Forum Topic

Pnorama & Putney High Street

'The High Street remains dominated by three types of business: fast food restaurants, vape shops and nail bars. It’s an image in such contrast with Putney’s demographics that the Panorama TV programme is considering making us a test case for what’s gone wrong with Britain’s High Streets.' (Putney News August 14th 2026) The possibility of Putney High Street featuring in such a TV programme cannot come as a surprise to many residents in Putney. Might this though make Wandsworth Council do something about the amount of rubbish, perennially filthy pavements, disgraceful litter bins, dead foliage in redundant planters and what appears to the ghost of the much vaunted Oxygen Tree - the latter two issues having as yet to cause Councillor Brooks to provide a coherent explanation after my various attempts via email. Can an alternative view of these matters be posited I wonder?

Miles Thompson ● 23h6 Comments

Yes agree, in one of the charity shop windows there was  Vivian Westwood white blouse, which didn't stand out rather tatty £189.00. who in the shop actually puts the prices on the items.

Barbara Stevens ● 2h

The date for this programme (which I hope does appear) has not as yet been announced. Re charity shops - prices in Putney charity shops are sometimes very far above the value of the items.

Miles Thompson ● 2h

I agree with Miles and Laura. Laura, I think shop signs should be more strictly controlled. 
Richard, re charity shops, the British Heart Foundation is closing about 150 of its charity shops.  The one on PHS has closed and I don’t know if it will reopen elsewhere on PHS. 

Martine Guy ● 2h

Absolutely spot on, Miles. Wandsworth Council have a lot to answer for when it comes to the degradation of PHS. I also think shop signage should be taken into consideration - and more strictly controlled. When you look up above street level, the majority of buildings along PHS are actually beautiful red brick Victorian-style buildings dating back to the 1880s, yet businesses are ruining the aesthetic. This article makes for an interesting read and features some inspiring case studies: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/high-street-historic-england-renovations-shops-b2718676.htmlWandsworht Council - take note!

Laura Kaye ● 5h

When will this programme be on or is it the one aired in April 2026?Thank you!

Ivonne Holliday ● 20h

Don't forget the fourth group, Miles: charity shops. And in my view, they are a positive group, usefully recycling material instead of selling new stuff.

Richard Carter ● 21h