Forum Topic

What has happened to the High Street??

I’ve been away for a year and it looks like a slum.

Mark Chelverton ● 984d24 Comments

Well done and good luck guys.  There's nothing like going and doing something about what is bothering you (within reason and the law)!

Philippa Bond ● 978d

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_improvement_district

Philippa Bond ● 979d

No it's Putney High Street.

Barbara Stevens ● 980d

Arguments need to focus upon why Council services are not maintaining Putney's High Street in cleanliness and order and why Positively Putney provides such poor work for our main thoroughfare. Also, why the Putney Bid has so little interest in Putney's residents and indeed visitors, and of course - where does the money go?

Miles Thompson ● 980d

So Putney isn't in UK now?

Philippa Bond ● 980d

Hello Matt,I looked at the link you gave and the photograph really says it all!!Quite honestly, I would say that the Putney BID "could do much better" as school reports used to say. I should think many businesses voted in favour of them in a hope and prayer that things will improve on PHS.The Hight Street needs improving enormously - dare I say gigantically!I, for one, would be in favour or replacing the slabs on the pavements for some that are more stain proof and for a contract for cleaning the High Street a few times a day.  Would you agree?

Ivonne Holliday ● 980d

Thanks, Matt

Michael Ixer ● 980d

Again i have no opinion but if it's so bad for local businesses why did they vote to renew the mandate??https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/2021-news/news-november-2021/another-five-years-for-the-putney-bid/

Matt Palmer ● 980d

Putney Philippa, Putney Philippa.

Barbara Stevens ● 980d

I'm told that the US version is better but who knows?Remember that there is also the neoliberal idea of rolling back the state.

Philippa Bond ● 980d

On what basis does Putney BID derive its mandate? Presumably it was created under the auspices of the previous Condervative council. Should Labour party members seek to have it disbanded if within the current council's remit? Sorry, I know it exists but not sure of the details and where it derives any legal authority. 

Michael Ixer ● 980d

We are a Business Improvement District, run by Nicola  Grant who lives outside the Borough and gone Awol for last 6 months. She takes a levy from businesses and shops,on behalf of Putney BID, who are forced to join, and then uses LBW  enforcement notices to shut businesses if they can't pay. My local Thamesfield Councillor is on the BID board (with £1 million budget) and complicit. No one does anything as most business owners like Russell Cooke live outside the Borough. They do nothing for PHS apart from a few planters, and dead plants, unused parklets etc, destroyed Putney, no one shops here, we go to sheen and Richmond, fab fully stocked Waitrose,And much cleaner. E and OE, sure others will have an alternative rose tinted view of a complete disaster for residents and shop keepers alike

Penelope Becker ● 980d

I appreciate that residents want to get involved in improving things but it should be emphasised that organisations such as Wandsworth Council have a responsibility to do the job for which they receive public funding. Positively Putney need not be included in the equation as they focus on businesses and Putney High Street would not miss their lack lustre efforts.

Miles Thompson ● 981d

Hi Mark,Sorry my wife is out on Wednesday so I am in charge of kids.If you email me on nick.gulliford@cbre.com we can hopefully try and arrange something!Cheers Nick

Nick Gulliford ● 982d

Ms Becker 'We have a new Labour council, may explain a lot'Give them a chance! They were only elected in May. I suspect there are more important issues eg social services (lack of, inherited from the Conservatives) than Putney High Street.

Lucille Grant ● 982d

Now we're talking!  Bravo Nick! I can do Wednesday 12th Oct but no Fridays for a while.  We need to decide on priorities ... what do you think? And who else is in?

Mark Chelverton ● 982d

Mark, I’d be keen to help out whenever you fancy. Fridays are good for me as I work from home that day.Let me know a date and time. Even if just us two turn up. It’s a good idea and be interesting to see who else turns up. Next Friday 14th at 10.00 am is good for me? Bring what you want.

Nick Gulliford ● 982d

We have a new Labour council, may explain a lot, also Putney BID does absolutely nothing, and doesn't publish accounts of where the million quid is spent, but takes  money off businesses by way of a levy and threatens legal action if they don't / can't pay, look  at latest BID newsletter.. Bit like that Cant Pay, we'll take it away.....

Penelope Becker ● 982d

I think you’re right. I grew up in this place and I hate to see it like this. It looks like it’s given up. If the Council won’t take steps to improve it I think we have to go vigilante. If that means uprooting dead plants and replacing, let’s do it. If it means taking brooms to the streets let’s do it. The community … if we still are one … needs to assert itself. How do we begin?

Mark Chelverton ● 982d

The poor state of Putney High Street represents a matter that continues to reoccur on this forum! Whilst collapsing businesses and empty premises are common phenomena on high streets throughout Britain the lack of street cleaning and the tatty plant displays, some of which at the time of writing are dead or exist as empty containers that once displayed plants (as is the case by the station) are representative of Putney High Street.  Wandsworth Council is not prepared to tackle the cleaning issue effectively and Positively Putney provides dismal foliage that is not properly maintained. Where are the groups/organisations that care about cleanliness and presenting a cheerful thoroughfare for residents and visitors - there is no visible evidence at the time of writing that they want to improve or even visit Putney's deteriorating High Street.

Miles Thompson ● 982d

I've seen going towards Heathbridge Surgery a man driven pavement cleaner, does it not go down the High Street. Also not that I use the Taxi but now you hardly ever see Taxi's parked in Werter Road. It must be dangerous for Blind people if they know if they are in the road or on a pavement now the High St has been changed.

Barbara Stevens ● 982d

Yawn.

Matt Palmer ● 983d

What a sad loser you are. A self loather to boot. It's funny to watch .

Paul Rolink ● 983d

Welcome to Broken Brexit Britain?

Matt Palmer ● 984d