Ron and Emma have been great for Forest Hill and have attracted some great names in comedy (both established and up and coming).
They believed in Forest Hill years before the first coffee shop of opened and before Location, Location, Location adopted it as their second home.
They have run a venue that attracts people to Forest Hill, but one that many locals took for granted (or didn't realise was so special).
I wish them every success in the future and the same for whoever takes over The Hob.
It looks as if the comedy and music will continue but this weekend will be the last under the current proprietors. I'm sure it will be a cracking one!
Someone told me today that they had heard a rumour that the owner of The Hob and of the shoe repairer next door had plans to demolish the building and redevelop the site. Does anyone know whether there is any truth in this?
Oh no, what a shame. such a lovely place.
I believe those buildings are in the conservation area so I can't see that happening. Also, the shoe repair shop is in Savills auction on the 22nd.
UGH! please say it aint so!
I'd hate more bland buildings like the ones at the opposite exit of FH station.
The HOB is a lovely trad pub building. Granted the shoe repairers and From the forest could do with sprucing up but at least that parade has character.
There would be almost nil chance of their getting permission to demolish. Conversion, maybe (but they would need permission to convert to residential).
Worth considering that the business has been sold on as a going concern less than a month ago. The idea that it will cease to be a pub seems relatively unlikely.
It is a really tight site and getting planning permission for residential would be fairly difficult when you consider all the associated issues. There are much better places for property developers to buy close the to station that could provide residential and retail opportunities (a skip yard, an ex-timber yard, and an MOT garage).
It is also possible that the three shops - From the Forest, Jolly Bee, and Shoe Repair Centre could be combined together into an excellent sized unit. The ground levels are different, but that wouldn't deter an estate agent or restaurant. It is a great location and you could imagine that rental value could be increased by combining these units.
But this is pure speculation. If I knew more I probably wouldn't say (but I don't).
I had heard that the Hob was to be sold and re opened as more of a gastro-pub.
Just a rumour though...
I heard it is going to be turned into a church or a cinema
Not a betting shop, tattoo parlour, nail bar, estate agents or fried chicken shop?
I hear it is going to be a smart deli with a sushi bar so we can all go "Ooo, Aaah" and never use it so it closes down.
But not a church please! There are plenty of churches in the area for those who like that sort of thing.
A cinema on the other hand would be really cool!
They should reopen the canal along here.
We could have skinny dipping evenings and knock Hackney off their perch.
Theres a cinema down the road on Lordship lane now.
I'd love it to become a Waitrose only to p*** off the residents of East Dulwich!
I say we take direct action, and before anything else happens we get down there and start digging the Bakerloo line. Who's with me?
The hob has been sold to an experienced pub operator and will close in a few weeks time for a full refit and reopen as a modernised pub/food outlet,I understand it will still retain the comedy club upstairs
Closed this evening - mysterious 'electrical fault'. Interesting timing..
anyone able to offer any info/gossip?
The sign has changed. Now says closed for refurbishment. Guess that means it's closed for a while...