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

Two die in Ladywell Fire

The London Fire Brigade reports that two people have died in a fire this morning at the disused garages site at the corner of Malyons/Ladywell Roads.  The LFB website says:

Firefighters attended a fire at a row of eight garages on Malyons Road in Ladywell, this morning.

One man left before the arrival of the Brigade and was treated for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service, before being taken to hospital. Sadly two other people were pronounced dead at the scene.

Most of the garage was damaged in the blaze and a gas cylinder that was inside the garage was cooled down by crews.

Firefighters from Greenwich and Lewisham fire stations attended the incident.

The Brigade was called at 08.28 and the fire was quickly under control.  The incident was over at 10.29.

Robert Sheppard

Peabody consults on Carpet Corner Plans

Peabody Housing Association is currently consulting on its plans for the Carpet Corner site at the junction of Ladywell Road and Wearside Road.

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.

What future for the Ladywell Baths (aka 'The Playtower')?

All of us are keen to see this semi-derelict local landmark brought back into use.

It remains in Council ownership but since the dissolution of the Trust, established about 5 years back (by the local voluntary sector and a church), and £500k+ works by the Council to weatherproof the building, little clear progress has been made towards finding a viable plan, not least because works costing upwards of £3m will be required before the building can be used.

The Council continues to look at options for raising funds to bring the building back into productive use, but there are significant challenges to overcome.  There have been ongoing discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) about schemes, which could help overcome the investment hurdle (Heritage Enterprise and Heritage Grants being the two obvious funding streams).  The Council is also in contact with a ‘heritage consultant’ who has previously developed a number of successful HLF proposals.

The Council has indicated only this week that it is open to viable community proposals for the building’s future but, inevitably, everything will hang on securing the significant investment required.

The last full assessment of refurbishment cost was undertaken over 7yrs ago.  Then the estimated cost of restoring the building to basic productive use as offices was £2.3m, but since then costs will have risen significantly, and there is asbestos to remove which will make refurbishment even more complicated.

The Council could yet decide to dispose of the site, though the building’s condition and Grade II listed status, plus the site constraints, may make it unattractive to developers.  The only area where new build would be possible is a rectangular area at the rear of the site, adjacent to St.Mary's Churchyard. 

Anyone interested in joining potential discussions, later in the Summer, on developing viable community proposals for the site - which will need to include significant public and/or private investment and some sort of income generation plan plan - should contact ladywell.info@gmail.co.uk

Robert Sheppard