Business/industrial unit on Newlands Park - what is it?

[Weeble]

For no other reason other than to satisfy my curiosity: does anyone know what the business(es) do that operate out of the 60s/70s block on Newlands Park (next to Studland Rd).

I'm sure it's nothing particularly interesting but I've been past it many times and never seen the name of business or anything to indicate what goes on, and frankly I'm nosey!

[Eagle]

Hi Weebie
Do you mean the old Grundig factory/warehouse of the 50's and 60's , which then became something to do with The Met.

I would also be interested to know what goes on there.

[Weeble]

I am afraid I wasn't around in the 50s and 60s to comment on whether we're talking about the same place Eagle but as it's the only building of its type in the vicinity I assume it must be.

It's really quite big but there's no signage on the building or any of the numerous vans parked there which betray the nature of the business.

[Weeble]

ah-ha. Combination of Eagle's mention of 'something to do with the Met' and the unmarked refrigeration vans gave me an idea - a quick google later and I find police forensics jobs based in Newlands Park.

Looks like it's CSI Sydenham!

Obviously with my stunning detective work they should give me a job

[bensonby]

It's where the Met do most of their forensic electronic stuff: examining computers for evidence etc.

[admin]

In another capacity I sold them some high tech recording equipment

I didn't know it was the old Grundig place. Which brings to to an urgent request to identify the major businesses in Sydenham (see http://www.sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewto ... f=9&t=9180)

I am using this definition for major player:

* Employs or employed over 100 people in Sydenham or
* Based in Sydenham employs or employed over 100 people here and elsewhere

Current players on my list are:

* Clarkes of London (coach company)
* Hexagon Housing
* Sainsbury Savacentre
* Metropolitan Police (maybe I shouldn't publicise this too much?)

Who have i missed?

Retired players now on the list are:

* Dylon (see http://www.sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewto ... f=1&t=7980)
* South Eastern Gas Board
* Grundig

Any more?

TIA,
Admin

[bensonby]

Well, in the public sector, I'd say The Met probably employs over 100 people in Sydenham:

New lands Park probably employs that many (although I don't know for sure)

Sydenham Police Station employs a couple of dozen

Catford Hill Police Station (perry hill) -just on the border of Sydenham employs people too.

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[Savvy]

Admin. Don't publish the details of Newlands Park. Its as BensonB says and its not a secret as such but as its unsigned I would guess the MPS do not want to draw attention to it.

[mikej]

I'd have thought the area's secondary schools all employ over 100 people, so add those...

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[admin]

Mike - schools are not businesses. Well, not yet

I guess I need to take a walk around the Kangly Bridge Industrial Estate. Any other places am I likely to find significant businesses lurking?

Admin

[Eagle]

Admin
Used to know a number of companies on the Lower Sydenham Estate. The tendency over the past decades is for smaller and smaller employees , rather than a small number of large ones.

To be honest cannot think of any other large employers.

Did you have Children's Hospital as an historic large employer?

[marymck]

Doesn't fit the criteria eagle. But I put a link in admin's thread in the history section that you might find interesting.

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[brian stimson]

Was that where Wayne Tank and Pump were?

[mikej]

admin said

Mike - schools are not businesses. Well, not yet

well, neither are the Met Police, but they are on your list - you're not being logical or consistent here

[gerispringer]

It depends whether you mean public or private sector - I don't suppose it matters - a private school such as SHGS would count presumably. I would count any organisation as its all employment.

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[admin]

GDST is a charity and its prime task is schooling so it is not a business in the commercial or industrial sense.

Mike makes the good point that Newlands Park is not commercial. However it isn't run o' the mill policing either. Its work could be done by an outsourced commercial operator and I guess the police might be looking at that under pressure from the Home Office so it could happen and all we would notice is the change in non-existent name boards. So the technicality of whether it is in the public or private sector is just that.

The same could be said of Hexagon. Its in that quasi commercial/public service field but does operate as a business renting, maintaining and developing housing independently of government which is why it is on the list.

The list is so short that if I was not so lenient it would be near zero. But I have to draw the line somewhere. It may be a bit zigzaggy and it is a lesson to me on how Sydenham now has so little business outside the retail and small service sector. Almost nothing in wealth creation (in the old fashioned sense).

IMHO not healthy. But Admins are not supposed to have opinions

Admin

[Parautoptic]

Lots of Met. police activities at Newlands Park. Some 'secret' others very mundane.
Another candidate for large business in the past might be ICL in Kangley Bridge Rd. (Disappeared about 40? years ago.

[stuart]

Lots of Met. police activities at Newlands Park. Some 'secret' others very mundane.
Another candidate for large business in the past might be ICL in Kangley Bridge Rd. (Disappeared about 40? years ago.

I did some business with Newlands Park but never got past reception

ICL was in Worsley Bridge Road. I recall it was an engineering outpost - not part of the core business. Probably inherited from the old tabulator manufacturing businesses that preceded computers.

Stuart

[Sydenham]

Just recently some of the MOPAC team (Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime*) have also moved to Newlands Park from their original offices at the old City Hall near Tower Bridge. So not just the police there these days.

* that's the London Mayor Khan and not our Lewisham Mayor Egan.

https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/ma ... rime-mopac