| Author |
Message |
Catherine2
Joined 05-03-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:10 pm: | |
Hi
Can anybody provide me with the landlord details of 18 london rd ( Was Aceri) I have been plotting the opening of a cafe/ bar in forest hill to cater for early morning commuter trade , to provide a child friendly coffee shop/ cafe for the parents out there during the day( with child area and licence for the necessary glass of wine) and chilled out evenings some of the week.
any info most welcome |
Ermsey
Joined 14-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:14 pm: | |
Catherine2, you are about to become the most popular person on this website. |
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:42 pm: | |
I can't believe you really exist, Catherine2! Will you please pinch yourself to make sure you're not just a figment of our imagination? The words "child-friendly coffee shop" are too, too wonderful. |
Crispy
Joined 10-09-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:46 pm: | |
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!
That sounds fantastic, this is a favourite topic of conversation on here.
You only need to look at the success of the Honor Oak and the Dolphin to realise that there are people in the area that want more than fired chicken shops!!!! |
Ermsey
Joined 14-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:49 pm: | |
I can't think of a single fired chicken shop in Forest Hill. |
Crispy
Joined 10-09-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:52 pm: | |
ooooops......fried chicken....was getting to excited at the prospect of a cafe/bar.... |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:53 pm: | |
Yes a decent Latte coffee shop very very welcome.
Capitol tries its best but whilst you have your coffee you get alcoholics walking past to dring at 9am . |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:54 pm: | |
fired chickens! what's the world coming to? It was bad enough when they were fried.
Yes, Catherine2, we would all welcome this idea with open arms (and wallets), but it is possile that this is a little late. There was a mobile number on the door until recently, but it has been taken down. Kiwi100 (who was talking of opening something similar across the road at the closed Organic Republic shop) mentioned they had told her something was in the planning (coffee shop / wine bar) so it could be too late??
Anyway, if you get anywhere, the experience of The Honor Oak is - involve people here as soon as possible and you'll get masses of support.
Good luck |
Haylands
Joined 29-09-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 03:55 pm: | |
There's one off Perry Vale, they're forever queueing up to sign on, apparently forest hill has quite a reputation for being tough on chicken employees |
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 04:04 pm: | |
mmmmmm.... fired chicken |
Catherine2
Joined 05-03-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 04:07 pm: | |
Hand on heart no chicken involved, and thank for all the positive comments. You are all so right and Forest Hill needs this place .So
just for the record this is a determined plan and if Aceri is gone then i shall wait and watch until something comes up , that is unless they are opening a cafe/ bar/ child friendly..... hmmm
Anyway all ideas are welcome, i know that what i have longed for here is somewhere to read the papers and chill on a sunday , somewhere for a quiet moment in the week where kids are free to cause chaos and the odd evening of good beer / wine and relaxed live music (nothing against the hob but the friday night live acts are too much for me these days)
so the business plans are occupying me full time for now but please if you here anything about any vacant plots , let me know. Got a meeting with the forest hill town centre manager next week, wish me luck |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 04:17 pm: | |
Catherine2,
Well done for taking up the challenge. I wish you the best of luck.
I would recommend contacting Lewisham Town Centre Management (http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/Business/TownCentreMana gement/default.htm)
They may be able to provide information about the ownership and any ways Lewisham may be able to help you. I did hear the rent on this site was quite high, but if it is I would suggest you consider the empty site adjoining Sainsburys, located right beside the pedestrian exit from the car park. |
Haylands
Joined 29-09-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 05:17 pm: | |
There's also the old Midland Bank on Dartmouth Rd, it has outdoor space too. Good luck |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 06:40 pm: | |
Michael
Considering the shops on that side would find it hard believe they pay a high rent ( except of course Abbey Bank )
You have a launderette , charity shop and cheap shop which overflows the pavement |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 05 March, 2007 - 06:58 pm: | |
yes, but the current owners will now want to extract the maximum they can because of the "Underground/Overgound" developments |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 06 March, 2007 - 10:20 am: | |
Would a coffee shop in Dartmouth Road be more popular as people can park nearby for up to 20 minutes? |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 06 March, 2007 - 10:40 am: | |
I suspect most of the traffic will be on foot (on the way to/from the station) or be families getting out the house (with buggies etc.) and therefore also more likely to walk than drive.
I don't think parking would make or break a coffee shop (but it does for a restaurant).
The interesting thing about this idea will be to cover as many bases as possible without diluting the core proposition. Coffee, wine, food, etc all go together, but you have to be careful not to fall between the two stools (too many kids for the drinkers, too much mess and "residue" from drinkers for the families).
This is apparently a big area, so on a square foot basis a lot of revenue will have to be generated to stay afloat. I would suggest that if it is to be family oriented (in the main) one might also look at other ways of generating revenue - books, games, paid activities & classes, etc.
