Minutes of meeting 14th October 2008

CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Minutes of Main Meeting, 14 October 2008, Patrick's Bar, Westow Hill

Those present:

Ray Hall* (New Crystal Palace, chair)
Andrew Parfitt* (Honorary Secretary)
Vivienne Bartholomew (76 Vintage)
John Cooke (Amphlett Lissimore)
Will Ellner* (Joannas)
John Greatrex* (Sainsburys)
Geri Greene (JWPR)
Jenny Hall (New Crystal Palace Ltd)
Mervyn Hing (Silk Route)
Kanex (Pizza Express)
William Loque (The Exhibition Room)
Don Madgwick (abba cappa records)
Mark McLaughlan* (The White Hart)
Bradley Millington (Upper Norwood Joint Library)
Girish Mohile (Ray Hall Ltd.)
Stan Morris* (Shine Bright)
Sue Nagle* (Triangle Traders)
Dinesh Patel (Budgens)
Ahmet Rashit (Alistairs café/restaurant)
Gavin Rookledge (Rook's Books)
Jonathan Rowlandson (Jonathan Rowlandson Design)
Andy Stem (Bambino)
Chris Stewart* (Acorn Estates)
Joan Vernette (Friends Hair & Beauty)
Jacki Wadeson (JWPR)

* Management Committee

Apologies

Jane Watt

1. Introduction

Ray Hall welcomed all to this impressive venue. On 15th October 1988, "Crystal Palace Norwood Heights" by Audrey Hammond and Brian Dann was first published. So, it was a particular pleasure to welcome Audrey to present a slide show covering this book and the past 20 years.

Audrey's book encourages us all to get to know Crystal Palace better as a destination, for the place and its people. For Crystal Palace is a global brand and we need to try and understand better what constitutes its identity.

The festival day of 27th September was a great success. Some thousands of people came to what was largely a spontaneous community-based organisation. It displayed the range of people with talent in the local area. Bradley Millington was congratulated for the role of the Library that day.

The next festival would be on 29th November. Gavin Rookledge of the Crystal Palace Business Partnership would be helping to prepare. The theme would be "Stars", making the Triangle come alive in a way that is relevant to Christmas.

We should look to build up the momentum and substance for future festivals. We should make Crystal Palace The Destination for South London. And with London on the world stage for 2012 and beyond, we should put Crystal Palace on the London map and the global map.

Audrey would show in her presentation how she sees the area. How she as an artist notices different things, recording what they mean in Crystal Palace. She can help us to understand the identity of Crystal Palace as a place. So any changes we make should be anchored into this unique brand. When there is the opportunity, we should make tangible improvements so that Crystal Palace is more than ever a place people want to come to: the heart of South London.

Finally Ray congratulated Tamnag Thai for their "Britain in Bloom" award, and Andy Stem for one of Bambino's jackets appearing in Vogue, worn by Kate Moss.

2. Crystal Palace Presentation

Audrey said that when she arrived in Crystal Palace in 1956 after four years at art school, it was an urban village like Highgate. So much has disappeared since then; a terrible erosion.

Through the Crystal Palace Community Association, exhibitions such as "The Vanishing Triangle" and her artwork, Audrey has aimed to highlight the unique identity of the area and campaign for the preservation of that which remains.

For what was simply an area of woodland crossed by tracks in 1745 had by the early 19th century become a village. A few of these early two-storeyed cottages survive. From the mid-1850s the scale of development became much grander as the Crystal Palace brought trade and prosperity. Even after the Palace burned down in 1936, the commercial activity remained. Until the mid-1970s it was possible to find all the shops in the Triangle that one could wish. Subsequently much has changed, although at least Croydon's erstwhile plans for comprehensive redevelopment were not to be realised.

The pictures shown by Audrey illustrated some of what has been lost and what survives. They highlight features such as arched windows, lovely details and fine lettering which might otherwise be overlooked.

Particular points of interest include:

- the weatherboarded building in Westow Street, next to "The White Hart". This is probably a remnant of the original early 19th century pub. Now derelict, it would make a fantastic venue for an art gallery or arthouse cinema.

- the Library: very much the heart of the Triangle. We need to fight to keep the excellent level of service provided by the team.

- the benefits of keeping and restoring original decorations and shopfronts: so as to retain the unique character of Crystal Palace. Independent traders should make a stand against pressures for "ordinarification".

Ray thanked Audrey for a fascinating presentation. He asked what words people would use to describe the Triangle; responses were: "eclectic", "proud", "faded splendour", "village", "green", "eccentric", "charmingly scruffy", "resilient". He encouraged us all to fight to keep what remains, so that Crystal Palace became enhanced as a destination.

