The old Woolwich Bank site

[Quaywe]

OK I'm sure many of us have been wondering about the Woolwich Bank site since the bank "moved in with Barclays". Well add me to the list of those wondering. This is a fairly large site.

Hopefully with William Hill being right next door and with three RE agents within metres of the shop it won't be another of the like of those, but nothing surprises me these days. Having confirmed that Tesco and Natwest are both actively looking I would think this would, unfortunately, be an ideal site (they think, not me!). Hopefully Southwark planning will keep making it hard for Tesco at least, due to parking issues.

A giant organic, fair trade, boutique pram shop would surely be the go for that site wouldn't it? They could even have their own cr?che for the kids and a Monmouth cafe so the EDmum's can browse the prams while sipping on their latte.

Has anyone heard any credible goss yet on this site and any prospective new tenants moving into our beloved "more expensive than commercial property in Angel" Lordship Lane?

[Nero]

EK, I rang Tesco when it was feared that the shop near the top of LL would be a branch. The development officer told me that that site would not be a Tesco of any kind, and that the company was not looking for anywhere in SE22. Goodness knows what the place will be. I do hope it is not a food shop or a bank or an estate agent's. Nero

[kford]

I hope that that whole ugly block is demolished, but that won't happen soon. And I find it a bit strange that NatWest are opening branches, when there's a generation of people emerging now who do their banking entirely online or by phone. I can't remember the last time I went into a bank.

[AllforNun]

Well apparently I have it from a v good source that the leasholders are in very advanced discussions with a firm called Mark One. I think they are a clothing retailers ? Its basically a done deal. I think East Dulwich will be looking pretty smart in a few years.

But....... It looks like Nunhead is going to get all the eclectic arty shops. It will probably bleedin feel like columbia market in a few years.

[kford]

I'm told by Mrs Kford that MkOne is a cheap and cheerful clothing chain, like Primark, but not cool.

Website: http://www.mkone.co.uk/students.html

[macroban]

Northworld Ltd

[Siduhe]

AllforNun Wrote:

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> Well apparently I have it from a v good source

> that the leasholders are in very advanced

> discussions with a firm called Mark One. I think

> they are a clothing retailers ? Its basically a

> done deal. I think East Dulwich will be looking

> pretty smart in a few years.

I guess you've not wandered past the shop window of the one in Forest Hill then... :)

Mrs Kford is spot on. I've never once walked past the one in Forest Hill and thought "I must pop in". That said, I don't imagine it will cause the ire that White Stuff did, and it's a whole lot more accessible in terms of pricing than some of the clothes-selling emporiums on LL.

[Jeremy]

grrr.. HORRIBLE!!

[Jah Lush]

Hmmmmm...looks rather naff doesn't it.(td)

[Louisa]

NatWest are opening branches because of demand! We are an ageing population and just because younger people think it's great to shop online, perhaps they need to bare in mind that over half the population of this country is now 40+ and this figure is rising. I wish the site would be turned into a mini-Barclays because ever since the migration took place, all the old Woolwich customers are now flocking into the Barclays site and its impossible to get served unless you want to queue for hours on end or travel to the village branch. I never use the internet for banking, it's far too risky, and I enjoy the travelling into a branch, for some elderly people it's a highlight for their day (and I am not kidding!). I would not knock that block down either, the chemist is great and the staff are lovely. I also use Budgens and the betting office ocassionally. That row of shops I probably frequent more than any other in ED, especially in recent years!

[AllforNun]

Apparently it may be a new flagship store for them. I have heard that some of their recent openings were accompanied by celebrity guests and some press. I think Kerry Katonna and lee ryan have be involved in the past. Possibly something to put ED really on the map.

[Louisa]

Kerry Katona and Lee Ryan (whoever he is), wow now this really could put ED on the map!

[RosieH]

Louisa, for shame you don't know who Lee Ryan is - he's brilliant is who he is. Used to be in Blue, and he's just made more of a name for himself by walking out of Hell's Kitchen. His mum's a hairdresser in Greenwich.

