Surma Curry House closed

[Fitzgeraldo]

Wandered down Lordship Lane today hoping for 'As much as you like buffet lunch' and was most disappointed to read a notice that the place had closed. Always called it 'The Beardie Boys' Curry House' as the proprietor and his sidekick both sported wonderful whiskers when I first started going there back in the 1980's.

What is happening to the place and why did it close? Is this closure symptomatic of the decline of the curry restaurant industry in the area? Will I be forced to consume ghastly pizza's instead of prawn dhansak whenever I fancy a cheapo down Lordship Lane?

[NewWave]

The owner retired it stated on another thread as did the message in the shop window.

[herne hilly]

That is sad and sure this won't be the last of the what we see as the homogenisation of London.

Speaking from experience, immigrants of the 50s,60s,70s would open a business once they saved enough money be it Greeks-hair dressers/cafes/chip shops or Italians-restaurants/deli/coffee shop, Indians-news agents/corner shops or Pakistani's/bengali-curry houses, Chinese-take aways and this gave london its diverse culture. Now those people are at an age to retire, they will disappear.

Now its so expensive to start a business, the only people that can manage it are large companies or a very brave person willing to take the plunge.

Just look at the vitriol the olde sweet shop has had because its a franchise and the shop front its not to everyones taste.

Im sure the pizza would not be ghastly with its artisan sourdough sprinkled with Himalayan black salt and pepper from deepest darkest depths of Peru ;-)

[Penguin68]

Now those people are at an age to retire, they will disappear.

It is quite normal for businesses to be sold-on (where they are not kept in the family). One assumes that a business which isn't sold-on may no longer be viable. Fashions in e.g. food outlets change (as we have seen in LL). As do customers for food outlets.

It is true that some business types do disappear over time - and others emerge. Often in areas where rents etc. are cheaper - which is why the face of london is always changing. That's broadly a good thing. Think of the influx of Vietnamese and indeed Turkish restaurants in Kingsland Road (Hoxton) or of Portuguese restaurants in Newington. LL used to be the go-to place for 'Indian' restaurants - it's less so now, but there is still quality to be found, and now amidst other cuisines.

[Sephiroth]

I wonder if this has anything to do with it?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/15/brexit-lies-curry-vote-leave-restaurant-industry

Not the only thing, but a contributing factor?

[Penguin68]

Certainly where you can pay catering staff a pittance (or less if they are family members) then the economics of running a business look better. I have rather mixed feelings about this - I love cheap 'Indian' food, (and the ingredients are certainly rarely expensive) - but I also quite like to see skill (properly) rewarded.

[Humdinger]

You could have gone next door to an all you can eat Indian buffet, or a few yards either direction to 2 more curry houses also having a buffet.

So don't panic, you will still be able to have your prawn dhansak rather than, heaven forbid, a 'ghastly' pizza.

[Captain Marvel]

Spice Republic

[KidKruger]

Takeaway for me has to be Two Sisters in Nunhead.

If you like anglicised ?Indian food? this is the place. Love it.

Cool guys running the show too.

[peckman]

Cinnamon in brockley always gets my thumbs up . Lamb picassacio curry with paneer.. god i actually could go for one know . Close 2nd is two sisters but always found menu to be so large becomes bewildering

[Humdinger]

You dont have to go far for quality curry, just next door to Surma, in fact.

[DulwichFox]

Work has commenced on The Old Surma place.

No indication as to what it may become...

Answers on a post card ?

DulwichFox

[Gloves]

DulwichFox Wrote:

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> Work has commenced on The Old Surma place.

>

> No indication as to what it may become...

>

> Answers on a post card ?

>

> DulwichFox

Saucy Too....

[Humdinger]

Hopefully another sourdough pizza restaurant. With no draft beer.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I would really like to see a thimble shop. You don't see enough thimble shops nowadays.

[NewWave]

Estate agent? nailbar? sweet-shop?

Or mini-mini Waitrose?

[Sue]

DulwichFox Wrote:

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> Work has commenced on The Old Surma place.

>

> No indication as to what it may become...

>

I thought it was to be a "health food" shop?

https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,2034842,2036063#msg-2036063

[Captain Marvel]

Edit

[Captain Marvel]

I can't think how many Surma chicken vindaloos have disappeared down my gullet over the years, certainly flocks of poultry and several tureens of highly spiced sauce were involved.

From time to time other exotic offerings would tempt me to veer off course but like a meth head I would always go back to the regular - my hot chicken.

Vishnu knows how many crates of Mr. Ali's plonk have left me wobbling and stranded at the top of those vertiginous stairs, considering sliding down on my arse.

Over many years, he fed me, tolerated my mates, gave us a large brandy at the end of the meal and sometimes aware of my predicament even gave me a lift home, and now my Monday evenings at 6.30 will never be the same.

So, goodbye the Surma and Mr. Ali, a great Dulwich institution has passed to be replaced by something I imagine will be considerably less spicy.

[KidKruger]

Not sure where Vishnu fits with Mr.Ali and his crew, them being Bangladeshis !!

But good post nevertheless !

[Captain Marvel]

Will Shiva do?

[DulwichFox]

Sue Wrote:

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> DulwichFox Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Work has commenced on The Old Surma place.

> >

> > No indication as to what it may become...

> >

>

>

> I thought it was to be a "health food" shop?

>

> https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?

> 30,2034842,2036063#msg-2036063

Yes Sue that is right. I think it was suggested elsewhere.

I was speaking with the Owner of Dulwich Tandoori who confirmed this.

It will be a small chain supposedly selling healthy Juices and the like

and not Pills and Vitamins as Holland and Barrett do.

But. Let's wait and see.

Foxy

[Sue]

https://www.asnatureintended.uk.com/2019/08/15/as-nature-intended-dulwich-store-opening/

Opening in September.