On the hoof

[jonekt]

Love the rebranding of on the hoof & the little hatch at the station. Brilliant idea to have seats outside the station - a real sun trap this morning when I went past!

Great to see a business in Sydenham making a real effort!

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[leenewham]

Thanks Jonekt.

[Checkmate]

I could be completely wrong on this - and I hope I am, because in the current climate of Portas, pop-up shops and street markets, Sydenham is becoming a more interesting place - but, I have to ask, under what circumstances would you sit outside the station enjoying a drink?

If going for a train, I time my arrival at the station to turn up just before my train arrives, and if I want a coffee, grab a quick one and head for my train.

If getting off a train, I get off it, exit the station and go home.

....and....slightly off topic, why doesn't On The Hoof open as early as its predecessor? On some of the recent frosty mornings, I would have loved a nice hot chocolate before boarding the 0553 to Sutton. O.T.H. not open this early. You're missing out on the early morning commuters who arguably are in most need of waking up with a strong coffee!!!!!

[Tim Lund]

I could be completely wrong on this - and I hope I am, because in the current climate of Portas, pop-up shops and street markets, Sydenham is becoming a more interesting place - but, I have to ask, under what circumstances would you sit outside the station enjoying a drink?

If going for a train, I time my arrival at the station to turn up just before my train arrives, and if I want a coffee, grab a quick one and head for my train.

If getting off a train, I get off it, exit the station and go home.

....and....slightly off topic, why doesn't On The Hoof open as early as its predecessor? On some of the recent frosty mornings, I would have loved a nice hot chocolate before boarding the 0553 to Sutton. O.T.H. not open this early. You're missing out on the early morning commuters who arguably are in most need of waking up with a strong coffee!!!!!

Slightly wrong, I'd say. Maybe you're more organised than me, but frequency of trains now means I treat it as a 'turn up and go' service, so if I see that there's five minutes to go, I'll get a coffee. It would be good to have a kiosk on platform 1, as they do at Forest Hill, which would make me much more likely to buy when going into town. Sitting outside might seem unlikely to you and me, but (1) it's not going to cost much, (2) it is how businesses find out if there is a demand, and (3) it will help to advertise. 'On the hoof' struck me immediately as having good business instincts, and I'm sure they'll give serious thought to your suggesting about earlier opening. They also had the sense to use Lee's design ideas for their cups, which are really neat

[Checkmate]

I guess you're right, Tim, I am fortunate enough to be able to get from my flat door to Platform 2 in as little as 6 minutes, whereas a sizeable proportion of commuters may have the unpredictability of a bus journey before their train journey.

"Turn up and go" may well apply to people heading for stations to New Cross Gate (8 LOROLs and 4 Southerns per hour) but definitely not for people heading to East Croydon (2 per hour)

And I hope you're right, when summer leaves us (if it ever comes) and the mornings are frosty again, the thought of a nice hot chocolate on the 0553 will take some of the pain away

[bensonby]

I remember the days when I had to get the 0527 towards London: I really did appreciate my daily black coffee!

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[jonekt]

The seating area was being used when I went past. I could see me & my husband using it as we get different trains to work but if we are 10/15mins away we'll often wait at the station for eacother & walk home together.I could see either of us grabbing a coffee, paper & a seat while we were waiting for the other. We also used to rent v near the station & would have definately used it to have a coffee & a muffin as didnt have a garden.There are quite a lot of flats there so I imagine they might get a few people who might use it for that purpose too. I think it's a good idea as not expensive to do & if it helps get even a little more custom then why not. When station approach is regenerated it might give on the hoof more opportunities to put chairs out & have more space depending on the layout.

I also agree something on the platform going to London would also be good. I did see a man with a tray last week but by the time I twigged he was selling coffee he'd gone.

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[leenewham]

I think On the Hoof are to be applauded for investing in Sydenham. Whether everyone will use the outside seating is neither here nor there. Some will, some wont. They have it in Forest Hill. Some people use it, some don't.

The fact that they engaged with the community with the recent talk at the Jill hub, have been concerned with their appearance and gone for something rather unusual which is also local with the branding and packaging we produced for them with the cups and the signage should be applauded.

We should be encouraging local businesses like this (which is why I thanked jonekt earlier).

[Checkmate]

Don't get me wrong, leenewham, I'm all for encouraging local businesses to make an effort - indeed, by asking my question "Who's gonna use this new seating area?", OTH may get feedback like jonekt's which could prove useful.

Just because I can't see myself using the seating, doesn't mean I can't see myself buying a drink there, or that I can't see anybody using the seating

[Maria]

I think it is a fantastic idea and have every intention of using on wedn on my way to central London.

One by one, all my items of the "wish list for Sydenham" are being ticked: outdoor seating, the Greyhound on its way to being built, farmers markets.... dream come true or wish fulfilled... so soon!

[alywin]

I hadn't realised it was that new. The seating was certainly being used mid-morning on Friday when I went up to town.

[Checkmate]

What time does OTH close?

[JulietP]

I very much enjoyed reading the new packaging yesterday. And I've just bought a sandwich from very cheerful guy with a tray on platform 1 at sydenham. Nice way to start the morning!

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[leenewham]

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[Tim Lund]

I very much enjoyed reading the new packaging yesterday.

Spotted in a lift in Canary Wharf this morning. Good way to recognise a fellow Sydenham / Forest Hill dweller and open a conversation