3. Any Other Business

For Christmas, Gavin said that stars would be a theme in the Triangle with the aim for businesses to include these in their window displays. Sue suggested having Christmas trees at each corner of the Triangle, with a Chamber of Commerce contribution. Also she said that the intention would be to have a Chamber Christmas Party.

Ray said the Business Partnership wondered whether a Christmas tree could go at the centre of each side of the Triangle on private land, e.g. the Albert pub, outside Sainsbury's and Bambino's. He said he would put to the Chamber's committee of management paying each venue £50 to cover electricity used.

Jacki Wadeson of JWPR shared her thoughts on stars and that she was researching what options there were. Jonathan Rowlandson said he could make metalwork stars. There was excitement about the idea. Sue said it would be great to raise money for children in need as part of the event because it so close to Christmas.

Ray thanked Patrick's for providing an excellent venue.

5. Next Meeting

Tuesday 11th November: 6.45 to 8.00 p.m at Amphlett Lissimore (corner of Westow Street and Church Road). John Greatrex would be giving a presentation as a discussion starter on a Crystal Palace Festival for 2009.

AGM August 2008

CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Minutes of Annual General Meeting 5 August 2008, Los Toreros, Westow Street

Those present:

Ray Hall (New Crystal Palace, chair)
Andrew Parfitt (Honorary Secretary)
Paul Bartholomew (76 Vintage)
Vivienne Bartholomew (76 Vintage)
Mario Charalambous (Mario 2 Bambos Barbers)
Sarah Dacre (Amphlett Lissimore)
Yemi Dada (Palace Estates)
Will Elner (Joannas)
Cllr. George Filbey (London Borough of Croydon)
Efisio Fronteddu (Mediterranea)
John Greatrex (Sainsburys)
Stephen Kaye (Thornton Springer)
Soula Rornak Marezewski (Los Toreros)
Mark McLaughlan (The White Hart)
Bradley Millington (Upper Norwood Joint Library)
Stan Morris (Shine Bright)
Sue Nagle (Triangle Traders)
Sami Naqui (Forty Seven)
K. Patel (Sefgroves Pharmacy)
AN Other (Sefgroves Pharmacy)
Frank Pons (Tamnag Thai)
Ahmet Rashit (Alistairs café)
Gavin Rookledge (Rooks Books)
Silke Rudolph (The Massage Practice)
Roger Sorell (proxy) (Café Sol/Palace News/Numidie)
Angela Stewart (Island Fusion)
Christopher Stewart (Acorn Estates)
Tim Taylor (Glitter and Twisted)

Apologies:

Please see list at end of minutes.

1. Introduction

Ray welcomed all present and said he was very encouraged by the turnout. He was glad to be able to return to an active role as chair following health problems.

Ray noted that the Chamber of Commerce is legally an association of members. Its constitution requires its members to have a business in the Crystal Palace area and to have paid the subscription. It also requires a Committee to be appointed to carry out management functions.

The subscription is currently £25 per annum.

2. Chairman's Report

Ray said that this is a crucial time in the history of Crystal Palace. The strength of the South London community and of local businesses is causing Crystal Palace to rise again. The aim should be for Crystal Palace to once again become a world destination.

There is also an opportunity for Crystal Palace to play a major role in the 2012 Olympics. For the GLA and the boroughs are keen for all of London to be showcased, especially places to the south and east.

Crystal Palace is special through its being at the intersection of five boroughs: Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Bromley. So it has the potential to unify these communities and become the centrepiece of South London.

The goal is for Crystal Palace to prepare for world class status. To achieve this, its businesses need to be organised, motivated and to believe in the possible. The Chamber and its management team provide a vital role in doing this, so that together we can ride the wave.

3. Financial Report

Ray said that the financial report received from Peter Runacres shows that the Chamber has a total of £4,521 in the bank. £3,014 is in a deposit account and £1,507 in a current account.

Ray noted that this is a great credit to all those who have contributed. Particular thanks are due to his predecessors.

He emphasised that it is important that all members put in their fee so as to build up the Chamber's funds. This will allow the Chamber to strengthen its role in promoting local business interests and making the most of all opportunities.

4. Election of Honorary Officers

The management team comprises seven official roles (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Planning and Solicitor) and others without portfolio. Ray invited people to put themselves forward and the following committee was approved by the meeting:

Chair: Ray Hall
Vice-Chair: Will Elner
Secretary: Andrew Parfitt
Treasurer: Stan Morris
Solicitor: Sarah Dacre
Planning: Cllr. George Filbey
Membership: Mark McLaughlan

Without Portfolio: Yemi Dada
Christopher Stewart
John Greatrex
Silke Rudolph

Ray thanked all these people, who would play a key role over the coming year in driving forward the Chamber’s objective of promoting local business interests.

