Comments from Barkingside 21

“I just think Barkingside has had it!” So says a well known and much loved Barkingside High Street trader who is currently closing down his store. We wish him well in whatever venture awaits him. Where am I going to buy my fat balls now?Barkingside Home Hardware, Barnes Carpets, and Tootsies the childrens shoe shop are all closing down. The pound shop that recently took over from Harmony has been closed for at least a week. The old Halifax is still vacant and the Estate Agents just along the road has been abandoned. The Chequers pub owners have given up and it is being run temporarily by the Brewery pending a new landlord. Clinton Cards have a massive sale – is that normal? Or are they on the way out too? The advertising hoardings attached to our lampposts have been blank for months. We do though have a new Asian jewellers.So, what better time to remind everybody that on Monday week, 1st February at 7pm in the Aldborough Room, Fullwell Cross Library, there will be consultation meeting on Barkingside Town Centre’s future.Chaired by B21 this meeting will have on the panel Keith Prince, Leader of the Council, Mark Lucas and Matthew Maple [Planning Officers] and representatives from the consultants who have conducted a feasibility study. See the flyer here. 4,000 being delivered this weekend in this area.Note: I nicked the post title from Flesh is Grass, but she used it for a much happier purpose.

Barkingside Home Hardware

I returned from working away for a week yesterday to read in the Ilford Recorder that more local shops were having to cease trading including Barkingside Home Hardware. I was a regular customer at this shop and whilst not often a big spender, I enjoyed the polite, friendly and knowledgable service that I received and was always impressed by the wide and diverse range of goods stocked at very competitive prices. This morning (Sat 30th Jan) I’d hoped to pay one last visit to the store and wish the staff and owners well but was sad to see that I’d missed the opportunity to do so. I think its terrible that more is not being done to support local traders; especially those that have served this community well for many years if not decades. I have lived in this area most of my life (more than 40 years) and Barkingside is now in danger of suffering the same demise that the once flourishing Gants Hill did several years ago. Why is this being allowed to happen? At a time when much of my hard earned wages are being used to prop up failing banks that won’t even extend my overdraft facilities and rip me off at every opportunity, why isn’t more being done to help small businesses survive these harsh economic times? Yes I know the growth of the internet and superstores havn’t helped and I have used both and its easy to be seduced by them; but lately I have preferred to walk to local shops as much as possible. My car stays on the driveway so I am not burning expensive fuel which in turn is better for the environment. Also I can only purchase what I can carry so tend not to be encouraged by impulse buys which means I spend less! To the personnel of Barkingside Home Hardware; I wish you and your familes all well and hope that you can see better times. I thank you for your many years of service and will miss you. Dominic Malvern (Barkingside Resident)

A Vision for Barkingside

Officers in the Council's Planning and Regeneration Service have been working with consultants to develop an Improvement Plan for Barkingside Town Centre. The consultants will soon be in a position to report on the issues arising through the consultation, and to produce a draft action plan. This will be reported to the Council's Cabinet for final agreement in the New Year.

However before then, the Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee will consider the consultation process, the issues arising and proposals at its next meeting. This Scrutiny Committee meeting provides an opportunity for local people to hear about what is being proposed, and to question the consultants and officers.

A display highlighting some of the issues and proposals will be available for viewing from 5.45pm.

Come and see the proposals for your town centre!

at the next meeting of the Council's Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee

Thursday 10 December from 6.30pm

Ilford County High School, Fremantle Rd, Barkingside

For more information on this meeting – 020 8708 2554 or email.

Members of RedBAC launch the scheme

Members of RedBAC launch the scheme
CRIME-busting radios equipping traders with the tools to stop troublemakers in their tracks have been rolled out.

The radios let shopkeepers communicate with fellow traders, on-duty police officers and the CCTV control centre in Ley Street, Ilford, at just the press of a button.

The introduction of the handsets last week in High Street, Barkingside, is an extension of the Redbridge Business Against Crime (RedBAC) scheme, which has been a roaring success in Ilford Town Centre.

RedBAC partnership coordinator Reg Woda said: "It's the piece of glue that brings them (the traders) all together for a common problem: to protect customers and staff."

Twelve High Street shopkeepers have already signed up to the scheme, which has been part-funded by area committee three.

The scheme also allows traders to share pictures, statistics and other reports allowing them to spot known criminals and work out times when their shops are most vulnerable.

Sgt Chris Chandler, of Fairlop Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "By joining RedBAC and the Town Link radio scheme, these businesses are making a significant contribution to making Barkingside an even safer place to shop.

 

NOW THIS IS WHAT ALL COUNCILS MUST DO AND THE

 GOVERNMENT.

Now this is really interesting and the most cheering news I've read

this year - someone prepared to fight back.

A maverick mayor elected after promising to slash council spending,

clear the streets of yobs and ditch politically correct services is the torchbearer for how towns should be run.

