Guardian travel writer Benji Lanyado was straightforward from the off:
The coming of New Cross and Deptford has been predicted for some time. It won't be an easy ride. The area lies in an inglorious corner of southeast London; those with well-cushioned sensibilities need not make the journey.
His recent piece for the New York Times went on to document the charms of the neighbourhood with unsentimental affection and a sharp eye for insurgent trendiness. Alas, his candid warning that the inner city can be rough as well as well as full of interest failed to pre-empt derision from predictable sources on this side of the pond. The Telegraph found some "baffled" locals to talk about stabbings and hoodies, as did the Mail, which was reliably mocking. Yet the latter's effort generated some stout words of defence on the comment thread, such as these from Mike F of SE4:
I lived in Deptford for 2 years and it is not the crazy wild west place being suggested in this article. The high street is full of independent shops from every country and there are lots of new cool cafes. I never once felt threatened living here, however i did read about crime so I am not saying it didnt happen. I like these 2 areas as you meet real Londoners here, with personality and friendliness, not just some 'perfect image' of London to satisfy tourists ideas, which the West End provides.
It's a while since I was in Deptford or New Cross, but to a Hackneyite all this feels very familiar. Someone dares to point out that a place associated with grime and crime has its joys and virtues too and there's this panic to reassure the nation's curtain-twitchers that it can't possibly be true. I hope New Yorkers aren't deterred. If it helps, there was one fair and realistic follow-up to Benji's piece. Find it in the jolly old London Times.