I think a Mark One is exactly what East Dulwich needs - something to take those White Stuff shoppers down a peg or two - and conveniently located very close to Iceland!!!

[macroban]

I've not heard of Kerry Katona or Lee Ryan or Blue. Are they important?

Do White Stuff have customers? Always looks empty when I walk past.

[Louisa]

Most of the people ive spoken to have had one browse and then never gone back cos it's bland and expensive.

As for Kerry Katona and Lee Ryan Macro, I dont think knowing who they are or what they stand for would add any extra light on the matter. Best not to know me thinks (I'd like to think Blue is a far off country where magic takes place).

[nancysmum]

isn't it a shame that the site isn't turned over to the artisan craftspeople of east dulwich - people who would like to make a living from their particular skill (painting / jewellery making / etc) but who can't afford shop front prices.

[downsouth]

I still don't know anyone who shops in the White Stuff - maybe it's a front for something... me thinks the clue might lie in the name?

[AllforNun]

I agree with you louisa + Rosie - It will be great. Iceland's for great food, Mark One for your evening outfit and then a night out in the new TGI fridays that may be replacing the Mexican.

Finally ED's on the map for good night out.

[kford]

Louisa Wrote:

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> NatWest are opening branches because of demand! We

> are an ageing population and just because younger

> people think it's great to shop online, perhaps

> they need to bare in mind that over half the

> population of this country is now 40+ and this

> figure is rising. I wish the site would be turned

> into a mini-Barclays because ever since the

> migration took place, all the old Woolwich

> customers are now flocking into the Barclays site

> and its impossible to get served unless you want

> to queue for hours on end or travel to the village

> branch. I never use the internet for banking, it's

> far too risky, and I enjoy the travelling into a

> branch, for some elderly people it's a highlight

> for their day (and I am not kidding!). I would not

> knock that block down either, the chemist is great

> and the staff are lovely. I also use Budgens and

> the betting office ocassionally. That row of shops

> I probably frequent more than any other in ED,

> especially in recent years!

Sure, the amount of people hitting 40 is rising. I'll be one of them in five years (does that make me a younger person?) But when I do, I won't suddenly wake up on my 40th and think "oh no, this internet banking thing is just TOO convenient, I must go back to queueing outside my local branch in the rain, waiting for it to open at 9am, then queueing again while a single cashier miserably and manually processes cheques and banker's drafts. Neither will the millions of others who have embraced the digital age, and they're not all under 40s.

Expect NatWest's publicity exercise to be rolled back in a few years' time.

[nutty]

downsouth Wrote:

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> I still don't know anyone who shops in the White

> Stuff - maybe it's a front for something... me

> thinks the clue might lie in the name?

I'll happily be the first to admit to already having spent a small fortune in white stuff.... I'm sure there are others on here keeping quiet...

[Vik]

God I really hope we don't get a Mark One in LL!!

I love that it has so many independent shops with the odd chain and I fear it may end up like Peckham or another clone high street, just add Argos and McDonalds and we're away!:'(

[James]

Anyone who believes that Mark One is coming to East Dulwich is a sandwich short of a picnic

[Jah Lush]

I hope you're right James otherwise I'll have a tuna fish with sweetcorn and mayonaise.:))

[Jeremy]

macroban Wrote:

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> I've not heard of Kerry Katona or Lee Ryan or

> Blue. Are they important?

B-list pop "singers" whose careers have evaporated, and now make a living by appearing on downmarket TV shows and opening shoddy shops.

> Do White Stuff have customers? Always looks empty

> when I walk past.

It's pretty busy on the weekends. I would have thought that their target market will all be at work during the week. That's why I thought it was strange opening up in a purely residential area!

[zephyr]

It would be quite ironic if Kerry Katona where to be involved in its opening as it is opposite Iceland - she has been the face of Iceland for some time!