5. Crystal Palace Business Partnership

Ray said that he had attended the 4 August meeting of the Business Partnership, chaired by Gavin. He invited Gavin to give a presentation on the Partnership as he was keen for the Chamber to work closely with it.

Gavin said that the Business Partnership had been established by Amber Rusk in the winter of 2007/08. It was still in its early stages but its role was to promote local businesses through tangible actions. For instance it had organised the "Love Our Shops" event of 21 June in Church Road and had supported activities such as the Alma Garden Market. Membership is open to all rate-paying businesses in Crystal Palace.

The Business Partnership has been striving to bring in a scheme in which grants and match funding would be provided for businesses in the Triangle for shopfronts, grills and any other improvements that would enhance the appearance of the area. Croydon Council has decided to delay the bringing in of this scheme for the time being and the Business Partnership is working to persuade the council to bring these improvements to Upper Norwood as soon as possible.

Gavin said that they are looking to extend the "Love Our..." events to two or three a year. Ray said that he is very supportive of this initiative and the meeting agreed to give it the formal endorsement of the Chamber. Gavin welcomed this and said he would be happy to receive suggestions for other "Love Our..." events.

Sue said that there was a need to avoid overlap. So she encouraged individual businesses to join the Chamber and it was agreed that Ray and Sue would represent the views of the Chamber at Business Partnership meetings.

The meeting agreed that Ray and Gavin should meet to discuss how the Business Partnership and the Chamber of Commerce could work together and be as efficient as possible in serving businesses in Crystal Palace.

6. Future Agenda Items

Ray said that so far the following suggestions had been received:

 Crystal Palace identity/brand: Ray Hall and Audrey Hammond (President of the Crystal Palace Community Association);
 One Way System: Cllr. George Filbey;
 Integrated Business Transport Node: Kevin Carlton-Reeves;
 Crystal Palace Festival: John Greatrex.
 Tramlink update.

He invited other suggestions. Sue proposed:

 Update on Crystal Palace Park;
 Conservation;
 Security and Policing.

It was agreed that Ray would work out a schedule for future meetings, which would incorporate further proposals for agenda items in due course.

Ray thanked Los Toreros and their staff for all their help in facilitating the event. The meeting closed at 8.05 p.m.

7. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 9 September; 6.45 to 8.00 p.m., downstairs at Patricks Bar , Westow Hill – near Lloyds Bank. Subsequently meetings will return to the first Tuesday of each month.

Apologies

Cllr. Jane Avis
Amber Rusk – Crystal Palace Business Partnership
CPDT Tracey Skillern

Bookseller Crow
Cash Point Systems
Coconut Trading
Conrad Fox
Crystal Pantry
D.Solos
Exhibition Rooms
Hollybush Stores
Jean Haley
Lawrences
Living Water
Lorenzos
MacDonalds Hardware Store
Palace Café
Patricks Bar
Rolfe & Jones
Quality Cleaners
Shout
Way Ahead

Minutes of Meeting 1st July 2008

Minutes of the Crystal Palace and Norwood Chamber of Commerce
July 1st 2008: 12 noon - At Il Ponte restaurant, 66, Westow Hill, SE19 1RX

Attendees
Ray Hall (RH) New Crystal Palace Ltd
J Bradley Millington (JBM) Upper Norwood Joint library
Mark Rolfe (MR) Estate Agent
Kevin Carlton-Reeves (KCR) transport consultant
Andy Stem (AS) Bambinos
Dave Jones (DJ) Estate Agent
Nick Christodoulou (NC) The Exhibition Rooms
Simon Sharville (SS) Shout Design
Vivienne Bartholomew (V ) 76 Vintage
Gavin Rookledge (GR) Rook’s Books
Stan Morris (SM) Shinebright
Cllr. George Filbey (GF) Local Councillor
Sara Dacre (SD) Solicitor
Frank Lissimore (FL) Amphlett Lissimore
John Greatrex (JG) Sainsbury’s
Sue Nagle (SN) Triangle Traders
Gianni Lecca(G..) Il Ponte

1 Introduction

1.1 RH as chair welcomed all present and thanked Gianni for allowing the Chamber
to meet in his restaurant. Il Ponte is an example of the very high standard of
business that is already on offer in Crystal Palace.
1.2 Each person present introduced themselves and the nature of the business they
operate.

