Jam Circus reopens tonight
It's been a long-time coming, but excellent and badly-missed Crofton Park bar Jam Circus reopens tonight, more than a year after it closed due to fire. The team has confirmed that the doors open tonight at 7pm!
Crofton Park seeks 100 years of train upgrades
BCer William says this is a pivotal moment for Crofton Park transport and wants residents to join his campaigning group. He writes:
The Department for Transport is inviting tenders for the biggest rail franchise in Europe. This franchise will include provisions of trains from Crofton Park station. We are within sight of a world-class system but currently Crofton Park gets a terrible deal - amongst the worst in London, considerably worse than what was delivered in 1950s Britain and on par with Edwardian era provision.
Our group is fighting for a fair deal in the new franchise specification, with the support of Lewisham Council, local MPs, local GLA members and TfL. More information on our website: www.cptug.org
The Department for Transport is inviting tenders for the biggest rail franchise in Europe. This franchise will include provisions of trains from Crofton Park station. We are within sight of a world-class system but currently Crofton Park gets a terrible deal - amongst the worst in London, considerably worse than what was delivered in 1950s Britain and on par with Edwardian era provision.
Our group is fighting for a fair deal in the new franchise specification, with the support of Lewisham Council, local MPs, local GLA members and TfL. More information on our website: www.cptug.org
Peter James opens longer
From the 22nd of October, Ewhurst Road butcher Peter James will open five days a week (rather than three) and will have new opening hours:
Tuesday 9am to 6pm
Wednesday 9am to 6pm
Thursday 9am to 7pm
Friday 9am to 7pm
Saturday 8am to 6pm
Sunday and Monday closed
Tuesday 9am to 6pm
Wednesday 9am to 6pm
Thursday 9am to 7pm
Friday 9am to 7pm
Saturday 8am to 6pm
Sunday and Monday closed
Jam Circus plans November comeback
Woot! @themostsearched #brockley pic.twitter.com/pAlQezRUBB
— Molewife (@Molewife) October 10, 2013
#Brockley Looks like @JamCircus will be back in November!! Very exciting. No date yet, but I will let you know asap!At last!
— Antic London (@Antic_London) October 8, 2013
Blackfriars cluster approved
The development will replace two of the ugliest buildings ever conceived - Ludgate House and this beast, which has blighted South Bank walks for decades.
Jam Circus returns for Croftfest
Jam Circus owners Antic have confirmed that the Crofton Park bar has hit the comeback trail after being out of the game for nearly a year due to fire. They will reopen for one day only during upcoming Croftfest. Yesterday, they tweeted:
Hurrah\! @jamcircus back for a day at #Croftfest! 28th Sept complete with Sausage Rolls! 12pm - 6pm #BrockleyWhen asked if this heralds its full-time return, they added:
— Antic London (@Antic_London) September 17, 2013
@nancyp_rocks @jamcircus Delicate time in the talks, but it should be tied up soon. No scheduled date yet though.
— Antic London (@Antic_London) September 17, 2013
Croftfest is coming!
Jon Keegan writes:
Croftfest is being organised by local shops and businesses in Crofton Park including Pat a Cakes, Mr Lawrence, Bryan & Keegan Estate Agents., The White Room, The Co-Op, Paraphernalia, Arlo & Mo, the Malaysian Deli, the library and more.
Crofton Park air quality controls to be introduced
Following a recent consultation about the issue, Lewisham Council confirms:
On Friday 30 August, Crofton Park and its borders with Forest Hill and Perry Vale will become an Air Quality Management Area.
Following a detailed assessment it was found that air pollution in parts of this area are failing to meet the standards of air quality required by legislation. These are standards that the UK have set as a result of an EU Directive that considered the health impacts of various air pollutants.
The concerns centre mainly on Brockley Rise/Brockley Road (B218) and Honor Oak Park (B238) where the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide do not meet EU objectives. The main source of the pollutant in the area is motor vehicles but use of fuel for heating and cooking also contributes.
After consultation with residents, Lewisham Council has decided to also include the surrounding residential streets within the Air Quality Management Area as a precautionary measure, with 70 per cent of local people in support.
Lewisham Council is now in the process of preparing an action plan to improve these conditions which will be published in the next 12-18 months.
On Friday 30 August, Crofton Park and its borders with Forest Hill and Perry Vale will become an Air Quality Management Area.
