Franklins is being sold

[BrandNewGuy]

Just had a fine lunch at Franklins and can confirm that it's soon to be sold and will have a minor refurbishment before reopening, probably as The Victory, which was its original name, I think.

[NewWave]

Oh! I love Franklins! Its always a really reliable lovely place to eat.

I sincerely hope it does'nt change too much and they retain the team

[Sue]

Oh no! 😭

[BrandNewGuy]

2 hours ago, NewWave said:

Oh! I love Franklins! Its always a really reliable lovely place to eat.

I sincerely hope it does'nt change too much and they retain the team

Both your hopes will be fine, I think. Our waitress will stay on. The downstairs is getting refurbished, and the bar area enlarged, presumably by removing that awkward little 'lobby' by the loos.

[geh]

I had heard this was on the cards a while ago, sad, the end of an era, but well done Rod and Tim for stewarding a beacon of excellence for so many years.

 

 

[Penguin68]

They've had 26 years or so of trading, and if anyone deserves decent retirement... In my view they're going out at the top. It's clearly being sold, assuming it all goes through as a very more more than just a going concern. 

[EDmummy]

End of a wonderful era. We’ve been going since it opened and even started contractions with my oldest (25 year old) son during a lovely New Year’s Eve lunch. Thank you Rod and Tim for some amazing memories. 

[Suggsy]

Love Franklins. Rod and Tim created something wonderful. Glad to hear it looks like it will continue in the same spirit. 

[Froglander]

Used to enjoy going in for a set course lunch when I had a day off.  The service and food was always excellent.  

[Penguin68]

And still is, and hopefully will continue to be with changed ownership, should that happen. 

[CPR Dave]

Agree with all the sentiments above. Hope it doesn't change too much and above all I really hope it stays independent and avoids becoming the same as all the chain pubs in the area.

[niall]

used to love their black pudding on toast with a pint of guinness

[Sue]

So did I. It was a sad day when I stopped eating meat.

I don't remember the toast, though!

Edited Tuesday at 16:14 by Sue

[EDulwich_4]

I am always really surprised by the glowing reviews of Franklins. Not sure whether it was once very good, and so it is just somewhere that is now remembered as that and thought of fondly by those who have known it since its opening all those years ago?

As someone who has lived in the area for a few years now, and having tried it a few times (mostly as a result of the positive reviews), I have always been pretty disappointed. The food has always been average for the price point, and last time we visited we waited about 40 minutes to place an order. Hopefully whoever buys it can make improvements - it would be great to have a reliable pub on the lane that serves good food (similar to the Kerfield or Camberwell Arms, etc.)!

[Sue]

4 hours ago, EDulwich_4 said:

I am always really surprised by the glowing reviews of Franklins. Not sure whether it was once very good, and so it is just somewhere that is now remembered as that and thought of fondly by those who have known it since its opening all those years ago?

As someone who has lived in the area for a few years now, and having tried it a few times (mostly as a result of the positive reviews), I have always been pretty disappointed. The food has always been average for the price point, and last time we visited we waited about 40 minutes to place an order. Hopefully whoever buys it can make improvements - it would be great to have a reliable pub on the lane that serves good food (similar to the Kerfield or Camberwell Arms, etc.)!

We have been going to Franklins for many years.

On the whole we have found both the food and service extremely good,  and good value for money, but there have been one or two low points, including unfortunately a very expensive but disappointing  meal with friends which I was paying for.

I think it may depend on who is in the kitchen.

We had a really excellent meal from their Christmas menu before Christmas this year, which for the quality of the food and cooking we didn't feel was expensive at all.

I think it would be a real shame if it was turned into a pub. It isn't that kind of place. That's why we like it.

[Sydney Carton]

I remember that basement when it was a swinger's club

[Sue]

5 minutes ago, Sydney Carton said:

I remember that basement when it was a swinger's club

When was that?!

[the_hermit]

12 minutes ago, Sydney Carton said:

I remember that basement when it was a swinger's club

It failed.  He just kept throwing his own keys in the bowl and pretending to be surprised when he had to drive himself home.

Edited Thursday at 19:42 by the_hermit

[first mate]

On 25/02/2026 at 21:20, Sue said:

We have been going to Franklins for many years.

On the whole we have found both the food and service extremely good,  and good value for money, but there have been one or two low points, including unfortunately a very expensive but disappointing  meal with friends which I was paying for.

I think it may depend on who is in the kitchen.

We had a really excellent meal from their Christmas menu before Christmas this year, which for the quality of the food and cooking we didn't feel was expensive at all.

I think it would be a real shame if it was turned into a pub. It isn't that kind of place. That's why we like it.

Completely agree. We have enough pubs in the area. Franklins is more like a restaurant with a small bar. The hope is that it is not changed too much. If it ain't broken... as the saying goes.

[froggy]

Well, this is sad news.  Hopefully it won't go down the same path as The Palmerston when it changed hands.  That is from great to dismal, literally overnight.

[Jah Lush]

Was a regular haunt of mine for many years and had a lot of fun times in there and some marvellous food down the years. Though, admittedly I spent most of my time in there doing some serious boozing. In recent times I've been a less frequent visitor to this fine establishment.
I seriously hope it doesn't change too much. It's always had a good vibe in there and that's down to Tim and Rod and all of the staff who have worked there over the past 26 years.

[BrandNewGuy]

Just to repeat the news I was given – it's not being converted into a pub. As far as I know, there's no intention of dumbing down their restaurant offering. 

Although as others have pointed out, Camberwell has two pubs – The Camberwell Arms and now the Michelin-starred Kerfield Arms – with excellent food. The Palmerston used to be the only pub in ED that was of such quality, but sadly no longer IMHO.