There seems to be a lull in the journey of Worcester Park from unknown Surrey suburb to hub of trendy dining (or commercial oblivion, whichever hits first). There's precious little to report from Central Road but I'll give it a shot.

To follow up on the story of WP's M&S closure, apparently M&S have decided to close 5 stores because they're not making money, which apparently lumps us along with Folkestone, Chatham, Weybridge and East Ham. Good riddance, and take your overpriced ready-to-eat meals with you [sniff]

I was surprised to see the Cancer charity shop (next to KFC) closing but Mrs Brinkster reports that it could turn into a Greek restaurant. Hopefully that will happen a lot faster than the other "developments" on Central Road or I'll be about 90 by then.......

Mr Devine seems to be closing his third shop on Central Road (pictured here to the right of the Seasonal Shop). He seems to have a habit of leaving thriving businesses behind him.... just not his own. Having left his first shop to Bronze Studios, reappeared down the road only to be replaced by Costa Coffee and then been reincarnated further uphill in it's current guise..... if I was a business looking to start in Worcester Park I'd take on his shop ASAP.

The debate about who is going to take on the old camping shop is still rumbling on with Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrisons in the frame. With M&S going I wouldn't be surprised if they change focus on the soon-to-be-vacant M&S site instead.

I feel vaguely obligated to find something bizarre or humorous to post but even the local rags are pretty thin on Worcester Park trivia. I found the competition to name the new park in the Hamptons  but that's about it..... ah well.

Much excitement in the Brinkster tribe over the last couple of days as our garden has been visited by a pair of very green and surprisingly large parrots feeding from our bird feeder. It's possible they may been outcasts from the Kew garden or Richmond Park parrot colonies (driven south by cheaper housing) as it seems unlikely they're escapees from someone's house.

I used to live in LA and have hummingbirds feed from a feeder outside the kitchen window and in my mind this is nearly as cool! I have to compete with my mother though, who has visiting peacocks in her garden on a daily basis.

Sunny days and parrots in the garden almost makes Worcester Park seem slightly exotic, on the subject of which....... anyone else see the housing programme on ITV last night showing off the Hamptons and espousing the delights of dear old WP, such as the frequent trains and Costa Coffee? They also pointed out that we've got both Waitrose and Marks & Spencers....... not for long we don't.