sites to build flats;
• Eclectic mix of shops & businesses;
• Re-opening of sports centre;
• Good choice of restaurants;
• Race for life large event in park;
• Fantastic views;
• Elevated position;
• Two good local magazines;
• Virtual Norwood internet site;
• Our heritage (the Crystal Palace);
• Capel Manor Farm;
• Crystal Palace is like Camden / Greenwich;
• Live music bands etc.;
• Passion for the area (by both individuals and groups e.g. Chamber of Commerce;
• Vibrancy;
• Only place to have its own Safe Neighbourhood Team as well as those from the three adjoining boroughs;
• Markets;
• Brand name “Crystal Palace”;
• The transmitters;
• We can see into London & they can see us;
• Fresh air suburb;
• Festivals;
• Antenna music studios;
• Stained glass shop;
• Sports injury clinic at the NSC;
• Strong community feel;
• Prospect of a New Crystal Palace.

What Image Do We Want People to Leave With of Us

• Package what we have & enhance it - we have it all in a small accessible area;
• Artisans - metal workers, stained glass;
• Mix of commerce & retail;
• Accessibility;
• Artists;
• The new Greenwich;
• Inside & outside attractions;
• Dinosaurs;
• Media watch – where is Crystal Palace?
• Distinction from other areas e.g. Dulwich;
• Playgrounds;
• Extreme sport;
• More facilities for young people;
• The Concert Bowl;
• Botanical gardens.

Olympics 2012

• Easy access;
• Not involved;
• Venue?;
• Teams’ training pool;
• Cultural Olympiad are going to visit a future Chamber meeting and gear in to host;
• Training facilities for 19 different sports;
• Training will begin to take place months in advance;
• Queens Hotel refurbishing 200 rooms/beds;
• The only diving facilities in immediate area.

Ray thanked Sue and all members for a very worthwhile discussion.

5.0. Date of Next Main Meeting

Tuesday 2nd June, 6.30 for 6.45 p.m.: venue to be confirmed.