Re-wrapped - established by Tracy Umney and Annie Cullen in 2011 - produces gift wrapping printed on 100% recycled paper and vegetable based inks.
Re-wrapped is currently seeking money to expand by raising money at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/re-wrapped
Ladywell company wins green business award
Re-wrapped - established by Tracy Umney and Annie Cullen in 2011 - produces gift wrapping printed on 100% recycled paper and vegetable based inks.
Re-wrapped is currently seeking money to expand by raising money at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/re-wrapped
A sad farewell to El
It's a day of shocking, saddening losses. El, of El's Kitchen in Ladywell, is putting her deli up for sale. It's a wonderful business and El has been a tireless campaigner for Ladywell and a creative, award-winning entrepreneur. But it's time for her to move on, as she explains:
It is with great regret that we have to inform all our lovely customers that El’s Kitchen will be closing for good on Thursday 31st October. Unfortunately El is unable to carry on running the business and there is no succession plan in place. It’s been a really hard decision for us to make and we’ve given it an enormous amount of consideration, and, although we have looked into other options, none are viable given the circumstances.
We’ve spent a fantastic three years bringing you delicious food & drink in Ladywell and we couldn’t have done it without our wonderfully committed staff and tremendously loyal customers. We’ve really valued your business and greatly appreciated your support through the highs (Christmas trading & wine tastings!) and the lows (the bloody road works!).
It’s been an amazing experience being such a pivotal part of Ladywell and we’re very sad that El’s Kitchen will no longer be at the centre of the local community. We’d like to thank our customers and staff for coming with us on such an exciting journey, and we’re really hoping that someone can take over the reins and carry it on so that Ladywell gets to keep its deli.
El’s Kitchen is solvent and is not being liquidated. The lease and assets are for sale of this perfectly positioned property, which comes with an A3 restaurant licence, an on & off sales premises licence and a very friendly and accommodating landlord. Any interested parties should contact el@elskitchen.co.uk.
It is with great regret that we have to inform all our lovely customers that El’s Kitchen will be closing for good on Thursday 31st October. Unfortunately El is unable to carry on running the business and there is no succession plan in place. It’s been a really hard decision for us to make and we’ve given it an enormous amount of consideration, and, although we have looked into other options, none are viable given the circumstances.
We’ve spent a fantastic three years bringing you delicious food & drink in Ladywell and we couldn’t have done it without our wonderfully committed staff and tremendously loyal customers. We’ve really valued your business and greatly appreciated your support through the highs (Christmas trading & wine tastings!) and the lows (the bloody road works!).
It’s been an amazing experience being such a pivotal part of Ladywell and we’re very sad that El’s Kitchen will no longer be at the centre of the local community. We’d like to thank our customers and staff for coming with us on such an exciting journey, and we’re really hoping that someone can take over the reins and carry it on so that Ladywell gets to keep its deli.
El’s Kitchen is solvent and is not being liquidated. The lease and assets are for sale of this perfectly positioned property, which comes with an A3 restaurant licence, an on & off sales premises licence and a very friendly and accommodating landlord. Any interested parties should contact el@elskitchen.co.uk.
Ladywell Road reopens
@themostsearched for SE4 dwellers: shock horror Ladywell Road is open! Chudleigh Rd still blocked, sun shining
— Jill Howard (@oneinfivetea) October 24, 2013
Ladywell Fields User Group AGM
The LFUG annual jamboree is on Tuesday 15 October, 7.30pm in The Council Chamber at Catford Town Hall.
There will be presentations about the Catford Stadium redevelopment plans and the Secret Gardens project. The User Group also has two elected positions - Chair & Treasurer and Secretary. Tony Rich has served as Chair, and Robert Sheppard as Secretary for c.5 years. Both are happy to ‘give way’ to new blood if anyone’s interested - and can explain what each role entails.
For more information, please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk. All nominations should be submitted, by email to this address, by Friday 11 October.
There will be presentations about the Catford Stadium redevelopment plans and the Secret Gardens project. The User Group also has two elected positions - Chair & Treasurer and Secretary. Tony Rich has served as Chair, and Robert Sheppard as Secretary for c.5 years. Both are happy to ‘give way’ to new blood if anyone’s interested - and can explain what each role entails.
