Regular opening hours during the potentially lean times when a new business opens seems to me to be one of the most important factors in its success. At least, that is what I have seen around Crofton Park/Honor Oak area, as well as in Forest Hill.

I remember when Mr Lawrence wine bar opened 15 years ago or so - business was very slack for a year or so until word got around it was good. I guess they'd predicted that - they seemed to sit it out, always open when you expected them to be. There's been a number of places round here which started up on a kind of 'random hours' basis, so "I think I'll just walk over and have a coffee at X" turns out to be an experience you don't want to repeat when you find them closed.