Following a detailed assessment it was found that air pollution in parts of this area are failing to meet the standards of air quality required by legislation. These are standards that the UK have set as a result of an EU Directive that considered the health impacts of various air pollutants.
The concerns centre mainly on Brockley Rise/Brockley Road (B218) and Honor Oak Park (B238) where the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide do not meet EU objectives. The main source of the pollutant in the area is motor vehicles but use of fuel for heating and cooking also contributes.
After consultation with residents, Lewisham Council has decided to also include the surrounding residential streets within the Air Quality Management Area as a precautionary measure, with 70 per cent of local people in support.
Lewisham Council is now in the process of preparing an action plan to improve these conditions which will be published in the next 12-18 months.
The Ladywell Tavern (and maybe Jam Circus) will be back
Kate from The South London Press has managed to get a quote from Enterprise Inns, the owners of the Ladywell Tavern, confirming that the pub (which closed last weekend) will reopen. She writes:
A spokeswoman for Enterprise Inns said the company had received no interest from Tesco, adding: “The publican of the Ladywell Tavern has only ceased trading temporarily; minor works are being carried out on site and our aim is for the pub to resume trading as soon as possible.”
There's more evidence that the local drinking scene doesn't face The World's End, the departing team at The Catford Bridge Tavern have been talking a good game on Twitter, saying that their next move will be to reopen Crofton Park's Jam Circus.
A spokeswoman for Enterprise Inns said the company had received no interest from Tesco, adding: “The publican of the Ladywell Tavern has only ceased trading temporarily; minor works are being carried out on site and our aim is for the pub to resume trading as soon as possible.”
There's more evidence that the local drinking scene doesn't face The World's End, the departing team at The Catford Bridge Tavern have been talking a good game on Twitter, saying that their next move will be to reopen Crofton Park's Jam Circus.
Brockley Jack to close for refurbishment
The Brockley Jack pub in Crofton Park is due to close for refurbishment from July 29th until August 9th. The work will provide the already-handsome pub with a bigger bar, new seating and a bigger garden.
The Brockley Jack theatre will remain open and the programme will continue as normal.
With thanks to Andy.
The Brockley Jack theatre will remain open and the programme will continue as normal.
With thanks to Andy.
Pot tipped
When the Crofton Park plant-pot-tipper is finally caught, we will refuse to name them, lest we give them the publicity they crave. Presumably the same divs as the Brockley Cross tree-snapper:
New Manwood Road housing planned
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| The planned terrace |
More planned infill of brown field sites in the area. An application has been submitted to replace a Crofton Park garage with new housing, which in principle is a good swap.
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| The site currently occupied by garages |
The application proposes:
With thanks to a BCer who asked not to be named but thinks they are too pokey.
Opening Knight
Roy: Someday. That's a dangerous word. It's really just a code for 'never'.
- Knight and Day
After the closure of Mr Lawrence's shop and the fire at Jam Circus, the Crofton Park fight-back starts here. Pop-up brewmasters Late Knights have confirmed that they plan to open a bar on the site of Mr Lawrence's former off licence by the end of July.
If you want to know what lies in store, visit Beer Rebellion, their other bar in Gipsy Hill, just opposite the station, which they say the new place will emulate.
- Knight and Day
After the closure of Mr Lawrence's shop and the fire at Jam Circus, the Crofton Park fight-back starts here. Pop-up brewmasters Late Knights have confirmed that they plan to open a bar on the site of Mr Lawrence's former off licence by the end of July.
If you want to know what lies in store, visit Beer Rebellion, their other bar in Gipsy Hill, just opposite the station, which they say the new place will emulate.
Pat-a-cakes garden
Jam Circus not reopening any time soon
Anthony from Antic provides the following disappointing update on the fate of Jam Circus, which closed after a fire, late last year:
I’m afraid we are still waiting for the two insurance companies involved, the freeholders and the leaseholders, to decide who is paying for what following the fire. The freeholders are not willing for us to take up occupation until this is agreed, hence the delay. We are trying to get a resolution either way so that we can get on with reopening Jam. I was down there this week and it all looks rather sad… I would hope to have some further news in a month.
Brockley needs Jam Circus back in a hurry.
I’m afraid we are still waiting for the two insurance companies involved, the freeholders and the leaseholders, to decide who is paying for what following the fire. The freeholders are not willing for us to take up occupation until this is agreed, hence the delay. We are trying to get a resolution either way so that we can get on with reopening Jam. I was down there this week and it all looks rather sad… I would hope to have some further news in a month.