For more information, please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk. All nominations should be submitted, by email to this address, by Friday 11 October.
The Ladywell Discount Day - Saturday, 12th October
El of El's Kitchen in Ladywell writes:
The Ladywell traders have come together to help drive footfall back to our shopping parade by holding Ladywell Discount Day on Saturday 12th October. There will be special offers, great discounts and bargains galore in anticipation of Ladywell Road being re-opened. Come and support your local businesses and bag yourselves a bargain – look out for the red posters at participating stores!
Many thanks to BC readers who responded when they heard about the plight of the Ladywell traders – we really appreciate the show of support you have given us.
The Ladywell traders have come together to help drive footfall back to our shopping parade by holding Ladywell Discount Day on Saturday 12th October. There will be special offers, great discounts and bargains galore in anticipation of Ladywell Road being re-opened. Come and support your local businesses and bag yourselves a bargain – look out for the red posters at participating stores!
Ladywell Ward Assembley, Oct 3rd
The Ladywell Ward Assembly will take place on October 3rd, 2013. As Chris Wheal says, this is:
A chance for residents to kick up a fuss about the village roadworks. Also the replacement lamppost contractor Skanska will be there to explain why holes have been left on the pavement for months on end all over the ward. There's a budget of £15,000 to spend too.
7-9pm at Prendergast Hilly Fields College new school building on Adelaide Avenue.
A chance for residents to kick up a fuss about the village roadworks. Also the replacement lamppost contractor Skanska will be there to explain why holes have been left on the pavement for months on end all over the ward. There's a budget of £15,000 to spend too.
7-9pm at Prendergast Hilly Fields College new school building on Adelaide Avenue.
Deputy Mayor backs call for urgent resolution of Ladywell chaos
Earlier this month, a group of Ladywell businesses demanded a quick resolution of the town centre roadworks, which are running behind schedule and damaging their trade. El, from El's Kitchen writes, following her meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Lewisham, the Head of Transport and Tom Connell from Conway, the contractor carrying out the work:
- Conway have a three year, rolling retainer contract with Lewisham Council to carry out new highways work and any maintenance required under a certain job value (approx £1m). They were awarded this job without needing to tender for it and there are no penalties for delays or poor quality work (they just have to re-do the work at their expense). The budget for the work was £700,000 and they have been paid approx £600,000 to date. They are paid in stages by the size of the area they complete so there is effectively no incentive at all for them to meet any timescale given to them.
- The Deputy Mayor expressed his concern with the level of mis-management and poor decision-making by Conway and had witnessed some of the lack of urgency for himself. It was ironic that he was 10 minutes late for the meeting, blaming traffic congestion in Catford due to the diversions away from Ladywell Road.
- The Deputy Mayor was shocked by the level of negative impact that the delays are having on local businesses and urged Conway to meet the new date for Ladywell Road to be re-opened of mid-October.
- Conway promised to give us an on-site point of contact that any member of the public may speak to. This is Mick Malloney and he has now been introduced to the majority of business owners.
- Conway promised to give us a detailed program of site works with timelines that traders can share with their customers. The first of these was produced on Thursday last week and shows a daily schedule of where works are being carried out to the road and pavements for the next week. They will also post this somewhere on the site for the public to access. We hope Conway will continue to gives us a weekly update going forward.
Since our meeting, work appears to be progressing a quite a pace, with many more workers on site daily and activity continuing on Saturdays and Sundays, so this is a great result. The stretch of Ladywell Road from the junction with Algernon Road to Malyons Road has been re-opened for access to Malyons Road and many of the unsightly and confusing barriers have now been removed from this area. The workmen have also cleared away much of the rubbish and unnecessary materials from the site, making it much easier, safer and cleaner for pedestrians to circulate.
However, low footfall is still an issue for all the shopkeepers in Ladywell and we urge you to come down and visit the shops while the construction work is being completed, as it would be very sad to see any of us go out of business due to continued, unsustainable losses.
- Conway have a three year, rolling retainer contract with Lewisham Council to carry out new highways work and any maintenance required under a certain job value (approx £1m). They were awarded this job without needing to tender for it and there are no penalties for delays or poor quality work (they just have to re-do the work at their expense). The budget for the work was £700,000 and they have been paid approx £600,000 to date. They are paid in stages by the size of the area they complete so there is effectively no incentive at all for them to meet any timescale given to them.
