Ladywell just keeps getting better!

A busy life makes it hard to post to this blog as often one might like, and the three items below are a little late, but all demonstrate continued momentum in the improvement of Ladywell since the major streetworks brought the place to a grinding halt, and nearly bankrupted local businesses, in 2013.

Our excellent new 'mural' (presumably not really a mural unless its on a wall?) screening the
derelict garages site on the corner of Malyons Road (see blog item below).

 . . and there's evidence of work going on at 40 Ladywell Road
where we hope a new restaurant will open in 2016



. . . and 251 Algernon Road looks to be in the final stages of a major exterior refurb!

So lots of positives, even on a rainy November lunchtime, to add to anecdotal evidence that various of the newer local businesses seem to be going from strength to strength with clear evidence of loyal and appreciative clientele.

We very much hope for positive news in the coming months in relation to the neglected local asset that is the Ladywell Baths ('Playtower'), recently listed by the Victorian Society as one of the country's top 10 Victorian/Edwardian buildings at risk.  Come on Lewisham Council!

Robert Sheppard

 

Refurbishment of 107 Ladywell Road reveals . . .

The old 'United Dairies' shopfront, which I'm told will be carefully preserved under the new fascia.

Robert Sheppard

Cafe Oscars and Slater & King change hands

The arrival of Oscars (in 2008) and Slater & King (in 2011) were key steps in the regeneration of Ladywell and the owners of both have remained active in the local community, ensuring that Ladywell goes from strength to strength.

Both businessess battled bravely through the chaotic Summer of 2013 when the overunning streetworks nearly shut Ladywell down altogether.

So it is with sadness we report that S&K have sold-up and will leave the area.  We wish them well and will miss them.  The premises will reopen, still as a gift shop but under a new name.

Oscars will be taken over shortly by Saner Gursel, a Brockley resident and baker who has given a public statement on the 'Brockley Central' blog.

Robert Sheppard

Butcher to open in Ladywell

The word on the street is that Heckstall & Smith Butchers will open in due course at 107 Ladywell Road - on the corner of Gillian Street (see photo below).  Judging by the state of the building, however, and presumably the need to adapt it considerably inside (its last obvious and active use being as a launderette for many years) it's likely to be a while 'til the shop actually opens - so expect to have to have to wait 'til late 2015 or early 2016.

It will be good to have another premises neatened up and in use, providing a service to the local (carnivorous) community.  LVIG hopes the improvements that'll be made to the premises will include full redecoration of the exterior so that this prominent building contributes to, rather than detracts from, the streetscape.

59 Ladywell Road 'arches' space up for sale

Those beady-eyed bloggers at Brockley Central have spotted that this space, facing onto Ladywell Fields, which to outward appearance has been vacant for years, is currently being marketed by Hindwoods commercial estate agents.

The premises has the following permitted planning uses - A3 Restaurants Cafes Snack Bars, B1 Offices and Light Industrial, B8 Storage and Distribution and/or B8 Warehouse and Trade counter.  It comprises four adjoining vaults underneath Ladywell Road and "has the potential for an opening adjacent to Ladywell station platform" (though I'm not quite sure how that would work).

The marketing bumph says of the area "has benefited from significant investment and redevelopment including the construction of several hundred homes, major infrastructure works, new community facilities, pedestrian areas, cycle routes and open spaces which has increased the appeal of the area.  The University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham Council and Ladywell Fields College occupy landmark offices nearby with Ladywell Fields and the Ravensbourne River providing an attractive local environment."

A CGI in the marketing pack shows the premises as a restaurant, which in principle would be a welcome addition to the area.   Rumours persist however of a possible microbrewery, also something that would be welcomed I think.

Robert Sheppard

New enterprise hub to open on Ladywell Leisure Centre site

The proposed 'pop-up' development on the Ladywell Leisure Centre site

One of three new business enterprise hubs will open on the site of the former Ladywell Leisure Centre (at the junction of Lewisham High Street with Ladywell Road) in October 2015.  The Council website says:

"The enterprise hubs will “create high quality, fully furnished and serviced co-working spaces in Catford, Deptford and Lewisham town centres”;

“All three hubs will provide affordable, co-working spaces for rent which will help to create a new vibrancy and buzz for enterprise in the heart of Lewisham’s main town centres”; and

“Local entrepreneurs and businesses will be able to access space and facilities across the network including advice and support for start-ups; intensive mentoring and practical advice; fixed working for larger organizations; co-working space; events and workshops; meeting rooms; and touchdown working.”

Robert Sheppard

Ladywell (Christmas) Supper Club - Friday 12 December at The Larder, Ladywell

Elen from the Ladywell Supper Club writes:

I am very excited to announce that I will be hosting a festive supper club at The Larder in Ladywell on Friday 12 December.  I believe it will be our best supper club to date and am so excited about celebrating this season's foods with a festive twist.

It will be a cocktail and four courses (and a few little extra bits here and there - it will be Christmas after all!) and tickets are priced at £32.00.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday November 21st @10am and will be available here.

