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

Ladywell Ceilidh is back 22 Nov - book now, limited ticket availability

Helen Mercer writes "Many of you will remember the Ladywell Ceilidh from last year and it is happening again.  It is about the same time - Friday 22nd November starting at 7.30, last dance finishes at 11.00pm.  It is the same format as last year - bring your own food and drink, we will provide tables etc. AND it is the same price as last year - £10  and £3 for children and young people (interpreted quite freely).  Aileen, Jane and myself are only looking to break even, after paying for the hire of the hall and the band.  The idea is to have a local community event for local friends and if you have friends who would like to come do ask them along.  We have 100 tickets so let me know if you would like to book for this event.  Aileen, whose email is on the flyer, is the main contact for booking."

Volunteer Workday Sat 26 Oct at St.Mary's Church - please come!

St.Mary's Church, Ladywell

Anne from community gardening website Lewisham Gardens has arranged a community planting day on Sat 26 Oct at St Mary's Church, Ladywell, which is one of the most ancient buildings in the Borough and a major community hub.   This will be a one-off event to tidy up the main frontage which has become quite overgrown. There is also scope for some fresh planting.

Church members, parishioners, parents from St.Mary's School, LFUG members and others are expected to be taking part, so it should be a nice opportunity to do something useful, have some exercise and make friends. 15-20 people with trowels and fuelled by tea and cake could make a fantastic difference to this local treasure. There will also be tours of the Church and tower for volunteers!

Glendale have the contract to maintain the churchyard and will be planting £1,500 of shrubs in the main Ladywell churchyard this winter - so the area will be improving and this volunteer session will be the catalyst.

Please do come along, and do all you can to publicise the day.   The email contact is lewishamgardens@gmail.com.  Please email Anne or reply here if you're likely to come. I will try to find the start time and post it here once I have it.

Robert Sheppard

Love Ladywell discount day - Support your local shops this Saturday

Ladywell traders have come together to help drive footfall back to the shopping parade by holding Ladywell Discount Day this Saturday 12 October. There will be special offers, great discounts and bargains galore in anticipation of Ladywell Road being reopened.  Get down and support your local businesses and bag yourselves a bargain – look out for the red posters at participating stores!

 

El from El's Kitchen says "Many thanks to BC readers who responded when they heard about the plight of the Ladywell traders – we really appreciate the show of support you have given us."