New New Cross Pt.2

There is much to see further along the way through New Cross. It seems people still have a sniffy view of he area, but that is slowly changing, as it gradually becomes a place to invest in according to papers investors read. Above is Hatcham Park Road, leading to the aforementioned Five Bells as seen in Gary Oldman's Nil By Mouth, a smoky old pub now becoming a bistro.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskGUBgEm

Please see above for more of what there is to see. (More will be added to this album, and also to the others in the collection).

The large Goldsmith's student contingent means that the areas has not become totally unrecognisable, politically at least, just yet.

Though the visit by the likes of Stewart Lee might still even now be a surprise? Not that he's performing at the Amersham Arms though - it's become quite a venue (not The Venue).  Vic Reeves started out at the Marquis of Granby I think, too.

Unfortunately shops that open in environments like the current New Cross - like The Allotment, seen in Time Out etc. and above - don't always last, for many reasons. Another take-away is due to open here. So is this a sign of the process of gentrification in action? An independent shop of character, with produce of perhaps a bit more luxury than the basics, opening as the economy of being in an up-and-coming area allows, moving on. However, in this case it is not plush apartments being built, but a pizza bar, opposite new butchers of the likes found through Peckham, similar independent grocers and more food places. If you want to see a process of social change happening it's probably in New Cross right now - but if the direction being taken remains so unsure will it be the expected bankers moving in at the expense of a disappointed, squeezed middle, and those with less, or something else? New Cross library was a victim of cuts, but volunteers keep a learning space going, art cafes remain, and comedians off the telly try out jokes in pubs, so the character of the place, probably best represented by those students, might be its saving grace.

Regarding the neighbouring OKR - many promises have already been made in consultations (for what it's worth...?) by the council to avoid any social cleansing. Many will be looking to hold the council to these promises. It is obvious there is something big coming here, and the type of thing we would condemn other countries for doing cannot be allowed to occur again, as it did in other parts of London.