On his first morning as Mayor of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, Peter  Davies cut his salary from £73,000 to £30,000 then closed the council's

newspaper for "peddling politics on the rates".

Now three weeks into his job, Mr Davies is pressing ahead with plans  that he hopes will see the number of town councillors cut from 63 to

just 21, saving taxpayers £800,000. Mr Davies said: "If 100 senators

can run the United States of America, I can't see how 63 councillors are

needed to run Doncaster".

He has withdrawn Doncaster from the Local Government Association and

the Local Government Information Unit, saving another £200,000.
Mr  Davies said, "They are just talking shops".

Next Doncaster is in for some serious un-twinning. He said, "We are  twinned with probably nine other cities and twinning is just an excuse  for people to fly off and have a binge at the ratepayers expense".
Also, the mayor's chauffeur-driven car has also been axed by Mr Davies  and the driver given another job.

Mr Davies, born and bred in Doncaster, swept to power in the May

election with 24,244 votes as a candidate for the English Democrats,

a party that proposes tight immigration curbs, an English Parliament

and a law forcing every public building to fly the flag of St. George.

He has promised to end council funding for Doncaster's

International Women's Day, Black History Month and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month. He said, "Politicians have got

completely out of touch with what people want. We need to cut costs. I want to  pass on some of savings I make in reduced taxes and use the rest for  things we really need, like improved children's services".

Mr Davies has received messages from well wishers across the country

and abroad as news of his no-nonsense approach spreads.

 

---

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Poundland buys 12 Woolworths stores

Budget retail chain scoops a dozen former Woolworths sites along with more than 100 ex-employees as part of its expansion plans.

Poundland has secured 12 stores from Woolworth's store portfolio and taken on more than 100 of the failed high street chain's former employees.

The all-for-£1 retailer, which said it plans to become 'Britain's next Woolies' has aggressive expansion plans, aiming to open nearly 40 stores in the coming year and creating more than 1,000 new jobs.

Poundland revealed it experienced record sales last year as the recession draws new customers to its stores. The company's executive, Jim McCarthy said he is pleased that Poundland has filled the gap left by Woolworths and proud to have been able to employ 'so many ex-Woolworths staff'.

Woolworths to close all stores by January 5 [UPDATED]

Woolworths to close all stores by January 5 [UPDATED]

Staff informed of retailer’s decision to close doors for the final time in New Year after administrators fail to find a buyer.

Administrator Deloitte has confirmed that all 807 Woolworths stores will close by January 5.

The financial specialist has abandoned its attempts to find a buyer for the retail chain Woolworths or entertainment distribution arm EUK as a going concern.

Closures will commence on December 27 with 200 stores shutting their doors, followed by another 200 on December 30. This will continue on January 2 and 5.

A total of 27,000 full-time and temporary staff will lose their jobs across the stores.

Branch managers received the news by email. They were informed not to speak to the press and the branch diyweek.net contacted had been given very little information about its future.

The distribution centres supporting the stores, which employ around 500 staff are likely to close before the end of December.

It has been confirmed that 300 of the stores are still 'under offer', with bids from a number of food, clothing and discount retailers. Deloitte revealed that there is also 'considerable interest' in the other 500 stores.

All employees will be paid until the end of December and the administrators have said that 'staff will be retained for a period following the store closures'.

Deloitte added: "The administrators are working closely with the Redundancy Payments Office and Job Centre Plus to provide support for all staff, which will include a fast track process for paying redundancy entitlements."

Neville Kahn, joint administrator at Deloitte said: “Whilst negotiations for the sale of Woolworths’ retail arm remain ongoing, and we continue to speak to new interested parties, regrettably we have had to begin a store closure programme. We are extremely grateful to the staff and management for their support throughout this difficult time.

“We are confident that we will sell the leases of the 300 stores currently under offer and are hopeful that our ongoing discussions with other parties will also prove successful.”

Meanwhile the closing down sale continues across the stores, with discounts of 20%-60%. 50 million new stock items will be received into stores this week where further discounts will be applied in due course.

Woolworths to close all stores by January 5 [UPDATED]

Woolworths to close all stores by January 5 [UPDATED]

Staff informed of retailer’s decision to close doors for the final time in New Year after administrators fail to find a buyer.

 

 

 

Administrator Deloitte has confirmed that all 807 Woolworths stores will close by January 5.

 

The financial specialist has abandoned its attempts to find a buyer for the retail chain Woolworths or entertainment distribution arm EUK as a going concern.

 

Closures will commence on December 27 with 200 stores shutting their doors, followed by another 200 on December 30. This will continue on January 2 and 5.

 

A total of 27,000 full-time and temporary staff will lose their jobs across the stores.

 

Branch managers received the news by email. They were informed not to speak to the press and the branch diyweek.net contacted had been given very little information about its future.