- The Deputy Mayor expressed his concern with the level of mis-management and poor decision-making by Conway and had witnessed some of the lack of urgency for himself. It was ironic that he was 10 minutes late for the meeting, blaming traffic congestion in Catford due to the diversions away from Ladywell Road.
- The Deputy Mayor was shocked by the level of negative impact that the delays are having on local businesses and urged Conway to meet the new date for Ladywell Road to be re-opened of mid-October.
- Conway promised to give us an on-site point of contact that any member of the public may speak to. This is Mick Malloney and he has now been introduced to the majority of business owners.
- Conway promised to give us a detailed program of site works with timelines that traders can share with their customers. The first of these was produced on Thursday last week and shows a daily schedule of where works are being carried out to the road and pavements for the next week. They will also post this somewhere on the site for the public to access. We hope Conway will continue to gives us a weekly update going forward.
Since our meeting, work appears to be progressing a quite a pace, with many more workers on site daily and activity continuing on Saturdays and Sundays, so this is a great result. The stretch of Ladywell Road from the junction with Algernon Road to Malyons Road has been re-opened for access to Malyons Road and many of the unsightly and confusing barriers have now been removed from this area. The workmen have also cleared away much of the rubbish and unnecessary materials from the site, making it much easier, safer and cleaner for pedestrians to circulate.
However, low footfall is still an issue for all the shopkeepers in Ladywell and we urge you to come down and visit the shops while the construction work is being completed, as it would be very sad to see any of us go out of business due to continued, unsustainable losses.
Ladywell the thin blue line in London flood defence project
The Independent reports that engineering firms have been invited to develop plans to defend London from future floods, including upgrading the the Thames Barrier.
Britain's biggest engineers have been asked to develop plans to protect London and £200bn-worth of property from flooding until the end of the century. Launched at an industry event at the Thames Barrier today, the project is said to be the country's biggest ever flood management contract. The winning engineering team will work on the first 10 years of what is known as Thames Estuary 2100.
Chris Wheal (who kindly sent us the link) points out that Ladywell Fields might be part of any solution:
Ladywell Fields is used to store water to help keep the Thames lower. I have photos of it full, normal and empty on Flickr. They close a sluice gate to the Thames and store the water upstream until the tide goes out and then let it out. That was one of the main reasons for digging the river back into Ladywell Fields.
Britain's biggest engineers have been asked to develop plans to protect London and £200bn-worth of property from flooding until the end of the century. Launched at an industry event at the Thames Barrier today, the project is said to be the country's biggest ever flood management contract. The winning engineering team will work on the first 10 years of what is known as Thames Estuary 2100.
Chris Wheal (who kindly sent us the link) points out that Ladywell Fields might be part of any solution:
Ladywell Fields is used to store water to help keep the Thames lower. I have photos of it full, normal and empty on Flickr. They close a sluice gate to the Thames and store the water upstream until the tide goes out and then let it out. That was one of the main reasons for digging the river back into Ladywell Fields.
Ladywell roadworks delays putting local businesses at risk
El, from Ladywell deli El's Kitchen writes in response to the severe delays to roadworks currently affecting Ladywell town centre:
Myself and a small group of business owners in Ladywell are having a meeting with the Deputy Major (Cllr Allan Smith) and Ian Ransom (Head of Transport) tomorrow (Friday). We will be representing all businesses in Ladywell that have been directly or indirectly affected by the delays to the project.
In principle we are all in favour of the improvements to the streetscape improvements as the benefits it will bring to pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers who wish to park, as well as to the businesses, are great.
However, in the original document that was issued publically in March, the date for re-opening Ladywell Road was set at 7 June. Since then we have had no official communication about when that might be until this latest communication which states the road will re-open mid-October. Many of us cannot see how it will be possible for the contractors to meet this new deadline as they have still not finished the highway works on section 2, which has been closed for the best part of three months, and they have only just started digging up section 3.
The delays to this project are now starting to bite into many businesses budgets with some having already laid off staff to try and keep costs down while trying to ride out the loss of trade as long as they can. Footfall was down 16% in August and remains so for the beginning of September (I have been counting and documenting this, comparing it to the same time last year).
