Brixton news, rumour and general chat - June 2014

[kikiscrumbles]

ooooooooooooooooh! this little film [not bad!] that Lambeth has put out has reminded me just how ace the Country Show is



So much so that I've just foolishly and recklessly entered the Scarecrow Contest. Yipes. Four years ago I illegally 'entered' a vegetable sculpture that remained on the winners' table all weekend - snuck it behind the Jeremy Clarkson car. It was really only a funny carrot with too many legs that I stuck some googly eyes onto, and a jape. I thought of it as a startled road traffic / Clarkson bile victim. Apologies to any serious entrants who might have been offended by my tomfoolery.

 

[kikiscrumbles]

I might try to come along on Tuesday, even though I'm shy and have never met any of you so won't know who / where you are [except for Ed - I bought him some pints at the Albert on the day Thatch snuffed it - tho I'm sure many others did too - that was a wicked night]. Any advice? Will anybody be wearing carnations / holding furled umbrellas etc?

 

[Onket]

I've reserved the front room from 4pm so, in theory, the people in there should all be off here.

The only problems with that are people who want to watch England's pointless last game against Costa Rica will be watching it in the big room at the back and people who want to sit in the blazing sunshine will be outside at the front.

PM me and you can have my number if you want. That goes for everyone.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Brixton Hatter - do you still need someone.. gaijinboy will play if so.

Excellent, cheers, I've texted him.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

If you are still short of a player count me in. PM sent.

you're in!

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Very tempted to offer my services too

Come on down!

pm sent

 

[Manter]

Blimey, will this be the world's biggest 5 a side team?!

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Blimey, will this be the world's biggest 5 a side team?!

It's actually normally 6-a-side that we play - slightly less running to do!

I think we have 11 or 12 now…not sure if leanderman is coming or not.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I've reserved the front room from 4pm so, in theory, the people in there should all be off here.

The only problems with that are people who want to watch England's pointless last game against Costa Rica will be watching it in the big room at the back and people who want to sit in the blazing sunshine will be outside at the front.

What about people who want to watch Italy-Uruguay?

 

[Onket]

Good question.

 

[leanderman]

It's actually normally 6-a-side that we play - slightly less running to do!

I think we have 11 or 12 now…not sure if leanderman is coming or not.

Sorry. Poor form in every sense.

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

you're in!

That was brilliant, tough workout especially in that heat. I felt like i was in Brazil. Pleased with my first effort, could not have done that a few months ago. Ferndale Community Sports Centre is a fantastic local facility. Thanks for the invite, will play again.

 

[editor]

There's a very loud vocalist blasting out at the Somerleyton Road event. Can't say it's enticing me over.

 

[nagapie]

Fair play to them they have now apologised to me. Back in my good books.

Apparently all the food places send their customers to Nour to use the free cash machine, which leaves it empty for Nour customers.

I always pop in to get money when I'm out and in the area. I assume they're going to put a 'customers only' sign on it because otherwise you'd just assume it was for anyone like other shop machines.

I'll be at the Effra around 8 on Tuesday, probably sitting in the front (although I wish they'd get their fabled back outside space open) if the weather report is correct.

 

[Rushy]

I always pop in to get money when I'm out and in the area. I assume they're going to put a 'customers only' sign on it because otherwise you'd just assume it was for anyone like other shop machines.

I'll be at the Effra around 8 on Tuesday, probably sitting in the front (although I wish they'd get their fabled back outside space open) if the weather report is correct.

Is that going to happen? Reckon it will be too full on for the neighbours. There are about 30 flats with windows within touching distance of that garden.

 

[nagapie]

Is that going to happen? Reckon it will be too full on for the neighbours. There are about 30 flats with windows within touching distance of that garden.

I heard rumours but a long time ago, maybe that's why it hasn't happened. I hate sitting on Effra Rd/Tulse Hill.

 

[Rushy]

I heard rumours but a long time ago, maybe that's why it hasn't happened. I hate sitting on Effra Rd/Tulse Hill.

I think the manager is pretty conscious that it could be very intrusive and a big problem. I imagine they already have problems with the flat next to the front garden.

 

[cuppa tee]

Disgusted to hear that Lambeth Council are hitting the Happy Shop convenience store on Brixton Road with a license review.
These guys are a proper community shop with a wide range of products and they often go the extra mile for customers
things such as carrying shopping home for pensioners. The recent opening of a Tesco Metro in the
old Russell Hotel was one thing but now the council are threatening them with action, no details but I am told that
a council official told them they would like them to stop selling single cans which they declined to do, still waiting to read
the reasons for this review but my cynical nature makes me wonder if handing Tesco a virtual monopoly on alchohol sales in this
area is part of the plan.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Disgusted to hear that Lambeth Council are hitting the Happy Shop convenience store on Brixton Road with a license review.
These guys are a proper community shop with a wide range of products and they often go the extra mile for customers
things such as carrying shopping home for pensioners. The recent opening of a Tesco Metro in the
old Russell Hotel was one thing but now the council are threatening them with action, no details but I am told that
a council official told them they would like them to stop selling single cans which they declined to do, still waiting to read
the reasons for this review but my cynical nature makes me wonder if handing Tesco a virtual monopoly on alchohol sales in this
area is part of the plan.

