Merry Carrots Mr Lawrence

I mentioned before that some of the local shops are taking part in the 'nine carrots' scheme to help them invest in environmentally friendly improvements in their businesses.

The way it works is that you go in, make your purchase as normal, pay the normal price but you ask for a 'green receipt'. The business then puts a portion of that money towards improvements.

No one loses, but we're helping increase the investment in a low carbon economy. Little steps, but no less important for all that.

One of those local businesses is Mr Lawrence wine bar who've made a commitment to make their business more environmentally friendly, starting with their lighting.

Here I am holding my green receipt, smiling away due to the lovely coffee I'd just had. I should point out that this picture was taken last week and I'd just been snowed on in this picture, I've not been afflicted with a terrible case of dandruff despite how it looks!

Variety is the spice of life

It is a common complaint about Crofton Park that while the area has many good points there is a sad lack of variety in our local shops.

We could use some more community facilities, places to go where the focus is not simply on the alcohol and more diverse, locally owned businesses. It’s important for our community that we are able to shop local for our essential needs, and that we have a good range of facilities, all within walking distance of home. Local shops provide vital social glue that chain stores or town centres cannot offer.

Following a campaign, by Greens and local residents, Crofton Park is soon to benefit from a town centre manager who can support existing small businesses and encourage new ones.

Many residents tell us that they really value the independent places in the area that help give this community its unique character.

You can choose not to carry a knife

Anyone who knows Crofton Park will be familiar with our 'ample supply' of fried chicken places. However, whether or not cheap and greasy is your style it's interesting that the police have started supplying, free of charge, those little boxes that your meal comes in.

I'm sure that's a very welcome cut in costs to these small businesses. However, it isn't because the Boys in Blue have a famous love for fast food. In fact it's part of an anti-knife campaign.


The box says;

READ THIS: It could stop you going to prison.

In prison;

You CAN'T go to chicken shops whenever you want
You CAN'T hang out with your mates
You CAN'T see your family whenever you want
You CAN'T wear what you want

But right now;
You CAN choose not to carry a knife

In terms of targeting their audience this is genius. Whether or not anyone reads a chicken box and thinks "Yeah, I'm going to leave my knife at home next time," well, that's another story - but all credit to the police for trying something a little bit different.

Of course, it might help everyone if there was a little more variety in places to go in Crofton Park. I'm sure chicken shops have their role to play in combating crime, but a few more community spaces might also help tackle crime.