We are now taking legal advice and will determine,based on the outcome of the meeting tomorrow, if we have a claim against Lewisham Council for loss of business due to the delays. In order to make a claim we need to be in possession of the original schedule or works and the current schedule of works completed to date and the service level agreement with the contractor (Conway) detailing the penalty clauses. We can then make a claim against the Council for any money that has been and will be recovered by the Council from Conway as it should be used to compensate those who have lost out as a result of the delays (the local businesses, not the Council), as per the penalty clauses in the contract.
If the works continue past the end of October and the footfall remains as low as it is now it will be very difficult for many of the business to continue trading and those that rely on Christmas trade to survive the rest of the year will be teetering on the edge by January.
As business owners we all want to see a positive outcome from the works having taken place: the loss of trade being more than compensated for by increased footfall in Ladywell, on-street parking to enable passing motorists to stop and use the shops, a brighter and lighter landscape with more trees and benches that draws people in to the area and makes them want to stay here.
In the meantime we implore local people to continue to use Ladywell, visit the shops and spend the money you used to spend here. We understand that it is very noisy, dusty and dirty and highly inconvenient without public transport or parking (we have live with it day in, day out!), but without continued loyalty from our customers and a bit of risk-taking from potential customers in the wider area, the aims and objectives of the improvements to the streetscape to improve the economic viability of the retail area will have been in vain.
Many thanks for the loyalty you have shown us thus far.
El @ Els Kitchen, on behalf of the businesses in Ladywell.
Myself and a small group of business owners in Ladywell are having a meeting with the Deputy Major (Cllr Allan Smith) and Ian Ransom (Head of Transport) tomorrow (Friday). We will be representing all businesses in Ladywell that have been directly or indirectly affected by the delays to the project.
In principle we are all in favour of the improvements to the streetscape improvements as the benefits it will bring to pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers who wish to park, as well as to the businesses, are great.
However, in the original document that was issued publically in March, the date for re-opening Ladywell Road was set at 7 June. Since then we have had no official communication about when that might be until this latest communication which states the road will re-open mid-October. Many of us cannot see how it will be possible for the contractors to meet this new deadline as they have still not finished the highway works on section 2, which has been closed for the best part of three months, and they have only just started digging up section 3.
The delays to this project are now starting to bite into many businesses budgets with some having already laid off staff to try and keep costs down while trying to ride out the loss of trade as long as they can. Footfall was down 16% in August and remains so for the beginning of September (I have been counting and documenting this, comparing it to the same time last year).
We are now taking legal advice and will determine,based on the outcome of the meeting tomorrow, if we have a claim against Lewisham Council for loss of business due to the delays. In order to make a claim we need to be in possession of the original schedule or works and the current schedule of works completed to date and the service level agreement with the contractor (Conway) detailing the penalty clauses. We can then make a claim against the Council for any money that has been and will be recovered by the Council from Conway as it should be used to compensate those who have lost out as a result of the delays (the local businesses, not the Council), as per the penalty clauses in the contract.
If the works continue past the end of October and the footfall remains as low as it is now it will be very difficult for many of the business to continue trading and those that rely on Christmas trade to survive the rest of the year will be teetering on the edge by January.
As business owners we all want to see a positive outcome from the works having taken place: the loss of trade being more than compensated for by increased footfall in Ladywell, on-street parking to enable passing motorists to stop and use the shops, a brighter and lighter landscape with more trees and benches that draws people in to the area and makes them want to stay here.
In the meantime we implore local people to continue to use Ladywell, visit the shops and spend the money you used to spend here. We understand that it is very noisy, dusty and dirty and highly inconvenient without public transport or parking (we have live with it day in, day out!), but without continued loyalty from our customers and a bit of risk-taking from potential customers in the wider area, the aims and objectives of the improvements to the streetscape to improve the economic viability of the retail area will have been in vain.
Many thanks for the loyalty you have shown us thus far.
El @ Els Kitchen, on behalf of the businesses in Ladywell.
Ladywell roadworks expected to drag on until Christmas
The BC style-guide frowns upon the use of newspaper-favourite words like "farce" and "fiasco", but in this case, we're happy to make an exception. The Ladywell town centre roadwork delays are reaching farcical proportions. Local resident Tony writes:
Ladywell businesses have written to Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock calling for an urgent meeting to discuss further delays to the completion of the street improvement works in the neighbourhood. Local business people, frustrated by the seemingly endless delays to the works that started in May, are worried that some businesses could go under because the disruption is causing a dramatic reduction in footfall.
