IS there an epidemic of shops/cafes/kebab places shutting down in Green Lanes?

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on April 10, 2009 at 0:39

It's actually similar in the city, but I suspect it's just a hangover from last week's "protests".

I would like the government to legislate to stop it. Failing that, crowbars at dawn.

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Permalink Reply by Sapphireblue on April 10, 2009 at 0:43

how can u legislate 2 stop businesses from shutting down or am I missing yr antipodean humour here?

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on April 10, 2009 at 10:38

Ummm... I'm not that thick :)

I mean legislate to stop them being boarded up. Fine, close it and paint the windows white but this is all about confidence and a high street full of boarded up shops is not what we want.

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Permalink Reply by matt on April 10, 2009 at 11:19

I wondered if Ali Babas was in the process of closing. Doesn't surprise me, the food was below par as was the service. Those shops along Green Lanes that invest in a fresh look, even a coat of paint and provide excellent service should pull through the downturn (e.g. Flame Restaurant). Maybe Ali's is about to go through a refurb, but there are a lot of kebab places so a few will fall by the wayside.

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Permalink Reply by Sapphireblue on April 10, 2009 at 13:54

Well as a veggie it doesn't bother me too much anyway, although I do love turkish lentil soup, which they all sell! but there does seem to be a lot shutting up shop at this end! How about some HoLs getting together and taking over a business for something else..... health food??? Good coffee and pastries? Something/anything that does not involve those ghastly technicolor photos of dishes of congealing cooked food being stuck to the windows!
Although I was told by a local criminal justice person that all the shops further down have to pay towards 'protection'.....which is a bit scary...does that also mean not just anyone can take over those shops?

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Permalink Reply by matt on April 12, 2009 at 13:40

On the way to the watering hole last night I counted up no less than 7 businesses closed down and that is just on that small stretch of shops, from the Queens Head to Fairfax. That's 50% down and out.

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Permalink Reply by Anette on April 12, 2009 at 20:51

It's just badly run / not very good shops that are feeling the crunch I suppose. Happens everywhere.
Agree with John though, they should not be boarded up.

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