Dulwich Village traders pessimistic about the future if closures remain

The Dulwich Village Association, which represents 26 shops and businesses in Dulwich Village, recently carried out a survey which showed that 88% are pessimistic about their trading future if the road closures and restrictions remain in place. Not a single trader is optimistic.

With traders estimating that over half their pre-Covid and pre-closures custom came from shoppers travelling into the Village from outside, a similar number of businesses are also pessimistic about the future of Dulwich itself as a shopping destination. Again, not a single trader is optimistic.

While trade has been particularly poor or non-existent during the current lockdown, this is not simply a Covid issue. Even before the first lockdowns – during July after the junction was closed, and in September, when timed restrictions started – businesses reported trade being down by as much as 75% compared with the same months the previous year.

Commenting on the survey, DVA chair Hazel Broadfoot, who runs Village Books, said: “Until these measures were introduced, Dulwich Village was a healthy local high street, its shops supporting – and being supported by – places of interest like the parks, the conservation area, and the Dulwich Picture Gallery, all of which contribute to a thriving local economy. But the closure of the Dulwich Village junction and excessive timed restrictions have resulted in considerably fewer customers coming to Dulwich, threatening the very future of our high street and our livelihoods.

“We are all in favour of ways to make walking and cycling safer and discourage unnecessary driving but it has to be part of a holistic solution that doesn’t discriminate against people who can’t walk or cycle, doesn’t damage the local economy and does include better public transport. Southwark Council keeps telling people they support local business in Dulwich but the Dulwich Village Association has not been contacted by them since the road was closed, let alone received any help.

“We have made it very clear, in our formal objections to the Council in December, signed by over 95% of our businesses, that if the junction closure and timed restrictions remain in place, then businesses will close, jobs will be lost and they will be responsible. We hope they have listened and will reopen the junction and reduce restrictions as soon as possible”.

The Dulwich Village traders’ plight was the subject of an article in the South London Press on 5 March (see page 13).