Local businesses wrote to the Mayor in June when the the project first hit snags and was delayed. They were told the work would be completed by end- September. They are now being told it will be October, with workers on site saying it will be Christmas before the works are finished.
Shopowners say there is no sense of urgency in the work being carried out by the contractors Conway. Construction is progressing at a snails pace and activity is intermittent.
The businesses have called for an meeting with the Mayor to explain the serious impact the street works are now having on local businesses and to urge him to do all in his power to ensure Conway steps up the pace of the building work.
Ladywell businesses have written to Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock calling for an urgent meeting to discuss further delays to the completion of the street improvement works in the neighbourhood. Local business people, frustrated by the seemingly endless delays to the works that started in May, are worried that some businesses could go under because the disruption is causing a dramatic reduction in footfall.
Local businesses wrote to the Mayor in June when the the project first hit snags and was delayed. They were told the work would be completed by end- September. They are now being told it will be October, with workers on site saying it will be Christmas before the works are finished.
Shopowners say there is no sense of urgency in the work being carried out by the contractors Conway. Construction is progressing at a snails pace and activity is intermittent.
The businesses have called for an meeting with the Mayor to explain the serious impact the street works are now having on local businesses and to urge him to do all in his power to ensure Conway steps up the pace of the building work.
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.
El's Kitchen is hiring again
El from Ladywell deli and caterer El's Kitchen writes:
We are looking for part-time sales staff to join our young and friendly team of foodies.
If you love good food, care about how it’s produced and can commit to working for us during the busy Christmas period, we’d welcome your application.
We are looking for people who can demonstrate:
· A passion for great-tasting British and European food
· A strong customer service ethic and good communication skills
· A desire to deliver great shopping experiences for our customers
· A zeal for cleanliness
· A keen desire to learn more about food production and provenance, sales techniques and customer satisfaction
· The legal right to live and work in the UK
· You need to be aged 18 or older
If you are interested in working with us, please pop into the shop and pick up an application form or email your CV to el@elskitchen.co.uk
We are looking for part-time sales staff to join our young and friendly team of foodies.
If you love good food, care about how it’s produced and can commit to working for us during the busy Christmas period, we’d welcome your application.
We are looking for people who can demonstrate:
· A passion for great-tasting British and European food
· A strong customer service ethic and good communication skills
· A desire to deliver great shopping experiences for our customers
· A zeal for cleanliness
· A keen desire to learn more about food production and provenance, sales techniques and customer satisfaction
· The legal right to live and work in the UK
· You need to be aged 18 or older
If you are interested in working with us, please pop into the shop and pick up an application form or email your CV to el@elskitchen.co.uk
The Ladywell Tavern closes for a minimum of two months [UPDATED]
One-time Lewisham pub of the year The Ladywell Tavern, closed at the weekend. The landlord's plan is to shut the pub for a minimum of two months, to allow for refurbishment while the high street roadworks drag on.
The Misty Moon Gallery, located in the pub's premises, will remain open throughout this time.
As we've seen with Jam Circus, pub-reopening timetables can slip badly and it will be reassuring to see the builders and decorators move in. The loss of the Ladywell Tavern, even temporarily, is a big blow for Ladywell, which is now pretty short of places to go in the evenings.
With thanks to Lorna and Melanie for the news.
The Misty Moon Gallery, located in the pub's premises, will remain open throughout this time.
As we've seen with Jam Circus, pub-reopening timetables can slip badly and it will be reassuring to see the builders and decorators move in. The loss of the Ladywell Tavern, even temporarily, is a big blow for Ladywell, which is now pretty short of places to go in the evenings.
With thanks to Lorna and Melanie for the news.
Roadworks cause Ladywell meltdown
Not long ago, we were sitting in a pile of our own hair at Geddes when El from El's Kitchen popped in to ask to borrow some water. It was the end of the day and she'd been unexpectedly cut off by the roadworks taking place outside her shop, which was not helpful for a catering business. A couple of months' later, the works are running reliably behind schedule and the situation is really starting to get on local businesses' nerves.
