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

Restaurant Plans for Ladywell's 'Snack Bar'

A planning application has been submitted to convert the long-empty 'Snack Bar' at 40 Ladywell Road (next to Le Delice) into a restaurant. You can have a look at the plans here.

'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

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



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.

Council to restart legal action on Corals

It doesn't come as any great surprise to hear that assurances given by Coomes (owners of the Coral building in Ladywell) to repair the building and bring the first and second floor flats back into use proved worthless, so it is good to hear that the Council has recently written to the Residential Property Tribunal Service seeking a hearing and, hopefully, service of an Empty Dwelling Management Order.

The Council supports LVIG's long held argument that this property is highly visible, a blight on the local amenity of the neighbourhood and contributes towards depressing the regeneration of the area and the sustainability of Ladywell Village as a local retail centre.

Thanks to Nick Long at the Council for his tenacity - HOWEVER if the Council is to be successful in seeking an EDMO they will need evidence by way of letters from local residents and retailers painting a picture of the impact this shabby building has on Ladywell and showing the strength of feeling on this matter.  Furthermore, when this comes to the Tribunal in January (date t.b.c.) it would be good if a small delegation of residents could attend to demonstrate the strength of local support for firm and decisive action.

Letters on this should be sent to Nick Long, Empty Homes Officer, 4th Floor, Laurence House, London SE6 4RU.

Pressure mounts on empty flats

Lewisham Council is to serve an Empty Dwelling Management Order notice on E Coomes, the bookmakers that owns the empty flat above the Coral betting shop on Algernon Rd. Nick Long, the council empty homes officer, said he had been “inspired” to take action now by the recent Channel Four programme (Phil Spencer’s Empy Homes Giveaway) which featured the Ladywell Village Improvement Group’s campaign to bring the flats back into use. The large double fronted flat, with its broken windows, peeling paint, and deteriorating roof, has long been seen as a sad waste of a potential family home at a time of acute housing shortage. It has also been an eyesore on the local High Street for more than 10 years. Coomes has been given until the New Year to respond to the notice. If it doesn’t the council can then apply for the EDMO which, if granted, would allow it the right of possession without affecting E Coomes’ ownership of the flats. The council could then enter the property and manage it back into use. Tony Major

Minicabs return to Ladywell

Minicabs are coming back to Ladywell. The once famous blue and yellow Fenerbahce launderette, which graced Ladywell Road for several years until recent owners painted it black, is about to be turned into a minicab office. The last minicab business in the village, on Algernon Rd, shut up shop years ago. Anyone know how long ago? Meanwhile, work is progressing on the fried chicken takeaway in the old off-licence. It can't be long now!

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

Mmm . . . Morley's is coming

LVIG understands Morley's is about to take over the old off licence (drinks store) on Algernon Rd. Famous for its cut-price takeaway fried chicken, Morley’s will definitely be a big hit with school kids in the area. But does Ladywell need it? Fried chicken is the fastest growing of all fast foods, with outlets springing up all over the place. It’s cheap and cheerful but hazardously rich in fats and salts – not great for a healthy diet. Ladywell also has at least four takeaway outlets already in addition to a few other eateries. Some councils are imposing penalties on new takeaways in a bid to stop them taking over local high streets. So far Lewisham has let the market decide. But should it take a tougher approach to planning applications for takeaways so it can do more to protect the character of an area?  What do you think?

Rising from the ruins

It's taking shape. No.46 Ladywell Road, long an eyesore on the high street, is beginning to look like a decent shop unit again.
After a prolonged campaign by LVIG and sustained pressure from Lewisham council the old Nightwatch was sold to new owners who are turning it into two small flats and a shop unit. Work should be completed some time in the spring.
All we need now is a sustainable business to take over the premises! What kind of shop would you like to see in the high street?

Campaign on eyesore buildings hots up

Ladywell Village has plenty of interesting architecture, which has recently earned it Conservation Area status, but many of the once proud buildings are now left empty, are poorly maintained or spoilt by unsympathetic shopfronts and awnings, illuminated box signs etc.  There are few examples worse than the flats above Coral bookmakers which are highly visible, unoccupied and in a poor state of repair.  The Council's Empty Property Officer is on the case, but so far he's been unable to make much progress.  However, neither he nor LVIG are prepared to give up this battle.  Watch this space for more on this in the coming months.