Robert Sheppard

Ladywell traders challenge Council ruling

The Brockley Central blog reports the current battle being fought by Ladywell traders to ensure that commonsense prevails and that the Council's plans to ban all business use of the Ladywell pavements is reconsidered.

A blanket ban as proposed will do nothing to help local business to attract passing trade and compete in a difficult retail environment.

It's reported that Mayor Steve Bullock plans to visit Ladywell on Friday to talk to traders and take a look for himself.

Ladywell Fields Café plans clarified

The Ladywell Fields User Group reports that the Ladywell Fields café is to be refurbished by the Jimmy Mizen Foundation (10,000 Hands) on the basis of the plan shown here (Option 3 from the feasibility study of 2 years ago).

The current Park Keeper's office will become the kitchen, freeing up the whole of the current café space for indoor seating. The works should start in June and should take no more than 6 weeks. The café will accommodate up to 20 people, seated, and will be furnished with secondhand wooden furniture. The work of local artists will be showcased on the walls.

Robert Sheppard, LVIG Secretary

'The Larder' to open for business this Weds, 16 April

The Larder, 71 Ladywell Road, will open for business at 9.00am on Wednesday.  We hear it will be stocking bread from Coopers Bakehouse, beers from Brockley Brewery, sausages from Peter James (and his successor, Ollie) as well as a range of British and European cheeses (including Blackwoods), wine, charcuterie and store cupboard essentials.

Opening hours will be:

Monday - closed
Tues and Weds – 8.00am – 6.00pm
Thurs and Fri – 8.00am – 8.00pm
Saturday – 9.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday – 10.00am – 4.00pm

'The Larder' will open in April

The Larder, 71 Ladywell Road, SE13 will open its doors for business within the next few weeks.

The new owners are two local mums, Cynthia and Katherine.  They say: "We are absolutely thrilled to be opening 'The Larder' in Ladywell.  Food is our passion.  Our aim is to provide customers with fantastic tasting fresh produce and cupboard essentials, sourced as locally as possible. We're interested in the way food tastes, what's in it and how it's produced.  We just love good, honestly produced food and hope you do too.  We look forward to welcoming you to our lovely new shop soon."

New delicatessen for Ladywell

The keen-eyed amongst you will have seen much activity on the site of the former El's Kitchen.  I'm catching up with the new owners and will report more fully soon.

In the meantime, we spoke with El of El's Kitchen who says "I'm delighted to confirm that the sale of the lease of 71 Ladywell Road has now been completed.  Having met the new owners many times I felt that together they had the skills and experience to run a delicatessen and make it work long term. They both know the community in Ladywell and Brockley very well and have a good understanding of what customers want and how to deliver it to them.  I wish them every success and hope to be queuing up to buy their lovely produce very soon!"

More on this very soon . . .

Robert Sheppard

The only way is up! - Ladywell Public Meeting, Tues 18 March 2014, 7.30p.m.

Following a lull in activity during last year's streetworks, LVIG is now priming itself for a new push over the next 2+ years to ensure that Ladywell develops as a sustainable, vibrant and attractive retail centre with thriving businesses in every premises.  As part of this we are keen to work with landlords and traders to improve buildings and work with the Council and others on enforcement, planning issues etc. to improve the Ladywell public realm for everyone.

It's planned to hold a public meeting and AGM on Tuesday 18 March (venue to be confirmed) at which all present can elect a new LVIG Committee for 2014/15 and at which we can seek to prioritise some of the possible actions LVIG might pursue during this period.

If you're likely to have a few hours a week spare time over the next year and share LVIG's vision for Ladywell please do think about putting your name forward for one of our Committee positions - Chair, Vice-Chair & Treasurer, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Membership Secretary, Comms & Events Officer and Deputy Comms & Events Officer.  We need new blood to help drive forward this agenda so do email ladywell.info@gmail.com to let us know what you have to offer and which position might interest you.

Those of us who've been involved in LVIG over the last 5 years have enjoyed the challenge and the achievements, made great friends and found working together most rewarding, especially our periodic meetings at the Ladywell Tavern!  So get on board!

Robert Sheppard, LVIG Deputy Secretary

Ladywell Village - the Achievements, and the Challenges for 2014

Some things looking good . . .

Clean, wide, well-drained pavements - with 'traditional' benches

Plenty of short-stay bays (signs yet to be erected)

Despite appearances these flats are almost ready for occupation we hear - just the windows to do . . .

One 'missing tooth' in the Ladywell smile - at the junction of Ladywell Road with Malyons Road.  A few family houses would be a nice addition, but a supermarket is more likely.

A nice business opportunity for someone, but El's Kitchen will be a hard act to follow!

 

 

 

But some eyesores still to be tackled . . .

Highly visible on the corner of Gillian Street, but in a sorry state

A garish jumble of signs and window stickers

Shopfronts that make no contribution to the streetscape

And some enforcement issues to be addressed . . .