1.3 Apologies had been received from:
Andrew Parfitt - Hollybush Stores - MacDonalds - D.Solos - Cash Point
Systems - Living Water - Bookseller Crow - Sefgroves Pharmacy - Quality
Cleaners – Sergios - Numidi - Allistaires Café - Palace Café - Conrad Fox - Cllr. Jane Avis - CPDT Tracey Skillern – Conrad Fox – Michael Jays



1.4 The minutes of the previous board meeting 6th march 2007were deemed a correct
record of what was said. RH referred to the Chamber’s newsletter where he
apologised for not being able to follow through his election as Chair at the 6th
March meeting due to illness. It has taken a year but he is now back to good
health. He thanked all present for their patience.

1.5 RH also confirmed his role as the MD of New Crystal Palace Ltd, a company that
intends to bring into being a new Crystal Palace on the top site of Crystal Palace
Park. He asked those present if they felt that the two roles conflicted in any way.
Nobody felt that they did.

2 Way Forward

2.1 RH pointed out that the name ‘Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce. Is made up
of two huge globally recognized brands; ‘Crystal Palace’ and ‘Chamber of
Commerce’ We should capitalize on this important branding. The business
community in the Crystal Palace area has an opportunity through the name ‘The
Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce’ to become a world class organisation in
one of the most renowned parts of London.
2.2 RH’s proposal for a new Crystal Palace - as part of an intended master plan for
the transformation of Crystal Palace Park and Crystal Palace Triangle – was
geared to that end.
2.3 There is very clear and expressed political support for the New Crystal Palace
from Cllr.Stephen Carr, Leader of Bromley Borough Council (the landowners) as
well as from Mike Fisher, Leader of Croydon Borough Council. A consensus
view is being sought with the LDA, GLA, Mayor of London and the other three
boroughs around the Park: Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.
2.4 With a development partner in place and a preferred contractor, RH’s goal is that
construction work will commence on Nov 30th 2011 (the 75th anniversary of the
burning down of the former Crystal Palace). The new Crystal Palace could then
rise during the 2012 London Olympics, thereby taking full advantage of the
global media exposure that that event will bring.
2.5 If the business community in and around the Triangle could be ready, the overall
beneficial effect could be unprecedented. The meeting welcomed this scenario
and agreed that the Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce must ensure that the
success that is now within reach is achieved.
2.6 SG joked that he was looking forward to tendering for the window cleaning
contract in the new Crystal Palace!
2.7 SN and AS reported on a recent 5 week long exhibition/consultation event at
CsPace Galleries in Church Road. Results of this very successful consultation
event showed almost total support for the new Crystal Palace Ltd.’s proposal for
a new Crystal Palace along the Parade with all but 5 of the 1700 attendees
registering keen support.




3 Specifics

3.1 In order to ensure success the Chamber has to be properly constituted with a
Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary (already appointed), Treasurer, Membership
Secretary all as part of a board fully elected and authorized to act on behalf of
Chamber members. RH proposed that an Annual General Meeting of members
be called when a board can be elected and officers appointed. This was agreed
by all present as was the date of August 5th - 6.45pm (Venue to be advised)
3.2 RH proposed that as an interim definition a member is defined as ‘anyone who
operates a business that is in the area or is of relevance to the area’. All
present were seen to meet that definition. Further consideration of the
qualification of membership could follow in due course. RH proposed that the
elected Chair should establish the agenda for meetings throughout the
subsequent year when specific subjects could be explored in depth. This
principle was agreed.
3.3 RH also saw the prospect of working groups focusing on specific issues so that
They could be properly researched, reported on and discussed with decisions
taken and implemented. This format was welcomed. GF offered to be responsible
for monitoring and reporting back on planning proposals in the area. Attendees
welcomed this offer. KCR proposed an ingenious way of enabling the Triangle to
become a fully integrated business and transport node. FL.said that we should be
careful not to go down the route of other local organisations that had ended up as
single issue groups.
3.4 All present wanted to see improvements in the pedestrian friendliness of the
Triangle and in particular Church Road. JG proposed an annual Crystal Palace
Festival as a show case for the business and broader community. All of these
ideas were welcomed. JG and KCR received a round of applause; JG for the
Crystal Palace Corner (the climax of some 8 years hard work) and KCR for his
transport node proposal.
3.5 Each would be included in future agenda and actioned accordingly.
3.6 RH reported that he had been attending the meetings of the recently formed
Business Partnership, the Chair of which was GR who was part of this meeting.
RH said that he greatly welcomed the Business Partnership’s initiative. GR
outlined its purpose and it was agreed that RH would invite its facilitator, Amber
Rusk who is also the Crystal Palace District Centre Manager, to speak to a
Chamber meeting very soon.
4 Conclusion
4.1 RH again thanked Gianni for allowing the Chamber to meet in his restaurant
and all present for their very helpful contributions
4.2 Date and Time of the next meeting: August 5th at 6.45pm Venue to be advised.
4.3 Distribution of minutes to all present.