New Shops in East Dulwich and Nearby - 2025 Edition

[Cyclemonkey]

Surely the main issue for Dulwich Village is their retail offer, like most of Dulwich Village,  is desperately dull and a bit basic.  Not really worth anyone from outside of Dulwich Village travelling for. 

[Angelina]

It would be incredible if the community supported small businesses rather than a chain (Gail's being a very large chain).

 

Sadly, consumers don't realise their power - as you can see also by the number of coffee cups etc that are still being bought and contribute to landfill - it' not hard to be responsible, just inconvenient.

[BrandNewGuy]

2 hours ago, Cyclemonkey said:

Surely the main issue for Dulwich Village is their retail offer, like most of Dulwich Village,  is desperately dull and a bit basic.  Not really worth anyone from outside of Dulwich Village travelling for. 

But people do travel there for non-retail reasons – it's attractive, leafy, it has the park and the gallery – and then fancy a coffee and a cake...

Re Romeo Jones, rising costs were the primary reason for closure, but the LTNs had created a situation where revenue has been noticeably down since they were introduced, making businesses vulnerable to any other blows.

[NewWave]

On 22/05/2025 at 12:08, BrandNewGuy said:

The Romeo Jones owner blames rising costs, but also the impact of the LTNs, which have significantly reduced footfall in the Village. It was a lovely, friendly place – a shame that it's only chains like Gail's that can afford to take rising costs on the chin.

I really like Romeo Jones, Sad its going.

I refuse to frequent Gails & Megans I cant bear the homogenisation of London.

Its become such a bland city now.

[ArchieCarlos]

Went to try Hausu this weekend, the restaurant which has replaced the Peckham Coal Rooms inside Peckham Rye Station after they closed down. 
 

We had a really good meal, served with very friendly staff. Trendy and creative modern British food in the same vibe as Levan, with an interesting selection of wines. The strawberry eclair for dessert was divine, I wish they would sell it as takeaway!

Only criticism is no coffee at the end of the meal as the coffee shop at the front is on a separate lease that still has a few months to run before they can take over. I wish them much success. 

[hellose5]

let's support local, especially when it's good

[Penguin68]

1 minute ago, hellose5 said:

let's support local, especially when it's good

I would say 'only when it's good'. It's not like a football team. 

[satsuma]

Just seen an alcohol licensing flyer for Tesco Express on the Poundland site - are Poundland heading off and we're getting a Tesco!?

[EDOldie]

On 22/05/2025 at 12:36, Dogkennelhillbilly said:

I much prefer Romeo Jones to >spit< Gail's, but I'm struggling to blame this on the LTN when nothing outside Romeo Jones has changed, the LTN came in 5 (!!!) years ago, and Gail's has queues out the door most days. It also is directly opposite Rocca (which serves coffee and has seating), next door to Porters (which serves coffee and has seating), a few doors along from Real Greek (which serves coffee and has seating), and diagonally across from Gail's (which serves coffee and sells baked goods and has seating). I'll be sorry to see Romeo Jones go (not least because I have a stack of stamped loyalty cards).

I don't want to criticise small business owners because it's a tough old racket, but DVillage never really seemed to find its niche either as a proper deli (like La Gastronomia or The Sicilian in West Dulwich) or as a coffee shop (which is difficult when you have Megan's and Redemption right next to you, and Au Ciel around the corner).

I think there are a couple of points worth making here. Gails, Megans The Real Greek and even Redemption (12 shops) are all chains. I don't want to state the bleeding obvious but, they have much greater buying power but can easily undercut smaller rivals. The object of competition being to put your competitors out of business. Well done mega corps!

Now, add to this extensive double yellow lines, many recently added, a huge reduction on the amount of free parking and extensive road works that seem to be going on forever and you can begin to understand just how tough a gig it has been since Covid in Dulwich Village.

To sum up you not only have corporate strangulation but a council that hates small business.

[Insuflo]

2 hours ago, satsuma said:

Just seen an alcohol licensing flyer for Tesco Express on the Poundland site - are Poundland heading off and we're getting a Tesco!?

The application in Tesco’s name is on the council’s website dated 23rd May. I’m presuming Tesco couldn’t make an application for a property they don’t already control?
After Poundland refitted the place, I would imagine Tesco would only have to change the branding and they’ve got a ready made new branch.

[pebs]

Groan. Already have Co-Op and M&S...

[Sue]

15 hours ago, satsuma said:

Just seen an alcohol licensing flyer for Tesco Express on the Poundland site - are Poundland heading off and we're getting a Tesco!?

It will be quite a small Tesco, won't it?

And quite near  the one on East Dulwich Road?

I wonder how the Co-op will keep going, it always seems to be on its last legs as it is.

Edited Tuesday at 08:02 by Sue

[ArchieCarlos]

25 minutes ago, Sue said:

It will be quite a small Tesco, won't it?

And quite near  the one on East Dulwich Road?

I wonder how the Co-op will keep going, it always seems to be on its last legs as it is.

That Co-op is such a depressing shop (like all Co-ops sadly) I wouldn't mind seeing it replaced by something else. Even a Tesco would be nicer, which is saying something!

[Sue]

42 minutes ago, ArchieCarlos said:

That Co-op is such a depressing shop (like all Co-ops sadly) I wouldn't mind seeing it replaced by something else. Even a Tesco would be nicer, which is saying something!

Yes, it's sad when it has such an apparently good ethical background, but the management always seems poor, and most of the staff (with a few happy and helpful exceptions) seem either depressed or grumpy.

[Penguin68]

The Cooperative Movement and how it manifests locally do not always seem wholly aligned. 

[tiddles]

The coop of Forest Hill Road is very different- cheerful and helpful staff 

[Angelina]

getting a Tesco is mildly depressing

[KalamityKel]

Why?

[holloway]

LL has always reminded me of Crouch End. Went to Crouch End a while ago and three huge supermarkets now dominate it. Soulless. 

[Sue]

On 27/05/2025 at 18:27, Angelina said:

getting a Tesco is mildly depressing

Not half as depressing as Sainsbury's 

[Brian up the hill]

Chains moving in is a sure sign that LL is heading for a fall. They are parasites, waiting for the independents to be successful and then, in partnership with rapacious landlords, they move in and force out those very businesses who have created the market they then seek to exploit. They replace a lively diversity with a bland and predictable offering. Then, when a downturn arrives, they move out, leaving boarded up premises and charity shops. Independent businesses who have worked hard to make a success of their efforts will try to see out hard times as they’ve invested so much. Chains look only at the bottom line and think nothing of closing branches. Chains are liable also to expand too fast, be managed badly and then collapse. Think of Brick House being forced out by Gail’s, the closure of White Stuff (although that chain was replaced by another) and JoJo Maman Bebe. . Sadly, I fear that will be the future of LL. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Brian up the hill

[Penguin68]

Most of the shops in LL have too small a footprint. That's why we have so few chains. That won't change quickly. 

[edgrove13]

Coop is often more expensive than M&S, without the associated quality, wouldn’t be sad to see it go

[NewWave]

5 hours ago, Penguin68 said:

Most of the shops in LL have too small a footprint. That's why we have so few chains. That won't change quickly. 

There are quite a few chains on LL-

M&S food, Co-OP,Poundland,Holland and Barratt,Pret (LL-ish), Megans,Superdrug,Costa,Gails,Joe and the Juice, Gormet Burger Kitchen,Sweaty Betty, Oliver Bonas...

Those are the ones I can think of.