I have lived in London Borough of Bexley since 1983. Over the years I have watched with horror the terrible mess Bexleyheath has become. I rarely if ever shop there now, I hate with some passion the monstrosity they call a shopping centre. It has no character, that has been driven out. Replaced by large pubs aimed at the young resulting in nightly antisocial behaviour. the shopping is dire, the shops are same o same o as every where else but lack any sparkle.
The pedestrian area is frequented by aimless young people from around the borough and beyond, who have this idea that only they have a right to be there and behave accordingly. I never go there in the evening, why should I? with only the choice of juvenile drinking establishments and fast food and mediocre chain eateries. I want some where adult - ie over 21 please, noise free where good food and good music are the order of the day. There is only one restaurant that is worthy of the title and accordingly it is pricey, so not a regular place to visit. There is not one quality night time venue anywhere in the borough, who seem hell bent on concreting the borough over. Traffic management is a joke, as are the parking restrictions.
THE REST.
I prefer to shop in Dartford and Woolwich - same general problems but I just find it more appealing to shop in these two areas. They still have some sense of identity.
Dartford has a small shopping mall but it has some nice shops, although if you shop in Primark beware, over stocked and not well managed in terms of floor space or marketing stratergy, which is I guess pile it in sell it cheap and on the whole the staff are slow, bored and demotivated. However my bargin was a black heavy linen long multi gored skirt for £5. In Peppermint I purchased a pair of khaki base ball boots for £5 which you could buy similar in Schuh for £34 (some mark up!!!) These two items should last me all winter.
As you know I like an early visit to Bluewater, it is funny what a difference the sum makes when it streams in through the roof lights. The best of both worlds. Outside is maturing nicely with trees, streams, wildlife and over by the Village, the restaurants have space outside to eat. Except you must not feed the Wildfowl!!!
My one moan is that it brings the Mums with babies out in force, they also bring their uber trendy mini me's with a disasterous result, me listening to spoilt children moaning "but I want it" reflections of the mothers I guess in the 'I' want society we have become. Given the cost of things in the shops of Bluewater, I guess the credit cards get a hammering.
I noted a sad trend of trainers on wheels worn by the very young, who not only run between the narrow aisles of shops they skate and look at others (Me) as if I am in their way. I love children, I believe we should love and care for them, but not to allow hyperactive out of control under fives to run around and jump on seating in coffee shops without restraint. I was horrified when a couple of Mums with a child each, sat a the table where I was and proceeded to chat with the occassional, 'now' to the respective children. One of these children with a full set of teeth apparently doesn't like to chew his food (or more likely won't) and clearly mum is pandering to this by her less than helpful atttitude she actually allows this behaviour and virtually encourages it, he had a very small current which immediately had to be washed down with water Quote "It is the only way he will eat anything". Could this be the only way he gets her attention? oh I think so.
I do not know which is worse, dippy mothers or those who scream torrants of abuse at their young. Children need boundaries, they feel secure if they are encouraged. Children learn to scream from adults, because they (parents) scream at each other, children won't eat because they don't. Loving is not about pandering to tantrums and demands. Behaviour is learnt in the home. You have children then it is the whole deal, manners, feeding, education, health the parents responsibility not the state.
In Cuba, I heard one mother complain that there were no chicken nuggets on the buffet at lunch. What? we were in Cuba and the food we had was better than good, plentiful, fresh and there was a lot of stuff for any child to eat, not least fresh cooked pasta while you wait with the sauce of your choice, what was wrong with that and a little salad and fresh fruit? nothing. This child was a product of it's education, why visit Cuba? go to Bexleyheath if chicken nuggets are all you want.
Back to Bluewater, Gold star for Evans and Elvi who fly the flag for the larger woman, they both had some nice stuff.
Monsoon, Zara, Strawberry Bunny, East are very nice shops as is 'Lucy in the Sky' but far too expensive.
My biggest complaint about any shopping is that staff are Snooty, Lack manners, are condecending and just not interested in customers. Have none of these shops heard of Staff Training?
I know I have had a moan, but really - I am sad for this country.
Love Granny