Another thought would be to involve the artists on Havelock Walk right behind these shops. Not just exhibiting work for sale, but demonstrations, activities and chats. I can think of several who would have something interesting to show, and therefore also reach the parents for potential "sales".
Lastly (giving away all the ideas for free for the good of the many!!) one should really consider that Forest Hill needs more "indoor play" areas. We are blessed with loads of parks for when the weather is good, but when it turns foul there is only really the museum. Of course that is great, but alternatives would be good. Any chance of a play area where kids can play safely in the dry (for a small fee)? I suspect this place is big enough. |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 06 March, 2007 - 10:46 am: | |
Child friendly is one thing, but a play area inside a coffee shop sounds awful. If there is one thing that would definitely stop me going into a coffee shop it would be hoards of screaming children.
However, I'm not in Forest Hill during the day and I don't particularly like coffee, so I might not be typical of your customer base. |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 06 March, 2007 - 11:05 am: | |
Just you wait Michael!
:) |
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 06 March, 2007 - 01:40 pm: | |
There's a cafe called Crumpet on Northcote Road, near Wandsworth Common, which has a play area (free) in the back. It's the kind of place that Michael should stay well clear of! But for those of us who like coffee (and tolerate small children) it's great - though hideously expensive. Bit of a trek, though, so something similar nearer to home would be useful. Parents with children are always looking for places to meet up during the day and Forest Hill is full of families who currently tend to gravitate towards East Dulwich where we get intimidated by the Posh Mums. |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 30 March, 2007 - 03:39 pm: | |
Catherine2 - are you still out there?
Any news on this idea of yours? I fancy a coffee and wondered how long I would have to wait. |
Lola
Joined 24-11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 02 April, 2007 - 06:07 pm: | |
Sorry Liz but the thought of sitting in something akin to a creche whilst trying to have a chat with your mate over a coffee sounds unbearable to a childless sort like me. I'm with Michael and I propose the idea of at least having times when it is NOT child-friendly... |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 - 07:44 am: | |
I think we are getting ahead of ourselves we have not even got a proper coffee shop and little prospect of one on the horizon.
If we did I would not want childrens play areas.
Well supervised children sitting down fine.
Anyway let us first get a coffee shop. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 27 April, 2007 - 11:45 pm: | |
Yes a creche in a coffee shop does sound awful. I like children but I would also like the chance to enjoy a coffee and read the paper in peace. That doesn't make me a bad person - or 'intolerant' |
Newresident
Joined 06-07-2007
| | Posted on Friday, 06 July, 2007 - 03:09 pm: | |
When you opening Catherine? I have just moved to the area and in deperate need of somewhere comfortable, upmarket and friendly to sit an enjoy a great cup of coffee while I catch up on the papers. As to the other retail spaces - FH is crying out, in my mind, for a decent butcher / italian resturant, (maybe even an M&S) / bookshop. All I wonder is where all the people that get on and off the commuter trains in the morning from FH go at the weekends? Surely there is the demand for these kind of shops?? |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 09 July, 2007 - 02:56 pm: | |
Was it my imagination (no, not a rumour, just a request for information and verification!) or was there some activity in Aceri over the weekend? I drove past (so couldn't get a good view) but it looked like there were some building materials there.
Maybe just getting excitable. |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 July, 2007 - 04:07 pm: | |
Definitely something going on here.
No activity today when I looked in the window but someone (official) has been in and started to gut the place. That would only happen if there were plans to do something with it, so I guess that whatever it is, this site could be back in action in the near future.
Anyone heard what it might be? Is it that famed coffee shop / wine bar that was mentioned all those months ago? |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 July, 2007 - 07:28 am: | |
I should not get too excited probably another Pound Shop |
Pvp
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 July, 2007 - 09:23 am: | |
There is a planning application letter up outside the pizza place. I think it refers to there and the charity shop. Anyone else know anything about this? |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 July, 2007 - 09:49 am: | |
There was a separate thread about that some time back. I believe this is the one you mean:
../9/1108.html"#f7f7f7"> | Theotherbrian
Joined 28-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 July, 2007 - 07:53 pm: | |
Maybe it's a nail bar.... or maybe a betting shop. We could really do with either of those. |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 July, 2007 - 09:36 pm: | |
I would like somewhere to buy fried chicken so that I can redistribute chicken bones throughout the streets. There just aren't enough of either. |
Wayfarer
Joined 01-11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 13 July, 2007 - 09:29 am: | |
I know that these following comments will shock some people, but I look forward to Aceri being established as a successful business that will benefit the Forest Hill whatever it maybe.
Good luck to who ever is considering taking on such a large unit.
Sorry if this note is a little on the positive side, no offence is meant to. |
