The Capitol.. Wetherspoons.

[Pugwash]

I believe that sometime ago a religious organisation wanted the premises but there was a lot of opposition from residents and Lewisham re parking and noise.

[OutOfFocus]

Take your choices. Beer quality, food quality, ambience.  Tend not to get all at same time.

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

As an aside, day-drinking cheapskates - I mean, those looking for a friendly tavern to replace the Spoons should have a look at The Hill around the corner. It had a sign up advertising a lager and an IPA at £3.95 a pint all day every day last time I passed.

[Jerrywest]

Any news guys? It seems to be that the Capitol will be turning into a new pub! But this has not been confirmed yet. Any and all new information would be greatly appreciated 🤘🏼

[Sue]

1 hour ago, Jerrywest said:

Any news guys? It seems to be that the Capitol will be turning into a new pub! But this has not been confirmed yet. Any and all new information would be greatly appreciated 🤘🏼

That's a massive space for a pub that isn't a Spoons!

Do you know what pubco (?) it is?

I'm guessing probably a chain rather than an independent, but I would dearly love to be wrong.

[Sephiroth]

Agree with Sue - seems unlikely that  the  whole space would operated by another pubco - it's massive (and not cheap)

 

Details still seem to be up on Savill's so not sure it has been acquired by another pubco

 

https://assets.savills.com/properties/GB0456L118507/dabf92f615b3ea6592283d295cc7b440-london-capitol.pdf

 

 

[Sue]

The lease expires September 2025?????

So in only around 18 months' time ?????

[Gloves]

All the pubs you mention are terrible! 

Service, food and beer choices. 

The only decent pubs in ED are: 

The Castle

Great Exhibition 

Watson General

The Herne

The Cherry Tree is a good station pub 

[Insuflo]

I think the lease is still held by Wetherspoons and they are responsible for paying rent and rates until late 2025. It’s the remainder of the lease that is for sale. Wetherspoons had been trying to sell the lease for the best part of ten years, so I’m guessing the place was never really profitable.

While the owner is being paid six figures by spoons for the next 18 months they have no need to worry, so the place will probably sit empty.

[OutOfFocus]

When did wetherspoons take out the lease.  Presumably at the time they thought it was a good deal.

[Insuflo]

I believe it is a 25 year lease, so that would mean it was taken out in 2000. Wetherspoons were trying to offload the place as far back as 2014 but there has never been any serious interest. It must have been a loss maker since at least then.

[smoo]

April 2024 update: https://planning.lewisham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_LEWIS_DCAPR_123541&activeTab=summary

Looks like a planning application was made on the address regarding an alteration to the premises license... By Trafalgar Entertainment, through an architects firm as the agent! So looking like it might become a cinema or theatre looking at their other buildings!

[MrsR]

There are signs in the window saying Gambado is coming to Forest Hill.

[Sue]

51 minutes ago, MrsR said:

There are signs in the window saying Gambado is coming to Forest Hill.

Never heard of them!

The place in the screenshot attached?

[Earl Aelfheah]

Gambado's could actually do super well there. 

[malumbu]

Would expect that Lewisham would want to keep it for the arts and entertainment.  Not sure if a kiddy playground would fit and whether it would need a change of use. 

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

Gambado would be a good use. The one in Beckenham was rammed until it closed during COVID. Presumablt there aren't many other businesses that can use a space that large while preserving the features, and I doubt the council has money for anything not-for-profit.

[malumbu]

Disagree on this occasion, Beckenham is away from the high street and has parking.  There is already enough hassle on Perry Vale behind the station with drivers parking on the double yellows when there is a big event on making the road dangerous for all.  There is a reasonably large car park not far away but many don't or wont use it.  Ideally of course families would arrive using the wonderful public transport in the area.....

Anyway what will be will be.

[nivag]

People could use the Sainsbury's carpark.

They won't but it's an option.

[malumbu]

Sainsbury's is a private one and you have to pay if you are not shopping and it is enforced.  Better enforced than double line parking outside of the working day