All Bar One is looking for ED home/Franklins organics in LL (Lounged)

[Quaywe]

I've heard from a not so reliable source that All Bar One is looking to set up shop in ED. Apparently the tyre shop opposite Franklins was up for sale/lease and the AB1 mob were after it. Franklins ended up buying/leasing it, mainly to stop AB1 opening near them, and are going to set up an organic green grocers shop in it.

At least Franklins had the money behind them to get hold of the premises and stop a competitor opening next door. A bit of a turn up for the books in this case (it's normally the chain stores bullying the small guy out of the neighbourhood using this method).

Apparently AB1's have their eyes on another premises in LL now. If AB1 is looking, then it's only a matter of time before they find the right premises.

Regards

EDKiwi

NOTE: Edited specific LL street numbers out as it appears my source didn't have the street numbering right for their next target property.

Note2: Edited again to state source was about as reliable as a tabloid reporter needing a news story during holiday season!

[Mark]

21 Lordship lane is the Black Cherry,

23 is Wates residential

26 is the shop next to White Stuff (soon to be Jojo bebe mamamamama or something)

Are they looking to buy all those?

[Jah Lush]

Noooooooooooooooo! *Makes sign of the cross*. No f**k no. All Bar One are the sperm of the devil. Thank God Franklins were able to buy the property.

[Keef]

Franklins should forget the green grocers, and have one site for their food, and the other just as a pub. I think that would be pretty cool, as I don't like drinking there because I feel like I'm drinking in the waiting area of a food place, without buying any food.

Not the staff that have made me feel like that by the way, just my own observation.

[SeanMacGabhann]

When I first saw ED change I would have put good money on the EDT being the perfect site for ABO. Still amazed that never happened (and relieved)

I thought the ABO brand was on the wane anyway?? It could be the overall pubco that is looking at sites rather than an All Bar One. (and don't that pubco already "do" The Plough?

)

[mikeb]

M&B own the Plough and the Harvester. Also Crown & Greyhound and Alleyn's Head in se21 and the Pheonix at Denmark Hill station. In terms of pubcos, they're better than some although obviously not a patch on some of the local operators.

[peckhamboy]

Maybe AB1 could take over The Vale? They wouldn't have to do too much work to it to transform it into a bland, soulless identikit pub/bar and it's probably the only place in the area that might actually be improved by becoming an AB1...

[Mark]

they tend to prey on Banks as they have ideal floor space, any bank premises going?

But anyway I thought the council had a cap on the number of bars & restaurants on Lordship Lane and the immediate area.

[char1ie]

I have to ask. What's wrong with All Bar One? It's just a place to have a beer. Better than the Vale, not as good as the Bishop. It's just a pub.

Charlie

[*Bob*]

I can understand how lovers of 'real pubs' berate the likes of the Bish, Cherry et al.

But ABO really is abysmal.. several rungs down to poo ladder with one foot in the sh*t.

[Alan Dale]

All Bar One is the new Foxtons.

All the Foxtons chatter has subsided now they're in. We needed a new hot topic.

If there's a choice then I prefer Bar HAHA!

[Keef]

I've only been in one once, and it was no better or worse than any other chain pubs I thought.

But Charles, it's not a local little business and so isn't in keeping witht the awfully special vilage feel we have down here in ED don't you know... blah blah blah blah

[mockney piers]

They're pretty dire aren't they.

All shiny surfaces with music loud enough that it bounces of every surface setting your teeth on edge and rendering you unable to hear any conversation.

Plus overpriced with terrible clientele, but that may be more to do with the fact that the only time I ever venture into one is when out-of-towners organise meet-ups in the west-end in a bloody AB1.

Compared to Letchworth I guess it is the height of salubrity. "Wow, look, they're playing Bloc Party and the pumps are chrome!!!!"

[downsouth]

All Bar One aren't that bad. in fact they good beer! The one near where i work sells about 25 with at least ten on draught. M&B are very good at what they do, I went to a M&B pub in Twickenham, The Bear, and it was brilliant. Like the Bish but much better. http://www.fluidfoundation.com/venueuserreviews.aspx?VenueID=1890

[barrymarshall]

Keef Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I've only been in one once, and it was no better

> or worse than any other chain pubs I thought.

Agreed. Well, the only one I ever really went to regularly was in Wimbledon, which was alright compared to most of the local watering holes. At least there was one barman who'd always remember our drinks and have a chat.

It could be worse: it could be Slug and Lettuce.

[georgia]

I would quite like an All Bar One in ED. Better than a organic green grocers anyday

[mockney piers]

Yes the beer's fine, but they're so terribly terribly formulaic, and it's a very tired formula (slug & Lettuce, pitcher & Piano etc).

Plus I think they introduced those horrid silver platters to the pub world, so yes, just like the bish

chrome pumps? tick

silver platters? tick

cute barmaids? tick (not that there's anything intrinsically wrong with that of course)

...

--snip--

...

lacking atmosphere? tick

can't hear yourself think? tick

sound system tuned into radio 1? tick

[downsouth]

Yes but the high street is so varied. Build it and they might come if not it closes down.

[mockney piers]

fair enough. I don't really think the demographic is young enough for one, but they're welcome to try if, as mark points out, they can get the licence.

[snorky]

Do you think the residents of ED need more bars & the associated noise/ disturbance/ detritus / congestion that comes with a new bar ?

many feel that things have got worse since late licences & new places have opened on LL for many of the streets that run into LL

( serious question - not a snorky off tanget rant )

[JoeChuff]

Quaywe: you posted this as a windup after reading the JMB thread - do I win a prize?

[alachlan]

You whingers should be pleased - all the people you dislike in one place thus keeping them safely away from your local pubs, for local people.

[barrymarshall]

Acutally, MP, AB1s have a strict over-21s policy, meaning they attract a substantially older crowd. Last year, I was asked for ID in one, and I'd only gone in there one afternoon for a coffee (I was 27).

[TJS]

Can't stand AB1, really can't stand it.....someone mentioned earlier that they like empty banks, I believe Woolwich have moved out leaving an empty retail space.

[mockney piers]

*ahem* in my mid thirties, I was kind of referring to the early 20s crowd.:-$

I was your age when I moved to ED and felt very at home; now I feel a bit old for the bish of a weekend night, and a bit like a dirty old man in inside72, but still very much at home in most other places.