A letter to Mayor Bullock from Jason Slater (of Slater & King) on behalf of the disrupted businesses says:
Ladywell's local businesses have been strong supporters of the improvements now being made to the Ladywell Road and Algernon Road but as business owners, we are becoming increasingly frustrated with the council’s apparent lack of regard for the problems the street works are creating for us.
The redevelopment work is already more than a month behind schedule and will now not finish until the end of September at the earliest and several shops, already under pressure because of the economic downturn, are seeing further sharp reductions in takings because of the disruption caused by this work.
We have now been told that Ladywell Road will be closed to traffic for eight weeks from July 1st 2013 and this is likely to further increase the pressure on our businesses. So far there has been no attempt by council officers or elected officials to allay local business fears and frustrations, and to date, other than a printed update about the progress of and the delays to the works, there has been no information given as to the practical arrangements we can expect to be put in place (such as the collection of rubbish and how we will be able to receive vital deliveries) during the road closure which is due to begin in less than ten days' time.
We also want to know what support the council can offer us; local shops and businesses are the lifeblood of Lewisham's local high streets and need to be supported by the council, not neglected. We would urge council officers to meet local shop owners in Ladywell ahead of the road closure and listen to the concerns we have. We would also urge the council to give strong consideration to reducing the business rates that local businesses pay for a three-month period to help compensate owners for the serious impact the street works are having on our businesses.
In response, the Mayor has asked his officers to investigate the issues raised.
A letter to Mayor Bullock from Jason Slater (of Slater & King) on behalf of the disrupted businesses says:
Ladywell's local businesses have been strong supporters of the improvements now being made to the Ladywell Road and Algernon Road but as business owners, we are becoming increasingly frustrated with the council’s apparent lack of regard for the problems the street works are creating for us.
The redevelopment work is already more than a month behind schedule and will now not finish until the end of September at the earliest and several shops, already under pressure because of the economic downturn, are seeing further sharp reductions in takings because of the disruption caused by this work.
We have now been told that Ladywell Road will be closed to traffic for eight weeks from July 1st 2013 and this is likely to further increase the pressure on our businesses. So far there has been no attempt by council officers or elected officials to allay local business fears and frustrations, and to date, other than a printed update about the progress of and the delays to the works, there has been no information given as to the practical arrangements we can expect to be put in place (such as the collection of rubbish and how we will be able to receive vital deliveries) during the road closure which is due to begin in less than ten days' time.
We also want to know what support the council can offer us; local shops and businesses are the lifeblood of Lewisham's local high streets and need to be supported by the council, not neglected. We would urge council officers to meet local shop owners in Ladywell ahead of the road closure and listen to the concerns we have. We would also urge the council to give strong consideration to reducing the business rates that local businesses pay for a three-month period to help compensate owners for the serious impact the street works are having on our businesses.
In response, the Mayor has asked his officers to investigate the issues raised.
Ladywell dog puncher sought
The RSPCA are appealing for information after CCTV at Ladywell rail station appeared to show a man punching a dog and then throwing him against a wall.
Footage showed a man with his brown and white Staffordshire bull terrier on June 6 at around 2pm.
Full details here.
Curzon exploring cinema bid for Ladywell pool site
Eames: You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.
- Inception
Sometime BC contributor Max Calo has been lobbying for a Lewisham cinema for years and his efforts have drawn the attention of independent cinema chain Curzon, who approached him about the Ladywell Leisure Centre site he campaigned to turn in to a cinema. With the centre due to shut within weeks, as the new Lewisham pool opens, Curzon has now entered into discussion with the Council. Eastlondonlines reports:
[Calo's] petition was spotted by Curzon Cinemas, who run six arthouse cinemas in the capital and another venue in Cheshire. Calò said Curzon then contacted Hither Green Hall with interest in redeveloping the site as a cinema, and the two parties then held a private meeting with members of Lewisham Council to discuss options.
Cllr Mike Harris also comments:
“If there was a cinema here people would… come out of the cinema, go to a bar, a pub, a restaurant and spend more money here. At the moment that money is being spent in other boroughs. Lewisham is concentrating on housing, but all those people then have nowhere to go in the borough. If there was a cinema here, it then helps the local business, because those local businesses will profit from the extra traffic that is being brought in.”
