Mal Smith

My approach would be to start by finding a Structural (Building) Engineer - an individual not an organisation. Tell them what you want to do and ask them how much they would charge to do drawings that can be given to the Building control department at Southwark Council for a building notice application (I have just paid ?400 for a set of notes and drawings for opening a space in a structural wall). When you agree the price and they come to measure up talk through the entire development that you intend to do and find out if they can suggest alternatives and builders. You can probably apply for the building notice yourself - talk to the building control department, they are very friendly and very helpful. M

I always meet a similar friend at a bar under the Southwark Bridge. Called the Mug House. I think its a Davies Wine Bar. Nothing special but it is normally half empty, they do 'bar food' and its quiet so catching up doesn't mean shouting. Its also easy to get to and home being at London Bridge. M

I am sitting in there now, having a coffee. If you have young children, it's horrible. Stick to Cafe Nero (please).

Loz Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > just hope it can survive off the beaten track > unlike Springers. > > Springers not only survived, but thrived. They > only closed down due to retirement. So why did they have to auction the property instead of selling the business? Every business needs an edge and without one a restaurant that people have to go out of their way to get to (ie walk away from the bars in Lordship Lane) is not going to survive. We live 3 minutes away eat out at least twice a week and supported Springers for 10 years but it was always "We haven't been to Springers for a while let's go there" not "why don't we go to Springers because it's got a good atmosphere/serve really good food"

Loz Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > just hope it can survive off the beaten track > unlike Springers. > > Springers not only survived, but thrived. They > only closed down due to retirement. So why did they have to auction the property instead of selling the business? Every business needs an edge and without one a restaurant that people have to go out of their way to get to (ie walk away from the bars in Lordship Lane) is not going to survive. We live 3 minutes away eat out at least twice a week and supported Springers for 10 years but it was always "We haven't been to Springers for a while let's go there" not "why don't we go to Springers because it's got a good atmosphere/serve really good food"