Trolley outside the newsagent on Algernon Road



Bins left on the pavement day after day



The Ladywell Tavern opens on schedule

The Ladywell Tavern opened yesterday evening - albeit with still tacky, freshly varnished, bar surface and bare walls.

Welcome back - we've missed you!

Ladywell Christmas Market on 14 Dec - volunteer stewards needed

After all the argy-bargy over the Ladywell Road streetscape works, Ladywell businesses have been given Council go-head for a Ladywell Christmas Market to be held on the new, widened pavement on Sat 14 December between 11.00am and 4.00pm.

There’ll be creative crafters, brilliant bakers and fabulous food producers offering their locally-made Christmas gifts, plus hot mulled wine to warm you up and a rousing chorus of festive fun!

BUT the organisers need stewards on the day to keep the crowds under control – so if you can donate an hour or two of your time to help with stewarding, please email el@elskitchen.co.uk with the times you are available.  Every little helps!

The Ladywell Christmas Market would like to thank Sebastian Roche estate agents for their generous sponsorship this year.

Robert Sheppard

 

 

 

Ladywell Tavern to reopen on 13/14 December

The licensee-to-be of the Ladywell Tavern yesterday confirmed his intention that the pub will re-open on either 13 or 14 December, probably with live music and certainly with a party atmosphere.  This is good news for Ladywell.

We hope for more good news in the New Year in the form of a new proprietor for the deli premises.

El's Kitchen to close this Thursday

This is a sad week for Ladywell.  Thursday will see the closure of El's Kitchen, a beacon of hope and quality in Ladywell's shopping parade.  El is calling time on this venture and explains her decision as follows:

"It is with great regret that we have to inform all our lovely customers that El’s Kitchen will be closing for good on Thursday 31st October.  Unfortunately El is unable to carry on running the business and there is no succession plan in place.  It’s been a really hard decision for us to make and we’ve given it an enormous amount of consideration, and, although we have looked into other options, none are viable given the circumstances.

We’ve spent a fantastic three years bringing you delicious food and drink in Ladywell and we couldn’t have done it without our wonderfully committed staff and tremendously loyal customers. We’ve really valued your business and greatly appreciated your support through the highs (Christmas trading and wine tastings!) and the lows (the bloody road works!).

It’s been an amazing experience being such a pivotal part of Ladywell and we’re very sad that El’s Kitchen will no longer be at the centre of the local community. We’d like to thank our customers and staff for coming with us on such an exciting journey, and we’re really hoping that someone can take over the reins and carry it on so that Ladywell gets to keep its deli.

El’s Kitchen is solvent and is not being liquidated. The lease and assets are for sale of this perfectly positioned property, which comes with an A3 restaurant licence, an on and off sales premises licence and a very friendly and accommodating landlord. Any interested parties should contact el@elskitchen.co.uk.

Robert Sheppard

Big Gun enlisted to deliver Conway rocket

Following representations from LVIG and Ladywell traders, Mayor Sir Steve Bullock will on Friday meet representatives of the Ladywell business community - and has invited contractor Conway to attend.  In its recent letter to the Mayor, LVIG Chairman Tony Rich wrote:

" . . . the Ladywell Village Improvement Group has fought hard for, and is strongly supportive of, the Ladywell public realm improvements currently underway . . . We write to you now, however, because we've been notified of further major slippage on the scheme - in particular that Ladywell Road is unlikely to be reopened until the end of October.  This significantly prolongs the disruption to local businesses, residents and others for whom Ladywell Road is the obvious route to work.  Whilst the scheme has experienced some unforeseen disruption I do feel that some of the delays could have been anticipated, obviated and/or minimised by better management of the contract, and the application of greater pressure on Conways to adhere to agreed timescales and to bring in more staff as necessary.  Clearly Ladywell is going to be a better, brighter, place once the works are completed, but I urge you to do everything you can to expedite completion of this project, especially for the sake of the businesses who, if we're not careful, will be out of business before the scheme is completed so will never see the benefit - which would be cruel. Whilst I appreciate you would not normally intervene personally in matters such as this I wonder whether you'd consider, in this instance, meeting with the senior manager at Conways responsible for this scheme to seek assurances in relation to early completion on-site.  The overrun of this scheme is causing a lot of bad feeling locally - which is shame as this is an excellent scheme - so LVIG urges you to do all you can to build bridges: in particular local business would, I am sure, welcome the Council's help in 're-launching' Ladywell, in the week the streetworks end, in the form of flyer, blog, twitter and website publicity so that nobody in SE13/SE4 in unaware that the brighter, better Ladywell is again "open for business".

Masons to reopen as Patisserie

Redecoration carrying on apace today

Local businesses in Ladywell confirm that the former Masons bar/restaurant has new tenants and will open, probably in mid-March, as French patisserie and fresh food store, which will be open every day until 8.00pm.

It seems the new business will not sell booze for consumption on the premises, something that will disappoint those who point out this site is an ideal place for a drink, esp. during the Summer, on the way back from the Station.

Empty business units are a blight on the Ladywell streetscape so LVIG is very pleased that these premises will soon be back in use.

We wish the new venture every success.