If the plans do go ahead, Lewisham Council will need to think bigger than just the cinema. At the moment, there is relatively little to tempt the art-house cinema goer to linger. The site is too small and poorly located to build something like Bermondsey Square, but some supporting bars and restaurants would need to be accommodated within the design. Max points out that it’s between two major centres (Lewisham and Catford), but that means that it’s in neither and bus connections between the two are no substitute for a nearby tube station. But BC has never been a home for people who dream small, so this idea gets our full backing – it just needs the Council to go into this with their eyes open about the scale of commitment required to make this work.
The developers who plan to rebuild Lewisham Shopping Centre are also considering a cinema, albeit one devoted to blockbusters rather than indie film.
- Inception
Sometime BC contributor Max Calo has been lobbying for a Lewisham cinema for years and his efforts have drawn the attention of independent cinema chain Curzon, who approached him about the Ladywell Leisure Centre site he campaigned to turn in to a cinema. With the centre due to shut within weeks, as the new Lewisham pool opens, Curzon has now entered into discussion with the Council. Eastlondonlines reports:
[Calo's] petition was spotted by Curzon Cinemas, who run six arthouse cinemas in the capital and another venue in Cheshire. Calò said Curzon then contacted Hither Green Hall with interest in redeveloping the site as a cinema, and the two parties then held a private meeting with members of Lewisham Council to discuss options.
Cllr Mike Harris also comments:
“If there was a cinema here people would… come out of the cinema, go to a bar, a pub, a restaurant and spend more money here. At the moment that money is being spent in other boroughs. Lewisham is concentrating on housing, but all those people then have nowhere to go in the borough. If there was a cinema here, it then helps the local business, because those local businesses will profit from the extra traffic that is being brought in.”
If the plans do go ahead, Lewisham Council will need to think bigger than just the cinema. At the moment, there is relatively little to tempt the art-house cinema goer to linger. The site is too small and poorly located to build something like Bermondsey Square, but some supporting bars and restaurants would need to be accommodated within the design. Max points out that it’s between two major centres (Lewisham and Catford), but that means that it’s in neither and bus connections between the two are no substitute for a nearby tube station. But BC has never been a home for people who dream small, so this idea gets our full backing – it just needs the Council to go into this with their eyes open about the scale of commitment required to make this work.
The developers who plan to rebuild Lewisham Shopping Centre are also considering a cinema, albeit one devoted to blockbusters rather than indie film.
El's Spring Wine Tasting
El, of El's Kitchen, writes:
We've got just a couple of spaces left at our Spring wine tasting this coming Monday. Come and make new friends while tasting the delights of the world's vineyards at El's Kitchen. We'll be tasting six new wines, including some interesting grape varieties you may not have tried before.
Tickets are £10 per person and you get a voucher for 10% off your order of 6 mixed bottles or 20% off 12! Please email us, call us or pop into the shop to reserve your place. We’ll be slurping and spitting on Monday 13th May from 7.30pm. Chin, chin!
We've got just a couple of spaces left at our Spring wine tasting this coming Monday. Come and make new friends while tasting the delights of the world's vineyards at El's Kitchen. We'll be tasting six new wines, including some interesting grape varieties you may not have tried before.
Tickets are £10 per person and you get a voucher for 10% off your order of 6 mixed bottles or 20% off 12! Please email us, call us or pop into the shop to reserve your place. We’ll be slurping and spitting on Monday 13th May from 7.30pm. Chin, chin!
Build your Ladywell dream house
Muriel Blandings: I refuse to endanger the lives of my children in a house with less than four bathrooms.
Jim Blandings: For 1,300 dollars they can live in a house with three bathrooms and ROUGH IT.
- Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House
Ladywell's Church Grove, which was once earmarked to become a Traveller site has now been allocated for use by people who want to build their own homes. Lewisham Council says:
As part of the first ever National Self Build Week (4-12 May 2013), Lewisham Council is offering residents a rare opportunity to build their own home.
The Council is re-introducing its self-build scheme as a further step towards meeting the growing demand for social housing in the borough and to provide new skills for unemployed local people.
A site has been identified off Church Grove in Ladywell and should provide up to 16 new homes by 2016.