 

The distribution centres supporting the stores, which employ around 500 staff are likely to close before the end of December.

 

It has been confirmed that 300 of the stores are still 'under offer', with bids from a number of food, clothing and discount retailers. Deloitte revealed that there is also 'considerable interest' in the other 500 stores.

 

All employees will be paid until the end of December and the administrators have said that 'staff will be retained for a period following the store closures'.

 

Deloitte added: "The administrators are working closely with the Redundancy Payments Office and Job Centre Plus to provide support for all staff, which will include a fast track process for paying redundancy entitlements."

 

Neville Kahn, joint administrator at Deloitte said: “Whilst negotiations for the sale of Woolworths’ retail arm remain ongoing, and we continue to speak to new interested parties, regrettably we have had to begin a store closure programme. We are extremely grateful to the staff and management for their support throughout this difficult time.

 

“We are confident that we will sell the leases of the 300 stores currently under offer and are hopeful that our ongoing discussions with other parties will also prove successful.”

 

Meanwhile the closing down sale continues across the stores, with discounts of 20%-60%. 50 million new stock items will be received into stores this week where further discounts will be applied in due course.    

FW: Vote for Redbridge's Parks

 

 

Vote for Redbridge's Parks
Help win £400,000 each for Fairlop Waters and Goodmayes Park. Grants will be awarded to the London parks that recieve the most public votes. Go to www.london.gov.uk/parksvote and vote for our parks.
The Mayor of London has short-listed these as Priority Parks. Grants will be awarded to parks that recieve the most public votes. Redbridge has fantastic parks and open spaces for relaxation, sport, nature, children's play and organised activities.
Help swing the vote for Redbridge's Parks
The bid money would be used at Fairlop Waters to: develop the venue into a state of the art attraction offering a mix of sports and leisure activities, including sailing and climbing  improve footpaths and cycle ways create artist-designed gateways protect its amazing wildlife.
A popular vote for Goodmayes Park could: make a cleaner, more welcoming natural space develop new flower beds improve entrances and information for all provide an outdoor gym
Go to www.london.gov.uk/parksvote and vote! In addition to voting online you can also vote by text message: Text PARKS followed by your full POSTCODE to 62967* *Texts cost 10p plus your standard network rate
You have been sent this email as part of a London Borough of Redbridge distribution list. If you no longer wish to recieve emails from this source then please click here.

Some of you may be aware that Fullwell SNT has been doing a lot of work relating to bogus callers.

 

One particular area of concern was raised by Tracey at the last Ward Panel meeting and relates to a male calling door-to-door claiming to be a Fireman and selling raffle tickets in aid of a daughter suffering from leukaemia. Both these claims are false. This has also been featured in the Ilford Recorder.

 

As the direct result of our work the same suspect has been arrested twice for these offences, and he has now been charged with several matters. He was taken to court in custody but subsequently granted bail. As this matter is subject to current court proceedings I am limited to what I can say at this stage, but I am certain you will be hearing a great deal more about this in the New Year.

 

We have since received similar reports of a male calling at doors in the Fullwell area selling raffle tickets for a daughter with leukaemia. Whilst the most recent reports do not feature the Fireman aspect they are strikingly similar in method to the previous offences. At this stage we are unable to identify the caller as being one in the same with the person on bail, otherwise he would already be arrested. If it is however, and we are able to apprehend him committing further offences, we would not only have the further offences, but also a possible breach of conditional bail to take back before the court.

 

The male from the most recent incidents is described as a white male, aged 35-40, 5 ft 6 inches tall, with short dark brown hair, scruffy appearance. The tickets offered for sale are standard cloakroom tickets. The common theme is the claim to be collecting on behalf of a daughter suffering with leukaemia.

 

Please circulate this information as widely as possible and inform your members that if the suspect is still there or nearby a 999 call is justified. Officers responding should be aware of the situation, but it would also be helpful if the caller could mention the SN interest and the Recorder article to assist the call centre staff. If anyone has further information, or reports of a more historical nature, please call the team on 020 8721 2570 as normal.

 

NWW members responding to the work of the SN Team and others have already secured significant success in this area, and we are grateful for your continued help.

 

Chris Chandler PS 18JI

Fullwell SNT

FW: Bogus Caller and Raffle Tickets

 

Dear Panel Members/NHW Coordinators,

Some of you may be aware that Fullwell SNT has been doing a lot of work relating to bogus callers.

One particular area of concern was raised by Tracey at the last Ward Panel meeting and relates to a male calling door-to-door claiming to be a Fireman and selling raffle tickets in aid of a daughter suffering from leukaemia. Both these claims are false. This has also been featured in the Ilford Recorder.