Apparently two undercover licensing officials went in and saw three bottles of duty free (i.e. not properly HMRC licensed) tequila on sale. Plus another "unspecified breach of licensing conditions." That's why. There's a sign on the lampost outside.

Sounds like the same kind of shit the House of Bottles had to deal with: a bit of local anti-social behaviour blamed on an off licence, who are then hassled over alleged minor licence breaches.

 

[cuppa tee]

Apparently two undercover licensing officials went in and saw three bottles of duty free (i.e. not properly HMRC licensed) tequila on sale. Plus another "unspecified breach of licensing conditions." That's why. There's a sign on the lampost outside.

Sounds like the same kind of shit the House of Bottles had to deal with: a bit of local anti-social behaviour blamed on an off licence, who are then hassled over alleged minor licence breaches.

I saw the sign on the lamp post but didnt have time to read it fully, one thing I do know is that I have seen them refuse service to "problematic" looking individuals and they are very conscious of that element because they are also inclined to nick stuff, I might be missing something but street drinking doesnt seem to be a problem round there, and as for the tequila those undercover guys must have good eyesight because all that stuff is kept well out of reach and high up..... `I use this shop often and it is by no means a dodgy place and the guys who run it are very community minded

 

[mxh]

but my cynical nature makes me wonder if handing Tesco a virtual monopoly on alchohol sales in this
area is part of the plan.

Not cynical I was thinking the same thing.

Though I would not mind if only pubs were allowed to sell alcohol, never really drink at home (or street).

And Tesco's still going down the pan, in financial terms.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

I saw the sign on the lamp post but didnt have time to read it fully, one thing I do know is that I have seen them refuse service to "problematic" looking individuals and they are very conscious of that element because they are also inclined to nick stuff, I might be missing something but street drinking doesnt seem to be a problem round there, and as for the tequila those undercover guys must have good eyesight because all that stuff is kept well out of reach and high up..... `I use this shop often and it is by no means a dodgy place and the guys who run it are very community minded

Yep - they were my local shop for 6 or 7 years and they were always brilliant - really friendly and helpful, and certainly not the sort to facilitate problem drinking. In fact, I witnessed several occasions when they refused to serve underage-looking people etc.

Locals can make representations to the licensing committee about this between 5 June and 5 July (iirc.)

E2a: there's some details here http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Application_Prem723.pdf - same sort of stuff as the House of Bottles.

 

[Black Halo]

a council official told them they would like them to stop selling single cans which they declined to do.

Not defending it but this is, AFAIK, pretty standard request, the convenience stores around Kennington all have this (may even be in their licence terms)

 

[Smick]

Not defending it but this is, AFAIK, pretty standard request, the convenience stores around Kennington all have this (may even be in their licence terms)

I think new licences have it included as a restriction, but existing shops can continue to sell singles. It's a nonsense in my mind. It stops competition, harming new businesses.

 

[peterkro]

I think new licences have it included as a restriction, but existing shops can continue to sell singles. It's a nonsense in my mind. It stops competition, harming new businesses.

More importantly it's aimed at street drinkers,all the offies around Waterloo have notices about it but I see them time after time selling singles to tourists while refusing obvious poor people who've got together enough money to buy themselves a beer.

 

[SpamMisery]

So, they're being bollocked by the govt for selling untaxed drinks?

 

[Smick]

So, they're being bollocked by the govt for selling untaxed drinks?

I believe that it's possible to pay duty on alcohol outside of the normal channels so seeing a bottle in a shop means nothing. If you want a bottle of sake, only available in Japan, and ask a specialist offy to get it, will they get their licence suspended for having non domestic booze in?

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Not defending it but this is, AFAIK, pretty standard request, the convenience stores around Kennington all have this (may even be in their licence terms)

I think new licences have it included as a restriction, but existing shops can continue to sell singles. It's a nonsense in my mind. It stops competition, harming new businesses.

It's utterly ludicrous that the council think they can control/prevent street drinking by getting shops to stop selling single cans. People will always find a way - street people are 'canny' operators and if they want a can of beer they will get one.

And at the end of the day, it's the fucking right of any adult to crack a brew and drink it when they want.

 

[Badgers]

Brixton Booty (@BrixtonBooty) tweeted at 7:39 AM on Sun, Jun 22, 2014:

Due to unforeseen circumstances Brixton Booty Car Boot Sale has been cancelled. Club Party is still on. Please accept our sincere apologies!

()

 

[nagapie]

Anyone going to the Windmill parade/festival? Wasn't planning too but might now.