Brockley needs Jam Circus back in a hurry.
Crofton Park - An Evil Cradling
This is a city of the muses. For poets, painters and composers. This is the artists' enclave. This is Venice and Florence waiting to be explored, and I dream it still.
- Brian Keenan, Between Extremes
Bryan & Keegan, an estate agent so new that its website isn't live yet, is coming to Crofton Park. Jonathan sent us this photo of their shiny new shop front.
BC understands that Estate Agents aren't universally welcomed to Brockley's high streets, but it's another unit filled, another business employing people locally and another sign that the local economy is buoyant. Its neighbours include a bakery and a ballroom, so homogeneity isn't a problem on this stretch.
UPDATE: Founder Jon Keegan explains:
We have taken over the site of Bells of Westminster Builders, which many of you know was run by Kevin Bryan. Bells have moved to the back of our office so the estate agency will also incorporate the building services. I appreciate not everyone will be thrilled by another estate agency but for my sins this industry is my passion! We hope to try and break down some of the barriers which can often exist between clients. We would welcome anyone to pop in and see us for a tea or a coffee. As well as raising our own profile i would be keen to hear of any community projects that we might be able to help/get involved in.
- Brian Keenan, Between Extremes
Bryan & Keegan, an estate agent so new that its website isn't live yet, is coming to Crofton Park. Jonathan sent us this photo of their shiny new shop front.
UPDATE: Founder Jon Keegan explains:
We have taken over the site of Bells of Westminster Builders, which many of you know was run by Kevin Bryan. Bells have moved to the back of our office so the estate agency will also incorporate the building services. I appreciate not everyone will be thrilled by another estate agency but for my sins this industry is my passion! We hope to try and break down some of the barriers which can often exist between clients. We would welcome anyone to pop in and see us for a tea or a coffee. As well as raising our own profile i would be keen to hear of any community projects that we might be able to help/get involved in.
The Milliner's Sale
Nicky, from Crofton Park clothes shop The White Room, writes:
On Thursday, April 25th at 7pm, we are hosting a 'Hat Chat' and book signing with local Milliner & journalist, Mary Jane Baxter. The event will be an 'evening social' where people can book their place to come and join us for a glass of wine and listen to MJ discuss her work as a Vintage style, couture hat maker.
Mary Jane's hat workshops currently sell out at the Victoria & Albert Museum and Liberty's store in Regent Street and she regularly features in magazines such as Homes & Antiques.
We will be passing round and trying on MJ's hats and will also be able to buy signed copies of her new book 'The Modern Girls Guide to Hat Making'. We are charging just £5 for this event as we hope people will come along and enjoy the informal, fun atmosphere we promote.
Following this event we will be running a one day Hat Making course with Mary Jane on Sunday 19th May when people will be able to make their own 'Downton Abbey' style Cloche Hat to fit.
On Thursday, April 25th at 7pm, we are hosting a 'Hat Chat' and book signing with local Milliner & journalist, Mary Jane Baxter. The event will be an 'evening social' where people can book their place to come and join us for a glass of wine and listen to MJ discuss her work as a Vintage style, couture hat maker.
Mary Jane's hat workshops currently sell out at the Victoria & Albert Museum and Liberty's store in Regent Street and she regularly features in magazines such as Homes & Antiques.
We will be passing round and trying on MJ's hats and will also be able to buy signed copies of her new book 'The Modern Girls Guide to Hat Making'. We are charging just £5 for this event as we hope people will come along and enjoy the informal, fun atmosphere we promote.
Following this event we will be running a one day Hat Making course with Mary Jane on Sunday 19th May when people will be able to make their own 'Downton Abbey' style Cloche Hat to fit.
The Malaysian Deli
Crofton Park's new Malaysian Deli (338 Brockley Road) is run by Amy Mustafa and two colleagues and is more cafe than shop, with generous amounts of seating and a selection of beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes, with a choice of rendang, peanut, spicy sambal or mild percik sauces and served with rice and salad or in a wrap.
Malaysian Deli, 338 Brockley Road
Crofton Park gripped by Malays
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| Arlo & Moe will have a new neighbour next week |
There is a new Malaysian deli opening in the previously empty unit beside Arlo & Moe.
I was having a look in through the front door today and a lady came out to speak to me. They are opening next week and will be serving Malaysian food to eat in, and selling spices and other ingredients.
Looks nice inside with brightly coloured decor, a deli counter, and a good space for eating in. Sounds like a really cool addition to the area.