The initiative will be supported by the National Self Build Association and run in partnership with an experienced house builder.
The scheme has been designed for people on Lewisham’s housing waiting list who want to develop their skills in house building trades such as electrical, carpentry, plumbing and bricklaying – and who also want to build their own home.
In addition to gaining a new home, residents will acquire new skills to help them access future employment opportunities.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “Everyone recognises that London has a real shortage of housing but Lewisham Council is exploring a whole range of ways to support the needs of local residents.
“We were the first in the country to experiment with self-build projects, so we know we can make this work. Self-build is part of a package of measures we’re taking and this will provide not only much needed homes but skills to give local people the opportunity for future employment.”
The Council already has a successful scheme in Honor Oak Park which completed in the 1980s. It was the first project of its kind in the UK and gave rise to similar projects around the country.
Applicants need to be a Lewisham resident and be on the Lewisham housing waiting list. For more information and to register your interest email housing.matters@lewisham.gov.uk or call 020 8314 9163.
Jim Blandings: For 1,300 dollars they can live in a house with three bathrooms and ROUGH IT.
- Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House
Ladywell's Church Grove, which was once earmarked to become a Traveller site has now been allocated for use by people who want to build their own homes. Lewisham Council says:
As part of the first ever National Self Build Week (4-12 May 2013), Lewisham Council is offering residents a rare opportunity to build their own home.
The Council is re-introducing its self-build scheme as a further step towards meeting the growing demand for social housing in the borough and to provide new skills for unemployed local people.
A site has been identified off Church Grove in Ladywell and should provide up to 16 new homes by 2016.
The initiative will be supported by the National Self Build Association and run in partnership with an experienced house builder.
The scheme has been designed for people on Lewisham’s housing waiting list who want to develop their skills in house building trades such as electrical, carpentry, plumbing and bricklaying – and who also want to build their own home.
In addition to gaining a new home, residents will acquire new skills to help them access future employment opportunities.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “Everyone recognises that London has a real shortage of housing but Lewisham Council is exploring a whole range of ways to support the needs of local residents.
“We were the first in the country to experiment with self-build projects, so we know we can make this work. Self-build is part of a package of measures we’re taking and this will provide not only much needed homes but skills to give local people the opportunity for future employment.”
The Council already has a successful scheme in Honor Oak Park which completed in the 1980s. It was the first project of its kind in the UK and gave rise to similar projects around the country.
Applicants need to be a Lewisham resident and be on the Lewisham housing waiting list. For more information and to register your interest email housing.matters@lewisham.gov.uk or call 020 8314 9163.
Lewisham Labour selects The Minister Six
The all-woman shortlist of Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidates for Lewisham Deptford has been announced. And since whoever Labour selects to replace Dame Joan Ruddock as their representative is pretty much guaranteed to get the seat, the competition to become the Anointed One matters.
The list of six includes Brockley Councillor Vicky Foxcroft, who has done a decent job since she was elected in 2010, Whitefoot's Councillor Janet Daby, Lambeth Councillor Florence Nosegbe, Southwark Councillor Catherine McDonald, Mendora Ogbogbo and Paula Hirst.
The candidate will be chosen on May 18th.
Ex-Ladywell resident Paula Hirst is a Director of Urban Development and Regeneration for accountancy firm Mazars and was previously the Head of Sustainable Development at the Olympic Delivery Authority, where she "helped deliver jobs, business opportunities, and the first new urban park in London for 100 years."
Ladywell double in London Marathon
Richard Elliott writes:
Two male runners from Kent Athletics Club (based at the Ladywell Arena) came first and second in the mass participation section of the London Marathon yesterday.
If they were running in the Elite Men's race they would have come 14th and 15th respectively. Bloomin' impressive stuff.
I train at Ladywell every Tuesday night with Kent. The top guys train in a different group to me. I don't know Paul (who won), but John (came second) trains at the track every week and I think lives locally.
Two male runners from Kent Athletics Club (based at the Ladywell Arena) came first and second in the mass participation section of the London Marathon yesterday.
If they were running in the Elite Men's race they would have come 14th and 15th respectively. Bloomin' impressive stuff.
I train at Ladywell every Tuesday night with Kent. The top guys train in a different group to me. I don't know Paul (who won), but John (came second) trains at the track every week and I think lives locally.
