The two half´s pub

[scarpetta]

I have noticed that the pub has been shut this week - the end of an era? I truly hope so. There is no sign in the window but I doubt that a refurbishment is taking place. Does anybody have an update.

[JulietP]

I've never been. Partly because the bad grammar offends me deeply.

[G-Man]

G Lady and I were thinking the same thing, who knows. We thought Angie kept her flowers in there, so lets hope it doesn't cause her any trouble if it is closed.

I find pubs with flat roofs offensive, so the grammar is an extra hoof in the...

G-Man

[poppy]

I saw a fight taking place whilst passing by the other afternoon. Someone was waving their crutch at someone else. Nice.

This might be our chance to get on a marketing drive to get a decent bar or restaurant or shop in that spot!

Any ideas?

I know a bar called Sun and Doves (I think, based in Camberwell area) were looking at places in Forest Hill a year or so ago.

P

[scarpetta]

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who is hoping for an improvement of Sydenham. I think SE26 has so much potential but I must admit I have not seen many glimpses of hope over the past 3 years where I have been residing in SE26. The opening of Billings (awesome place - please shop local - these guys are great!) and the stunning shop 140 interior with great shabby chic design and retro furniture.

Have any of you recently visitied Crystal Palace? I used to live their only 4 years ago. SE19 has had a major makeover - please let that happen to SE26 too!!

[Voyageur]

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who is hoping for an improvement of Sydenham. I think SE26 has so much potential but I must admit I have not seen many glimpses of hope over the past 3 years where I have been residing in SE26. The opening of Billings (awesome place - please shop local - these guys are great!) and the stunning shop 140 interior with great shabby chic design and retro furniture.

Have any of you recently visitied Crystal Palace? I used to live their only 4 years ago. SE19 has had a major makeover - please let that happen to SE26 too!!

I moved in reverse several years ago and I am loving what is happening up in the triangle - especially the specialist cheese/charcuterie/beer shop, the new deli (about to open) the cupcake shop, the Grape & Grain pub, the Sparrowhawk bar/restaurant that has replaced the Hollybush. We've even got a cupcake shop

Not all the locals like the changes mind you, but I am pretty happy with the way things are going.

[blue&whitewizard1991]

The woodman was upto 3 months ago being marketed by Bellevuwe and Mortlake. The agent suggested to me a while back it may be available at a good discount price. However the owner (private individual) has since changed his mind and wants at least a mil for it. It's a huge footprint but there are plenty of better deals in zone 3 if anyone wants a pub. Unfortunately this prob means it'll be empty for a long time.

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[blue&whitewizard1991]

Sorry ignore me, just adding to the confusion. I was actually referring to the windmill on Kirkdale! Let's hope this thread can proceed smoothly from now on:)

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Robin Orton]

We've even got a cupcake shop

reports Voyageur from upmarket Crystal Palace.

For those like me who aren't sure what a 'cupcake' is, I gather from Wikipaedia that it is the American word for what I was brought up to call a fairy cake.

If anything as trendy as a 'cupcake' shop' came to Sydenham, I would seriously think about moving out, particularly in the light of this from the Wikipaedia article:

In the early 21st century, a trend for cupcake shops was reported in the United States, playing off of [sic] the sense of nostalgia evoked by the cakes. In New York City, cupcake shops like Magnolia Bakery gained publicity in their appearances on popular television shows like HBO's Sex and the City. [...] Cupcakes have become more than a trend over the years. It's become an industry.

Yuk.

[leenewham]

Blimey Robin, it's only one shop! It's not exactly gentrification, especially as for every step forward the high street makes, it seems to take two back elsewhere. The high street is barely any more exciting, enticing or less shabby than when we moved here almost 4 years ago.

Crystal Palace is great, we go there a fair amount because it's a nice place to shop, has stuff that is genuinely interesting and a great selection. I love the antiques shops, it's great to go for a browse on a weekend. We support local shops and businesses in Sydenham that we like, but some really don't seem to bother such as the shop that has a broken sign and hasn't bothered to fix it for years (it used to be Sainsbury's) or the new Ganesh (or Gnsh depending on how scrunched up the sign is on any given day) convenience store that makes me think that if they care so little for the outward appearance of their shop, then what do they think about how they store the food and drink they sell.

I wouldn't mind a cup cake. Variety is the spice of life.

[Voyageur]

We've even got a cupcake shop

reports Voyageur from upmarket Crystal Palace.

For those like me who aren't sure what a 'cupcake' is, I gather from Wikipaedia that it is the American word for what I was brought up to call a fairy cake.

If anything as trendy as a 'cupcake' shop' came to Sydenham, I would seriously think about moving out, particularly in the light of this from the Wikipaedia article:

In the early 21st century, a trend for cupcake shops was reported in the United States, playing off of [sic] the sense of nostalgia evoked by the cakes. In New York City, cupcake shops like Magnolia Bakery gained publicity in their appearances on popular television shows like HBO's Sex and the City. [...] Cupcakes have become more than a trend over the years. It's become an industry.

Yuk.

Ha! Wondered if anyone would bite at that Soulcialise (horrendous name) is actually a coffee and cupcake bar - and the home-made cakes are pretty yummy. It is not my cup of tea (I prefer some alcohol with my socialising) but seems very popular with students and mums. Each to their own, and it beats a chicken shack, nail bar our empty shop front....

