DIY Unites Communities
For nearly four decades, KJ Building Supplies has been a
stalwart of the Brockley community, serving as more than just a DIY store. 55
Loampit Hill is a place where residents converge to exchange knowledge,
connect, and build not just homes but relationships. It's a testament to the
resilience of its owners and spirit of the greater Lewisham area that it has survived for 40 years.
The SAVE KJ! Campaign
However, the future of KJ's now hangs in the
balance. It is jeopardised by a series of events that have raised questions
about the use of delegated powers in the planning process. This concern has
ignited a campaign. Its message, quite clear: Save KJ!
A United Community
What began as a local concern has blossomed into a unifying
force for builders and residents who share a common belief in fairness, transparency, and
the preservation of their neighbourhood's character. The campaign to save the store owned by Kevin Bottomley and Will Buckle (pictured) has garnered
overwhelming support, with hundreds of residents and the commendation and plaudits from Find Others, an online platform amplifying the voices of the people.
The Delegated Power
Dilemma
A central issue revolves around the delegation of
significant planning powers to planning officers, bypassing the elected
representatives of constituents and their opinions. While delegation aims to streamline processes,
it raises legitimate concerns about transparency and the potential influence of
personal biases on planning decisions. Before they have even been heard by elected members.
A Call for Fairness
and Transparency
TheBigRetort has identified several key concerns in its dealings with Lewisham Council. Including
potential misuse of enforcement powers. Tactics by officers that may amount to harassment. And a questionable use of public funds in legal
battles that do not best serve the public interest. Be that as it may. Lewisham Council has seemingly
unleashed a wave of enforcement and legal threats - even against us? - affecting not just
businesses but also residents and their properties. Many have written in. We
will be highlighting some of these moving forward.
Joining Forces for a
Better Future
As the SAVE KJ! Campaign unfolds, its mission is clear: to
illuminate the issues, challenge the status quo, and advocate for a more
equitable future for Lewisham. We aim to safeguard our communities and uphold
the principles of Lewisham Council’s motto: “Salus Populi Suprema Lex"
(The welfare of the people is the highest law).
However, if the welfare of the people is supposed to be the highest
law in Lewisham, criminalising constituents is not the solution. It’s
part of the problem.
28 comments:
Excellent! We will not give up - this is a very, very important campaign for local people, but is also a key principle for the protection of community and small businesses.
Never give up...enough of what they are doing to Lewisham!!!
There is too little consultation re planning. I support the campaign to save KJ. It is a valuable community source and we the community should be heard not ignored as seems to be the current policy
I also support this cause. We too have been a victim of Lewisham planning who seek to push cases in to the courts as a first resort. This risks criminalising local people especially ones without the financial means to defend themselves.
I will support this cause as this is a place where i get my materials from. All about supporting small businesses
Will 100% behind you. Whatever support you need.
Really welcoming Business owner.
Makes you feel hesknown for ever.
Justice for Will and Kev!!!!
I support this. This store has provided more then materials with advise and support to the local community
I’m H, store is amazing delivery’s on point great advice, will and markus are amazing people, I’m 100 per cent behind you will.
A pillar of the community. Excellent for trade use. Excellent knowledgeable expertise within the shop always give a help in hand with a would help anyone attitude. There’s no way the shop deserves this please please please do not let this shop become a memory! It is the now and present which it needs to survive
We need our local businesses! Has everyone forgotten that during Covid the government asked us to support them! You all needed him then! Anyone who cannot be bothered to support Will at Kj will regret the support that he has given to your community! He is such a legend!
Support this campaign! Will is a really good person and warm-heartily helping local residents.
Shame on you Lewisham, failing to recognise the importance of small business and the community that KJ’s has contributed to for over 40 years!
I’ll Support this campaign! Will is a really good person been going to kj’s for good 20years now and his warm-heartily helping local residents.and anyone that walk passed is unreal
In full support of The SAVE KJ! Campaign
I endorse this initiative; this store has been part of the Brockley community for an extended period. KJ Building is highly beneficial for my family and the local community, offering dependable products at excellent prices, making it very convenient.
Shame on Lewisham council for your actions when you fall over yourselves for scumbag companies like Galliard. Do we have to bribe your planning department and councillors; you make me sick with your hypocrisy.
Will helped alot with my building supplies and helped provide much needed advice. This should not be happening to small business.
I have used KJ Builders for years now wether small orders or big orders always convenient when i have jobs on in and around Lewisham and at a better price than the big company's charge Will is a hard working man who and the shop there provides for him to put bread on the family table and it’s disgusting that the council is targeting his bred and butter, im only commenting Anonymous as i don’t have a google account and don’t know how to publish my name but my name is Gazmend Aliu and i support Will and KJ Builders all the way and hope the shop will remain as it is for years to come.
This business is the heart of the community. I feel that the council should get its priorities right, and help support local businesses as opposed to be detrimental to their survival.
What’s wrong with these people driving small business who been trading for years. The council wouldn’t grant them permission if they want to turn the property into flats or office. They just make it impossible for them carry on trading. Just making people life’s awkward. Absolutely PR-CK’S
I have been using KJ building supplies for as long as I can remember and I have always had a pleasant experience. The guys are very friendly and go the extra mile to make sure all my needs are met, weather it be pointing out the best product to use or helping me find the relevant tradesperson to help with the job. It would be sad to see such a great business that helps so many people be put a risk by something so pathetic. KJ building supplies you have my backing 100%.
We are hugely appreciative for the comments. However, it is a sorry state of affairs that many contributors may be posting "anonymous" due to the fear of retribution. If this is the case, please create an alias. Failing that, if you could attach your name it would be great.
Shame on you, Lewisham Council. We expect you to operate within the principles of your Motto. This business has been a cornerstone of the community for decades and a well loved and respected one.
Friendly and welcoming store that has helped me many of times. It would be terrible to lose such a great amenity. Shame on the council for not supporting such a great business.
My support for the store goes beyond what it does for the community and local traders. This store is the livelihood of its owners!
I am in this store all the time. They are on speed dial to check if they have what I need on any given day. We cannot be forced to shop at the big shops like Screfix. Why can't Lewisham see that these small business are the back bone of our community. I have learned so much from William. The council needs to support our local shops//businesses or else what is their role in serving the micro economy of our community. Covid was a clear lesson in the need to have a strong local community economy.
REALLY Lewisham council, KJ’s you want to destroy a part of Lewisham, KJs Keep Justice simple, leave KJS alone Lewisham cannot walk without knees your not only trying to destroy someone’s livelihood but the livelihoods of many others, and this will only happen if YOU don’t CARE
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