As the direct result of our work the same suspect has been arrested twice for these offences, and he has now been charged with several matters. He was taken to court in custody but subsequently granted bail. As this matter is subject to current court proceedings I am limited to what I can say at this stage, but I am certain you will be hearing a great deal more about this in the New Year.

We have since received similar reports of a male calling at doors in the Fullwell area selling raffle tickets for a daughter with leukaemia. Whilst the most recent reports do not feature the Fireman aspect they are strikingly similar in method to the previous offences. At this stage we are unable to identify the caller as being one in the same with the person on bail, otherwise he would already be arrested. If it is however, and we are able to apprehend him committing further offences, we would not only have the further offences, but also a possible breach of conditional bail to take back before the court.

The male from the most recent incidents is described as a white male, aged 35-40, 5 ft 6 inches tall, with short dark brown hair, scruffy appearance. The tickets offered for sale are standard cloakroom tickets. The common theme is the claim to be collecting on behalf of a daughter suffering with leukaemia.

Please circulate this information as widely as possible and inform your members that if the suspect is still there or nearby a 999 call is justified. Officers responding should be aware of the situation, but it would also be helpful if the caller could mention the SN interest and the Recorder article to assist the call centre staff. If anyone has further information, or reports of a more historical nature, please call the team on 020 8721 2570 as normal.

NWW members responding to the work of the SN Team and others have already secured significant success in this area, and we are grateful for your continued help.

Chris Chandler PS 18JI
Fullwell SNT

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Last credit insurer pulls out of Woolworths

High street chain’s woes deepen as Corface withdraws cover for suppliers amid concerns for retailer’s financial health.

French insurer Corface has now withdrawn its cover to Woolworth's suppliers. The news follows that of Euler Hermes and Atradius, which had already taken similar steps.

There are fears over the future of the business with no big credit insurers now covering suppliers of the retailer, which will no doubt result in disruptions to the supply chain.

It is common practise for businesses, such as Woolworths, to pay for goods as much as 90 days after receiving them, meaning wholesalers are often inclined to take out insurance to cover them if the company struggles to foot the bill.

With wholesalers unable to take out insurance with Woolworths, they may start to insist on quicker payment or even cease supply altogether, having a knock-on effect on the retailer's cash flows.

However, a spokesman for the company said that Woolworths, "is comfortable with the financial and cash position of the group".

He added: "A substantial proportion of Woolworth's Retail suppliers have traditionally operated without credit insurance and we are confident that we will be able to ensure a successful Christmas for all our suppliers and customers."

Corface has also withdrawn its cover to suppliers of sports retailer JJB.

Your Barkingside

Buy Tickets Here...

NHW info on scam

Below is a scam reported to be operating in the west of the Borough. So far we have had no similar reports, but it could come this way. To date there have only been two victims but  both are elderly, so whilst not prevalent it is of considerable concern.

This is how it works:

A female phones the victim claiming to be from the bank and states there is a problem with the victims bank card and that the card needs to be collected.

A male attends the address purporting to be from a cab company to collect and deliver the card to the bank.

One victim handed over the card and has had over £1000 taken from their account.

The second victim refused to hand over the card when the "taxi" arrived .

On the occasion the card was handed over the female rang back and asked for the validation code on the rear of the card.

Any information on this to us please on 020 8721 2570, unless a suspect is present or nearby in which case it easily justifies 999.

Chris Chandler PS 18JI

London Low Emission Zone

This scheme commenced on 4 February but from 7 July 2008, it will be extended to include additional vehicles. The whole of the Greater London area has been designated a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards are required to pay a £200 daily charge to drive within the zone or risk a £1000 Penalty Notice Charge.

 

The current LEZ applies to all diesel engined lorries over 12 tonnes but in future the LEZ will apply:            

From 7 July 2008 to all diesel engined lorries between 3.5 and 12 tonnes and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes with more than 9 seats;

From 4 October 2010 to all diesel engined vans over 1.205 tonnes and minibuses under 5 tonnes with more than 9 seats.

For further information, Transport for London (TfL) has set up a dedicated enquiries service (0845 607 0009) to help vehicle owners and operators understand what the LEZ means for them and what they have to do to comply with the scheme. TfL’s website www.tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon also provides detailed information about the LEZ.

 

 

 

Retail Scene

Boots and Majestic Wine have both reported strong sales and pre-tax profits but there has been some disturbing news from both Land of Leather and ScS Upholstery as they seek rights issues to bail them out of trouble. ScS is valued at just £3.5m compared with £190m two years ago. These two companies reflect the torrid time that furniture retailers are currently experiencing as consumers defer from making big ticket purchases.

 

BRC reported that like-for-like sales for May were up 1.9% on last year. This made welcome reading after two consecutive months where sales had declined on the same period in 2007. London reported strong growth up 8.2%, with Europeans capitalising on the strong euro, whilst US and Japanese visitors are still feeling the exchange pinch.