Cleaning up old Harvester

[EDOldie]

There's been a pub/inn (The Green Man) on that site for hundreds of years. Shown on Rocques map 1746. A mixed redevelopment pub/affordable residential/commercial maybe some lower cost offices/studios would help refresh this area. Skatepark must stay surely.  Looks a lot of fun. and much needed on the area. There has to be a pub of some sort. 

The rationalisation of the pedestrian crossing is long overdue (it used to be a Zebra crossing years ago) and much welcomed. Hopefully this could encourage greater use of Cox's Walk and the woods. If we had somewhere to eat and drink at the end of a walk through the woods. Or for those old enough who have used the skatepark, it could be an attraction again.

The Dulwich Estate need to get off their obsession with corporate tenants (although to be fair they have allowed some independent commercial tenants into some of the smaller premises) and get a smaller, more agile, pub operator in there.

 

 

[beansprout]

What ever they decide I would have thought that the skate park would not be staying but really hope I am wrong as in my minds eye, I see the skate park as potential parking spaces after all if it is going to be community, flats, retail units, cafe, etc folks are going to want to have the parking availability - Amir like the parade of shops opposite.

if the skate park goes then I think it is Dulwich Estate obligation to find another suitable area… a lot of community spirit and hard work went into developing the skate park and the youngsters should be very proud of what they have done  and achieved. 

[EDOldie]

Southwark not keen on parking for cars.

[ArchieCarlos]

On 22/09/2025 at 20:53, EDOldie said:

There's been a pub/inn (The Green Man) on that site for hundreds of years. Shown on Rocques map 1746. A mixed redevelopment pub/affordable residential/commercial maybe some lower cost offices/studios would help refresh this area. Skatepark must stay surely.  Looks a lot of fun. and much needed on the area. There has to be a pub of some sort. 

The rationalisation of the pedestrian crossing is long overdue (it used to be a Zebra crossing years ago) and much welcomed. Hopefully this could encourage greater use of Cox's Walk and the woods. If we had somewhere to eat and drink at the end of a walk through the woods. Or for those old enough who have used the skatepark, it could be an attraction again.

The Dulwich Estate need to get off their obsession with corporate tenants (although to be fair they have allowed some independent commercial tenants into some of the smaller premises) and get a smaller, more agile, pub operator in there.

 

 

I agree with your sentiment, however you are mistaken about the Dulwich Estate. Their sole purpose is to make as much money as possible to give to the schools they support, as well as the almshouses and other historical buildings. They do not care about social housing (except subsidised housing for teachers of the schools), refreshing the area, low-rent studios, charming but affordable pub, etc. While they are a charity, their purpose is very constrained/focused and whatever they do with this site, it has to make money for them. It's not that they're being nasty or stingy, it's just what their statutes tell them they have to do.

Note that I am not defending them, but knowing the above helps understand why they do what they do, even if sometimes it seems to go against the wishes of the local community. They are not answerable to the local community, and their only oversight is the charity commission and the courts. And of course, like all bureaucracies (esp those with limited oversight), they look after themselves very well. 

Edited 11 hours ago by ArchieCarlos

[Forest Hill Climber]

Best use of this would be to make a start tunnelling the South Circular.  We all know it needs to happen.

[Spartacus]

12 minutes ago, Forest Hill Climber said:

Best use of this would be to make a start tunnelling the South Circular.  We all know it needs to happen.

Its a long way to Australia, is a tunnel a good cost effective idea ? 

Personally, I would like to see it returned as a pub and resturant, but not a spoons or harvester, something a little more exciting maybe. 

[Sue]

1 hour ago, Spartacus said:

Its a long way to Australia, is a tunnel a good cost effective idea ? 

Personally, I would like to see it returned as a pub and resturant, but not a spoons or harvester, something a little more exciting maybe. 

Many many moons ago, I worked as a mystery shopper for a while (amongst a number of other part time jobs, including a mystery traveller on the buses 🤣)

I was asked at very short notice to go and have a meal at that Harvester, because it was a bank holiday and they couldn't find anyone else to go.

I thought, well, it would be a free meal, and they paid for a meal for two (on top of whatever tiny amounts they paid me for my reporting on it).

I can't remember the exact details, but It was vile. To be fair, it wasn't as bad as a similar meal I once had at the Dog, and unlike that at least it was free, but it would take a lot of wild horses to drag me back to another Harvester.

I don't suppose Spoons would be interested. They closed the one in Forest Hill, and at least that was an interesting building. And the Beer Dispensary nearby never did very well, though probably there were reasons for that (like a very small selection of beer).

But yes, it would be nice to see a decent pub/restaurant there, although sadly I presume the skate park would then be turned into a car park, regardless of whether Southwark doesn't like cars.

Edited 1 hour ago by Sue