Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Mason's closes but no.46 to open soon

I return from holiday to hear that Mason's Bar & Restaurant has closed.  It seems that in difficult economic times the proprietor simply had to 'bite the bullet'.  This is sad news for him and his family, and for Ladywell too, of course.  Hopefully, in due course, some other operator will take on the lease and provide the sort of bar/dining experience much in demand in the Ladywell area.

It seems that the shop at 46 Ladywell Road will open shortly, though the new leaseholder is cagey about what the premises will offer.  On 15 August he wrote on the Brockley Central blogspot "we took on the lease of no.46 at the start of the month and are currently working to get it ready. As you appreciate, it's been empty for several years and although the landlord has replastered, put new stairs to the basement, loo in the basement, etc., there is still lots to do.  The interiors walls have been painted this weekend but there's still the woodwork to do, floor needs to be laid (purchased and being collected this Thursday), basement needs fitting out for storage, shop needs fitting out, front needs painting, shutters need to be installed . . .  There's lots to do and we want to get it just right rather than get standard shopfitters in - so please be patient!  I won't say yet what we will be selling but we think that it will fit in well in the area and although we'll be called Slater & King, we're not an estate agents or solicitors."

Robert Sheppard

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I spoke to the new proprietors at the weekend and they told me they'd be selling art and antiques.

ksranji said...

"provide the sort of bar/dining experience much in demand in the Ladywell area".

If there was demand for this Masons's wouldn't have closed.

Anonymous said...

The Brockley Central website has an interesting (long) discussion thread on this - see http://brockleycentral.blogspot.com/2011/08/masons-closed-for-refurbishment.html

Anonymous said...

bar/dining experience..

art and antiques...

Wher do you people think you live..

this is Lewisham.. RIOTS.. MUGGING..

wake up.. there is no "Ladywell Village..

Simon@Geddes said...

@Anon 18.06-A bar/dining experience is something many of the local residents really do seem to desire.
Many of our clients bemoan the fact their is scant choice locally when it comes to eating and drinking out.
The success of Oscar's, El's Kitchen and even our own business prove that the people of Ladywell will support a new venture even if it is a bit different to what has traditionally gone before.
I have said it many times-a mixed community requires a good mix of businesses catering for all and offering choice.
Our business wasn't affected by the riots and we have found Ladywell to be far safer than the supposedly genteel Old York Road in Wandsworth where our other salon is situated. We welcome a place selling art and antiques locally(if that really is what no. 46 is going to be)especially as the building in question has been such an eyesore for so long.
I don't think we need to get too hung up about whether Ladywell is a village or not. We just need to be glad that their are people out there willing to invest their time and money in the area thus making it a more pleasant environment for everyone.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Olympic cupcakes (copyright rules??)