NewWave

Why were people queuing round the block on Wednesday?? The pavement and entrances to other shops were totally blocked I had to walk in the road outside the parked cars.. not ideal as I'm on crutches at the moment and I feel it was pretty disrespectful to the other businesses (The wonderful vitamin and health food shop and Mary's charity shop) blocking customers from coming and going.

too late but for future reference the new relaunched Bird in Hand in Dartmouth Road (opposite Sylvan Post same owners) has a big screen at the back that was showing it last night and likewise with other major sports events. Its a great pub now with decent wines by the glass, beers etc

Try Dr Boo on North Cross road?

Franklins ?

Yes I used it the day they took over and the water was like ice..I kid you not! The English Channel is actually warmer There was no warning about the boiler being out of order when I turned up for my pre-booked session. In fact I became ill a few days later with a really bad chest infection that I put down to the icy water. I've been on an inhaler and antibiotics since (I am slightly asthmatic and I think the cold triggered an infection) The next day they closed the pool. Booking is a mess. I have been a member of the gym for 5 years and loved it. Now I feel really sad as there are no other decent affordable gyms with pools and classes in the area. FHP is a mess with a tiny gym and filthy pool The Spa in Beckenham is pretty good but too far to get to. My Everyone active membership allowed me to use all their gyms including the ones in central London I'm paying the same and getting worse facilities in limited centres now Southwark have taken over. And in addition machines are not being fixed in the gym

I completely echo what Alexia has said. We found Carl via this thread. Our garden was in a state that defeated us. I contacted Carl and he came straight back to me. The work was done in phases, each costed and reasonable. Carl and his team carried out the work they said they would, when they said they would do it meaning we could plan our lives around the work. Every time Carl came to work on the garden he always left everything very neat. (our neighbours commented on how he worked causing no disturbances). The work has now finished and our garden is amazing. We gave him some challenges but nothing was ever too much trouble. We had some ideas for the garden, Carl was able to realise these and add details from his own expertise. All of these were good and improved the garden. We have a lovely new fence he made to fit an awkward sized gap. He also offers ongoing maintenance. Very highly recommended. He also really cares about getting a good job done making sure you are happy with the result. His contact number is on an earlier post on this thread.

I dont think stop and search is the answer. But I do believe a police presence on the street and local 'police offices' (like they have in Japan..a booth where locals can go to voice any concerns or report a crime ) making use of empty shops would certainly help to keep crime down When I lived in Westminster in an area with a large amount of street crime once they introduced local community support officers that would walk the streets the muggings and graffiti decreased and we all felt much safer especially as it was the same officers you saw daily and got to know it was reassuring having them around.

I spotted the assailant cycling down Crystal Palace road near the gym on Tuesday early afternoon... He was cycling down the middle of the road kind of looking around rather than at the road.. I saw him look my way and sort of slow down so I swapped my shoulder bag to the side away from the road and stared at him and he cycled off...He seems to be working alone as opposed to part of a gang and I only noticed him because he was in head to toe black with hood and balaclava on a really hot day riding a black quite slim looking bike. I guess he just cycles round looking for victims.

Weighing in here I found Humdingers post pretty vile and judgemental. Not to mention the comment relating to his 'bird' putting on weight. (I assume they aren't referring to a pet Budgie here). Luca's were a small independent business employers of young waiting staff all of whom will lose their jobs. I used to go there at weekends actually and no I don't have a pet dog (I wish!) and I dont consider myself smug looking but if I am it'll be because I've finished a hard weeks grind and am enjoying sitting with a cup of coffee and watching the world go by. I wish good luck to Luca and his team and thank you for the years you've fed and watered us.

Yes definitely !!!

🥰 Oh wow!!!! I watched a video on YouTube and sang so loudly along to Spellbound that my cat Boo's ears shot back and he ran upstairs!!!😂

I wish I had known they were there! Now I've found out too damn late!!!

I predict an Obesity outbreak in ED. Burrito,Pizza,Burgers,Noodles..... When I was in LA in the 90's there was a place called Souplantation (I believe it was a South Cali chain) where it was a serve yourself Salad/Raw food bar and you could then add from a vast selection of protein and toppings. As the name suggests the other offering was...Soup. And I think they offered fresh juices too. You paid by the size of the bowl for salad and soup was a flat rate and you could add a bread roll. I remember it was very reasonable and I ate in or got takeaway there most days. I wish there was something like this in London. this is a chain I'd welcome.

Its no more reasonably priced than Monkatsu . and The Ramen portions at Monkatsu are much more generous than Wagamama's Ramen. I also find that the service is much better in a small independent cafe or restaurant than a chain where staff are literally lest invested in the business. I feel Lordship Lane is becoming BLAND, Like every other high st in Clapham,Putney or Camden. I think Peckham is now a more interesting offering for those seeking character and individuality. Every district in London seems to be losing its individuality. I spent 50years of my life in Notting Hill (before moving here 13years ago) and that went the same way. Gentrification leads to homogenisation and the charm that leads to areas becoming 'fashionable' gets erased with the rising cost of retail rental. Bang goes the Butcher the Baker (actually we seem to have A LOT of bakeries😂) and candlestick maker. The Electrical repair shop, The junk shop the toy shop and in its place we get... Joe and the Juice, Oliver Bonas,Wagamama,Gails, Bloody Meagans and the list will grow... Rant over! I think I should give up on London completely 😤

I agree; We need a Bank. Monkatsu is excellent as is Yama Momo. I'd rather NOT have another chain and Wagamama went downhill long ago. Dishoom is a chain that has great food or Ottolengi (Ok its expensive but they do do take-out options too) I glanced at the menu of the new Swedish place and I saw a lot of...PIZZA options. Not what I was hoping for at all.

And why not????

thank you

Not much use for those of us who work is it??

I dont but where I work they do donate to dress for success and I think the charity actually collects from us. I would contact both charities you mention and ask if they'll collect

Is it really? It always seems busy. That's incredibly sad, I love Luca's and they also bake amazing bread. Yes I agree, it always seems busy and their food is great. There's a sign in the window saying they're selling stuff off. I guess its another victim of the rise in energy costs/produce/etc etc.

I went past on a bus around 6.50pm and the road was clear...I did however notice a REALLY strong smell of burning (like burnt wood or paper) in the vicinity.. So much so (it was noticeable from around Ondine Rd to the EDT) that I wondered if someone had set fire to something upstairs on the bus. Perhaps the smell was connected to the road closure???

not a new shop opening but an established one closing. I noticed that Luca's on Northcross road is closing down there goes another independent trader. Sad

We enjoy going for the occasional 'date night' to Picturehouse. BUT Its so expensive! we usually have to go at weekends (due to work schedules) and its £14 or £15 each. thats a lot of money as we both aren't on big salaries. If it was £9 we'd go more often and maybe even buy a drink before. As it is due to the cost of tickets we go no frills no drink/popcorn etc. We never go out in the west-end so I dont know how much west end cinemas charge these days but we do usually go to either ED picture house or the cinema in crystal Palace about once a month.

Have you tried Tonkotsu in Peckham? https://tonkotsu.co.uk/ Tonkotsu is a chain so I try to avoid them. Rye Lane is also a bit for us to walk down to as we live FH end