Chatting to one of the waiters in Hala restaurant the other night, I learned that the Gokyuzu restaurant is planning to expand into the long unoccupied Fords shop next door. One more historic shop front bites the dust:
It’s a difficult one as it is a nice sign, but it has been empty for ages, and (frankly) a bit tatty looking. Perhaps we should be glad some productive use is being made of it rather than it sitting empty. Coming from a northern town where large parts of the town centre are boarded up and closed down I think this is preferable.
I have sympathy with your pov Justin. I'm just saddened that this is one of the last vestiges of our high street's street level history. High streets which have managed to preserve their heritage tend to be much nicer places to occupy. Fords could be done up and made to look less tatty, but it would be rather a case of putting a finger in the damn after the damn has burst.
Might be worth emailing the heritage conservation dept at Haringey Council? maybe they can help, sometimes they have grants for doing up frontages and in this case perhaps it could be covered rather than ripped off?
This may be a bit of an outside chance, but could Gokyuzu be sounded out on whether they'd consider retaining elements of the historic frontage when they move in?
Excellent, another kebab joint with a tacky sign. Just lovely. It's a real shame, but as we can't even stop betting shop no 15 or what it is opening, what can we do about this?
They will need to apply for a change of use from A1 (Shop) to A3 (Restaurant) so if you keep your eyes peeled you will be able to object when they apply for planning permission. They'll also need permission to alter the frontage (as a separate planning application)
I don't usually knock the area I live in, but coincidentally, I came back yesterday from a few days on the Continent and took the 41 from Tottenham Hale to Turnpike Lane. The contrast between the clean lines, homogeneity and good taste of the streets and shopfronts in a small town in Germany and the eyesore mess that is West Green Road and Green Lanes was really depressing.