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[G-Man]

Blimey Robin, it's only one shop! It's not exactly gentrification, especially as for every step forward the high street makes, it seems to take two back elsewhere. The high street is barely any more exciting, enticing or less shabby than when we moved here almost 4 years ago.

We do have some improvements on four years ago, but agree not a vast amount. Certainly the demographic at the station is changing, which I think means there is more demand for lovely things. I'm hoping the opening of the Greyhound will change things, I'm very excited about that. Antic seem to really know what they are doing with boozers.

Today I saw some shop fitters in the ladies clothes shop (Candice 2?!?) so perhaps something could be happening there?

The thing is with shops closing and the council putting up rates I can't really see much happening. Lewisham council seem a bit rubbish at this re-generation thing. Which has made me think, does Crystal Palace have more put into it because three boroughs meet there? Just a thought...

Cheers

G-Man

[JeeBee]

Ha! Wondered if anyone would bite at that Soulcialise (horrendous name) is actually a coffee and cupcake bar - and the home-made cakes are pretty yummy. It is not my cup of tea (I prefer some alcohol with my socialising) but seems very popular with students and mums. Each to their own, and it beats a chicken shack, nail bar our empty shop front....

How about a "Beer and Chicken Bar" for Sydenham. Upmarket lumps of spicy chicken served alongside a generic lager served in a fancy lager glass. Clearly this is where all the chicken shops are going wrong! Maybe the place could be even more ridiculous and call it "Chicken Tapas".

I'm all in favour of fairy cakes as long as they're priced accordingly. I.e., they're smaller than a muffin, so they shouldn't cost more than a muffin.

[poppy]

Something is definitely happening with the Woodman. It looks like they are restoring the original tiles outside. Is this just a spruce up to sell then?

[poppy]

We also have noticed a huge change in the demographic since we moved here five years ago.

We see lots of people on foot in our road and there are far more trendy young things, posh pushchairs and very smart professionals passing by these days.

[G-Man]

Something is definitely happening with the Woodman. It looks like they are restoring the original tiles outside. Is this just a spruce up to sell then?

I thought Wooster and Stock were making it their head office? I'm sure that has been thre talk on here?

G-Man

[Guachina]

Is about time that all these horrendous places shut down! I don't know why some people are so against good shops/bars moving in. I wish we had more choice in Sydenham so I wouldn't have to shop in Crystal Palace or East Dulwich. How many more chicken shops and nail bars can we fit in our high street? We have a fantastic bread/ cake shop in Kirkdale, Billings, the Dolphin... We need more places like that so we can be proud of our area and be able to shop good produce locally.

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[leenewham]

Blimey Robin, it's only one shop! It's not exactly gentrification, especially as for every step forward the high street makes, it seems to take two back elsewhere. The high street is barely any more exciting, enticing or less shabby than when we moved here almost 4 years ago.

We do have some improvements on four years ago, but agree not a vast amount. Certainly the demographic at the station is changing, which I think means there is more demand for lovely things. I'm hoping the opening of the Greyhound will change things, I'm very excited about that. Antic seem to really know what they are doing with boozers.

Today I saw some shop fitters in the ladies clothes shop (Candice 2?!?) so perhaps something could be happening there?

The thing is with shops closing and the council putting up rates I can't really see much happening. Lewisham council seem a bit rubbish at this re-generation thing. Which has made me think, does Crystal Palace have more put into it because three boroughs meet there? Just a thought...

Cheers

G-Man

Crystal Palace has a really strong traders association and sense of community and what it is and want's to be. People seem to genuinely care about their shipping district and want it improve it. Virtual Norwood is buzzing with posts about it. They seem very pro-active with getting stuff done such as the art gallery. Look at what has been achieved in a short space of time in Mayow and Home Parks because of engaged user groups. In Crystal Palace this thinking has been applied to their shopping area. Perhaps we should do the same here.

Actually, we are working with some excellent officers from Lewisham who have done wonderful things in the borough with regeneration. I have been really impressed with all the people I have met and will be working with as part of the Outer London Fund. I'm just disappointed that the improvements aren't happening in Sydenham. Forest Hill Cllrs fought for funding for Se23 but it doesn't look like anything happened here in se26 unfortunately although we have new pavements, pocket parks, a greened roundabout and trees on the way and of course other improvements as heavily supported by local Cllrs and the Sydenham Society such as the controversial partly public funded Naborhood Centre Mosaic (I know I'm potentially stirring a hornets next by saying this!).

Eeeek, is that a contraction? Whoooooooooooooooosh. PANIC!

[chrisj1948]

I have noticed that the pub has been shut this week - the end of an era? I truly hope so. There is no sign in the window but I doubt that a refurbishment is taking place. Does anybody have an update.

My apologies for returning to the original topic. it is rumoured that it is closed for .... financial reasons. I have only recent hearsay to support this.

Regards
Chris

[G-Man]

My apologies for returning to the original topic. it is rumoured that it is closed for .... financial reasons. I have only recent hearsay to support this.

Regards
Chris

Ha - no apology needed, these things tend to go off piste! We walked past this morning and noticed it is boparded up, looks really grim actually. Let's home someone with an innovative idea take sit over soon.

G-Man