Minutes 1st July 2008

Minutes of the Crystal Palace and Norwood Chamber of Commerce
July 1st 2008: 12 noon - At Il Ponte restaurant, 66, Westow Hill, SE19 1RX

Attendees
Ray Hall (RH) New Crystal Palace Ltd
J Bradley Millington (JBM) Upper Norwood Joint library
Mark Rolfe (MR) Estate Agent
Kevin Carlton-Reeves (KCR) transport consultant
Andy Stem (AS) Bambinos
Dave Jones (DJ) Estate Agent
Nick Christodoulou (NC) The Exhibition Rooms
Simon Sharville (SS) Shout Design
Vivienne Bartholomew (V ) 76 Vintage
Gavin Rookledge (GR) Rook’s Books
Stan Morris (SM) Shinebright
Cllr. George Filbey (GF) Local Councillor
Sara Dacre (SD) Solicitor
Frank Lissimore (FL) Amphlett Lissimore
John Greatrex (JG) Sainsbury’s
Sue Nagle (SN) Triangle Traders
Gianni Lecca(G..) Il Ponte

1 Introduction

1.1 RH as chair welcomed all present and thanked Gianni for allowing the Chamber
to meet in his restaurant. Il Ponte is an example of the very high standard of
business that is already on offer in Crystal Palace.
1.2 Each person present introduced themselves and the nature of the business they
operate.

1.3 Apologies had been received from:
Andrew Parfitt - Hollybush Stores - MacDonalds - D.Solos - Cash Point
Systems - Living Water - Bookseller Crow - Sefgroves Pharmacy - Quality
Cleaners – Sergios - Numidi - Allistaires Café - Palace Café - Conrad Fox - Cllr. Jane Avis - CPDT Tracey Skillern – Conrad Fox – Michael Jays



1.4 The minutes of the previous board meeting 6th march 2007were deemed a correct
record of what was said. RH referred to the Chamber’s newsletter where he
apologised for not being able to follow through his election as Chair at the 6th
March meeting due to illness. It has taken a year but he is now back to good
health. He thanked all present for their patience.

1.5 RH also confirmed his role as the MD of New Crystal Palace Ltd, a company that
intends to bring into being a new Crystal Palace on the top site of Crystal Palace
Park. He asked those present if they felt that the two roles conflicted in any way.
Nobody felt that they did.

2 Way Forward

2.1 RH pointed out that the name ‘Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce. Is made up
of two huge globally recognized brands; ‘Crystal Palace’ and ‘Chamber of
Commerce’ We should capitalize on this important branding. The business
community in the Crystal Palace area has an opportunity through the name ‘The
Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce’ to become a world class organisation in
one of the most renowned parts of London.
2.2 RH’s proposal for a new Crystal Palace - as part of an intended master plan for
the transformation of Crystal Palace Park and Crystal Palace Triangle – was
geared to that end.
2.3 There is very clear and expressed political support for the New Crystal Palace
from Cllr.Stephen Carr, Leader of Bromley Borough Council (the landowners) as
well as from Mike Fisher, Leader of Croydon Borough Council. A consensus
view is being sought with the LDA, GLA, Mayor of London and the other three
boroughs around the Park: Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.
2.4 With a development partner in place and a preferred contractor, RH’s goal is that
construction work will commence on Nov 30th 2011 (the 75th anniversary of the
burning down of the former Crystal Palace). The new Crystal Palace could then
rise during the 2012 London Olympics, thereby taking full advantage of the
global media exposure that that event will bring.
2.5 If the business community in and around the Triangle could be ready, the overall
beneficial effect could be unprecedented. The meeting welcomed this scenario
and agreed that the Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce must ensure that the
success that is now within reach is achieved.
2.6 SG joked that he was looking forward to tendering for the window cleaning
contract in the new Crystal Palace!
2.7 SN and AS reported on a recent 5 week long exhibition/consultation event at
CsPace Galleries in Church Road. Results of this very successful consultation
event showed almost total support for the new Crystal Palace Ltd.’s proposal for
a new Crystal Palace along the Parade with all but 5 of the 1700 attendees
registering keen support.




3 Specifics

3.1 In order to ensure success the Chamber has to be properly constituted with a
Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary (already appointed), Treasurer, Membership
Secretary all as part of a board fully elected and authorized to act on behalf of
Chamber members. RH proposed that an Annual General Meeting of members
be called when a board can be elected and officers appointed. This was agreed
by all present as was the date of August 5th - 6.45pm (Venue to be advised)
3.2 RH proposed that as an interim definition a member is defined as ‘anyone who
operates a business that is in the area or is of relevance to the area’. All
present were seen to meet that definition. Further consideration of the
qualification of membership could follow in due course. RH proposed that the
elected Chair should establish the agenda for meetings throughout the
subsequent year when specific subjects could be explored in depth. This
principle was agreed.
3.3 RH also saw the prospect of working groups focusing on specific issues so that
They could be properly researched, reported on and discussed with decisions
taken and implemented. This format was welcomed. GF offered to be responsible
for monitoring and reporting back on planning proposals in the area. Attendees
welcomed this offer. KCR proposed an ingenious way of enabling the Triangle to
become a fully integrated business and transport node. FL.said that we should be
careful not to go down the route of other local organisations that had ended up as
single issue groups.
3.4 All present wanted to see improvements in the pedestrian friendliness of the
Triangle and in particular Church Road. JG proposed an annual Crystal Palace
Festival as a show case for the business and broader community. All of these
ideas were welcomed. JG and KCR received a round of applause; JG for the
Crystal Palace Corner (the climax of some 8 years hard work) and KCR for his
transport node proposal.
3.5 Each would be included in future agenda and actioned accordingly.
3.6 RH reported that he had been attending the meetings of the recently formed
Business Partnership, the Chair of which was GR who was part of this meeting.
RH said that he greatly welcomed the Business Partnership’s initiative. GR
outlined its purpose and it was agreed that RH would invite its facilitator, Amber
Rusk who is also the Crystal Palace District Centre Manager, to speak to a
Chamber meeting very soon.
4 Conclusion
4.1 RH again thanked Gianni for allowing the Chamber to meet in his restaurant
and all present for their very helpful contributions
4.2 Date and Time of the next meeting: August 5th at 6.45pm Venue to be advised.
4.3 Distribution of minutes to all present.