Hairy Bikers: 'Croydon restaurants are great, but there's too many chicken shops'

“@nicecityboy:

Part of my work does involve politics yes. Influencing people like The Council to get the change needed etc etc.”

“Chris and Mark are you two politicians?

You sound like two kids arguing in a playground.

Oh wait, I've answered my original question!”

“@Neo98: West Croydon is controlled by a Tory Council. Labour opposed and were ignored.

Maybe you should start thinking about other people, rather than just your little patch. This Tory council controls everything, and reliably cocks it up. Hence why they need to go.”

“facts= a new betting has just been given the go ahead on london road west croydon, this is a labour controlled area!!!!!

i live in old town croydon and we do not have a betting shop! a liqour store! or any brothels! old town croydon which is in the waddon ward is controlled by the conservatives.

i rest my case!!!!!!!!!”

“@Mark2: Keep dreaming dude.

I prey people like you never get to stay in power for long.”

“Chris. your clearly hysterical comment that the 'unemployed of Croydon are close to starvation now' puts many of your previous comments on a number of issues into perspective. You clearly have no comprehension of what 'starvation' means and no idea of context, which now explains why you were so happy to undermine the recent story on holocaust memorial day and hijack it for your own political rantings on these pages. Shame on you Sir.”

“@Mark2: Complete and utter cobblers.

Said families with multiple kiddies who in theory could afford fast food like you say are, well, there's about half a dozen of them in the entire London Area. London has a population of about 7m people, so you do the math on that one. Gavin Barwell pulled this argument ( no doubt a party line he'd been briefed to say ) and was completely disproved. He had to back down on the statement.

If it's true that a bloated Benefits system means people can live on take-out then why have foodbank numbers rocketed up in the past 2 years? Riddle me that.

In reality our unemployed populace is close to starvation now. And 'in work' poverty is also hugely on the rise. The only thing keeping these people afloat during a period of stagnant wages and very few jobs IS the benefits system. So unless you want a humanitarian disaster I'd suggest you check the facts more and not read the Mail.

What you are describing is simply a Daily Mail fantasy spread by a Tory govt hell bent on low taxes for The Rich no matter who they hurt. In simple terms it is just a lie. Spread by some truly evil people as they do what they can to take more and more Taxpayer money into Private hands.”

“Chris. I don't believe a Labour Council would make different decisions. The dynamics of Croydon are now very much suited to fast food culture and there would be uproar. For some, its the only deal in town despite it being cheaper to go out a purchase and cook proper food especially so when dealing with large families with economies of scale. The bloated benefit system has given some families enough money to go out and buy McDonalds or KFC everyday rather than save money and cook their own healthy meals. That's Labour for you. You couldn't make it up.”

“@Mark2:

Back then, not now.

And I think you'll find those Council Tax rises were much needed, unless you're into leaving the Ill & Infirm to die? What were they spent on? Vital Council Services? Yup, that's the one. Those Tax Rises had to happen. Even Cllr Fisher admits Croydon is underfunded by Central Govt, so needs to get it's fair share. This has been a problem for years.

The Torys are raising Council Tax now. And cutting Council Tax Benefit ( which will crucify The Poor ). And they spent every penny of what they took over the past 6 years. Borrowing on this Tory Council is up by a factor of about 3. Croydon is more & more in debt, and still in decline.

You might want to take the hint and stop flogging this ridiculous pro-excessive-profit free-market low-taxes-for-rich horse. Before there is nothing left to save. Sometimes you have to Tax The Rich. Because they're the only crowd left with spare cash to be Taxed. Everyone else is broke and actually in need of a pay rise.

It's called the real world. Not the mess of the 80's & 90's when The Wealthy were let off and The Poor left to die.”

“Chris. just to clarify I'm talking about the Croydon Labour Council during the 90's that not only delivered numerous fast food shops but also huge council tax increases. Sorry to burst Your bubble, but your beloved Labour chums were very happy to agree to many licences for rubbish fast food outlets!!”