Assembly time! Big decisions to be made on Mayor’s fund

The next Ladywell Assembly is coming up on Wednesday February 9 – don’t miss it! Publicity will be circulated by the council very soon. Top of the agenda will be a discussion on the Mayor’s fund, which is allocated to the ward each year and used to promote local priorities. There is £25,000 available for 2010-11, and a further £18,750 for 2011-12. Local groups can bid for the funds which can be used for one-off projects or schemes that can show they will be self financing. So what should it be used for? Any ideas? Trees, a Ladywell sculpture, a community shop, a summer event . . . The decision is down to Ladywell residents. So make sure you are there!
There are also likely to be assembly discussions on empty shops in the area and Ladywell’s controlled parking zone. Tony Major

Ward priorities (agreed at the last assembly in November):
Environment and landscape
Anti-social behaviour and crime
Local shops
Lack of youth and community facilities
Traffic

Peacock plans expansion

The owners of Peacock Food & Wine are seeking planning permission to combine No 101 Ladywell Rd, the former Rosa Parks hairdressers, and their existing shop at No 103 into one unit. The owners want to increase floorspace to make the business more viable. Their plans include breaking through the dividing wall, adding an extension and changing the shop fronts. The plans can be found on Lewisham’s planning portal (Ref no: DC/10/75446 - Sorry! the link seems very slow). Peacocks’ decision to expand their business looks like a vote of confidence in Ladywell. With El’s Kitchen opening in November and a refurbished shop unit at No 46 due to be completed in the New Year, Ladywell’s revival might be about to get another nudge forward. Tony Major

Be streetwise - back the plan!

The Ladywell Streetscape Action Plan aims to revive the High Street and act as a catalyst for further improvements to the neighbourhood. It aims to promote the interests of pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers, create a commercial area that caters for the needs of business owners, shoppers, children and those with disabilities, and improve the environmental quality and economic viability of the area. The plan, which has the overwhelming backing of local residents, councillors and shop owners, is now under discussion by the council for inclusion in its transport plans for next year. Your support can help make it happen. See a copy of the Ladywell Report. Click here Be patient the link is a bit slow!

Sign the petition online at http://lewisham-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/petitions/mr_r_p_sheppard_1 or in one of your local shops!!

It's important. The council will take its final decision at the end of September.

Here are 10 reasons why you should support LVIG’s streetscape action plan:

It aims to make the street an attractive and safe place for people of all ages and abilities.
It will help improve the quality of the street, boosting trade and encouraging investment in local businesses
It caters for the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers and users of public transport
It will create wider pavements and parking/loading bays for shop deliveries and shoppers
Wider pavements will offer more seating for local people
It will reduce traffic speeds by narrowing the road and creating a raised “table” at the main junction
Reduced traffic speeds will cut noise and improve safety and air quality
It will introduce more trees and better street signage and furniture
It will improve the strategic Waterlink Way cycle route by providing a proper connection
across Ladywell Rd
Above all it will encourage local residents to walk to the shops and local schools rather than drive, generating health and environmental benefits for the whole community. TonyM

Is it a Tesco, a Co-op - or just rumour?

Rumours are rife that a supermarket chain is looking to set up shop in Ladywell’s high street. It seems the renewed bout of speculation has been triggered by the application for an extension of planning permission on the site at the corner of Malyons Rd-Ladywell Rd. People have “been told” or “have heard” that a franchised Costcutter or Tesco Express . . . perhaps a Co-op outlet is planned. At the moment LVIG has no idea what is going on although we are seeking clarification from people in the corridors of power. What we do know is that the owners of the site are seeking a renewal of planning permission for the construction of a four storey block plus basement that would include nine flats plus a maisonette and a ground floor retail unit (see illustration).
But the owner of the site may have problems. The Ladywell Society tells me that under new London planning laws any new residential block of 10 or more units must include affordable housing. It is not clear that the proposed development does. The society also points out that the proposed building is higher than any other in Ladywell Rd and is to be built up to the pavement rather than in line with adjacent buildings – the cottages and the Tavern. It has objected to the application. No date has yet been set for a committee hearing on the planning application.
But what if a supermarket chain did move into the high street? Would you be opposed to it because it could threaten independent retailers and may lead to more empty shops? Or would you welcome it as a sign of Ladywell’s revival? Tell LVIG what you think. Add a comment Tony Major

Minutes of Annual General Meeting - July 2009

Please click on the "comments" below to read the minutes from the AGM, including an overview from our guest speaker, Emily Miller, from the Meanwhile Space Project.