A VERY GOOD REASON TO DO UP THE HIGH STREET
This episode of location location shows what incredible housing stock Sydenham has, but just how the area is thought of generally because of the state of the high street. This affects ALL the businesess on the high street and stifles new investment.
The feedback on http://www.forum.sydenham.org.uk is well worth looking at.
WHAT IF: SYDENHAM... 
Sadly Sydenham High Street is really depressing. Whilst the addition of independent coffee shops has been great, a Starbucks/Coffee Nero would be really welcome and would attract more people to the high street as well as other quality businesses
I wouldn’t say Starbucks is a quality business, certainly their products aren’t (I’ve designed packaging with them in the past). Brands like these make high streets generic. We need a diverse offer, to cater to all aspirations, but there are enough brands in sydenham already. Totness is a better example to follow. East dulwich did fine without Starbucks etc. They don’t generate footfall or rejuvenate areas, they go there when it’s already proven and help drive up rents that make it difficult for independent businesses to survive.